My heart hurt for Bree in that moment. I hated that it took a sexy body for Hunter to notice her. She was even more beautiful inside, if you didn’t count her potty mouth. But at the same time, I felt bad for my brother—because Bree was on a mission to conquer. And right now, she wanted Hunter. I shuddered at the thought.
Ugh. It appeared she was going to get her wish by the way my brother was staring at her like he wanted to take her right there on the spot.
“God Almighty, someone hold me back. She’s back on the market and looking hot as hell!”
I rolled my eyes at the sound of Bishop’s voice. I needed to get my game face on, because I already knew it would be a long night of saying no to Bishop’s endless attempts at dancing or sneaking off somewhere for a quick swap of spit, as he liked to say. I knew he didn’t really want to sneak off with me or even date me. It was all a show to cover his own broken heart.
Everyone in town knew Bishop’s one and only true love was his ex-wife, Abby. When they divorced, everyone had been taken by surprise. High school sweethearts and always the perfect couple, until they weren’t.
When I turned to tell him to back off, I froze in place.
Eyes the color of a storm-filled sky met my blue ones, and I felt the entire room shift under my feet. Or maybe we’d just had an earthquake in New Hampshire, and I was the only person who’d felt it.
When the room righted itself, I got another look. Standing before me was the last man I had dreamed of seeing tonight. And my body immediately took notice.
Aiden’s eyes moved slowly down to my mouth, which caused me to lick my lips.
Good God, were my nipples getting hard?
Damnit.
Then his gaze moved farther down as he took in my entire body, a slow, lazy smile growing on his face before his eyes met mine again. He hadn’t looked at me like this since that night in the barn, and my body instantly caught fire. No other man had ever been able to make me feel such intensity.
“Aiden,” I whispered as I brought my hand up to my mouth. I let out a disbelieving laugh. He was really here. Aiden was in Boggy Creek.
“Great,” Bishop said as he threw his hands up in the air. “Who the fuck can compete with O’Hara back in town. I’m going to the bar to find a woman who’s desperate.”
Everyone laughed, except for me and Aiden. The air instantly crackled between us, and there was no denying that I was still attracted to him. Honestly, every time I’d seen him…I felt a little something deep down inside.
But now…now my entire body tingled, and I had no desire or need to push those feelings away.
“Oh my gosh, you’re home. You’re home?” I asked, trying to make sure I wasn’t dreaming.
“Yeah, I’m home for good,” Aiden said, his grin bigger now.
I flung myself at him—and instantly regretted it.
I was positive everyone in the bar was already placing bets on when we would walk out together. Or how long it would take for Aiden to push aside his best friend’s little sister and move on to another woman, after giving the poor, divorced, single mother some attention. What in the hell was I thinking? Throwing myself into the arms of another man the day my divorce was final.
Not just any man—the man I had once dreamed of being with. The very same man everyone in town talked about me being secretly in love with.
This is bad. Oh my gosh, step away from him, Willa. Step. Away.
Aiden wrapped his arms around me tightly and lifted me off the floor in a mind-altering hug that left my entire body humming a soft and lazy tune of utter bliss.
Okay, so I’d never felt that before with my ex.
Ignore it, Willa. Ignore it.
“Christ Almighty, Willa. You look beautiful. What the fuck was he thinking?” Aiden asked, his mouth up against my ear. The heat from his breath made my whole body shiver with a desire so strong, it nearly caused me to whimper.
“Who?” I asked as he slowly let me down. He let my body slide against his, and I fought to keep my dress from going up around my waist.
“The ex. What in the hell was he thinking, letting you go?” Aiden asked.
“Oh,” I replied, a forced grin on my face. “I’m better off without him.” Brian was the last person I wanted to talk about with Aiden. “So, you’re back for good? Is that what you said?” I asked, hearing the hopefulness in my own voice.
He nodded.
“Aiden, what happened? Why? Did you not get cleared to go back to your SEAL team?”