A Stranger on the Beach(67)

She stared at him with a horror-stuck expression, saying nothing. He had to make her understand.

“I didn’t seek this out,” he said. “All I did was offer you a ride home when you weren’t safe to drive. And yes, I thought you were beautiful. I thought you were incredible to talk to. But I would never have made a move because you were too far above me. I never thought a woman like you would go for a guy like me. You came on to me first, you can’t deny that.”

She didn’t deny it. She didn’t say anything. She continued to stare in disbelief, and Aidan kept talking to fill the silence.

“Normally, I wouldn’t mess with a married woman. But I knew your story. I knew that your husband had mistreated you, and that you deserved better. And I thought, when will I ever get a chance at a woman this amazing again? We slept together, and I fell for you, Caroline. I fell for you hard. As we got to know each other, I saw that your problems were even worse than I imagined. But I didn’t run. I stayed. I’m here to fight for you. Everything I did—following your husband, going to see Hannah, breaking into this house to save it from the storm. It was done to protect you, because of how I felt about you. I’m sorry if I frightened you. But you stopped talking to me. You wouldn’t see me or take my calls. So, there was no way for me to explain. Please, tell me you understand.”

As they gazed at each other, the lights came on suddenly. She looked around in amazement.

“Look at that,” she said. “I wonder if it will last.”

“Answer me. Do you understand why I did what I did?” he said.

“Aidan, whatever you think you saw, you’re wrong. I need you to stay away from my family. Do you hear me?”

“From your daughter, your sister, okay. But your husband—”

“Jason and I are trying to reconcile. He wouldn’t hurt me, and he would certainly never hurt his daughter.”

“Reconcile? No. That’s messed up. I won’t let you.”

“It’s not up to you,” she said.

“Tell me something, Caroline. Who vandalized your car, huh? Was that him? Or the thug he hired? Be honest.”

She wouldn’t meet his eyes.

“You’re letting him abuse you,” Aidan said.

She sighed and stood up. “I’m exhausted after the drive out here. I need a drink. Do you want one?”

He nodded. If they had a drink together, she would relax and let down her guard. He could bring her around. She couldn’t be serious about going back to the man who’d cheated on her and robbed her and threatened her life. Jason Stark was a menace. An animal in a fancy suit. Aidan had to make her see that.

Caroline walked into the kitchen and came back with two glasses. Aidan took a swallow and grimaced.

“What is this?” he said.

“Bourbon. You don’t like it?”

“It’s fine. Cheers.”

They clinked glasses and drank.

“You should to listen to me,” he said. “I have your best interests at heart. I’m the only one who does. Why would I lie?”

“Maybe you’re not lying. Maybe you’re mistaken. But you go too far. I need you to back off and give me some space.”

“And then we can be together.”

She sighed. “Maybe.”

“Caroline, please. You’re all I think about. Night and day. Only you. I’m yours, completely.”

He took her hand and brought it to his lips. At the touch of her flesh, the room seemed to tilt. He felt a hot shiver run up and down his spine. He put his hand over his heart.

“I’m sorry for the way I approached your daughter and your sister. Please forgive me for my bad judgment. It won’t happen again.”

She didn’t absolve him. She didn’t say a word. But when he turned her hand over and kissed the palm of her hand, and then the inside of her wrist, she didn’t stop him. Her pulse was racing. He laid his hand over her breast and felt her heart jackhammering. The knowledge that she wanted him made him dizzy.

“Can I stay?” he said.

“It’s not a good idea.”

“Please? We’ll be together through the storm. That’s all I ask. Let me protect you until morning.”

She looked searchingly into his eyes and sighed. “All right.”

“Would you dance with me? You don’t have to commit to anything more. Just one song. Let me hold you.”

She leaned forward and picked up a remote from a docking station on the coffee table. Everything was moving in slow motion. Sinatra started crooning from hidden speakers in the walls around them, and the music flowed through his bloodstream like he’d injected it. He took her in his arms, and they melted together, swaying to the luscious sound. Aidan understood in that moment that his love for Caroline was fated, ordained. This song was proof. It had been written a hundred years ago, just so they could hear it tonight. He closed his eyes and breathed in the scent of her hair. Was this how true love felt? Her closeness made him unsteady on his feet. As long as they kept dancing, whatever happened to him, he wouldn’t mind. He would welcome his downfall if she was the cause of it.

The song ended. A fist pounded on the front door.

“It’s Jason,” Caroline said, her eyes wide with panic.

Aidan had been expecting the worst, and yet when the moment came, he wasn’t prepared. He broke out in a cold sweat, made a move for the door, and stumbled over his own two feet. He must be more tired than he’d realized after his hours of labor in the storm. Caroline grabbed him by the elbows.