Moonlight Road (Virgin River #11)(62)

“There’s only going to be one similarity between your prom-night dinner with your dad and tonight with me,” he said.

“Oh? And what’s that?”

“You’ll be in bed early.” Then he winked.

Jack brought them small bowls of clam chowder. Next came the salads and he asked how they’d like their filets cooked. Not long after that, peppercorn filets with a brown sauce, twice-baked potatoes and mixed vegetables, followed by the best cheesecake she’d ever tasted.

“I know you caught me sniveling about missing the prom,” Erin said. “But I don’t think I could stand it if you felt sorry for me. I’m not a Cinderella story. I had a lot of responsibility, but I was a happy kid. I was kind of a nerd, but—”

“You’re not a nerd anymore,” he scoffed. “You’re so sexy and put together, you put models to shame.”

“Fashion came much later, when I started interning at the law firm. I noticed that the most successful women attorneys looked like they should be successful. I’ve always been good at figuring things out. Things like that, anyway.”

“I never felt sorry for you for a second, Erin. I don’t know when I’ve met a woman I admire more.”

After a moment of quiet, she said softly, “I don’t think anyone has ever tried so hard to make me happy.”

“Is that so? Well, I’m just getting started.”

“You know what? I never liked surprises before I met you.”

“I know,” he said. “You like control. Finish your dinner, Erin. We have dancing to do.”

“One question,” she said. “When you found this dress, did you realize it was kind of…I don’t know…”

“Used?”

“Um, that. And really not like me at all?”

“I did,” he said. “They don’t have prom dresses hanging around dress shops in July. But it was the color of your eyes and I thought it was the kind of dress a person would wear to a prom. When you saw me in this tux, did you realize it’s probably the first and last time you will?”

“Not a tux man?”

“Honey, when I got out of that navy uniform, I felt nerves in my body relax that I didn’t even know I had.”

“That’s a shame, because you clean up real nice.” Then she grinned.

“Let’s get going,” he said, his eyes growing dark and impatient.

Once back at the cabin, Aiden put on the music, took her in his arms and danced her around the cabin a bit. His lips were on her neck, he held her close, and he whispered, “I’m sorry, baby. This isn’t going to last long. I want to get you out of this dress.”

“I’m really not that crazy about dancing, anyway,” she said. “And I think the dress will probably look better on the floor than on me.”

“Oh, I like your style.” He lifted her in his arms and headed for her bedroom. Before he crossed the threshold, he stopped. “I have to tell you something. I probably haven’t known you long enough for this, but I don’t care. I’ve been looking for a long time, Erin. Of all the Riordan men, I was the only one who actually wanted to be married. They were all running from women, avoiding commitment, and I was looking for the right one. The one who would be as good for me as I could be for her—the one who would last. The one who wanted the same things I wanted. Someone I could respect and grow with.”

“Hmm. You don’t very often hear that kind of admission on prom night.”

“Erin, I’m all done looking. I’m in love with you.” And then his mouth came down hard on hers.

Given the fact that Aiden was trained to wake to the sound of a phone, any phone, he didn’t worry about checking in with Luke or anyone else. He slept the sleep of the purely satisfied next to Erin, her soft, na**d body flush against his. When he did roll over and wake, he noticed the bedside clock said 10:00 a.m. and he couldn’t help but smile. He couldn’t remember a time he’d slept that late, unless he’d been up all night in the delivery room or surgery. There was a pile of green chiffon on the floor next to the black and white of a discarded tux. He looked back at Erin and found she’d turned her head and her eyes were open.

She smiled at him. “How did that compare to your last prom?”

“I didn’t get laid at my last prom.”

“Not even in the backseat of your dad’s car?”

“Not even.”

“I’m really glad I was able to talk you out of that,” she said. “Do we have to get up?”

“I’m sorry to say, we do. At least I do. I have to return the tux. Can I make you some breakfast?”

“Absolutely. Whatever you can find out there. I actually bought some real high-cholesterol man-food because Ian was coming for the weekend. There might be some eggs and sausage left.”

“I’ll see what I can find,” he said.

“And I’ll get a shower.”

He liked this, waking up with her. He pulled on his boxers and started creating in the kitchen. By the time Erin came out in her terry robe, toweling her hair dry, he had coffee and toast ready, the eggs almost done. He kissed her seven or twenty more times between her first sip of coffee and the point at which he put her breakfast in front of her.