Page 77 of Heating Up (Nugget)
“Not in here. Shut the door before you let all the cool air out. You looking for Carol?”
“No. I was over at the Nugget Market getting charcoal and saw your car outside. Just thought I’d say hi.”
For the first time since he’d gotten back with Lina she didn’t feel like he was being patronizing. Just friendly. Maybe it had always been that way and she’d been too bitter to notice.
“It sounds like Carol may have a buyer for one of your houses. The couple is having a late lunch, mulling over which model.”
“That’s great,” Griffin said. “Seems like business has picked up. What’s going on with you?”
I had sex last night with Aidan McBride in my parents’ swimming pool. “Not much. How about you?”
“The gas station has been crazy busy.” Besides Sierra Heights, Griff owned the Gas and Go, where he also built and sold custom motorcycles. “Other than that, not a whole lot. It seems like you and Aidan are getting pretty tight.”
“We’re good friends.” The fact was, she didn’t really know what they were.
His lips curved up in a knowing smile. “Seems like more than that to me. I even heard you hosted a party together.”
She was about to argue that they’d only thrown the barbecue as roommates; then it dawned on her that perhaps he was offended they hadn’t invited him and Lina. “It was just a last-minute thing. Very small. We would’ve called you . . . I figured you had plans.”
“We went to Clay and Emily’s. They had a cookout at the ranch. But Harlee and Darla said yours was nice, that you went all out on the decorations.”
“Like I said, totally impromptu.” She racked her brain for a subject change, but he beat her to the punch.
“I heard Aidan’s investigating the fire at the sporting goods store. He have any leads?”
“I don’t think so, but he’s professional and won’t talk about it, even with me.” She didn’t know why she’d said that last part—like she was somehow privy to special information.
“I hope it turns out to have been an accident,” he said.
According to Aidan, not likely, but she held her tongue. “Owen thinks it’s the Rigsby boys.”
“Sean? No way. That kid couldn’t find his ass with a magnifying glass, let alone matches.”
Dana let out a laugh. “I don’t know him.”
“I’ve caught him a few times at the Gas and Go trying to lift candy. He couldn’t even pull that off, and we don’t pay all that much attention.”
“You should tell his parents,” Dana said.
“You ever meet Sean’s dad? He’s a serious d-bag who would deny it. The mom’s okay, though. How’re the house plans coming along?”
“Good. They did the demo already and we’re working on the permits. I’m excited about all the square footage that’s getting added. I’m thinking about putting in a pool.”
“A pool?” He scrunched his nose like it wasn’t such a hot idea. “They cost a fortune and the upkeep’s a nightmare. You and Aidan should just use the one over at Sierra Heights. Man, it’s been hella hot. So much so that I booked Lina and me a trip to Hawaii after Tawny and Lucky’s wedding. She’s never been.”
Dana felt a pang of jealousy. Not so much because she wanted to go to Hawaii with Griffin. That ship had sailed. But she longed to be part of a couple that took vacations together.
“That sounds lovely,” she said and tried to mean it.
“I’m looking forward to it.” He eyed the bag slung over her shoulder. “Looks like you’re trying to get out of here. I didn’t mean to keep you.”
“I’ll walk you out,” she said. “It would be better if you weren’t here when the clients come back.”
He saw Dana to her car, got in his own, and drove away. A few seconds later, she followed Griff out of the parking lot and headed the few blocks home.
In the living room, she found Aidan asleep on the couch with the television on and the air conditioner cranked up. He looked sexy there, stretched out like a big pirate, his face shadowed in dark whiskers. She felt the urge to crawl in next to him and cuddle up but thought it would be presumptuous. One night of hot sex did not equal snuggling rights whenever she wanted.
She tiptoed into her bedroom so as not to wake up Aidan, changed into a pair of shorts and a T-shirt, and flopped onto the bed. Scooting close to the window, she turned on the air conditioner and lay there, letting the cool air roll over her like a beach breeze. She’d allow herself ten minutes of relaxation; then she’d get up and do a few chores. But her eyelids grew heavy and she’d started to drift off to sleep when the bed dipped from the weight of another person. Aidan. He reached for her, snugged her back against his chest until they were spooning. His hands covered her breasts, and a short while later she heard his heavy breathing. Asleep. And soon, she was too.
