Page 84 of Heating Up (Nugget)
He lowered his mouth to hers and gave her a big smooch while her heart expanded as big as the moon. She and Aidan were just so easy. Everything about him, about them being together, felt natural, like they fit.
“You off to work?” he asked, his hands playing casually at her hips.
“Don’t change the subject. Do you know who set this one?”
He let out a breath. “I smell coffee.”
She nodded. He definitely looked as if he could use a cup . . . or two. “It should be ready.”
They went in the kitchen together, and Dana motioned for him to sit. She poured them each a mug, set them on the table, and got the cream out of the fridge.
“You know, don’t you?”
Aidan left his coffee black and took a long sip. “Maybe, but something about it is off.”
“Like what?”
“Like we found some damning evidence at the scene.” He squinted his eyes and shook his head. “Too easy, if you ask me.”
“What did you find? Harlee didn’t have anything about evidence in her story. Only that the Bun Boy would be up and running in a few days, according to the Thurstons.”
“That’s because Harlee doesn’t know about the evidence.” He gave Dana a pointed look.
“Your secret is safe with me. I love this stuff . . . not that someone got hurt; I hate that. Or that the Bun Boy was damaged . . . but it’s likeCSI.”
Aidan rolled his eyes. “I’ve got to take a shower.” He sniffed himself and let out a low whistle.
“You’re not planning to tell me?”
“Nope.” He drained the coffee and got to his feet.
“Come on.” She pouted, but he was unmovable.
“What are we doing tonight?”
And there went her heart again. No games, no waiting by the phone, no second guessing, just easy. This was what it was supposed to be like.
“The other day Harlee and Darla asked me to have drinks with them at the Ponderosa. But that’s early . . . around five. After that you and I could go bowling. Or you could meet us for drinks.”
“No drinks until we catch whoever is setting these fires,” he said, and she guessed he was permanently on call. “But bowling sounds good. We could have dinner first.”
“Perfect,” she said, her belly quivering. They were like a real couple. A good couple. “So you’re still not going to tell me, are you?”
“Come here.” He crooked his finger at her and she got out of her chair. In her ear he hesitated for a second and then whispered, “You look hot in that dress.”
She swatted his arm playfully. “You’re bad.”
“Nah, I’m good.” He grabbed her in a fireman’s hold and started to carry her into the bedroom while she pounded on his back.
“Aidan, I have a meeting in fifteen minutes. Put me down.”
“You sure you can’t be late?”
“I’ve never been late in my life.”
He snorted and placed her on her feet. “Organized and punctual. Call me from the Ponderosa when you’re ready for dinner.”
“I will.” She straightened out her dress, one of Harlee’s hand-me-downs. Uh-oh. “What if Harlee asks about the case?”
