Stranded With a Hero (8 page)

Her head tilted up, and despite the wacky antlers and the glitter on her cheek, the look she gave him was cool and steely.

…

Thank God this Aaron Cade was only staying a few days and would be gone before Christmas Eve, Naomi thought as she stacked dirty dinner plates in the dishwasher. She didn’t need his bah-humbug attitude ruining the Christmas she’d been looking forward to for so long. After her wrenching breakup with Justin, all she wanted was to surround herself with family and immerse herself in the seasonal celebrations.

A few hours ago Luke, his wife Tyler, and five-year-old Chloe had arrived home, allowing Naomi to retreat thankfully to the background. Luke and Aaron had greeted each other with warm, heartfelt hugs and no residual awkwardness, despite the fact they hadn’t seen each other for several years. The two men appeared to be genuine friends, not mere acquaintances, and so, for Luke’s sake, she’d have to put up with Aaron, even though he’d literally and metaphorically run roughshod over her Christmas enthusiasm. Now, the sun was setting after they’d enjoyed a leisurely barbecue dinner on the deck. Chloe was playing with her puppy in the garden, and Naomi and Tyler were seeing to the dishes, while the two men continued reminiscing about their college years.

Through the window above the sink Naomi watched Aaron reclining in his chair, a bottle of beer in his hand. His navy-blue Brooks Brothers polo shirt stretched across his shoulders, emphasizing their broadness, while his snug-fitting designer jeans highlighted his long, lean build. With his trimmed brown hair, confident brown eyes, square jaw, and dimpled smile he was the classic, clean cut, all-American guy. Pity he was also the antithesis of what she wanted in a man, because she had to admit he was kinda cute.

She snorted. “What baloney,” she chided herself. She wasn’t looking for a new man, not when her heart had been so comprehensively broken two months ago.

Tyler walked into the kitchen with a pile of dirty crockery. Offloading the platters into the sink, she nudged Naomi’s elbow. “Well, what do you think? He’s kinda cute, don’t you reckon?”

Naomi flushed at having her clandestine thoughts echoed aloud. “Oh, I don’t know.” She tilted her head sideways, as if considering. “Cute implies I might find him attractive.”

“And don’t you?” Tyler smiled impishly.

Naomi turned on the tap to rinse the platters. “He flattened my baby conifers,” she said.

“Not on purpose.”

“He drove over them in his bloody Porsche.” Naomi compressed her lips.

“Mm. I can tell Luke’s dying to take that thing out for a spin. Maybe he’ll let you and me drive it, too.”

“It’s just a knob-mobile.” Naomi bit her lip, disliking how prim and judgmental she sounded, but she couldn’t help it. Justin had bought a top-of-the-line Jaguar, though there was no need to own a car in London, and Aaron’s Porsche was a sour reminder of her ex-boyfriend’s love of status symbols.

“Aw, I’m sorry.” Tyler gave her a quick hug. “But just because a man is rich, it doesn’t automatically make him a jerk like Justin.”

True. Luke was now a multimillionaire, but he’d never pursued fame and fortune. He’d been in a writing slump when he’d met sassy, smart-mouthed Tyler, who’d restored his faith in himself. Money hadn’t altered the down-to-earth uncle Naomi had always known.

“The wealth thing is an indicator of his personality,” she said. “Aaron is a typical type A. He’s got all the symptoms. He’s ambitious, driven, a self-confessed workaholic. He admitted he only took time off work because he wasn’t allowed to accrue any more leave.” During dinner, she had learned that Aaron was a hotshot corporate financier for a boutique Wall Street firm. “He’s like that Gordon Gecko character—obsessed with making it to the top, whatever that might be.”

Tyler laughed as she loaded platters into the dishwasher. “You’re exaggerating. Luke wouldn’t be friends with Aaron if he was a filthy-rich jerk who only cared about himself.”

“They do seem unlikely friends.” Naomi dried her hands on a tea towel. “Luke’s world revolves around words, whereas Aaron is all spreadsheets and numbers.”

“Aaron’s not just a number cruncher. He’s a creative thinker, too. That’s what drew him and Luke together in the first place. They’re both a little maverick.”

Once more Naomi found her gaze drawn to Aaron Cade. He looked buff and leanly muscled, his forearms toned, his stomach hard and flat, and she wondered how he kept fit if he was a workaholic. Maybe he hit the gym in between corporate takeovers and billion-dollar deals. Perhaps he had a gym in his office so he wouldn’t waste any precious time. Probably he had his day mapped out in thirty-minute blocks, each allocated to a task. Justin had done just that, because lawyers billed by the half hour, and his time was so important, so valuable. Far more valuable than hers.

Unexpected moisture stung her eyes. God, she wouldn’t waste any more tears on her ex-boyfriend. She’d done the right thing ending the relationship and quitting London. She couldn’t be with a man who thought so little of her teaching career merely because she earned a tenth of his salary, who assumed she’d blithely give up work when they married and started a family. She couldn’t be with a man who required she always put him first and denigrated her choices. She couldn’t be with a man who didn’t value her or love her the way she wanted to be loved. But knowing all that didn’t mend her heart any quicker or easier.

She turned away from the sink, not wanting Tyler to see her damp eyes. As long as she kept busy, she’d forget about Justin. She was enjoying her temporary job at Tyler’s art gallery and gift store. Tyler and her partner Ally needed all the help they could get over the busy summer season. And there was Christmas to look forward to. Except for last year, she usually went home to her mum’s for Christmas. Her mum and most of their vast extended family lived in Goulburn, a neighboring town an hour away, but now that Luke and Tyler had bought this big, beautiful house in Burronga, the entire family would be celebrating Christmas here. Which meant she’d get to indulge in all the preparations, which was half the fun. And at the end of January, she’d begin her new teaching position at a small primary school just a few blocks away. She was looking forward to teaching again.

Yes, there was a lot to look forward to, especially Christmas, and she wouldn’t let annoying Aaron Cade spoil her mood. She paused, glancing at the two men outside. Why had her thoughts wandered from Justin to Aaron so quickly?

…

“So how long is Naomi staying with you?” Aaron asked Luke out on the deck.

Luke sat up a little straighter. “For as long as she wants.” His brow furrowed. “She’s had a rough time lately. Her lawyer boyfriend persuaded her to move to London because of his career and then quickly morphed into a selfish jerk. Luckily she broke up with him, but she’s still hurting.” He kneaded his knuckles, still scowling.

“That’s too bad. Why do nice girls fall for jerks?” Aaron took a swig of his beer. “I ran over her conifers when I arrived. I don’t think she likes me.”

“Good.”

Aaron coughed. “Why’s that good? I want to be friends. I’m a likeable guy.”

“Huh, that’s the trouble. You’re too likeable.”

Aaron eyed him for a moment, then set his beer down on the deck and leaned forward. “Are you trying to warn me off Naomi?”

“Uh, yeah, guess I am.” Luke looked uncomfortable before determination settled on his face. “Naomi’s an attractive girl, and you—well, we both know what you’re like with women. You’re not into anything long-term. And mate, that’s fine with me, but Naomi’s like a little sister to me and—” He shrugged. “I don’t want to see her hurt again.”

Aaron didn’t know whether to be insulted or flattered. Sure, he was interested in Naomi, but he wasn’t plotting to seduce her against her will. Yet Luke seemed genuinely concerned.

“Hey, that’s not going to happen,” Aaron said.

“I hope not.” Luke’s frown lingered.

“You’re overestimating my powers of seduction. Don’t you remember that girl I had a thing for back in college? Remember how she cut me off at the ankles whenever I tried to be friendly?”

Luke’s face relaxed into a grin. “Yeah. Dominica. She was awesome. Every time you came on to her, it was like watching a train wreck in slow motion.”

“There you go. I’m not Mr. Irresistible. Nothing to worry about.” Although Dominica was no competition for Naomi.

Luke nodded before pushing to his feet. “Okay, Mr. Resistible, I’ll go get us some coffee.”

…

In the kitchen, Naomi shut the dishwasher while Tyler took out the French press to make a pot of coffee.

Luke came in and pressed a hand at Tyler’s waist. “I’ll see to that.”

“Thanks, hon. I need to check on Chloe.” She left to find her daughter in the backyard.

Luke turned to Naomi. “Everything okay?”

“Oh, sure.” Naomi reached for the mugs and set them on a tray.

“You were a bit quiet over dinner.”

“Well, you and Aaron had a lot of catching up to do.”

Luke was silent as the kettle came to boil. “Aaron’s a great guy.” He looked at her expectantly. “A lot of women fall for him. But they never stick around long. He’s too dedicated to his job, and he’s not the relationship type.”

Naomi stared at him. “Oh Lord, are you telling me to steer clear of Aaron?” She snuck another glance outside, where Aaron was chatting with Tyler. “I am twenty-five years old, you know, not eighteen.”

“I know that.” Luke scratched his head, discomfited. “It’s just that Justin was such a prick, and you’re still picking up the pieces, and Aaron can be very charming when he wants to be.” He busied himself making the coffee. “I’m probably making a big deal about nothing but, jeez, Naomi, I saw you when you came back from London, and I never want to see that look on your face again.”

So because of Justin, now Luke was treating her like a kid sister more than ever. Affection and indignation warred in her. “You don’t have to worry. Aaron will be gone in a few days, and besides, he’s not my type.”

“He’s not?”

“’Course not. How could any man who hates Christmas and runs down my conifers be my type?”

Luke continued to look skeptical. “So no spark? No je ne sais quoi?”

“Nothing.” Behind her back, she crossed her fingers. As much as Aaron Cade annoyed her, there was definitely a “certain something” about him that got to her, but no way would she admit that to a hyperprotective Luke. “Come on, let’s get that coffee out.”

Naomi followed Luke back to the deck. Aaron looked up, and his gaze lingered on her as she and Luke dispensed coffee. As she sat down, the undisguised interest in his brandy-colored eyes set off a flutter in her stomach.

“I was just telling Tyler about my diving trip on the Barrier Reef,” Aaron said to Naomi, shifting his chair to look at her directly. “Amazing experience, but I guess you’ve already been there.”

“I haven’t.” She couldn’t help laughing. “You’d be surprised how many young people in this country haven’t explored their own backyard. We’re all so eager to tour Europe or Asia.”

He nodded, his attention focused on her. “You’ve seen a lot of Europe, I suppose, since you’ve spent a year and a half in London.”

She’d seen a lot of luxury hotels and fancy restaurants. Justin had wanted their weekend trips to the Continent to be done in style, which meant five-star hotels and plenty of dining and shopping. Spending lots of money had become his way of relaxing. Perhaps that was the same reason Aaron had hired that ridiculous Porsche.

“I’ve seen enough. Enough to last me a lifetime. I don’t have any desire to travel overseas anymore. I’m staying put.”

The words came out more dogmatically than she’d intended, and a brief silence ensued, broken only when five-year-old Chloe ran up with her tiny Shih Tzu puppy cradled in her arms.

“Naomi,” the child said, “can I bring Milo to show-and-tell when I start school with you next year?”

Glad of the distraction, Naomi put her arm around the girl’s shoulders. “Sweetie, I’m not sure I’ll be your teacher. The principal decides that.”

“Oh, but I want
you
to be my teacher.”

“You’ll have to call me Ms. Spencer.”

“I can do that!” Face solemn, she chanted, “Good morning, Ms. Spencer.”

“You’re going to be a star pupil, moppet.” Luke stood and ruffled his daughter’s hair. “Now, isn’t it time for your bath?” He glanced down at his wife and touched her shoulder. “I’ll take care of her. You’ve had a busy day at the store.”

“Thanks, darling.” Tyler kissed her husband’s hand and waved to her daughter. “Off you go, baby.”

The puppy lollopped after Luke just as the phone inside the house started ringing. Tyler got up to answer it, leaving Naomi alone with Aaron. The sun had set, and the sky was awash with indigo. While they’d been talking, night had crept up on them. Insects chirped in the milky darkness. A citronella candle on the table gave off an orange-scented glow. Fruit bats flapped about the trees. Naomi shifted in her seat, aware of the man sitting next to her and his potent, hard-to-ignore physicality. His bare, muscular forearm with a light dusting of hair lay at ease on the armrest not far from her.

Aaron cleared his throat, startling her. “I want to apologize again for my rudeness earlier on,” he said. “I don’t know what got into me.”

She waved her hand. “Please, don’t worry about it. You’re a guest here. Just enjoy your stay.”

“Thanks.” He nodded, hesitated before adding, “I’m usually not so frank with someone I’ve just met. It must be you.” He grinned, white teeth gleaming in the dusk.

Her heart flipped at his dimpled smile. Damn, she hated the visceral impact he had on her. Was he flirting with her, or just being friendly? She’d hate to misinterpret his actions. But what did it matter anyway? He was leaving in a few days, and in the meantime he’d be too busy catching up with Luke to bother her. Besides, they were patently incompatible, so even if he were flirting with her, and she was a sucker for his dimples, nothing would ever come of it.