The Best Kept Secrets.... Оливия Гейтс
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of all the guys out there did she have to be attracted to one with the last name Westmoreland?
“So, besides Bailey’s Bay where else did he take you?”
To heaven and back. The words nearly slid from Jillian’s lips because that’s where she felt she’d actually been. Transported there and back by a kiss. Amazing. Pulling her thoughts together, she said, “First, we toured Aidan’s Haven.”
“Isn’t it beautiful? That’s the property I originally wanted because of the way it’s surrounded by Gemma Lake. But then I realized it would have been too much water to deal with. I think the spot where Aidan plans to build his house is perfect, though, and will provide an excellent view of the lake and mountains, no matter what room of the house you’re in.”
Jillian agreed and eradicated the thought from her mind that Aidan’s wife and kids would one day live there. “I also saw Adrian’s Cove. That piece of property is beautiful, as well. I love the way it’s surrounded by mountains.”
“Me, too.”
“And from there we visited Bailey’s Bay, Canyon’s Bluff and Stern’s Stronghold.”
“Like the names?”
Jillian smiled. “Yes, and I heard they were all your idea.”
“Yes,” Bailey said, grinning. “Being the baby in the family has its benefits. Including the opportunity to play musical beds and sleep at whatever place I want. I was living with Dillon full-time, but after he married I decided to spread myself around and check out my brothers’, sisters’ and cousins’ abodes. I like driving them crazy, especially when one of my brothers or cousins brings his girlfriend home.”
Jillian couldn’t help but laugh. Although she wouldn’t trade her sisters for the world, it had to be fun having older brothers and male cousins to annoy.
“What’s so funny?”
Jillian’s heart skipped a beat upon hearing that voice and knowing who it belonged to. Aidan leaned in the kitchen doorway. Wearing a pair of jeans that rode low on his hips and a muscle shirt, he looked too sexy for her peace of mind. She couldn’t help studying his features. It was obvious he’d just gotten out of bed. Those dark eyes that were alert and penetrating yesterday had a drowsy look. And she couldn’t miss the dark shadow on his chin indicating he hadn’t shaved yet. If he looked like that every morning, she would just love to see it.
“I thought you’d already left to return to Boston,” Bailey said, getting up and crossing the room to give him a hug. Jillian watched the interaction and a part of her wished she could do the same.
“I won’t be leaving until tomorrow.”
“Why did you change your plans?” Bailey asked, surprised. “Normally, you’re in a rush to get back.”
Yes, why? Jillian wondered as well and couldn’t wait for his answer.
“Because I wasn’t ready to go back just yet. No big deal.”
“Um,” Bailey said, eyeing her brother suspiciously, “I get the feeling it is a big deal and probably has to do with some woman. I heard you, Adrian and Stern didn’t get in until late last night.”
Jillian turned her gaze away from Bailey and Aidan and took a sip of her orange juice. The spark of anger she suddenly felt couldn’t be jealousy over what Bailey had just said. Had Aidan kissed Jillian senseless, then gone somewhere last night and kissed someone else the same way? Why did the thought of him doing that bother her?
“You ask too many questions, Bay, and stay out my business,” Aidan said. “So, what’s so funny, Jillian?”
Jillian drew in a deep breath before turning back to Aidan. “Nothing.”
Bailey chuckled. “In other words, Aidan, stay out of her business.”
Jillian heard his masculine grunt before he crossed the room to the coffeepot. The kitchen was huge, so why did it suddenly feel so small now that he’d walked in? And why did he have to walk around with such a sexy saunter?
“Well, I hate to run but I promised Megan that I would house-sit for a few hours so I’m headed for Megan’s Meadows. Gemma is decorating the place before leaving for Australia and is sending her crew over to hang new curtains.”
Megan and Gemma were Bailey and Aidan’s sisters, whom Jillian liked tremendously. Megan was a doctor of anesthesiology at one of the local hospitals and Gemma was an interior designer who owned Designs by Gem.
Bailey turned to Jillian. “You’re here until tomorrow, right?”
“Yes.”
“Then maybe Aidan can show you the parts of Westmoreland Country that you missed yesterday.”
Jillian could feel Aidan’s gaze on her. “I wouldn’t want to put him to any trouble.”
“No trouble,” Aidan said. “I don’t have anything else to do today.”
Bailey laughed. “Until it’s time for you to go and hook up with the woman who’s the reason you’re staying around an extra day.”
“Goodbye, Bay,” Aidan said in what Jillian perceived as an annoyed tone.
Bailey glanced over her shoulder at him while departing. “See you later, Aidan. And you better not leave tomorrow before telling me goodbye.” She swept out of the kitchen and Jillian found herself alone with Aidan.
She glanced over at him and saw him leaning back against the counter with a cup of coffee in his hand, staring at her.
She drew in a deep breath when Aidan asked, “How soon can we go riding?”
Aidan couldn't help staring into Jillian’s eyes. He thought she had the most beautiful eyes of any woman he’d ever seen. And that included all those women who’d thrown themselves at him last night.
“I’m not going anywhere with you, Aidan. Besides, I’m sure the reason you changed your plans to remain in Denver another day has nothing to do with me.”
Boy was she wrong. It had everything to do with her. He had spent three hours in a nightclub last night surrounded by beautiful women and all he could think about was the one he considered the most beautiful of all. Her.
A possibility suddenly hit him. Was she jealous? Did she actually believe that crap Bailey had just spouted about him changing his schedule because of some woman? He didn’t know whether to be flattered or annoyed that she, or any woman, thought they mattered enough that they should care about his comings and goings. But in all honesty, what really annoyed him was that she was beginning to matter. And the reason he had decided to hang in Denver another day was because of her.
Instead of saying anything right away, for fear he might say the wrong thing, he turned and refilled his coffee cup. Then he crossed the room and slid into the chair across from her. Immediately, he sensed her nervousness.
“I don’t bite, Jillian,” he said, before taking a sip of coffee.
“I hope not.”
He couldn’t help but smile as he placed his cup down. He reached out and closed his fingers around her wrist. “Trust me. I prefer kissing you to biting you.”
She pulled her hand back and nervously glanced over her shoulder before glaring at him. “Are you crazy? Anyone could walk in here!”
“And?”
“And had they heard what you just said they would have gotten the wrong impression.”
He leaned back in his chair. “What do you think is the right impression?”
Her hair was pulled back in a ponytail