Chapter Four

Gabi stared up at Aidan, a bit taken aback at the anger on his handsome face. His golden eyes were fierce, and his usual laid-back vibe was nowhere to be seen. She cleared her throat and launched into her prepared little story.

“I lost my house keys. I’m locked out.”

“Really?” That certainly explained the tension.

“Yeah. I – I left the garage at eleven, and didn’t realize the keys were missing for about twenty minutes. I’ve spent the past three hours retracing my steps and looking for them everywhere. No luck.”

“Wait,” Aidan said. “You’ve been running around Montbello alone? At this time of night?”

Gabi faltered at the look on his face. “Yes?”

“Gabriela, that is stupid. Really stupid. You know that garage is in a bad neighborhood. Why didn’t you call for help?”

“Because I thought I’d find them.” She shrugged. “And I’m here now, right?”

“Yeah. Yeah, OK.” Aidan paused. “So you want me to break into your apartment for you?”

“You – what?”

He grinned now, and it was like the sun coming out after a gray and rainy day. Gabi almost sighed with longing as Aidan’s golden charm reappeared: the man was nothing less than staggeringly mouthwatering, and she still couldn’t believe that a guy like him actually existed in her orbit. Tall, muscular and built, shaggy blond hair, eyes the color of a blazing sunrise. And that Texan accent? It was like having warm honey poured all over her every single time he opened his sexy, sensual mouth.

“Yeah,” he said in that deep voice. “I have a bit of… skill in that area.”

“In breaking into houses?”

“Not specifically. I’m just good at opening locked things and places.”

“You are?”

“Uh-huh.”

“Oh.” She blinked; she hadn’t been expecting this. “Well, I don’t think breaking into my apartment is such a great idea.”

“No?”

“No. Better not. Ummm. Maybe I can – I can stay here tonight?” This was what she really wanted, of course, and she hoped that he wasn’t going to offer some other reasonable solution.

Astonished, Aidan stared at her. “Here? At Curves?”

“Yes.” She tried not to look too desperate. “I know that only one room is rented for tonight – I put the guest towels and stuff in there this morning. That leaves three free rooms.”

“Well, yeah, there are some rooms available,” Aidan said slowly. “But I don’t like the idea of you staying here… not with those MC guys out there.”

“Oh, Aidan,” she chided him. “It’s not like I’d be all alone with them. Who’s bouncing tonight?”

“Curtis and Alex.”

“Well, there you go. Let them know that I’m back here, and I’m sure they’ll keep an eye on my door. I mean, it's not like I'll be swinging it wide open for anyone who staggers up and knocks on it. Right?”

“Yeah.” He couldn’t argue with that, but he really fucking wanted to. He gazed down at her from his massive height, tried to think what exactly to object to because goddamn, he wanted to fight her on this.

Curves wasn’t the most upstanding place on earth, and trouble could start here in the blink of an eye. If any shit went down, Aidan knew that Curtis and Alex could possibly have their hands full of ex-cons with knives or guns. At the very least, they’d have to contain a bar brawl that involved stitches and broken bones for the drunken participants. They’d take care of Gabi, no question, but that would be after the dust settled.

“OK, so,” Gabi said. “I’ll need fresh bed clothes and some towels. And can I get some soap and shampoo?”

“Hold up there, darlin’,” he said, determined to resist this whole idea despite the fact that she clearly thought it was all settled. “You could always stay with me tonight.”

She almost fell backwards. “With you?”

“Sure.” He tried to look nonchalant about it, though the idea of having her in his home was causing him heart palpitations – both awesome ones and terrified ones. “I can take the sofa, you can sleep in my bedroom.”

Although she’d love to see Aidan’s place, and she’d give her damn right arm to sleep in his bed – preferably with him there too – she wasn’t about to agree to this. She needed the time alone to get her head together and, far more importantly, she needed the security of two massive bouncers and a room full of dangerous types between her and the big, bad world. Aidan could handle anything that came through his door, she was sure, but she still felt like Curves was the safest option.

Besides, no way I’m putting him in danger. If someone comes looking for me, I don’t want him on their radar. God knows, he’d get himself killed going all hero and trying to do the right thing.