His room was neat and tidy, just as she would have expected it to be. The colors were warm and dark. Large furniture of dark wood contrasted against the tan walls and light colored bedding. Three large windows opened to the roar of the surf as the sea air blew the sheer curtains and lifted the smell of salt to the air. Elle glanced to the two closed doors along the wall, assuming one was a closet and the other a bathroom. The bed was bigger than she had ever seen. Although thinking of him now, she could understand why he would need such a large bed. He was in no way, a small man. The cool white sheets were rumpled off to the left , letting her know that he slept on the right side of the bed. Her hand slid over the sheets, catching glimpses of sweet dreams, books read late into the night and his total awareness, even when sleeping. It was as if he slept with one eye open, but somehow he managed to look well rested whenever she saw him. Running her hand over his pillow she picked up scents of cologne, bath soap, shampoo and a distinct scent that was pure male. Elle wondered if he wore anything to bed or if he-
She heard him clear his throat at the doorway behind her.
“Oh, hi.. I was..” Words failed her. She couldn’t even think one logical explanation as to why she would be standing beside his bed staring at it as if she hadn’t slept in weeks. Sleep deprived she was not. Sex deprived, now that was a whole different story.
“I wasn’t expecting anyone in here or I would have made the bed.” Aaron leaned against the door frame with his arms casually crossed. He showed no hint of annoyance that she was in his room. Maybe it was a usual circumstance for him to have women in his room. He certainly seemed the type to attract them. She wondered how many women he invited here. Into his amazing room.
Not that it mattered to her.
“I uh, was admiring the view.” Elle stammered uncomfortably, knotting her fingers together.
He smiled that bone melting smile of his. “Of my bed?”
Aaron was teasing her.
She didn’t like it.
“No, you impossible man, the view from your windows.” She started towards the door. Fully expecting him to move. He didn’t. His large frame consumed the entire doorway. He didn’t even attempt to let her by. Pushing the curls away from her face she squared her shoulders, “Excuse me.” But she couldn’t meet his cool blue eyes.
His strong hand gripped her chin, forcing her to look at him. “Did you like what you saw?”
“You have a beautiful view.” Elle was a little unsure if he was even talking about the windows anymore.
“I do.” His gaze never wavered. His expression still questioning.
He definitely wasn’t talking about the windows.
“I really didn’t mean to pry. I was walking back down the hall and I heard the waves, smelled the air and it pulled me in. I promise I wasn’t snooping.” She tried to pull her gaze from his. Knowing that she pried a little made her uneasy. It was blatantly invading his privacy.
Holding her chin and her gaze, he smiled lightly. “That’s the first time a woman has touched my bed in over a year.”
She didn’t want to know that. She didn’t need to know that. She also didn’t need it to matter. It wasn’t her business who touched his damn bed. El sure as hell didn’t want to admit that her pulse hammered whenever he was near her. Elle let out a fake laugh, “ Oh quit, I’m sure you say that to all the girls that come into this beautiful room.” She batted her eyelashes playfully.
“Did you sense any other women on my bed?” The question was challenging. His eyes left hers, only to watch his thumb tracing over her mouth.
“No.” She admitted to that. There were definitely no recent women in his bed. She tried to ignore his thumb as it moved slowly back and forth. She had the sudden urge to lick her lips.

He watched her defenses crumble slightly. She had such an amazing mouth. It was full, soft and completely unforgettable. Her lips were slightly red, even with when lipstick was forgotten. Aaron’s eyes skimmed her face, her nose was small and centered, and her eyes were a mesmerizing sea green. The kind you could drown in if you weren’t careful.. They were long lashed and heavily lidded. Even when she fought it, they showed more of her emotion than she was ready to admit. Right now, she was terrified while everything else about her emitted coolness and calm. Her hair was curly, soft and in the evening sunlight it was deep red. The faint sunlight came through the window at her back and reflected off every single gold strand entwined within. It was pure fire. Like the rest of her. Always ready to fight. Aaron realized this was one fire, he was actually afraid of battling.
Her body wasn’t slim, she wasn’t bony or even model material. She was short, petite and had curves in all the right places.
He noticed that she was holding her breath. His hand slid lightly over her cheek and cupped her jaw “I wont hurt you.” And damn the man who has. He read every sign of her that said she has been betrayed before, distrust emptied from every pore in her being.
He had to admit, she genuinely looked shocked at his words. “I know.”
“Then relax, Elle.” His other hand slid up her arm to her shoulder, gently massaging at the base of her neck. His fingers touching warm skin.
“I can’t. You’re too close.” Her words were honest. They hit every raw nerve inside him.
He made no motion to move.
His hand slid over the back of her neck, the urge to slide his hands into her hair overpowered all warnings not to. Her skin was unbelievably soft where her hair hid her neck. Aaron was certain that she was this soft, all over. His fingers itched to bury into her curls. Her eyes were closed now, her body relaxing and she moaned very softly at his touch. Shaking his head and closing his eyes tightly, he suddenly decided by the way his body was over riding his brain, that this was a bad idea. He shouldn’t be touching her.

The heat radiating from his fingers and spreading into her was all consuming. In her life, heat equaled passion. And passion usually equaled trouble. Therefore Aaron Vaughn was nothing but.
She hadn’t touched him. She was afraid that his inner thoughts just might have matched her own. Body over mind, Elle wanted to touch him, she wanted to feel his skin beneath her fingertips, she wanted…hell…. She wanted to be in that large looming bed.. with this man.
She felt the change in him the instant he realized what was happening. His hands dropped and his forehead leaned against hers. She couldn’t tell if it was his breath that was shaky, or her own. Her pulse hammered at her chest. Her skin still burned where he touched her.
El raised her hand, almost touching his face but his hand shot out and grabbed her wrist. He pulled his head away, his gaze direct and dangerous. “My thoughts would send you running, don’t touch me right now.”
He released her hand, letting her decide on her own what she wanted to do with them. He gave her fair warning. Whatever she chose, to touch him or not, would be torture for him either way.
He thought at first that she was going to slip those slender hands into his hair and press her little frame up against his. Her eyes told him that’s what she wanted. But her brain won out and her hands dropped to her sides. Her head tilted to the side, considering him thoroughly, “I’m not quite sure what to think of you Vaughn.”
“Maybe it’s best if you didn’t think of me at all.” He raked an aggravated hand through his hair. He half laughed when she did the same to hers at the same time. His aggression on his hair resulted in a mess while hers left his fingers itching again to bury into the fiery curls.
Clearly, she was just as irritated and he swore that he heard her mumble, “I wish. “
Smiling, he stepped to the side and took her mumbling words as a compliment.
She stopped as she passed him, the doorway forced their bodies to barely touch. She leaned in, almost whispering, “Can I suggest something?” Her eyes teased, her breath was warm against his jawline. He would take any suggestion that she gave at this point.
He leaned in towards her mouth, “What’s that, honey?”
Her lips practically touched his as she spoke. “There is a storm rolling in later this evening, you may want to close your windows.” She stepped out of the doorway, leaving him truly stunned. Reaching up she pushed up on his chin, “Close your mouth too.”
She laughed when she walked away and he playfully banged his head against the door jamb. Aaron turned to look at her, “A storm I can handle. You, I am not so sure.”
He left it at that and went to close his windows.

Copyright 2007 anozira
{moscomment}