February’s Bad Boy: Aiden (Bad Boys of Mustang Mountain #2)

11. Paisley

CHAPTER 11

PAISLEY

What a difference twenty-four hours could make. Yesterday at this time I was so worried about Aiden I could barely see straight. With the two men who’d been causing trouble around the ranch behind bars, it seemed like the sky had never been so blue and the sun had never shone brighter.

“There you are.” Aiden came up behind me, his hair still wet from his shower, and pulled me back to lean against his chest. “Is there a reason you’re standing in the door and letting all the cold air in?”

I laughed as I twirled around to face him and kicked the door closed behind me. “Just enjoying the scenery.”

He burrowed his hands under the many layers I had on until he reached my skin. “How about we enjoy the scenery inside instead?”

“Don’t you have chores to do today?” I asked, my arms already snaking up behind his neck. Whatever he had to do could wait a little while.

His lips spread into an easy grin. “Nothing more important that loving on my girl.”

“Your girl, huh? That sounds pretty presumptuous.” I loved the way we teased back and forth. Though he still had major moments of grumpiness, I’d been enjoying his more frequent smiles. It was like a light that had gone dark inside him had sparked back to life.

“You don’t want to be my girl?” His palms slid over my skin, a promise of what was to come.

“I didn’t say that. I just don’t remember you asking.” Gazing up at him, I batted my lashes. Both of us knew we were in this for the long haul. Even though we hadn’t been together long, neither one of us could imagine a life without the other. He’d opened my heart up to the possibility of forever, and I was willing to give it my all.

“Fine.” He pulled away, leaving my skin burning for his touch. “I guess if I’m going to ask, I’d better do it right.”

My heart stalled while black dots popped up at the edges of my vision. “What do you mean?”

Aiden took my hand and tugged me toward the counter. He reached for something, then turned to face me. “Paisley, will you be my girl?”

He held out a metal rose—the same kind that I’d been so enamored with at the silent auction.

“Where did you get this?” I took it from him and spun it around in my fingers. The attention to detail was incredible. “Did you know I bid on that bouquet at the auction last week? I was so bummed when I found out I didn’t win.”

“You like it?” He bit down on his lower lip like he was nervously gauging my reaction.

“Like it? I love it. But, how…” My words trailed off as my gaze caught on a large leaf.

Our initials had been carved or stamped onto the surface. AJ + PM.

“Oh, my gosh. You made this, didn’t you?” Tears welled up in the corners of my eyes. Now that I knew, I couldn’t understand how I hadn’t figured it out before. The sketches in his notebook… the metal spikes… it was so obvious.

Aiden’s cheeks pinked slightly, totally adorable. “I learned how to work with metal while I was in prison. It’s not something I thought I’d continue once I got out, but I really enjoy it.”

“And you’re so good at it.” He’d captured the beauty of the rose in such a hard and cold medium. It was just like him… a combination of unyielding strength, resiliency, and inner beauty.

“You didn’t give me an answer.” He dipped his head and nuzzled his lips behind my ear. “Are you going to be my girl?”

“I thought you’d never ask,” I teased.

“If you’re not sure yet, I’ve got some moves in mind that might convince you.” He sucked my earlobe into his mouth. Heat shot down my side, straight to my core. Then he swept my feet out from under me and had just started carrying me to my side of the bunkhouse, which had become our side of the bunkhouse, when the front door flew open.

“You’ve got to come up to the house,” Shane said. “You won’t believe what’s happening.”

“Seriously? Now?” Aiden didn’t bother trying to hide his frustration.

“Yeah, now.” Shane turned and headed back up to the house, leaving the door wide open.

I slid down Aiden’s body until my feet touched the floor. “Raincheck?”

“Always.”

We pulled on our boots and coats, then pulled the door closed behind us. Vehicles lined the long drive.

“What’s going on?” I took Aiden’s hand, and we joined a few strangers walking toward the house.

One woman carried a slow cooker full of something that smelled delicious. Another balanced a tray of cookies in one hand and a bucket of cleaning supplies in the other. We entered the front door to find Ruby setting all kinds of food out on the kitchen table.

“Grab a plate. There’s plenty for everyone.” Ruby offered one of her bright smiles as she uncovered a pan of brownies. “Folks around here wanted to make sure y’all know you’re welcome in Mustang Mountain.”

I sidestepped a man with a paint roller in his hand. “How long has this been in the works?”

“Just since last night. Word got around about the break-in and someone trying to make Shane feel unwelcome. What he’s doing, giving people a second chance, it’s the right thing to do.” Ruby passed me a veggie tray. “Can you find room for this, hon? We seem to be running out of space.”

Aiden scrubbed his palm over his chin. “I thought folks were afraid of having a bunch of ex-cons around.”

“Oh, pshaw.” Ruby bustled between us and reached for his other hand. “There are always a few rotten apples in every bushel. You’ve just got to pick around them to find the good. They always outnumber the bad.”

He met my gaze over the top of her head. Hopefully, with time, he’d learn that most people could see beyond the label he’d been stuck with and into his heart. The ones who refused to see the good in him weren’t worth his attention.

“Aiden, I’ve got news for you. One of my friends saw the piece you donated for the silent auction and wants to support your work. How would you feel about a silent investor who’s willing to set you up with all the tools you need for a complete metalworking shop?” Ruby’s eyes twinkled as she shifted her attention to me. “He’s quite gifted with his hands, don’t you think?”

I bit back my laugh and nodded. “Very gifted with those hands.”

“I don’t know what to say. I’d appreciate the opportunity, but I can’t accept a gift like that.” Aiden reached behind Ruby and twined his fingers with mine.

“We figured you might feel that way. Consider it a no-interest loan that can be paid back if and when you start to make a profit. Does that sound better?” Ruby didn’t wait for him to respond. Assured he would agree, she stepped out from between us and turned toward the kitchen. “There’s something in the oven that I need to check on. Get something to eat, then find Orville if you want to help. He’s got a whole list of things that need to be done.”

I looked up at Aiden. “Sounds like everything is working out. You’re going to have everything you’ve always wanted.”

“Without you, none of it means a damn thing.” He slid his hands into my back pockets and pulled me close. “You never did answer me, Paisley. Are you going to be my girl?”

“I don’t need convincing. I’ll always be your girl, Aiden.”

“I love you so fucking much,” he mumbled against my skin.

“Love you too.” I tilted my head back. “I do have one condition.”

“What’s that?” he asked, already moving in for a kiss.

“That you’ll be my forever guy.”

“Done deal.” Then he dipped me low and kissed me like we were the only two people in the world, and as far as I was concerned, we were.