Chapter 10
Chapter Ten
A aron hadn’t been able to shake the feeling of Beth’s lips on his all afternoon.
It clung to him, a distraction that pulled at his focus even as he checked IDs at the gate, walked the property, and responded to the endless radio chatter.
He told himself it had been reckless, hell, probably a bad idea.
But the truth was, he didn’t regret a second of it.
Besides, she’d been the one making all the moves.
Did she have regrets?
That question left him spiraling down other pathways.
When his shift wrapped up, the camp was settling into its usual evening hum: music drifting from the main lodge, laughter spilling from fire pits, the bay waters quiet under the fading orange glow of the sky.
Beth had left almost an hour before him, after he and Jules had walked her to her car. Beth was heading over to Jules and Damion’s house for dinner that evening. He was glad she wasn’t going to be alone for most of the evening.
He drove home with the windows down, hoping the wind might clear his head. It didn’t. All it did was remind him of Beth’s laugh, soft and shaky when she’d finally relaxed beside him.
But when he turned down the long lane to his place, his gut tightened.
A black-and-white patrol car sat dead center in his driveway, angled like a barricade.
Ian leaned against the hood with his arms crossed, casual, as if he owned the place. His eyes tracked Aaron’s truck, and even from behind the wheel Aaron could see the smug twist of his mouth.
Shit. He should have known the man would do something like this. One whiff of interest between him and Beth and the man was on defensive mode.
Aaron rolled the truck to a stop, left his engine running, and climbed out. “You’re on the wrong property, officer.” His voice was steady, but tension coiled through every muscle.
Ian pushed off the car slowly, his boots crunching the gravel. “Just thought I’d pay a neighborly visit. You’ve been spending a lot of time with my wife.”
“Ex-wife,” Aaron corrected. He took a step closer, planting himself squarely between Ian and his truck. “And my property line is a few feet that way.” He motioned behind them. “So unless you’re here on official business, you’re trespassing.”
Ian’s jaw ticked, but he kept that lazy smile plastered on. “You think a summer camp security guard is gonna tell me what I can and can’t do? Don’t forget, I’m the only one wearing a badge now.”
Aaron didn’t flinch. He’d dealt with men like Ian his entire career, bullies who hid behind authority, certain their power made them untouchable.
“You want me to listen? Fine. But if you ever show up at Beth’s again, if you so much as spook her, I’ll make damn sure someone higher up hears about it.
You won’t just lose your badge, you’ll lose every ounce of control you think you have. ”
He laughed. “Hasn’t stopped me so far.”
“That’s because I haven’t been personally involved.” He ran his eyes up and down Ian. “I am now.”
That smile finally slipped, replaced by something darker. Ian stepped in close and lowered his tone, his words meant only for Aaron. “You don’t know what you’re messing with. Beth’s mine. Always will be. And you? You’re in my way.”
Aaron didn’t back up. Didn’t give him an inch. “Then I guess you’d better get used to stepping aside.”
The fist was quick, and Aaron let him have the first blow. It barely knocked his head back. He was ready for the second and sidestepped it easily.
“You get one, that’s it,” he warned as the man threw himself towards him. Again, Aaron was much quicker, and the man’s body bounced off the hood of his truck.
Just then, the radio in his patrol car squawked loudly as Ian eyed him.
“I’m much faster than I look. I hit harder than you as well,” he said with a grin.
For a beat, silence stretched between them, sharp and dangerous. Then Ian let out a humorless chuckle, straightened up, and slid into his patrol car. Gravel sprayed as he tore around his truck and drove out of the driveway, his taillights disappearing into the dark.
Aaron stood there for a long beat as the night swallowed the sound of the engine. His jaw was tight and slightly bruised, and his fists were clenched by his side. He knew one thing for certain—this wasn’t over. Not by a long shot.
There was no way in hell Ian was going to let this go with just one punch.
As he drove the rest of the way up his driveway, he pulled out his phone and punched Brett’s number.
Once he’d relayed everything, the next call was to his lawyer.
Aaron’s fingers hovered over the keys, heart still hammering from the confrontation. By the time the call connected, his voice was steady, controlled, though the edge of tension seeped through.
“Hey, Mark, I need a restraining order,” he said flatly, laying out the situation in careful, precise detail.
He explained the trespass, the threats, and the way Ian had tried to intimidate him.
Every word reinforced the seriousness of the situation.
The lawyer listened, asked clarifying questions, and assured Aaron that he’d start the paperwork immediately.
“We’ll get it filed first thing tomorrow,” Mark said easily, “and we can expedite it if necessary.”
Next came the second call. Aaron dialed a local security company he trusted.
When they answered, he requested they come and install security cameras around his property’s entire perimeter—driveway, porch, barn, even the garden.
Everything. He had an appointment for them to start the install first thing the day after tomorrow.
He spent the rest of the evening pacing his property. He was out with the horses, watching the last light of the day fade over his field, when Pickle wandered up close and bumped his shoulder with the soft, questioning nudge that meant, are you okay?
Aaron gave the horse a small scratch behind the ears, but his mind wasn’t on the animals or the orchard or even the garden he’d meticulously tended.
It was on Beth, on the soft curve of her lips as she’d kissed him in the boathouse, on the way she’d pressed against him as if she belonged there, and the knowledge that Ian would stop at nothing to ruin that peace.
The thought hardened something in his chest. He would not let Ian intimidate her, not here, not anywhere. Cameras, restraining orders, legal recourse—he’d build every wall, every line of defense necessary. And he’d be there. Always.
The sun had completely dipped below the horizon, and the porch lights created a warm glow lighting his way back to the house.
Inside, Aaron finally allowed himself to sit.
A cup of iced tea in hand, he stared into the darkness, the tension slowly leaving his shoulders but the resolve in his chest tightening.
The fight wasn’t over, but he was damned sure he would be ready for whatever came next.
And nothing, not even Ian, was going to take his chance with Beth away from him.
She deserved happiness. Deserved to be with whomever she wanted.
He’d be lucky if she chose him, but if not, he was still going to do everything in his power to make sure that choice was hers.
The next morning, he rose before the sun had a chance to light the sky. His jaw throbbed faintly, a dull ache that reminded him of Ian’s quick temper and even quicker fists. He ran his thumb over the faint purple bruise on his chin and winced slightly.
The thought of that fist touching Beth at any point had kept him up half the night.
By the time he arrived at the camp, the sun was high and bright over the waters and casting cool shadows through the trees.
After checking in and getting his walkie-talkie, he headed towards the main building, already anticipating seeing Beth. He had no intention of letting yesterday’s fight, or Ian, overshadow what they had started.
Inside, Beth was busy welcoming new guests with an ease that always impressed him. While she chatted about the camp and all its amenities, her eyes moved over to him, and he noticed the brief hitch of concern in her expression.
Finally, when the couple were on their way to their cabin, he stepped forward.
“Morning,” he said, keeping his tone light, though he could feel her scanning his face again.
“Morning,” she replied softly, her eyes narrowing just a fraction. “Did you get in a fight with your coffee maker this morning?” She motioned to his jaw.
He chuckled and shook his head. “Naw, just the toaster. I made out better. I’m stopping off to get a new one on my way home.”
She smiled but he could tell she wasn’t buying the easy routine.
“You… are you okay?” Her gaze fell again to the bruise along his jaw, and Aaron saw her chest tighten for just a beat.
“Yeah,” he said with a shrug, brushing it off with casual ease. “It’s nothing I haven’t dealt with before.” He felt slightly guilty for not bringing up Ian, the confrontation, or the way his anger had boiled hot. Some things were better left unsaid at work.
Thankfully, Beth didn’t press him any further.
She turned back to her computer screen, but he caught the subtle tension in the line of her shoulders.
She was thinking about it, about Ian, about him, about all of it.
Aaron gave her a small, almost imperceptible smile, and she met it briefly before looking away again.
“I was heading in for a smoothie. Can I grab you something?” he asked.
She lifted a glass that had been hidden under the desk and shook it. “This is their new one, Peach, Love & Happiness.” She took a sip. “It’s even better than Smooth Criminal.”
He chuckled. “I guess I’ll give it a try. Thanks,” he said before heading into the employee cafeteria to grab one for himself to enjoy while he circled the grounds.
Later, as the morning wound down, he stopped by the front desk again. When she saw him, Beth straightened and gathered her paperwork. “I… uh… are you heading out on your rounds again?” she asked, trying to keep her voice steady, casual, though Aaron could hear the slight edge of worry.
“Yeah,” he said. “I’ve gotta check the cabins. You know the routine.”
“Do you have a few minutes? I have a break.” She stretched her shoulders.
“Sure.” He motioned towards the doors. “Want a walk to the beach?”
Aaron followed her out the double doors into the warm summer air.
The camp was fully awake now with the hum of guests enjoying scheduled events or one of the three pools on the grounds.
He could hear the squeals from the zip lines and saw a group of horses with riders pass by on the outside of the pathway.
There was the occasional roar of engines from the jet skis out on the water.
As they headed to the right, the sounds were replaced by the steady rhythm of the ocean waves, calm and inviting.
When they reached the white sugar sand, he let himself take in the peacefulness for a moment.
Beth kept a measured space beside him, but her eyes kept flicking to face.
He knew she wanted to ask, wanted to push, but he also sensed her holding back, respecting the unspoken boundaries he’d set the day before.
That thought made him tighten his grip on his own composure.
He couldn’t let her worry any more than she already did.
They headed over to a bench under a few large oak trees, and Beth stopped, letting the soft sand sink under her feet. She looked out over the water, hands on her hips. “Is there anything you want to tell me about yesterday?” she asked, her tone curious, gentle, probing.
“I don’t want to worry you,” he replied, keeping his voice calm. “Besides, it’s handled. Everything’s being taken care of.”
Her gaze flicked back to him, lingering on the faint bruise again.
To his surprise, she turned away from him and marched over to sit down on the bench.
“I thought you were going to be different,” she said, avoiding his gaze.
He moved over and sat next to her.
“Tell me what I can do.” His shoulders slumped.
She turned to him. “Don’t protect me.” His eyebrows shot up. “Don’t protect me from the truth. I can handle it.” She reached up and touched his jaw. “Ian?”
He sighed and nodded.
“He was waiting at my place last night.” She opened her mouth, but he stopped her. “Like I said, it’s been handled. Restraining orders were signed first thing this morning by a judge. My lawyer is aware of the situation, and a security company is at my place installing cameras as we speak.”
She didn’t say anything, just gave a small nod, like she understood. She was quiet for a long time before saying something that surprised him.
“Your place sounds a lot safer than mine.” She turned to him with a slight frown. “Where do you live?”
He shifted slightly. “Outside of town about five miles.”
She tilted her head. “A house?”
“It’s… more of a ranch.”
“A ranch, like with cows?”
“No cows,” he answered with a chuckle. She seemed to deflate a little. “But I have horses, donkeys, chickens, geese, and a really bad-mouthed rooster.”
She perked up. “Seriously? I didn’t take you for the farm boy type.”
“Born and raised.” He glanced around. “Want to walk some more?”
“Sure.” She stood up, and they walked a little further down the beach. The silence stretched comfortably between them, filled only by the rhythmic crash of waves.
He caught himself stealing glances at her, letting the memory of their kiss sneak back into his chest. He wanted to hold her again, to make sure she knew she was safe, but he kept his distance, giving her space to breathe.
Finally, Beth broke the silence. “I’m glad you’re here, Aaron. Really.” Her voice softened, almost shy, and he felt something warm settle in his chest.
He gave a small, reassuring smile. “Me too.”
She nodded, eyes briefly meeting his before turning back to the horizon. Aaron knew the day ahead would be full of rounds, checks, and keeping the camp safe, but right now, with the sun on their faces and the ocean at their feet, it was enough just to be there with her.
“I’m…” He hesitated for a moment. “I’m working the bonfire tonight. Are you going to stick around too?”
“I will now.” She smiled.
“Maybe we could sit together for a while on our break?”
“I’d like that.”
For the first time, he felt the tight knot of anger and tension from the day before loosen. Ian would come again, probably sooner than later, but Aaron was ready. He had the restraining order, the cameras, the legal backing, and most importantly, Beth.
He glanced down at her again and, without a word, slipped his hand into hers. She gave his hand a small, almost imperceptible squeeze, and that was enough to steady him.