Chapter 7
Eve blew out a rough breath once she was sure Aspen was out of earshot and scrubbed a hand over her face. “What were you thinking?” she chastised herself under her breath as she turned to her suitcase. “God, I almost kissed her,” she continued her sotto voce self-flagellation as she unzipped the bag and flipped it open. She sighed and admitted, “I wanted to.”
And she looked like she wanted me to, the little voice in the back of her head chimed in.
Which was just…well, confusing, honestly. Not just because Aspen was out of her league, but they’d literally just met a few hours ago. She wasn’t sure about Aspen, but she didn’t go around kissing people she’d only just met.
Except you did, back in the car , the little voice unhelpfully pointed out.
Eve shook her head. Yeah, at first Aspen had kissed her because she’d been out of her mind with a panic attack, but then…
Fuck, she didn’t even know how to explain it.
Didn’t know if she wanted to explain it beyond the simple fact that it’d felt more right than any other kiss she’d had in her life.
She cleared her throat and pushed the thought aside. She didn’t have time to sit around and reminisce about how perfect Aspen’s lips had felt against her own or the thrill that’d zipped through her chest when their tongues slid so easily together. They were expected in the dining room, and she’d be damned if she left Aspen open to her parents’ criticism by arriving late.
She traded the jeans and sweater she’d worn for the trip and into a classically elegant, sleeveless navy blue A-line dress with a neckline that cut just beneath the points of her clavicles and a skirt that fell demurely to a few inches above her knees. A pair of simple black heels finished the ensemble, and she grabbed her makeup bag for a quick detour to the bathroom to touch up her mascara and lipstick.
Much like at the airport, a rogue section of perfectly smooth flooring seemed to jump up to trip her as she returned to the bedroom and found Aspen standing beside the bed with her lower lip caught between her teeth as she focused on the buttons on her midnight blue shirt.
Her heart skipped a beat when Aspen looked up just as she ungracefully recovered her balance, and she damn near rolled her ankle again as she watched Aspen’s mouth fall open and her hands freeze as she drank her in. There was no mistaking the appreciation that further darkened Aspen’s eyes as they raked over her body, and Eve took full advantage of Aspen’s distraction to do the same.
Aspen’s tailored black slacks might have hinted at the power of her thighs, but it was almost perverse how perfectly they clung to her behind that was just…fucking delectable. Eve’s fingers suddenly itched to grab Aspen by the belt and tug her close as she appreciated the toned line of Aspen’s waist where her shirt was tucked crisply into her slacks. She licked her lips as her gaze drifted higher, over the subtle swell of Aspen’s chest to where her fingers clutched at the halves of her shirt.
Eve had never been jealous of a shirt before, but she absolutely envied this one.
She stared, spellbound as Aspen’s hands fell away, and a whimper caught in her throat as Aspen crossed the room to where she stood. Aspen was beyond striking, but it was the confidence in her strong, purposeful stride that made Eve weak in the knees. She knew Aspen could be, had been, gentle, but her stomach tightened as she imagined all the way that strength and confidence could be put to better use.
She was snapped out of her thoughts by a quick touch to her wrist as Aspen asked, “Eve?”
“Hm?” Eve swallowed thickly and did her best to not look like she’d just been imagining Aspen pressing her down onto the bed, spreading her thighs, and—
Brown eyes clouded with concern danced over Eve’s face as Aspen repeated, “I said, are you okay?”
“Oh. Yeah.” Eve nodded. And then, in an attempt to shift the focus off herself so the riot of a blush she could feel blooming on her chest might not spread, said, “You look incredible.”
“And you are even more stunning than I’d imagined,” Aspen replied, her voice was warm and smooth like honey.
Eve forgot to breathe as the hand on her wrist drifted lightly along her arm and over her shoulder, and there was no silencing the quiet sound of longing that escaped her when those long, strong fingers brushed her hair from her cheek and tucked it tenderly behind her ear.
“God, please don’t do that,” Aspen whispered.
“Do what?” Eve wondered softly.
Aspen’s throat bobbed as her touch hovered against the back of Eve’s neck, and her voice was rough when, instead of answering the question, she replied, “I am trying very hard to be good.”
Eve’s nipples tightened at the naked hunger in Aspen’s voice and words. “Aspen…”
“Still not helping,” Aspen croaked as her body swayed forward.
Eve groaned and reached for Aspen’s hips to draw her close. The air became almost oppressively warm as their breaths mingled in the finite space between their lips, and she let her eyes drift shut as she confessed, “I’m so tired of being good.”
The back of her neck tightened. “Are you sure?”
“Yes.” Eve angled her head, searching for Aspen’s lips. A thrill bubbled in her chest as Aspen’s free hand ghosted along her jaw to frame her face, and she pulled Aspen’s hips flush against her as she affirmed, “Please kiss me.”
Aspen groaned, and for a moment Eve was afraid that she’d said too much or sounded too desperate, but then Aspen’s lips softened against hers and she sank into her as the rest of the world fell away. The first kiss melted into a second, decidedly less chaste one, and Eve moaned against the silky softness of Aspen’s tongue as it swirled languidly around her own.
Heaven , Eve thought dreamily as Aspen sucked on her lower lip as she pulled away.
“Okay?” Aspen checked.
Eve nodded and chased after her lips. “Perfect. Please don’t stop.”
Aspen groaned, her cracked promise of, “Never,” silenced between their lips as they came together once more.
Eve clung to Aspen as time stopped and the room around them disappeared. All that mattered was the feeling of Aspen’s muscled body against her own and that soft, sinfully nimble tongue that plied her defenses apart, layer by layer, with every slow, heavy stroke, deft swirl, and playful flick. Aspen kissed with a precision and playful whimsy that was absolutely devastating, and Eve was left gasping for air and wondering which way was up when their kisses eventually slowed to a series of lingering pecks.
“My god,” Eve rasped.
“You can say that again,” Aspen agreed, sounding equally affected. Her lips were soft against Eve’s cheek as she pulled her into her arms. “You are something else, Eve Morrison.”
Eve looped her arms around Aspen’s neck as she melted into her embrace, grateful for Aspen’s strength because the room hadn’t stopped spinning yet. “You are, too. I mean…damn.”
A low, happy hum rumbled in Aspen’s chest as she pressed a gentle kiss to Eve’s ear. “I did tell you that the kiss earlier wasn’t my best work.”
“You did.” Eve nodded weakly. She took a deep breath and blew it out slowly. “Was this?”
“If you let me try it again, I’m sure I can do better.”
Eve whimpered. “I might not survive better.”
“But what a way to go?” Aspen nuzzled her ear.
The fall of Aspen’s breath against her ear made Eve clench, and she groaned as a wave of arousal flooded her panties, making her aware of just how wet their little make-out session had made her. “Something like that,” she agreed. She sighed contentedly when Aspen’s arms tightened around her in response. “I wish we could just skip dinner and stay right here all night.”
Aspen’s expression when she pulled back to look at her suggested she wasn’t opposed to the idea, but she left the ball firmly in Eve’s court as she carefully replied, “I mean, it’s an option.”
“Not a viable one, though,” Eve muttered. Her lips quirked with a small, regretful smile as she used her thumb to rub away remnants of her lipstick from Aspen’s lips. “This, however, is really not your color.”
Aspen’s eyes crinkled as she agreed, “Probably not. It looks wonderful on you, though.”
“Charmer,” Eve teased as she pulled her hand away. Her gaze lingered on Aspen’s to make sure she’d gotten it all, and shook her head as she succumbed to the urge to drop one last quick, fortifying kiss to those perfect lips before regretfully moving out of her arms. “I just need to do a quick touch-up, and then we can go.”
“Okay. Can I ask a question about tonight? Or, well, these next few days, I guess,” Aspen amended as she hovered in the doorway to the bathroom and finished buttoning her shirt.
Though Aspen’s tone was light, Eve’s stomach still sank as she caught Aspen’s eye in the mirror. In the short time that’d passed, Aspen had managed to pull on a blazer that looked as perfectly tailored as her slacks, but she didn’t have the bandwidth to appreciate the view. Had she done something wrong? Was Aspen regretting kissing her? “Um, sure?”
“It’s nothing bad,” Aspen assured her quickly. “I was just curious how you want me to behave. Am I okay to hold your hand? Wrap an arm around your shoulders or waist? Do you usually kiss your partner in front of your parents? Stuff like that.”
The knot of worry in Eve’s gut loosened. “Oh, um…” Her voice trailed off as she dug in her makeup bag for her lipstick. She looked back at Aspen’s beautifully placid face in the mirror as she said, “I guess?” She uncapped the tube and quickly reapplied her lipstick before continuing, “I’ve held hands with a girl in front of them and they were fine, but—”
“Eve,” Aspen interrupted, her voice as gentle as her expression. “I honestly couldn’t care less about their comfort. I care about yours.”
It was clear Aspen meant every word, and Eve’s eyes fluttered as her heart pulled a similar maneuver in her chest. She didn’t have a lot of dating experience but, while this situation wasn’t quite the same, she’d never been with anyone who put her so plainly at the forefront. Everyone else had been more concerned with winning her parents’ favor and connections than they’d been about her.
Eve blinked her eyes open and smiled ruefully at Aspen’s reflection. “Honestly? I don’t know what I’m comfortable with.”
A look of genuine sadness flashed across Aspen’s face as she breathed, “Oh, beautiful girl.”
Eve bit her lip as Aspen shook her head and pushed off the doorframe. She watched, enraptured once again by the powerful sway of Aspen’s hips as she made her way into the bathroom to stand behind her at the vanity. Aspen’s hands were light on her waist as she pressed against her back in that gentle way of hers that made Eve feel protected and safe, and Eve sighed as she melted back into her. “I’m sorry.”
Aspen’s hands rubbed soothing circles over her hips as she said, “You have nothing to be sorry for.” The golden streaks in Aspen’s eyes shone in the bright vanity lights, and she leaned her head against Eve’s as she wrapped her arms around her waist to hold her in a loose embrace. “I’ll follow your lead, okay? Don’t worry about making me uncomfortable; I’ll climb on your lap and kiss you silly at the table if you want me to.” She smiled at Eve’s shocked laughter and kissed her cheek. “What I’m saying is, hold my hand if you need it. Cuddle into my side if it makes you feel better. Kiss me if you want to. I’m here for you, okay? Not them. Not any of them.”
Eve blinked away the tears that stung at the backs of her eyes. “God, why couldn’t we have met under normal circumstances?”
“Who says this isn’t?” Aspen sniggered and changed tack when Eve just responded with an arched brow. “Okay, fine. But fuck it, okay? Normal is for wimps. And you, my dear, sweet, beautiful girl, are anything but.” She pulled back and held out a hand. “Come on. We got this.”
Eve dropped her lipstick back into her makeup bag and nodded as she took Aspen’s hand. Aspen’s easy confidence was an encouraging breeze against her back as they headed to dinner. Her pulse picked up when she heard her parents’ voices as they entered the living room next to the dining room, but when Aspen moved to pull her hand away, she caught it and threaded their fingers firmly together. She wasn’t sure if she’d be brave enough for more, but she was brave enough for this.
And, honestly, she felt stronger with Aspen at her side.
Her parents, as she’d expected, clocked their joined hands immediately, and she didn’t miss the way both of their expressions tensed. By the way Aspen's fingers tightened against hers, she knew she had noticed it, too. But more than that, she was struck by how much older they looked than when she’d last seen them in March. Her father’s formerly salt and pepper hair was now pure white, and while her mother’s bottle-red was unchanged, the lines around her eyes were more pronounced.
“Ah, there you are,” her father declared with a wide, polished politician’s smile. He set the tumbler of whiskey he’d been sipping at onto a modern glass and steel coffee table and pushed to his feet. “Richard said you’d arrived. Did you have a nice trip?”
“Dallas was a disaster, as usual, but it was fine otherwise,” Eve said, her grip on Aspen’s hand tightening as she submitted to her father’s customary half-hug and brusque kiss on the cheek.
“And who do we have here?” her mother asked as she joined them, her steel-gray gaze sharped to a fine point as she openly appraised Aspen, no doubt already searching for a flaw to use against her.
Eve could have laughed. It was a pointless endeavor. Aspen was perfect in every sense of the word.
And to prove it, Aspen offered a smile that was even more polished than her father’s as she held out her hand. “Aspen Collier-West. It’s a pleasure to meet you. Your home is lovely.”
“Thank you.” Interest sparked in Eve’s mother’s eyes as she took Aspen’s hand. “Elizabeth. And, Collier, you say? Any relation to Michael?”
“He’s my cousin,” Aspen supplied as she released Elizabeth’s hand and turned to Eve’s father. “How do you do, sir?”
“Killian, please,” Eve’s father insisted, though he did puff up just a bit at the honorific.
Like a dog with a bone, Elizabeth pursued what, to her, was the more salient point as she asked, “So is that how you two met?”
“It is,” Aspen confirmed. And, though she knew the tale Aspen was about to spin was a lie, the butterflies that erupted in her stomach when Aspen turned to smile at her were very much real. “We met at his birthday party earlier this year.” She leaned into Eve’s side and gave her hand a light squeeze. “I fell for her immediately. Figuratively and, as it turned out, literally, as I was walking down the stairs when I saw her.” She pulled a chagrined but entirely endearing face. “It was like something out of a movie, honestly. The rest of the party just disappeared and then I completely missed the next stair, tumbled the rest of the way down, and absolutely flattened her.”
God, the way Aspen said it, Eve almost believed it’d happened herself. She licked her lips as she chimed in with the rest of their fabricated tale. “Those bruises took weeks to heal.”
“My ego took longer,” Aspen grumbled.
“I’ll bet,” Killian chortled. “So, Aspen, what is it you do?”
“I’m a pilot.”
“Commercial?”
“No. Helicopter charters.”
“Oh? Interesting. Where did you learn to fly?”
“The Air Force Academy, sir.”
That got both of Eve’s parents’ attention. They might not like that Aspen was a woman, but her having attended one of the service academies was political capital they could glean some benefit from.
Eve hated that she understood exactly what they were thinking—and that there was a part of her that was secretly glad for that particular ace-in-the-hole, as it had the potential to soften the negative reaction she’d face once they caught her alone.
“You don’t say?” Killian drawled.
Aspen smirked. “I do, sir.”
Killian grinned. “Oh, I like you.”
“Thank you, sir,” Aspen replied.
Eve bit back her smile when Aspen didn’t offer a return sentiment in kind, but her parents were too enamored with this new bit of information to notice.
Richard appeared then, hovering silently in the doorway in that politely officious way of his. “Dinner is ready,” he announced as he half-turned toward the nearby dining room.
“Ah, excellent,” Killian declared as he gestured for the rest of them to go ahead of him.
“What are we having?” Eve asked.
“Rack of lamb,” Elizabeth answered over her shoulder as she led the group toward the dining room.
Eve pulled a face. She hated lamb. It was, however, her father’s favorite, and her opinion had never mattered.
Aspen, of course, didn’t miss her flash of disgust, and leaned in close to whisper against her ear, “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing,” she muttered. “I just don’t like lamb. They know this, but my father…”
Aspen hissed something under her breath that, even at this distance, Eve couldn’t quite catch. Her hand tightened around Eve’s as they entered the dining room, and she smiled politely at Irma, who was entering the room from the other end with their salads for the first course. “Thank you.”
Unused to being thanked, let alone at the beginning of the meal, Irma blinked at Aspen. “Of course, Miss.”
Aspen pulled a perfectly contrite expression as she continued, “I’m very sorry, but could I maybe get a little more salad? I’m sure you’ve prepared the lamb masterfully, but I’m allergic.”
Even though Eve was pretty sure all of this was because she’d said that she didn’t like lamb, Aspen sounded so genuinely apologetic that she wondered if it was the truth.
“Oh, I’m so sorry. We had no idea,” Elizabeth apologized quickly. “Eve didn’t say.”
“No worries,” Aspen assured her genially. “I mean, considering that Eve isn’t particularly fond of lamb, herself, it isn’t an issue we’ve ever needed to worry about, so I doubt it even crossed her mind to mention it.”
It was all Eve could do to not laugh at the sour look her mother shot her even as she pasted on her best hostess smile and said, “Well, I’m sure we have some chicken or something in the fridge, if that’d be okay?”
“That would be perfect,” Aspen replied with a beaming smile. And then, to Irma, she said, “I really am so sorry for the inconvenience. I can always grill it up, if it’d make things easier.”
Irma shook her head. “No, Miss. We can take care of it.” And then, to Eve, with a little twinkle in her eye, “Chicken for you, as well, Miss Eve?”
Eve could feel her parents glaring daggers in her direction, but, while that normally would have been enough for her to shut up and choke down the dinner they’d selected, she wasn’t about to refuse the gift Aspen had artfully dropped on her plate, as it were. Feeling bolder than she’d ever felt in this house, she smiled warmly at Irma. “That would be wonderful, Irma. Thank you.”
“I’ll get Alfonso to grill some chicken for you both,” Irma promised as she set the last of the salad plates down. She folded her hands in front of herself and backed away from the table. When Eve’s father took his seat at the head of the table without saying anything else, she promptly disappeared back into the kitchen.
“Are there any other dietary restrictions we should know about?” Elizabeth asked as she took her seat to Killian’s right.
Aspen arched a brow at Eve as she pulled the chair furthest from Eve’s parents and inclined her head in a way that clearly said it was for her. When Eve just pursed her lips, Aspen answered, “None that I can think of. Eve and I have similar culinary tastes, so any meal that’s been prepared with her in mind should be fine.”
Eve folded her dress beneath her as she sat, painfully aware of her parents’ close inspection, and breathed a little easier when Aspen’s hand settled on her thigh as she sat beside her.
Dinner, after that, was a surprisingly uncomplicated affair. Eve didn’t know if it was because her parents felt called out for their menu choices, but it was the least stressful meal she’d shared with them in her entire life. And Aspen was just magnificent. She fielded her parents’ questions with such ease that Eve found herself being pulled under her spell as well. Sure, her parents still got their little jabs in, but they were blunted.
“Would anyone like dessert?” Irma asked as she appeared to clear their dinner plates.
“I wish, but I’m stuffed,” Aspen replied with a groan. “That was wonderful, Irma. Thank you.”
“Of course, Miss.” Irma turned a questioning look to Eve.
“None for me, either,” Eve declared. “I’m full, too. Thank you.”
Irma smiled, clearly pleased. “Mr. and Mrs. Morrison?”
“No, I don’t think we will, tonight,” Elizabeth answered for the pair.
That was as good of an end to the meal as any, and Eve arched a brow at Aspen as she inclined her head toward their room. “How are you feeling?”
Aspen rose to the occasion like a star, lifting her arm to stifle a feigned yawn. “Exhausted, honestly. It’s been a long day.”
“We won’t keep you any longer, then,” Killian said, sharing a look with Elizabeth that Eve couldn’t quite read. “I’m sure you have plans for tomorrow, but dinner will be at Cloud Nine. Snowcats will begin shuttling guests at six, dinner will be served promptly at seven-thirty.”
“Wonderful,” Aspen said as she stood. She turned and offered Eve a hand. “Shall we?”
Eve nodded and slipped her hand into Aspen’s. “See you tomorrow,” she told her parents as Aspen threaded their fingers together.
She could feel her parents’ eyes on them as they left, but, for once, it didn’t bother her. She squeezed Aspen’s hand as they turned down the hall to their room, and sighed happily when Aspen returned the gesture. “Thank you for tonight.”
“My pleasure.” A mischievous smirk quirked Aspen’s lips as she swung their joined hands between them. “How was your chicken?”
“Good.” Eve chuckled and leaned into Aspen. “God, they looked properly horrified when you said you were allergic.”
“Serves them right for picking a meal they knew you didn’t like.”
Eve hummed. “Tell me, though—are you really allergic?”
Aspen’s smirk widened. “Only morally. I mean, have you seen lambs? They’re adorable!”
Eve laughed as Aspen pushed the door to their room open, and nodded her thanks as Aspen ushered her through with a light tug on her hand. A flutter of nerves mixed with the pleasant, buzzy high she’d been riding at the sound of the door closing behind them, and her pulse picked up as she turned to face Aspen.
Did Aspen expect them to pick up where they’d left off before dinner?
Hell, did she?
Okay, that was probably a stupid question. That kiss had been, without a doubt, the best she’d ever had. And while she hadn’t been lying earlier when she’d said she wished they could skip dinner and fall into bed, now that the moment had passed, she wasn’t sure she wanted that. If that kiss was anything to go by, she had no doubt that Aspen could absolutely ruin her, and she was barely holding on as it was.
Aspen’s brow pinched ever so slightly as she no doubt read her rising anxiety, but the look was quickly replaced by one of gentle understanding. “How does jammies and bed sound? It’s been an eventful day—I’m kinda beat. And your clock is two hours ahead of here.”
The knot that’d begun to form in Eve’s chest loosened. “That sounds perfect, honestly.”
“Good.” Aspen squeezed her hand once more before letting it drop. “I’ll move my bag off the bed while you change. Are you still good with me taking the right side?”
Eve nodded. “I’m so—”
“Eve,” Aspen interrupted gently, “there’s nothing to apologize for.”
While Eve appreciated Aspen’s willingness to let the matter drop, she still felt compelled to point out, “But we kissed.”
“We did.” Aspen held out her hands and, when Eve obligingly placed hers in them, lifted Eve’s hands to her lips and brushed a light kiss over her knuckles. “And while I very much enjoyed it and am not at all opposed to doing it again, it’s late. We’re both tired. Hell, you’ve got to be exhausted.” She licked her lips as she gathered both of Eve’s hands in her left so she could caress her cheek with her right. Her thumb painted a whisper soft arc over the curve of Eve’s cheek, and her voice was hushed and warm as she confessed, “I like you, Eve. More than I probably should considering I just met you, if I’m being honest.”
“I like you, too,” Eve whispered.
Aspen smiled, and, god, the way it lit her face was something Eve wished she could capture for eternity. “We have time, beautiful girl,” she murmured. “We don’t need to rush anything, okay?”
Eve wanted to argue that she was flying home on Sunday and time was the one thing they didn’t have, but found herself relenting to the promise that shone in Aspen’s eyes as she echoed, “Okay.”