19. Aurora
Chapter nineteen
Aurora
I step through the front door and take off my snow boots. My fingers drift to my lips where Bradley’s had been just a few minutes ago. I can still feel the tingle from his kiss, or maybe it’s the snow. I shake my head. No, it was definitely that kiss. I’ve never been kissed like that before.
Even when Jayme and I were engaged, his kisses felt . . . friendly. Safe. Comfortable. They definitely didn’t leave me breathless. I’m glad we didn’t get married. If that’s what kisses are supposed to feel like, Jayme and I were way off base.
I peek out the living room window and spot Bradley shoveling snow from the driveway. His jacket is wrapped around his waist, leaving his long-sleeved t-shirt stretched taut across his back. I shiver as I recall his strong arms carrying me up the stairs last night.
Is this what true chemistry is? This feeling? Am I falling for Bradley Jameson?
Butterflies dance in my stomach. I am. I’m falling for the chocolate-eyed charmer.
He turns and spots me standing in the window. Grinning, he gives me a little wave and blows me a kiss before getting back to work.
Swoon.
I think I’ve already fallen.
The streets are cleared, but most people are staying home, from the looks of it. Kids are taking advantage of the day off from school and are outside tossing snowballs, building forts, and lying in the yard making snow angels.
“Do you mind if we stop by my house, before I drop you off?” Bradley asks. “My clothes are a little wet.”
I glance at his jeans which are wet nearly to the knees. “A little?” I ask.
“Okay, more than a little. My feet are freezing, and some crazy lady stuffed snow down my shirt.” He laughs. “I was trying to be tough.”
I shake my head. “No need. You’re tough enough without getting hypothermia. Of course we can stop by your place. Besides, I think I’d like to meet Bagel. See if he can convert me.”
He grins. “You’re going to love him.” Bradley flips on his blinker and takes the next right. “I’m just down here.”
When he pulls into the snowy driveway of a little duplex, I’m surprised. It must show on my face.
“I’m just renting while I try to decide if I want to buy a fixer-upper or build something new.” He turns the truck off, and gets out. He wades through the snow carefully, and comes to open my door.
“Guess no one’s done your driveway yet,” I say, sliding out of the truck and into his waiting arms. “Maybe I should have brought my snowsuit.”
He chuckles. “Maybe next time. Come on, I need out of these wet clothes, and you have a kitty to meet.”
I don’t know what I expected when he opens the front door and lets me inside. Not this, though. The warm honey color of his sofa accents the olive green of the walls. Taupe pillows are tossed haphazardly onto the cushions, and a large braided rug in warm earthy colors covers the tile floors. “Wow, this is stunning,” I say, stepping further inside the living room.
“Thanks,” he says, toeing off his wet shoes and socks. “My mom helped me decorate. Insisted, even.”
I nod. “She did a great job. I love this!” A soft meow pulls my attention from the array of family photos on the walls. A little face pokes out from behind the couch, the brown and cream of his face making him look a bit like a toasted bagel with cream cheese. “This must be Bagel,” I say, crouching down and holding out my hand.
The cat sniffs in my direction, and then beelines past me and slips between Bradley’s wet legs. Okay then.
“Bagel, I’d like you to meet Aurora,” Bradley says, picking the cat up and holding him close to his chest. “She’s a friend.” He places his mouth near the cat's ear. “Hopefully, she’ll be my girlfriend soon,” he says in a stage whisper.
“Hi, Bagel,” I say. I know I'm blushing when I reach out and scratch under his chin. Bagel starts to purr, so Bradley hands him over.
“You two bond while I shower and change. I’ll be back in a minute.” He leans in and presses a soft kiss on my temple. “It’s nice to see you so relaxed.”
He turns and walks down the short hallway and steps through the door on the right. Carefully, I take Bagel over to the couch and sit down with him in my lap. His sweet purrs going a mile a minute sound like a little motor bike. He settles into my lap and starts pressing his paws into my leg as though he’s kneading dough.
“Making biscuits, little guy?” I ask. I hear the shower turn on and do my best to think about anything else.
There’s a knock at the door, and I glance down the hall wondering if I should get it. The knock sounds again. This time a bit more persistent. Maybe it’s the neighbor Bradley mentioned. I get to the door just as the person on the other side knocks again.
I open the door, careful to keep my leg in the way in case Bagel tries to run out, and find myself staring into the deepest blue eyes I’ve ever seen. Red hair cascades around the mystery woman’s shoulders in waves. I reach up and smooth back my pony tail. “Can I help you?” I ask.
“Who are you?” the woman asks, disdain dripping from her words. “Where’s Brad?”
“I’m Aurora,” I say, sticking out my hand in a friendly gesture. The woman scoffs and steps back.
“What are you doing at my boyfriend’s house?” The woman flips her hair over her shoulder and props a hand on the hip she’s jutted out.
“Uh, your what?” I ask, stammering on my words. I look the woman over again. Tall, thin, beautiful, completely dolled up and feminine looking in her leggings, long sweater and boots.
“My boyfriend.” She rolls her eyes. “Don’t tell me Bradley didn’t tell you.”
I shake my head. “No, I can’t say that he did.” I swallow hard, my heart dropping into my stomach.
“Well, maybe he didn’t think you needed to know. What are you doing, cat sitting?” She taps a booted toe on the pavement.
I shake my head at a loss for words. “He was just giving me a ride since the weather was questionable.”
She smiles, though it doesn’t quite reach her eyes. “How nice. I’ll just come in and wait for him, then.” She pushes through the door, strides boldly to the couch and makes herself at home.
“Oh, okay,” I say, fighting back the tears that want to fall. “I’ll just walk from here. It’s not too far.” I grab my purse and push through the door before I feel the first tear slip down my cheek.
He’s seeing someone?
I’ve gone and fallen in love with a cheater. Just my luck.
I’ve barely made it to the end of the street, wiping my cheeks as I walk, when I hear Bradley call my name. A fresh wave of tears begins to fall. Not today. He will not see me like this.
“Aurora, please. Stop!”
I risk a glance behind me. The red-haired woman is standing in his driveway, hands on her hips looking livid while he runs down the street in just a pair of sweatpants. Flip flops on his feet, and no coat . . . “Please, wait. I’ll just keep chasing you, and my feet are freezing!”
I stop, wiping the offensive wetness from my face. “What do you want?” I ask when he’s close enough to hear me.
“You,” he says, panting and dancing from foot to foot. “I want you. Forever.”
I shake my head. “I don’t share, and I won’t be someone’s secret.”
He laughs. “Secret? Who said anything about sharing? Woman, have you not been hearing me? I love you. There’s no one else for me. I haven’t been on a date in months. Not since the first month I was back in town when I met Julie.” He points behind him. “We went out, once, as friends. I thought she was interested in Hudson.” He shrugs. “I have no idea where she got the misguided idea that I’d want her in my home or as my girlfriend.”
I glance back to where the redhead is stomping off to her car parked on the side of the street. “Why did she just show up today, then?” I ask, the events of the morning leaving me feeling confused.
“I have no idea. She said she wanted to check on me after the storm. She tried to kiss me, but I dodged her and let her know in no uncertain terms I was already taken.” He points to his feet. “Can we please finish this conversation in the house? I can’t feel my toes.”
I hesitate a moment, and then nod my head. “Okay.”
“Thank you,” he says, taking my cold hand in his.
“I’m sorry,” I whisper as we walk back to his house. “She said you were together, and I panicked.”
“It’s okay,” he says, kissing the back of my hand. “I probably would have reacted similarly. In fact, if someone else tried to claim my future wife, I’d probably lose my mind.”
My mouth drops open in shock. “What did you say?”
He gives me his signature smirk. “One day, I’m going to propose to you. You’re it for me, Aurora. I think you always have been. No one else compares.”
I shake my head. “You don’t mean that. She’s flawless. I’m just . . .” I pause, at a loss for the right words. “Frumpy. You’ll get tired of me eventually.”
Stepping closer, he presses a soft kiss on my lips. “Aurora, you’re the most stunning woman I’ve ever known,” he says. “I’ll never tire of you. I love you.”
“You mean it?” I ask, hope lighting like a spark to ignite my heart.
“Always,” he says, his deep voice seeping into the parts of me that still questioned him.
I lay my head on his chest and breathe him in. This beautiful man loves me. He’s mine, and I’m his.
Forever.