Somebody: A Country Romance Read online

  Elliot was enthralled, unable to turn away from such a simple and accidentally sensual process.

  Within moments, it fell in a heavy curtain down her back and the urge to run his fingers through the length was an itch on the insides of his palms.

  As if reading his mind, she raked her fingers through it before bending to remove her ringing cell phone from her purse. She answered it and made her way to the elevator.

  He stood up and did the same.

  Waiting at the elevator doors, she released a heavy sigh. “No. Do the advertising the way it was approved, Andrew. Are you haggling with me? Please don’t aggravate me at this time of night. Do the deal as we agreed. Stop bullying me so I can tell you how much I love the samples and what a genius you are. We’ll talk rate increases next assignment.”

  She paused and smiled to herself. “I’ll show them to Elliot in the morning and he’ll love them because he has excellent taste. I’m very tired. Can we talk tomorrow? I know you didn’t mean it. I love working with you. Give my love to Gerald.” Another pause. “No, he cannot grab my butt when he sees me again. Goodnight, Andrew.” Disconnecting, she pushed the elevator button.

  “Who wants to grab your butt?”

  Aubrey screamed and whirled to face him, her hair settling over one shoulder and curling seductively around one breast. He used every ounce of control not to stare at the pert mound, heaving slightly with her scare.

  He grinned and did his best to keep the wolf inside him out of the expression. “Again, you’re the only female who consistently does that.” He waited a moment and repeated his question. “Who wants to grab your butt?”

  Aubrey swallowed and closed her eyes. “Elliot, I need to get you a bell to wear around your neck. For a big man, you are unnaturally quiet.”

  She put her hand to her chest and entered the open elevator. He followed and the doors shut silently.

  “Andrew does our marketing mock-ups. Gerald’s his boyfriend who is fascinated with the female body. He enjoys comparing mine to his. It keeps him entertained so Andrew and I can get work done.”

  She exited the elevator as he processed the information. Waving at security, she stepped out into the sultry late summer night and turned toward the parking garage. Taking the elevator to the fourth floor, she walked to her father’s truck, parked in the space across from his.

  “Fuck me.”

  Elliot jumped as if shot until he realized it was an expletive, not an invitation. All four of Aubrey’s truck tires were flat.

  “Damn it! I don’t have time for this tonight.”

  Elliot’s brow furrowed with anger at the realization that someone had deliberately sabotaged Aubrey’s vehicle. She was strangely calm, considering.

  “Why aren’t you freaking out? You act like this happens…” He turned his gaze on her and his expression was hard as the truth sank in. “Does this happen a lot?”

  The woman waved her hand absently. “I wouldn’t say a lot, just when I piss someone off like I clearly did today. It’s probably one of Victoria’s bangs-of-the-week. I’ll call AAA. They don’t actually damage anything. The point seems to be wasting my time.” She fished for her phone. “There’s no need for you to wait, Elliot. I’ll be fine.”

  Scrolling through her contacts, she stilled when he placed his hand over hers. She stared at it as if unsure how to respond to his touch for a second time in one day.

  “I am not, under any circumstances, leaving you alone in a parking garage at night. Someone let the air out of your tires and could have waited for you. I’ll drop you off at home and take care of this in the morning. I’ll talk to building security about better patrols or adding cameras.”

  Aubrey sighed. “Elliot, I’m really quite alright. I hate being an inconvenience.”

  His response was to take her hand and walk toward his car. He opened the passenger door and waited. After a brief hesitation, she sat on the plush leather seat of the Mercedes and he shut her snugly inside.

  Until the first time the object of his years’ long infatuation sat in his car, Elliot had never truly considered it an intimate space. Starting the engine, he turned his head. Her pretty brown eyes waited.

  The silence drew out between them. Let Me Down Easy played softly on the radio.

  “Do you still think I want you to do a project for me?”

  After a long pause, she murmured, “I…guess not.”

  “Progress.” He started the engine with a smile.

  As they approached 70mph on the road leading out of town, Aubrey laughed. “I’m not sure how much success I’d have keeping my own name out of the papers. I only have experience with McAllisters.”

  He grinned and slowed down. “Would it be embarrassing for you to be pulled over in my car?” The road was incredibly dark and the instrument panel lit her with a soft glow.

  “Most people would think it was a misprint.”

  “Why?”

  “No one would believe a man like you was with somebody like me.” A tiny gasp told him she hadn’t intended to say the sentence aloud.

  He considered the words, hurting at the implication, and wondered at how thoughtless he’d been over the years.

  “I’m sorry you’ve been hurt by my behavior, Aubrey.”

  She was quiet for so long that he didn’t think she’d answer. “Elliot, even smart women can be a little dumb. Sometimes their entire emotional existence is out of balance or it might be a blind spot for one person. How a woman deals with input is her own responsibility.”

  He pulled into the long drive leading up to her little house, and parked. Taking her keys from her purse, she grabbed the door handle.

  “Thank you for bringing me home.”

  “You’re welcome. Aubrey?” She turned to look at him. “There’s nothing dumb about you.”

  Her smile was sad. “Sure there is, Elliot but that’s on me, not anyone else. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

  He watched as she got out, walked up her porch steps, and waited until she was safely inside. Sighing heavily, he rubbed his hand over his face and headed back to the main road. Before he made the turn toward his place, he caught movement in his rearview mirror.

  Alone, as she so often was, Aubrey walked toward the stable to check her horse. Every part of him wanted to turn around.

  He knew it was a bad idea.

  He drove home, showered, and went to bed harder than he’d ever been in his life.

  * * *

  Over the next few days, Elliot couldn’t stop thinking about Aubrey. The following Saturday, he was passing her house and saw her grooming Trix in the stable yard.

  On impulse, he pulled into her driveway and got out. Her place was snug and pretty. Her father worked hard all his life and left his daughter a home and working farm.

  Shielding her eyes from the sun, she identified him and lifted her hand in a wave. As he approached, she gave him a half-smile.

  “Forgive my appearance. I wasn’t expecting company.”

  Wearing worn jeans that clung to her curves, boots caked with mud, and a t-shirt that was damp with water and sweat, the woman didn’t realize how much she affected him on a physical level.

  He placed his palm on her horse’s neck and said, “She looks amazing, Aubrey.”

  Stroking her hand over the sleek coat of her back, she murmured, “Thank you. She’s my best friend.” Her eyes slanted to his. “What brings you by?”

  “I saw you outside. I wanted to say hello.” He’d been going to bed hard, waking up hard, and walking around hard for days. He kept that to himself.

  Nodding, she finished grooming her horse while she talked to him about the company and other inane topics.

  When she was done with the last brushing, she picked up all her gear and led her horse into the stable. Trix’s stall was open to the fenced corral but she turned and nuzzled Aubrey’s face over the short gate and she laughed.

  “I haven’t forgotten, glutton.” She reached into her pocket and removed two sugar
cubes. She chuckled softly and it seemed the horse laughed with her.

  Turning, she started to say something but Trix shoved her in the back with her snout. Unexpected, it sent her careening forward. Right into Elliot’s arms. She released a small squeak of surprise as his hands tightened on her.

  “Aubrey.”

  “Damn it. That’s embarrassing.” He was staring hard at her lips, still holding her. Quietly, she asked, “Elliot?”

  Her hair flowed over and under his arm, the silkiness of it completely distracting him. She smelled like her horse and leather and sunshine. He should have set her on her feet.

  Fuck it.

  Dropping his mouth over hers, she froze. He worked over her lips gently and licked at the lower. When she gasped, he took immediate advantage and slipped his tongue between her lips.

  Then she started kissing him back.

  More than a minute passed before she stiffened and broke the contact, staring up at him. He set her on her feet but didn’t let her go. He was breathless and so was she.

  Her hand on his forearm squeezed gently. “No worries, Elliot. I’m sure it’s reflex under certain circumstances.”

  She reached back to scratch Trix and give her a wag of her finger before she walked past him out of the stable.

  Every cell in his body was thrumming. He could still taste her on his tongue. The way she felt in his arms made his hands tingle for more.

  Then he calmed enough to translate what she said.

  “Reflex…” He turned to follow her and came to a stop when he saw her standing beside his brother’s SUV. “Gage.”

  “Elliot. Saw your car and decided to stop.” Looking down at Aubrey, he said, “Tiffany flew back to sit with her aunt who had an accident. She can’t wait to meet you.”

  “I hope her aunt will be okay.”

  “She will.” Gage lifted Aubrey’s hand and held it between both of his. “Thank you, Aubrey.”

  “You’re welcome. I didn’t really do anything.” She tilted her head. “You look great. Happiness sits well on you and I’m glad to see it.”

  Grinning, she asked, “Would you like coffee?” He nodded. “I want you to tell me all about your wife and how things have changed since you took the plunge. Join us, Elliot.”

  Nothing would have prevented him from following the woman inside her house. At the door, she toed off her boots.

  Her back was to them and Gage punched him in the arm. With a glare, he shook his head in response.

  Chapter Eight

  Aubrey walked straight to the kitchen to wash her hands and start coffee. It gave her a moment to calm her breathing and gather her composure. By the time it was brewing, she was in control.

  Her unexpected guests stood in her living room, examining the house she’d lived in all her life.

  She knew it was simple and uncluttered, kind of like her. There weren’t many knickknacks. One entire wall consisted of shelves filled with movies, music, and books. The furniture was neat and everything was spotless.

  She tried not to feel self-conscious as she pulled cups from the cabinet and kept herself busy. She couldn’t stop thinking about the way it felt when Elliot kissed her.

  Nothing would ever be the same again.

  On every level, she knew that. She’d always known it. It was why she’d maintained physical distance between them over the years.

  Laughing it off was the only way she knew to respond. Inside, she was shaking apart.

  All she wanted was more.

  Bringing a tray to the scarred farmer’s table where she’d eaten every meal until leaving for college, they joined her.

  “You defended my wife having never met her.” She wasn’t sure if it was a question but she nodded. “What if she’s every horrible thing people say?”

  Her eyes went wide before she waved her hand. “Impossible. If you married her, she must be wonderful.”

  The oldest McAllister sibling gave her a self-mocking smile. “Surely you don’t trust my judgment that much?”

  “Of course I do.” She leaned forward and tilted her head. “You had your share of fun and hell-raising but you’ve always been a good man, Gage. You’re one of the smartest people I know.” She shrugged. “Your parents didn’t raise any fools among their sons. I’m sure Tiffany is stunning.”

  “Compliments from you always humble me, Aubrey.”

  “They shouldn’t. I’m just the girl from down the road when you think about it.” She smiled and asked shyly, “Will you tell me the first thing Tiffany said to you?”

  “Considering the shit we’ve put you through over the years, you’ve earned it and she’ll likely tell you anyway.” He groaned and rubbed his face. “You look like a man who doesn’t know whether to fight or fuck something.”

  Aubrey burst out laughing and soon the brothers joined her. “The words every love story should start with in my opinion. She’s tough enough to handle you. Bonus.”

  He grinned and they caught up on the few months it had been since they’d talked. After an hour of coffee and conversation, Gage stood and hugged her hard.

  “When Tiff gets back, we’ll have you for dinner. In the meantime, I was told that if I didn’t hug the stuffing out of you that she would never forgive me.”

  She couldn’t contain her giggles. “Please tell her how much I look forward to meeting her. If not before, at the charity gala.”

  Straightening, Gage smiled. “I’ll see you at the office. We haven’t been to lunch in forever.”

  “I’ll be swamped until the ball but I’d love to after. You have to invite your missus.”

  He tweaked her nose. “Just because you don’t work in my department anymore officially doesn’t mean I don’t want to stay caught up on things with you.”

  “Thanks, Gage.”

  At her front door, he glanced over his shoulder. “Aubrey, make sure you remember your value.” Staring at his younger brother, a message seemed to pass between them. The door closed softly a moment later.

  Picking up the coffee cups, Aubrey walked into the kitchen, surprised Elliot hadn’t followed his brother out.

  He sat on a barstool at her kitchen island and she poured more coffee for both of them. Raising her eyes, his waited.

  He watched her move efficiently around her little kitchen. “You used to go to lunch with Gage?” She nodded. “You’re comfortable with him.”

  “He’s the older brother I would have loved to have.” One shoulder lifted. “It would have been nice not to be so alone when I was a kid.”

  “Gage thinks highly of you. You never thought about him romantically?” She couldn’t control her grossed out expression and he laughed. “I withdraw the question.”

  “I said I thought about him like a brother. Eww.”

  He crossed his arms on the island. “It wasn’t reflex. It was you.” Choosing his words carefully, he added, “I know why you pulled away and I’m sorry.”

  “It…was last weekend, Elliot.” She frowned lightly. “I don’t know what you’re doing.”

  “That makes two of us, Aubrey.” They sipped their coffee in silence. He respected that she didn’t feel the need to fill it. Finally, he admitted. “I can barely think straight. I’ll let time pass. Maybe one day…”

  He stood up, dropped a chaste kiss over her lips, and left. As he was backing from her drive, Aubrey lifted her hand in a small wave before closing her front door.

  * * *

  On the other side of it, Aubrey leaned against the wood and touched her lips with her fingertips. She wondered what condition she’d be in by the time Elliot got bored and moved on to his next conquest.

  It probably wasn’t a bad idea to stock up on chocolate and ice cream in preparation.

  Chapter Nine

  Mid-September 2013

  The charity ball orchestrated by Aubrey was a hit for the company, the community, and the organizations the evening would benefit. The pages for the items up for bid filled and guests circulated with drinks in h
and.

  At the end of one of the mobile bars, Elliot accepted a whiskey from the bartender and settled in to watch her.

  He’d snuck in the back, arrived early, and come alone. All of which were out of character for him.

  When he entered the stunningly decked out ballroom of the historic mansion, he’d immediately zoned in on Aubrey across the room. For more than an hour, she’d stood behind a podium to greet people as they arrived.

  An older couple entered, the wife in a wheelchair, and Aubrey stepped out from behind the pedestal that blocked most of her from view. The young woman acting as her assistant chose that moment to move away.

  There was a distinct possibility Elliot growled.

  As she bent to greet the chair-bound woman with kisses on her cheeks, he slowly took in her attire.

  Aubrey always chose a vintage look at formal events. He imagined that without many women in her life, she’d opted to follow examples that never went out of style. Someone arranged her long hair in an elegant up-do and her makeup was flawless yet dramatic.

  The caramel satin dress made him ache. He thought he recognized it from an old movie his mother loved. The delicacy of the gown and the intricate details drew the eye.

  The woman wearing it held the attention.

  He was struck dumb by the image of fine beaded straps crisscrossing her back, leaving the majority of it bare. When she straightened, he allowed his eyes to take in the way the design cupped her breasts, outlined them, without being revealing in the slightest.

  The woman gestured to her shoes and Aubrey barely lifted her hem to show the high peep-toe pump she wore.

  “Elliot, you’re drooling.” The sound of his mother’s voice penetrated the haze in his mind. Blinking, he turned to her. “Her taste is above reproach. I believe she duplicated that dress from one worn by Ginger Rogers in Swing Time. It’s an outstanding choice for her figure.”

  “Yes.” He couldn’t manage more.

  “I notice you pulled back from pursuit. May I ask why?”

  “I hurt her. It was fresh and I needed time to pass.”

  Octavia stared at him for a long time. “That makes me unbelievably proud.” She glanced around curiously. “No young lady on your arm this evening?”