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“My name’s Brecken Miller, I’m the project manager here. Before we go in I need to give you a little safety briefing. Let’s start with the hat. You need to wear it at all times.” He held it out to her and Brooke took it, pulling it down on her head. It almost swamped her, making the man grin. “I see you’re wearing sneakers. That’s fine for where we’ll be going. You’d be surprised how many people turn up wearing sandals, expecting me to let them step foot in this place.”
Brooke nodded at him. He looked to be around her age – maybe a little older. His skin was paler than most local people, and she wondered where he was from. “I work with animals all day. Wearing sandals would be asking for trouble.”
For the next five minutes he told her about safe areas and keeping within yellow lines, how to avoid machinery, and that she’d need to be accompanied when on site. She listened intently, maintaining eye contact to let him know she understood, and from the expression on his face he appreciated it.
“Okay, let’s head over to the other side of the site,” Brecken suggested, holding the gate open so she could walk through. Once inside, he led her in the direction of the bungalows on the far side of the site, keeping up a steady stream of conversation as they walked.
“How long have you been a vet?” he asked her.
“I’m not a vet. I’m in my final year of training to be a veterinary technician. I guess it’s kind of like being a nurse for animals.”
“So you do all the work and get none of the glory?”
She laughed, liking this man. “Not quite. The training takes a lot less time than it does to become a vet. But it’s a good job and I enjoy it.” She looked up at him. “Have you been in Angel Sands long?” she asked him. “I haven’t seen you around here before.”
“I came over from Boston,” he said, as they reached the cluster of bungalows leading down to the beach. “But I was originally from here. I moved away when I was seventeen.” He shrugged. “A long time ago now.”
A man was standing at the bungalow about ten yards ahead of them. In contrast to Brecken, this guy was wearing a pair of dark blue dress pants and a shirt, unbuttoned at the neck with the sleeves rolled up. His body looked almost too big for his clothes – his shoulders broad and arms rippled beneath the thin white cotton. But it wasn’t his body that made Brooke’s breath catch. It was his face.
His face.
She hadn’t seen him in almost ten years, but she would have known who it was even if all she could do was breathe him in. All those memories she’d pushed down so deeply inside her rose up in a maelstrom of emotion.
The last time she’d seen Aiden Black he’d been wearing torn jeans and an overwashed shirt. It had felt so soft and warm against her cheeks. He’d been strong and broad, but he’d been a teenager. This Aiden Black was all man.
Time stood still as they stared at each other. Brooke wasn’t sure if the sound rushing through her ears was her own blood or the steady rhythm of the waves. She took a ragged breath in, trying not to let her mouth drop open at the sight of him. And as for Aiden – he looked equally as shocked. His smooth brow pulling down until three lines furrowed through it, his full lips pressing together as he took her in.
“Aiden? I didn’t know you were coming over this way today.” Brecken stepped forward and shook his hand. “I guess they told you about the dog?” He turned back to look at Brooke. “This is Brooke Newton. The animal shelter sent her over. I’m hoping she’s gonna solve all our problems. Brooke, this is Aiden Black, he’s a director with Carter Leisure, the new owners of this resort.” He was oblivious to the atmosphere growing between her and Aiden.
Somehow, Brooke managed to pull herself together. She let out a mouthful of air and nodded at the man in front of her. “We’ve met before,” she said, her voice thin. “Hello, Aiden.”
He said nothing for a moment, but she could feel those dark eyes taking every inch of her in. There was something unfamiliar about him. It wasn’t quite foreboding but it was on the borderline. She got the impression nobody messed with Aiden Black.
A shiver snaked down her spine.
“Brooke,” he finally said, holding his hand out for her to shake as though they were mere acquaintances. “How are you?”
For a moment she considered giving him a honest answer. Shocked. Nauseous. Wondering where the hell he’d been for the past ten years. “I’m good, thank you,” she replied, holding his hand firmly in hers. It was warm, strong, and sent the biggest jolt up her arm. In spite of the heat, her skin broke out in goose bumps.
“And your parents? Are they well?” The corner of his lip curled up. Was that a sneer?
“They’re good, too.” She nodded. “And you? How have you been?”
There was a twitch in the corner of his jaw. His face was as sculpted as she remembered. Though he was freshly shaven, she could remember the way it felt as she pressed her lips against his stubbled chin, kissing her way along his jawbone.
Stop it, Brooke. She didn’t need to be thinking about this, not now, and not ever.
“I’m doing fine.”
“And your family?” she asked. “How’s your mom? I missed her after…” Her voice trailed off. How could she even begin to talk about that time? And from the way Aiden’s eyes darkened at the mention of his mom, he clearly didn’t want to talk about it either.
“She died last year.”
“Oh.” She covered her mouth with her hand, and tears sprang to her eyes unexpectedly. She blinked them back, lowering her hand to her neck, her fingers grasping at her skin there. “I’m so sorry. I had no idea.” When she managed to uncurl her fingers from her neck, she reached for him without thinking, her hand stopping in mid air as she realized what she was doing. “If I’d known I would have sent flowers,” she said, quickly pulling her arm back. “She was a good woman.”
“Yes she was.” Aiden’s eyes looked darker than ever. “The best.”
As if the atmosphere between them was making him uncomfortable, Brecken interjected. “So the dog is around this corner. We think she must have had a litter recently because there’s some kind of nest there. But no sign of puppies.”
