Before Shelby could question the comment, she found herself in Aaron’s arms, her mouth smothered by his.
His lips were firm, warm, and there was just a hint of roughness to his chin, as if it had been several hours since he’d shaved. He smelled good, male and spicy. Her hands rested on his chest, but she had to make an effort not to wrap her arms around his neck and yank him across the console of the car.
Considering the explosions it ignited inside her, the kiss didn’t actually last all that long. Aaron drew back with a smile. “That should give him something to think about.”
It would certainly give her something to think about—perhaps even to dream about, she
thought with a gulp. “Um—yeah.”
“Good night, Shelby. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Good night, Aaron,” she replied, somewhat surprised that her wildly tingling lips would even form coherent words.
He climbed out of the car and strolled to his front door with neither a glance toward the neighboring cabin nor back toward her. After a moment, Shelby roused herself to start her car and back carefully out of the drive.
Chapter Four
Aaron stepped out of his cabin at just before seven the next morning, filling his lungs with the crisp breeze coming off the lake. Though a few thin clouds drifted across the pale morning sky, it was going to be another beautiful day. It was already warm, but comfortably so this early. From the water came the growl of boat motors as fishermen headed out for their anticipated catch.
Carrying his fishing rod in one hand and tackle box in the other, he headed for the marina. He wore jeans and a gray pocket T-shirt with battered sneakers. A Texas Rangers ball cap shielded his face from the rising sun, though he hadn’t yet donned the sunglasses tucked into his shirt pocket.
The marina smelled of fuel, exhaust and vaguely of fish, a combination that took him back to fishing outings of the past. He didn’t see Shelby’s uncle Bryan, but a man who bore a strong familial resemblance was sweeping the pier with a push broom. The man looked around when Aaron approached, giving him a thorough once-over.
“You must be Andrew’s brother,” he drawled. “Heard about you.”
“And you must be Bryan’s brother,” Aaron responded with a faint smile. “I heard about you, too.”
“Carl Jr. But you can call me C.J. Been nicknamed that since I was a kid.”
Aaron nodded. “Nice to meet you, C.J.”
“Everyone says you’re as likable as your brother—well, everyone except Pop, who seems to think you are your brother.”
“So I gathered.” Chuckling, Aaron set down his tackle box. “Bryan invited me to fish with him this morning. Have you seen him yet?”
“Uncle Bryan can’t make it,” Shelby said, appearing from behind him. “He called me and asked me to let you know. There’s a plumbing issue in one of the cabins and he’s dealing with that.”
“I see.” He noted that Shelby looked fresh and clear-eyed despite the early hour. Her blond curls were pulled into a loose ponytail, and she wore a pink-and-white-striped top with denim shorts. Far from his mental image of the typical accountant. And entirely too appealing, considering her father was standing three feet away watching them.
“If it’s okay with you, I’ll take Uncle Bryan’s place in the boat,” she said. “I just happen to know how to get to his secret fishing hole, and I guarantee you’ll catch enough for your dinner tonight.”
Though she spoke lightly, she gave him a significant look, proving once again that subtlety was not her strong suit. His lips twitching with a smile, he played his part, though flirting with her didn’t exactly tax his limited acting skills. “No offense to your uncle, but you would definitely be my first choice for a fishing guide.”
Her smile practically sparkled in approval. “Uncle Bryan is the real expert, but I know my way around the lake.”
“Don’t you have to work today?”
“Yes, but my hours are flexible. I can start later this morning.”
“Then, by all means, let’s fish.”
Her father looked from one of them to the other, as if sensing a subtext he didn’t quite understand, but Shelby rushed Aaron into a flat-bottomed fishing boat before her dad could ask any awkward questions. It was just as well Shelby had chosen accounting rather than investigation for a career, Aaron thought, fastening the mandatory life vest he’d been given to wear. Despite her penchant for elaborate schemes, she had little talent for subterfuge. And that was hardly a bad thing. The last woman he’d dated for any length of time had been able to lie without even blinking an eyelash.
“So, what did you do to the plumbing in the cabin?” he asked as Shelby threaded her ponytail through the back of a green ball cap emblazoned with the resort logo.
She frowned at him from beneath the bill, her expression delightfully indignant. “I didn’t sabotage the plumbing! It was just a coincidence that it happened this morning when you had plans with Uncle Bryan.”
He raised his hands in apology. “I was only teasing.”