Page 11 of Completely Captivated
He stopped to look at some pictures on the side table of a much younger Christa.She was riding on the back of a guy a few years her senior; they were both laughing, and neither seemingly knew the photographer had captured the moment.He guessed she was in her teens when it was taken, but it obviously meant something to her since she had it prominently displayed in her apartment.
A twinge of jealousy tried to take up residence in him over the look of pure love on her face as she looked at the other guy.The guy was a fucking idiot if he couldn’t see she adored him, Aaron thought.He heard her coming out of her bedroom, walking toward him, and he backed away from the picture before he had too much time to contemplate the implications—of either the sudden jealousy or who the other guy could be to her.
Slinging her purse over her shoulder, she stopped in front of him and smiled.“Now I’m ready.You know, you haven’t even checked out my ass once since you got here.I’m a little disappointed in you.I expected more.”
He took her hand, this time with purpose, and twirled her around to drink in her petite, sexy form.“Perfect.Pure perfection.”With her fingers laced in his again, he led her out to his car.Once they were on the road, she noticed he turned away from the Bay Area, heading east out of town.
“Where are we going?”she asked slowly, furrowing her brow and giving him a pointed look.
Aaron chuckled at her stern face.“Somewhere I think you’ll like.It’s not far, and you’re safe with me, I promise.”
“I’m sure that’s what all the serial killers say,” she quickly retorted.
“Hmm.Good point.You’re probably right about that,” he taunted her.
Aaron burst out laughing when he glanced over and saw her face.Her mouth gaped open, her eyes were narrowed, and she looked like she was about to tear into him.“I’m sorry.You’re right—your safety is not a joke.”
He fished his wallet out of his back pocket and handed it to her.“Here, take a picture of my license and text it to anyone you want.I promise you’re safe with me.”
She hesitated just a moment before snatching his billfold from his hand and snapping a picture of his license with her phone.A few clicks later, it was safely on the way to Allie with a note that if she didn’t show up for work to tell the cops to find Aaron.
Christa’s phone beeped with Allie’s reply.“He can kidnap me any day!”
Rolling her eyes, Christa handed his wallet back to him and laughed at Allie’s response.
“What’s so funny?”he asked, amusement still lacing his voice.
“Oh, just my friend Allie, who is supposed to be my lifeline in case you return without me.She said you can kidnapherany day.Big help she is.”
By the time they reached the state park, Christa had forgotten any apprehension she had about going off with Aaron.Their conversations flowed much like they had in her café and on the phone the night before, but with a much more personal flair.The occasional brush of his hand against hers sent shivers down her spine, and goose bumps riddled her skin.She couldn’t ignore the sparks between them, the intense pull she felt toward him, or the way his smile melted her with how it was so relaxed and inviting.
Christa had taken full advantage of being a passenger by turning sideways in her seat so she could look at him while they talked.She secretly wanted to stare at his handsome profile, but she used conversation as a good excuse.His short hair was messier than usual, but it only added to his rugged good looks.The man simply oozed sex appeal.His blue eyes were fierce and stood out against his tan skin and his eternal five-o’clock shadow.
Every time he looked at her, those eyes pierced her to her very core.If the eyes were the windows to the soul, she couldn’t escape the feeling he was gazing directly into hers.She studied all his features, his body language, his overall disposition.He was obviously very successful, cruising fluidly in his Jaguar, but more than that, what made him unique was in his very demeanor.He was confident without being conceited.He was sure of himself without being too cocky.
Okay, he’s a little cocky, but in an endearing way.
When he exited the car, Aaron jogged around to open her door then took her hand in his.They walked in comfortable silence until they reached the trailhead.He stopped to look at the signs posted before turning to face her.
“We can go on any trail you want today, but there is one I want to take you on first.It’s pretty long, but it’s worth it.”
“That sounds great.I don’t mind a long walk.”She squeezed his hand as she replied, amazed at how natural it felt just being with him.
“I was hoping you’d say that.”
He led her down a dirt path, covered with natural mulch and lined with huge trees that provided a built-in shelter from the sun high in the sky.He’d been on this trail at least a dozen times and had always enjoyed it.But seeing it through Christa’s eyes was amazing.She never let go of his hand as she skirted from one new sight to another, freely sharing her thoughts and excitement with him.
When they reached a clearing in the trees, he lagged a step behind so he could watch her reaction.She’d been busy talking and suddenly stopped in the middle of her sentence and gasped.He kept walking forward a few steps so he could see her face.The trail opened into a lush green field filled thousands of wildflowers in every color imaginable.The scenery was postcard perfect, but her reaction was his ultimate prize.
He picked one of the yellow wildflowers and slowly reached out to put it in her hair, just behind her ear.“Beautiful,” he murmured and brushed his fingertips across her cheek.
She smiled and somehow managed to utter a response.“Thank you.”
With his arm wrapped around her waist, he held his phone out in front of them and snapped a picture with the field of wildflowers in the background.She took his phone and studied their picture while he circled around her to gaze at it from over her shoulder.His arm wrapped around her, pulling them closer.
“You captured the beauty of this place perfectly.Maybe you should be the photographer instead of the agent.”
“The beauty of this place is in my arms right now.”
