Chapter Ten

Aidrian lay upon his bed, a half smile on his face. One week. One whole week out in the middle of nowhere with Xaria Hummel. The partial smile grew to a full one as he imagined all kinds of things. Dinner had been fun, not to mention informative. Afterward in her room, it had been one hell of a challenge to behave himself, though. He’d noticed each time she’d cast a sideways glance at him. His cock had hardened at the gentle smell that surrounded her. Is it possible to smell like starlight? If so, then that was how he would explain he smelled—starlight and a hint of mint. It was heady and intoxicating.

He sobered as his thoughts drifted to the States; more specifically, his teammates and friends. He’d headed here after a celebration at Harrier’s house. It was actually a baby shower for Ernst “Ghost” Zimmermann and his wife Kacy. Even his sister had been there. But he needed some down time, so Aidrian had put in a chit and ended up here.

Every free moment he’d had he’d spent looking for the woman who’d left a knife embedded deep in Merlin’s back on a rooftop in Rio. She was still out there. And that was unacceptable. He’d been raised to treat women very well; but this one, this assassin, he was ready to kill. Aidrian forced himself to calm down.

“One day, Mara, one day, we will meet again.”

His mood was slightly better come morning when he headed to the weight room to work out. As the miles passed beneath his feet on the treadmill, he got the feeling of being watched. Turning his head, he saw Xaria walking toward him. Pressing a button, he slowed the treadmill down and lowered the incline.

“Good morning, Aidrian,” she said.

“Maidin maith, Xaria. Conas atá tú?” At her confused look he translated. “I said, ‘Good morning. How are you?’”

She smiled. “Ahh. I’m fine, thank you.”

His gaze took in her snug blue jeans and tight tee shirt with a slogan that read “Ice Rocks” on the front. Her thick golden hair was gathered back to fall free down her back. Does she know how adorable she is?

“Something I can do for you?” he eventually asked.

Her green eyes flared with passion for a second, then a smile cracked her composed face. “Clothing.”

Aidrian lifted a brow. “Sorry?”

“I need to check your clothing.”

He couldn’t stop the smile, especially as her eyes darted from side to side once she realized how it sounded. Stopping the treadmill totally, he grabbed his water and towel before standing near her.

“I’m ready now.” He draped the towel over his neck. “It’ll take me about five minutes to shower and change. You can wait or come by in a few.”

Aidrian was hard-pressed not to toss her over a shoulder when her gaze dropped to his midsection. When her eyes finally made it back to his, they were a deeper shade than normal.

“Xaria?” he asked when she remained silent.

“I’ll come…um…by in a bit.” She spun away and left off without looking back.

Aidrian allowed another smile to cross his face as he watched her flee, her tight ass swaying seductively. He knew she was embarrassed but he didn’t care. He liked her. A lot. This trip will be interesting to say the least. Going to his room, he showered and dressed in record time.

He’d just slipped his shirt on when the knock sounded on his door. With most of the buttons done up, Aidrian opened the door and was again captivated by a pair of ice-green eyes. Damn! I want this woman!

“Xaria,” he said by way of a welcome and stepped back to let her in.

She flowed past him, and right on her heels was the arousing and alluring scent. It teased his nose and placed his body on high alert.

“Show me what you’ve got,” she stated.

“There’s a loaded statement,” he murmured as he shut the door behind him. She couldn’t hide the slight shudder that racked her form.

“I meant clothes.”

“I know what you meant, súl glas.”

Xaria looked at him, her eyes narrowed slightly. “What did you call me?”

He smiled and gave into the urge to touch her. One finger trailed down the side of her face. Her skin was unbelievably soft and Aidrian’s pulse shot though the roof. His dark skin stood out vividly against the natural golden hue to hers. And yet they complemented each other wonderfully.

“I’ll tell you after our week out.”

“And I’ll hold you to that.”

He winked. “Wouldn’t have it any other way.”

They stared at each other. The temperature in the room rose by leaps and bounds. His heart pounded in his chest and he longed to lean down and kiss her rosy lips, just to see how soft they were.

“Your clothes,” she said after swallowing.

He nodded toward the bed and did his best not to imagine Xaria spread out upon the floral comforter. Her gaze moved over him in slow, blatant perusal before she looked at the bed on which his bag lay. He wanted to bring her eyes back to him. Instead, he remained still and watched her pour over his attire.

She filled the room with noncommittal murmurs as she moved quickly through it all. Her lower lip became caught between straight, white teeth when her attention refocused on him.

“What’s the verdict?” he asked, positioning himself at her side and staring at the piles of folded clothing.

“You’re good.”

You have no idea just how good, Xaria. He merely smiled at her.

“But,” she added, “you need a few more pairs of socks. New, thicker wool and some thin ones; silk, cotton-wool blend, or even polypropylene ones. You’re straight with pants, have a good material. It’s like Goretex but I can feel some difference in it.” Xaria looked at him and he could read the question in her eyes.

“Similar.”

As if sensing nothing further was coming in the way of an explanation, she sat down by a stack of shirts. “You’ve got decent items for the layer method of dressing.” Xaria looked at him. “You know about that, don’t you?”

“I do. We got that in survival training. I’m comfortable with the right things to wear, layering so I can move and yet remaining warm all the while keeping perspiration away from my body.”

Xaria nodded. “So you want to learn more about the ice itself.”

“Yes. We don’t have many opportunities to jet off to a frozen wasteland to hone our skills.”

She crossed her legs and stared at him. Aidrian waited patiently for her to say something else.

“It’s going to be a quiet week, isn’t it?” she questioned softly.

“I’m a quiet man, Xaria. Don’t say much. Never have.” He repacked his bag quickly. “Nature of the job.”