One Hundred Excuses (An Aspen Cove Romance Book 5) Read online

  She cried out, “Yours.”

  She rotated her hips against him, her pulsing heat pulling him in. He wanted this to last forever, but he knew their first time was almost over. Energy vibrated through their bodies. She tumbled off the precipice of passion with his name on her lips.

  Aiden couldn’t hold out any longer. His body stilled as he reached the height of his pleasure. She tugged him deeper and he let it all go. He knew his life had changed. He was undeniably in love with Marina.

  He pulled her close and traced hearts on her hip. He wanted her to know exactly how he felt. It was a make-or-break moment but he had to say what was in his heart. “I know it’s soon,” he said. “But…I love you—everything about you. I love Kellyn too.”

  She curled into him like she couldn’t get close enough. “You know what’s crazy? I love you too, Aiden. I’d promised myself I’d never let another man into my heart, but you moved in, and it feels so right.”

  He gave her a languid kiss. One that said he was in this for the long haul. He knew in his heart they made sense. Everything about them was right.

  They made love one more time before they fell asleep in each other’s arms.

  Chapter Seventeen

  Waking up to Aiden was pure heaven. Who would have thought that she would allow a man into her heart and bed? Well, his bed technically.

  He set a cup of coffee on the nightstand. “This is for you. I picked up muffins yesterday so there are a few on a plate in the kitchen. I wish I could have made you breakfast, but it was get up early or stay lying next to you. I was selfish and chose you.”

  She rose up and pulled the sheet to cover her breasts before she reached for the coffee. “You’re too good to me. Thank you.” Wasn’t the morning after supposed to feel awkward? She lay in Aiden’s bed, and dammit if it didn’t feel almost perfect. Perfect would have been if he’d been naked next to her. She pressed her thighs together and felt the delicious tenderness that came after a night of making love.

  He stared at her with longing. “As much as I hate to leave you, I’ve got to go to work.” He leaned over and kissed her. “What are you doing today?”

  She’d closed the shop today because Kellyn had to go to therapy. “I’ll be in Copper Creek most of the day.”

  Aiden narrowed his eyes. “That’s right. Kellyn’s appointment.” He laid his hand on her sheet-covered thigh. “Be careful.”

  She could see the worry in his eyes. “It’ll be fine. We’re going to her doctor’s appointment, and then I usually take her to the burger place with the big ball pit. She likes to play there.”

  “I’m a phone call away. If there’s any sign of trouble, I want you to call me.”

  She didn’t expect trouble, but she hadn’t expected an uninvited visit from Craig’s spy at the shop either. That was the problem with Craig, he was unpredictable, but she refused to live in fear.

  “I’ll be fine. We’ll be fine.”

  “Okay, how about dinner here tonight?”

  Marina smiled at him. “How about dinner at our house? I’ll cook since you’re working.”

  He bent over and gave her a kiss she’d remember all day. “That sounds like a deal.” He stood and looked down at her. “How am I supposed to sleep without you tonight? One night and I’m hooked.” He shook his head. “Whoever said kids were the best form of birth control had it right.”

  “We’ll figure it out. You know they say absence makes the heart grow fonder.”

  He mussed her hair. “You can’t get more fond than in love.” He stepped away and smiled. “I’ll see you tonight. Don’t hurry to leave. The shower is great. Everything I have is yours.”

  She slipped out of bed and walked to him to give him one last kiss. “I’ll miss you too.”

  He let his eyes linger over her body. “Damn, I’m an idiot for not taking the day off.”

  She laid her hand over his badge. “Someone has to protect us. Go to work. I’ll be home when you get home.”

  “I’ll hurry.”

  She watched him walk down the hallway and listened to the door open, shut, and lock. Was it possible for life to be so kind to her after so many years of sorrow?

  A look at the clock told her she had enough time to enjoy Aiden’s shower before she had to pick up Kellyn.

  An hour later she was dressed in workout wear, knocking on Louise’s door.

  When she opened it, Louise smiled. “That must have been some good night. You’re glowing.”

  Marina knew by the heat on her face she was blushing. She looked around to make sure no children were within hearing range. “Oh my God, thank you for watching Kellyn. It was a life-altering night.”

  Louise’s eyes grew large. “Life altering?” She rested her hand on her stomach. “I’ll show you life altering. It starts with one amazing night and ends eight kids later.”

  She invited Marina inside the house, which was neat and tidy despite the nine people who lived there.

  “I don’t know how you do it.” She followed Louise down the hallway to a room on the right where all the girls sat in a circle dressing Barbie dolls.

  “You have to have more than one. Once there are multiples, they entertain each other.”

  The kids looked up. Kellyn dropped her doll and came racing for Marina, who swept her into her arms and hugged her tightly.

  “Did you like your sleepover?” It was the first time anyone other than her grandparents had taken her overnight. Marina would have been nervous if she hadn’t gotten to know Louise through play dates at the park. Everyone in town loved her. If she could care for seven children, there was no reason she couldn’t care for Kellyn.

  Her daughter smiled and nodded. She opened her mouth like she was going to say something but closed it and buried her head in the crook of Marina’s neck.

  “She was an angel.” Louise leaned in and kissed the top of her head. “Hardly knew she was here. Maybe she could come back again soon.” Louise gave Marina an I’ve-got-your-back look.

  “Would you like that, Ladybug?” Marina asked.

  Kellyn nodded and squirmed out of her arms. She raced back to Louise’s girls, giving them each a hug before she picked up Mrs. Beasley and returned, ready to go.

  “How about Saturday?” Louise suggested.

  Marina’s heart raced. Could she possibly be back in Aiden’s bed in three days? “I couldn’t impose,” she said. Inside, her brain was screaming Yes, Saturday is perfect.

  “Saturday it is.” Louise walked them to the door. “He’s a good man. He needs a good woman. He needs you.”

  A warm fuzzy filling moved through Marina’s insides. “I need him more.” She walked down the steps before she turned and said, “Thank you for helping to make my life whole.”

  They entered Kellyn’s therapist’s office. Dr. Thayer smiled when she saw them.

  “Hey, you,” she said to Kellyn. “Are you ready to play?” She glanced at Marina. “She looks calm and happy.”

  That statement was true. She had a peacefulness about her that had been missing. “She is happy.” Kellyn raced to the Lego table while Marina caught Dr. Thayer up on everything that had happened since their last visit a month ago.

  “So she’s settled in and there’s a new man in your life. She has friends. I’m so glad things are working out. Has she talked?”

  With a shake of her head, Marina said, “No, but she’s giggled out loud. I swear I hear her whispering to Mrs. Beasley. I’m kind of jealous of the damn doll.”

  “She’s testing the waters. The safer she feels, the quicker her walls will crumble. She’ll talk when she’s ready and when she does, it’s best if you don’t make a big deal out of it. I imagine as she lets her guard down, things might slip out.”

  “I feel like I’m waiting for Christmas and her first word will be the present I’ve been waiting my entire life to open.”

  “It will happen. I’m sure of it.” She walked Marina to the door. “Will you be next door?”

  S
he went to the self-defense center each time Kellyn had her appointment. Dr. Thayer thought it was important for Kellyn to have no distractions.

  “Yes.” She looked down at her yoga pants and sneakers. “Maybe I can learn another move or two to add to my bag of tricks.”

  “See you in an hour.”

  Marina walked into the center that had taught her how to defend herself. Julie, the instructor, left the punching bag and rushed over to hug her.

  “Oh my God, you look amazing.” She walked around her until she’d made a full circle.

  “I’m happy. Things are good. I’m feeling empowered.” The people of Aspen Cove had been generous with their tips the past week. Julie had been generous with her time in the past. The first day Marina had shown up, Julie had taken one look at her and rushed her inside. When she told the instructor she had no money, Julie gave her a hug and told her that need outweighed compensation. But now she could pay. She pulled a hundred-dollar bill from her pocket. “It’s not much, but it’s something.”

  Julie folded her hand over Marina’s. “I don’t want your money. I’m just so happy you made it out alive.”

  “I did, but I had help.” She forced the money back into the instructor’s hand. “Use it for the next woman who needs support but can’t afford it.”

  They moved to the bag, where Julie told her to warm up. As she threw a few punches and kicks, she closed her eyes and remembered that last day.

  He’d come home from the office. He found her in the living playing with Kellyn.

  It made her sick to know that her baby girl saw it all. She had no warning it was coming. Usually he had his parents pick Kellyn up. That was always the clue, but not that day.

  He came in, grabbed a glass of scotch and joined her in the living room. The scotch was her sign that all was not well. She wondered what his excuse would be today. Had she looked at the mailman seductively? Did he think she blew the gardener while Kellyn took her nap? Was there a spot on the counter? A wrinkle in his shirt? Maybe it was because it was Friday. It didn’t matter, she knew it was coming, but this time she was prepared. The quicker it was over the sooner she could move on with plan B.

  She asked Kellyn to go to her room. Marina didn’t want her to see what was going to happen. Kellyn looked at Craig, gathered her toys and ran down the hallway.

  Most days Marina would fight. Not today. Not until she had what she needed. Today she’d take every push, slap, and punch because today would be the last time. She glanced at the teddy bear that sat on the shelf and smiled as the first blow came.

  When it was over, Craig left and she crawled away. Her world crashed around her when she saw Kellyn cowering in the corner. She’d witnessed it all. Marina cradled her in her arms and told her it would be okay. She promised her they would leave and never come back. That was what they did. She packed them up and took a taxi to a cheap motel outside of town. No one would think to look for her in Cross Creek. The town was a blip on the screen. Hardly noticeable at all. While she healed, she implemented plan B.

  That recording had been her golden ticket out.

  She didn’t realize how hard she was hitting the bag until Julie pulled her back. “Feeling aggressive?”

  “Just remembering.”

  “It’s good to remember, better to plan.” Julie showed her a few new self-defense moves before Marina was due to pick up Kellyn. “See you next month,” she said as Marina walked out the door.

  Kellyn was in good spirits when they arrived at the burger joint. She raced into the ball pit while Marina ordered their lunch. She noticed a familiar face at a table in the corner. Wes Covington sat with a few of the crew from The Guild Creative Center. They huddled over some papers while they ate. She considered stopping by to say hi but didn’t want to interrupt them, so she grabbed her tray and went back to the playroom.

  Kellyn was buried beneath the balls. It was one of her favorite things to do, so Marina left her to crawl through them for a few more minutes.

  The hair rose on the back of her neck. She had no time to look around when hands came to her shoulders and gave her a painful pinch. “You shouldn’t hang up on your husband.”

  Marina stilled. She said a silent prayer that Kellyn wouldn’t come out of the balls anytime soon. “You’re not my husband. Our marriage was annulled. As far the court system is concerned, we were never married.”

  He let out a grunt. “And yet you still carry my last name.”

  She hated that she did. “It’s easier for Kellyn’s sake.” She hated bringing up her daughter for fear that he’d seek her out, but it wasn’t Kellyn he was after. He only used her as a pawn. It was revenge he wanted, and that could only be satisfied with bruises and bloodshed.

  “How is the little mute?”

  God, how she wanted to turn around and punch him, but she didn’t dare because it would draw attention and Kellyn would see. Her best bet was to get him to leave. “She’s adjusting.” She’d never tell him she was thriving. “You’re breaking the restraining order.”

  He let out a laugh that chilled her through and through. “What are you going to do, call my brother? They gave it to you because you have no way to enforce it. You can’t keep me away. I’ll always be around.”

  “Please leave us alone.”

  He ran his hands down her arms and squeezed her biceps until she whimpered. “I love it when you beg.”

  Victor, not a victim, she reminded herself. She took in a deep breath, inhaling the scent of Aiden’s body wash and shampoo. He was there with her in spirit and the presence of his scent gave her strength. She spun around to push Craig away. “You need to leave now.”

  He looked around. “You smell like another man. Don’t forget who you belong to.”

  She refused to let him intimidate her. “Oh, I won’t. Do you like his scent on me?” It wasn’t smart to antagonize him but she was done cowering. Craig Caswell no longer had any power over her.

  His face turned cherry red. The balls in the pit behind her moved. She turned away from Craig and walked to where Kellyn popped up. Marina hoped that her body shielded her daughter from seeing him. When she turned around, relief washed over her. He was gone. The only thing that remained were the pinkish purple marks he’d left on her arms.

  “How about we take our lunch home today?” She didn’t want to spend another minute in a place where Craig could get to them. He was right. As long as she was in Copper Creek she’d never be safe. She was also stupid because the first thing she should have done was change up the schedule. He knew where she’d be the last Wednesday of every month. She might as well have sent him an invitation. His absence while at rehab had made her feel a sense of false safety. She’d been careless. Lesson learned.

  Chapter Eighteen

  Aiden was filing paperwork in the office when Lloyd Dawson walked in.

  “Poppy doesn’t work today,” Aiden said.

  “I know that,” Lloyd grumbled. “I wanted a minute with your deputy.”

  They both looked at Mark’s empty desk.

  “He’s out on rounds.”

  Lloyd pulled up a chair in front of Aiden’s desk. “I don’t want him around my daughter.”

  Taken aback, he stared at the man. Since he’d hired Poppy, Aiden knew she was well past the age of getting her father’s consent. “They work in the same office. It would be impossible to avoid each other. If it’s any consolation, I’ve never seen the two of them look at each other with more than courtesy.” Aiden wasn’t sure if that was the honest to God truth. He had paid little attention to the way they looked at each other but he knew Mark liked Poppy. Having an interest and showing an interest were two different things.

  Lloyd pushed to his feet and walked to the door. “Good to know.” He was gone before Aiden could say another word.

  He didn’t get much time to think on it because Wes walked in looking concerned.

  “Don’t tell me there was another equipment theft at the site.” Aiden reached inside his drawer
to get the forms ready for Wes to fill out. He hated there had to be so much paperwork, but that was the way of the world.

  “No,” Wes said, and took the chair Lloyd had vacated.

  “Don’t tell me you’ve got someone you don’t want my deputy dating too.”

  Wes shook his head. “I wouldn’t take it too kindly if he put the moves on my wife, but I don’t see that happening. I’m here about something else.” He looked down at his twiddling thumbs.

  It was obvious something serious was bothering him. By his nervous gestures, this wasn’t a social call. “What’s on your mind?”

  Wes looked up. “Have you talked to Marina today?”

  At the mention of her name, he sat up and leaned forward. “No, she had to take Kellyn to an appointment in Copper Creek.”

  “Yes, I saw her there. But…”

  Aiden’s stomach tightened. For Wes to hem and haw over something meant he was torn about whether to say anything at all. “What happened?” The sheriff in him knew he couldn’t demand an answer, but the man in him wanted one.

  “Craig Caswell showed up and whatever happened didn’t look pretty.”

  “Did he touch her?” Fury boiled under Aiden’s skin, but so did concern. He’d thought they were at a place in their relationship where she’d trust him. Just that morning he told her to be careful and to call him if anything came up. He pulled his phone from his pocket. There wasn’t a call from Marina.

  “I was in the back booth so I didn’t have a good view, but he grabbed her arms.” Wes smiled. “She turned on him like a lioness ready to attack. I saw the push and got up to go help, but he took off, and she got Kellyn from the ball pit and left.”

  Aiden was on his feet with his keys in hand. “How long ago was that?”

  “About an hour.”

  “I’ve got to go.” He came just short of pushing Wes out the door. He locked up and called Mark, telling him he was on call the rest of the night.

  He had no idea what to expect. There was a good chance the asshole had done something far worse to her than grab her. Aiden knew words could be more powerful than actions. A victim of domestic abuse once told him the bruises healed, but the words lingered in her heart and head forever.