Hot and heavy, p.10
Hot and Heavy, page 10
Aldo frowned, confused. “What then?”
“We’ve been two sides of this triangle, looking for the third for more years than I can count. We’ve seen relationships like the one we want up close and personal, by watching my sister with her guys, Layla with hers. None of this feels strange to us. In fact, we view it as pretty normal.”
Aldo understood that, but he didn’t see it as some major roadblock because he’d been watching Hazel closely last night, when Keeley, Gio, and Rafe introduced themselves as partners.
“I don’t think that will be a problem for her,” Aldo said. “Last night, when she forgot to keep her guard up, she let herself flirt…with both of us. And she liked those good-night kisses. The problem is…”
“She rarely lets her guard down,” Kayden finished.
“Yeah. There is that little issue,” he said sarcastically, because there was nothing little about it.
Kayden scowled. “Someone hit her.”
“I know.” Aldo toyed with the rim of his mug. Kayden had run more than his fair share of domestic calls over the years, and the ones where he’d discovered serious abuse had always hit him hardest. “And hopefully, in time, she’ll trust us enough to talk about that.”
“Trust.” Kayden’s mutter made it clear that wouldn’t be an easy thing to gain from her.
But Aldo refused to be dissuaded. “This is right, man. I feel it all the way to my bones. There’s just something about her.”
“I’m not denying that, but I think until she gets to know us better, we can’t go in there guns blazing, tossing her over our shoulder, carrying her off to our lair, and then asking her to off-load all her problems on us. You only have to look at the woman to know she’s got serious trust issues.”
Aldo glanced out the kitchen window, considering that. “You think she’ll reject us?”
“I don’t know how she’ll react. She’s obviously been through some shit.”
Sometimes Aldo appreciated Kayden’s ability to be the voice of reason. But today, he was pissing on Aldo’s parade. “So we show her she can trust us, that we can help her. She agreed to put herself in our hands last night, to let us make the decisions.”
Kayden hmphed. “Because she was fucking overwhelmed. God. I’ve never seen anyone so lost. It just about killed me. She’d lost all her shit in that fire. She had nowhere to go. She looked completely defeated. Like she was ready—”
“To pack it all in,” Aldo interjected. “I saw the same thing.”
“I’m pretty sure it was shock that prompted her agreement on letting us call the shots last night.”
Aldo chuckled. “You think that’s all it was? You forget how well I know you. I might not have been there when you got her to agree, but I suspect your alpha male reared his head, refusing to take no for an answer.”
Kayden didn’t bother to deny it. He could be an overbearing bastard when it came to protecting people he cared about. Aldo couldn’t count the number of epic battles waged between Kayden and Keeley after their parents died. Kayden took “overprotective brother” to new heights. Aldo should invest in the Find My Friends app because Kayden was probably single-handedly keeping it afloat.
Now it appeared his best friend was ready to give Hazel that same level of protection—God help the woman.
“Yeah, well, however I talked her into it, the timeline ended at the end of the evening. Now she’s had a good night’s sleep and time on her own to think things through. I don’t think we’re going to find her as amenable to handing her problems over to us. She was beaten last night and almost out, but something tells me Hazel doesn’t stay down for long.”
Aldo ran a hand through his hair. “I get that. It’s just…I’m pretty sure she’s all alone, man. I watched her last night at dinner, the way she took all of it in. It was almost like she’d never experienced something as normal as a night out with friends.”
“Money is obviously an issue too.”
Aldo could see the wheels turning in his cop friend’s mind. Could see Kayden putting all the clues together, trying to form a picture.
Kayden rubbed his jaw. “Whoever hit her did it recently. That’s a new bruise on her cheek. So maybe that could be what prompted the move. She packed her stuff and drove through the night to Philly. Or maybe she’s running from something else. When she first saw me…”
“She walked away, fast,” Aldo said. “Some people are afraid of the police, you know that. You’ve experienced it firsthand. Besides, that fear subsided pretty quick.”
“True. What do you think? Boyfriend?”
Aldo resisted the urge to growl. He didn’t want to think of Hazel with any man, but definitely not with some abusive bastard. “She wasn’t wearing a wedding ring, so that seems like a logical answer. Dammit.”
“So the game plan is no game plan, Al. Today, we’re going to go over there, offer to help her again, and get to know her. That’s it.”
Aldo scowled. “You really know how to bring the room down.”
Kayden laughed, slapping him on the shoulder. “Slow and steady wins the race.” Then Kayden’s smile faded. “Do you think I came on too strong last night?”
Aldo chuckled. “Hell yeah.”
His words were a joke because he didn’t realize just how worried Kayden was. “Shit. You think I scared her?”
Aldo backtracked, shaking his head quickly and leaning forward, his kiss hitting Kayden’s clean-shaven jaw. “Hell no. The truth is, I’m pretty sure Hazel found it hot. Even if she didn’t want to.”
Kayden grinned. “A man could get used to those pretty blushes of hers.”
Aldo took a last long swig of his coffee, then stood up. “Come on. Let’s go see our girl.”
Kayden rolled his eyes, but he didn’t deny it.
Progress.
Half an hour later, they were walking into the haunted mansion. Gianna was tapping away on the computer at the front counter.
“Hey, Gee,” Aldo said as they stepped into the foyer. It didn’t matter how many times he visited here, he never managed to get used to the sheer size of the mansion.
“Hello.” Gianna waved. “You guys are up and out early.”
Aldo hadn’t considered that. It was only a little after nine, and they’d stayed out until nearly midnight. There was a chance Hazel wasn’t even awake yet. Aldo wouldn’t blame her for sleeping the entire morning away after the day she’d had.
He leaned on the check-in counter. “We’ve both got a rare day off together. Thought we’d stop by and see how Hazel is doing.”
Gianna smiled. “She got an even earlier start than you two.”
What the hell did that mean? Images of Hazel escaping in the wee hours of morning, disappearing forever, had Aldo on the verge of panicking.
“What do you mean?” Kayden asked.
“She was already awake and dressed when I got here this morning. It’s my first day on the job, so I came in early. I might be a little excited. I’m hoping to make a good impression, which I’ll admit is kind of silly, considering Keeley is one of my best friends,” Gianna confessed.
“Did Hazel leave?” Aldo tried to keep Gianna on topic.
“What? Oh. No. She’s still here.”
Aldo started to breathe easier.
Then Gianna launched into a complete rundown of the morning. “Apparently, Gio left for a worksite at dawn. I swear I could never keep his early morning hours. When I got here, Keeley and Rafe had just come downstairs. They got me set up before they left for work. They’ve moved most of the Baros Corporation business out of the mansion and over to their offices at Eclectic. Anyway, Hazel was waiting for all of us. She asked if there was a way to earn her keep, then she offered to put the rest of the inn’s rooms together. Keeley told her she didn’t have to, but Hazel insisted. Anyway, she’s spent the last hour hanging shower curtains and making beds. It’s a huge help. She is so freaking sweet.”
Aldo wasn’t surprised to discover Hazel working. She’d been uncomfortable accepting dinner from them last night, and she’d asked more than a few times if she could pay Keeley for the room, despite the fact he and Kayden were fairly sure she didn’t have much money.
“That’s nice of her,” Kayden said. “Since she doesn’t have a car at the moment, we were going to see if she wanted us to drive her around town to grab some clothes, makeup, stuff like that.”
“I bet she’d like that.” Gianna pointed above her head. “She’s up on the third floor.”
He and Kayden nodded their thanks, then started up the stairs. When they reached the third floor, it was easy to find Hazel. All they had to do was follow the humming.
Peering through an open door, Aldo caught sight of Hazel facing away from them, bent at the waist, tugging a fitted sheet onto the queen-sized mattress. She was wearing the same jeans as last night, but he wasn’t complaining because the denim hugged her ass in all the best ways.
He let loose with a wolf whistle that had Hazel straightening and spinning toward the door.
She grinned when she saw them, then narrowed her eyes, pretending to be mad. “How long have you been ogling my ass?”
“Not long enough.” Kayden elbowed him. “This jackass gave us away too quick.”
She giggled, and like last night, the sound was too brief. It seemed like every time she caught herself laughing or smiling, she autocorrected, resuming her more serious demeanor. Aldo longed to make her really laugh. A loud, long belly laugh.
“What are you guys doing here?”
Kayden frowned. “We told you last night we’d be back.”
“Yeah, but…I mean…I said you didn’t have to.” Hazel seemed to think she’d let them off some imaginary hook.
“Since you’re sans car,” Aldo explained, “we thought we’d drive you around the city, give you a tour, take you out for lunch. And then you can grab some new clothes, stuff like that. If you want, we can swing by the motel and check on your car. See if it survived.”
Kayden had been right. Today’s Hazel was a hell of a lot feistier than last night’s version, more than prepared to dig her heels in on all their offers. “You guys don’t have to drive me all over the place. I hopped on Gianna’s computer for a few minutes this morning and there’s a bus stop a few streets over. I can run all the errands on my own.”
“You can,” Kayden all but growled. “But you’re not going to.”
Hazel’s eyes narrowed again, but this time, she wasn’t amused. “I think I might have given you the wrong impression of me last night, Officer Gallo.”
Aldo stepped forward, placing himself between the two. “Hazel, we’d really like to take you out today. Show off our city to you. Kayden and I are both Philadelphia born and raised. We enjoyed spending time with you last night, and we want to get to know you better.”
Aldo preferred to catch his flies with honey.
Hazel stared at him for a moment, pointedly ignoring Kayden—who wasn’t going to take that well.
“Please?” he added. “If you say no, I’m going to have to spend my day off with,” he jerked his thumb toward Kayden, “this grumpy ass.”
Her shoulders relaxed, then she looked around the room. “I told Keeley and Gianna I’d help them put the bedrooms together.”
“The inn doesn’t open for a few more months. There’s no rush,” Kayden said. “No one expects you to work here, Hazel.”
“I know, but…” She sighed. “I really do need some clothes. I borrowed this shirt from your sister, but the pants she loaned me didn’t quite fit. Too long.”
Keeley probably had a good three or four inches on Hazel, who resided in the petite range.
Aldo stepped closer, slipping his arm around her shoulder, trying to guide her toward the door. “Keeley’s got the Gallo height genes. Why don’t we go down and grab that coat I loaned you, and we’ll head out?”
Hazel glanced around the room again, no doubt looking for another excuse not to go with them. He was relieved when she came up empty and let him lead her into the hallway.
“Okay. I need a phone charger too,” she said, as if she was making a mental list. “My phone is dead.”
“We’ll be sure to pick one up.” Kayden fell into step behind them as they walked down the stairs.
“If the car is still there and functioning…how much do you think the replacement key will cost?” she asked. “Because that might have to wait until after I find a job.”
“I don’t think it will cost much.” Aldo didn’t have a clue if that was true or not. He considered offering to loan her the money, but he had a pretty good feeling Hazel would turn him down flat.
They stopped outside the room Keeley had given Hazel last night, he and Kayden waiting in the hallway while she grabbed her coat and wallet.
Aldo helped her slip it on. They walked down the final flight of stairs, said goodbye to Gianna, then climbed into his truck.
“Where to first?” Aldo asked as he started the vehicle. He didn’t put it in drive, waiting for her reply. “Tour then shopping, or shopping then tour?”
Hazel grinned. “Surprise me.
“Tour it is.” Aldo started to put the car in drive, but Kayden’s next question had him pausing.
“So what made you choose Philadelphia?” he asked as he leaned forward.
Hazel had admitted last night at dinner that she’d never been to Philadelphia before.
“Well, I, um…” She glanced out the side window, and Aldo knew before she spoke, whatever she said next would be a lie. She never looked them in the eye when she told a lie.
Kayden seemed to recognize that as well, because he spoke before she could. “Don’t lie, Hazel. You’re shit at it.”
She turned her head, glaring at him over her shoulder. The confidence that had been on shaky ground last night had rallied today. “Excuse me?”
Aldo jumped in because Kayden had all the grace of a caveman around this woman, which was telling, considering his best friend was usually mild-mannered. “We said we wanted to get to know you better. You’re new in town and on your own. We figured you might like to make some friends to help ease your way.”
Hazel blinked a couple of times. “Oh. Um…that would…be nice. But…”
But?
How the hell could she say no to that offer? He recalled her reaction to all of them last night at dinner, and once again, he was struck by the feeling Hazel didn’t have a lot of friends.
“But you’re not comfortable sharing yourself with people you’ve just met,” Kayden answered for her.
Thank God Mr. Mild-Mannered decided to make an appearance.
Hazel nodded. “I…I’ve been burned in the past…by people I trusted.”
While still vague, Aldo considered the response progress, and he was about to let her off the hook.
However, Kayden got there first with a much better proposition. “So, we’ll give you a choice. Every time we ask you something about yourself, you can either answer or—”
“Or I can just get better at lying,” she interrupted. The spitfire looked more than ready to make the effort. Quiet, sweet Hazel last night had turned his head, but this feisty smart-ass got his motor running.
Kayden shook his head. “No lying. If you don’t answer, you pay a penalty.”
Aldo closed his eyes, certain Kayden had overstepped and Hazel would get out of the truck. When he didn’t hear the slamming of the door, he chanced a glance at her, his cock growing thick at what he saw.
Hazel wasn’t scared. She was intrigued.
“Penalty?”
Kayden leaned back, resting his arm along the seat, looking way too at ease. “For every time you fail to answer, you have to give whichever one of us asked the question a kiss.”
Hazel shook her head, but it wasn’t a refusal. It was amusement. The twinkle in her eyes told him just how much she liked this game. “Are you that hard up for kisses, Officer Gallo?”
He chuckled at her taunt but didn’t take the bait. “Is it a deal?”
Hazel studied his face a few moments longer before turning to Aldo. “What do you think?”
Aldo grinned. “I think I’m composing a list of questions to ask. I’ve got about fifty lined up and ready to roll.”
Hazel giggled, covering her mouth with her hand as if to block the sound.
Kayden, still relaxed, chimed in from the back. “Just go ahead and agree to the terms, Miss Walsh, since we know you’re going to say yes. Then we can start our tour.”
She tapped her chin playfully, but Aldo could see Kayden was right. Hazel was in.
“Fine. I agree.”
Kayden nodded his head toward Aldo, just once. “I’ll concede my first kiss to Al, since he’s sitting next to you.”
“What first kiss?” Hazel asked.
Kayden never missed a beat. “I asked why you moved to Philly. You didn’t answer.”
She looked like she wanted to argue the point, simply because Aldo got the feeling Hazel wasn’t the type to give in easily. However, her libido caught up quickly because the look she gave him was pure sin. “Okay.”
She leaned toward him, and Aldo, anxious to claim his treat, closed the distance.
At the last second, Hazel gave him a quick peck on the cheek, looking too pleased at having bested them.
Aldo shook his head and wrapped one hand around the back of her neck. “Do it right or answer the question.”
Then he realized Kayden wasn’t the only caveman in the truck when he didn’t wait for her to move, just shifted to claim. Last night’s kiss had been a gentle, impromptu one. This time, he knew exactly what he wanted. He pressed his lips more firmly against hers, loving the way she kissed him back, her hand resting on his shoulder. She wasn’t resisting, wasn’t fighting.
When her mouth opened, her tongue slipping out to stroke his lower lip, he knew he’d died and gone to heaven. He repeated her touch, taking a quick taste of her before pulling away.
Hazel’s eyelids rose slowly as she blinked, trying to refocus.
“Now that’s more like it, Fireball,” Aldo whispered.
The second her wits returned, she slid away, her back leaning against the door as she looked from Aldo to Kayden.
