Chapter Twenty

The turtles hatched on the third evening of their watch.

Aspen watched the gorgeous creatures break from the sand and head for the ocean. Volunteers worked with a graceful expertise that was like poetry in motion, ready to block crabs or scavengers poised to interrupt the important journey, checking for hidden holes and smoothing the path ahead, keeping vigil with prayers and hope, even as they knew the odds were against them.

Many didn't make it. Others got to the surf and were taken by the water.

Each loss was felt and grieved. Every success was exhilarating and brought gratitude that balanced the sadness.

By the time the sun rose, the turtles were gone, and Aspen knew the entire experience had changed her.

As she stood with the laughing, sometimes crying volunteers, she was part of a special group she'd never known existed. These people looked beyond their lives to be a piece of something greater, and she was inspired to find a way to give more of herself. To be more than just a lonely writer, happily existing from book to book.

Brick's face lit with a quiet joy that grabbed at her heart. Sunlight falling on his inky dark hair and tan skin on display in his mustard-colored tank, the man was a beach god Aspen couldn't help staring at. He touched her cheek and caught a stray tear that had dropped without her knowing.

"You okay?" he asked quietly.

"Yeah. More than okay." Aspen dragged in a breath full of saltwater and sunshine. "I'll never forget today. It was a miracle I never even knew about. Thank you."

"I'm glad you were here. Do you know this is the first time I've witnessed a live hatching?"

"Really? I thought you'd done it before the way Judy talked."

He shook his head. "Too busy. Sure, I'd watch the nests when I could, help out here and there if Judy needed me, but I've never taken the time to sit all night and wait for a birth. So, thank you."

She blinked. "For what?"

"Inspiring me. Being by my side to bear witness."

His smile was dazzling, flashing white teeth and crinkling the sides of his eyes. The world turned, flipped, and then righted itself. His simple words touched her deeply. The raw emotions inside her swirled together and melded into a light-bulb realization that had her practically gaping at him.

She was falling in love with Brick Babel.

It had happened. She'd done it. He'd done it.

Aspen took a frantic step back to run away.

Her ankle turned, and she fell on her ass.

Brick's reflexes were quick. He reached down and got her upright, gripping her shoulders. "Aspen, what happened? You have a strange look on your face, like you—"

His voice cut out. She stared at him helplessly, wanting to hide but unable to turn away. His gaze pierced deep, holding her frozen in place, unable to speak. Her heart rate sped up, her skin prickled, and she felt as if she was about to pass out.

The breath rushed out of him as he seemed to find his answer.

He couldn't know, though. Right? They were both on three days of little sleep and were probably hallucinating. They were punch-drunk on adrenaline. They'd begin to laugh, sweeping away this moment, and maybe Aspen could pretend later that she'd made up the emotions because of exhaustion.

"I understand," he murmured.

Her cheeks heated. No way was she doing this here, right now, with people behind her, still high on watching the sea turtles find freedom. No way would she accept Brick's pity or regret or pain because she'd finally legitimately fallen for him regardless of their agreement.

"Aspen—"

"I'm very tired," she said firmly, rallying everything inside her to remain calm and controlled. "It's been a lot today, and I just want to go home and rest. I don't know what I'm doing right now. "

Her shoulders steeled with resolution. She stared him down, rallying her defenses to fight this one important battle. One she had to win because she wasn't ready for it. Not in this moment.

Brick's gaze shredded her surface defenses, but she refused to back down. Slowly, his expression changed to a polite mask, allowing her retreat. "I'll take you home. It's been a long night."

"Thank you."

He didn't take her hand.

He drove her home in silence and didn't kiss her when she scrambled out of the car, running like the demons of hell were nipping at her heels.

But Aspen knew it was temporary because the man had already caught her.

Brick stared at his phone, willing the three dots to appear with an incoming return text, but it remained blank.

"Fuck."

Two days. Since their incredible moment with the sea turtles, Aspen had gone dark on him for forty-eight hours. And he was terrified that she was ready to shut down and walk away from whatever was going on with them.

He threw the phone onto the counter and wondered what to do next.

The ridiculous plan had actually worked. He was legitimately catching strong feelings for Aspen Lourde. And she'd paid him to finish the job by breaking her heart.

His memory roared back to that perfect moment on the beach. The sun on her skin, the wind in her hair, the curve of her smile. Then the flash of cocoa-brown eyes as she stared at him, completely open and vulnerable. No wonder she'd fallen on her ass. Because when his gaze had met hers, he'd seen the truth.

It had happened for her, too.

And now she was hiding from him and their connection. Could he blame her? Brick wondered if allowing her to disappear was the right thing to do. Take the money and let her move on. She'd gotten spooked. Maybe she'd leave town to return to New York, and this would just be a chapter in her bestselling book.

The painful punch to his chest told him he couldn't let that happen. Day by day, she'd woven herself more intricately into his life. She was unlike any other woman he'd met. No one had ever made him laugh and ache at the same time or look forward to their next encounter. And yeah, Kane was right.

He was singing.

They'd come this far. Brick needed to find out what waited at the end of this journey with Aspen. But by taking the money, he'd sealed his fate. How could they fight for something real when she'd bought him to do a particular job? Yeah, she'd fallen for him. But the second part of the agreement?

He had to try and destroy her by the end of the summer. Because she still believed it was the only way she could write her book.

Frustration beat in waves inside him. He wanted to roar at the Fates for sending him a woman he was falling hard for, one who could never truly be his. They were on borrowed time. Hell, if he had the damn money, he'd just pay her back and beg for a true shot to see what they could be together. But he didn't. He had his new renovations and a business that was finally working, and he was miserable because Aspen was the sacrifice.

Mood dark, he stepped outside for some air and to wait for a family of four who'd set up reservations. His next tour was full, but he'd agreed to do this run for a smaller group since he had the time. Kane had been great about filling in for additional tours to take advantage of the crowds, and with new ads hitting next week, Brick hoped the rest of the summer would be packed.

If only his love life was as successful.

Marco exited the store and strolled over. "Hey, Brick. You okay? You look pissed."

"Nah, I'm fine."

He felt Marco's stare and gave him a deep frown to mosey him along. Instead, the kid leaned against the window beside him, settling in. The faint smell of weed drifted from him. "Aspen, huh? I wondered why she hadn't come into the store to see me. A fight?"

His brow climbed. What the hell? Was he high and still this dialed in? "No fight. Just a communication issue. We'll smooth things over."

Marco nodded. "Hope so, because she's really into you, dude. And I'm not sure you know, but you've been happier since you started dating. You don't look as grumpy."

He smothered a laugh. Somehow, he figured Marco was right. It had been a long time since he'd felt happy. It was easy to say getting the money for Ziggy's Tours was the reason, but if he was being honest? Aspen was the key. "Maybe. I think she got spooked," he admitted.

Marco scratched his head and nodded. "Feelings are scary. Probably got freaked out and wanted space."

"I'll back off. Wait for her to come to me."

"Bad idea, man. When women have too much time to think, shit goes down you don't wanna deal with. I'd go talk to her. Make her feel not so scared, you know?"

Curiosity sparked. The more time Brick spent with Marco, the more he realized the kid had some serious emotional intelligence, especially for someone who sold T-shirts and was stoned most of the time. "You think? Don't want to come on too strong."

"She needs you to step in and lead. Women are exhausted. They've got too much going on all the time."

Brick barked out a laugh. "Thanks for the advice. You ever been in love, Marco?"

The kid's face turned dreamy. "Hell, yeah. Patricia was my world. We were going to travel together in my van and be free, but the van broke down, and she decided money was more important than love, so she left me. I didn't lead, man. I didn't lead."

Brick slapped him on the shoulder. "She wasn't meant for you."

Marco looked serious. "You should go now. Seize the moment while you're feeling inspired."

"Waiting on my people for this next tour. They're late, but I have to—"

Suddenly, there was a loud beeping. The pink Hummer slowed in front of them, and Maleficent waved to him, along with four people in the back—the family he figured was supposed to have arrived at Ziggy's for their tour. Maleficent hooted with happiness, probably telling the customers they were great friends while she committed betrayal. Brick bet there was an expression of smug satisfaction on her face he couldn't see from the distance.

Son of a bitch. She'd done it again and stolen his clients. How had she managed it this time?

Marco shook his head. "Those were yours, huh?"

"Yep."

Marco turned to face him. "There's your sign. Your tour is canceled. Go get your woman." He pushed away from the window with a lazy smile and headed back to his store.

Brick stared at the kid, slightly shocked .

Yeah, Marco was right. He needed to see Aspen and figure this out.

Brick locked up and drove to Sierra's house. Her sister's car wasn't in the driveway, which was good. They'd be alone. He rang the bell and waited, but no one came out. He knocked. Still nothing. Cracking open the screen door, he listened and heard the tapping of keys. He didn't like interrupting her work, but she was avoiding him, and they needed to talk.

"Aspen, it's Brick. Can I come in?"

The tapping continued. Maybe she couldn't hear him. He eased inside and followed the noise to a back room off the kitchen. Aspen was at the desk, bent over her laptop, with headphones over her ears. Poised in the doorway, he watched her work for a moment, admiring the intense energy she exuded as she chased the words.

He opened his mouth to alert her to his presence, but she suddenly ripped off the headphones, tossed them onto the desk, held her head and yelled, "Fuck my life! This sucks."

A laugh burst from him unchecked, and she screamed, twisting around. Cocoa-brown eyes widened with shock. He threw up his hands. "I'm sorry. I tried knocking and rang the bell, but you didn't hear."

"You scared the hell out of me!" she shouted at him. "I could've died of a heart attack!"

It was the first time he'd seen her in a temper or work mode. She looked adorable with her hair springing wildly around her shoulders, black glasses perched on the bridge of her nose, dressed in yoga pants and an oversized T-shirt that allowed him a generous view of her cleavage. Irritation swarmed around her figure, and a fierce frown furrowed her brows. Brick wanted to pluck her out of the chair and kiss her senseless until she was soft and sweet and clinging to him.

"I'm sorry," he said again. "I didn't want to wait any longer to talk, and you're not returning my calls. Or texts."

Those teeth reached for her lower lip and nibbled. He almost groaned, imagining what her perfect mouth had done for him a few nights ago. "I needed some time."

"I know. But I took Marco's advice and figured I shouldn't wait too long."

Her lips twitched. "Marco, huh?"

"He's wise beyond his years." Her half smile encouraged him to walk farther into the room. "He also misses you."

He heard the tiny catch in her breath. "Marco misses me?" she asked.

"I do, too."

He offered the words in a quiet voice, waiting. In seconds, her face lost its resolve, and she looked lost. "I miss you, too. It's the most awful thing that's happened this summer."

Direct hit. Amusement rose. "Missing me?"

She nodded with misery. "I didn't think it would happen. That I'd become attached so quickly. I thought it'd just be about the sex but it's not."

God, this woman would be the death of him. She was so refreshingly open and honest, even though she was shy and so beautifully innocent. The mixture intoxicated him. "Baby, are you saying the sex isn't good?"

That earned him a full laugh, and he wondered if they were still fighting or if she'd come to a conclusion she'd share. "Please. Your ego does not need any further evidence of your bedroom prowess."

Her cheeks turned a hint of pink, and he reached out to grab her hand, pulling her from the chair. He kissed the top of her head and rubbed her neck where she was probably sore from hours of sitting. Her scent wrapped around him, she leaned in, and he was a goner. "Pulling out the writerly words, huh?" She muttered something against his chest, but her body began to slowly loosen as he worked her muscles. "Is that what happened on the beach that morning? Things got too real?"

Her voice was muffled. "Maybe."

Brick certainly wouldn't push her to confess her feelings. It was enough to see the truth in her eyes and hear her admit she was confused. He needed her to remain open to what they were building and see it to the end of the summer. It was the only way they'd both know what was fact and what was fiction.

"It's not just you, Aspen. I'm feeling the same way. And yeah, it's confusing, even though this was the goal. But I don't want to stop or back off. Not now. Not when this is getting…important."

She sucked in a breath and lifted her head, eyes troubled. "I need to write and deliver this book. The deal has to stand."

Brick nodded. "Then it stands. But we both have to commit to opening up to each other and not holding back. Neither of us deserves to have regrets at the end. Don't you agree?"

His heart beat madly in his chest as he waited. The stakes were higher than either of them had first believed. Sure, they'd agreed to do this, but Brick doubted she'd thought it would work. He had figured they'd have great sex, a good summer, and he'd say goodbye with his family business saved. He hadn't counted on emotion getting in the way.

"You want to continue as is? Keep up a fake relationship for the deal? "

He tipped her chin up with his finger. "No. I want us to continue getting to know each other. This is no longer fake, and we both know it. I'm willing to go all the way because I'm not ready to lose you. We have a month left to be together. Do you want that, too?"

She swallowed. Seconds ticked by. "Yes."

Relief coursed through him, and damn if his knees didn't almost sag. She had more power over him than he imagined. "Good." He kissed her, enjoying the full softness of her mouth, his tongue gathering the taste of coffee, mint, and Aspen's unique flavor that made his head spin. Knowing he'd have her naked and on the bed in minutes, he kept his hands to himself and slowly eased away.

"I'm guessing the writing isn't going well?"

She blinked, obviously trying to refocus on the conversation. His fists clenched to keep from taking what he wanted, but Brick didn't want to interrupt her workday, and he had to get back for the next tour. A sigh escaped her. "Not really. I'm not sure what the block is, but I keep chipping away at it. How about you? Still fully booked?"

"Yes, except Maleficent is up to her old tricks. I booked a family, and she rode past with them in her Hummer. Kidnapped them somehow and wanted me to know it."

"What a bitch." Shadows darkened her face. "I think I may need to go and have a talk with her."

He chuckled. "I appreciate you wanting to fight my battles, but it's okay. With the new computer software, I can track where they found me and see how she intercepted. Much easier now to plug the holes."

"Good. But I still want to have a woman-to-woman chat about business ethics." A knock on the door had her jumping. "Oh, wait here, that's Sierra's delivery. I need to sign for it."

She disappeared, and he glanced around the room, which was obviously a spare for Sierra. There was a big closet and a clothes rack stuck on the far side containing a bunch of dresses. A sewing machine was set up beside the desk. He knew her bedroom was upstairs, so he figured Aspen liked to work in a separate room, maybe to keep work and sleep separate. He studied her desk, grazing over the half-written page of her book, then fell to an open pad with pictures and handwriting.

Curious, he picked it up and casually flipped through it.

It seemed like it was some sort of graphic comic book, but with more story than pictures. The characters were a pig, a bunny, and a snake, reminding him of a teen boy crew being silly and outrageous, sometimes snarky. The drawings were awesome, giving him the exact type of personality traits that seemed to match their narrative. It was done with bite-sized scenes that were complete stories. He'd never seen anything like it before, and as he read more, he couldn't help grinning and shaking his head.

Where had this come from?

"What are you doing?"

Her sharp voice interrupted him. "Aspen, did you write this?" She gave him a wary look, seemingly hesitant to answer. Because she wasn't claiming the story as hers, he offered a bit more. "Whoever did has some mad talent. That stuff is hysterical. Makes me laugh."

Aspen cocked her head. "Really? It's just a hobby. I love to draw and came up with this concept for fun. It's a stress release when I'm writing."

"Damn, you can write adult fiction plus humor? And draw? I'm impressed."

Her face lit up. "Thanks. It felt like a silly thing, so I've never shared it. I'm glad you like it."

"Do you have any more of these stories?"

She laughed. "Sure. I have a lot of stress to work out," she joked. "Probably a dozen notebooks filled with that stuff."

His finger tapped the pad, and he placed it back on the desk. "Well, I'd love to read more if you'll let me. Tell you what, if I got to read stuff like that back in the day, I'd be a bigger reader now."

Aspen smiled. "Thanks for the ego boost. I brought a few notebooks with me if you really want to see."

"Good. For now, I'd better leave so you can get back to work. Dinner? My place?"

Suddenly shy again, she ducked her head. "Sure."

Brick grabbed her, kissed her hard, and stepped back. "Bring an overnight bag. Kane won't be home tonight."

He loved the slight widening of her eyes and the hit of arousal that made him feel like a king.

Brick swaggered as he walked out.