Ayden's Secret by Cara North Page A

came to criminals. Here, Charlie had him clueless. Maybe she would come in the bathroom and climb in the tub with him. That was a nice thought, so he stripped and turned on the CD player, listening to Elvis while he soaked in the tub.
    ***
    Charlie had straightened the kitchen up and blown all the candles out. She took several deep breaths before heading upstairs. Of course, he had turned on the CD player and Elvis sang about “Blue Suede Shoes.” Ayden had to be nice and relaxed by now. That was what she wanted. To catch him off guard, and then wind him up so tight he could burst. Charlie tapped on the door.
    “Ayden?”
    “Yes, darlin’?” Ayden smiled; this had to be it.
    “After you dry off, come to my room so I can show you something.”
    “Charlie?” he called, but she was gone. Now he really wanted to know what was going on. Maybe it wasn’t a seduction after all.
    Ayden pulled on a pair of long pajama bottoms. He thought Noel was nuts for sending them last Christmas, but now he understood that a man can’t always be naked in his own home, and boxers weren’t appropriate. He crossed to Charlie’s room, and she was there waiting. Sitting on the bed with the light on, still dressed…and nervous?
    “What did you want to show me, darlin’?” Ayden leaned in the doorway and began to wonder if maybe she needed him after all and not for sex. He was beginning to feel like a real jerk for thinking it.
    “You have to promise me, Ayden, that no matter what I say or do you will sit in that chair and wait until I’m finished.” Charlie was so nervous. She had never done anything like this before, but there was no turning back now. He leaned in her doorway wearing long cotton pajama pants. She never imagined him wearing those. She had always seen him in boxers and Tshirts. At least it covered him, giving just his chest to focus on.
    “Are you okay, darlin’?” Ayden moved to stand in front of her. “You can tell me anything. I’ll do whatever I can to help you. You know that, right?”
    “Well, you can help me by promising to sit in that chair.” Charlie stood and waited.
    A long moment of silence fell between them. He was winding up all right. His muscles began to bunch, and his expression grew more intent and serious.
    “All right, Charlie. I promise I will sit in that chair till you’re finished, but if someone has hurt you, that’s where it ends.” Ayden looked her eye to eye. He knew something was wrong, and she wanted to keep him out of it. Now she was going to tell him. “I make no promises as to what I will do once you’re done. Do you understand me?”
    “Yes.” Charlie made a slight laugh. He was still trying to protect her. She was sure she was safe here. All she needed from Ayden was love. He needed to realize that.
    Ayden paced to the chair and sat down. He crossed his arms and drew a serious expression. He looked ready to jump up and fight at any moment.
    “Remember, you promised to stay in that chair, no matter what.” Charlie took a deep shivering breath.
    “I’m a man of my word. You know that.” Ayden was sure she was afraid. Her breath was shaking and so were her hands. God what had happened to her? Can I still do something about it?
    Charlie dimmed the light but not a lot. The whole point was for him to see. She moved next to the bed and began to explain. His eyes followed her intently, and she knew he was confused. Good, so was she.
    “What I want to show you, Ayden—” She pulled her dress from the hem up and over her head. “—is me.”
    “Charlie?” He gulped and swallowed his tongue, he was sure of it. She was naked. Totally naked. Her perfect body pale and proportioned, was bared to him. He looked her over head to toe. She was without a flaw in his eyes and without hair, but he should have expected that. She was a showgirl after all.
    “I want you to look at me, Ayden. See me as a woman, not as some case you solved years ago. Do you see me, Ayden?”