Dream of Me: A Sweet Contemporary Romance (21 page)

“I hope so. I’ve tried hard to be what you want.”

A wistful expression passed over his handsome features as he picked up the pillow and brought it to her. “You’ve certainly done that. Now, quit feeling sorry for yourself. You know I can’t do without you. You’ve made yourself indispensable.”

She watched him leave and then absently turned off her light. But she didn’t go to sleep for a long time.

* * * *

The brightness of the room brought Aubrey’s sleepy gaze to the clock on the nightstand beside her bed. Horrified at the time, she scrambled out of bed, all the while wondering why the usually vigilant Corbin hadn’t exerted himself to find out what was keeping her.

Arriving downstairs, she peered into the kitchen, noting a lone coffee cup resting next to several rolled-up blueprints. The murmur of voices sent her scurrying down the hall toward the living room. Knowing her presence would be needed and embarrassed at having kept the others waiting, Aubrey turned the corner, a tentative smile of apology on her lips.

Any words she would have spoken died instantly at the sight of Mandy perched on the arm of Corbin’s chair, her long fingers with their red-tipped nails resting on his shoulder. Aubrey’s first instinct was to back out of the room, but Corbin had already seen her.

“Good morning, sleepyhead. You can see we’ve acquired another guest.”

Trying to portray a calm she was far from feeling, Aubrey came slowly into the room and greeted them both. Mandy eyed the late arrival with malicious enjoyment.

“Aubrey looks more surprised and less pleased by my arrival than you did.”

Corbin’s glance settled on Aubrey. “Go have breakfast while I tackle the pile of luggage sitting in the foyer. We’ve wasted enough time socializing.”

She needed no further incentive to leave the room. With trembling hands, she set about making toast, the only thing she could face at the moment. She tried not to hear the teasing and provocative remarks being exchanged between the other two in the hallway. Struggling to get down even one bite of food, she wondered how on earth she was going to be able to endure this latest development. Corbin’s quiet voice jerked her back to the present.

“Don’t worry; she won’t stay long. There’s not enough to do here.”

“You’re here. What else does she need?”

“Would that be enough for you?” he asked softly.

Ignoring this, Aubrey asked instead, “What do you want me to do this morning?”

“You’re getting good at not answering my questions.”

“I’m here to work, not get into personal discussions about your social life.”

Corbin laughed loudly at that. “Okay, Miss Strictly-Business, you can work on those changes we agreed upon for the first two properties. The others Dillon suggested aren’t going to happen.”

“Will he agree to that?”

“He will if he wants me to do the work. I’m not going to compromise quality in order to save a few bucks.”

* * * *

The addition of Mandy changed the atmosphere significantly. It was entertaining and at the same time depressing to watch her handle not one but four men with a degree of expertise Aubrey could only admire. While managing to monopolize Corbin’s every spare moment, she spread her charms evenly among them all.

Despite these distractions, the contracts were signed and the plans were completed to everyone’s satisfaction. Watching the car disappear down the hill carrying Dillon and Jeremy to the airport, Aubrey wondered how soon they would be making their own departure. She dreaded the thought of traveling home as a threesome.

As she breathed in the clean, cold air, she contemplated the merits of a walk, but settled for sitting in a rocking chair near one end of the porch. It was pleasant to be alone with her thoughts even if they were muddled.

When the idea came to her, it made perfect sense. With an urgency she couldn’t explain, she skipped up the stairs to her room. Pulling her suitcase from the closet, Aubrey began methodically filling it with clothes. The actual logistics of her getting back to Tybee were at present a mystery, but she knew she needed to go.

“Are you leaving?” Mandy asked.

Her unwanted visitor hadn’t bothered to knock before coming into the room. “Yes, I think so.”

“You had me fooled for a while, but I finally realized who you’re
really
interested in. I don’t blame you; Corbin is difficult to resist. Maybe if I hadn’t showed up, you would have had a chance. As it is, it’s only going to get worse for you. He’s not stupid; he’s going to figure out how you feel sooner or later.”

Aubrey’s face paled. “My decision to go or stay is no concern of yours.”

“True, but why torture yourself? You’ve been with him long enough to know that he’s not the unfeeling, hard man he pretends to be. He’s sensitive, caring and surprisingly romantic. You can’t afford to mistake acts of kindness for something more. There are many reasons a man will kiss a woman, most of which have nothing to do with love.”

How did Mandy know Corbin had kissed her? Had he told her or was she just throwing it out there to see what Aubrey would say?
She didn’t want to believe Corbin would discuss her with Mandy, but then again, Mandy wasn’t just any woman. She was the one he loved.

In a cool voice she hardly recognized, she said, “I’m not as foolish as everyone seems to think. I knew there was never any chance for me. You’re the one he wants. I hope you’ll make him happy.”

Mandy smiled. “I think you mean that. I’m not sure I could be so unselfish if our positions were reversed. Between that and Corbin’s sentimental streak, you’re both prolonging a situation that should have ended weeks ago. Cut your losses and forget him.”

“I don’t want to forget him,” Aubrey replied quietly.

“Whoever you can’t forget will have to wait.” Corbin’s appearance effectively silenced the two women. “Did you turn off your phone? Phoebe’s been texting you all morning.”

“I never turn it off.” Aubrey slipped her hand into the front pocket of her purse. She pulled out her phone and glanced at the screen. “Oh, I remember now. I turned down the volume when we were watching television last night.”

“Silencing the phone or turning it off – it amounts to the same thing. Anyway, she wants some information about the article we submitted to that travel magazine.”

“I’ll need the laptop for that. Excuse me for a minute.”

Mandy waited until Aubrey disappeared and then she turned to Corbin. “She’s the perfect employee, isn’t she? Have you ever stopped to wonder why?”

“Because she wants to keep her job.”

“I can’t believe you don’t see it. She’s crazy about you.”

“Only a few weeks ago, you were convinced she was interested in Richard.”

“Maybe she used him to make you jealous.”

He shook his head. “She wouldn’t do that - she cares too much about people’s feelings. You and I might do it, but Aubrey wouldn’t.”

“Well, if nothing else, she’s impressed you; we both know how hard that is to do.” Mandy sauntered from the room, leaving a frowning Corbin in her wake.

* * * *

When Aubrey returned to her room, she was dismayed to find Corbin waiting. The conversation with Mandy had left her exposed. She’d hoped to avoid another one with him until she was more in control of her emotions. With an uncertain glance in his direction, she went to the closet and continued to remove her clothes. She heard movement and then he was beside her, disturbingly close to her half-f suitcase.

“Why this sudden urge to leave?” he asked mildly.

Instead of answering, she began folding her clothes into neat piles. Corbin suddenly grabbed her hands.

“No more evasions, Aubrey. What’s going on?”

“Nothing is going on. That’s why there’s no need for me to stay any longer. My part in this project is finished for now. Let me get back to Tybee where I can be productive.”

“We fly back home the day after tomorrow. Forty-eight hours isn’t going to make a noticeable difference. Besides, there’s a restaurant Mike wants to take us to. It happens to be located next to a bed and breakfast inn that was recently renovated. I thought you might enjoy getting an idea of what we’re shooting for.”

“Why didn’t you say something sooner?”

Corbin smiled ruefully. “I wanted to surprise you.”

His thoughtfulness brought a lump to her throat. “I’m sorry I ruined everything.”

He squeezed her hand gently and then let it go. “You didn’t ruin anything, but for my peace of mind, would you please stop packing?”

* * * *

Several hours later she was sitting next to Mike in the backseat of Corbin’s rental car for the half hour drive from Brunswick to Sebasco Harbor. The tour of the inn wasn’t nearly long enough to satisfy Aubrey. She fell in love with the lofty rooms complete with high ceilings, decorative crown molding, and ornate fireplaces. Had she not been part of a group, she would gladly have delayed dinner so she could more fully explore all the rooms.

Like the inn, the restaurant was situated on the water. Aubrey found its modern décor appealing, but couldn’t help comparing it to the quiet luxury of its neighbor. She wished she could do justice to the excellent food, but her appetite seemed to have vanished. For some reason, she felt curiously detached from everything going on around her. It was as if in her mind, she was already pulling away.

When someone touched on her shoulder, she jumped. Her eyes widened when she realized Mike and Mandy were gone. “Where are the others?”

Corbin leaned down and whispered in her ear. “Does it matter? Does anything else in the world matter right now?”

She turned her head to look at him, wondering what he meant by such cryptic questions. When their eyes met, he asked, “Some things are inevitable and there’s no use fighting them, don’t you agree?”

Thinking he was talking about Mandy, Aubrey nodded her head. She was incapable of saying a word. Corbin apparently didn’t need any words. “I’m glad we agree on it. Let’s go join the others.”

Aubrey took her place in the back of the car and tried to ignore the two in the front. Mike politely answered her questions about his job as an engineer, but he seemed to know she wasn’t really listening. They were both relieved when they arrived back at the cabin.

Not in the mood for company, Aubrey excused herself as soon as it was decently possible. A wave of icy air met her when she opened the door to her room. She vaguely remembered Mike mentioning a problem with the furnace. Hopefully, the electric fireplace would provide some heat. Shivering with cold, Aubrey undressed quickly, donning a pair of flannel pajamas and a warm fleecy robe.

Turning off the lights, she switched on the fireplace and pulled a cushion from the chair. Sitting down on the floor, she spent a few minutes watching the flickering flames and then began to brush her hair. Lost in her thoughts, she didn’t hear the soft knock on her door. The man waiting outside took matters into his own hands.

“Still awake?” Corbin asked as he came into the room, closing the door quietly behind him.

Aubrey nodded slowly, her eyes still dreamy. “I love sitting by a fire, don’t you?”

“Yes, especially when it’s the only source of heat. Are you warm enough?”

“As long as I don’t move from this spot I’m fine.”

He dropped down behind her, took the brush from her hand and began to pull it through her hair. “I’ve wanted to do this for a long time,” he said after a moment.

“Brush my hair?”

“Just be close enough to touch it and feel it running through my fingers. It’s beautiful.”

Her breath caught.
Was this really happening?
“Thank you.”

“Who’s this man you can’t forget?” He leaned closer and rested his chin on her shoulder. “Do you love him?” he asked softly.

A deep sigh escaped her.
Why bother to pretend anymore?
“Yes, but he’s in love with someone else.”

“In that case, you’ll have to forget him.”

“You make it sound so easy. Have you been able to forget Mandy?”

“It’s more accurate to say I’m over her.”

If he didn’t love Mandy, why was she here?
Aubrey’s heart began to beat so rapidly she thought she might actually faint. She turned sideways to look at him. “Does
she
know?” she asked in amazement.

“She’s been resistant to the idea, but I think I convinced her at last.”

“How did you do that?”

“I told her I’m in love with you.”

Aubrey stared at him as if he’d lost his mind. “You did what? Are you crazy?”

“Why couldn’t I be in love with you?” He trailed his fingers along the side of her neck. “Did you think I never noticed the way your lips curve when you smile?” His fingers moved to her eyes. “Was I supposed to ignore the beauty of your eyes?” He cupped her chin and waited until she met his gaze. “How I could remain unaffected by a person whose nature is so unselfish and whose heart is so unbelievably pure? I love you because it’s impossible for me not to. I might as well tell my heart to stop beating or my lungs to cease breathing.”

Aubrey bit down on her trembling lips. “I thought you loved Mandy.”

“That ended a long time ago. Now that we’ve cleared that hurdle, let’s talk about Richard.”

She reached out and touched his cheek. “There’s nothing between me and Richard except friendship. I love
you
.”

He lowered his head and kissed her lightly at first, his lips seeking a response from her. She instinctively moved closer to him and his arms tightened. The quality of the kisses subtly changed from tentative to passionate. His lips left her mouth and moved over her face and neck. A sigh of pleasure escaped her and hearing it, Corbin laughed huskily.