Free Dream of Me: A Sweet Contemporary Romance by Delaney Cameron Page B

go?”
    Feeling foolish and not liking the sensation, she said tartly, “I’m waiting on you.”
* * * *
    Corbin headed toward the north end of the island. Aubrey did her best to keep up with his long strides, but found it nearly impossible. When he noticed her difficulty, he slowed his pace.
    “I’m sorry for leaving you behind; I forget your legs aren’t nearly as long as mine.”
    His fingers slid under her elbow, skimming her bare skin. Aubrey couldn’t suppress the shiver running through her. Hoping Corbin hadn’t noticed her reaction, she pointed to the lighthouse just ahead of them.
    “Have you ever been inside?”
    “Lots of times. Are you interested in seeing it?”
    “Yes, if you can spare the time,” she admitted.
    He glanced at his watch. “If we hurry, we might be able to get in before they close for the day.”
    They were soon walking along the paved sidewalk leading to a stout wooden door. An older woman stood just inside and at their appearance, her stern face broke into a welcoming smile.
    “Good evening, Corbin. Were you thinking of showing your friend the view?” She winked suggestively.
    Patting the woman’s arm, he replied, “You never give up, do you?” He turned to Aubrey. “I want you to meet Lucy Kilgore, keeper of the lighthouse. Lucy, this is my assistant, Aubrey Sommers.”
    “It’s nice to meet you, Aubrey.” The woman’s eyes were alight with unconcealed curiosity. Everyone had heard about Corbin’s new employee. “You came at just the right time. You’ve got the place to yourselves.”
    Aubrey smiled uncertainly. “Oh, that will be nice.”
    Corbin saved them further embarrassment by steering her toward the narrow, winding staircase. “It will be better if you go first. If you fall into me, I’ll hardly feel it. But if I happen to lose my footing and fall into you, we’ll both have to be hospitalized.”
    The climb was more arduous than Aubrey realized. She was out of breath by the time they reached the top. She noticed with some irritation that her companion hadn’t been similarly affected. As they leaned over the guard rail, Corbin said nothing as she took deep breaths of fresh air, though a smile played around his lips. After a few moments, she turned to him.
    “You can see the entire island from up here. Where’s your house?”
    He put his arm around her waist and turned her to the right. “See the red pickup. My house is the one across the street.”
    “Oh, there it is. How did I not see that?” Though she tried to sound normal, every nerve in her body was aware of Corbin’s arm. Why was she so on edge? It wasn’t as if he hadn’t touched her before.
    “It’s not easy to get your bearings from such a different perspective.”
    Aubrey heard the familiar chime of Corbin’s phone. His arm fell away as he moved to answer it. Taking a deep breath, she told herself to stop being silly. She was letting her experience with Richard color her relationship with Corbin.
    As Corbin listened to his mother’s remarks about his absence from his sister-in-law’s birthday dinner, his eyes strayed to Aubrey. Why did he never tire of watching her or spending time with her? Was it her indifference to him or her unawareness of the interest she stirred in him? His need to know the answer to these questions was in itself a surprise. Such thoughts indicated a level of involvement he couldn’t afford to indulge.
    A furtive smile touched her lips, and Corbin felt the quickening of his pulse. It was a sensation that happened more and more often these days. He forced his gaze away from her, but the damage was done. He didn’t need to see Aubrey to be aware of her.
    After offering his apologies to his mother, he joined Aubrey at the railing. When she turned to him, her eyes shone with happiness. Corbin was reminded of their first meeting when those same eyes had been heavy with sadness. Maybe in some way he’d helped Aubrey move past her grief – if only for the space of a