Laughter twinkles in his eyes. “You want us to treat our physicality like a business meeting.”
“Not ameeting,” I say, but his levity loosens a couple of knots in his chest. “More like…a quarterly review. There are things I want to reserve for when we know this is it. Not just a year. And that might be…difficult if we’re in the same bed together.”
There. I said it and didn’t die.
His eyes roam over mine while his fingers casually stroke the back of my neck. It’s like he’s trying to lull me into sleep. More likely that he’s just trying to soothe my nerves, but I don’t hate it either way.
“So we’re free to kiss and hug whenever we feel it’s appropriate.”
“Married people do that, right?” I ask.
Aiden’s brows draw together. “If you have to ask me that, then you were doing it the hard way, Chlo.”
“Oh, is that the qualifying question?”
My joke lands flat, and I wince.
Aiden presses his lips to mine, a soft whisper of reassurance.
“So, what you really need is to see how marriage is done right? A united front between people who love each other? Done.”
This man is going to be the end of me. His words are so simple, so matter-of-fact, that they steal my breath.
We haven’t said those words, but I feel sure this wouldn’t scare me so much if “love” weren’t involved. I’m painfully aware of how much I stand to lose, but I’m still betting anyway.
And for someone who’s majorly risk-averse? The last month of my life has been a roller coaster.
“You’re sure?” I ask.
I’m ashamed to admit it, but I think I’m still waiting for him to decide I’m too much. The longer I’m here, the more he’ll see and decide it’s not for him.
I don’t think I could handle that.
He presses another kiss to my lips, longer this time. I wish we’d made the rule that we go with whatever we feel like sooner.
“I’m sure,” he says. “And Chloe—” His voice lowers. “No shrinking. No hiding. You show up as yourself and let them see how amazing you are. I’m proud of my wife, and they should be, too.”
My lungs forget how to work for a second.
“Thank you,” I manage.
Aiden’s gaze flicks to the door, then back to me. His jaw tightens like he’s thinking.
“We’ve got two days,” he says.
“That’s not enough time to become a different person,” I mutter.
He huffs a quiet laugh. “Good. I don’t want you to. I married you, remember?”
I stare at him. My chest feels too full.
“What, then?” I ask.
“I just need you to trust me. Okay?”
“I trust you.”
And I do. Because Aiden Wheeler just promised me everything I’ve ever wanted from a husband.
