And as Aiden and I make love—fast, frenetic, desperate—I know I’m never going to be the same again after this.
In the best way possible.
* * *
“Aiden?”
“Yeah?”
“I really need to go home,” I murmur into his skin.
Even though that’s the last thing I want to do.
I’m nestled up against him in his bed, my cheek against his chest as we’re tangled in his white sheets. One of Aiden’s arms is around me, and the other is in my hair. I’m afraid to find out what time it is.
But the truth is, I don’t really care.
Aiden and I had sex twice tonight—the quick, desperate sex on the sofa, then later in his bed, where it was slow and sweet. More exploration. More kissing and stroking, but with the same shattering climax at the end of it.
I’ve never had sex like this in my life. I’ve never had orgasms like this, I’ve never wanted it so desperately, never has it felt so crazy good. But it’s also been emotional.
Loving.
Afterward, no man has cared for me like Aiden did tonight. He held me. Kissed me. Brushed my hair away from my face and told me how beautiful I was and how sex with me was so good.
I feel beautiful. Adored. Powerful.
It’s the best thingever.
“Stay, Scarlett,” Aiden says, rubbing his hand up and down my body. “Sleep here.”
I smile into his skin, loving that Aiden wants me to stay. I want to stay, too. I’m sleepy and happy and I feel so cared for in Aiden’s arms. I roll over so I’m on his chest, and when I see how he smiles at me, with that dimple popping out in his cheek, I feel more of my heart falling for him.
“I don’t have anything here,” I remind him. “I can’t even brush my teeth.”
“But I don’t want you to leave,” Aiden says simply.
“I don’t want to either, but I do have work tomorrow. And you have practice.”
Practice.
Dad.
Apparently, that same thought goes through Aiden’s head as well, because his expression grows grave.
“Yeah,” he says simply. “Practice with your dad. Whose alternate captain is sleeping with his daughter.”
“His alternate captain who is the best thing for me,” I say firmly.
“Based on Wyatt’s reaction, I don’t think we should plan on going public anytime soon,” Aiden says quietly. “They aren’t going to think our feelings can be real. But they are. I know what I feel, Scarlett. This is different.”
My heart leaps from Aiden’s words. He’s getting all the same feelings that I am, too.
“We stay secret, then. Protecting you is my priority right now.”
His eyes grow soft. “I’m crazy about you, you know that?”
I’m practically bubbling over with joy hearing those words come from Aiden’s mouth. “I’m crazy about you, too. So we keep this secret.”
