“I remember you from the coffee shop,” Aiden said. “I had a feeling you two would end up together.”
“Really?” Bailey sounded dubious. “That was before Flynn would look at me twice.”
“Oh, he was looking,” Aiden said with a laugh. “Pretty sure I saw some drool trickle down his chin after you’d turned away.”
Bailey snorted with amusement. “Good to know.”
“Okay, that’s enough bonding for one night.” I thought of the time. “Or early morning. Whatever.” I kissed Bailey’s head. “How about we go back to bed?”
Bailey nodded. “Sure.”
I told Aiden good night and followed Bailey back to the bedroom. He pulled off the T-shirt, leaving him in only a pair of snug boxer briefs, and climbed into bed. I stripped down to nothing—I ran too hot to sleep in clothes—and slid between the sheets. We both lay here, looking at the ceiling, before rolling toward each other.
“Can I…” Bailey whispered.
“I want you close,” I murmured at the same time.
He slung an arm across my stomach, pillowed his head on my chest, and a sense of contentment swelled in me. What would it be like to have this every night? Bailey in my arms, smelling like fresh soap and the faintest hint of motor oil.
Maybe it had embedded itself in his pores. I wouldn’t object. There was something comforting about that familiar scent. I’d always associate Bailey with the auto garage. A memory rose in my mind of his huge smile just after teaching me to use the diagnostic equipment.
“You’ve got it now,” he’d said, beaming. “You don’t need me anymore.”
How wrong he’d been. My stomach had dipped, the urge hitting me to drag him into my arms and taste that beautiful smile.
I’d resisted, stuttering out a response like an awkward fool, but Bailey hadn’t noticed.
I was pretty sure that was the night I first fell in love with Bailey Steele. I didn’t know it for what it was at the time, of course. He was this young, vibrant, talented force who always saw the good in me, and I liked that a little too much.
It soothed my ragged edges and reminded me that I was more than a murderer or an ex-con. That I could have a better future.
I fell asleep with that image of Bailey in my mind, a rising sun in the dreary season my life had become.
When I woke, he was gone, and laughter drifted from the kitchen.
I made my way there, finding him and Aiden sitting at a small dining room table, chatting over coffee like old friends. Their amused looks as I came into the room alarmed me, however.
“What are we talking about?” I asked as I headed for the coffeepot beside the sink. “Not me, I hope.”
Bailey snickered. “Oh, Aiden’s got stories.”
I narrowed my eyes at my younger brother. “I would remind Aiden that I have even more stories. As the older brother, I remember hisentirelife. And one day soon, he’ll have a boyfriend…”
Aiden scoffed. “Not likely. I’m going to residency next year. I’ll be working nonstop.”
“Around all those cute doctors,” Bailey teased.
Aiden’s lips quirked. “They’ll be my bosses. Hardly a good foundation for romance.”
Bailey and I exchanged a glance while I poured my coffee and came over to the table to join them.
“Uh, are you still my boss, Bailey?” I asked with an awkward chuckle.
He smiled. “In bed? Definitely.”
“Bailey!” I exclaimed, clutching at my throat like a scandalized matron.
Aiden laughed like Bailey was a riot while I turned red.
