“I’ve bothered you enough.”
“You don’t bother me.” Aiden looks at me flatly and I can’t help but smile. The swelling on his face has gone down some,the cut and bruises mottling the side of his face making his scar stand out more. Did Ivan do that too? What else has this man experienced at his hand? “Stay. As long as you need to.”
Aiden swallows then nods. “If you’re sure?”
“More than sure.” I stand, reaching out a hand to him, and he takes it, standing up in the tub, his boxers dripping. I help him out. “Get changed. Just bring your boxers out and I’ll throw them in with the rest of your clothes, okay?”
I leave him to change, needing space myself.
I sit on my bed,head in my hands, trying to ease my stomach. I’m feeling sick. I don’t know what I’m doing. I look down and realize I’m still in my briefs, but I don’t feel like changing. No blood on me at least.
I can still smell the metallic tang.
Aiden steps into my room a moment later, and seeing him in my clothes knocks something loose inside my chest. It’s only my black T-shirt and boxers, but still. He looks down and I follow his gaze, down his legs dusted with dark hair to his bare feet.
He looks so casual. So different. Almost boyish. If I remember correctly, Aiden is in his mid-twenties, but like this he seems younger.
All his sharp edges, clean dress clothes, and scowl are gone.
It’s just him. Raw and vulnerable.
I reach my hand out and watch the war in his mind before he reaches for it, letting me tug him toward me. He steps between my legs and I’m at a loss. I want to take his pain away, but I can’t. Instead, I gently grab him and hug his body. My arms wrap around him, and I feel his fingers climb into my hair when I lay my head against his stomach. Then I look up at him.
“I should probably go?—”
“Shut up, Aiden.” I laugh, pulling him gently into my lap, and watch him melt into my arms. I’m careful to rest my hands on his lower back where there are no lashes. I look up at him. Sleepy violet eyes laced with pain. I have nothing strong for him to take. The painkillers I did give him will only soften it. Maybe I could grab some CBD gummies or something to help ease his pain away. “How bad is it?”
“It burns.” He swallows. “It’s manageable.”
I nod, kissing the middle of his chest. “Do you think you can sleep?”
“I’m not sure.” While he says that his heavy eyes say otherwise.
“What if it’s in bed with me? In my arms?” While I hold him tight and make him realize he’s not alone. That I won’t hurt him. I wouldn’t dream of it. I want him here with me. I don’t understand how fast I’ve fallen, but somehow this man has bled into me and I can’t let go of him. Not now.
Aiden gives me a tiny sleepy smile then leans down and shocks me with a soft kiss. His lips press against mine and he doesn’t move for a minute. My eyes close, then open when he pulls away. He smiles. “It’s worth a shot.”
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
SAWYER
I openmy eyes to arms wrapped tight around me.
I want to smile, but then I remember the state he was in last night. I need to change his bandages when he wakes up.
But I won’t wake him.
His red lips are parted.
He’s so beautiful.
I shift a little onto my side, holding him while he lies on my chest. I go to touch his back and stop myself, remembering the welts.
What kind of monster would do that?
Is this what he goes home to every night? It makes the late-night drives we’ve had more heartbreaking.
Carefully, I smooth his hair away from his forehead, then I trace the thin scar down his cheek. I just want to take all his pain away. There are so many things I need to do before the Valentine’s event, but right now I just want to lie here with him and hold him.
