Page 81 of Beneath the Quiet

“Okay, okay.” Silence fills the air for a few seconds. “Is this someone I know?”

I gulp. “Yes.”

“Okay. Why do you need my help?”

I lean back from the countertop and pull at the low neckline of my dress, fidgeting on the spot. “I’ve never done the casual sex thing before. I’m not sure if I can go through with it.”

“Listen, if you want to ghost whoever this mystery man is, you’re more than welcome to come over to my place, Maeve. I don’t want you to do anything you’re not comfortable with.”

“Thank you, but I’m just nervous. I haven’t had sex in over a year, and even then, it wasn’t that great, so…well.”

“And you’re worried because...”

“I’m just not sure it’s a good idea since we live in the same village. It might get a little…sticky.”

“Okay, you haven’t given me much to go on, but have you and this mystery man talked about this only being about a roll in the hay or not?”

“We have. He isn’t looking for a relationship, either, so at least that part’s been cleared up.”

“And do you really, really fancy him? I mean, so much that you’re dying to rip his clothes off every time you see him?”

I put my hand on my tummy. “Gosh, yes.” I sigh. “I want to rip it off and twirl it around my head three times, then jump his massive…”

“Enough!”

Her giggling makes me huff annoyed at myself. “In that case, I hope you have a brilliant night, my friend. Just remember to be safe, okay? And phone me tomorrow. You’re about to have a much more interesting social life than mine. I’m almost jealous.”

I tilt my head, frowning. “Thank you. I think.” I open my mouth to talk more, but a low knock on my front door fixes me on the spot instead. “Speak with you tomorrow.”

My entire focus is on the door as I walk towards it, until I catch sight of the black ballerinas lying on the floor.

Should I put shoes on or not? Isn’t barefoot too casual?

I bend to pick them up and jump from one foot to the other, hurrying to put them on. I almost stumble flat on my arse in the process. Tonight is not going as I planned. I’d envisioned I’d be opening a bottle of wine, setting out some crackers and cheese in case Aidan was hungry, and what did I do instead? Wasted the time I could have prepared for a slow seduction by pacing the floor and phoning my friend in a panic.

A louder knock sounds, jerking me free from my thoughts.

My time’s up.

I walk briskly towards the door to let him inside.

I take one more deep breath and wrench the door open.

And there he is. Tall, bright, and handsome beyond belief, arms relaxed at his sides.

“Maeve.”

“Aidan.” I step back. “Come in.”

The moment he steps inside, a need so foreign and tantalising that it makes me break out in goosebumps assaults me, and I tense to stop my legs from shaking and shut the door. But that’s all I can do. I lean against the door and take him in as he turns in a slow circle to face me at last. His hair is mussed, wet at the ends that curl over the collar of his deep-blue button-down shirt, his sleeves rolled up to his elbows to reveal the arms I can’t stop thinking about. I travel the length of his body, my eyes pausing longer than necessary on his crotch, then further down his dark-blue, jeans-clad thighs. How have I never noticed the size of them before?

“Like what you see?”

My eyes whip up to meet his amused stare.

“I’m nervous,” I blurt out, then immediately wish I could crawl into a hole and hide. I’m an embarrassed, trembling mess…but I don’t want him to leave.

His eyes soften, turning warmer.