Page 73 of His to Cherish
He flinched and gripped me tighter. His fingers dug into my skin and caused a sting of pain. I doubted he realized how hard he was holding me, but I didn’t stop him.
“I don’t think he meant to do it, Aidan,” I whispered, and slid my tongue along my bottom lip. I tried to find something more profound to say, but came up empty. “I think he’s scared and tired, and he doesn’t want to hurt, but I don’t think he wants to die.”
“How do you know?” His voice cracked and my chest clenched in pain.
“Because he told me,” I whispered after a pause.
The boy needed help and Beth’s text was encouraging, so I believed he would get it. I wanted to believe that Shane would find someone he could talk to who was actually trained and professional enough to help him to rid himself of his guilt and his nightmares.
Aidan’s head dipped and his temple pressed against the top of my head as he curled his arms around me, squeezing me tightly and fiercely.
I melted into him, enjoying it despite the conversation.
“Shit,” he whispered against my hair. “I didn’t realize.”
I blinked back more freaking tears. “I know you didn’t.” I squeezed his hand that was gripping my shoulder with my own. He let go of me long enough to entwine our fingers, his arm still draped over my shoulder. It felt anything but casual, and I relaxed as the familiar touch of his skin on mine sent that now-common spark of interest into my veins.
“I’m sorry you had to go through that today. And I’m sorry I couldn’t be there for you.”
I tightened my hold on his hand. “You can still be there for Shane.”
He inhaled sharply. I squeezed my eyes closed to prepare for his rebuttal, but he surprised me.
“Yeah.” He breathed the word out quietly. “I’ll think about it.”
Several moments went by while we sat in silence, wrapped in each other’s arms, and the weight of the day began to evaporate along with the tenseness in my shoulders. Even in his grief, Aidan made me feel safe. His strength was amazing.
Slowly, he shifted his weight, pulling me down with him until we were lying on my bed. I was on my back and Aidan was on his side, his head propped up by his hand, elbow on the pillow.
His fingertip trailed down the tear tracks on my cheek and he leaned forward, brushing his lips against my skin.
I felt his arousal at my hip and fought the urge to turn so I could feel him press against me in a much more preferable location.
When he pulled away from me, his lips turned up. “This morning was amazing.”
“I think so, too.” My agreement earned me a larger smile, almost a full one, and it made my own match his.
“I like it when you smile.” I lifted my hand and traced his lips with my finger.
He opened his mouth and teasingly bit down on the pad of my fingertip.
“I like you,” he said. His lips fell to mine, and he kissed the shock away while heating me at the same time.
I parted my lips, accepting him as his tongue licked and rolled with my own.
I liked this man, too. A lot.
I liked how he kissed, how every time he touched me, my body leaned in, needing more. I was like that now, arching into him, my hands roaming the skin on his back as I pulled him to me and pressed into him at the same time.
He shifted, pulling me forward until I was draped over his body, my legs straddling his waist.
I pushed up, breaking the kiss, and watched as his green eyes swirled with lust and unspoken thoughts. My own body was flaring wildly with need and something deeper—something more than justlike.
With one hand on his chest, my other one raised and pushed through his jet-black locks. His hair was soft and silky and the perfect length to hold on to.
“I like you, too.”
He paused for a moment before he rolled us over and began dragging down my shorts and underwear. I lay on the bed, watching his finely tuned, hardworking muscles bunch and flex, and I couldn’t help the shudder that rolled through me as he removed his boxers and his erection sprung free.
