Page 117 of Beneath the Quiet

The events of the night come rushing back with a vengeance, and with each second that passes, my mind slides every piece of memory back into its right slot, and I remember everything.

Aidan tucked me into bed.

Aidan gave me water during the night.

Aidan curled our fingers together, and I fell asleep soon after.

Or did I do that?

I blink my eyes open to find him leaning over me, his hands on either side of my head, his forearms resting on my pillow. His eyes crinkle at the corners, the warmth seeping through my bones like a blanket. I try to turn my head so as not to send a puff of my morning breath straight at him, but he’s caged me in so well that there’s not much room for me to turn away. I pull the blanket up to cover my lips instead. That only results in his grin growing wider.

“Good morning,” I murmur.

“Morning. How are you feeling?”

I shrug. “I’m okay. Parched.”

“I brought some more water. Drink up and then take a shower. I’ll go downstairs and make us breakfast.”

My eyes grow round as saucers.

“Erm, what?”

He flashes his dimples at me.

“You heard me. Mum brought eggs and bacon, if you’re up for that.”

I gasp.

“What? Your mother came here with food?”

He rolls his eyes at me.

“Don’t worry, she doesn’t think we’re married or anything. She just wanted to help take care of you.”

I frown.

“Why would she do that? She doesn’t even know me.”

He shakes his head and leans closer, our noses almost touching.

“She’d do the same for anyone in the village who had the biggest cottage in the county but with a pantry as empty as yours.”

I huff and flip the covers away, forcing him to give me more room.

“I forgot to do my food shopping the other day because I was a little bit under the weather. I just wanted to get home and rest. Food was the last thing on my mind.”

He presses his lips together in a tight line, but then nods.

“Fine. I understand.” Then he surprises me for the millionth time today and leans down to swipe his mouth on top of mine in a kiss as soft as butterfly wings. “Shower. Now. Then come down and get breakfast. Don’t make me come up here to fetch you.”

With that, he pushes off and away from me, and before I can pick up my scattered brain that seems to lie in a thousand pieces on the floor, he’s left me alone in my room.

What. Was. That?

I feel a warm tug in my lower body and huff out a breath in disbelief.

Mildly grouchy and bossy Aidan is turning me on even when I’ve been sick for the past twenty-four hours.