Page 128 of Beneath the Quiet

He places his hands on my hips, the warmth from his touch scorching my skin through my clothes. “What’s that?”

“Take a bath with me.” I lean up to my toes and close my eyes, inhaling his signature citrussy scent before I nibble on the sensitive spot on his neck that I know he loves. His fingers dig into my softer flesh, that one intimate touch enough to tease me with the promise of his strength. The groan he releases sets the flames inside me burning wilder.

“Fuck, yes.”

I grab his hand and lead him with me, away from the home gym, through the kitchen, and towards the stairs to the second floor. My body hums, the current beneath my skin settling into a low ember as we walk upstairs to the bathroom.

“How much time do you have?”

“For you? All afternoon.”

I gulp, my mind spinning. Aidan squeezes my hand, binding me to him. His hand is strong, firm, but still gentle, and I’m grateful that we don’t have to rush this time. He’s letting me set the pace. When we reach the landing and I take him to my bedroom, nerves flap inside me. He tugs on my hand, and I turn to face him. He releases it and steps up to me and raises his eyes at me.

“You’re quiet…”

I shrug lightly. “Just thinking.”

“Hmm.” He leans down and places his mouth on my cheek. “Your brain being busy again?”

“Yes.” I sigh, leaning into his touch.

“Let me try to help you stop thinking so hard.” He steps away from me. “I’ll start the bath. Stay here and don’t move.”

He keeps backing up, keeping his eyes locked with mine as if to make sure I do as he says, and I bite down on my lip. It’s strange, this giddiness mingled with need. When he bumps into the doorframe, I laugh. He gives me my favourite crooked smile and then turns around, leaving me to wait for him. I wrap my arms around my middle and try to be patient.

“Do you think you can get it to work?” I shout.

“Of course I can. I’m handy, remember?”

“Right.” I nod, looking down at my bare feet, pushing my toes into the lush carpet.

“You can come in now.”

“Finally,” I mutter. I push off the soles of my feet and walk briskly to the bathroom. I pull at the messy knot of hair on top of my head and comb my fingers through the tangles, my mind halfway on a naked Aidan, but the second I see the flickers of candlelight, I come to an abrupt stop. My eyes widen, and my mouth pops open in shock.

Aidan has lit at least a dozen candles and placed them in a half-circle around the built-in bath, creating a pathway for me. I finally manage to gulp in a lungful of air, and the fresh scent of lemongrass teases my nostrils, instantly calming me.

“What’s this?” I breathe.

Aidan runs a hand through his hair, making it stand up in tufts. It’s such a boyish move, and it makes my heart jump in my chest. He closes the distance between us, and as he wraps his arms around me, pulling me closer, I let out a gasp as his erection digs into my soft belly.

“I wanted to spoil you.”

“Wait,” I huff. “You planned this, didn’t you?”

“Maybe. How can you tell?”

“Because I know that I don’t own all those candles, and even if I did, I wouldn’t keep them in my bathroom.”

“Well…you caught me.”

I tilt my head, taking in the note of vulnerable light in his eyes that shines down at me. With a burning need to show him how much I appreciate his gesture, I push up on my toes and press my lips to his. As he so often does when he kisses me, he keeps his eyes open the whole time. I don’t rush this time. There’s only an aching wish inside me to show him a gentler side to me. Somehow, I’ve never taken the time to slow down, and yet as I stand here with him now, our lips moulding to each other’s in unhurried bliss, that’s the only thing I want.

To be gentle with him.

To show him that yes, I do care.

I want him to know that I care more for him with each passing day. That, despite the tantalising fear of getting hurt, I’ll give him more of myself than I’d ever planned on giving to anyone else.