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He ran his knuckles lightly down the side of my face. “Since the first moment I met you, I’ve been dying to tell you how beautiful you are.”
“Aiden,” I whispered.
“You are truly the most beautiful woman I’ve ever laid eyes on, and you’ve made a part of my heart come to life that I never even knew existed before you.”
I swallowed hard and looked down.
“Emma, I’m not saying this because I want something from you. I’m saying it because it’s true. I’m just tired of hiding it.”
“I’m tired of hiding my feelings for you as well.”
“I wasn’t lying when I said I’ve never felt like this before.”
Smiling, I said, “I have feelings for you I’ve never experienced before either.”
“Not even with your husband?”
My heart sped up, and I wasn’t sure how much I was ready to tell Aiden about Ben. I knew Iwantedto tell him everything, but what would he think of a woman who’d stayed in such a toxic relationship for so long? A woman who’d had the kind of thoughts I’d had about Ben.
“You said you’d fallen out of love with Lisa, but you still cared for her, loved her enough to take care of her through her sickness.”
“Yes, I did.”
I pressed my lips together tightly and took a slow, deep breath before letting it out. “I thought I loved Ben. At least, I was in love with him when we married, but that love quickly turned to something far more powerful and darker.”
His brows drew in as he gave me a befuddled look.
“Ihatedhim, Aiden. With everything in me. There were moments in our marriage when I wished him…gone. It was a very toxic relationship, and when I look back, I…”
My voice cracked and he reached for me. His finger went to my chin, and he gently moved my gaze to meet his.
“You what?”
A single tear slipped free and moved down my cheek. “I prayed he would die. So I could be set free, because I wasn’t strong enough to leave myself. I’m sorry if that makes you think differently of me.”
Aiden cupped my face in his hands and pressed his mouth to mine. The kiss was soft and sweet. “Shh. Don’t say that. Please don’t even think it. I would never judge you for that, Emma.”
A sob slipped free, and I fought to keep control of my emotions. “You don’t know what I did! I lied to my husband for years so I wouldn’t be able to have a child with him. I lived a lie!”
He wiped the tears away and kissed my forehead. “We don’t have to talk about this now, Emma. When you’re ready, I’m here to listen.”
I nodded, and a part of me wanted to open up and tell Aiden right this second. Another part of me wanted to pretend that period of my life never happened. That the only thing that mattered in the world was the two of us, in this moment.
“Idowant to tell you everything, Aiden.”
He smiled softly. “Only when you’re ready, okay?”
I nodded. “Soon. I don’t want us starting a relationship with old wounds still open and secrets between us.”
He smiled. “Fair enough. You okay?”
Clearing my throat, I replied, “Yes, I’m sorry.”
He leaned down and kissed me once more. “You have nothing to apologize for, so stop saying sorry, okay? Or I’ll have to keep kissing you to keep you from saying that word.”
“I rather enjoy your kisses,” I said with a chuckle.
“Good, because I like giving them to you.”
