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14
BRYNN
Brynn slipped into consciousness, her body cloaked in warmth, reveling in the heady peaceful feeling of being safe. Tears formed behind her closed eyes. She’d never experienced this. She didn’t want to open them and leave this dream. Instead, she snuggled closer into the warmth at her back.
A strong arm slipped around her waist, tucking her closer. She froze. Brynn’s eyes shot open, her body going rigid. She held her breath as she took in her surroundings. Sage-green comforter. Flowery pictures on the wall. Her room. So why wasn’t she alone?
My nightmare. Memories of last night came crashing over her, removing any trace of comfort left. The meeting must have stirred things up. Last night, she’d been terrified that Paul had found her. And then Aaron had come in, still keeping his distance, yet checking on her. She was only half awake when she’d asked him to stay. Why did I do that?
Well, he’d listened, if his soft breath on her neck was any indication. This wasn’t a dream. And now . . . what did this mean? Would he expect something physical from her? Would he require her to deal with the erection pressing against her thigh? Would he blame her too? And why did his possessive hold of her bring a flutter to her most secret places?
Warmth bloomed in her core despite the uncertainty that lingered. Being held so tightly released something inside. She didn’t have a choice but to be locked in his embrace—and somehow, it freed her from the shame of enjoying it. I’m so fucked up. Her mind spun. What does this all mean?
Aaron’s chest rose before he released a long exhale. His body stiffened, as if he’d woken and just realized he was wrapped around her. She closed her eyes, trying to even out her breathing. Could he feel her heart racing? Numbness settled into her bones as she separated herself from her body like she had so many times when Paul visited her room.
Aaron’s hold relaxed as he slowly slipped his arm from under her while she pretended to be asleep. What is he going to do? Chills raced over her skin, and she held her breath. Aaron paused, his gaze burning the side of her face as she worked hard not to react. The soft comforter dragged up her arm, all the way to her neck. His warm calloused palm smoothed the hair that had fallen onto her face out of the way. His thumb took one last tender swipe on her cheekbone before he quietly left the room, the door snicking shut behind him.
She freed the gulp of oxygen from her lungs. Tears dripped out of the corner of her eyes; she’d never experienced such gentleness. Brynn breathed out a sigh in part relief, part confusion. Why did she feel so cold without him in bed? She should be grateful he kept his word and didn’t try anything—and she was. But he’d left this . . . this other feeling behind. Brynn didn’t have a name for it, but it was uncomfortable. Like a deep wanting.
She opened her eyes and wiped them before she checked the clock. She needed to get up and get ready for work. And face Aaron. Would he bring up the nightmare? Would he mention he’d stayed the whole night in her bed? The heat of humiliation rose in her cheeks. Oh, God. Things are going to be so awkward. What if he asks me about it?
Nevertheless, she had to get going. Her bills wouldn’t pay themselves. Danielle needed her. Brynn couldn’t afford to fall apart when she was all her daughter had.
She sat, rubbing her eyes as the blanket lowered to her waist. She reached out her hand to the side of the bed Aaron had slept on. It was still warm. She leaned forward, the urge rising unbidden as she inhaled the pillow beside hers. The faint notes of his scent filled her senses, bringing with it a tease of the same floaty sensation she’d experienced while in his arms.
Brynn shook her head and got out of bed. Confusion swirled in her mind and body. Hot and cold. Scared and excited. Nervous butterflies danced in her belly.
She grabbed her things for the day, then crept out the door, breathing out a sigh of relief at the empty hallway. She scurried to the bathroom, locking the door behind her. Her hands trembled as she set her things on the counter, her eyes purposely avoiding the mirror, as always. She couldn’t look into the face she couldn’t recognize. Instead, she turned the shower on and stripped naked. She held her hands over her breasts, as if her nakedness was something she, too, should be ashamed of. She climbed in the shower once the water was warm enough and scrubbed her body that never felt clean enough. She’d read that every seven years your body is totally regenerated with new cells. Only four more to go before she’d have the pleasure of the knowledge Paul had never touched this one. Maybe then she’d be able to feel.
Sometimes it was like she was in a costume, the outward layers numb with Novocain. It was easier to shut that part of her off after she married Paul. Then it didn’t hurt so bad. But even now, years later, she couldn’t turn it off completely. The only time she experienced physical sensations was with Aaron for some reason. The fact that he could bring these sensations back terrified her. Did it mean he had some sort of control over her? Or was it her intuition telling her he was safe? Only time would tell.
Brynn finished getting dressed, then made her way down to the kitchen where the savory smell of bacon and pancakes wafted through the air. Aaron stood in front of the stove, a spatula in his hand as he flipped a pancake in the pan. A light-blue button-up dress shirt stretched across his wide shoulders, making her mouth go dry. It tapered in at his waist, tucking into a royal-blue pair of slacks that fit his butt like a glove. Brynn’s cheeks flamed as she snapped her attention away, towards her daughter who was eagerly attacking her breakfast plate.
“Hey, Mom. Aaron made chocolate chip pancakes. They’re so good. You have to try.” Dani smiled before taking a sip of her orange juice.
Aaron turned, giving her a welcoming grin. Her belly flipped.
“Hungry?” he asked, turning back to pick a plate off the counter. He added the latest pancake from the pan and threw on a couple strips of bacon before he handed her the plate.
Guilt crashed over her. She should have been the one to get up and cook for them. Aaron was letting them live here without paying rent, and she hadn’t even contributed to groceries yet. Not to mention she’d been raised to believe it was the woman’s job to cook and clean. I’m even failing at being a fake wife.
“Thank you. I’m sorry. I should have been up to make breakfast. I’ll do it tomorrow.” Brynn sat on the stool next to Dani.
Aaron shrugged and opened a drawer, taking out a fork before setting it in front of her. “No need to apologize. Pancakes happen to be my specialty. Chocolate chip, banana, blueberry, birthday cake—the possibilities are endless.”
“Birthday cake pancakes?” Dani asked, her eyes widening.
Aaron chuckled. “Absolutely. They even have sprinkles. You’ll have to let me know your birthdays so I can make it special for you that day.”
Brynn swallowed the lump of emotion that rose. He was being too nice. He had to want something from her.
His warm brown gaze switched to her. “I’m heading to Hope today for a few meetings. Did you want Dani to come with me and hang out at the center while you work?”
“Can I, Mom?” Dani asked, scraping the last bite of pancake from her plate before she stuffed it into her mouth.
Brynn handed her a napkin. “What about your homework?”
“I can do it there,” Dani promised.
