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17
BRYNN
Brynn turned the page in the romance novel she was reading, her eyes glued to the book. In the last three weeks she’d gone through half of Aaron’s collection. She’d learned so many new things. And as hard as she wanted to deny it, she now had a name for those feelings Aaron stirred within her. Arousal. Lust. Desire. Her vocabulary list had grown as much as her sexual education.
“This came for you.” Aaron’s deep voice made her jump and slam the book closed, embarrassment rising to her cheeks. Had he seen what she was reading? Well, it didn’t matter; these were his books. He’d probably already read them.
Brynn accepted the letter from his hands, addressed to Brynn Ridley. “Thank you.”
A flutter flipped through her belly every time she saw her name in print like that, or when someone referred to her as Mrs. Ridley. It wasn’t real, but these last few weeks had gone much smoother than she thought possible. Aaron was steady, his emotions didn’t get the better of him. He said something and then he did it. And he was always checking in with her and Dani.
Aaron walked over to the espresso machine and got busy making himself a drink while Brynn ripped open the envelope. It was her official name change document with her new social security card. Relief washed over her as tears of joy pricked her eyes. This was the last document she needed to really start living out her independence. Now she could work for an actual paycheck instead of under the table. She could get an education. She could—she could do anything. And all of this was possible because of Aaron.
Her attention darted to the man with his back to her, his bulky biceps highlighted in the black muscle shirt he wore. Aaron’s muscles flexed as he wiped the foam from the steamer before turning and handing her a latte.
“Thank you.” She picked it up and sipped as he did. A bit of foam stuck to the top of his full brown lips, and the urge to press her own mouth there rose.
Whoa! Too many romance novels for me.
He licked his lips, and it stirred that familiar lust in her core, so she shifted on her seat, averting her gaze to her cup.
“Coffee is delicious. Would you believe the first cup I ever had was from working at the diner?” She couldn’t look at him. This was such a tiny piece of her past, but it was huge for her to share something so personal with a man. Would he judge her if he really knew what had happened?
“Did they not have coffee where you were from?” His voice was gentle as always, as if he was careful about what he asked.
She took another sip of the warm rich liquid and shook her head. “Coffee was not allowed. Nor other caffeinated drinks. Sugar either.” She turned to him as he took the seat next to her at the bar in the kitchen.
“I bet everyone there had great teeth.” He winced. “Sorry, I’m trying to think of a positive to that, but what I mean is was it a choice, or was it forced on everyone?”
“There weren’t many choices there. Even less if you were a woman.”
“Thank you for sharing that with me.” Aaron met her gaze as his finger gently skimmed the back of her wrist. Such a small gesture, but it set a swirl of emotions skittering through her.
“Now that you’ve got your name change done, what’s the next step?” he asked, pulling his hand back to take another sip of his latte.
“I’ll make an appointment to enroll Dani in school, then I’ll sign up to take the GED test.” Her eyes darted back to the foam in her cup as her shoulders tensed.
Aaron’s gaze bore into the side of her face. “Why don’t you have a high school diploma, or a general education degree?”
She shook her head, digging her nails into her palms as her body heated, this time with more embarrassment. Did he think she was stupid?
“I bet that made things really difficult for you leaving home.” Aaron was using his careful tone again, as if she was a scared animal he might spook. She hated it and loved it at the same time. She didn’t want to be treated like she was made of glass, but if he wasn’t careful, she would definitely bolt.
She turned to him, tipping her chin up. “They told me I’d never make it. Told me I needed them to survive. But I proved them wrong. And now I’m going to get this GED and maybe even take some college courses someday.” Her confession was lit with defiance and soaked in vulnerability.
Aaron smiled and nodded. “I’m proud of you.”
Her mouth dropped open before she clamped it shut. Of all the things she expected him to say, it wasn’t that. And the pride shining in his eyes seemed so genuine.
“You can do anything. Don’t let anyone ever tell you different,” Aaron continued.
“Why are you so nice to me?”
Aaron squinted as he studied her before a determined flame lit his gaze. He turned to face her fully, slowly reaching towards her chin, as if giving her time to stop him. The man had super-fast reflexes, but everything he did with her was slow and controlled. The contrast only made that feeling in her chest grow. His knuckle grazed her cheek and then he cupped the side of her face. His dark-brown gaze was intent, and he focused on her like nothing else existed.
“Brynn, this should be the default in how you’re treated. You deserve the world . . . and I aim to show you just how big and beautiful it can be.”
Her pounding heart melted to hot liquid honey, filling her chest with a mixture of awe and hope.
