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26
BRYNN
Brynn nervously tucked her hair behind her ear, taking a deep breath as she stood at the base of the stairs. The clank of dishes came from the kitchen. Brynn’s head ached, a slight pulse in the front of her forehead. She’d drunk too much last night and had made a fool of herself in the process. I can’t believe the things I said to Aaron. Or the promise he made me. Heat rushed to her core.
Nevertheless, she had to face him in the light of day, and she wasn’t sure how to act. Should she pretend nothing happened last night? Her belly churned anxiously. I just need to get this over with.
Brynn walked to the kitchen, her gaze settling on Aaron’s shirtless form, his muscles bunching and flexing as he cooked over the stove. Her mouth went dry, more so than when she’d woken up. His basketball shorts hung low on his waist, showing off two back dimples. She’d only ever seen one other man so naked, and Paul was older and out of shape. Aaron was . . . perfection.
He turned, and smiled. “Good morning, beautiful.” He set down his spatula and flicked off the gas before walking around the kitchen island.
But her attention focused on those defined abs that had haunted her dreams since the day she’d found him boxing. His arms wrapped around her, pulling her against him in a warm embrace that smelled like the fruity vanilla delight that he was.
His lips pressed to hers in a chaste kiss, much like the one he’d given her before he left her room. Aaron let go and backed up a step. “I was going to bring you breakfast in bed. I figured you might want to sleep in a little more. How’s your head?”
She pressed two fingers to her temple, then dropped her hand to her waist. “It’s not so bad. How’d you know?”
He grinned. “Headaches are typical of hangovers. You didn’t drink a lot, but for someone so tiny who doesn’t usually partake, it wouldn’t take much.”
“Oh.”
“I put some Advil on your bathroom counter. Take two with some water. And this breakfast should help make you feel a little better too.” Aaron spun around and used the spatula to scoop scrambled eggs onto a plate with toast, bacon, and some sausage.
“This is all for me?” Her stomach rumbled in hunger.
He chuckled. “Sure is, sunshine.”
Her gaze locked with his. He’d called her that last night too. “I’m sorry about . . . what I said, I didn’t mean to . . .”
He set the plate on the counter and stepped closer, taking both her hands in his as she looked up at him. “Hey, listen, there is nothing to be embarrassed about. Alcohol tends to lower people’s inhibitions. I’m glad you told me. Now we both know we’re extremely attracted to each other.”
“You . . . I mean, you’re attracted to me?”
He nodded, his dark eyes flashing. “I thought I made that clear in your bedroom?”
“But . . . never mind.” She shook her head.
Aaron threaded his fingers through hers. “No, tell me.”
“You stopped.”
He sighed and brushed a lock of hair from her face, his knuckles skimming her cheekbone. “You’d been drinking, and that means that you couldn’t consent. When we take that step, I want you fully present and able to enjoy everything you let me do to you. When we are together, it won’t be just one night, but when I know there is a possibility for a future with you.”
Warm wetness seeped into her panties. His words were almost as intoxicating as his touch.
“Do you understand, sunshine?” His hot breath tickled her lips.
“Yes,” she said on a sigh.
His mouth slanted over hers, gentle yet determined. Aaron wanted her. And he’d mentioned a future. But was she capable of that? She’d never imagined getting married again—of letting a man have so much control over her. But things with Aaron had been different.
He pulled away, licking his lips, his biceps flexing. “I’m gonna go shower.” His chest rose and fell as his gaze lingered on her.
She nodded, and then he was off, back up the stairs. Brynn reached out to the counter to steady herself, her mind and body reeling. A swarm of joyous butterflies burst in her belly, thudding against the walls of her rib cage, as if trying their best to escape.
Aaron wants me.
And I . . . oh, God! I want him too.
