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“I’ve never even thought of having kids. But just thinking about you growing part of me in that beautiful body of yours …” He stops, pushes me back, lifts up my, shirt and presses soft kisses across my stomach sending tingles down my spine. “Before you, nothing mattered. Revenge poisoned my mind to the point I didn’t even care for my own life. I was reckless.” A bitter laugh escapes his lips as he lays his head down on my stomach. “When I tell you that Max and I were crazy, that’s an understatement. I can’t even admit half the stuff we did.”
I smile, just imagining the crazy stunts they pulled. “I think you’re selling yourself short,” I say, pushing up on my elbows. “You made it into the FBI. That’s not a small feat. Even if it was fueled by revenge, something good came from it.”
He doesn’t say anything. With his hand on my side, he brushes his thumb back and forth against my hipbone. “What prevented you from taking revenge?” I ask.
He looks up at me. “You.”
I swallow at his heartfelt answer. But it wasn’t the one I was looking for.
“No,” I respond. His brows furrow. “You were living with Travis for a year before you met me. If you truly wanted reckless revenge, you would have done something long before I came around.”
He smiles into my stomach and then lays his head back down. I can feel his heated breaths through my shirt. “I liked the bastard too much,” he admits with a chuckle.
Mixed feelings stir inside of me and not because of his revelation. That isn’t surprising. Travis seems to be a likable guy. It just feels weird talking about him.
“When I first got there and couldn’t find a damn thing linking him with my parents’ death, the more time I spent with him, the more I questioned if he actually did it. Deep down, I knew he did, so I decided at that point to do the job I was actually sent there to do.” He pauses, getting lost in thoughts. “Travis is a very intelligent guy. He seems to only make mistakes when it comes to the women in his life,” he says, pushing his body back up against mine.
Our eyes meet and I nod. It’s true. It’s a hard fact to accept when you’re on the receiving end of those mistakes. There have been a couple times that I wish I knew him better. That maybe we can get to know each other.
Then the thoughts pass and I realize I must be getting ready to start my period because there is no way in hell that we can ever be close. Damn hormones.
“But it was you who made me see that I wanted more out of life than revenge,” he says.
“You were always a good man, Aiden, just misguided. Your compass was broken. It just needed a good shake.”
“And it was a damn good shake.” He leans over and kisses me. He pulls back fast and sits up. “Back to cards, woman. We’re not done,” he says, shuffling the cards.
With his next winning hand he says, “I want to hear about your mom.”
“That’s not a question.”
He shrugs. “I still won, so talk,” he demands, poking me in the stomach.
The next hour we exchange stories about our moms. Never with hesitation. Never with regret. We talk about our moms with the love in our hearts set aside just for them.
“My mom would have loved you,” I say.
“Why is that?”
“Well, you’re gorgeous for one.” He shakes his head, dropping it. “And you’re intelligent, you’re passionate, you challenge me, you entertain my stubbornness, and you love me. Scars and all.”
“Do you know what I think?” he asks. I shake my head. “I think fate led us to each other. But falling in love … that was our mothers’ doing. They’re probably together, looking down on us, celebrating.”
Tears well in my eyes as my smile widens. A laugh escapes my lips, imagining them dancing around and high-fiving each other.
“Thank you for that,” I hiccup. My voice hitches with emotions. He climbs on top of me, kissing me passionately. I bite his lip, ending the kiss. “So, I wonder what your mom was thinking when I shot you?”
He barks out a deep and sexy laugh. “She was probably you’re biggest cheerleader, saying I deserved it.”
It’s been two weeks since I’ve seen Lexi, and it feels like it’s been forever. Aiden and I have connected more and more each day, but hearing Lexi’s voice completes my day. We have video chatted almost daily and for those five minutes, just seeing her light up when she talks to me, makes everything right in my world.
I started my application to be Lexi’s foster parent the other day. Aiden and I went together to the agency. When I think about the support Aiden has given me through all of this, I can’t think of a better man to spend the rest of my life with.
I lean over and kiss his cheek. We’re on Max’s plane going to Texas to see Lexi.
He squeezes my hand that is intertwined with his. “What was that for?” He flashes a half-sexy smile.
I kiss his dimple, and he turns his face to mine. Our lips brush. “I love you,” I whisper.
