Page 127 of Beneath the Quiet

Sweat courses down my forehead, and I gulp down water while I try to ignore the strain in my arms. I cock my head at the sound of running feet on the stairs, and my heart does that familiar belly flip at the sight of Aidan when he walks through the door. I blink at him, my already parched throat growing as dry as sandpaper. He looks good enough to eat in his white T-shirt that clings to his muscles like a second skin, and the black jeans covering his muscled legs are my new favourite.

Whatever he’s wearing is my favourite. Full stop.

“What are you doing here?”

His lips spread in a wide smile, revealing the dimples, and it shoots straight like an arrow. “Just wanted to see you.”

I raise my eyes, cocking my head in suspicion. “How did you get in?”

He crouches down in front of me, his eyes darkening as he rakes them over me. The low tug in my belly moves even further south to settle between my legs, and the air crackles between us. It’s impossible to ignore the simmering tension between us. I don’t even want to pretend I don’t want him every time I set my eyes on him.

“The same way as last time. I climbed through your window.” He bites down on his lower lip. “Should I be worried that you don’t take your own safety more seriously?”

I shake my head.

“No, but it sounds like I need to check my windows before I leave one of the rooms. And…” I sigh and raise my hand to his face, rubbing it over the stubble on his cheek. “You need to ring the doorbell instead of breaking into my cottage.”

He trails his fingers softly over my cheeks, his thumb lingering so close to my lips I have to battle the urge to kiss it. His eyes linger on mine for the longest time, studying me carefully. His lips part before pressing together again, and the charged energy between us crackles in the room. The longer the silence stretches between us, the more my skin prickles.

Finally, Aidan opens his mouth to speak. “I think I need a key and the code to your alarm.”

I widen my eyes, momentarily winded by his suggestion. “What?” I whisper.

“I think I’ve earned it. Besides,” he leans closer and frames my face, “that way, I can surprise you when you least expect to see me. Might urge me to get a bit creative with you if I want to.”

He leans closer and settles his lips on top of mine, keeping his eyes open. Even though the kiss is soft, I feel his touch everywhere. Goosebumps race across my skin as it zings me, and tingles erupt in my scalp. He leans away but keeps his fingers on my skin, his thumbs tracing patterns on my cheeks in the softest of touches.

“What do you say?”

I take a deep breath and release it slowly. “Let me think about it. Please?” I wet my lips, needing him to give me the time I need. Deep down, I feel the telltale sign of my instincts waking up. There’s no doubt in my mind that this moment is pivotal to us both. That we’re headed into territory that falls out of the safe box we’ve kept our relationship locked inside so far.

Am I really ready for this?

Aidan seems to sense the need for control, because although his gaze remains fierce, the slow smile softens, and my belly erupts with butterflies.

“Sure. I can do that, Mae.”

“Thank you.” I loop my arms around his neck and smile at him, aiming to lighten the mood. “I’m glad you stopped by. Gives me the perfect excuse to stop the hell I’m in and treat myself to a bubble bath.”

He chuckles and gives me another light peck on the lips before he sits back on his haunches, wraps his arms around my middle, and pulls me to my feet.

“Always happy to help.”

I bend and grab for my water bottle, my mouth breaking into a wide smile when I hear his low groan behind me.

“Shit, Mae. Yoga pants? Really? You’re killing me.”

I turn around and grin at him.

“Like what you see, hey?”

His eyes blaze with a need that makes my own flare to life inside me. “Distract me.”

“Why?”

“Because you’re ten seconds away from getting fucked right here against the wall unless you say something that’ll take my mind out of the gutter and back to reality.”

I take a step closer, coil my fingers through his belt loops, and look up at him through my lashes. “I have a better idea.”