Page 151 of Beneath the Quiet

For eternity.

“I meant it,” I whisper when he lets me come up for air. “I’m yours. Forever.”

He settles his arms on either side of my head, and the utter joy in his eyes makes me catch my breath. Our skin is clammy with sweat, and the room reeks from our lovemaking. The sheets are sticky with sweat, and yet, it’s the most beautiful moment of my life.

“And I’m yours, sweetheart. Always.”

My lips tip up at the corners.

That’s enough for now. I don’t need the words.

Not now.

He pulls out of me and tucks me close, our fronts pressed tight together. I sigh deeply and nuzzle into him, letting the calm wash over me, and close my eyes. I hear him yawn loudly and kiss his chest.

“I should get up, find something to clean you up,” he murmurs.

“Leave it. I like feeling you inside me.”

His hand in my hair stills. I’m already half-asleep, so when he breathes out his next words, I think I’m dreaming.

“How did I get so lucky to find a love this deep a second time?”

I snuggle into him, my arm around his chest, and drift off into a deep, dreamless sleep.

Chapter Thirty-Five

Aidan

Ijiggle the change in my pocket while standing in line at Roísin’s bakery, thinking back on the past few days since we came home to find Maeve’s front door vandalised.

I hate feeling as if we’re waiting for Joe to come out of his hole instead of being the ones controlling the situation. But as long as he’s on the loose, I’m not letting Maeve out of my sight. She’s going to pick up some of her clothes and bring them to the farm. All this driving back and forth from the farm to her cottage to get her clothes is unnecessary.

It took some persuading, but she finally caved this morning.

It only took getting her to come on my mouth and fingers twice to get her to see things from my point of view.

“Aidan? You okay?”

I nod a bit and step up to the counter.

“Sorry, I was miles away.”

Roísin jerks her head at me and wipes her hands on her apron. “Looked that way, too. Is everything okay?”

“Yeah, yeah. I probably just need a dose of caffeine.”

She grins, her fringe bobbing into her eyes. “You’ve come to the right place.” She makes a face. “Just your regular?”

I shake my head and point to the chocolate chip cookies lined up on a big plate beside her. “Give me four of those, too, please. And Maeve told me to ask you to surprise her with your week’s special coffee.”

Her eyes light up, making my lips tip up at the corner for the first time today. “I can always count on Maeve. She gets the fascination with coffee completely.”

“You’re right.” I shake my head at the way neither of them can seem to stick with one coffee, but of course, I don’t share that with her.

Maeve’s already told me it’s a woman thing, and if there’s one thing life’s taught me, it’s not to question when I’m politely told to butt out of things I don’t get. Clearly, this is one of them.

Roísin turns to the contraption behind her and starts banging, preparing to make our drinks, and I lean a hip on the counter and look out the window, zoning out for a bit.