Page 98 of Lucky In Love

Aiden chuckled. “I’m more than happy to take you up on that request when I don’t have to worry about you blowing away.”

For the next agonizing eternity, he held me tight, rubbing my back and whispering encouraging things into my ear. Every time the house creaked or popped, or there was an ominous crack or thud from outside that made me jump, he’d kiss the side of my head just above my eyebrow. When there was the unmistakable crunch of splintering wood, I buried my face into his chest and whimpered, once again inhaling the citrus and clove scent of the man quite literally holding me together.

Please don’t let us die here. Please don’t let us blow away.

When something hard hit the couch, I screamed, and Aiden held me tighter, whispering in my ear. Even with his lips brushing against my ear, I didn't hear or comprehend anything he was saying, and my breathing sped up even more. But when he pressed his lips to mine, my mind went silent, and my heart raced for another reason entirely. The wind somehow roared louder, sending more debris flying into the basement. Something that felt like small rocks hit the bottom of my feet, and I pulled Aiden tighter against me. Every single one of my muscles tensed up again, but Aiden never broke the slow, sensual kiss he was giving me.

Fucking hell. This man can kiss.

Without loosening his hold on me, he pulled back slightly. His eyes were full of heat, and I was definitely feeling it as well. He simply held my gaze, and with his arms wrapped tight around me, and I suddenly realized just how wrapped around each other we were. Every inch of him was pressed into me. I don’t know if it was minutes or hours, but eventually the wind lessened, and I could hear the sound of rain pounding against the side of the house and the droning wail of the damn tornado siren.

“I think the worst might be past us now.”

When he went to move, I squeezed tighter, feeling my entire body tremble. “Not yet… Please.”

Aiden tightened his hold on me, shifting, so I was laying on him more than the floor, and rubbed my back. “I’m not going anywhere, Min. We’re not moving until that siren stops.”

I let out a relieved sigh. “Thank you.”

“What are four things you can feel?”

Why is he asking? “Your hand on my back, the scratchy fabric of the couch cushion, your jeans rubbing against my legs, and your tshirt on my cheek.”

He kissed the top of my head. “Good. What can you smell?”

It finally clicked that he was trying to help me settle my anxiety. “Wet dirt, the fabric softener from the blanket, and whatever deodorant or cologne you are wearing.”

Another kiss was pressed to my forehead. “You’re doing great, Min. What can you hear?”

I let out a sigh, feeling a couple muscles relax ever-so-slightly. “That damn tornado siren, and your breath and heartbeat in your chest.”

The thunder was down to low, deep rumbles, and when the siren finally wound down, the relative silence was almost deafening. I let out a deep, relieved sigh, finally accepting the fact I lived through a tornado. “Okay, we can probably put the couch back and sit on it again.”

It took a minute to get off the floor and reset the lounge area. The basement looked better than I was expecting. Aside from the broken window, the debris that blew in, and the only light source being the lantern, everything else was fine.

Aiden helped me onto the couch, but stayed standing. “Would you like some whiskey?”

“Oh, my god, yes.” I needed something to help me dull some of my chaotic thoughts and lingering anxiety.

He grinned and gave my hands a squeeze. “You want a glass, or are you okay with being a rebel and drinking straight from the bottle?”

I let out a tense laugh. “Bottle. Please.”

Aiden walked over to the mini fridge, opened the tote on top, and pulled out a bottle. Smiling at me, he opened and handed it over. I immediately took a large swig, letting the burn of the alcohol warm and calm me from the inside out. After taking another sip, I let out a long breath.

“Better?”

I glanced up at Aiden, who looked genuinely concerned. “Sort of.”

He crouched in front of me, resting his hands on the couch cushion on either side of my legs. “How else can I help?”

“Can you hold me again?” I loved and hated how safe I felt in his arms.

He’s just being nice. It was an emergency.

“Of course.” He took the bottle from my hands long enough to take a sip of his own and then set it on the floor. Once he sat on the couch sideways, Aiden pulled me over so I was laying on top of him. “Just relax, Min. I’ve got you. We can stay here as long as you need.”

As we laid there, he occasionally kissed the top of my head, temple, forehead, murmuring comforting sounds. It took a while before I wasn’t clutching his shirt in my fists. After a few more minutes, I took a deep breath and let it out slowly, finally feeling the last of my anxiety melting away.

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