Page 66 of Aiden

I nod.

“Aiden, you can’t be serious.” She pulls away, rolling her eyes.

“I wasn’t asking, Emilia.”

She doesn’t put up a fight and instead crawls on top of me.

Being a little late to work won’t hurt anyone.

I kiss her collarbone and rub my thumb against her perfect pout, before carrying her to the bathroom to draw her a bath. I’m thankful my bathtub is large enough to fit two. Once the tub is mostly filled, I undress the both of us before depositing Emma into the warm water.

I smile when her rigid body visibly relaxes as the warm water and bubbles envelope her. I wish we can do this every morning.

“You’re so fucking perfect.” I rub her feet, my eyes glued to how beautiful she looks in the morning. Her messy hair and sleepy eyes.

She smiles, but it doesn’t reach her eyes.

“Hey look.”

Her eyes dart to my face.

I bring the frothy bubbles to my chin and make a foam beard, eliciting a giggle from her. What the fuck is she doing to me?

She needs peace of mind. She trusts me enough to come back with me.

I have so much shit to do to ensure she’s as safe as possible. I’m going to be busier than usual.

This girl, with her smile and slight attitude. Her courage and her beautiful looks as well as her smarts. She is the most important thing in my life. I don’t want her to feel anything less than happy at all fucking times.

I don’t give a fuck about myself.

But, her?

She is everything.

Twenty

Aiden surprises me when I step into the kitchen.

His suit is tailored perfectly to his lean frame, and the dark as night material looks perfect against his tan skin. I kind of wish I took his offer as his assistant so I could see that all day. But I need to do this on my own.

I found a few affordable colleges in the area. It may be a quick judgment to move my life here, but Aiden is right. I have nothing in Corvallis. Ashley is here. It’s not like I loved my school and, as a bonus, there are more opportunities here.

I’m also seeing someone about my nightmares. The medicine is helping and talking to someone is nice but what I really need is for Aiden to be home. His late nights are starting to take a toll on me.

I smile as I head towards him. “I thought you left while I got ready.”

He smirks, placing his warm hands on my hips.

The fabric of my dress does nothing to mask the perfect heat that radiates from his touch. I’m wearing a form fitting, navy blue dress I borrowed from Ashley a while back. I have an interview for a baker’s assistant position today and needed something that screams “hire me”. I straighten my hair for a more sleek, professional look. A little makeup and I look alive.

“I wanted to make sure you got there okay. I’m riding with you.”

I look over at my guard, standing near the door in his black suit. His salt and pepper hair lays perfectly combed on top of his head while he stares forward. He looks like the British soldiers that stand in front of the castle for hours on end and don’t laugh when people jump in front of them. I’m tempted to wave my hand in front of his face, but I refrain.

I lean in close to Aiden, and whisper, “Does he have to come?” I gesture my thumb over to the giant statue.

He smiles, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear. “Even if everything didn’t happen, I can’t allow you to leave the house looking like this.” His eyes leisurely take in my body. “Without some form of protection.”

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