Page 81 of Aiden

He places his arm on my leg, and I scoot back. He sits up; his shirtless body, messy hair and ink make me dizzy. I need to concentrate.

He pinches the bridge of his nose before taking my hands. “I thought we talked about this last night.”

I roll my eyes. “Yes, but I was drunk.” I don’t remember much, besides being in control when we had sex.

“Emilia.” His tone is pleading as he runs an inked hand down his face. “I shoved her away, I swear. You walked in and she just happened to walk between my legs. I promise you.”

His sad tone and glossy eyes make me reconsider my next words.

“You promise? I can’t handle if you cheated on me.”

He smiles, his eyes blazing into mine. “I wouldnevercheat on you.”

I calm down. “So, what happened?”

He bows his head.

“Coffee first?”

He throws on a lone pair of gray sweatpants that sit dangerously low on his defined hips before leading me out onto the porch where he drags me onto his lap. He breathes in the morning salt air.

“Em, I can’t express how much you mean to me. Hearingthosewords brought me back to a dark time.” He lowers his head against my arm.

I lift his chin up, looking into his eyes to give him strength.

“The night, that was the last thing my mom said to me. Then she was just...gone.” His eyes gloss over.

I wrap my arms around his neck.

No more needs to be said, but he continues. “I have never given a fuck about anyone, except you. I’m sorry. I’m so fucking sorry I walked out on you like that. That was a move my dad would have–”

I cut him off with a solitary finger to his lips. He looks so broken, so vulnerable. A stark contrast to his usual serious demeanor.

“Don’t apologize, and don’t ever compare yourself to him. I get it. Don’t worry. When you’re ready, you’ll tell me. If not…” I think of something to take that pained look away. “If not, it’s fine.” I give him a reassuring smile that doesn’t quite reach my eyes.

His expression is serious. “I don’t know if I’m capable of giving you what you deserve.”

I cup his face. “You deserve every ounce of me,” I assure him.

He smiles a cheesy grin before burying his face in my neck. He lifts his pleading eyes to mine. “Those words have been tainted for me. They’ll never be the same. I don’t want you to think I don’t care deeply about you. I do. So fucking much you couldn’t even fathom.”

His eyelashes are thick as he looks up at me. “You say those words…” He closes his eyes. “And I…You can’t fucking go anywhere, Em. You can’t leave me. Ever. I’m weak for you. I’m crazy about you.” His emerald eyes shimmer in the rising golden sun. “You’re mine, Emilia.”

I smile. He’s been telling me he loves me in the only way he knows how. “As you’re mine, Aiden. Always.”

That is enough. Of course, it is.

My phone rings, interrupting the moment. Aiden grabs it, checking the screen. It’s my mom. I go to ignore it, but he answers before I can stop him.

“Hey Pamela. Yes, she’s right here.” He hands me the phone.

I roll my eyes. I told her I was going on a vacation with Ash. She wouldn’t care. I’m an adult, but I don’t want to have that conversation.

“Hey, Mom.” I sigh, waiting for the third degree. My body tenses when I hear her sniffle. “What’s wrong?”

Aiden sits a little straighter.

“He’s getting released on good behavior.” Her voice is hoarse. I can tell she’s been crying for a while. I want to ask her who. But from her hysterics, I already know.

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