Page 39 of Rectify

He held out a hand to her. “Come on, Lovely. Come get in your bath.”

Hopefully, that would help her relax.

One hour later,Natalya was dressed in one of Aedan’s T-shirts, which reached the top of her knees, sitting quietly at his feet as he combed her long hair. He was sitting on a chair in the corner of the room.

“I don’t understand why she would betray me,” she whispered. “She’s my cousin.”

Thank God. He’d been sitting here, worrying about her silence all this time, wondering if he should try and prompt her into talking.

“People change. And you heard what Stanton said, people do crazy things when they think they’re in love.”

He continued running the comb through her hair, which fell like a black silk waterfall down her back.

“I’m sorry for all the times I made you choose between me and Rogan.”

He paused. “You never asked me to betray Rogan.”

“But I always wanted you to choose me over him. I was immature and selfish.”

“You’re being too hard on yourself.” He wouldn’t allow her to beat herself up. Especially not when she was so low already.

“I judged him without knowing him.”

“Maybe, but you had your reasons. It’s in the past, Natalya. Time to let it be.”

Natalya nodded, then stood and held out her hand to him. There was a slight blush on her cheeks, but her hand was steady. “Come to bed with me?”

Now that was something he’d wanted to hear for a long time.

Taking her hand, he stood and followed her over. He’d managed to find a pair of pajama bottoms to wear, but even though they were loosely fitted, they did nothing to hide his erection.

Christ. Keeping himself from getting aroused around her was like trying to restrain a sugar addict in a store filled with sweets. Completely and utterly impossible.

Natalya stripped off her T-shirt before climbing on the bed.

“What are you doing?” he asked, shocked.

There was a vulnerable tremble in her chin, but her voice was sure as she stared up at him. “I want to sleep with you.”

“Just sleep,” he said firmly.

“No.” She shook her head and lay back, cupping her full breasts in her hands. She rolled the puckered nipples between her fingers and thumbs. “Fuck me, Aedan.”

His head was telling him to slow down, but his cock was throbbing so fiercely it nearly devoured his every thought.

Cool down. Think unsexy thoughts. Raindrops. Whiskers on kittens.

Seriously? That was meant to help him when he was faced with her naked beauty?

“You don’t want me?” Her face shut down and she sat up.

Shit, shit, shit.

“Of course I want you. I want you more than I want to breathe.”

Piercing blue eyeswatched her thoughtfully for a long moment before he gently pushed her down onto her back and took her mouth in a searing kiss.

“Promise me I’m not taking advantage of you.” He kissed his way across the top of her breasts.

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