Page 49 of Second Chance for Mr. Alden

He made his way over to the couch and sat down. I repressed a sigh when he chose to sit on the opposite end, as far away from me as he could get. “Jess, I don’t want to fight with you.”

I turned off the television. “I don’t want to fight with you either.” It was true. When we fought, it twisted my stomach into knots.

“Can we call a truce? It’s been a long night. We’re both hungry and tired. I don’t want us to say things we’ll regret.”

I nodded. He was right. Neither one of us needed that right now. Besides, when I was hangry I was a bit of a bitch, and after the events of tonight my nerves were on edge and I felt raw. My emotions were a little too close to the surface.

I was afraid my natural reaction to him, the way I hid my real feelings might be too hard for me to cover up and they might slip to the surface. I snapped at him to hide the fact that there was only one question I’d ever wanted to ask him.Why wasn’t I good enough for you to love me?I was too afraid to hear the same words my parents spoke to me leave his lips. Wondering and knowing were two different things.

“Truce it is.” I’d eat the pizza and curl up on the couch either watching TV or going to sleep. Hopefully by morning I’d be back to my old self and able to deal with the swirling emotions Alden brought on.

A knock at the back door made me jump. Alden grabbed a ball cap and threw on a coat to hide the tattoos that were clearly visible in the t-shirt he wore. God, I’d always loved those tattoos. When we’d been together, I’d trace them as we’d lie in bed.

He opened the door and grabbed the food and soda. My stomach growled at the smells coming from it. He put it all down on the small coffee table in front of the couch. I couldn’t help myself and quickly grabbed a mozzarella stick, shoving half of it into my mouth, promptly burning my tongue.

“Ahhh,” I moaned, opening my mouth and waving my hand at it. “Hot, hot.”

Alden snorted and handed me a napkin. “Spit it out then.”

“No, I’ll be okay.” I chewed around the hot food until I was able to swallow it. Picking up a plate, I piled it high with pizza and mozzarella sticks. “This looks so good.”

Alden chose a slice and bit into it, groaning as he chewed. My breath caught in my throat and my damn ovaries just about burst at the sound and the sight of his full lips wrapped around the ooey goodness of the pizza.

I was a mess. The only explanation was that it had been far too long since I last had sex, or I was developing a food kink, because right now Alden had my full attention. I worked to steady my shallow breathing and had to clamp my hand down on my thighs to stop them from rubbing together.

“What?” he asked. “Do I have sauce on my face?”

I blinked trying to make sense of the words he’d spoken. “Oh, uh, yup.” I picked up a napkin and swiped it quickly across his cheek before rolling it into a ball and shoving it into my pocket. “All set now.”

For the rest of the time, I focused on my food or the random show I turned back on so I wouldn’t make a fool out of myself again. Except that I only picked at my food. I’d think I shoved the kidnapping out of my mind and then suddenly my breath would catch, or I’d feel their hands grabbing at me, and time ceased to exist.

“You okay?” Alden asked.

I shrugged. “Not as hungry as I thought.”

“Anything I can do?” His worried gaze caressed my face.

“No, just being here with me is good.” I gave him a tight smile.

Car doors slammed in the distance and I flinched, remembering that guy getting out of the truck, coming at me. The bite I’d taken got trapped in my throat as I worked to force it down. My breath came out faster, and I grabbed my water to chug a few sips.

Alden reached out and slid his fingers between mine, squeezing my hand in silent understanding. I laid my head back against the couch and allowed him to comfort me. His thumb brushed up and down along my pinkie. The rhythmic sensation calmed me faster than any breathing exercise ever had.

Once I’d gotten my body and emotions under control, I flashed him a tiny smile of thanks and slowly withdrew my hand. “Thanks,” I whispered.

“Anytime.” He stared at me one more time. “I’ll always be here for you, Jess.”

I nodded, afraid to trust my voice. Little did he know how badly I wanted that to be true. But in this moment, he was here, protecting me, keeping me safe.

And that would have to be enough. For now.

I set my half-eaten plate onto the coffee table and curled up, waiting for sleep to take me.

“That hit the spot.” Alden tossed his empty plate onto the coffee table.

I glanced over at him and immediately wished I hadn’t. He’d leaned back against the couch, his hips pushed forward on the seat, and his legs spread out in front of him. He was the type of guy that made sweatpants look good.

I swallowed hard and started to mentally recite my favorite designers in alphabetical order as I stared blankly at the TV. When my hormones began to calm down and I could focus again I realized we were watching American Ninja Warrior. “I love this show.”

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