Page 25 of Liberating Love

“I can’t believeyou’re eating that stuff again,” Delaney says from beside me.

After I slurp up my noodles, I say, “This stuff is delicious. What’s not to love?”

He shakes his head. “You eat the same exact thing every time we order.”

I shrug and point at his plate with my chopsticks. “Hey, I bought you a pizza, too. Why are you complaining?”

He grins at me. “Not complaining, making an observation.”

“My mom hates ordering out, so the nights I eat here are my nights to splurge. Hence the two deliveries I ordered tonight.” He’d wanted pizza, but I wasn’t about to give up my Chinese, so I ordered both, even though Delaney tried to stop me and laughed the entire time I was placing the orders; the people taking my orders thought I was a lunatic because he kept making me laugh, too. I shovel another bite of lo mein into my mouth and moan at the deliciousness.

“Definitely not complaining when you eat it like that.” Delaney’s voice is all husky, making me lift a brow at him. He waves his hand toward my entire body, so I look down at myself as my cheeks flush.

We’re both sitting on his huge bed in our boxers, and I’m over here moaning away with every bite. It’s not hard to imagine where his mind went. I point at him with my chopsticks again. “I’m not letting this get cold.”

His grin is kind of sweet and makes him look younger. “You didn’t complain last time… much.”

I snort out a laugh. “Pretty sure you vowed to never let my food go cold again after I drove you nuts for thirty minutes while I ate cold lo mein.”

“I don’t remember that.”

“Uh huh.” I snort at him again and we share a smile. “How’s your pizza? Is it everything you hoped for?”

He nudges me with his shoulder since we’re sitting that close together even though there’s more than enough room to spread out. “It is, thanks for getting it for me. I don’t think I could’ve taken another plate of fried rice today.”

I chuckle. “No problem. Although, I think you’re crazy for wanting pizza over this.” I lift another bite to my mouth, trying to contain my amusement so I can chew.

Once we finish eating, Delaney cleans up our mess, running our trash downstairs. I know I need to get up and get going, but the food coma is strong and his bed is too comfortable, so I lounge while I try to find the energy to make the drive home.

Delaney comes back and smiles at me as he climbs onto the bed. I expect him to pull my boxers off and start round two, but he bypasses them and stretches out beside me, placing a hand over mine on my chest. He turns on his side, props his head in his hand, and laces our fingers together, using his thumb to brush along my palm as he smiles at me.

When he leans in to kiss my bare shoulder, he quietly asks, “Will you stay tonight?”

I sigh. “You know I can’t.”

He nods, obviously expecting that answer.

“I should probably go.”

He nods again, then brushes another kiss to my shoulder, and I make no move to get up. After a few minutes of lying there with his fingers playing with my own, he scoots closer so his body is pressed against my side. Then he pulls me in, wraps me in his arms, and kisses my forehead. Even though I know I need to leave, staying for a few minutes won’t hurt, so I settle into him and sigh when he holds me tight.

I allow myself a few minutes of this, of feeling safe and cared for, precious even, because he’s the only person that ever makes me feel this way. It’s stupid, and makes me feel a little needy, but inside this room, I get to be me. Not Aiden the police officer or Aiden the shy guy that’s afraid to speak his mind, and especially not Aiden the caregiver. It makes me feel guilty to even think that way because I love my mother and I’m happy to take care of her, but sometimes I just want to relax and let go of all my worries.

It’s been a long time since I’ve had the chance to just be me, and since Delaney has come into my life, I’ve really felt like I can let go here in this bedroom.

So I close my eyes and allow myself this one indulgence for a few minutes since these stolen moments with Delaney are going to have to stop soon anyway.

After several minutes, I clear my throat, slowly pull out of his arms, and begin looking for my clothes. As I tug my shirt over my head, Delaney says, “You don’t have to go.”

I offer him a sad sort of smile. “Yeah, I do.”

He sighs and gets out of bed, pulling on his own shirt. “Let me walk you out then.”

“I know where the front door is, you don’t have to do that.”

He sends me a stern expression and says, “Yeah, I do.”

Since I know he’s immoveable once he gets that look on his face, I nod and finish dressing. He kisses me softly at the door with his hands in my hair, then runs his thumbs over my cheeks as he whispers, “See you soon.”

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