Page 37 of Almost True
She tilted her head to the side. “Why doyouwant to talk about it?”
I exhaled and gazed out at the desert sunset, wondering how I could put this that didn’t sound like a come-on. “I realize that a few hours together months ago doesn’t mean I knew you or know you now, but something feels different.”
Her brows jumped. “Could it be that you know who I am now?”
I was shaking my head before she’d even finished. “No. I mean, yes, I do, and that gives some insights, I guess.” I ran a hand over my too-long beard. “I just keep thinking how scary it must’ve been. Wondering if you knew about it for long. Wondering if you were hurt. If you’re still dealing with any of it.”
Her eyes were on mine, studying me. I couldn’t tell what she was gauging or what she expected, but she sighed again. “I was in a pretty bad place coming here a few weeks ago. It’d been months with this guy leaving me notes, sending me things. There was an issue with my security team, and I’d wanted an extended break, but I stopped sleeping. I couldn’t remember basic things because I was so stressed and exhausted, and I worried I’d make a mistake I couldn’t fix if I didn’t remove myself. I couched it in the shell of a sabbatical, which isn’t all that typical, but it’s more acceptable than ‘I have to take time off because this stalker is freaking me out so much I can’t sleep or think.’”
She forced a laugh but my heart twisted, wretched with the thought of her so stressed and scared she couldn’t do what she loved—work. I heard the fear and pain and regret, and I guessed there were many other thoughts and feelings underneath.
“I’m so sorry.”
“I’m just glad it’s over. The day we ran into each other, I was finally starting to wrap my head around life without that cloud hanging over me, and seeing you…”
I didn’t know if this would cross a line, but I couldn’t stop myself from reaching for her. “Come here, please.”
She looked at me askance but stepped closer. I kept her gaze as I slowly wrapped my arms around her and held her close.
CHAPTERTWENTY
Maddie
Aidan’s arms were as strong and appealing and safe as I remembered. Granted, the night we met, the kiss, and brief embrace we’d shared, hadn’t been on the heels of the most traumatic experience of my life. I hadn’t worried aboutsafe, then.
But he had been like that the first time, too. There was no other explanation for why I’d been willing to talk with him—to even stay at that bar without security nearby—if I hadn’t felt he was safe on some level. Maybe we could blame a bit of that on his ridiculously appealing looks, too, but I saw plenty of beautiful men, and I certainly didn’t talk to them all.
Granted, they didn’t have thatthingthat Aidan possessed—that rough, capable handsomeness. Add to that the whole loving father and devoted son-in-law, and he was catnip of the highest order.
I wrapped my arms around him so he’d know this wasn’t a transgression. If only he knew how welcome it was. Juliet hugged me. She was a naturally physical person—she touched shoulders, held hands, hugged, kissed cheeks. The woman starved for affection at times, but she’d admit it. I felt it the same, but only she knew that about me.
Breathing in the warm scent of him sent champagne bubbles bursting in my belly. He had this clean, warm scent that was part soap, part clean detergent, part spicy, manly deodorant or something. All completely appealing to me.
He tucked his head in close and spoke in that low, sturdy voice I’d dreamed of hearing. “I’m so glad you’re okay. I’m sorry you had to go through that. And I’m glad you came back here.”
On reflex, I turned my face toward his and the sides of our heads grazed each other, my temple to the curve of his jaw. It was intimate. This was close. Our bodies were just shy of fully touching—just whispers of breaths apart.
He couldn’t know how much the possibility of seeing him had driven me to return. I wouldn’t admit that to Juliet when she’d prodded, or even myself, but I’d known it was true. I hadn’t wanted to take the crap storm of a stalker to my brother’s doorstep. My parents weren’t an option because we would’ve argued nonstop. But coming back to Silverton, where I’d had this tiny glimpse of a fantasy life? It’d seemed like the answer to a question I’d been asking ever since I’d left all those months ago.
His muscles tensed with one last squeeze. I thought about resting my head down on his shoulder or sliding my hands up his back and over what were definitely beautifully defined muscles. But before any of that could happen, he released me, stepping back and far enough away I couldn’t easily touch him.
“Sorry. I don’t know if that’s legal in our friendship or not. I hope you’ll forgive me if it wasn’t.” He looked back out at the sky, hands gripping the banister.
“Don’t be silly. Of course it’s fine.”In fact, I’d like another, please. And another after that.
The slight flush to his cheeks made me wonder if he really had no idea how much I wanted to have him close. Maybe my suggestion of friendship had confused things, but it certainly seemed preferable to the tundra that stretched between us before. I attempted to lighten things. “I’ve realized a lot is lacking in my life. That might sound insane to say, but one of the things I’ve been missing is high quality hugs.”
Surprise flitted across his handsome face. “A truth no more.”
I grinned. “Well, there’s one thing down.”
He inched toward me, his eyes instantly so full of fire, I could hardly stand to return his gaze.
“What else is lacking?”
Heat sizzled through me. Goodness, the man had a way of making normal words sound suggestive. Paired with this intense stare, my heart rate had tripled.
“Simple joys. Rest. Deep relationships.”Love.But I couldn’t say that now. It’d be too obvious, and I didn’t like how obvious I’d already been. He’d been the one to reject me, after all.
