Page 160 of Collide
Aiden steals a stack of pancakes and sits beside Aurora, who licks her plate clean. “I’m done! Let’s go play hockey.”
“Uh-uh, you still have to clean the playroom, remember? That was our deal,” I remind her.
She deflates, looking at Aiden who is hyper-focused on his plate. One glance at her, and he is going to be the one cleaning the room. “Daddy,” she says in that sweet, sweet voice.
Aiden closes his eyes for a brief moment. “Aurora, you have to do what you promised.”
She pouts, doe-eyed, and blinking up at him. Damn, she’s good. Better than me.
He sighs in defeat. “I’ll come to help you if you get started.”
She lights up, running out of the kitchen and to her playroom. I shake my head in pity, laughing at the poor guy.
“She has your eyes, you know,” Aiden says. He gets up to put his plate in the sink.
“Oh, so it’s my fault she has you wrapped around her finger?”
“You do too,” he says matter-of-factly, loading the dishwasher. “How are you feeling? Still no appetite?”
I shrug, trying to cling to my residual annoyance. Just when I think he’ll let me get away with it, he wraps his arms around my waist, pressing my back against his chest. “I’m sorry. I promise it’ll never happen again. We can re-watch it or find a new show.”
It almost makes me laugh that he’s treating this so seriously. If I was thinking more clearly, I wouldn’t have had the reaction I did. But knowing he cares about the little things melts my heart. “I slept horribly last night.”
“Me too. My workout was rough. Even Eli said I was off.”
I knew that. Only because Eli texted the group chat a picture of Aiden looking disheveled this morning. Kian and Dylan found it especially funny, and happened to guess that he probably pissed me off because that’s the only time he’s grumpy.
Aiden’s palms flatten against my stomach, and I place my hands over his, skimming his diamond-studded band. He had both our rings engraved on our first anniversary withI love you, like a lot.
“I don’t like sleeping away from you.” He rubs my belly, though it's still too early to have a bump. “When are we telling the rugrat about this one?”
“Maybe when I’m further along. She really loves being an only child right now.”
“She’ll be a great big sister,” he says, turning me in his arms. “I love when you’re pregnant.”
I raise a brow. “That’s just because my hormones give me the sex drive of a horny teenager.”
“Well, yeah, but also because we made something with our love.” His cheesiness makes my insides mushy. “Would’ve never thought the stubborn psychology student would willingly carry my children.”
“Me neither,” I snort. He flares until my smile breaks free. “But I wouldn’t have it any other way.” His hands move lower, and it’s like a switch when his lips brush against my neck.
His hips press against mine. “Want me to take you right here? Nice and slow, Sum.”
I really did miss him last night. “Y—”
“I’m done. Let’s go!” We break apart when Aurora runs straight to us, and Aiden lifts her in his arms.
“Okay, I’m going to check the room though. If it’s not clean, we can’t go,” warns Aiden.
She gasps, sliding out of Aiden’s hold to run off again.
I’m shaking with laughter when he hugs me, sighing contentedly. “You think this one’s going to be as wild as she is?”
He rubs my belly. “Nah, I think this one will be more like me.”
I scoff. “You can’t seriously think Rory has my personality.”
“I don’t know. She’s stubborn as hell.” He leans in and my eyes narrow. “She’s the most beautiful girl I’ve ever seen.” I soften. “And she’s got me wrapped around her finger.” I lay my head on his chest and, like this, I can hear the calming beat of his heart, as well as Rory’s toys clattering down the hall.
