Total pages in book: 77
Estimated words: 77398 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 387(@200wpm)___ 310(@250wpm)___ 258(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 77398 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 387(@200wpm)___ 310(@250wpm)___ 258(@300wpm)
Does this mean we were together?
Do older men have girlfriends? Why did that sound so juvenile?
Suddenly, I heard a soft knock on the door, tearing me away from my impulsive thoughts. At first, I was going to ignore the sound, but my feet did the walking for me. I opened the door and I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t surprised he was standing there in his gym shorts. Waiting for me to open the door to let him in.
Shirtless.
Sexy.
Oh God help me…
“Hey,” I whispered, bowing my head. Feeling all sorts of emotions I couldn’t fathom or explain.
In that instant, standing in front of him, I felt two inches tall and super insecure. The man had just seen me butt-ass naked and there I was being all weird about it.
He grabbed my chin, making me look at him.
“Talk to me.”
Those three words carried a mean ass punch and I felt each one in the pit of my stomach.
Taking a deep breath that made my chest hurt, I brushed it off, babbling, “We just played doctor, Aiden. I’m pretty sure I’m never going to be able to look at my gynecologist the same way again.”
He busted out laughing, and not one of those scoffing chuckles I was used to hearing. He full-on belly laughed from deep within his chest, reminding me so much of Journey.
Oh, Little Miss. I missed my girl.
“I don’t know what you find so funny. You ruined exams for me now.”
He didn’t hesitate in calling me out. “Are you trying to avoid what’s really bothering you by making me laugh?”
I narrowed my eyes at him, with a stern, pointed look.
How did he always know what I was thinking?
“How do you do that?”
“Do what?”
“You know what.”
He grinned before licking his lips, and I went from confused to aroused in seconds.
“Does it bother you, Cami? That I know what’s in your head and your heart?”
“See… and then you say swoony stuff and I’m just like hold me.”
He smiled with kind eyes, being all sinful and adorable at the same time.
“What can I say, sweetheart? We’re connected. And we more than played doctor, my Tiny Dancer.”
“Oh yeah?”
“Mmm hmm. Are you going to let me in?”
“Oh, you’ve been in.”
He smirked like a fool.
I stepped back, nodding for him to step inside. “I sleep on the right side.”
“How presumptuous of you to think I was spending the night.”
“Oh, no. I didn’t mean…you don’t—”
He brought his finger up to my lips. “I’m teasing. There’s nowhere else I’d rather sleep than with you in my arms.”
I smiled, feeling somewhat at ease. But there was still this huge elephant in the room, and it came in the form of…
His wife.
<>Aiden<>
I turned off the light before lying next to her, pulling her as close to my body as possible. She came effortlessly, sighing wholeheartedly before passing out within seconds.
I don’t know how long I laid there awake holding her. Taking in the sensation of her tiny frame against my chest, hearing her soft breaths on my skin, and the way she twitched in her sleep. Loving the feel of her in my arms, I never wanted it to end.
I was happy.
Guilty.
Conflicted as fuck.
She felt so goddamn right. I’d forgotten what it was like to sleep in a bed with someone and feel so utterly complete.
So blissfully content.
So at peace.
I’m sorry, Bailey… I’m so fuckin’ sorry.
I watched her sleep until my eyes gave way.
Until my mind shut off.
Until nothing else mattered but having her in my arms.
Never imaging what sleep would bring on.
“Aiden… baby… you need to wake up for me now.”
“Hmm…” I stirred, thinking I was hearing Bailey’s voice.
Was I dreaming?
“Come on, Aiden Pierce. Open those bright blue eyes I love.”
This was how she woke me up every morning. This was why I couldn’t sleep in our room, in our bed. She wasn’t there to wake me up anymore.
My eyes fluttered open and through the sleepy haze, I saw her gorgeous face.
My Bailey.
My Beauty.
After all the times I hoped, I prayed, she was finally there with me.
I didn’t breathe.
I didn’t blink.
I didn’t move an inch.
I just laid there staring at her, terrified if I did any of those things, she’d leave me once again.
“Bay,” I said above a whisper, scared even that would make her leave.
She tilted her head to the side, caressing the side of my face.
Staring at me so intently.
So lovingly.
So fucking Bailey.
“Hey, baby.” She smiled with tears in her gaze, holding it together for me.
We stayed there just like that.
Where time stood still.
For me.
For her.
For us.
She was the first to break the silence, rasping, “I miss you so much, Aiden Pierce.”
I didn’t hold back. I snapped, crying like a fucking baby.
“Shhh…” she muttered, hugging me into her chest. I wrapped my arms around her waist, holding her as tight as I could, dying to keep her against me for as long as I could.