Chapter 4
Chapter Four
Kennedy
I could not get comfortable no matter what I did. Tossing and turning for hours left me drained and exhausted. Glancing at my phone, I confirmed that it was three-fifteen in the morning as if I hadn’t been scrolling on social media and known how late it had gotten. It would do my body no good to start the day exhausted. Taking a breath, I steeled my nerves and got out of bed. Alden wouldn’t be annoyed at me for asking to sleep with him. I might be annoyed with myself later, but he’d promised to take care of me. I opened his bedroom door, standing in the entrance for longer than appropriate.
“Are you okay, darlin’?” he drawled, his voice thick with sleep.
“I can’t seem to get comfy.”
“Come here.”
Shutting the door behind me, I crossed to his bed. Getting under the covers before I could think about what a colossally bad idea this might be helped shut off the thoughts swirling through my brain.
“I’ve missed you so much, Alden.”
Oh well. So much for not telling him what was on my mind. Alden rolled to face me, his profile outlined by the moonlight filtering in through the windows. He touched my cheek, rubbing his fingers along my jawline.
“I’ve missed you too, Kennedy. I have to be honest about something. Wyatt and I are talking about a relationship.”
My heart clenched. I should have known that after all these years the two of them would get together. I had missed my chance. Letting anger spew seemed more appropriate than talking.
“Why the hell did you invite me into your bed?” I snapped, shoving the blankets off.
“Kennedy–”
“Save it. Why would you act like you wanted to spoil me, pamper me, take care of me?”
“Let me–”
“Wait. I misunderstood. I’m so stupid to think that you meant something more. Sorry for that.”
Heat rushed to my cheeks. Slowly it dawned on me. I’d read into something he hadn’t said.
Alden tugged the blankets back over us. “Are you done spouting about what you think is happening here, Kennedy?”
“No. As usual I didn’t clarify. That’s on me. Sorry for thinking that we could actually… that you’d ever–”
“Can you shush for a minute?”
I pushed the blankets off again, vacating the bed. He followed me, but I wasn’t ready to cave. “I’ll leave in the morning. Later I mean. After I get a few hours of sleep.”
“Not that I’m surprised, but you’re not listening at all.”
“I’m sorry for waking you up.”
“Lay down. If you go back to an empty bed in an empty room you’ll let your anxieties spiral instead of–”
“No!”
He shook his head, one hand planting on my hip. “Whether or not you’re hearing a word I’m saying, you need rest.”
“Good night!” I stomped out of his reach and out of his room, slamming the door behind me. It was petty and childish. I made it to the middle of the hallway before Alden caught up. He wrapped one arm around my waist pulling me into his body, his breath hot against my ear. Everything he did turned me on.
How annoying!
“Listen here, little girl. It is the middle of the night. You were injured on my ranch. Turn your petulant behind around one hundred eighty degrees.”
“Or what?”
“Or I’ll pick you up and carry you to my bed.”
“But you said you’re with Wyatt.”
“Yes, I am. I’d like to be with you too. I’d like the three of us to be together. So would Wyatt.”
“When pigs fly,” I said hotly.
“Let’s talk in the morning. Hear me out.”
Alden offered his hand and I took it, grumbling. Wordlessly he led me to his bed. I’d been poised to tell him off earlier, but him saying we would talk more in the morning had me musing that I was overlooking a lot of unspoken possibilities. It sounded like they had brought up wanting a three-person relationship together with me. Tucking me in against his side, Alden kissed my cheek.
“I’m sorry for stomping away from you, Alden. I should have listened to what you had to say before jumping to conclusions.”
“I care about you very much, Kennedy. I have for a long time.”
“I care about you too,” I whispered.
“In case you didn’t know, Wyatt cares about you also.”
I didn’t dare voice my opinion because I had nothing nice to say. Wyatt was my friend, but I wouldn’t tolerate his recklessness when it came to a relationship. Despite caring for Wyatt deeply, I questioned his dedication and commitment. I nodded to show Alden I was at least listening to what he had to say.
“I don’t want to be an old man of eighty and look back on my life with regrets,” he drawled. “I won’t make the same mistakes I made in my twenties. At least not on purpose. Trust me enough to know that I’d never lead you on.”
“I trust you. More than anyone.”
“I’m glad to hear that. Let’s go to sleep.”
“All right. Good night.”
“Sweet dreams, darlin’.”
I had my concerns still, but they could be brought to light tomorrow. If the three of us were going to balance, Wyatt was going to have to step up and prove himself.