Chapter 22
CHAPTER 22
A iden stood in the bathroom doorway, leaning on the jamb while June drew him a bath. He felt like an invalid, both because June was waiting on him like one and because he was slightly weak, not having eaten all day. He hadn’t thought of food, but now that he had, he was famished. June promised to “rustle something together,” while he had his bath. That was a fine proposition, but he had a better one.
“We could share the bath.” He made himself blurt it before the hunger-fueled delirium went away, along with his courage.
June straightened slowly and turned to face him, the tub’s faucet blasting loudly behind her. “What?” She cupped her hand around her ear.
Aiden pointed between them. “It could be a joint bath, a husband and wife thing.”
She tipped her head, studying him, probably trying to figure out if he meant it. When she realized he did, her face turned away, cheeks flushing. “That’s…” She stopped there.
Aiden, who felt as if he had nothing to lose after the last few days, strode forward and rested his arms on her waist. “Don’t be afraid of me, June.”
“I’m not afraid of you . I…”
Before she could find her words or protest, he kissed her, a different sort of kiss than the ones that came before. This one was full of all the things he’d been trying to hide—the pent up desire, the longing and secret shame he’d harbored when he and Erica were together. He hadn’t let himself picture June when he was with Erica, but it had taken monumental effort. And there was relief, so much relief that he no longer had to deny that attraction, that he could picture the woman he was actively kissing. Better, she was kissing him in return.
He picked her up, slightly thrilled he was able to do so. She was tall, tall people could hide their weight well. But there was no extra weight on June who felt like a wisp in his arms as he cinched her closer, tugging her legs around his waist. Still, it wouldn’t do to drop her. He set her on the counter. She leaned back slightly, drawing him with her. He was all too glad to follow, tipping his head to deepen the kiss, sliding his fingers in her silky blond hair. The bath would probably overflow and ruin the floor and ceiling below, but Aiden didn’t care; he didn’t care about anything except June. June’s lips, June’s scent which, at the moment, smelled like a campfire.
Realization dawned for them at the same moment. Their eyes snapped open. June was on fire, and not in the good way. Her shirt had somehow gotten too close to one of the candles she lit for Aiden’s bath. After smoldering unnoticed, it was now an actual flame, one that was beginning to spread as it traveled upward and toward her hair.
Aiden grabbed the shirt, yanked it over her head, and tossed it in the now-filled bathtub. They stared at the bathtub together, mute with shock before finally facing each other.
“I’ve never caught on fire before,” June said softly.
“You’re welcome,” Aiden said, tossing her a smug little wink.
She tittered and quickly wiped it away. “Aiden, we have to stop this. I don’t want to hurt you.” She wound her fists in his shirt, giving it a little tug.
“June, it’s fine,” Aiden assured her. He looked for an appropriate spot to touch her in return, but without her shirt there was none. After an awkward few flutters, he pressed his palms to the counter on either side of her instead.
“Aiden, it is not fine. I literally spontaneously combusted. ”
“Hey, I know how it is,” he said. He worked hard to make his tone reassuring, pushing away the overheated lust that would now be totally inappropriate. The still-running bath caught his attention. He swiveled to turn it off before bestowing his attention back on June. Without the loud roar of the water, the room felt unnaturally hushed.
“You know I’m a walking disaster,” June said, sounding uncharacteristically melancholy and miserable.
“Don’t say that,” Aiden said. “We both have our issues here.”
“We do, but being jilted by an undeserving bride doesn’t much resemble being a walking embodiment of everyone’s worst nightmare.”
“You are no one’s nightmare,” Aiden said.
“My insurance provider begs to differ,” June said, regaining some of her plucky humor. She sniffed and dabbed her palms at her leaky eyes.
“We’re going to figure this out,” Aiden promised.
She shook her head.
“June,” he said, his hands leaving the counter to try and find a safely touchable spot. When he realized his choices were exposed skin or bra, he settled on the counter again.
“Can you do something for me?” June said, interrupting his awkward hand jive.
“Anything.”
“You have to stop this.” She pointed between them. “Whatever’s happening here, it can’t happen. Let’s go back to being friends. Friends won’t hurt us.”
“June,” he started, but she furiously shook her head.
“I mean it, Aiden. I can’t…” she paused to take a shuddering breath. “I cannot live with the thought of hurting you, not on top of everything else. It would kill me. Please, please . If you care about me at all, please stop what this is and pull back.”
She looked so wretchedly miserable. Aiden felt torn. Of course he didn’t want to cause her pain, but he didn’t think he could push through and help her find a cure by leaving her alone. “Okay.” For now, he added to himself. For now he would pause and pull back, which was probably a good thing for his own wellbeing. He wasn’t exactly in the best place right now, as evidenced by the fact that he hadn’t bathed since he couldn’t remember when. Newly cognizant of his stench, he stood upright, taking a step back.
June mistook it as a sign of his agreement and smiled, relieved. She kissed her finger and touched it to his cheek. “I’m going to make supper while you have your bath.”
He nodded, afraid that if he opened his mouth he couldn’t control what came out. June on a normal day was beautiful and appealing. June shirtless, lips puffy from his kisses, was completely irresistible. And now totally off limits.
June let herself out and Aiden glanced at the bath. By now it was probably tepid, hopefully cool enough to chill his overheated emotions and hormones. I can do this, he coached himself as he stripped and stepped into the bath. All I have to do is not touch the woman who lives in the same house, my beautiful and perfect wife with the beautiful and perfect body.
Today he had only seen the top half of her on display. It was his bad luck he could also fill in the missing bottom half from the day he gave her a shot.
With a groan, he cursed his misfortune and sank fully beneath the water.