Chapter 24
twenty-four
LUCY
I’ve gotten used to slipping out early when dinner’s over.
It’s the polite thing to do, right? Giving Aidan and Isla space before their bedtime routine, not making things weird.
But tonight, as my hand reaches for my coat, Aidan calling my name stops me cold.
There’s a little tug in my chest, and I know it’s because this will be the last time I see him for three whole weeks. My heart does that little drop thing.
I take a slow breath, trying to keep everything in place and to not show how much I don’t want to go. I turn around, keeping my fingers on the sleeve of my coat, and glance at him.
“You don’t have to go yet.”
My stomach twists a little. I want to stay, but I don’t want to overstay my welcome, either. I pull my coat closer to me and hesitate, chewing on the inside of my cheek. “Are you sure? I don’t want to intrude on your last night together before you leave.”
His hand drifts to the back of his neck, fingers catching in his hair in that endearing way he probably doesn’t realize he does. I’ve learned the gesture well by now—his nerves are slipping through.
His eyes meet mine for a split second before quickly darting away. “You’re not intruding, lass.” His voice is low, tender. “I’d like you to stay. If you want to, that is.”
“I’d love to,” I say before I even really think about it. My hands are already moving to hang my coat back up, making the decision for me.
For a split second, relief flashes across Aidan’s face. It’s so quick, so subtle, but it’s there. He nods, his lips curling up just a little at the corner. “Good.” His voice clears, a little husky. “I thought maybe we could watch a movie with Isla if you’re up for it.”
“Sounds perfect.” I follow him into the living room where Isla’s already sprawled across the couch, her bunny clutched close to her chest. Her legs swing lazily in the air with not a care in the world.
“Lucy’s staying for movie night,” Aidan announces.
Isla’s face lights up. “Yay! Can we watch the one with the talking dogs?”
I glance at Aidan, catching the smallest roll of his eyes. The little shift in his expression makes me laugh. “Aye, fine,” he grumbles, sinking into the armchair with a sigh. I know it’s all for show, though. He’s not fooling me for a second.
As the movie starts, I slide onto the couch beside Isla, who immediately curls into my side. Aidan stays where he is, sprawled out in his armchair, his broad shoulders slouched just enough to look casual, but I know he’s still tuned in to everything around him.
When our eyes meet, there’s a spark of amusement in his gaze, and I can almost hear the silent thought. You don’t have to sit so far away.
The movie plays on, but I find myself stealing glances at him without meaning to. The soft flicker of the screen casts shadows across his face, highlighting the sharp, chiseled line of his jaw and the slight curve of his lips. Every time our eyes meet, the world slows down for a moment.
Halfway through the movie, Isla’s body grows heavy against mine. Her head starts to droop as she fights sleep, her soft breaths slowing with each passing second.
“Mission accomplished,” Aidan muses.
I chuckle softly, careful not to disturb her. My fingers instinctively smooth the hair out of her face. “She fought it hard, didn’t she?”
He nods, his eyes softening. “Aye, she always does when I’m leaving. Thinks if she stays awake, morning won’t come.”
I can’t help but feel the ache in my own chest, realizing how much this separation must hurt him, too.
“I’ll take her up,” Aidan mutters, pushing himself up from the armchair.
He gently scoops Isla up into his arms. She stirs just slightly, mumbling something incoherent as she shifts.
Just as quickly, she settles back against him.
He moves toward the stairs with a quiet tenderness that makes my heart squeeze.
It’s a simple act, but the care in the way he holds her, the way he always holds her, says more than any words could.
“Be right back,” he whispers.
I nod, watching as he disappears up the stairs with her. The movie continues playing, but I’m not watching anymore. My mind keeps drifting to the fact that after tonight, I won’t see him for almost a month.
I really like him. He’s gruff, often quiet, and sometimes impossible to read. Then there’s this softness that slips through the cracks sometimes. Rare, unguarded moments when he lets his walls down, even if it’s just for a second.
I hear his footfalls on the stairs before I see him, and my stomach does that flutter thing again. I straighten up on the couch, suddenly unsure where to put my hands. Should I leave now?
When Aidan appears beside me, he pauses for a moment. The soft lamplight catches the angles of his face, and I notice the slight furrow between his brows.
“She went down okay?” I ask, just to break the silence.
He nods, running a hand through his hair. “Aye.”
“I should get going,” I sigh, forcing myself to my feet.
“Stay.”
The word lands between us like a spark. My heart thuds in my chest, too loud, too fast. I glance back at him, his eyes dark and intense in the dim light.
It’s just one word. One simple word, but it feels like he’s opened a doorway I never thought he would, or maybe even one I never expected to walk through.
“Aidan…” I start, but I don’t know how to finish. Don’t know what I’m warning him about or what I’m asking for.
He takes a step closer, and suddenly, I’m acutely aware of the hum of the refrigerator in the kitchen, the way his eyes have darkened to the color of a storm-tossed sea.
I look down, way too aware of how long it’s been since his mouth was on mine.
I’m pretending I’m not aching for it, but neither of us has dared to do too much in front of Isla. Not even a stolen kiss.
“Lucy, please,” he murmurs, his voice low and rough. He lifts his hand, his calloused fingers gently tilting my chin up until I have no choice but to meet his gaze. “I want you to stay.”
I swallow hard, knees shaky. It’s as if I’m sixteen again, nervous and wild and completely undone by one boy’s attention. Only he’s not a boy. He’s all man, all presence, and the way he’s looking at me makes heat trail up my spine.
“I…” I start, but the words crumble as his thumb traces over my bottom lip.
He leans in. His mouth brushes mine, barely there, more breath than kiss. A whisper. A question. It steals every ounce of logic I’ve got left.
I give in.
I give in to his warmth. To the way his lips linger, patient and tentative like he’s not sure if he’s allowed to want this as badly as I do. We’re both trying not to cross a line we’ve already obliterated.
He pulls back just a fraction. His brow furrows, the only sign of uncertainty. If he’s giving me space to make a choice, I don’t need it. I already know what I want.
I reach up, my fingers sliding into his hair, pulling him back down to me.
This time, there’s nothing tentative about the kiss.
It’s all heat and need and everything we’ve both been holding back for too long.
His arms wrap around my waist, drawing me closer until I’m pressed against the solid planes of his body.
“I want to stay,” I whisper against his lips, the words falling out before I can overthink them. I know what staying means tonight, and I want it. All of it.
“Are you sure?”
I nod. “Yes.”
Relief and desire flash in his eyes before he captures my mouth again. The kiss deepens, his tongue sliding against mine, and a soft sound escapes me. His hands tighten at my waist in response.
His lips trail a path along my jaw, down to the curve of my neck. I shiver.
That’s when it hits me. I’m not just interested in Aidan…I’ve already fallen. Harder than I’ve ever fallen for anyone.
I wasn’t supposed to crash into these feelings this hard, this fast. What if he leaves tomorrow and realizes this was all a mistake? Three weeks is a long time to think, to reconsider, to build walls back up. Aidan has walls like a fortress, and I’ve only just begun to see behind them.
Then Aidan’s hands slide up along my sides, his thumbs grazing the underside of my breasts, and suddenly, all my worries scatter.