Reclaimed (Powell Sanctuary #5)

Chapter 14

14

Isla

A warm heat presses along the length of my back. My eyes flutter open, greeted by the sliver of sunlight streaming through the cream, gauzy curtain covering the singular window in my bedroom. The intoxicating mix of citrus and spice reminds me Aiden is still in my bed. By the steady rise and fall of his chest, he’s fast asleep.

My heart squeezes. Good. He needed a good nights’ rest. For days, I could hear him out on my couch, tossing and turning, sometimes keeping me awake as I’d try to find the courage to invite him in, while at the same time searching for a way to keep him at bay. Last night I had enough. That couch isn’t made for sleeping on long term, and add in his shoulder injury, he had to be in incredible pain. But in true Aiden Powell fashion, he’d grin and not say a word. Always sacrificing himself so the people around him can be comfortable.

It doesn’t have to mean anything, him sleeping in my bed. Even though I can’t remember the last time I woke up like this. Contented. Warm. Wrapped in a strong arm. His fingers lay limp against my soft belly, against the still unnoticeable growing bump. And for a moment, I let myself picture what it could be like if the baby were really his.

I close my eyes and snuggle back into his heat, feeling his thighs crooked behind mine. His hips give a sleepy thrust and I freeze.

My breath hitches, and I let out a tiny gasp.

His erection is pressed up against my ass. And he’s hard, so incredibly hard. A steady pulse begins between my thighs, so close to where he’s touching me.

Extricating myself from the situation takes herculean strength because his morning wood sent my hormones into overdrive. The throb is so incessant that I need to bite back a needy whimper and palm my clit to relieve the ache. The brush of the heel of my hand nearly trips me into an orgasm, and I rip my fingers away. Not here. I can’t do that next to him.

I throw on my cherry robe from the back of my door and slip out into the hall. The cool morning air sends a shiver through me and thankfully chases away some of my arousal. I focus on the feeling of the cold hardwood beneath my bare feet as I make my way into the kitchen.

Chevy greets me by the coffee machine, butting into my hand for his good morning pets. I can’t say I’m thrilled about a cat walking all over my counters. If I truly cared, I’d move the stool in the corner so he couldn’t reach with his three legs, but I make an exception for the little gentleman. I didn’t grow up with pets, mostly because my parents didn’t believe in the concept, but that doesn’t mean I never wanted one. If I had to choose a pet, Chevy would be my number one pick.

I give him a scoop of his food and refresh his water before I start the pot of decaf. True to his word, Aiden’s kept his caffeinated cups out of my house. Something I’m grateful for. I still mourn the taste of a morning cup and the jolt it brings. Though this natural waking up bullshit is growing on me.

I’m gathering ingredients for this morning’s pancakes when I pause at the sound of my bedroom door opening. A second later, the bathroom door clicks closed. I roll the tension from my shoulders, and set out my utensils. Focus on cooking. Ignore Aiden Powell getting wet and naked down the hall.

It’s not like last night has to mean anything. It was just sleeping. I was doing both of us a favor. Me, to stop hearing him rolling around all night. Him, a better place to sleep that won’t hurt his shoulder as much. That’s it. It means nothing.

Even with his erection pressed against my ass this morning, it means nothing. Biology and all that.

As the shower runs in the background, I blow a strand of brown hair from my eye and get started measuring and whisking. When the pan sizzles, I portion out the batter into perfectly round circles, and flip when the bubbles begin to pop.

I whip up a second batch just to keep myself busy. By the time I hear Aiden’s footsteps down the hall, I’m mixing the raspberries, lemon, and sugar for the raspberry compote to go on top.

“Smells delicious, starshine,” his deep rumble sounds from behind me.

“It’s almost ready.” I glance over my shoulder and drop my spoon.

He’s in his towel—again. His muscled chest glistens with missed droplets, and the way his wet hair is slicked back on his head makes me want to run my fingers through it. As if he can hear my thoughts, he leans forward and shakes his head, dragging his fingers through the soaked strands.

“You’re dripping,” I protest.

“So are you.” He flashes me a crooked grin.

“I am not,” I bite out, feeling the slickness as I clench my thighs beneath my robe.

“Your raspberry sauce.” He points behind me, his voice filled with humor. “It’s running down the side of your pan.”

I flush the color of my sauce as I spin back around and retrieve my spoon, throwing it in the sink. Utensils rattle as I yank open the drawer on my left and find a new one.

“It’ll be ready once you’re dressed.”

“Can I do anything to help?” He leans closer. The scent of his body wash overtakes the sweetness of the raspberries.

“No,” I mumble as I close my eyes and breathe him in.

“Thanks for cooking breakfast, starshine.” His mouth touches the top of my hair and then he departs down the hall.

The chaotic rhythm of my heart doesn’t slow until I have the food plated and waiting on the table. Only once I sit do my shoulders sag as the tension leaks from my fingertips.

Just in time for Aiden to return. Fully clothed.

His stare is heavy as he waits patiently for me to fill my plate. I feel like he’s studying me, but what he’s looking for, I can’t be sure.

“Do you think we jumped into this a little too quickly?” I stab my fork into a slice of pancake and chase my question by shoving it into my mouth.

Aiden wipes his mouth on a napkin. “Jumped into what too quickly?”

“This. Us.” I twirl my fork between us.

“I think your safety is worth what we’re doing.”

“We don’t even know if I’m in any danger. It’s been two weeks and nothing has happened.”

Aiden sets his fork down and leans back. “I knew I shouldn’t have gone into your room last night.”

“It’s not that. I want you in my room. I think that’s the problem.” I can’t look at him while I’m working through this. He has a face made for falling in love.

“Spell it out for me, starshine, because it sounds like you want me to pack my things and go. And I’ll be honest, I’d do that for you because you asked me to, but not because I want to. I’d just have to find some other way to keep you safe until we know there’s no longer a threat.”

“Why do you have to be so sweet?”

“I’m not trying to be sweet, but if you think so, then I guess that’s just who I am. Now why don’t you tell me exactly what’s going on in your head so I can help you sort through it.”

I glide my tongue over a raspberry stain on my lip. “I don’t want you to hurt me, and when this is over, no matter how much I try to keep you at a distance, I think it’s still going to hurt.”

His expression falls as if I slapped him. “I’d never intentionally hurt you. What did I do to give you that impression?”

“A history of crappy men set the standard, I’m sorry to say.”

His eyes darken. “In what way?”

Shaking my head, I spear another bite. “Nothing like that. Just the typical cheaters, losers, and uncommitted types.”

He runs his tongue over his lower lip as his eyes light with agitation. “I’m not those men.”

I nod. “I know. You have to understand how vulnerable I am right now. My emotions are all over the place because of the pregnancy and this murderer, and then I wake up to you in the morning and it feels like the most natural thing in the world while at the same time like it’s going to disappear like that.” I snap my fingers for emphasis. “And the longer you stay, the more it feels like I won’t be able to handle it when you go.”

“So don’t.”

“Don’t what?”

“Don’t let me go.”

“That’s not really an option right now. I have this baby to think about.”

“You’re in charge here, Isla. I’m just along for the ride. You tell me what you want and I’ll do it. Don’t be afraid to ask.”

“Thank you. I’m sorry.” I smile sadly and spear some more pancake on my fork. “I woke up on the wrong side of the bed this morning and let my thoughts get away from me.”

Aiden reaches across the table and taps my hand with his index finger. “We can trade sides if that’ll help.”

I roll my eyes.

“In all honesty,” he picks up his own fork, “even though it doesn’t seem like it, I do still think this is the best course. We can reevaluate whenever you want, but until I hear more about this guy being found, your safety isn’t something to take lightly.”

“I know. With the baby, I agree with you. If it was just me, I’d manage on my own, but I can’t gamble with this little one.” I curl my arm protectively around my belly.

“Then don’t. I mean it when I say being here is no hardship.”

“Do you promise to let me know if it ever becomes one?” The thought of hurting him on accident twists a knot around my organs.

Aiden smiles softly as he chews and swallows. “I promise you’ll be the first to know.”