Chapter 3

As soon as we sat down on the couch to catch up, my eyes started to close. So, before anything else, a nap was necessary. I’m not usually much for sleeping in the daylight, but there was no choice.

Noises in the house wake me. My phone says I slept for over an hour.

There’s a text from Joy.

Joy:

Went to get some Tacos from Just in Queso. I’ll be back soon.

Unsurprisingly, there’s also a text from my brother Grayson. I had to let someone know where I was going so they didn’t file a missing person report. My family is generally in each other’s business.

Grayson:

You’re extreme, bro. You write to a girl for twenty years without going to see her, then leave before dawn to get to her.

Grayson:

I’ll tell the folks.

Me:

Thanks. Here and safe.

I cross the hall to the bathroom. I wash my face and run a brush through my hair. I almost look human again.

Sitting at the kitchen peninsula is a very pretty woman with dark skin and bright brown eyes. She’s leaning on her elbow and staring at me as I step from the hallway. Her glossy lips purse as she narrows her eyes on me. “Aiden?”

I nod and think back to all the photos I’ve seen over the years. “Lila?”

She breaks into a toothy grin, gets up, and hugs me. “I feel like I’ve known you most of my life. Well, through Joy and your letters.”

“Same. I hope I didn’t startle you.” I say it to be polite, but she is calm and unafraid of me.

“No. Joy texted that you had come when you got her email. I wanted to see you for myself. Jen would be here too, but she’s still at work.” She sits and stares at her hands clasped on the counter.

I head for the cupboard and get a glass and some water. I offer her one, but she shakes her head. Standing across from her, I can see the worry in her eyes. “I would have come sooner if I had known how bad things had gotten. I don’t know why Joy didn’t tell me.”

“Don’t you?” She cocks her head and her curls spill to one side.

Maybe she doesn’t want me here. It’s possible she was just being polite by telling me she was glad I came. “No. Despite having never met before in person, I think we’re good friends.”

Lila opens her mouth, but the door swings open behind her and she shuts it again.

Joy smiles, then, as if catching herself, frowns. “You didn’t have to come over, Lila.”

“I had to get a look at this fine man after all these years,” she says with a flirty smile.

There’s a momentary pause before Joy holds up the paper bag in her hand. “I have tacos. I bought plenty if you want to stay.”

Shaking her head, Lila hugs Joy. “No. I have plans tonight. Now that you have company and I know you won’t be all alone and sad, I’m going to pick up Jen and have a mini girls’ night out. You should join us.” She gives me a long look, then shifts her gaze to Joy.

“Not tonight.” Joy places the takeaway bag on the counter as if the contents were precious and breakable. “Aiden is exhausted, and I’m no fun right now.”

“Okay, but if you change your mind, we’ll be at The Diddled Fiddle.” She kisses Joy on the cheek and gives me a long look before leaving.

“My friends are a little protective.” Joy gets plates and napkins out and sets them out on the counter.

“It’s nice that they care. I would know Jen and Lila anywhere after all these years of exchanging photos.” I unpack the tacos, which smell amazing. “I would have taken you out for a nice dinner. I love Mexican food, but you didn’t have to get takeout.”

She sighs and sits. “Honestly, I don’t feel much like getting dressed up and going out. If it’s okay with you, I’m happy to eat here and Just in Queso is amazing.”

I bite into a beef taco and can’t disagree. “Whatever you want, Joy. I’m here for you.”

How can any human look that good eating a taco? It’s impossible. If I had the energy, I’d put on my nicest clothes so he wouldn’t think I’m a slob in my sweats and baggy tee. Unfortunately, I can’t muster up the strength to care what anyone thinks right now. Besides, Aiden is my friend. He only thinks I need his shoulder.

I’m not denying his big muscular shoulder isn’t nice to cry on, but I don’t want to make more out of his coming here than that.

He insists on cleaning up the minimal mess from dinner, so I curl up on the couch under my favorite blanket. Clicking through the channels, I find Pride and Prejudice at the part where Darcy shows up at his aunt’s house.

When Aiden sits next to me, I move to change the channel. Guys hate this kind of period movie.

He turns the channel back. “My sister loves this version almost as much as the mini-series.” He wraps his arm around me and pulls me against him. “I think the series had more detail from the book.”

“You’ve read Jane Austen?” I meet his gaze just as Darcy tries to explain how he’s not good at meeting new people.

Aiden’s eyes are the brightest blue. His strong jaw and dark-blond hair are like a man from one of my romance novels. He smiles, and I want to capture the moment and never let it go. “I read all the books you recommended over the years. My sisters read them most of the time too.”

“You never said.” It feels too intimate to be this close and stare into his eyes. I rest my cheek on his chest.

“I liked the letters to be about what was happening in our lives. Books are good, but hearing about your days at the beach or going shopping with your mom, that was the great stuff.” His breath tickles the top of my head.

“But you read the books. You must like to read and you know I love to read. We could have talked about books too.”

The scene at the Roman ruin begins and neither of us speaks while we watch the rain pouring down and Darcy and Elizabeth ruining everything while clearly loving each other.

His chest falls with a soft sigh. “When I was younger, I think I was embarrassed that I liked so many of the romance books you recommended. I read the books so I would understand the things you liked. Why did you choose Italy as your graduation trip?”

Heat rises in my neck and face. “Because you said it was your favorite place you lived.”

Tightening his arm around me, he kisses the top of my head.

My body’s response is to heat and tingle in places I shouldn’t. This is my friend. He’s comforting me because my mother died. Get a grip.

“I wouldn’t have changed a thing about our letters, emails, or texts.” His voice is soft, caring, almost loving.

Don’t make more out of it, Joy. This is Aiden. He’s your pen pal, not a lover.“Neither would I.”

At the end of the movie, I’m dozing in his arms. It would be so easy to cuddle in and spend the night like this. It’s not so terrible to want some comfort after losing so much. I’m not a saint and neither is he. What would be wrong with a night on the couch? I edge my chin up so I can see if he’s awake.

His eyes are closed, his mouth slightly open, and his head hangs in the most uncomfortable position. He’ll be in agony if he sleeps all night like that. With a sigh, I shift my weight to sit up.

“Where are you going?” He stretches his arms and neck on a yawn.

“To bed. The movie is over.” I turn the television off.

Leaning forward, he puts his elbows on his knees and his head in his hands. His forearms flex and the definition in his biceps catches the light coming from the kitchen.

Lord, that’s some arm porn. I get up and turn away, closing my eyes to push aside the lustful thoughts about my best friend. “You shouldn’t sleep like that. You’ll be miserable in the morning.” I turn off the lights, check the locks, and go to my bedroom door.

“I liked the way you fit against me.” His voice is barely above a whisper.

Maybe I imagined it. It was so softly spoken and it was so much what I wanted to hear. I could have made it up. Rather that make an ass of myself, I push through to my bedroom.

Once I wash, put on my boy shorts and tank, and get in bed, I let what he said warm me. I liked it too. It was like coming home for the first time.

My house is usually quiet, so I hear all the new noises of a man inside. The water in the bathroom, the doors opening and closing, and the slight squeak when he lies in the guest bed. Wondering what he wears to sleep is not a good idea, but now I can’t get it out of my mind. Is he naked on my sheets or in his underwear? What kind of underwear does he like? Maybe he doesn”t wear them at all.

Fuck!

My body is on fire. The folds of my pussy are wet and my clit pulses for attention. I could take care of it myself, but the bed next door makes another noise. I stare at my ceiling fan until I’m dizzy, but my need doesn’t wane.

Before I can think better of it, I’m out of bed and walking down the hall. Stopping in front of his door, I listen. There’s that little shift of bedsprings again. Slowly, I turn the door knob and look inside.

The streetlight casts shadows in the room. Bare-chested, he sits up. “Are you alright, Joy?”

“Yes. No. I don’t know.” I cross the threshold. “Are you naked?”

“Um… Yes.” His eyes stray from my face, down my body, then return.

Does he like what he sees? Probably not, but I still can’t make my feet leave his room. “Will you hold me for a while?”

He nods, his voice rough. “Do you want me to put my shorts on?”

I only manage to shake my head. My cheeks are on fire. I’m not bold by nature. I like my books and stationery more than most people. Not that I’m frigid, I like sex, but asking is beyond my norm. Most of the time a date will do the asking, so I’m off the hook.

Not giving it too much thought, I strip out of my night clothes and stand there completely vulnerable.

When he doesn’t move after thirty seconds, my brain goes to work. He’s shocked, probably mortified. I bend to pick up my boy shorts. “I’m sorry.” Emotions clog my throat. I’ve ruined a lifelong friendship.

“No.” He tosses back the covers and stands. “Don’t put them back on, Joy. You’re more beautiful than I would have thought possible. Please don’t go. If I’m slow to react, it’s because I’m afraid I’m dreaming, and I might wake up.”

Closing the distance between us, he’s covered in muscles and his thick cock stands out from his ripped abs. Cupping my cheek, he brushes away a tear that escaped. “Are you sure this is what you want? I’d hold you and nothing more if that’s what you need. I’ll give you anything you ask for.”

His broad chest has a light smattering of golden hair that tickles the pads of my fingers as I trace a path from his throat to his belly button. “How can you be this perfect? I need you to make everything else go away tonight, Aiden. Can you do that?” I touch the bead of moisture at the tip of his cock and rub it over the head.

Sucking in a breath, he wraps his hand around my back, cups my ass, and pulls me close so that my hand and his shaft rub against my center. “I can do that.”