Chapter 35
“You can’t blame yourself for that. It’s because you loved him.” Aaron paused for a moment, as if searching for the right words. “You gave him everything. Of course it’s going to hurt. It doesn’t make you a fool, you’re just someone who fell in love.”
“Besides, the problem isn’t you. They realized they could distort the facts and make you believe you were the problem. They took advantage of your insecurities, took your love and weaponized it.”
I closed my eyes and leaned back in the seat. He was right. I could feel tears prickling behind my eyes, threatening to fall. I blinked them back.
Aaron glanced at me, then turned his attention back to the road. “You don’t have to pretend to be strong in front of me.”
His words soothed me, even if it was just a little bit. Aaron has constantly proved himself to be everything Xander couldn’t be. My lips trembled, but I nodded. I didn’t trust myself enough to speak.
The rest of the drive passed in silence. It wasn’t oppressive, or tense like earlier. It was gentle, comforting… like we understood each other. I welcomed it. I needed some time to organize my thoughts anyway.
By the time we pulled into the driveway, I’d forgotten all about Xander. Aaron stepped out first and rounded the car. He opened my door, like a gentleman.
I hesitated. The soreness in my thighs flared the second I tried to move, and I winced in pain. Aaron was at my side in an instant, standing mere inches away from me.
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He was so close that I could feel his warmth against my skin. My wolf stirred in excitement. His scent flooded my senses… I needed him.
“Let me help you.”
I mustered the strength to roll my eyes. “I can walk just fine.” It was a lie.
Aaron flashed me his signature grin. “You don’t have to walk on your own.”
He was so close to me that my heart started to race. I could feel the heat of him, the solid muscles on his legs pressing against my body. For a second, I almost forgot how much pain I was in.
I shook my head, forcing myself to stay calm, to not lean into him like my body wanted to. Part of me tensed, fearing that he would scoop me
- up.
Instead, he leaned down and placed a hand on my leg. “You’re going to be okay.” He brushed his thumb over my knee gently. “Whatever you need, I’ll make sure you have it. I’ll give you everything you want. Hell, I’ll even give you a thousand children if that’s what it takes to make you smile again.”
I looked at him for a long moment. The words slipped out before I could stop myself. “What if what I want is you?”
He froze for a beat, eyes widening like he hadn’t expected me to actually say it. Then, something shifted in his gaze.
Without a word, he leaned in and kissed me… God, he’s kissing me.
The kiss was everything I’d been trying not to think about ever since the first time he smirked at me. It’s possessive, hungry, stealing my
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breath away.
I moaned into his mouth before I even realized I’d done it. But I don’t shy away from my desire. I slid my hands up his chest, gripping the tight fabric of his shirt. Needing to feel his skin, I let my claws rip at his shirt and spread my fingers over his flesh.
His fingers moved to my waist like he’s memorizing the shape of me. He pulled back slightly and stared straight into my eyes. “I can’t stop myself.”
I leaned into him. “I don’t want you to.”
“Good.” His lips brushed across my eyebrows, my nose, the curve of my neck. I tipped my head back, sighing in satisfaction. I clutched his shoulders, afraid to let go.
His lips found mine again, more desperate this time. His hands were everywhere, and mine were just as eager.
Before I could process what was happening, he slipped his arms beneath me and scooped me up. He carried me out of the car, his mouth finding mine again and again.
By the time we stumbled through the front door, I didn’t care about my aching limbs. All that existed was his touch. We moved through the living room in a rush. I couldn’t remember the last time I felt anything so intense, so wonderful. I didn’t want it to stop.
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