Page 31 of Hard Knock Hero

“What would give you that impression?”

“Your voice when you talk about them. Like they’re people who matter.”

He grunted. “I guess. They’ve always loved me and supported me. And forgiven me for all my nonsense.”

“No, you’re right. That sounds awful.”

He snickered. We’d turned toward one another, propping our heads on our hands and our elbows against the back of the couch. I had no idea what time it was, but I wasn’t the least bit tired. “What about you?” he asked. “How did you start cooking?”

I told him about my makeshift culinary training based on YouTube videos and TikTok tutorials. So many failed experiments. Saving every penny so I could spend them on ingredients. Thrift-shop cooking tools and hand-me-down cast iron pans.

“My favorite videos were the ones taught by chefs in France. I even watched the ones in French and tried to figure out what they were saying. I wanted to learn different cuisines from all over the world.” I rolled my eyes at myself. “I’ve never left Colorado, though.”

Aiden didn’t miss a beat. “Out of anywhere in the world, where would you want to go most?”

“Paris,” I said, no hesitation on my part either. “Have you been there?”

“Yeah, and it seemed nice. Great food. But otherwise, I didn’t really get it. The mystique it has.”

“Are you kidding? You did it wrong if that’s what you think. Paris is magical.” I shrugged. “Or so it seems in the YouTube videos I watch. I’m sure it’s disappointing in real life. It’s a cliche to want to go there, anyway.”

“Don’t say that,” he said softly. “It’s okay to want what you want. Maybe if I went to Paris with you, I’d see it differently.”

Aiden’s eyes were on me. And I didn’t know how to respond. What he’d just said had probably been a throwaway comment. Yet it had touched the soft, eager hopes of my heart. The part that wanted someone to care about how I saw the world. To seeme.

We’d been talking for so long that I didn’t feel like I was in my studio apartment anymore. I wasn’t in Hartley. I was in some dreamlike place where I could let my mind wander, and somehow, this handsome man was wandering with me.

His hand was resting on his knee. Inches away. I knew this was a risk, but I didn’t let myself question. I crossed that gap between us and placed my hand on his.

His eyebrows lifted, this time curious.

Aiden rotated his wrist so our palms touched, and my breath hitched. His fingers stroked against mine, and I held my breath. We were hardly even touching, but suddenly lightning was shooting off everywhere inside me.

“This all right?” He must’ve noticed my reaction because his hand went still. “Should I stop?”

“I just…” I cleared my throat. “Sorry. I haven’t touched anyone like this in a long time.” I squeezed my eyes shut, wishing I hadn’t admitted that.

We wereholding hands. It was nothing.

But for me, it was major. I’d hugged Scarlett plenty of times, because Scarlett was affectionate. But that wasn’t the same asthis. Aiden’s large hand beneath mine, our palms together, his heat, his calloused fingers making tingles race over every inch of my skin. As if my hand was an erogenous zone connected to every other part of me.

“No one since Jeremy?” Aiden asked.

“I haven’t let anyone get close enough.”

“That’s a shame.” Slowly, he flipped my hand so his was now on top of mine. Aiden’s fingertips dragged along each of my digits until they reached my palm. Then his thumb brushed a circle there, and I actuallymoaned.

“Feels good?”

“Yes,” I whispered.So good.

“I might be emotionally stunted,” he said wryly, “but I like to be touched, too.” He was watching our hands. “You feelverygood, Jessi.”

Those words coming out of his mouth set off fireworks at my nerve endings. I imagined him pressing that mouth to my hand. My arm. My lips.More.

Too much. Too, too much. My vision feathered. I was lightheaded.

I pulled my hand away. “I don’t want to give you the wrong idea. Inviting you up here wasn’t for…that.”

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