Page 70 of Townshipped
Not the farmhouse.
Oh, yeah. The hotel.
“What time is it?” I ask.
My throat feels raw.
“Around four. You were screaming in your sleep.”
An urgent knock sounds at the door.
“It’s Aiden. May I come in? Is Em okay?”
He heard me. A flush creeps up my neck, prickling my already damp skin.
“Coming!” Lexi says in a stage whisper.
The door opens and Aiden’s pajama-clad figure comes into view, the epitome of manhood. He could be a sleepwear model. They would sell out on day one.
The other times we’ve been together in the middle of the night have ended with us kissing. I can practically feel the kisses we shared ghosting across my lips as I take in Aiden’s white T-shirt and plaid pj bottoms. He’s barefoot and his hair is rumpled.
“I’m fine,” I say.
Aiden scowls. There’s no malice in his gaze, only concern and a protective streak that is so very Aiden.
“So that was yourI’m finescream?”
“I’m finenow,” I clarify with a lift of one brow.
Aiden moves from the doorway toward me. He doesn’t appear to plan on keeping a friendly distance. He strides across the room toward me with a singularity of purpose.
When he reaches my bed, he settles onto the edge of the mattress. The whole bed sags toward him. I actually roll in his direction. This mattress might be better defined as a glorified camping mat or bed roll, except it has lumps in odd places.
I’ve been trying not to think too deeply about what I’m sleeping on considering I have to make it my bed for the night.
“My dad,” Aiden says with a huff. “Can’t even pick a hotel with actual mattresses. What are these things anyway?”
I start to speak.
“Don’t even think about saying the wordfineright now, Em. These aren’t fine. You’re not fine. Nothing is fine!”
He’s losing it.
Aiden stands and starts pacing back and forth in the sliver of space between Lexi’s bed and mine.
Some men are all alpha male, dominant to the point of being overbearing. Other men are easy-going to the point of passivity. Aiden is the perfect blend of strong and kind. He’s a leader, but he knows when to pull back.
And then there are times like this, when he’s hit his limit and all his maleness rises up like foam on a soda. I find myself liking this untamed side of Aiden a little too much. Maybe because I trust he’d never make me the brunt of his anger or frustration.
There’s something alluring about a man who contains all that force and strength most days. It makes me feel safe enough to depend on him, like nothing can harm me when he’s near.
Trevor walks in the door, a stark contrast to Aiden with his calm presence. Aiden runs his hand through his hair, making him look more wild and disheveled than when Lexi first opened the door to let either of them into our room.
“Lex?” Trevor says softly.
She nods. Some sort of silent communication seems to pass between them.
My gaze flits from them to Aiden and back.
