Page 98 of Townshipped
Aiden lifts his hand and runs it down my hair. My eyes flutter shut and I release a sigh.
“I’m trying …” he says, almost as though he’s talking to himself.
“What are you trying?” I ask him.
“To keep a distance. For their sake.”
“They are not here right now.”
“No, they aren’t.” His smile turns into something between a smirk and a satisfied look of determination.
“I’m going to kiss you, Em. Unless you stop me.”
“I’m not going to stop …” I don’t even have a chance to finish my sentence before Aiden’s mouth is on mine.
His hands move—one settles on my lower back and the other cups my head as he draws me in toward him. I reach behind him and hold on to his back, gripping him like a lifeline.
Finally.
I sigh into our kiss. I can’t help it. His touch feels like sweet relief. I’ve craved him.
Feeling emboldened, I start to take over the kiss, to take what I’ve been waiting for while I held my secret, what I’ve wondered about over the past few days since I told Aiden I’m single. But he’ll have none of that. He moves closer, tugging me so our bodies are flush. He kisses me and leads the kiss, holding me as a willing captive to his every movement.
We stand barefoot in the kitchen, clinging to one another, our mouths connected, hands caressing and tugging one another’s hair, smoothing along arms and shirt fabric.
I hear it first, or maybe Aiden does.
Ty’s voice carries down the stairs. “I going pee pee, Pay Pay!”
We fly apart like we’ve been electrocuted. Aiden’s back slams against one of the barstools and it goes clattering to the ground. He stumbles a little, grasping for the counter, trying to catch a grip on the island, but failing. I cover my mouth to stifle a giggle, but it bubbles up anyway. Aiden’s butt hits the floor with a thud. He props his elbows on his knees and buries his face in his hands, his body convulsing in laughter.
“What’s so funny, guys?” Ty’s sweet voice travels from the doorway of the kitchen, mingling with our laughter.
“Nothing, hunny. Uncle Aiden fell down. That’s all.”
Ty walks further into the kitchen, attempting to join in on the fun with a forced laugh. Then he yawns. Paisley appears in the doorway, silently watching the three of us.
“Come here, you two,” I say, extending my arms and hoisting Ty up and then walking toward Paisley with Ty on my hip. “Sorry we were being so loud. Let’s get you back in your beds.”
Aiden stands up and puts his arm around Paisley’s shoulder while I carry Ty up the stairs and they climb up behind us. It feels like we’re a family again.
And I should know better than allowing myself to think a thought like that.
* * *
Paisley’salready at school this morning. We walked her down to the bus after breakfast and then I did some chores while Ty played at my feet with a set of Legos Aiden’s mom gave him.
Now Ty’s playing fetch in the living room with a sock toy we made for Granger. Aiden’s working in his office, and I’m trying to figure out what I should do with a moment to myself when there’s a firm knock at the door. Ty’s eyes go wide.
“It’s okay. I’ll get it,” I tell him.
I look out and see Jesse standing on the porch with a no-nonsense, self-important look on his face. He’s standing like John Wayne, his hands on his hips, elbows bent, feet spread more than would be natural.
Huh. John Wayne. I remember watching him in old cowboy movies.
I open the door as Aiden steps up behind me. I didn’t even hear him come out from his office.
“Hello, Jesse,” I say at the same time as Aiden says, “What brings you out to the farm?”
