Page 75 of The Baby Dragon Cafe
She pushed open the door to reveal a simple yet cozy room. Because there was no electricity, the room was lit with the candles, the soft glow casting an even more intimate ambience over the already intimate space.
The candles were inherently romantic, and as Aiden closed the door behind them, so was the empty bed. She shivered, overwhelmed by a wave of desire as the possibilities ran through her mind.
Aiden’s question from dinner replayed in her mind: “Can I touch you?” It had seemed so innocent then, but now, the prospect of just how he might touch her made her body burn.
Cheeks flaming, Saphira shook her head, trying to focus. She spotted her bag and grabbed it, rushing to the bathroom and promptly shutting the door.
Once alone, she released a long breath, trying to calm down. She turned the shower on, bathing with cold water, which helped to cool the heat pulsing through her body.
She took a deep breath, slapping her cheeks.
“Get it together!” she hissed at herself.
After she had changed into her pajamas, Saphira looked at herself in the mirror. Her pajamas were plain, which was something she might have been self-conscious about, but with Aiden, she didn’t feel the need to be anything other than herself.
This would be fine. They were mature adults. Clearing her throat, Saphira grabbed her things and opened the door, entering the bedroom again. Aiden was purposefully not looking at her, and her heart sank at how awkward things felt. She hadmadethings awkward.
“Bathroom’s free,” she squeaked.
Aiden nodded. Avoiding her gaze, he entered and shut the door behind him.
Saphira let out a huge exhale, then collapsed onto the bed, which was deliciously soft. She sank straight in.
Feeling cold, Saphira got under the covers, blowing out the candle on her side table. Maybe she would fall asleep before Aiden even got out of the bathroom, and it wouldn’t be weird.
She didn’t want things to be weird.
Then, Aiden came out, wearing a T-shirt and pajama pants. She had to look away, she felt so shy.
This was ridiculous. It wasn’t like she hadn’t had boyfriends before, or done any of this, but with Aiden, she just felt completely unhinged.
Wordlessly, Aiden blew out the candles on his side table, enveloping the room in darkness, then got under the covers as well, his back to her.
He wasrightthere. Her heart raced. She was wide awake now, the possibility of sleep impossible.
After a few moments, she gathered up her courage.
“Aiden,” she whispered.
Silence.She didn’t know if he didn’t hear her, or if he was ignoring her, or what. She frowned. Was he asleep already?
Saphira went to nudge his foot, but she overestimated how far away he was and ended up kicking him instead.
“Ow?” he said, surprised and completely awake. It was the first time he had spoken since the hot springs. Her heart hammered.
“Oh, you’re awake,” she said.
“Yeah.” He turned around, facing her. He looked as tense as she felt. “What’s up?”
“Um … nothing?”
His lips twitched. “Why did you kick me, then?” he asked, his eyes glittering with amusement.
“No reason,” she replied, also feeling amused.
The tension between them dissipated as he smiled, and she gently laughed, burying her nose in her pillow. This whole situation was so ridiculous and absurd that it was comical.
He smiled, and she was relieved. They were back to being normal.
