thanks to her breaking things off.
“What are they?” she asked, needing to know before she agreed to anything.
“No more hiding. If we do this…” He motioned between them. “It’s out in the open. We’re out in the open. One hundred percent.”
She held in a groan. “And the other rule?”
“Until I say so, the physical stuff”—he smiled and slowly ran his eyes over her— “is in the background. The game is about getting to know each other in other ways.”
Her eyebrows shot up. “What’s wrong, Aiden? Don’t want to have sex with me anymore?” she teased.
He laughed, the low sound deep in his chest. “God, there’s nothing that I want to do more most of the time, especially now, knowing there’s a bedroom back there.” He nodded behind them. “But let’s focus on other things first. Sex comes second. Besides…” He lowered his voice. “We both know we’ve pretty much conquered that arena.”
She smiled as she thought about it. What could she lose? If this was just a game, then the more she played along, the more she knew she’d gain. Besides, she was good at cheating. “Okay.” She nodded. “Agreed.”
He slowly extended his hand and waited for her to take it. It was warm and callused and so much bigger than her own, reminding her how wonderful it had always felt running over her skin.
“Red,” he said finally, reaching up with his free hand and running a strand of her hair through his fingers. “Red is my favorite color.”
She felt her entire body flutter with want. She glanced down at his lips. “And your favorite song?”
His lips twitched. “Dark Side of the Moon.”
“Floyd.” She sighed. “I should’ve known.”
“You?” he asked.
“Blue,” she answered, not really focusing on her response.
“And your song?” he asked with a chuckle.
She smiled. “Wind of Change.” She knew she was throwing him off but enjoyed seeing his eyebrows rise.
“Scorpions?”
She nodded. “Classic rock was the only thing I knew I could do to really piss my father off. He even destroyed all my records when I was young, so I went digital. If it was loud and I could scream to it, I blasted it.” She smiled. “Still do.”
He chuckled. “I can totally see that.” He glanced down at their joined fingers. “Best place you’ve visited?” he asked.
She thought about it for a moment. “River Camps,” she answered truthfully. When he gave her a look, she shrugged. “It’s true. It’s the one place that I’ve dreamed about returning each time I left. There has never been a place I’ve been as happy.”
“No place?” he asked her as he took her hand.
She met his eyes and thought about the past three years.
River Camps was more of a home to her than any other place she’d had before. More than the small apartments she and her mother used to bounce around from or the massive stuffy place her father called home.
Even when the five of them were crowded in the small three-bedroom two-bathroom apartment, she’d been more at home than anywhere ever before.
She knew it was in part due to her sisters and, as much as she tried to, she couldn’t deny in her own heart that part of the reason was due to Aiden being there for her. Always.
“No.” She shook her head. “You?” She lifted the diamond around her neck and played with it, noticing that his eyes followed her move. She watched the left side of his mouth twitch and rise as her fingers played over the heart.
“I traveled to Florence, Italy, fresh out of high school. I could get lost in the architecture there. The history.” His eyes returned to hers. “Ever been?” he asked.
“No. Italy, yes, Florence, no.” She relaxed at the change of subject.
“Favorite food?” He shifted, bringing her closer. “I think I know this one, but hit me with it.”
She laughed. “You know it. Burgers and chocolate.”
He laughed. “I thought so.”
“You?”
“Burgers are right up there, but I’d have to say, instead of chocolate, I have an affinity for strawberries… and cream.” He reached up and played with her hair again.
She felt her entire body respond instantly. A small moan escaped her lips as memories of him pleasing her with his lips surfaced.
“Aiden.” His name was nothing more than a whisper.
“I never said I wouldn’t torture you.” His eyes locked with her lips. “Like you’ve been doing to me over the past seven months.” He leaned closer and she sucked in her breath, hoping, dreaming that he’d kiss her. Everywhere.
Instead, he pulled back and