The Awakening Aidan - By Abby Niles Page 0,51

but an ugly lump had formed in her stomach.

Why did this have to be so hard? Why did he have to be everything she was terrified of?

All she could get out past the thickness in her throat was, “Thank you for bringing me here, then.”

The smile he gave her was tender, as were the eyes that looked down on her. “Thank you for being here with me.”

He glanced off to the horizon, his throat working as he swallowed. Was he thinking about the helicopter that would return and bring an end to the bubble they had created here? The end of them?

She closed her eyes. It was all there again. The feelings. The wanting. The wishing. It was time for a different distraction, and if he wanted memories of her, she wanted to give him some that didn’t revolve around the bedroom, wanted to give him memories that when he stood on this beach, would make a small smile play at his mouth. And she’d lock those memories away inside herself as well, so when she thought of her time here with him, she’d also have that same smile on her face.

Slapping his ass, she tore off down the beach. “Tag, you’re it.”

She looked behind her to see a bewildered expression on his face that made her laugh before he shook his head and took off after her. She squealed, splashing through the waves as the distance between them closed. Seconds later, Aidan grabbed her up in his arms, a bright smile on his face. The smile she wanted him to have when he thought back to this moment.

“Got you,” he said.

That he did. In more ways than one.

As he waded deeper into the ocean, a mischievous twinkle entered his eyes, sending her thoughts away. She wrapped her arms tighter around his neck. “Uh-uh. Don’t even think about it.”

“What?” he asked innocently.

“Aidan, I swear— Oh!”

Warm water enveloped her body. Her feet made contact with the sandy floor and she popped back up, gasping. Wiping the salty water from her eyes, she surveyed the area. Aidan had moved to deeper water, treading on top, laughing. She pushed off the floor and with strong overhand strokes swam toward him.

“I’ll show you,” she said as she reached him.

She popped up, placed both hands on top of his head, and pushed down. He went under.

Easily. Too easily, actually. The ass.

If he wanted to placate her, then so be it, she’d dunk his butt.

She swam for the shore. As soon as the water came to her waist, she started running for the beach. Loud splashes came from behind her. Shrieking, she ran even faster.

A sharp stinging radiated up her leg and shocked the glee from her. She screamed and stumbled away from the source. Losing her balance, she landed on her butt in shallow water and cradled her shin, moaning.

“Jaylin!” Within seconds, Aidan had her swept up in his arms and was jogging toward the chairs.

Tears blinded her vision at the burning sensation. It felt as though someone had poured acid on her leg. “Jesus, Aidan, it hurts.”

“Shh, baby.” He placed her on the chair and lifted her leg in his hands. Three long red lines marred her skin, wrapping around the bottom half of her calf and ankle. “Shit. Jellyfish.”

Gathering her back in his arms, he hurried up the staircase leading to the house. He shoved open the door with his shoulder before entering their bedroom and placing her on a chair outside on the private deck. Without a word, he turned and left. His shoulders rigid, body shaking with barely restrained emotion.

Grimacing against the radiating throb, she didn’t have the energy to worry about his sudden change in behavior. She knew what had brought it on, and there really wasn’t anything she could do to stop it.

A few seconds later, Aidan came back and pulled a seat directly in front of her. Even though his face was drawn in harsh, angry lines, he gently cupped the back of her knee and propped her leg on his thigh. After unscrewing a bottle of vinegar, he poured a liberal amount on the wound. The sting didn’t disappear, but it did lessen some.

“I wish I could take it away, Jaylin,” he whispered in a tormented voice. He was so tense. On edge.

She had no idea what to say to make him relax, so she went with, “You are helping.”

“You know what I mean.”

Yeah, she did. He wanted to help by healing her, but the type of