deep connection to you, since I walked into your house.”
“I know. I felt it too.”
Her eyes held nothing but sincerity and confusion, suddenly making the air so goddamn thick between us.
“I guess, I don’t know what to make of all of it. I like you, Aiden. A lot. I love your kids. I can see myself, not only with you but with them as well, and that scares the shit out of me. I know I’ll never be able to live up to your once-in-a-lifetime love, and I don’t want to feel like I’m here because she isn’t.”
Her vulnerability didn’t stop me from taking in the glow of her smooth tan skin, or the way her hair kept falling around her face, or the rosy flush of her cheeks from the wine.
There was something in the way she was looking at me…
The concern.
The sadness.
The understanding in her eyes.
That had me sharing, “My mom died in my arms when I was seven-years-old.”
Her lips parted as a slight gasp escaped her mouth, waiting for me to go on.
“For the next nine years of my life, I was placed in twenty-two different foster homes. None of which were anything I’d ever call a fuckin’ home. That is until the last family I was placed with. For the first time since my mother died, I felt what it was like to be loved by someone who wasn’t Bailey. She was my only family until them,” I paused, allowing my words to sink in.
“I met Bay at the kids’ shelter the night my mother passed. You see, Cami, growing up like we did, bonding over the bullshit our lives had become made things easier on us. Left us feeling like there was someone in the world that gave a damn if we were alive and well. When you grow up in those circumstances, where all you have is each other, it adds another element to your love and devotion to one another. I’m not going to pretend Bailey wasn’t my soulmate. She is.”
Camila swallowed hard, her big, brown eyes brimming with tears. Shining beyond fucking bright against the moonlight.
I stood without hesitation, setting the glass down on the table, going to her, needing to feel her in my arms for what I was about to say. I sat down next to her in the lounger, and tugged her toward me, making her straddle my waist.
Her tight dress hiked up her toned thighs and without thinking, my hands immediately traveled up her legs.
They were as soft as they were inviting.
And I knew, I was done for.
<>Camila<>
Hearing him talk about his wife with so much devotion in his heart, hurt in ways I never saw coming.
There I sat, straddling the man’s lap I was falling in love with. Only feeling the fear I was going to get hurt by him. And even still, I wanted him.
All of him.
Even if it came with a price at my expense.
Would I ever have him? Truly have him?
My mind told me no, but my heart, my soul, was in his hands. Choking the life out of me.
“You have me questioning everything I believe in, and it hurts me as much as it heals me,” he openly affirmed. “I don’t know the purpose for you being brought into my life. All I know is I want, need, crave you in it. I can’t imagine a life without you anymore. It doesn’t feel right because you feel so goddamn perfect. Do I love and miss my wife? Absolutely. But don’t think for one second it takes away what I feel for you… For the first time in my life, I’m struggling with the reality that maybe you’re allowed to love more than one person in a lifetime. That maybe you’re allowed to have more than one soulmate. Because ever since you walked into my home, Cami, that’s what you’ve felt like to me… Mine.”
I didn’t know what to say. His beautiful words literally shocked me to my core. I opened my mouth to say something, but nothing came out.
So, I did what came natural with him, I let my body speak for me. Nudging my face into his chest, I kissed along his neck.
“Cami,” he huskily groaned.
His fingers moved at a slow, torturous speed, up to where I really yearned for him to touch me. My dress had ridden up my thighs, exposing the pink lace panties he bought me.