Page 16 of Vain (Tempest #2)

Chapter Sixteen

MATILDA

It has to be said that Kellen knows exactly how to push people’s buttons, but I’ve been around enough people to know when it’s a defense mechanism. With how much tragedy he’s endured, it’s not surprising that he’s used to keeping people at arm’s length.

“I like Aiden’s hands, so I’d hate for him to hurt them by punching you,” I warn him as I feel Aiden tense beside me.

Aiden relaxes while Kellen looks at me with something akin to respect in his eyes.

“So you’re the famous Matilda Carson?”

I take off my hat and glasses, shaking out my hair in an advertisement-worthy move. “And you’re the infamous Kellen, friend and all-round pain in the ass?”

“I see my reputation precedes me.” He grins, but I can see how utterly exhausted he looks. The lines of pain bracketing his eyes and mouth tell me he’s hurting a lot more than he’s letting on.

“Well, how about you be a good friend and go to sleep so I can make out with your boy here without an audience?”

“I thought actresses like audiences?” he teases, but he lies back down, his eyes slipping closed.

“What can I say? I’m shy.”

“Just making out, right? I don’t want to miss the good stuff.” His words are slurred as he fights a losing battle with consciousness.

“Just making out,” I promise as he falls asleep with a smile on his face.

“Thanks. He should have passed out ages ago, but the stubborn mule refused to give in.”

“There’s a fear when waking up in the ICU that if you fall asleep, you might not wake back up again.

He knows how bad things could have been, right?

The fact that he was awake, alert, and able not just to have a full conversation but laugh and joke about it is amazing.

But it does hammer home how much he could have lost.”

“And losing shit is something he’s all too familiar with.” Aiden sighs, sitting in the chair beside the bed and tugging me into his lap.

“Did your lovely ex give you the rundown on his injuries?”

“Wade removed her for being a colossal bitch, but he went and asked the questions. His badge gets him answers the rest of us can’t always get without being family.”

“Is he gonna be okay?”

“Yeah. The fact that he woke up—as you said—was able to remember who he is, that he talked in full sentences, and even joked are all positives. Barring complications from, say, infections or blood clots, they are optimistic that he’ll make a full recovery.”

“I’m glad.”

“Me too. Want to tell me about what’s going on with you and Zoe?”

“You know her?”

“No, but I remember her mom a little. She was older than me, so we never ran in the same circles. I probably saw Caroline more.”

“The grandma, right?”

“Yeah. I didn’t know her to talk to as such, but we always exchanged hellos in passing. Small towns are like that. You tend to know most people, but that doesn’t mean you know most people, if you catch my drift.”

“I get it. And Tempest isn’t the smallest town I’ve been to, so that makes a difference, I think.”

“True. Now, back to Zoe.”

I sigh, fiddling with the sleeve of my jacket.

“I heard the nurses talking about what happened to her. She has no one, Aiden. She went from living in a family full of love and laughter to living in a children’s home.

I asked her if anyone came to visit, and she said no.

She said she has nobody left to visit her.

” I swallow around the lump in my throat.

He presses a kiss to my temple, offering me comfort without words.

“She’s strong, Aiden, and brave. So much more so than I am.”

“I don’t know, baby. I happen to think you’re pretty fucking strong.”

I sigh, turning my head to look at him. “I wish I could see myself the way you see me.” I let my eyes drop to his mouth and watch him smile.

“Is it time to make out now?”

I grin and press my lips to his. He doesn’t waste a second, deepening his kiss as soon as I open myself up for him. I lose myself in him, just like I always do. It’s hard to believe I’ve known him for only a little while when it feels like I’ve known him forever.

The door slamming open makes me jump. I don’t spin around, though. I keep my gaze on Aiden as his jaw tightens, telling me who it is without words.

“Visiting hours are over. You should be ashamed of yourself. ICU is for sick patients, not fucking some whore.”

I don’t take offense at her lashing out, but Aiden goes rock solid beneath me.

“We’re leaving, but not before I make a formal complaint about your disgusting behavior.”

“Fuck you, Aiden.” She slams the door, making it rattle in its hinges.

“Jesus, what’s a guy gotta do to get some sleep around here?” Kellen groans, and I can’t help it. The whole situation is so fucking ridiculous I burst out laughing.

After eating in the hotel together, I reluctantly stand up and stretch.

“I’m so tired I could sleep for a week.”

“It’s been a long day,” he agrees, wiping his fingers on his napkin before he tosses it on his plate.

“It’s been a long few months for me,” I admit, looking toward my room. When we got to town, I booked a suite. We have a communal sitting area with an outdoor terrace but separate bedrooms and bathrooms. “I think I’m going to jump in the shower and call it a night.”

“Sounds good. I’m going to grab the dishes and leave them outside for room service.”

I nod, feeling oddly shy for some reason.

Instead of dwelling on it, I head to my room and rummage through my bag for my nightie and some clean underwear.

I grab my toiletries bag from the top and carry it all into the bathroom.

I turn the shower on, twist my hair up, and hold it in place with a clip.

As the water warms up, I strip out of my clothes and grab some shower gel from my bag.

I climb in and stand under the spray for a few minutes, letting it wash the day away.

My thoughts drift back to Zoe and then to Cora.

I’ve spent so long living in a bubble that I forgot that the world continued turning even if it felt like it stood still for me.

I clean up and get out, drying off with a plush white towel.

Finding a moment of bravery, I let the towel drop to the floor and stand in front of the mirror naked.

I take in the duality of my body—the smooth, unblemished skin on one side and the mottled scars on the other.

This morning, I would have recoiled in horror.

It’s funny how meeting Zoe changed things.

Physically, I’m still the same, but perspective is everything.

I rub some lotion into my skin and think about how I’ve been looking at things all wrong.

I’m so used to being criticized by my mom and the media that I never noticed I was doing it to myself, too.

Instead of feeling ashamed of my body, I should be feeling amazed that it went through something horrific and still came out strong.

I’m not sure I am ready to think of my scars as battle wounds, but I shouldn’t be looking at them like they’re marks of failure either.

I slip the nightdress on, which is a light purple and made of silk.

It skims lightly over my skin, ending at my calves.

There is a split that reaches up to mid-thigh, which means I don’t feel as restricted wearing it as I do some.

I like to feel pretty, but I don’t get the beauty-is-pain thing—not outside of work anyway.

I don’t bother with underwear, feeling a wave of heat lick through me at the thought of being next to Aiden and him being oblivious.

I remove my makeup, moisturize my face, brush my teeth, and then my hair before returning to the bedroom.

The cool air from the AC makes goosebumps break out over my skin right away.

I shiver, cursing myself for forgetting the robe that goes with the nightdress.

I pause near the foot of the bed, marveling at the realization that not being covered up isn’t sending me into a blind panic.

I feel safe to let my guard down with Aiden, and I have to admit it’s freeing.

I look to the door and bite my lip. Part of me wants to go out there and invite him in, but I’m not sure I’m ready for more just yet. Something tells me if I invite him in, sex will be inevitable. I want to have sex with him. Holy moly, I do. But what if….

I shake my head. Nope. No more negative thoughts, Matilda. I chastise myself before climbing into bed and turning out the lamp.

I toss and turn for what feels like forever but is probably only an hour or so before I hear a tapping at the door.

“Come in,” I call out as I sit up, wondering if something is wrong. Crap, did the hospital call? “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing. I just can’t sleep.”

“Oh.”

He steps into the room, and my eyes zero in on his naked chest. He’s wearing nothing but a pair of black boxer shorts, so all I can see is a vast expanse of golden lickable skin.

The man is fit. I knew that, of course, but his body is a work of art.

I want to trail my fingers over those ridges of his stomach down the little grooves at the side of his?—

“Tilly?” he calls out, and his tone tells me he’s said my name more than once.

“Yeah?” I answer, coming out of my daze.

“I want to hold you. Are you up for that?”

I remember all the reasons it’s a bad idea to let Aiden into my bed and throw them all out the window. “Sure. I’d like that.”

He’s moving before I’ve finished speaking. He lifts the covers and slides in next to me, moving in so close I can feel the heat radiating off him before he even touches me.

His arm slides around my waist as soon as I lie down. I turn away from him and sigh when he pulls my back to his chest, his knees bent behind mine. “That’s better,” he mumbles behind me, his voice sounding deeper.

My skin tingles with awareness. There is no way I’m going to fall asleep like this. He’s too—everything. I’ve never been so aware of another person before in my life.

But when he settles in and his breathing evens out, it has a deep, calming effect on me. His warm breath skates over my shoulder, and the rhythmic thud of his heartbeat soon makes me drift off into a deep sleep.

One which is nightmare free.