Page 69 of Wild Mistake
How in the hell can I say anything but yes to that?
“Okay,” I whisper.
His brows shoot up, a smile taking over his face. “Yeah?”
“Yeah.” I can’t help but grin back. Did I just agree to make Aiden Wilder my boyfriend? Again.
“There’s one other thing.”
My stomach drops. “Okay.”
“Never mind.” He shakes his head.
“Aiden, what?”
“I don’t want to pressure you.”
“Just tell me.”
“But I was wondering . . . no, I washopingmaybe I could spend some time getting to know Gabe and Parker? With you. The four of us. I understand if you’re not ready for that, and believe me when I say I love having you all to myself in my bedroom.”
I let go of the breath I’m holding and smile. “I’m aware.”
“But I’m in this for more than just the amazing sex. I want to get to know your children because I plan on being a part of your life, and theirs, for as long as you’ll let me.”
Aiden wants to meet my kids. Aiden wants to be in my life. “Wow.”
“Yeah. That’s okay I said that, right? It doesn’t freak you out?”
It does. But I don’t know whether that’s because the idea of taking a chance on a long-term commitment scares me senseless . . . or because I’m not ready. “I don’t know how that makes me feel.”
“That’s fair.”
I feel like I need to explain my apprehension. That it’s not only because of our past. “Jake cheated on me.”
“What a piece of shit.”
“I found out because another woman messaged me on Facebook.”
“I’m sorry, baby.”
“I guess he cheated on her too.” I shrug. “I don’t know how many partners he had.” At the concern on his face I quickly explain. “I’m clean, by the way. I got tested as a precaution but we weren’t having sex. I was so ill leading up to my diagnosis, I never had the energy, and after I started feeling better he kinda made me feel like the most undesirable person in the world.”
“I hate him for doing that to you. For making you feel that way.”
“I guess I should’ve seen the signs. You know? Looking back, it all kinda makes sense. But in the moment I wanted to disappear. So, I did, in a way. If it weren’t for my boys . . .” I swallow hard. The memories flood back as if they never left. “Parker and Gabe don’t know this, and I’m not sure I ever want them to know, but they gave me a reason to keep going. They were my only source of joy in my marriage for many years, and they were the reason I packed up everything we had and came back to Wilder Valley.”
“Sometimes it takes a greater purpose outside of yourself to keep fighting.”
“Yeah.”
“I might know a thing or two about that.”
I open my mouth to ask him what he means, but I don’t get the chance.
“You’re protective of them. Parker and Gabe.”
“Fiercely.”
