Page 60 of Falling With You

He didn’t kiss me, didn’t do anything, just walked away as he pulled up his pants and tucked himself inside his boxer briefs before he went back to his bedroom. I heard water running, and then he was out again in the living room with two towels in his hands, one damp, the other dry. I felt so open, so bare, even though he had just been inside me, so I slowly wrapped one arm around my breasts, the other covering myself, not knowing why I was so embarrassed.

“Here, let me help,” he whispered, and then slid the wet cloth between my legs. I winced, and he froze. “Was I too rough?”

I shook my head. “No, just not used to that. But it’s fine. It was good.”

He just looked at me, his eyes going dark before he looked back down and finished cleaning me up, then slid my panties back over me.

It was such a strange gesture, one that was caring yet a little off. I had no idea what I was going to say next, no idea what Icouldsay. It just felt…different. Like we were different.

I bent down and quickly pulled on my bra, and then my pants. He had my t-shirt in his hands, and I took it from him without saying anything. What was there to say after you fucked someone hard against a door and then it looked like he was embarrassed or a little ashamed of that fact?

“I guess we scared Diego off,” I said, trying to lighten the mood.

Aiden just squared his jaw and gave me a tight nod.

“What’s wrong, Aiden? Talk to me.”

He didn’t say anything, just looked down at his hands.

“Talk to me, what’s wrong?” I repeated.

“We just had sex, Sienna. What more do you need?” He growled out the words, sounding nothing like himself. I had never heard that voice or tone from him. I had never heard that type of cruelty.

Something was wrong with him, and I wasn’t leaving. He would just have to deal with it.

“No, you don’t get to do that. What’s wrong with you?”

He gave me a casual shrug, and his face went neutral. “I can go again, short stack. Just give me a minute.”

And then he moved forward, cupping me between my legs over my jeans. “Unless you want my mouth. I could use a little syrup from my short stack.”

There was no humor in his eyes, and I just blinked. I pushed at his chest, and he took the two steps back, folding his arms over his chest.

“Aiden Connolly. What the fuck is wrong with you? That wasn’t a good joke. That was horrendous. What is going through that head of yours? Don’t think you can just act like an asshole and push me away. We don’t get to do that to each other. You get me?”

“Nothing’s wrong.”

“No, you’re lying. Because you’re making cruel jokes and acting like what we did meant nothing when I know it did. So, don’t fucking act like this right now. Talk to me.”

“I’m fine, Sienna. I don’t need to talk about everything.”

“Really? Because you’re the one who told me I needed to talk about what happened. I’m in therapy for God’s sake. And you seemed happy that I was going. But you’re not going to talk at all? You’re just going to treat me like this? I don’t think so. You don’t get to just fuck me against the door and then treat me like I’m a whore.”

His eyes widened at the word, and then he took another step back before sinking onto the chair. He buried his face in his hands, and I took a couple of steps forward. “Talk to me, Aiden.”

“I don’t know where to start,” he growled.

“Don’t treat me like that again, Aiden. That’s where you can start.”

He looked up then and reached for me. He pulled me onto his lap and buried his head against my chest. I slid my hands through his hair and held him close. “Aiden.”

“I’m sorry, Sienna. I was an asshole. I’m always an asshole, but sometimes, I’m worse. I shouldn’t have said that. I don’t even know why I did. It was stupid. I don’t think you’re a whore. Seriously. I really don’t think you’re a whore.”

“I didn’t really think you thought I was a whore. But you made me feel cheap just then, and I didn’t appreciate it.”

“I just don’t want to talk about anything, so I wanted you out of my house. But I know you’re just as stubborn as I am, so you’re not going to leave until I tell you.”

“I’m not going to pressure you into telling me something you don’t want to, but I’m also not going to leave after what just happened. So, we can just sit here and talk about nothing, but I really hope you trust me enough to know that I’m going to be here for you no matter what. So, talk to me.” I paused. “Is it about your mom?”