Touched (The Untouched Trilogy #2)(36)

That f*cking pill was obviously not working or maybe it had just worn off. Either way, I needed another. I finished showering and grabbed a towel from the warmer. I wrapped it around me; not really drying myself. I grabbed another towel for my hair and stepped out of the bathroom. I was too exhausted to do anything more than flop into bed. I walked into the bedroom expecting to see Aiden but he was gone. I glanced at the bed and saw that it had been turned back and there was some black material lying across the pillow. I crossed the room to see a black silk gown lying on his bed. There was a note.



I’m sure you don’t want to deal with unpacking your things tonight therefore I’d asked Kinsley to have some items sent over for you also. I’ll sleep in one of the guest rooms tonight. Sleep well Princess.

-A.



I looked at the gown lying on the bed and was instantly filled with so many warm thoughts of Aiden. I honestly hadn’t given any thought to the sleeping arrangements but now that I was aware, I was slightly disappointed. I didn’t want to be alone. I haphazardly dried myself and slipped on the gown, appreciating the soft feel against my skin. I wrapped my wet hair in the other towel and glanced around the room. Beside the bed was a platter with a water decanter, a glass and my medication. Aiden had scribbled another note.



Take one if you start to feel overwhelmed. If you need me, my phone is near so text or call and I’m there.

-A.



I slid into bed and pulled the covers around me, curling my body into a grief-stricken ball. I was dealing with more heartbreak than I could fathom; I didn’t want to think about anything. I wanted to feel better. I wanted to forget, at least for the night. I turned over in bed and looked at the prescription bottle but I knew what would both make me forget and feel better … and it wasn’t a pill. I reached for my phone and typed a text.

*Are you asleep?*

*No, doing some work so that I can be as available for you as you need tomorrow.*

*I know I’ve already said this but thank you for today. I’ll never be able to say how much it means to me.*

*I’d do anything for you Aria. I hope you realize that.*

* Where are you?*

*In the study. Why?*

*I don’t want to be alone.”

*Stay put, I’ll come to you.*

Within a couple of minutes, the bedroom door opened. He stood in the doorway with only pajama bottoms and his cell phone. He was a ridiculously gorgeous specimen.

“I’m sorry for bothering you” I said, as he closed the door and walked toward the bed.

“It’s no bother Aria. I’m glad you’re allowing me to be here for you,” he replied, as he looked toward the bedside table.

“Did you take another one?” he asked.

“No, I think I need to but I don’t like the loopy feeling so I didn’t take another,” I said, as I sat up in bed.

“But if you need one –”

“I know. I know. I’ll take one. I promise,” I said.

“Good. You try to do so much on your own but you don’t have to,” he said.

He glanced at the top of my gown then back into my eyes.

“Thanks for the gown. Perfect fit,” I said, smiling. I thought back to the first time he’d bought clothes for me.

“That reminds me, you never did tell me how you knew my bra size.”

He smiled and sat on the edge of the bed. “In med school, we had to learn to determine breast size by touch and let’s just say I had a lot of practice.”

That sounded insane. I looked at him waiting for him to continue.

“You know that’s total bullshit, right? I actually guessed,” he said, grinning.

“Really?”

“Yes and no. I had a picture of you and I showed it to the sales person and she helped me out.”

“You’re such a liar,” I said, smiling.

“So it’s back to the name-calling? That’s a sure sign that you’re feeling better.”

“If I am, it’s in huge part to you,” I said.

“I’m here for you, as long as you need me.”

I needed him, especially now, and it was much more than I would dare tell him.





CHAPTER ELEVEN

Aiden had lain in bed with me until I’d fallen asleep. I’d asked him to tell me anything that would take my mind elsewhere. He told me stories about Allison and how much trouble she’d gotten into as a child and how he always tried to cover for her. He absolutely adored his sister. They were much closer than I’d originally thought. I would have that type of relationship with my sisters, I was sure of it. He told me about the time she’d skipped school and had a party in the servants’ quarters. I must have dozed off around that time because I don’t remember how that one ended. He’d taken my thoughts away from the present, away from Boston, away from my sadness. His beautiful, velvet voice was a sexy melody that had taken me away from it all.

I turned over in bed and saw that it was a little after 10 o’clock. I scanned the room for Aiden but he was nowhere in sight. I did see a bag on the chaise at the foot of the bed. There was a balloon attached to it with my name written across it. I jumped out of bed with a goofy smile on my face. I walked over to the bag, looked inside and spotted his calling card … a note.