Part 13 (1/2)

We can talk about it while you give me that b.l.o.w. .j.o.b you still owe me.

He could almost picture her eyebrow arching as she read that, and the way the corners of her delicious mouth would turn up in a smile.

If you're ever lucky enough to have my mouth on your d.i.c.k, you won't even manage a coherent thought, never mind making words into a sentence.

Even though he was on the other side of Rick's truck from the crowd and his coat was probably long enough to conceal the instant hard-on, Aidan turned his back to them.

This will be the most uncomfortable ceremony ever.

She sent back an emoticon that was sticking its tongue out, and then Oops, sorry.

”Hey, Hunt, let's go,” he heard Porter yell.

They're calling me in. Talk to you later.

Have fun.

These s.h.i.+ndigs were his least favorite part of the job as it was. Suffering through it without thinking about Lydia and b.l.o.w. .j.o.bs was going to be almost impossible, which meant it would be an exercise in having enough self-control not to squirm in his seat.

Sure, it was going to be all kinds of fun.

LYDIA FELT BONELESS, trying to catch her breath with her head hung over the side of Aidan's bed. The man really knew what he was doing between the sheets.

When he came back from the bathroom, she heard him chuckle before he lifted her up and slid her around so her head was on the pillow. Then he climbed in and spooned himself around her.

”I needed that very badly,” he murmured into her hair. ”I swear today was endless. And sitting in that ceremony thinking about b.l.o.w. .j.o.bs didn't help, just so you know.”

”You're the one who brought them up.”

”I just don't want you to forget that you owe me.”

She laughed. ”Someday, when you least expect it...”

He was rubbing her hip with his left hand, but then he draped his arm over her body so he could hold her hand. Their fingers slid together and she smiled. They fit well together in a lot of ways.

”I told Ashley I wouldn't be home tonight,” she said. ”Is that okay?”

”Admit it. You just want to sleep on my sheets.”

”I was hoping you wouldn't figure that out.” She squeezed his fingers. ”I don't think I've ever met a single guy with sheets like this, though.”

He laughed. ”They were a gift from my mother. I can ask her the thread count or whatever if you want.”

”That's okay. I'll just enjoy yours.”

”Consider this a standing invitation to enjoy my sheets anytime.”

She closed her eyes, enjoying the feel of his warm body cupping hers and his soft sheets and his breath in her hair. It was nice, she thought, to not rush out as soon as the glow faded. Not all the time, of course, because that would be a bad precedent to set. But once in a while.

It was probably stupid, spending the night. It was bad enough she thought about him every waking moment, watching the clock and waiting until she could see him again. The whole burning off the excess chemistry excuse was wearing thin and falling asleep in his arms wasn't going to help.

But one time probably wouldn't hurt, she told herself as Aidan's breathing deepened into soft snores.

Later in the night, something woke Lydia and she blinked in the dark, trying to figure out why she was awake. It took her a few seconds to remember she was in Aidan's bed, and she squinted at the clock until the red blur formed numbers. 3:19. She definitely shouldn't be awake.

Aidan kicked the back of her heel and she realized he not only wasn't snoring, but he was breathing funny. Folding back the sheet, she rolled over and pushed onto her elbow. He was on his side, facing away from her, but in the moonlight she could see the slight sheen of sweat just below his hairline. His leg jerked again and the hand she could see clenched into a fist.

He was having a nightmare.

Lydia wasn't sure what the best way to handle it was. Maybe she should move away and call his name, in case he came up swinging. That probably wasn't likely, though. It was more likely his dream involved fire than violence.

When he made a keening sound low in his throat and his head twitched on the pillow, she couldn't stand it anymore. She stroked his hair, making a shh sound. He stilled, but his breathing was still quick and his hand didn't relax.

”Aidan?” He rolled onto his back without waking up, and she saw how deeply a scowl had drawn his eyebrows together. Pus.h.i.+ng his hair back from his clammy forehead, she tried again. ”Aidan, wake up.”

He opened his eyes and then took a deep, shuddering breath. It took him a few seconds to shake off the dream, and she smiled when his gaze finally focused on her.

”Hey,” she said softly. ”Bad dream.”

”Yeah.” His voice was hoa.r.s.e, and he cleared his throat to try again. ”I couldn't find Scotty. I can never find Scotty.”

She stroked his hair, smiling down at him. ”Scotty's fine. Do you want some water?”

”No.” He lifted his arm and she ducked under it to lay her head on his chest and throw her arm across his body. He held her close and kissed the top of her head. ”I'm sorry I woke you up.”

”I'll go back to sleep.” She could hear his heartbeat, and it was slowly returning to normal. ”Once you're okay.”

He pulled the sheet back over her and then gave her a squeeze. ”I'm okay now. Sleep.”

She didn't right away, though. I can never find Scotty. She squeezed her eyes closed, trying to imagine anything except Aidan and her brother in a fire gone wrong. And, besides the fear that was constant when you loved firefighters flaring up, Lydia felt guilt rising above it.

To her, brotherhood meant people who were as-if not more-important to her father and ex-husband than she'd ever been. But to Aidan and Scotty and the rest of them, it was more than just a word. They lived together and worked together, but they also risked their lives together. They depended on each other in a way most people could never understand. Aidan and Scotty weren't only best friends. They trusted each other with their lives.

And there was a possibility her choosing to be here in Aidan's bed might break that bond. No amount of telling herself Aidan was a big boy and could make his own choices could ease the knot in her chest at the thought of he and Scotty not having each other's backs, and it was a long time before she drifted back into a fitful sleep.

AIDAN WOKE A FEW hours later with the weight of Lydia's head on his chest, half her body flung over his, and an arm he couldn't feel and simply had to hope was still there. He didn't care. Having her there to comfort him when that d.a.m.n dream got hold of him again had been worth any price.

He closed his eyes again, knowing he wouldn't go back to sleep, but content to hold her and listen to her breathe softly. She had to work later, but she could sleep another hour and still get home in plenty of time to get ready for her s.h.i.+ft at Kincaid's.

”Coffee,” he heard her mutter against his chest.

”Good morning,” he said, kissing her hair. ”I thought you'd sleep a little longer.”

”Coffee.”