The Butterfly Effect (Boggy Creek Valley 1)

Before I shut the door to the bathroom, I looked back at him and our eyes met. I wasn’t sure why I wanted to know how many languages he could speak, but I did.

“How many?”

He brought his hand to the back of his neck and rubbed it as he looked away for a brief moment before our gazes locked once more. “Seven.”

My eyes went wide, and I was positive my jaw hit the floor. “Seven!”

He gave me a jerky nod. “I’ll be downstairs.”

And just like that, he walked out of his room as I let his bombshell answer settle into my brain.

Slowly, I shut the door and heard the soft click. I turned around, leaned against it, and placed my hand over my mouth, letting out a disbelieving laugh.

Three. I could see three. But seven? Holy shit.

I dropped my hand to the side as I looked up at the ceiling and whispered, “God help me, but why is that so damn hot?” I closed my eyes and imagined Aiden talking to me in different languages as he made love to me.

“Stop it, Willa,” I scolded myself.

Quickly, I reached up my back and fought to get the zipper undone. After fighting and fearing I was going to have to ask for Aiden’s help, I finally got hold of it and pulled. When the dress loosened, I sent a prayer up to the heavens as it fell the floor. I picked it up and folded it neatly before setting it on the bathroom counter.

I turned around in Aiden’s bathroom and took it all in. Like his bedroom, it was simple. Light blue walls, a plain white shower curtain, and a trash can. I looked at his empty counter and sink, and wondered when Aiden had actually gotten back home. I opened the door and peeked out into his bedroom. One large duffle bag sat on the floor still closed; the suitcase was open, and now half of the clothes had been taken out and tossed onto the bed. A smaller bag sat in the case still, and I wondered if it contained all his toiletries.

I shut the door again and grabbed the sweatpants. I couldn’t help but giggle, because if Aiden knew I had gone sans panties tonight and was now wearing his sweats with nothing underneath, he might not have been so keen on letting me wear them. I pulled the string as tight as I could to keep the pants from falling off of me.

Grabbing the long-sleeve T-shirt, I went to put it over my head, but then looked at the strapless bra I had on. It was digging into my sides, so I made the decision to lose it as well. Once it was off, I sighed in relief and then tucked it between my dress. My heels came off, and I held them in my hands as I grabbed my dress and bra with the other and headed out of the bathroom, making my way back downstairs. With each step, my heart pounded harder in my chest.

I stopped at the bottom step and smiled at the sight before me.

Aiden was sitting on the sofa, his head leaned back, and his eyes closed. He held a beer in one of his hands.

I felt myself frown as I gazed at the open beer, not entirely sure why. I didn’t have anything against beer; hell, I drank it as well. But something about the way Aiden was tossing back the shots and beer tonight seemed…off.

I shook my head and scolded myself for acting like his mother.

He looked peaceful sitting there, most likely asleep already. I softly tiptoed over to him, set my stuff on the chair, and grabbed the blanket draped over the side of the sofa. I reached for his beer, and he let out a muffled groan as it slipped free. Then he suddenly dropped down onto the sofa until he was lying flat. My heart ached as I realized he must have been exhausted, and here I was asking him to hang out with me.

Ignoring the sudden urge to slip onto the sofa with him, I placed the blanket over him, leaned down, and gently kissed him on the forehead. “Good night, Aiden,” I whispered.

A long, deep breath came from him as he drifted further into sleep.

Turning, I quietly walked into the kitchen for my keys and phone and then headed back into the living room. I gathered up the rest of my things and made my way to the front door. Going as slowly and quietly as I could, I opened the door and was about to shut it when Aiden said, “Good night, Willa.”

With a smile, I softly closed the door and made my way back to my car. A strange feeling came over me, and I felt like I shouldn’t leave. That in some weird way, Aiden needed me there.