**Chapter Twenty-Seven: The Almost**
Mornings weren't supposed to feel like this. Elena thought as she snapped one eyes open and the memories came flooding in....
Elena had woken up with a smile on her face.
That never used to happen.
She wasn't sure if it was the sun, the silence, or the memory of Aiden whispering *"When we do..."* against her mouth.
She hadn't written it down this time.
Some things didn't need ink. They stayed.
---
Aiden made her tea that morning.
Which—frankly—was more alarming than any declaration of love.
He didn't announce it. Didn't make a show.
Just placed the mug in front of her like he did it all the time.
Elena blinked at the cup, then at him. "Are you trying to emotionally confuse me before I'm fully caffeinated?"
He raised a brow. "I brought you tea. Not a proposal."
"Yet."
His smile curved slowly. "Planning your next move, Mrs. Blackwood?"
"I was thinking I'd pencil it in after brunch and mild heartbreak."
He leaned on the counter. "If you're bored, I can make things interesting."
oh she wasn't ready for that kind of threat before breakfast.
With her hands covering her ears,she looked at him with a shit eating grin" I can't hear you"
They shared a short laughter that warmed not just Elena's heart but the air around them.
---
They danced around each other all morning.
Not literally. That would've been too obvious.
But every glance lasted a second longer. Every touch lingered. Every time they passed in the hallway, the air got warmer.
When she reached for a book and he reached at the same time—fingers brushing, eyes locking—something unspoken pulled tight between them.
"I could get used to this," he murmured.
"Fighting for shelf space?" she asked slyly
"Waking up knowing you're in the next room."
Her breath caught.
She covered it with sarcasm.
"Well, let me know when that fantasy includes me hogging the covers and threatening your sanity."
"I assumed that was part of the package."
She grinned.
He smirked.
Then he did something dangerous—
He stepped forward, gently backed her against the bookcase.
His voice dropped.
"You always run when it gets like this."
She looked up. "Like what?"
"Real."
She swallowed.
"I don't run." she muttered licking her suddenly parched lips.... Where had the dryness come from??
She wondered...
"You retreat."
"And you chase?"
"If I have to."
The tension snapped like an elastic band.
His mouth found hers again,in an almost bruising brutal kiss. He kissed her like a man possessed,he kissed her like an hungry man fearing on his last supper.
Hands tangling in each other's clothing,his hands found her hips,and oh so slowly his slightly cold fingertips slipped under her cloth,finding smooth naked skin.
Elena's breath caught at the sensation of cold hands roaming her heated flesh,she moaned into his mouth,giving him access to slide his tongue into her warm mouth... Goosebumps scattered over her skin as he made love to her tongue as his hands moved in all directions of her. Felt like he had several hands,because she could feel him in every part of her being. Her eyes widened softly before rolling back into a head with a desperate moan as Aiden's fingers slipped past her sports bra to pinch her already hard nipples. Her legs weakened and unexplainable heat rushed up her spine.
This wasn't the same as before.
This was built from *want.*
Built from pent up desire,want ,need and insatiable hunger...
---
They didn't make it to the bed.
The couch didn't stand a chance.
She wanting more,pulled impatiently at his shirt. With their mouths still linked in a hot kiss,as their tongues fought for dominance, Elena's hands roamed all over him,she ruffled his hair,gripped it...
And in a matter of seconds she had his shirt off with a button or 2 flying around...
He let her. Took hers with equal intention.
His mouth found her collarbone. Her shoulder. Her jaw. Then slowly he trailed open mouthed,wet kisses to the valley between her breasts. Her very beautiful breasts,a perfect handful with the most beautiful nipples he'd ever. Pink,hard and protruded ..... Glistening with a tiny sheen of sweat.
"Tell me if this is too fast," he whispered as he kissed his way allover her naked breast.... He inched closer to her nipples,with his eyes locked on hers,he brought his tongue out and gave her a slow lick,enjoy the way her back arched off the surface.
"Just, shut up and keep going." she in between soft moans and pants as he continued feasting on her boobs,making them extremely sensitive...
He chuckled. "There she is."
Her hands moved greedily—his chest, his back, his hair. She wanted to reach him everywhere at once.
She wanted him like she hadn't let herself want anything in a long, long time.
---
But right before everything tipped—right before it broke open—
He stopped.
Breathing hard. Forehead pressed to hers.
"Wait." he whispered between heavy breaths.
Elena froze.
"What?"
He brushed a hand through her hair.
"I want this. I do."
She blinked. "Okay... but?"
"But if we cross that line—there's no going back."
She searched his face.
And saw it.
Fear.
Not of her.
Of what this meant.
Of losing her.
Of finally wanting something real.
She nodded slowly.
"I know."
A beat passed.
He kissed her forehead. Soft. Long.
And then they sat. Side by side. Legs tangled. Shirts half-buttoned.
Not quite lovers. Not just anything else.
Somewhere in between.
The almost.
And it was enough.
For now.
---
Later that night, she wrote:
> *I think I love him.
> Not for what he is.
> But for what he held back.*