He grinned, and he dipped his head to kiss her.
Loud footsteps and Thor’s carrying voice came up the stairs to them.
Aiden pulled back, and she tasted disappointment instead of his lips.
“This place is sweet,” Thor was saying. “Do you think we’d dare jump off that third-floor deck to the pool?”
“No,” Greer said shortly.
“Hey, you two,” Thor called up. He was still a flight of stairs away, but must’ve seen them. “Don’t worry, I beat Greer into submission and I’ve got the bags and I setup the security sensors and cameras and did a perimeter check.” He hefted three bags while Greer carried one. “No, it’s okay. I know I do all the work and I carry the bags all the time. I know you worry about me feeling like a mule, but I’ve got it.” He reached them and handed Aiden’s bag to him and then put a smaller duffel bag in Melene’s hands.
Greer simply shook his head, not refuting that Thor had done all the work, though Melene highly doubted Greer hadn’t helped or possibly done more than Thor.
“What’s this?” Melene asked.
“Our incredible sister, Esther, got a text from your boyfriend here, so she packed you a bag of toiletries and clothes just in case you had to move quick and leave yours behind.” He winked. “And look at that. You did. Thoughtful guy, my brother, even if he is ugly.”
“Yes, he is. Thoughtful not ugly. Ultra-handsome actually.”
Thor and Aiden both smiled.
Melene hugged the bag to her chest the way she longed to hug Aiden. “Tell Esther thank you.”
“I will. Did you know she and Sheriff Reed fell in love?”
“I didn’t.” Melene smiled, imagining those two impressive people together. “I love that.”
“We do too. Reed’s a stud. Now.” Thor clapped his hands together. “Do you want to shower, sleep, or eat first?”
“Shower,” Melene said, though her stomach was grumbling.
Aiden nodded. “Choose any bedroom,” he told her. “These two cowboys might seem incompetent, but they’re actually both incredible cooks. They’ll make us a late lunch.”
“Incompetent,” Thor muttered. “You’ll regret that when I scrounge up some dog poop to add to your lunch.”
Aiden smiled. “You wouldn’t dare. I’d have Greer thump you again.”
“Greer?” Thor exclaimed. “Thump me?” He put a hand to his chest.
Aiden looked to Greer. “You pinned him in the garage in less than a minute, didn’t you? That’s how you got the sensors and cameras set up so fast.”
“Yep.” Greer smiled.
Thor shouted in outrage. Melene laughed.
Aiden shook his head. “You’d better go choose a room and shower. He’ll be arguing about who won and how he’s going to ‘thrash’ us for hours. Maybe if you worked out as much as you yapped,” Aiden said to his twin.
Melene smiled as Thor protested again. She lifted a hand to all the brothers, but her gaze was focused on Aiden. “Thanks.” He was so thoughtful to arrange yet another set of clothes and toiletries.
“See you soon.” Aiden did a manly lift of his chin, his blue eyes full of her.
She almost tripped walking away. She could feel Aiden’s eyes on her back as Thor took up the arguing and the insults again. There was so much love in the brothers’ teasing it made her homesick for her family and happy Aiden could be with his. It also made her miss all the children she worked with. The children didn’t usually trade insults like the Delta twins, but they teased and laughed and always made her smile. She missed being the one taking care of others, but she had to admit Aiden taking care of her, being here for her, risking his life for her, holding her hand … it all added up to a sense of home and happiness she hadn’t realized she was longing for.
Walking down the stairs, she wondered where her place and her future was. She’d gotten so involved and busy the days just slid by and she didn’t question her future plans, but Aiden was flipping everything upside down. Was she meant to be with the children serving them as she’d always assumed? Should she return to Summit Valley with her family where she would be safe and loved? Could she simply cling to her incredible Aquaman, one Aiden Delta? But he had important missions and the fear of something happening to him wasn’t something she could push away.
She sighed. If only heaven would give her a neon sign. She had no clue where her place was and she didn’t like the indecision and worry of her future, her safety, and putting these men out to protect her. None of them made her feel like that, but she worried. She needed to have faith that it would all work out like she and Aiden had talked about when he’d showed her the scripture tattooed on his back.
The worries still lingered.