Aiden sits up, becoming serious about answering my question. “No. I’m one of the good guys, Jeni.” He moves his hand to cup my face and brushes my lips with his thumb while he caresses my cheek with his fingers. “What’s brought this on?” he asks.
I move my head, looking down, but he pulls my chin back up with his hand, so I have no choice but for my eyes to meet his.
I swallow the lump in my throat. “I just…” I mumble as he looks at me.
“It’s okay. You can talk to me.”
I exhale and decide I may as well tell him the truth. “I have major trust issues with men. My dad left before I was born. My ex… well… he cheated and left me, amongst other crazy shit.”
He sighs. “Trust issues, hey? I know trust can be an issue for some people, but it has to be earned. I don’t know about you, but for me, I feel a spark between us, and I’d like to see where it leads.”
I can’t help but smile. “I think there’s something here. too, and I want to find out what it is.”
“Perfect,” he beams, leaning his forehead against mine.
“That got serious really quick.” I chuckle.
He nods in agreement as he kisses my nose softly.
“Aiden…”
“Yes, Jeni?”
“Kiss me,” I barely whisper, and he lunges forward pushing me back on the blanket, placing his hand under my head to stop it from colliding with the ground. He moves on top of me, and we both laugh as he strokes my hair. Softly and steadily, he leans in and kisses me eagerly. He smiles against my lips as he starts to move his body over mine. He lowers himself on top of me, and we make out feverishly, our bodies touching in every way.
At this moment, all I feel is pure happiness. I haven’t felt this way before and never as quickly as this. This man makes me feel warm and safe.
But can I trust him?
He’s swept me up, but am I just getting tangled in another man’s web of deceit?
I don’t know.
It’s something I’m going to have to work through, but for tonight, I am going to be in the moment.
Tomorrow there will be plenty of time to figure out this game of trust.
We spend most of the night kissing or talking about our lives, our families, and indulging in general chit-chat until we fall asleep in each other’s arms under the sparkling night sky.