Chapter 56
Aiden swallows hard and nods. “Oh? What are you considering?” He says. His voice is rough and low, and it sends a shiver down my spine.
“Well,” I say, my voice playful, “I know you can’t move very much. You probably won’t be able to touch me. But…” I trail off meaningfully. Aiden is hanging on to my every word.
“But what?” He urges me. I can see the hunger in his eyes, and it makes my body feel hot.
“I guess you can look at me,” I tease. Aiden nods immediately.
“Yes. Please,” he says msistently, his voice almost hoarse. I can see his hands flex and tighten with obvious desire. I can’t help but feel a boost of confidence as I realize just how badly he wants to touch me.
“Are you sure you can handle it, Aiden?” 1 tease. My heart is beating fast as I muster my confidence. “You might not be able to handle what you’re asking for.”
Aiden’s expression turns predatory. “I’ll never know until you let me see,” he counters.
My heart rate spikes at his words. He always knows exactly what to say to get me excited, I think faintly. I can’t help but let out a soft laugh despite my embarrassment. “Well, if you insist.
I slowly unbutton my blouse and let it begin to slip off of my shoulders. I make sure that my movements are slow and sensual as I do. Aiden’s eyes rake over my body hungrily, He watches with rapt attention as I slowly shed off my top
“Are you going to show me more?” He asks, his voice low. I raise in eyebrow and quirk a smile.
“Well, what do you want to see?” I ask him with a wink.
“Everything,” he says darkly. I shiver again.
“We might not have time for that… But I can show you more,” I promise. I reach behind me to unclasp my bra, slowly letting my guard down. I let Aiden drink me in with his eyes, his satisfaction and desire obvious in his every movement.
1 don’t stay out of my clothes for long- the threat of a nurse or doctor returning to the room is too ever present. Still, I’m able to provide some temporary relief from the frustration simmering beneath the surface. We find some solace in a few passionate kisses and Aiden’s hands roaming over my body.
Even as we have temporary moments of relief, the two of us have to cope with the physical barrier between us somehow Aiden immersed himself in anything he can get his hands on in the hospital room. That makes it especially fun to tease him-
I spend plenty of time sending playful texts to him whenever I’m out of the hospital. I enjoy sending him photos – sometimes simple and innocent, sometimes less so. Every time his response is more intense than the last.
“Come here.”
“I need you.”
“You’re mine.”
Our text conversations occasionally evolve into sensual phone calls. Although it’s not a lot in comparison to what we once shared, there’s something sort of thrilling about trying to sneak intimacy whenever we can.
Time moves forward. Aiden is discharged from the hospital, and we spend time hunkered down in his villa. He still has to make the occasional visit to the hospital, but for the most part he’s more independent now.
Although Aiden has surprisingly fast healing, the semifinals were swiftly approaching. News outlets by now had caught on that Aiden’s injury was more than just a simple sprain. Reporters were buzzing about how no one had caught photos of Aiden outside in weeks.
Uncertainty hangs over us like a dark cloud. The unspoken worry rings louder by the day: what if Aiden isn’t healed by the championship!
The stressors only continue. Aiden’s parents call not long into his injury and time as an in-patient. Aiden tries to ignore their calls at first, but eventually they become relentless. He finally gives in and decides to answer.
They immediately insist that they come visit him in person. I hear Aiden arguing on the phone with his father for almost an hour. At least this time he asked, I think dryly.
“Not now, I hear Aiden say firmly. “Wait until after the semifinals match. I’m not going to be in any state to see you before
then.
1 hear Aiden’s father argue loudly on the other side of the phone. Eventually, Aiden gets fed up and has to cut him off.
“If you wait until after the semifinals, I’ll give you more of my time. We can do things on your schedule. Just give me until then, and you have my word.
The conversation finally starts to calm down, after that. Although it takes some cajoling, Aiden’s parents eventually agree to his terms – albeit grudgingly. I’m just happy that the both of us will have some more peace.
In the days leading up to the semifinals match, Aiden immersed himself in the Freeze’s practice, watching every piece of footage he can get his hands on. I can tell it pains him not to be there, but we’re able to still engage with the team from afar.
On the day of the match, Aiden is up early. His nerves are clearly buzzing with anticipation as he watches the pre-match broadcast
The footage shows the team staying pretty positive as they answer interview questions and warm up. Still, the tension in the air is palpable. Everyone wants to know if the Freezecin still function without Aiden. All eyes are on them.
Aiden seems particularly pensive this morning. He watches the broadcast intensely as he sips his c me, making a request that catches me off guard.
coffee. At last, he turns to
“I think the team needs you.” he says suddenly, his voice serious. I think you’re the only one who can raise their morale and
calm them down.”
I feel a surge of anxiety. “Me?” I say incredulously. “I’m an assistant coach-I don’t think my presence is that important, or else they would have insisted that I come.”Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDrâ/ma.O(r)g!
Aiden shakes his head. There’s a glint in his eye that I can’t quite place. “No, it’s not about you being an assistant coach — it’s about you. You’re insightful. You help people in ways I’m not even sure you fully understand. They need you.”
1 let out a startled laugh. “I don’t know what you’re getting at,” I say honestly. I chew on my lip. “But… do you really think I could help?”
Aiden takes my hands and nods firmly. “Yes. You’re the only one who can help them, now.
I feel bewildered by Aiden’s sudden intensity. I’m not sure that I understand where he’s coming from. Although the team has come to respect me more, our relationship is still rocky. They still likely hold me with a level of suspicion considering my outsider status.
Still, Aiden thinks this will help. Even if it doesn’t help the team, it might help him. I take in a deep breath and get to my Teet. I don’t know what reception awaits me at the ring. All that know is that I need to go.