Emilia.

"I'm so tired, Aiden." I yawn, wrapping my hands around his neck, I don't know why he's woken me up. A heavy scent of bourbon lingers around him as we lay tangled in the bed sheets.

"Shh, babe. Just a little while longer." He holds a finger up. Then a clock chimes; showcasing it's midnight. He flips himself over, sitting in between my legs.

"Happy Birthday, Beautiful." He smiles, pulling me in for a kiss.

I look at him, completely stunned. "How did you know?" I ask, twirling the promise ring that we haven't yet talk about around my finger. I want to ask him so bad about it, but he was going to give it to me the night he was taken... is it a promise ring? Or just a gift?

"I know everything about you." He kisses my cheek, then down my neck. "What you like." He places a hand on my throat, "What you dislike." His voice is husky, "What you need from me." His warm hand cups me, his touch awakening me.

***

Walking downstairs the next morning takes a moment, last night was perfect but having sex multiple times in one night has me walking on wobbly legs.

Taking a seat at the barstool I look over at Ashley as she attempts to make something at the stove. Her hair in a bun atop of her head, with pajamas adorning her tall frame. I would offer to help, but I legitimately can't walk straight.

I look around for anyone else, only spotting a few quiet guards dotted at entrances to the cabin. I don't have to look for long as Aiden walks in, looking confident as always.

From the looks of him I can tell why I woke up to an empty bed this morning. He's been busy working out, only wearing gray track pants. His hair lays messy on his head and his entire body is glistening.

I bite my lip as I watch him looking at me, the way his emerald eyes seem to always drink me in sends chills down my spine. Rubbing his hands together he walks up to me, placing a warm hand on my thigh. Leaning down he whispers into my ear, "How you feeling today, angel?"

I wasn't sure if I should tell him what happened last night after we went upstairs. Shortly after he fell asleep in my arms, which isn't the usual. Normally it's reversed, me on his chest and his arms wrapped tightly around my waist.

He had a terrible nightmare, all he kept repeating was "No, No, NO." I want to get him to talk to someone about what he went through, but he refuses to disclose even the smallest bit of information with me about his time in the torture chamber in Italy.

He's staring at me waiting for an answer, I didn't realize I zoned out. I nod, "I'm good." I smile, taking a deep breath. He's so close, his scent is intoxicating, and he's been working out. How does he do it? Always so... perfect.

He moves a hand from behind his back, showcasing a solitary yellow rose. He's good, so good. The way my eyes drink him in at that moment takes my breath away, pure adoration is the only way I can explain my feelings for him.

"Em, can you help me?" Ashley desperate voice breaks me from my longing thoughts. As I look over to her, I see that she's not facing me, Aiden steps up and kisses my forehead. I grab the single rose and breathe it in, twirling it between my fingers.

"Go help her." I plead with him in a whisper, he cocks his brow at me.

"I don't know how to cook." He laughs, whispering back but its awkward because he doesn't understand why we're whispering in the first place.

I look down to my legs and after my eyes return to him, I see realization dawn on his face. He leans in, kissing my cheek and whispers, "I fucked you too hard last night."

A huff sounds from somewhere behind us, "Okay, is someone going to help me cook?" Now Ashley is turned in our direction. Looking irritated.

Aiden waves her off, "Yeah. Yeah."

Ashley looks between us with surprise as Aiden makes his way to the stove. "You're going to help?" She's holding a spatula in her hand; flicking it towards a grinning Aiden. Shrugging she says, "Okay, chop the fruit.".

I admire Aiden as he chops strawberries, looking adorable doing such a delicate task. Then I turn my attention to my best friend, I wonder how many times she's gotten to bond with Aiden. I'm so happy they have a better relationship now.

Lost in thought I barely notice any time has passed. She places a plate in front of me, a pancake... with two eyes and a smiley face made from chocolate chips. Oh no. She was making my birthday breakfast, why did I think this was a one time thing last year and not the start of a tradition?

Aiden squeezes in next to me at the bar top, holding his own plate of pancakes, sans smiley. "Why this?' He gestures to my breakfast with an amused expression

Ashley raises a brow at him, "I make her this the morning of her birthday, don't judge." she smiles at me, "Happy Birthday by the way!"

"Thank you Ash."

Aiden tilts his head at me, grinning. "Smiley face pancakes?"

"Absolutely!" I say, smiling. Inside, I'm dying.

Ashley turns to the stove, continuing her assault on the poor pancakes. I don't know why I didn't notice what she was doing before. Aiden takes a bite, I watch as he chews slowly, his nose turning up slightly. Then he begins to head towards the trash can. I lean into him "Don't you dare spit it out." I say with a whisper.

"Going to grab Ricky!" Ash squeals, dancing out of the kitchen.

When she leaves Aiden looks at his pancakes, his brows creasing. "What in the fuck?" he says to the plate, I hold back laughter.

"I don't have the heart to tell her they're awful." I scan my eyes around the room to triple check that we're alone. "I was a little homesick on my birthday last year and Ashley asked what I normally did... I told her my mom made pancakes..." I trail off, gesturing to the mound of whatever is on my plate.

"You should tell her, these should be fucking illegal." He jokes, I swat him on the arm. "I'll tell her. You shouldn't have to endure this on your birthday."

I narrow my eyes, "You tell her, I won't talk to you for a week."

Laughing, he slides his pancake into the trash. "Baby, in what world would you not talk to me for a week?" immediate silence grows between us. My thoughts rewinding to the weeks I spent thinking he was dead. His thoughts, unreachable.

Distant laughs drown out our silence. Aiden brings my hand to his lips, taking his time to kiss each knuckle before everyone crowds the kitchen.

Ashley hands Ricky a plate, he gives her a fake smile. He must know, it's not for lack of me trying. I have showed her before how to bake and cook but she gets so damn excited about these pancakes... who am I to hurt her feelings?

With some effort I finish my pancakes, smiling at a happy Ash the entire time. A frown forms on my face as I see Leo walking into the kitchen. The skin around his gray eyes darkened immensely. I turn my attention to Aiden, who is now eating an apple. "What?" He asks, noticing my expression.

I look around, "Living room?" I gesture, he nods.

It's not very private anywhere in this cabin. It's designed beautifully and there's plenty of space, but everything is so... open. Looking at Aiden pointedly I try and keep my voice down. "I told you not to hurt him."

He crosses his arms against his chest, "No, you said don't kill him. Does he look dead? And I hardly hurt him... serves him right."

"He saved your life Aiden."

He scoffs, "I punched him for touching you. For his involvement in my rescue I drank a bottle of bourbon with him after I beat the fuck out of him." His eyes narrow, "You saved my life, not him."

Rolling my eyes, "I think you hate him because you're so similar."

he scoffs, "Don't fucking compare me to him."

"No, no. I just-"

Aiden cuts me off, "I hate him because he we're going after the same girl. As long as he understands now, things will be okay."

"Em!" Ash yells for me, we come back into the kitchen. My eyes lock with Leo's for a brief moment and I give him an apologetic smile but besides the black eye and bruised jaw he seems totally fine, smiling away.

Ash leans against the counter, eating a bowl of cereal. Aiden asks her, "So you're not eating the pancakes?"

Here we go, "No, I hate pancakes. They're Em's fave though." She smiles at me, returning her attention to the frosted flakes. Aiden gives me a 'that explains it look.'

With a mouthful of cereal she asks, "So I have an idea of what to do for your birthday!"

I watch as Aiden and Leo both stand a little taller, looking at her. "And what's that?" Aiden asks, his tone weary.

"A bonfire!" She squeals, scooting closer to Ricky. I can tell she's excited for something besides sitting in this cabin.

Aiden looks at me, his face twisted. "If you want to go out, I could arrange something." I can tell he's trying to make me feel better about being stuck inside the cabin but it's only temporary, right?

I shake my head, "A bonfire here with all of you sounds perfect."

***

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