Cabin Fever | ✓

(54) That's A Matthews Jawline

Kyra and Jace stayed behind to use Ian's shower, which had been well-loved for the past hour. Between Marley, Aiden, Ian, Kyra, Eli and Jace it could be considered communal.

But soon after they called Kyra's older sister, who was supposed to bring them the 'ransom' money, they were picked up from the hotel. It was an emotional exchange - which included said older sister hugging Aiden for a bit too long to do anything but confirm that her wide-eyed gaze on him was clearly awe and not gratefulness - but it ended quickly. Kyra and Jace did exchange numbers with Marley, though. A night like that had brought them together.

There was also the fact that Jace seemed almost begging for Aiden's guidance on how to get the girl, considering Kyra had gushed for almost twenty minutes about he and Marley's 'romantic' rain kiss. But Marley didn't miss the way Kyra looked at Jace with a hint of longing. It would happen. In a way, kind of like Marley and Aiden did.

But that's another story.

Now they were back in Ian's hotel room, Aiden, Marley and Eli all dressed in Aiden's clothing that Ian somehow had an abundance of in his luggage.

His claim was that he was bringing it for Aiden, but there was the silent understanding that Ian uses his brother's clothes as his PJ's because he misses him.

Though he'd never admit that out loud.

As much as Aiden and Ian love each other, they're still siblings and that expression of love is always a bit...unconventional.

Dallas was on her way after Eli gave her the call that they were safe. He had gotten her out of there as soon as he could because this was his suicide mission, not hers. It was clear though, that whatever animosity existed between Aiden and Eli, in the beginning, was still there and that it would take a long time before Aiden forgave him.

But he still didn't know what Eli told Marley when they were alone. She'd tell Aiden once they were alone if any talking actually happened in the near future.

Which seemed highly unlikely at the present moment, given that Aiden was doing just about every discreet thing he could do to drive her crazy. His warm fingers dragging along her arm from over his sweater, his lips pressing against her hair, other hand tangled with hers, thumb rubbing circles over the heated skin. She was laying with him under the covers on the Queen bed, really wanting to do other things on said bed and her smug, devious boyfriend knew it.

Not that she was complaining in the least. She loves her smug, devious boyfriend to death and the elation that comes with him being here and safe is all that matters.

"-guns and most of the men I dealt with had them. I knew there was the possibility of them being used on us while we drove them in circles with the bikes." Eli was perched on one of the couches in the corner, avoiding looking at Aiden and Marley entirely.

But she didn't care about how he was feeling right now. She needed to be close to Aiden and it wasn't an option to be any farther than she is.

"I saw a gun in one of the guys' jackets that held me," Aiden added, both his hands stilling briefly. Marley tilted her head up to lock eyes with him, watching his soften. He caressed her cheek with a gentle touch, "I knew the second we walked into that garage that getting you out before we did anything else was the only option. Eli and I on the bikes distracting the men could cover up your and Ian leaving the trailer park."

Marley pursed her lips, fighting a smile when she watched his eyes focus on the movement, "Still, Aiden, leaving like that...and Ian and I not knowing-"

"Don't start with that," Aiden cut her off with a colder tone than she was anticipating. He pulled her closer, pressing his lips to her forehead, "Not when you left me first. Not when there could've been a thousand different outcomes that would've destroyed me."