Chapter 26

Aiden felt a lot better, too. More hopeful, definitely. And, huh, cleaner. He ran his fingers through his hair, which felt like he’d just washed it. He touched his chin and it was smooth. “Did you clean me?”

It wasn’t difficult.

“Thank you.” And maybe it was because he was a little buzzed on angel light, or maybe it was how saying his angel belonged to him felt as natural and right as holding him—kissing him—had been, but Aiden felt compelled to ask, “So, you’ve never done anything else, either?”

The angel’s smile was surprisingly shy. No.

“Oh,” Aiden said softly. It was on the tip of his tongue to ask, would you like to?But even as he opened his mouth to say it, all he could think of was the riptide of what his angel felt for him. Aiden wasn’t ready for that yet. He still couldn’t quite shake the thought that if he opened himself to more, he’d drown.

It’s all right, Aiden. You owe me nothing. I will never take or ask for more than you can give.