The next several days dragged by. Aedan had told her between work and training, there’d be little time to see her. He’d call her late, after work, sounding exhausted and frustrated. She wondered if it was lack of sleep or if something else was going on.

Bliss couldn’t take the foreground forever. Life needed to get in the way and a few days later, Rosa tried to deal with the frustration of not seeing Aedan since that night. He’d warned her that the next few weeks would be extremely busy. He needed to focus on training and fighting, at the same time squeezing in work. There was basically zero time for her. She told him she understood, but it didn’t stop the yearning to see him.

He’d called her late the night before, and barely spoke to her. She wondered if he was exhausted and needed to sleep.

“Frank’s upset,” he told her the next night. “Says my timing’s off. He’s not happy I’m working.”

“But—”

“But he understands the situation. He knows I need to pay some bills.”

“I know it’s not how you saw things happening,” she said quietly, hating that she was part of the reason he’d even considered taking the job. She shouldn’t have pushed him.

“It is what it is. I’ll get it sorted.” Aedan sighed. “I’m just tired. And I hate not seeing you.”

Rosa twisted her fingers in the corner of her sheet, then untwisted them. She stroked the wrinkles carefully from the soft fabric. “I miss you too, Aedan.” She wasn’t sure if her heart or her body missed him more.

“There’s other things.” He paused, maybe trying to decide if he should say what he was thinking. Or he wasn’t missing her as much she missed him. “Fuck it. It’s not that great of a place to work.”

“What do you mean?” Her father owned nice restaurants. It wasn’t the slums or crappy work conditions.

“It’s kind of a replay of the party at your friend’s house. I’m apparently not ‘good enough’ to be a dishwasher there, according to the rest of the staff. I’m just trying to lay low till either they get used to me or—”

“Or what?” If he was trying to get fired, her father was never going to let her continue see him. Adult or not, she still lived under her parent’s house, their rules. Why couldn’t Aedan just try? Was it that hard? She held her breath waiting to see what he’d say.

“Or I get the match I want, not the one in a couple months. I’ve convinced Frank and he’s been working on getting a match for me with the big guy, Derek Stone. I got Frank to see it’s either now or never for me. I don’t want to wait a couple months. I need to do this now.”

What had been amorphous possibility somewhere in the future jumped into startling clarity. Rosa felt her heart beat faster. “But Aedan, do you think—”

She heard him blow out a breath, the exhaustion clear in his voice. “Look, Rosa, I’m beat. I’ll call you tomorrow. Maybe I’ll have time in the afternoon, after training and before work. Right now, I’m too tired to think straight. I don’t want to fight and this sounds like we’re going to.”

“Oh, for heaven’s sake! I’m not trying to pick a fight. Can’t you just stop training? Take a break. At least until...” She could hear the edge in her voice and bit back her words.

“Until what? You know I can’t do that.”

“Yeah. I know.” She couldn’t keep the annoyance out of her voice.

Aedan sighed. “Why’re you angry with me now, Rosa? What’d I do?”

“I’m not. You’re just being silly.”

There was a pause and then he spoke, a slight hitch in his voice, “Silly because I want something you can’t understand? That I’m doing something that doesn’t fit into your world? Which one is it? Or is it both?”

She frowned at the phone. “That’s not what I meant.”

“Listen. I’ve got to go...I’ll call you later.” The line went dead.

She stared at her phone before tossing it on her bed. Aedan was tired, irritable. She knew he was tired. She probably wasn’t being fair, but she couldn’t help herself. She missed him. When they were together things were always easier. This was... hard. Maybe if he slept he’d feel better.

* * *

“ROSA?” HER FATHER CALLED.

Rosa set her fork down beside her plate of half-eaten food she’d been poking at for the last half hour. It’d been three days. Aedan had said he’d call three days ago and he hadn’t. It was driving her crazy. She’d texted and left him a message. His only reply was that he was busy and he’d call when he had a chance. Now, her phone lay silent in her lap and she hadn’t heard from him all day. It was silly to wait by a phone, but still she couldn’t stop herself. “Hey, dad. I’m in the dining room. How was work?”

“Fine.” He stood by the door. He didn’t lean against it but stood stiffly upright. “Can I talk to you a moment.”

“Of course.” The hairs on the back of her neck prickled. Had something happened? With mom? She prayed her assumption she told Aedan wasn’t about to be proven. If she was having an affair—

“Why don’t you come to my office?”

“S-Sure.” She stood, following her father toward his study, though she wasn’t sure why he bothered. Her mother had hardly been home since the weekend, and it was only the two of them. Sophie was still in the house. Maybe he wanted to avoid her overhearing. Rosa frowned as he closed the study door and took a seat on one of the leather chairs. “Everything alright?” She swallowed hard. Please Mom, don’t be messing this up.

“I had a call last night from the restaurant,” her father said, leaning against the edge of his desk. “Aedan’s been fired.”

Rosa could feel the blood drain from her face. Aedan?

“Did he tell you the reason why?”

She shook her head. “I haven’t spoken to Aedan in a couple of days...”

Her father frowned. “The chef said he was ‘aggressive’ toward the other staff, uncooperative and unwilling to listen when reprimanded.”

Rosa’s eyebrows drew together. “Aedan’s a hard worker. I know he wouldn’t have been fired for being lazy.”

“I suspect it was more of a physical conflict that got him fired. I don’t have the details, but do you think he might’ve lost his temper and hit someone?”

“No. I don’t.” Anger flared as she got to her feet, staring across the room at her father. “Why would you think that? Maybe because everyone assumes since he’s a fighter he’s got no control over his temper. Well, you’re wrong. He has. The only times he’s ever hit someone has been when he’s been provoked. He doesn’t just go around hitting people because he knows how.” She was already walking toward the door as she spoke. Her father stared after her, his expression pained, but he didn’t try to call her back. “I think I’ll wait until I hear from Aedan before I listen to anything else you have to say. I’m don’t think you have the whole story. Had you even thought to ask him before you assumed anything?”

She left before her dad could reply.

Once her room, Rosa dialed Aedan’s cell phone. It rang a long time so she hung up and tried again. Just before his voicemail picked up, he answered.

“H-Hullo?” He sounded groggy and she knew she’d woken him up.

“Aedan? You okay?”

“Rosa? Yeah. I’m fine. I just...what time is it?” There were muffled noises on Aedan’s end of the line. “Oh, shit. It’s later than I thought.”

Rosa waited a moment. Waiting for him to tell what’d happened. When he didn’t say anything, she forced the air from her nose, trying to suppress a sigh. “Do you have something you want to tell me?”

He snorted. “Oh, yeah. You talked to your father, didn’t you? I figured he’d tell you before I got the chance.” He yawned. “I got fired.”

She heard the bedsprings squeaking through the phone. Despite being upset, she couldn’t help picturing him in his bed. She closed her eyes, willing away the image of him, the sheet pulled carelessly across his hips, chest bare, in the light from the window. That’s not helping here, Rosa. “What happened?”

“It was like I said. Like your friend’s party. Same thing happened there. There’s some kind of pecking order with your people I’ll never understand. I tried to do what I was told, got yelled at for either doing it wrong or not doing something else. All they did was yell.” He took a deep breath. “The final straw was when the head guy in the kitchen called me white trash.”

Rosa cringed. “That’s not very nice.” She hesitated. “What did you do?” There was no judgement in her tone. She’d meant it when she told her father she believed Aedan didn’t go around hitting people whenever he felt like it. Still, a part of her worried he’d hear the question as blame.

Aedan sighed through the phone. He sounded weary and... sad. “I told him he knew nothing about me and had no right to call me that. Then I went out to smoke a cigarette. I don’t even freakin’ smoke. Haven’t for years. The idiot followed me out back, told me I’d left my station without permission, and fired me.”

Rosa winced. “But. What about—”

“Look, Rosa. I’m exhausted. I’m still half-asleep. Come over. I haven’t seen you in days. I want you here, in my bed.”

Her heart sped. “Aedan, maybe you should just sleep.”

There was a brief pause. “Rosa, please. I need you here.”

“Give me twenty minutes.”

* * *

AEDAN OPENED THE DOOR to her soft knock. He was dressed in just a pair of thin gray sweatpants, hanging low on his narrow hips. Silently he pulled her to him, his lips finding hers. There was something almost desperate in his kiss, a longing, a need. She let him fold her against his body, the heat and hardness of him sending a rush of arousal through her.

“Aedan, I...” she whispered his name.

“Shhh.” He placed a finger against her lips. “Later.”

He led her down the hall to his room. The bed was rumpled, the pillows bunched among tangled sheets. But it didn’t matter.

She reached for him, pulling him into her arms. He briefly buried his head on her shoulder, nuzzling her neck before finding her lips again. She could feel his erection pressing against her stomach, the thin material between them not concealing anything. Her hands were splayed across his chest, fingers reading the contours of his muscles, the raised edge of the scar, the hard nipples.

His hands were tugging at her shirt, pulling it up over her body. She broke away for a moment to let him pull it over her head. He tossed it to the floor, looking down at her for a moment.

“Hmmm...no bra...” Any response she made was muffled against his lips. She slid her fingers beneath the waistband of his sweatpants, tugging them over his hips, and they slid to the floor.

With sure movements, he undid the fastenings on her jeans, tugging them down, letting her kick them away. His hands moved down her back, cupping her ass, flexing his hips forward against her body. She wrapped her arms around his neck as he picked her up, her legs sliding up his thighs, wrapping around his waist. She broke away from their kiss. The muscles in his arms rippled but he held her with ease.

“Aedan...” She ran her fingers softly over his face, across his lips. His eyes were dark, hooded, passion evident, combined with longing. She could feel his erection slide between her legs, the delicious friction of the barely there brushes against her sending waves of passion through her body. Aedan shifted her in his grasp, spreading his legs, his cock poised against her body.

Rosa tightened her legs around his waist, pulling him into her, exhaling as he entered her. Aedan closed his eyes and she felt a shiver pass through his body.

After a moment, he opened his eyes. “Fuck, Rosa... I need this. I need you so badly right now.” He took a few steps, tipping her back onto the bed and pushing her across the firm mattress. She felt him bracing his knees on the bed, his hips already driving his cock further into her body.

His thrusts were hard and fast, his head turned away from her, mouth pressed against her shoulder. She could feel the need in him, the tense muscles in his back and shoulders. There was nothing she was required to do except be there, open and accepting, letting him find in her body whatever comfort he needed.

She felt his body stiffen, his thrusts becoming erratic. He lifted his head, looking down at her. “I’m sorry...I can’t...” The words tore from his throat on rasping breaths.

“It’s okay. Let go...” She caressed his face as he closed his eyes, his face twisted in a look that was more pain than pleasure.

With a groan, Aedan came, his body jerking above her, his hips pushing forward. She rolled her hips up, her legs still wrapped around his waist, holding him against her body.

It was brief, and then he collapsed next to her on the bed. He wrapped one arm around her, pulling her against him. She put her hand on his chest, felt the pounding of his heart, his breath coming in short ragged gasps.

It took her a moment to realize he was crying.

She tried to pull away, to look at his face. “No...don’t.” His voice was rough with emotion. “Not yet.” His arm tightened around her shoulders, one hand clutching hers against his chest.

He held her a few minutes longer, until his breathing became regular, his heartbeat slowing beneath her fingers. He finally rolled onto his back, still holding her hand.

She rose up on one elbow, watching his face. “Aedan? Are you okay?”

He opened his eyes, turning to look at her. “I am now.” He took a deep breath and gave her a tired smile. “It’s been a hell of a rough week.” The smile faded into a frown, and he looked away from her. “I’m sorry...”

“For what?” She touched his cheek.

“I feel like I’m using you...” His frown deepened.

“You are.” She traced the line of his lips, pressing her fingertips to his mouth as he tried to speak. “But it’s okay.” She leaned over, kissing him softly. “I know why...and it’s okay. I want to be here for you, whatever you need. And this is what you needed right now. Someday, it might be my turn to ask you for something. And you’ll be there for me. Like I’m here for you.”

For a long moment, silence fell between them, the only sound the noise of the world going on outside.

Finally, Aedan looked up at her. “Rosa...” His fingers curled closer around hers. “I... I love you.”

The naked emotion in his eyes made her eyelids prick with tears. “You’ve never said those words to anyone, have you?”

Aedan took a deep breath. “No.”

She ran her fingers over the curve of his cheek. “I love you too, Aedan.”

He pulled her to him, his kiss hard and passionate, his hands splayed across her back. Then he rolled over, pinning her to the bed. “I have no idea what I’ve done to deserve this. Or you.” Aedan stared hard into her eyes. “I felt like something had changed between us. Like I’d lost you.” He shook his head. “It terrified me.” He took a deep breath, the tension rolling of him. “It’s like a weight off my shoulders. That you’re here, that I got fired...”

“You’re relieved that you got fired?” She frowned.

“Yeah, I am. It wasn’t what I wanted...”

“You didn’t have to accept the job if you didn’t want it.” Rosa squirmed beneath him. “I just thought it would help. I wasn’t trying to force you to take it.”

He rolled onto his side, one hand resting on her hip. “That’s not what I meant. I just didn’t want the tension between us. I am—was—grateful for the job. I know you, and your father, meant it to be a good thing.” He pulled her on top of him, as he dropped onto his back, and she relaxed into the embrace, resting her head on his shoulder. “I don’t want to argue...” He brushed the hair back from her face, kissing the top of her head.

For a few minutes she was quiet in his arms.

“Are you going back to training full-time?” she asked finally.

“I never stopped. I was training and working... Trying to do both. Frank told me earlier he’s going to try setting me up for the match with Stone. He’s not sure about scheduling.” Aedan shrugged. “It could  happen sooner than he thought.”

Rosa flinched in the growing darkness. “You’re going after the match with Stone so soon? But I thought... wasn’t it supposed to be in a couple months?”

“Schedules changed. It happens.” Aedan held her up so he could see her face. “You sound upset. Why? This is what I’ve been training for. This is my dream. The start of it. I do good in this match, agents see me, and I have a chance to make something of myself.”

“I just...I thought after...well, if you had a real job, you wouldn’t have to do this.” She sat up, pulling the sheet over her body, her forehead creased. “Why do you think you have to fight? You could go back to school or try to get another job. Or something. Anything.”

The silence was brittle.

“Rosa.” Aedan stared at her, confusion radiating from his face. “Haven’t you been listening to anything I’ve said to you since we met?”

“Of course I have. I—”

“You really don’t get it at all, do you?” He pushed himself off the bed, scooping his sweatpants from the floor, walking toward the bathroom.

“Aedan,” Rosa called after him.

His response was the bathroom door slamming.