“You will be surprised how quickly he learns. He has already learned up, down, come, stay, and eat. You can now use those words in sentences and visual cues with or without the words.”
While he was talking, he was still looking at his phone. His forehead was creased like he was concentrating. I wanted to rub the creases away with my fingers.
I stood up. “I’m going to make us all some lunch.”
“Sounds great. What are you making?”
“Pasta! I am Italian, after all. We like pasta as often as possible.” I walked into the kitchen.
“Done,” Aaron announced as he put down his phone and seemed to relax. Then he just leaned back and watched me. How could his gaze get me so hot and bothered? When I looked into his eyes, I could see nothing but lust.
“Is everything okay?” I almost squeaked when I asked him. It appeared when I was turned on, I had difficulty speaking.
“Seems like the machines are running smoothly. I had some contractors with questions. I have two more bottles of that reserve stock on the way over. I sent Rodney your address for Friday. You have my full attention until at least dinner time.” He gave me one of those smiles that lit up his entire face. Those eyes still held fire, but there was delight there, too, and it was so incredibly sexy.
I felt the dancing butterflies as I finished lunch. I took two of the pottery bowls down. It had taken weeks to find just the perfect dishes.I was more inclined to want to live on a farm with no neighbors for miles. However, I chose to live in this apartment because being in the city made more sense. I would invite clients and sponsors over. Everything was clean lines and tidy. In my business, clients expect you to have a particular style. Nobody ever saw my dishes, though. These were for me.
I chopped up meat for Charlie and put it on a plate. I dropped my shoulder, “Charlie down. Go ahead and eat.” He jumped to the table, looking at me curiously. “Charlie, eat.” He blinked once, then walked over to the plate. “You are such a good boy. You are my best boy.” I ran a hand down his head and body.
I grabbed two bowls and filled them with lunch. I carried them both into the living room. I handed the bowl and a fork to Aaron. “Bon Appetit’.”
He looked at the bright orange noodles in the bowl. “Is this blue box macaroni and cheese?” He looked at me, cockeyed.
“Well, yes, yes, it is. Name brand and everything just for you. If you play your cards right, I will invite you for dinner, and you can enjoy pizza rolls.” I grinned at him.
“You eat like a fourteen-year-old. I’m impressed that you keep a body like that and eat food like this.” He pointed to the bowl. “I need to learn your secrets.” Running his eyes up and down my body, then taking a fork full of pasta. “Damn, this shit is good, I don’t know why I ever stopped eating it.” He took another mouthful. “Thank you, River, for making my lunch.”
The man just thanked me for fixing him boxed mac n’ cheese. The little butterflies in me were becoming more persistent, feeling more like hummingbirds. I didn’t think it was a bad thing at all. I just wasn’t sure what to do with them.
Chapter twelve
Aaron
River took our bowls into the kitchen; Charlie watched him from the counter. When River got close, Charlie started doing a little stomp dance that dragons do when they want attention. Without thinking, River tapped his chest and said up. Charlie flew up, perching on his shoulder. I liked that they were starting to have a natural rhythm between them.
I watched him walk into the living room. His body was everything my fantasies were full of, even with his slight limp from the injured foot. “Did you change the dressing on that foot today?” I asked.
“No. I figured I would do it this evening before bed.”
“I’ll help you if you want to do it now. Might be easier with someone else than trying to wrap it alone.” I was making an excuse to touch him. I ached to feel the warmth of his skin, and by his smirk, I could tell he didn’t buy the reason any more than I did. I knew he felt the attraction between us. I just wanted to get closer to him, and I was going to make up reasons to do so.
He blushed. “You’re probably right. Let me go get the gauze.”
When he returned, he had everything needed to clean and rewrap his foot. Charlie rode around on his shoulder as if they had always been companions.
Sitting next to me, River put his foot on his knee so he could take care of the old bandages. He hadn’t assumed I was going to touch himeven though I had suggested helping him. It was sweet how awkward he could be. It continued to surprise me that he was a sports agent. They had to be highly aggressive to handle negotiations and have an iron fist to manage their clients. The River I saw was neither of those things. He had quiet confidence with a little shy awkwardness.
“Here. Let me do that for you.” I waved to the end of the couch.
He patted the back of the couch and dipped his shoulder. “Charlie down. Take a nap or something,” I chuckled. Charlie jumped to the place River had tapped, then curled himself up.
“We need to shop later and get him some proper beds. It will give him a little safe spot for sleeping.”
“That would be great.”
“Right now, though, let me help you with this. Give me your foot.” He sat with his back against the arm of the couch, his feet towards me. I had him put the bandaged foot up on my thigh. I pushed up the leg of his pants and put my hand on his shin, knowing there was no reason for this, but I had to touch him. We both knew he could handle this independently, but we would pretend my help was necessary.
I gently removed the old dressing. “Your stitches look good, and the cut doesn’t seem infected.” I wiped the row of stitches gently with alcohol, being more thorough than necessary since I did not want to move my hand from his leg. I was making excuses to feel the warmth of his skin. His heat warmed me from where I was touching him down into my core. I slowly wrapped everything, being careful. Everything was cleaned and covered.
