I tried to remember what it was like when I lived with Stephen. If I were honest with myself, we didn’t have domestic moments. We had become business partners. How did I miss all the signs that seemed so obvious now? I let out a long sigh.
River was on the floor with his shirt off, where he did crunches. If this were a cartoon, I would have hearts coming out of my eyes, and my tongue would hang on the floor. I’ve seen some exquisite bodies, but this was beyond. He was perfectly sculpted. I could stare at him for days.
He stood up, and I could only gaze at his torso. Next to him, I felt dumpy, but our sexual energy was palpable. “My face is up here, buddy.” He teased me. It was clear he didn’t mind my staring at him. I figured he probably wouldn’t mind my touching either, but I was trying here. As much as it was killing me, I was glad I was not letting sex rule my brain. I got to see so much more of himthis way.
I blushed and grabbed another bottle of wine. I’d get a car service to drive me home. “Go to bed, Daisy. Go to bed, Charlie.” They both flew to the box behind the sofa. Charlie climbed in first, then Daisy after. There was the shuffling and snuffling, then silence.
While he was finishing his exercises, I turned off one of the lights and sat in the corner of the couch. When he finished, he stood up again. I opened my arms, offering him a place to snuggle. He shuffled over and settled against my chest. We turned the movie back on, and then I kissed the side of his head. I think this was what my life needed, and I hadn’t even realized it. Being there with him felt so nice and comfortable.
Chapter seventeen
River
Opening my eyes, I lay with Aaron, and I was the little spoon. It felt good. Aaron’s arm wrapped around me, his hand splayed open on my chest to keep me from falling. Our legs were tangled together, and I was very aware of the morning wood pressed against my ass. I adjusted my erection as best I could without waking him. I had no idea what time it was, but this felt so right I didn’t want to break the spell.
I could feel him wiggling against my ass, and he ran his hand up and down my chest. He kissed the back of my head, then the edge of my face. “Good morning.” He whispered. “Can we stay here forever? Laying here with you feels so nice.”
I’d only spent the night with someone maybe twice in my entire life. Usually, I slipped out or showed them the door before that even became possible. My whole body flushed when he said he wanted to hold me here. What surprised me was I liked it just as much. “I don’t think we can stay here forever, but let’s give it five more minutes.”
“Yes.” He mumbled against my head, pulling me tighter against him. I enjoyed being with him so much. I never thought it was something I would want or enjoy. I was wrong.
An hour later, I woke up again. My bladder was not willing to wait any longer. I tried to extricate myself from under Aaron’s arm, but he was awake. “Leaving me?”
“My bladder insists, or I would take you up on that offer of being here forever.” He stretched his arms over his head. I had felt his arousal, so I couldn’t help but look at his entire body once I stood up. His jeans had a sizable bulge, and I enjoyed seeing a few inches of Aaron’s stomach. He had a six-pack of his own. Taking a deep breath, I headed to the bathroom.
When I returned to the living room, he was sitting up with his phone out. “Sarah will see my truck in the parking lot when she gets to work. Letting her know I am okay.”
“It’s nice you think about her. You care about your family, I can tell.”
“I have an entire found family, but Rodney and her are the only ones I have that are blood. Sarah was separated from me once; it will never happen again.” I wasn’t sure if I should ask questions about what he said, but I figured he would tell me in his own time.
“I should probably get home, shower, get Daisy fed, and start my day.” I wasn’t sure, but he sounded melancholy about it.
“Please don’t.” The words were out of my mouth before I could think about what I said. “You can shower here. I have plenty of food for Daisy.”
“Yeah?” He looked at me, his smile reaching his eyes.
“Yeah.” I grinned back at him. “I’ll even make you breakfast. Something other than toaster pastries.”
“Sounds good.” He stood up. “I’m going to kiss you now cause I just can’t help it.” He walked over to me a couple of feet between us. He put his hands on my face and pulled me to him, and he started slowly. Our mouths touched playfully. He nipped my lower lip, then his tongue probed tentatively, and I opened to him. Warmth spread throughout me as he explored my mouth. The kiss became needy, and his hands moved to my waist, where he pulled me tighter against him.His arousal was evident, and my body responded to his. He groaned into my mouth, and his hands slid down my ass, grabbing firmly. He pulled back and peppered me with kisses. By now, we were both panting.
“Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. I want to do things to you.” Aaron kissed me again. I could feel his urgency. He bit my lips and growled; his hand moved to the significant swelling in my pants. He rubbed me hard and groaned. When he pulled back, his pupils full, his breathing ragged. “Nope. You offer so much more. You must know I want to bend you over the back of that couch and make you scream my name.”
“Aaron. Originally, it hurt that you didn't want to take me to bed. As I think about it, though, I think it’s a good choice even though this is very hard.” I pressed my lips to him again. “Just want to remind you what they say about the third date. I think it's a good policy. Just saying.”
He stepped back. “I need to shower.”
“Are you going to finish what we started while in the shower?” I couldn’t help but wonder. I wasn’t sure how I would feel if he did. He is a man, and I was sure he didn’t want to suffer from blue balls.
“Oh, hell no. I am saving all this tension we are building up for you.” His grin was wicked and caused me to shiver. While he headed to the bathroom, I fantasized about helping him release that valve.
I heard the bathroom door close and went to the kitchen. “Hey, Charlie. Hey Daisy. Come get breakfast.” I pulled out a pan to make eggs. I got two bowls out and cracked one in each. I dumped cooked bacon and part of a raw sausage patty in each bowl with the egg. They had both flown in and landed on my shoulder, seemingly happy with each other. I put both bowls down. “Eat up.”
“Hey River?” I heard Aaron call me from the bathroom. I looked up. He was standing there wearing only a towel around his waist,hanging dangerously low on his hips. There was a noticeable tent that I couldn’t take my eyes off.
“My face is up here, buddy,” he said, grinning like the Cheshire cat.
“You are gorgeous.” That was all I could manage to say as my mouth hung open. He had lots of tattoos across his chest and arms. All of him was muscle. Broad shoulders developed pecs and gorgeous abs that rippled. I am pretty sure I drooled. Thinking about it, I knew he could easily pin, protect, and take me however he wanted. “Did you need something?” I managed to coax out of my parched and tight throat.
