When the alarm went off in the morning, I heard Aaron in the bathroom. I had a busy day and needed to get exercise. I’d been slacking, and these abs didn’t just happen. I got on the floor and started doing crunches, sit-ups, side crunches, pushups, and knee-ins. I tried to do one hundred and fifty of each, and Charlie helped me the whole time.
I was halfway through when Aaron came out of the bathroom and looked sexy. He wore faded jeans with holes in all the right places and a Gentry Construction T-shirt.
“Bless you for keeping that 8-pack. I’ll be sure to check each one with my tongue tonight.” He smiled at me.
“I’ll take you up at that,” I said while working my muscles.
He blew me a kiss and walked out of the bedroom. “Let’s go, wee dragons.” Daisy left the sleeping box, stretched, and flew towards the kitchen. Charlie followed her and left me to finish working out alone.
It took me another thirty minutes before I finished working out. I decided to head to the kitchen before Aaron headed out. I could shower once he was gone. When I walked in, he stood up from thetable, poured me a cup of coffee, and put toaster pastries in the toaster. He loved to take care of me. He grabbed me, pulled me against him, and hugged me tight. “Good morning, sweetheart.” He said quietly in my ear.
I just made happy noises against his chest and hugged him back. Hugs from Aaron had become one of those things I couldn’t get enough of. To be honest, anything with him was addictive. He looked down at me and, finding my lips, kissed me gently, conveying so many feelings. I felt desire and passion. There was also caring, comfort, and love. I knew he was expressing how he felt.
He gave me my coffee and toaster pastry. “I need to go in a minute. I hope you have a wonderful day. I need to meet with the contractors for the new building at lunch. We have a caterer coming in, so unfortunately, I won’t be home until dinner.” He looked at me almost sadly. We should be able to spend a workday apart without being pathetic. We were grown-up adult men. I was about to have my thirty-ninth birthday. I would think I wouldn’t be acting like a teenager.
“I’ll miss you.” I couldn’t believe I even said it. It was true, though when he wasn’t around, I missed him being around. I caught feelings for him. I couldn’t be too hard on myself for that. I felt very awkward after saying it, though.
He smiled at me. “Me too. Would it be okay if Daisy stayed with you for the day?”
“Of course, she can stay any time. I need to run out for about thirty minutes. Will they be okay alone?”
“Yeah. Especially with Daisy here. He learns fast, and she will keep him out of trouble. He could be alone without her, but he will be stressed the first time he is truly alone. He’ll need extra love when you return. Once he realizes they are coming back, he will be fine.” I feltrelieved knowing it would be okay. I had to run errands before my trip. Having him stay with Daisy would lessen the anxiety for us both.
He stood up, leaning over to kiss me. “I have to go. I’ll check in. Daisy, be a good girl. Come say goodbye.” She flew over and landed on the table. He put his forearm out, and she jumped up. He moved it so she was near his chest. Cupping his other hand, she shoved her head in it to get rubs. He gave her pets and let her rub her head on his neck and face. “Okay, be a good girl, go find Charlie.” She flew across the room and stuck her head in the box, looking for her friend.
The day went surprisingly fast. Aaron texted me on and off all day. I had to put out fires after the weekend, including one of my clients driving a competitor’s car and getting pictures taken in said car for a magazine. His sponsor was angry and wanted to fire him from the contract. I managed to keep the contract with promises that it wouldn’t happen again.
I called Storm and asked what was happening with him. He said he didn’t want to get more involved in the restaurant. We agreed that it looked like Stone was the one who would continue the family legacy on my father’s side of the family, even if it wasn’t as the Chef. I was glad someone would be there when my father and uncle needed to slow down. I understood his decision since I didn’t follow that path either. He said he would be interested in the type of job I was creating to help me free up time for other interests.
“Are your other interests a sexy construction worker?” He laughed at me.
“He’s super-hot, right? He can poun …”
“STOP! I don’t want to hear about you being his construction project.”
“You started it. I’ll talk to you next week after my trip to Canada.” I laughed some more.
“Sounds good. Have a safe trip.” He hung up the phone.
When Aaron got home, he looked as exhausted as I felt. We had a light dinner in the living room. We sat there and watched a movie, but I don’t remember the plot. At 9:30 p.m., Aaron stood up, taking my hand.
“I’m going to get in bed. I can't keep my eyes open. Come with me?”
“I think that’s a great idea,” I said and stood with him. Charlie climbed up on my shoulder.
Aaron carried Daisy like a baby on her back. I laughed to myself. What a sweet girl she was. Tonight, I was the little spoon as we settled into bed. He rubbed his hand up and down my chest. He whispered. “I’m very happy cuddling you tonight. I want you, but I am not sure my body would rally. I’d very much enjoy making you feel good.” He reached between my legs and found my shaft. He was slowly running his hand up the length.
“Just hold me like this. It’s enough for me tonight. We aren’t twenty anymore. Sometimes sleep wins.” He hummed into my neck, sending goosebumps rippling across my body.
He moved his hand to rest on my stomach again. “I’m going to be honest here. I love your abs.”
“No, really?” He chuckled and pushed against me.
Somehow, he moved closer, then kissed my neck and under my ear. It felt so good just being held tight while I drifted to sleep.
I got up a little earlier than the day before and joined Aaron in the shower. His mouth ensured that I would have a wonderful day while he rutted against me until he covered us in ropes of sticky come. I had no idea why, when he used my body to get himself off, it was so hot. Maybe because he always gave to everyone else first, and this was one of the few things he would do for himself. I told him how hot it was,and he, of course, delivered. I thought about it often when we weren’t together.
We got our coffee and sat at the table. “What do you want to do for lunch? We can meet at the office and order something. We can go to any restaurant. I would prefer somewhere casual since I am…well dressed like a construction worker.” He looked at me.
