Spring Fling Trio- Beyond Love Starter Set

by Karice Bolton

  “So I’ve got a lot on my schedule today. What was it that you wanted to show me?” he asked.

  My pulse started racing as his eyes burned into me. The desire to be held in his arms was making it almost impossible to think straight. The attraction hadn’t diminished since we’d been apart. It had only grown, and I was certain he felt it too. Something like this couldn’t be one sided, right? I nodded and slid my hand into my back pocket and pulled out my wallet as I walked toward him.

  “What are you doing?” he asked.

  “You won’t be able to see it from far away.” I pulled my license, which displayed the temporary endorsement, out of the leather wallet and handed it to him.

  His brows pulled together in confusion as I handed him the plastic, and he looked it over, his eyes stumbling to the sticker.

  “You got a motorcycle endorsement? You didn’t have to do that for me.”

  Not quite the reaction I was looking for.

  “I didn’t. I did it for me, but you were the one who opened up that door for me. You taught me not to be so scared of things I haven’t even tried so I wanted to share my surprise with you first. Wanna see the second half?”

  And that’s when I heard the voice. A woman calling out for Aaron from the main house, and my heart and mind sunk to a place I didn’t even know existed.

  Chapter Nineteen

  It felt like my world was closing in and to top it off, the embarrassment that was spreading through me made me nauseous and completely light-headed. How could I have been so stupid and presumptuous to think that he cared enough about me to actually wait for me to figure things out? I began taking steps back, avoiding his eyes and waving my hands at him to stay put. I didn’t want any sympathy hugs or anything of the sort.

  “I’ve gotta get going. It’s going to be dark soon,” I said, stumbling backwards.

  Feeling the hardness of the concrete as my body slammed into it only added to the humiliation I felt.

  “Aaron?” I heard the voice call again.

  Damn it!

  Scrambling back on my feet, I quickly looked at him and muttered a quick apology for intruding and took off for my bike. I threw my leg over the seat and started the engine. I knew I was in no way prepared to ride right now, but if I could just get down the driveway and off his property, I could pull over and shed the tears that were threatening to escape.

  “Hey, Brandy,” Aaron shouted, jogging after me. He was holding something in his hand, waving it at me.

  Shit! My license.

  I pulled my helmet over my head and secured it quickly, refusing to look toward the house. I didn’t want to know what she looked like or, worse yet, who she was.

  “It’s not what you think,” Aaron said, his voice competing against the roar of the engine.

  I reached for my license, but his fingers gripped it tightly.

  “Please just let me leave,” I said, my voice trembling.

  “Brandy, please. It’s not like that…”

  “It is like that and it always will be with you. That’s the problem. It has nothing to do with your sister. I’ve been afraid of you, and I finally just admitted it to myself.” And the tears began their parade down my cheeks.

  Aaron turned away from me and yelled across the driveway,” Not now. I’ll come in later. You’ve done enough for the day.”

  My fingers were trembling as I attempted to rub the tears off my skin so my strap wouldn’t get completely soggy, but I couldn’t keep up with the amount of leakage.

  “Please just give me my license. I should’ve taken the hint when you didn’t reply back to me. Please. Or I’ll just take off without it.”

  Aaron’s gaze softened as his eyes connected with mine. He stuffed the license in his pocket as I drew in a wobbly breath, and he brought his fingers to the straps of my helmet. The roughness of his fingers as they glided across my chin still sent my heart racing, and I cursed the weakness of my body as he unstrapped my helmet.

  “You aren’t going anywhere. I accept your apology. But you shouldn’t be the one apologizing,” his words lingered in the air, only to be wiped away by the wandering female behind him. “And I have one for you too.”

  An apology isn’t gonna cut it, buddy.

  I spotted the female figure standing on the porch, but I couldn’t make out her features from this distance.

  “Age hasn’t had anything to do with it. I’ve been just as immature as you.” His lips turned up slightly in the corner. “I got all of your messages. Every single one of them, and I played them over and over again.”

  I brought my attention back to Aaron, my gaze falling to his mouth.

  “I was away on business and when I got home you started sending your messages.”

  “Where did you go?”

  “China. But that’s beside the point,” he said smiling, touching his thumb to my chin. “I’ve been miserable thinking that I may have lost you because I didn’t want to be patient. But patience isn’t one of my strong suits.”

  A strong breeze began to pick up and I shivered. “Now let’s get you inside and get you warmed up. It’s getting close to nightfall, and I don’t think you should be driving back tonight.”

  “I can’t. Not with her in there,” I whispered.

  A smile touched his eyes as he grinned. “Let me help you off and try this again. We can start in the garage and go from there. I’d love to show you what I do in my off-hours. How I blow off steam.”

  I nodded slowly and saw the shadow of a woman go back into the house.

  “Here, give me your hand.” He helped me off my bike, even though I needed none before, and I let him wrap his arms around me. If nothing else, I would enjoy the next few moments before my fantasy blew to the wind.

  “So how long have you done this?” I asked, pointing to the garage.

  “Jason and I both learned about metal fabrication in the military and I don’t know… it just unleashed something in me. I knew I wouldn’t be able to make money with it. Or at least not the kind of money I wanted to make, but I’ve never stopped doing it.”

  We walked back into the garage, and I felt my tearstained cheeks tighten as I attempted to smile. It was impossible not to be impressed with the large sculpture in front of me. The emotions that were captured in the twists and twirls of the metal and protrusions of wood stirred something deep inside.

  “It feels angry,” I whispered. “The mouth gaping like that. I feel like it’s trying to swallow my soul.”

  “Then it’s doing its job,” he said, releasing me from his embrace.

  I blinked up at him just as he touched the button on the wall, closing the large wooden doors behind us with a thud.

  “I don’t know if that should make me scared or not…”

  “This is what I felt with the thought of losing you; my nightmares coming back to greet me, swallow me whole. All of the loneliness and feelings of inadequacy I’ve felt over the years went away when I was around you. The moment I left your condo, they all came flooding back. Instead of going to the places I normally sought out…I began on this.” He looked up at the sculpture and then over at me. There was a heat in his eyes, and my heart began pounding as I let the words sink in.

  “I’m sorry for saying the things I said outside,” I murmured.

  “Don’t be. I understand why you said them. I haven’t had the greatest track record, and I’m thrilled the Seattle magazines have been there to capture it.” He pressed his lips together and held out his arms. “Can we start over?”

  I nodded, gravitating to the one place I felt the most secure—in his arms.

  “What about the woman inside?” I whispered, knowing I needed to face things head on from now on. No more blaming situations or people who were not truly the cause of my discomfort.

  His body began to shudder in laughter as his hands ran through my hair.

  “That’s my housekeeper, Norma.”

  I started laughing as relief filled my entire body at once. “Se
riously?”

  I felt him nod as he held me tighter. He smelled of cologne, soap, and fire as I buried my head deeper into his embrace.

  “But I should tell you something.”

  Of course. Nothing was ever simple with him.

  “She’s Nina’s mother. That’s how I met Nina, and I’m guessing that’s why Norma felt she needed to interrupt us.”

  I let out a sigh and had the urge to break into hysterical laughter but resisted.

  “You do know what that means, right?” I asked.

  “Time to get a new housekeeper?”

  “Mm-hmm.”

  “Anything for you,” he breathed into my hair.

  “Promise?” I asked, tipping my head up.

  “Promise,” he whispered, running his fingers through my hair.

  The sound of an engine starting outside, followed by a car driving away made me giggle nervously.

  “We’re alone?” I asked, locking my eyes on his.

  “Seems that way.”

  I pushed away gently and let my fingers softly travel down his shirt; the feel of the soft fabric against my fingertips as I watched his reaction made me almost insane. Reaching the hem, I pulled it over his head and dropped the shirt on the concrete floor. Aaron smiled as he watched my eyes wander along the beautiful lines of his body. His olive skin glistened in the soft light of the garage, and I knew what I needed to do. What I needed to feel.

  He raised his hands, cupping my face, and I backed away.

  “I’m in charge. This time. It’s all me,” I whispered, removing his hands from my face and holding them in mine as I slammed him against the wall. His breathing caught as I pressed my body against his, holding his hands at arm’s length. The warmth of his skin soaked through my shirt, creating an almost frenzied state within me. I slowly began kissing his throat, feeling the coarseness of his whiskers against my lips as I scattered my kisses down to his chest.

  Tasting the saltiness of his skin, I lowered my mouth along his abdomen, making his body shudder in anticipation. Running my tongue lightly along his flesh created a tingling sensation throughout my body as I took control of this man who had never let go before.

  I gradually moved my hands away from his but still kept his body pinned to the wall.

  “You’re dangerous,” he murmured, his breathing ragged as I teased him with my tongue.

  “Without a doubt. But so are you,” I whispered, bringing my mouth back to his. The taste of his lips, a mixture of alcohol and sweetness, was addicting. My mind imagined his tongue circling along my body, the metal of the stud creating an ecstasy I hadn’t yet shared with him.

  His fingers wrapped through my hair as he gently pulled my head away. My hands rested on his jeans as my mind toyed with the idea of unfastening them. I traced my fingers along the waistband, feeling the dips and peaks of his contours as I pictured him on top of me.

  He kissed my neck softly as his hands unwrapped from my hair. A moan escaped my lips, and that was when he scooped me into his arms, kissing the length of my exposed skin. He elbowed the button behind him, and the garage doors opened up exposing the night sky.

  “Not out here,” he whispered, carrying me into his home.

  I nuzzled my head into the crook of his neck as I heard the click of the front door. He pushed open the door and carried me up the stairs. My stomach tightened with every step closer to the bedroom as I realized my fantasy was about to become my reality.

  He laid me gently on his bed. The only light trickling in from the hall bounced off his beautiful torso. The definition of his chest and abdomen were like a work of art, and I motioned to let me touch him.

  A smirk spread across his face as he towered over me. “Now it’s my turn.”

  He placed his arms on each side of my body as I squirmed to be in contact with him. But he wouldn’t allow it as he anchored my hands above my head with one of his. I felt a slight tickle as his other hand slowly began to lift my t-shirt up my abdomen. His fingers stopping every so often to trace along my skin, sending shivers up my body. I felt his hot breath against my belly as his tongue ran along my curves, leaving me begging for more.

  “You’re so beautiful,” he whispered, hovering above me now as he pulled my shirt over my head. His eyes held a deep hunger and my body responded quickly. My hands finally free, I moved my fingers across his chest feeling the hardness of his muscles that were etched just underneath his skin.

  “So are you,” I murmured.

  “Do you know how many nights I dreamed about being with you, like this?” he asked as his fingers traced the contours of my body, sending a wave of heat and yearning through me.

  Not as many as me!

  His touch was driving me absolutely insane and my body was aching for his. He placed soft kisses from my collarbone down to my chest, circling each breast before continuing slowly down to my belly. His fingers unbuttoned my jeans and he pulled them off in one swift motion.

  I began to wriggle as he stared down at me in only my bra and panties.

  “I need you,” I whispered, feeling the burning sensation run through my body the longer his eyes held mine. “I’ve been dreaming about this moment for months.”

  He licked his lips and smiled and that’s all it took. I sat up and pulled him down on top of me. The weight of his body falling onto mine was crushing as my body called to his. I kissed him, gently sucking on his lower lip as his fingers traveled down my sides.

  I slid my hands between our bodies and unbuttoned his jeans. “I want to see all of you.”

  He smiled and stood up from the bed, and I followed. He was absolutely gorgeous, and I couldn’t wait to see the rest.

  “I’m all yours,” he said gruffly, his eyes burning with desire.

  His words melted me in place as I ran my fingers up his chest. He worked the clasp of my bra undone, and it slid to the floor. The feeling of his bare chest against mine made me almost burst with anticipation. His fingers slowly slipped between my lace thong and my skin as he slowly slid them down my legs. He pressed his left leg in between my legs, and I flushed with a mix of embarrassment and excitement as the roughness of the jeans pressed against me.

  “You feel so good,” he whispered, gliding his fingers slowly up my thigh.

  “Touch me,” I moaned.

  “Where?”

  “Everywhere.”

  He brushed his hands over my belly, and my tummy clenched as his fingers went lower. His breath hitched as his eyes focused on me, and I couldn’t help but reach out and tug his jeans down, leaving him completely bare. I wanted him to use my body however he needed.

  I looked up into his eyes and felt the desire running between us. It had always been there. He put his hands around my hips and slowly knelt down in front of me.

  Please do!

  I felt his lips slowly nipping along my bikini line, his fingers softly circling along my back as his mouth began to open and close around me in a fluid, controlled motion. The chill of his tongue ring shot through me as his tongue continued to swirl in a meticulous manner. My hands fell to his shoulders, and my body shuddered with every flick and movement he made.

  “Aaron,” I moaned.

  His mouth circled up my belly as he slowly stood back up, leaving a trail of warmth along my body.

  “Make love to me, Aaron,” I whispered.

  He moved me slowly to the bed where I felt him slide me up the mattress. I heard the rattle of the drawer as he rustled around and sheathed himself.

  Slowly placing kisses along my breasts I felt as he pushed into me, and my world filled with complete ecstasy. The intensity we shared as our bodies came together, tangled in each other’s arms, left me with a tingling, buzzing mess of emotions as I dreamed about the possibilities of what tomorrow would bring.

  Chapter Twenty

  I was a nervous wreck. My blissful night had been blown to pieces when I arrived at my door this morning. Half delirious from my Aaron escapade, I nearly tripped over a vase that c
ontained a dozen dead roses. I placed a call to Aaron who quickly came over and stayed with me while I grabbed as much of my stuff as possible. Until things got figured out, I had no intention of staying alone at the condo. And to top it off, today was my parents’ anniversary party.

  My mom and dad had absolutely no idea what my brothers and I were up to, and it was my brothers who were charged with getting my parents to the reception hall. Now I looked around the mostly empty space and started to mildly panic. There was a lot of decorating to do and a short amount of time. Aaron hadn’t left my side since the night at his house, and I loved every minute of it.

  “Where do you want me to put the arrangements, babe?” he asked, carrying in the first of twelve large floral arrangements. He seemed distracted, but I couldn’t really put my finger on it and didn’t want to get caught up in my delirious suspicions on such a special night.

  “On the tables I haven’t set up,” I said flatly.

  He put the arrangement that was filled with roses, hydrangeas and lilies onto the floor and glanced over at me, looking absolutely adorable. “Where are the tables at? I can get them set up.”

  “They’re behind that door over there,” I said, pointing to the far corner of the room. “I think they’re just folded in half. They’re the circular ones, not the rectangle ones.”

  Aaron took off on a mission, and I ran the other way toward the kitchen. Carla found out about my parents’ party and not only recommended her favorite caterer but insisted on that as an anniversary present. I didn’t feel comfortable with such a huge gift, but Aaron told me I had no choice. That was how Carla worked. The way the day was going, however, I was thrilled that I had the extra help. I smelled the delicious garlic and lemon scents drifting from the commercial kitchen and peered into the space, watching everyone slicing, dicing, and stirring.

  “I’ve got the food tables set up. Are these the tablecloths I should put on them?”

  The head caterer looked over and nodded. “We’ll take care of that, Brandy.”