by Nora Blake
I chuckled. “So, what are you saying? You’re ready now? Want to wait a little longer? Tell me what’s going on the beautiful mind of yours.”
She was quiet for a moment, but she kept her eyes on mine. “Now.”
And the clouds opened up and God said, You’ve been a very good boy, Aaron.
“Now?” My voice cracked, giving away my shock and excitement.
She nodded, and my heart felt like it might beat right out of my chest.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
Sarah
I swear Aaron’s eyes had fire in them. I waited for him to respond, desperately wanting to know what was going through his mind. His hand cupping my cheek moved slowly down my neck, my arm, and to the bottom of my shirt. His hands were so warm against my skin. He kissed me softly, so carefully, like he thought he’d break me. I shivered as his hand moved up my stomach and around my back to my bra. I arched my back just enough so he could have better access to the clasp. My whole body tingled as his hand moved over my bare breast.
He moved until he was on top of me, and a quiet moan escaped me when he pressed himself between my legs. I couldn’t remember a time in my life when I wanted anything more than I did him right that second. I knew what he was doing, he was taking his time, taking things slow and carefully, but as badly as I wanted him, I didn’t want him to be careful. I wanted him to devour me.
I tugged at the bottom of his shirt, and he helped me get it off. I ran my hands down his bare chest and arched my back once again to help him take off my shirt and bra. His eyes trailed every inch of me until they were on my pants. He took them off, tossing them into the floor. I thought him seeing me like this would make me embarrassed or nervous, but it didn’t. I loved watching his eyes roam every inch of my bare skin.
He moved off me long enough to take off his shorts. For a few ridiculously sexy seconds, my eyes had their turn with him. Every single inch of him was perfection.
His head dipped into the crook of my neck and his lips pressed gently against my neck. He brought his mouth close to my ear, our quickening breaths matching one another’s. “I just want you to relax. Don’t think. Just let go,” he whispered.
I didn’t answer, I couldn’t. I was so completely intoxicated by him that forming words would be difficult. I nodded slowly, waiting. Feelings I had never felt or knew I was capable of feeling burned inside of me as his lips moved down the middle of my stomach.
My hands gripped the sheets when his head dipped between my legs.
“Holy shit,” I moaned out in a breathless whisper, losing my mind in all the right ways.
And that was it …
I was gone.
Completely and utterly lost in this perfect moment of us.
I woke up early. I took advantage of watching Aaron while he slept. The comforter was covering only his bottom half, and I was so tempted to kick it off, wake him up, and have a repeat of last night. But he was exhausted. We both were. I stretched, feeling a little pain like I had worked a little too hard in the gym, but it felt good. Better than good. Aaron and I were connected on a whole new level, and it felt amazing.
I held the sheet to my chest as I sat up slowly. I leaned down and kissed his forehead, making him stir a little but he stayed asleep. I looked at the time, and it was just past five. I yawned and inched my way out of the bed.
“Where are you going?” he whispered.
“I was gonna go take a shower.”
He stuck out his bottom lip, making me laugh. I got back into bed with him and snuggled next to him. He moved the comforter until it was swallowing us both. I kissed his bare chest, thinking how much I loved the way our bare skin felt against one another’s. I swear this man was made for me.
“Let’s call into work today,” he said quietly against my forehead before kissing it.
“Are you serious?”
“Very. I have a serious hangover from last night.”
I laughed. “Totally know what you mean.”
“So, is that a yes?”
“Stacey may kill me, but sure. Let me text her.”
I moved out of his arms and grabbed my phone. After texting her that I wouldn’t make it today, I snuggled against him again.
“Are you gonna text your boss?” I asked.
“Yeah, in a second. I just want to hold you right now.”
“Not gonna argue with that.” I kissed his jaw and then just below his ear, making him shiver.
“Last night, Sarah … Holy fucking shit.”
I giggled and kissed his lips. “I love you, Aaron.”
“I love you, too.”
“Want to have coffee and watch the sunrise?”
He nodded.
“That means we have to get up.”
“I’m already up.” He grinned.
I felt my face heat up and laughed at his comment. “Oh, yeah? So, does this mean we may need to miss the sunset this morning?”
He chuckled. “Do you want to miss the sunrise this morning?”
“What sunrise?” I teased, wrapping my leg around his.
He grinned and kissed me into another oblivion.
I had almost forgotten about the photo shoot I had after work since I ended up not going to work. Aaron and I spent the entire day together in bed, watching movies and eating junk. The only thing that reminded me was when my client texted me to verify the location.
I took a quick drink of my water before getting out of the car. I went to the back door, opened it, and started getting my camera out of my bag. I looked over my shoulder when I saw a car pulling up and smiled as my clients parked. I almost fell out when I saw Keeton and Kallon getting out. Then I saw who I assumed was Melany and a man getting out of the car. That’s when it hit me, it was the same black Toyota Camry that was in the driveway at Aaron’s when Nick told me Melany was there.
“Sarah!” both boys yelled my name as they ran over to me. They grabbed my legs and hugged them.
I had been talking to Chris Jones about the photos. They were a surprise for his girlfriend and her kids. Never in a million years did I think it’d be Melany, Keeton, and Kallon. Chris looked so excited and Melany looked like she might be sick or murder me. Probably both.
“Surprise! We’re taking family photos,” he said so proudly. He looked at the kids. “How do you boys know her?”
“Come on, boys, we’re leaving,” Melany said as she opened the back door.
They didn’t let go of my legs. I looked down at them. “Your mom said to go. I’ll see you guys later, okay?”
The boys nodded sadly and trudged their way to the car. They got in and Melany looked at her boyfriend. She was fuming.
“What did I do?” he asked worriedly.
“This is Sarah Stone. Aaron’s girlfriend.”
His face fell and he looked so apologetic. “Baby, I didn’t know. You never told me her name.”
Melany looked at me. “We’ll still pay you for your time.”
I wanted to say so many things. She had a fucking boyfriend. Aaron had no idea and this entire time she was hounding him for being with me. Why hadn’t the boys ratted her out?
I shook my head. “No, you don’t have to. But I really would love to take photos for you. I don’t mind.” I needed proof. I needed to take these photos for Aaron, and it was something he could give to his lawyer.
Melany shook her head.
“We don’t have to be at war, ya know. We could all just act like adults.” So many more things were at the tip of my tongue but I stopped my words from flying.
She narrowed her eyes at me. “Just stop, Sarah. No, we can’t. And don’t make promises to my kids. It’s not your place.”
“Promises?”
“Yeah, saying you’ll see them later.”
My hands shook as anger filled me. I bit my tongue to keep from saying anything else. I watched them get in the car, took a quick photo when they had their backs turned, and watched them drive away before I got in my own. I sat there, staring
blankly at my steering wheel. First her mom, now this. For shit’s sake. What are the odds …?
I quickly texted Aaron to tell him what just happened.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
Aaron
I pulled up to get my boys, trying to calm myself down. I was going to attempt to have a rational talk with Melany about being a bitch to Sarah and her double standards. I knocked on the door and waited.
She opened the door. Normally, the boys would come running, but they didn’t which struck me as odd.
“The boys ready?” I asked, trying to calm myself down. I talked to Sarah and the lawyer about this two days ago. The lawyer told me to keep quiet about it for now and use it to my advantage when we got a court date.
“They’re not here right now. They’ll be here in a second. Mom took them to get haircuts, and their appointment is running late.” She let me in. Her worried filled eyes told me she knew what I knew. She wasn’t stupid. I’m sure she figured Sarah would tell me.
I walked inside as I tried to figure out what to say. “What is so wrong with me being happy?” I asked before I could stop myself.
“Absolutely nothing. I’m happy you are.” She crossed her arms in front of her.
“Then why the hell are you treating Sarah like shit and getting pissed at me for dating someone, yet you keep your boyfriend a secret?”
“She is overstepping her boundaries with the boys. You two just started dating, Aaron.”
“How the hell is she overstepping?” I crossed my arms in front of my chest. “What about this Chris guy? Huh? I don’t know him or a damn thing about him!”
She froze and, for a moment, I thought she might start crying, but she regained her composure and stood taller. “I didn’t let Chris around the boys until we were dating for four months. I wanted to be sure he was going to stick around. You and Sarah have been together maybe a month and she met them within the first week you two started talking!” She shook her head. “I’m not discussing this with you!”
If there was something beyond furious, I was it. “I didn’t want a war, but you’ve left me no fuckin’ choice, Melany! And I’m shocked the boys haven’t told me sooner!” I’m sure she told them not to. I’m sure she made a threat with one of their favorite toys or something. “I’ve known Sarah since we were kids, Melany.” I narrowed my eyes at her. “And I would never ask the boys to keep a secret from you. Ever.”
“Well, you and I are completely different, which we’ve already figured out.”
“I think we’re done here. I have nothing else to say to you. I’ll wait for the boys outside.”
I walked out of the house, slamming the door shut behind me.
When I stepped off the front steps, her mom was just pulling up. As soon as she parked and cut off the engine, the boys were jumping out and running over to me.
I knelt down and hugged them. “You guys ready?”
“What are we eating, Daddy?” Kallon asked.
Melany’s Mom kissed their heads and then headed inside without a word to me.
I helped them into my truck and buckled them into their seats.
“Daddy, you look angry,” Kallon said with a little frown.
“I am angry.” I wouldn’t lie to him.
“Why? At me?”
“No, not at you. I don’t want to talk about it, okay?”
He nodded.
“Will Sarah be at the house?” Kallon asked.
I smiled when Keeton perked up at the mention of her name.
“Last time I talked to her she was. Uncle Nick and I picked up the new Minion movie and the new Transformers. Guess what else I bought?”
"What!" they both asked excitedly.
“Oreos.” I got into the driver seat and started the engine.
Keeton squealed and Kallon smiled, but it quickly faded. As I looked at him in the rear view mirror, I could tell something was on his mind.
“What’s wrong, buddy?” I asked, looking back at the road.
"Daddy … Mommy said we can't like Sarah more than her."
“That’s just silly. Mommy is Mommy. You’ll never love anyone as much as you love her.”
"I told her that, but she still cried."
I sighed. “I’m sorry, buddy.”
"Did Mommy tell you we're moving to a new house?"
I clenched my jaw. “No, son, she didn’t. Where?”
“Wif Chr-” Keeton started to say but Kallon hit him and shook his head.
“Chris?” I stopped the truck on the side of the road. I turned and looked at my boys. Kallon’s eyes were wide. “Your mom just told me about Chris.”
“We are moving to his house, Momma said.” Kallon looked at his hands.
I wanted to turn this truck around and lay into Melany but not with the boys around. I took a deep breath. “Are you upset about it?” I asked, looking at Kallon.
He didn't answer and was shaking his head. Keeton was just staring out the window. Kallon understood more about what was going on than he did. I looked back at the road and rested my head against the seat.
"Uncle Nick told me you're sad, Daddy,” Kallon said quietly. I turned in my seat and saw him playing with his hands.
I was going to kill my brother. I reached back so he could grab my hand. “I love you boys so much. I do get sad when I can’t see you boys every single day.”
He squeezed my hand. “Me too, Daddy.”
Keeton looked at me but didn’t say anything. I turned around and put the truck in drive and headed home.
My phone started ringing just as I pulled up to the house. It was Sarah. Nick came out of the house over to the truck after I parked. He saw me on the phone and got the kids out.
“Hey, baby.” I laid my head back against the seat and rubbed my forehead.
"Hey. I was calling to tell you I decided not to come over this weekend. I'd just rather keep Melany happy until all of this blows over and you get more time granted with the boys."
“Sarah, this isn’t going to blow over. The boys want to see you.”
There was silence for a moment. "I don't think it's a good idea. I’ve been thinking an—"
“You thinking is always a bad idea.” I sighed heavily.
"Are you mad at me?"
I pinched the bridge of my nose and sighed. “Not at you.”
"I'll come over Sunday after you take them home. Do you still want me to come with you to talk to the lawyer on Monday?"
“Yes, I do. I guess I will tell the boys you have to work or something.” I was on the verge of a breakdown. I needed to see Sarah. The boys wanted to see her. Everything that transpired with Melany earlier was weighing on me.
"I know you probably think I'm overreacting, but I want you to get more time with them. If keeping her happy results in that, missing a few weekends with you and the boys will be worth it. I just want what’s best for you and your kids."
“I know, and I love you for that, even if I think you’re overreacting. I’ll talk to you after I put the boys to bed.”
"Okay … I love you." She hung up quickly. She knew me too well and knew I would try to talk her out of it, but she was wrong this time. I was too fuckin’ tired.
I came inside to see Nick walking the boys to the table. Nick grilled dinner tonight while I went to go get them and was getting their plates ready. Nick walked over to me after getting the boys situated at the table.
"What the hell is going on now?" he asked quietly.
“We’ll talk about it later,” I whispered and went to the table with Keeton and Kallon.
I sat on the couch next to Nick feeling like the weight of the world was on my shoulders. I mean, I guess it was. The weight of everything wrong in my world piling onto them making it hard to breathe or think.
"What's going on, Aaron?"
“Melany went off on Sarah. Sarah found out she’s dating some guy names Chris Jones.” I pressed my elbows onto the table and rubbed my temples. “Apparently, Melany and the boys are moving in
with this guy.” Tears started falling down my cheeks. “Sarah thinks it’s best to stay—”
"Whoa, back the fuck up,” he cut me off. “So, Melany is dating someone?”
I closed my eyes and nodded. “Four months.”
“And the bitch is all ragey because Sarah is around the kids every other weekend, yet she's moving her and the boys in with this Chris guy you've never met?"
“Yep. I’ve not been this angry in so long. I have an appointment with my lawyer on Monday to discuss things further.”
"I have no words, man.”
I nodded and looked at him. “Sarah doesn’t think it’s a good idea to come around the boys until things blow over or are settled.”
"The hell? Nah. You go drive to her house and pick her ass up. She is not letting Melany win."
A slow smile spread across my face. “I should, shouldn’t I? I need to see her. She calms me.”
“Then go get her.”
I thought about it for a moment. I didn’t want to upset Sarah, but I also didn’t want to let Melany get between us like this. I wasn’t going to let Sarah recluse because of anything that woman says.
“You’ll stay with the boys until I get back?”
"Duh."
I stood, grabbed my keys, and hurried out of the house.
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
Sarah
Dad headed to watch TV after dinner, and Mom and I hung around at the table eating chocolate cake and talking. This was our favorite time. It was our thing to stick around after dinner and have girl-talk. Dad tried to be a part of our talks one time and quickly left when birth control was brought up when I got my first serious boyfriend.
“He says he’s not mad and understands, but I think he’s just telling me that because it’s what I want to hear.” I took a bite of cake and watched Mom’s expression. She kept her features neutral. That was Mom, though. She always tried to see everyone’s side and not just side with the person she’s talking to. I loved that about her.
“Sarah, you and him will have to figure out how to navigate life together. Obstacles and all. I don’t think you should stay away when the kids are there. It’s important they get to know you since you are most likely going to be a big part of Aaron’s future. I also know Aaron, and I doubt he’s mad at all. I’m sure he just wishes you’d consider being around. He needs you right now.”