by Nora Blake
“I want a house full.”
I turned in his arms after shutting their door halfway.
I looked up at him. "One day."
He leaned down and kissed me. “Yes, one day. Maybe we should go practice.” He dipped his head down and kissed just below my ear, then down my neck, sending the shivers I adored down my spine.
I laughed when his hands moved down my back and grabbed a handful of my ass. "Practice is very important."
“Very important,” he said against my ear.
He kissed me as he walked me backward into our bedroom. He stopped long enough to shut the door and lock it.
God, I missed this.
Everything had been so stressful over the past two weeks with the wreck and Melany and the custody battle. I needed this. We both did. We needed to just let go.
His hands were up my shirt, unhooking my bra, and mine were working on the button and zipper of his jeans. After I got them undone, I tugged on his shirt and pulled it up as far as I could reach, then he helped get it off the rest of the way. I laughed when the back of my legs hit the bed and fell back onto it. I had my arms around him, making him come crashing down on top of me.
The rest of the clothes started flying like confetti onto the floor, neither of us able to get them off fast enough. I gasped when I felt intense, but perfect, pressure between my thighs, making my whole body tremble with pleasure. I buried my face in the crook of his neck, muffling my soft moans.
This
Him.
Us.
It was nothing short of perfection.
“I love you,” I whispered against his bare skin, his hands in my hair, the sound of his beating heart against my ear.
“Always,” he whispered back, his breaths evening out like my own.
We cuddled in silence for a little longer, until he said my name.
I picked my head up and looked at him. “Yeah?”
“Tell me what’s going on. I tried to talk to you last weekend, and this week … but you keep saying you’re fine.”
“I don’t want to upset you.”
“Baby, just talk to me. We don’t keep things from each other. We never have. We’re not starting that now.”
I swallowed hard and laid my head back down on chest. I gently ran my fingers up and down his stomach making chill bumps appear. He grabbed my hand.
“Stop, trying to distract me.”
“Is it working?”
“Sarah …” he warned.
I sighed. “Fine. After the wreck … It makes me sick to think about you back out on the track.”
The last thing I wanted to do was upset him, and I knew this would. He loved racing. It was a part of who he was, who we were. We both loved it, but it changed for me that night.
I never wanted to see him behind the wheel again. I knew that wasn't a decision I could make, though. It wasn't fair for me to ask him to quit, and I refused to do just that. If he quit, it'd be his decision, not because I asked him to. I would refuse to give up photography if someone asked me. It was my passion, and racing was his.
“How about I make you a deal?”
I picked my head to look at him again. "What's that?"
He brushed some hair out of my face. “It will take a while for Nick and I to fix the car. How about for the next few months we focus on us and fixing the car then we can make a decision about my racing.”
"Don't say we. That'll be your choice."
“No, it’s our decision. Everything we do from now on, we do together.”
This was the first time we really even mentioned his wreck since it happened. I hated talking about it, because reliving it terrified me.
"I was so scared. I literally stopped breathing until I saw you walking."
“I was scared, too. All I kept thinking about was you and the boys.”
Tears pooled in my eyes. A few trickled down my cheeks until they fell onto his chest. "I'm sorry," I whispered. "I promised myself I wouldn't be a huge baby over this."
He smiled softly at me and wiped my eyes. “It’s okay.”
I kissed his chest. "Isn't this crazy? You and me. Why didn't we just admit our feelings all those years ago?"
“I don’t know. A part of me wishes we had, but then I wouldn’t have my boys.”
"True. I guess things worked out just how they were supposed to." I yawned.
He yawned. “I’m just glad we have each other now.”
My eyes started getting heavier. "We should put on clothes and unlock the door just in case the boys need you."
“Yeah. They’ll probably want to come crawl in bed with us.”
We got out of bed and put on pjs. I got in bed and he went and unlocked the door and left it cracked open. Once he was back in bed, I snuggled against him.
"Night."
“Night,” he said after kissing my head.
It didn’t take long and Aaron was out. I was just about to doze off when a little hand touched my arm.
“Sarah?” Keeton asked in a whisper.
I blinked a few times. "Hey."
He rubbed his eyes with his free hand, the other clung tightly to one of the cats. “Can I sleep with you and Daddy?”
"Of course, buddy." I took the cat from him and then helped him into the bed. I moved over so he could lie in the middle.
He snuggled into the pillows and looked at me. “I love you, Sarah.”
My heart melted. "Awww, I love you too. You're an amazing kid, Keeton." I kissed his forehead. "Night."
“Night. Bubby will be here soon.” He snuggled closer to me and fell asleep.
I laughed quietly. I'm sure he was right. I had just started to doze off, when just as Keeton predicted, in came his brother. I smiled and helped him and the other cat into bed.
I was so thankful Aaron had a king size bed.
Kallon moved so he could snuggle against Aaron. Aaron wrapped an arm around him without ever waking up. I needed my camera so bad right then.
I used to wonder what I'd do with my life, but now I didn't question it. This right here, doing this every single night, was fine by me.
CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE
Aaron
A few weeks ago, we were supposed to go hang out with Sarah’s best friend Kait, but it never worked out. So, tonight, we were finally getting to do that. I watched as Sarah poured a bag of chips into a bowl.
“Hey, babe, what time is it?” she asked, fidgeting with the lid of a salsa jar. Her brow creased as she pried and twisted, having no luck with the lid.
I wrapped my arms around her and helped her open the jar. “It’s a little after six.”
She tilted her head back to look at me. She kissed my jaw and smiled. "Thank you."
“You’re welcome. Are you nervous about me meeting Kait?”
She set the lid down and huffed when Charlie Kilo knocked it off. She moved out of my arms and set the jar of salsa down.
"I swear these cats love to annoy me." She bent down and picked up the lid. "And no, I'm not. I know you two will get along."
She picked up the cat and put her on the floor. I chuckled because she'd end up right back up there when she wasn't looking.
“Annoy you? They fucking terrorize the shit out of us!” I laughed. “But the boys love them. I think the cats miss them.”
"I know they do. They spend most of the time in the boys’ beds since they left. I love the cats, but I swear they’re possessed by demons." Her smile brightened when there was a knock on the door. She grabbed my hand and pulled me along with her to answer it.
I gave her hand a squeeze as she opened the door. I smiled when I saw Kait.
Kait came in and hugged Sarah before stretching her hand out toward me. "Nice to finally meet the one who Sarah talks about non-stop."
Sarah was beaming.
I shook her hand. “It’s nice to meet you too.”
She let go and we all headed into the kitchen. Sarah motioned for Kait to sit on a stool, and she took a seat next to her
.
I stood behind Sarah and wrapped my arms around her. “Since you’re Sarah’s best friend you can give me all the dirt on her,” I teased.
"Have you seen her sock collection yet? I'm so glad she has you. I was scared she was gonna reach the crazy cat lady status soon."
Sarah's mouth fell open. "Hey!"
Kait laughed. "I'm kidding. Sort of. I always tried to get her to go out with me and my roommates from school, but she is such a homebody."
"Okay, that's true. I'd rather be in my pjs watching movies."
“I am too. I enjoy it just being us here. Well, us and Nick.”
Sarah smiled mischievously at Kait.
Kait laughed and rolled her eyes. "No. I already told you not to play matchmaker."
“Are you trying to hook her up with my brother?” I asked with a laugh.
Sarah shrugged. "It'd be entertaining.”
“Definitely.” I grinned as the door opened. “That’s why you asked me to invite him.”
Sarah burst into giggles when Kait's face turned red.
“I swear I did not know,” I said to Kait with a laugh.
Nick came walking in with a case of beer and stopped when he saw us. "Fresh meat!" he announced as he set the beer on the counter. He held his hand out to Kait. "Hey, I'm Nick."
Sarah was still rolling.
Kait shook his hand. "I'm, Kait. Sarah's best friend."
Nick let go of her hand and smirked at Sarah. "What the hell is so funny?"
Sarah looked at the case of beer. "Where's the party at?"
Nick laughed. "Avoiding the question I see, and I just thought we could have a few while we grill. That's still the plan right? Grilling?"
Sarah managed to stop laughing long enough to answer, "Yup."
Nick looked at me. "Okay, what I am missing?"
Kait stood. "Let's crack that case of beer open."
“I’ll go start the grill,” I said with a chuckle.
Nick caught up with me just as I made it out the door and handed me a beer. "Okay, what's the little blue-eyed blonde really doing here? She looked more nervous than a potato chip on Super Bowl Sunday."
“Well, you see …”
“Shit. I’m being set up, aren’t I?”
I took a drink of my beer.
“I’m gonna kill your girlfriend.”
I raised a brow.“No, you’re not.”
He sighed heavily. “How old is she?"
“I think she’s Sarah and my age.”
"I'm assuming by the look on Kait's face she had no idea?"
“Just as shocked as you are I’m sure.”
He smiled around the rim of the bottle and took a drink. "I'm gonna really show out to make sure she never does this to me again."
“Just don’t hurt her feelings, and we’ll be okay.”
"Oh, no way. I'd never do that. Just gonna turn the charm up to a thousand."
He winked at me.
"By the way, did you teach the boys what titties are?” I asked with a raised brow.
He choked on his beer. "What?"
I started laughing as I closed the grill to let it get hot. “Keeton said titty instead of kitty and Kallon was cracking up. You were the first person to come to mind when I started looking for someone to blame.”
“Not that I know of, but who the hell knows. I try to watch my mouth around them. I could’ve slipped up and said something. I don’t know. That’s fuckin’ hilarious, though.”
“It was so funny, but if Melany hears them say it I’ll get bitched at.”
"Bitch needs to lighten the hell up." We started walking toward the house. "So, did Dad tell you Mom is starting to work in the ER again? That means I won the bet. I knew she couldn't stay retired!"
“Dammit. How much do I owe you?”
"Twenty bucks," he chuckled.
"I just found out today when I was talking to Dad and he mentioned Mom getting ready for work. They weren't gonna tell us because they knew we'd give Mom shit for it."
I laughed. “Yeah, we will.”
When we came into the house, Sarah and Kait were eating chips and talking.
Nick winked at me when no one was paying attention and went and sat down by Kait. "Can I just sit here and stare into your heart-breaker eyes?"
Kait looked at him with a blank stare "Excuse me?"
I took a chip from Sarah and ate it as I watched my brother do his absolute worst.
"You know not to take food from me or I'll bite you," she teased.
"Can I? They're so blue. Like a spring sky." Nick batted his eyes at her. When Kait went to take a drink of her beer, Nick grabbed the bottle. "No, let me do it for you. You shouldn't have to lift a finger. I'll feed you at dinner tonight, too. I’ll be your servant, milady.."
Kait burst into laughter, and I’m pretty sure my beer shot out of my nose. Sarah was cracking up but looked so confused as she grabbed me a paper towel to wipe my face.
Nick was doing his best not to lose it and start laughing. "I'm serious. Why are you laughing? I can laugh for you too if you need me to."
"Okay! Stop it! I know what you're doing, asshole!" Sarah said through her laughter.
Nick laughed and handed Kait her beer back.
I had tears in my eyes.
Kait set her drink on the counter, still laughing. "Sarah said you were a lot of fun."
"What else did she say about me?" he asked as he stood and went to the fridge. He got the steaks out and set them on the counter.
Sarah moved closer to me until her back was to my front. She took my arms and wrapped the arm her. I put my chin on her head and watched Nick and Kait.
Kait didn't answer but had a humorous grin on her face.
"Oh, it must be bad … or dirty," Nick teased.
Sarah shivered when her shirt rose a little and my fingers touched her skin. I loved that just a little touch from me could drive her crazy.
Kait laughed. "She said you're a great guy, Nick. But to make this night less awkward, I'm not looking to date anyone right now."
Nick nodded. "Totally agree."
Kait’s shoulders relaxed some. “Awesome.”
“Nick, why don’t we go grill those steaks while the girls hang out?” I asked.
He picked up the steaks, and I grabbed a plate to put them on when they were done. I kissed Sarah, then we headed outside.
CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR
Sarah
I jerked awake and looked over at Aaron who was sitting up in bed roaring with laughter. I grabbed my chest, trying to calm down. “What the hell?”
I noticed the book he had in his hands. It was the book we made as kids and kept adding things to as we got older. I let go of my chest when my heart calmed down and smiled as I snuggled close to him.
“Remember this?”
“I do. But why aren’t you sleeping?” I looked over at the alarm clock. “Babe, it’s two in the morning.”
“I couldn’t sleep. Then I started thinking about when we were kids, and I remembered this book we made and that I still had it. I came to this page, and that’s what had me laughing.” He handed me the book, then handed me my glasses from his nightstand.
I put them on and sat up more. “I can’t believe you kept this all these years. I forgot what we even put in there.”
I read the spot he pointed at.
I vow to take Sarah’s virginity if she hasn’t lost it by the time she’s 30. —Aaron
And Aaron is full of himself. —Sarah
Sarah said she doesn’t want to die a virgin. If by the time she’s 30 and she hasn’t had sex, I will be doing her a favor. It’s better me than a creeper, right, Book of Secrets? —Aaron
I was rolling. I totally forgot we did that, and that Aaron and I had this long discussion about sex after health class and the whole condoms on bananas fiasco. Aaron sat with me in the class, and I remembered him being a complete goof the entire time. Neither of us could ever eat a banana after that day.
I loo
ked at Aaron and his stupid smirk. “Well, guess that came true.”
“Sho’ did.” He chuckled and pointed at the page. “Keep reading.”
Oh. My. God. Again, full of himself. Best friends don’t have sex. Tell him, Book of Secrets. —Sarah
LOL. Today we’re documenting our revenge on my little brother Nick. Sarah and I poured warm water all over Nick’s bottom half while he was sleeping. That way, he’d think he wet the bed when he woke up. Revenge is sweet. —Aaron.
“That battle with Nick went on for weeks! Remember when he super glued your hand to a porn DVD?” I was dying at this point, my eyes watering so bad I couldn’t read anymore.
Aaron groaned. “Try explaining that one to your mom who was the only adult home and a nurse who probably had some magic way of getting off without ripping off skin.”
“I would have died!”
“She made me keep that shit on my hand until my dad got home.”
My laughter faded, and I wiped my eyes. “Never boring around us, that’s for sure.”
He shook his head. “Never.”
I closed the book and laid it beside me. “I’m so happy you kept this.”
“Me too. We’ve been slacking on our sunsets and sunrises,” he said as he ran his fingers up and down my bare thigh.
“We have a million more of those together. We’ll do better. Besides, you’ve been working a lot of overtime lately and not getting home until after dark. Then our nights are late working on the car, so we sleep until we have to get up.”
His forehead wrinkled as he got lost in thought.“I was so in love with you then. After you moved, and we lost touch, I felt like a part of me died.”
“I know. It killed me, too. I was gonna reach out to you after I moved back, but I saw on Facebook you were married with kids, and I just … didn’t. I should have, but then again I’m glad I didn’t. If our feelings were never lost, it would’ve just made everything with you and Melany worse. Everything is happening just as it was meant to.”
He took my hand in his and kissed the back of it. “I believe that too. We’re lucky, getting a second chance.”
“I agree.” He looked at me, his eyes trailing down my body. “So, whatcha got on under that shirt?”
I shook my head. “Not a damn thing.” Aaron was the physical form of heroin. All it took was one look from him, and I came undone. We could go from zero to sixty in a matter of seconds.