“Selfie time, huh,” I glared at her.
“You’re having fun,” Emma waved her finger at me like a parent would a child. She was going to regret that tomorrow. Tonight she was too drunk to really regret anything.
“Can we talk?” Aaron leaned in so I could hear him.
I needed to be strong, to resist him, but I couldn’t. He smelled so good, and I think I may have sniffed his neck. The cologne he wore smelled like the beach, and the shirt covering his arms and chest showed every muscle and ripple on his lifeguard body.
“I thought I was pretty clear when I didn’t answer your calls. We have nothing to talk about,” I crossed my arms over my chest and I watched Aaron’s eyes zero in on my chest.
“Fuck,” he muttered under his breath. One hand rose to rake through his hair as he shook his head. He stepped closer to me, causing us to almost touch. I swallowed as I tipped my head back to look up at his eyes. “Where has this been,” he lightly touched my shoulder. “You’re like a walking fantasy tonight,” he leaned down again, letting his lips brush against my ear as he talked. My entire body went stiff as his warm breath hit my neck. I tried to not to react, but the shiver that ran through me caused him to chuckle lightly.
“I’m the same person I’ve always been,” I growled, “and I have no interest in you.”
“Sure you don’t,” he chuckled again as he spun me and wrapped his arm around my waist. He gave a gentle yank, causing my back to hit his chest before he started moving us to the music.
“What are you doing?” I tried to pull away all the while searching for where Emma and Brock went.
“Dancing,” his grip tightened, causing his erection to press right into my ass. “They’re off making out somewhere. Been two weeks ya know,” he laughed. “You’re stuck.”
“I am most certainly not stuck,” I turned in his arms and pushed back. We stood there on the dance floor glaring at each other. Bodies were moving all around us, none the wiser of the battle of wills going on. Part of me was thrilled he’d come all this way knowing I was pissed. He’d shown up here hoping I’d just give in, but he was ready for a fight if I didn’t. The other half of me was mad. How dare he think that just because he looked hot and smelled good, and did I say he was hot, that I’d just give in and say yes. I needed to stay strong, to tell him to get lost, but as I stood there staring at him I couldn’t. His hair that was usually cut short and bleached from the sun was longer and browner. His broad shoulders filled out the grey sweater he was wearing perfectly, and the dark jeans… I can’t even describe what they were doing for his butt.
I pressed my lips together, telling myself to resist. Tell him to get lost and leave me alone. Too much was happening in my life, and Aaron would never understand. I didn’t have time for him; hell, I barely had time for me. He was a player, and all he wanted from me was sex. I was never going to be what he wanted or needed. I repeated this over and over again as determination filled his eyes. The strobes overhead flashed, making him look wild as he stepped forward.
“Enough!” he growled as he grabbed my wrist and began pulling me after him. I stumbled as he dragged me off the dance floor.
“Where are we going?” I yelped. He didn’t answer, just kept moving toward the side of the bar. “Let go of me!” I stopped moving and yanked my hand free. A few people nearby looked over from where they were sitting at tables, but it was too loud for most to notice there was a commotion.
“Fine! I wanted a little privacy, but you don’t,” he stalked forward. Before I could say anything, his hands cupped my face and his lips crashed down on mine. My body sagged as he tipped my face to the side. His tongue pressed against the seal of my lips until I relented and let him in. My hands flew to his chest, fisting his sweater before giving him the hardest shove I could muster.
He stumbled back slightly before he caught himself and grinned at me. “Tell me you didn’t like that.”
“I didn’t like that,” I panted. I didn’t sound very convincing, but my body was betraying my heart at the moment. Despite the fact that I didn’t encourage his advances, it was one of the best kisses I’d had in a long time.
“You’re lying,” he laughed as he moved forward. “Let me try again.”
“I don’t think that’s a good idea,” I stepped back and this time the wall stopped me. I’d worked us into a back corner and by the look on Aaron’s face, he knew this all along.
“Why not?” he boxed me in. “Mel,” he sighed. “I fucked up, but you can’t deny what you just felt. Why won’t you give me a chance? All I’m asking for is a chance.” He leaned in closer to where our noses were almost touching. “You know we could be amazing if you’d let me, please.” His lips moved within a breath of mine. “I won’t fuck up again,” I shuddered as his breath bathed my face. “Please?” this time his lips did touch me. It was less hurried and I couldn’t help but melt against him. His hips pressed against mine, pinning me to the wall as one hand cupped the back of my head. I opened willingly, and he slipped his tongue inside, exploring me gently this time. It was more of what a first kiss should have been like all along.
He groaned when my hands slipped into his hair, gently tugging it. His chest rumbled as more of his body pressed against me. It was as if we were supposed to be this way all along, and were finally figuring it out. When he broke the kiss, I couldn’t help but sigh. “One chance,” I narrowed my eyes. “One chance is all you get. If you screw up again, I won’t give you another.”
“Deal,” he flashed a crooked grin. He held his hand out for me and as he tugged me back to the dance floor, he shouted over his shoulder, “Foster owes me a hundred dollars. Let’s go get drunk on his dime.”
“What for?” I stopped his movement. When he looked at me weird, I tried again. “Why does he owe you money?”
Aaron’s smile fell before he swallowed hard and let his shoulders sag. “So I guess this honesty thing starts now, huh?”
“That’s kinda how it works,” I cocked my head to the side.
“He bet me a hundred bucks that I couldn’t get you to forgive me tonight. If I lost, I was going to be sleeping in his car too,” he groaned.
I closed my eyes and shook my head at him. “You thought I’d be that easy huh?”
“No,” he stepped closer. “I know I’m that good,” he winked before grabbing my hand. “You mad?”
“No,” I sighed, “but you’re still sleeping in his car.”
“I was thinking on the floor in your dorm,” his brows bounced as he gave me a pleading look.
“Don’t push it,” I shook my head as he pulled me the rest of the way through the crowd and up to the bar. Aaron ordered our drinks and started a tab under Brock’s name before leading me over to a nearby table. “How’d you know they were here?” I took my drink from him.
“Same way I knew you were here,” he waved his phone in front of me before pulling out a chair and sitting down. When I reached to pull out the chair beside him, he grabbed it and held it in place. “Sit here,” he patted his thigh, and I swallowed, hard.
“Um,” I stammered. This was getting to be a bit much. I didn’t want to move fast. In fact, I wanted to move slow, very slow, perhaps slower than anything Aaron would be ok with.
“How am I supposed to convince you to let me sleep on your floor from over there?” his eyes swung to the chair beside him.
“Guess you better figure it out,” I shrugged as I rounded the table to sit by Emma and Brock.
“Ouch!” he slapped at his chest before tipping his beer to his lips.
“You, my friend, have your work cut out for you,” Brock laughed as Emma snuggled into him.
I could not sit beside Aaron. I could not let Aaron upstairs to my room. And as much as I wanted to, I could not fall in love with him. Loving Aaron would lead to nothing but heartbreak, and right now too much was at stake.
Chapter 7
Aaron
I couldn’t believe my luck today. When Brock and I decid
ed to work out together, I never thought it would end up being my lucky day. Emma texted him like five thousand times every time we did anything, but today was different. She’d sent him a message in the afternoon telling him that she was going out later and wouldn’t be able to Skype. He’d told her to have fun, and she said it would be. She and Mel were going to cut loose. I couldn’t see that actually happening, but now I see she’s full of surprises.
Emma suggested we meet up with them at this bar she and Brock had gone to back in the fall. He agreed, and that’s where I came into play. I’d pretty much invited myself to come along, and even pointed out that Emma had suggested it. On our way here, Brock got another text and when I saw it, I nearly fell over. There was Emma all dolled up, but right beside her was a version of Mel I’d never seen before. Her hair was all fancy, and she was wearing more makeup than usual. I couldn’t tell what she was wearing because the selfie was cropped, but I knew it had to be good.
When we arrived at the bar, I wasn’t sure what kinda reception I’d get. She was pissed at me at the moment, and I was getting ready to ambush her. She and Em were three sheets to the wind in the middle of the dance floor, but she nearly took my breath away. The dark pants clung to her lower half, molding her ass perfectly. The red top showcased a set of tits I didn’t know she owned, and the ‘fuck-me’ heels were the icing on the cake. To say she was icy when she saw me would be putting it lightly. After the kiss though, I thought I might be getting somewhere. That is until she decided that she’d rather sit beside Em than in my lap.
“You guys about ready to go?” Brock shouted above the music. Emma was leaning her head on his shoulder like she was ready to fall asleep.
“Fine by me,” Mel slowly stood and stretched her arms, causing her top to rise and show some skin at her midriff. I swallowed as my eyes zeroed in on her. “Face is up here,” she shoved me in the side.
“Geez,” I recoiled. “I can’t help it if I want to admire the view. It’s right in front of my face after all.”
“I need her keys,” Mel pointed at Emma. “She can’t drive.”
“You guys can ride with us. We’ll come get her car tomorrow,” Brock smiled as he stood and helped Em walk to the door to leave.
We all filed out after him. I held out my hand to Mel, “You know I don’t bite.”
“Un huh,” she muttered as she stepped away from my grasp.
What the hell was that all about? I had my tongue down her throat less than an hour ago, and now she wouldn’t let me touch her. How the hell was I supposed to get upstairs at this rate?
When we pulled up in front of the dorms, Brock cut the engine. Emma fished around for her keycard to get in the dorm. “You don’t really expect me to sleep in the car, do you?” I looked over at Mel, who was huddled up in my coat. This time I checked the pockets.
“Yep,” she smacked her lips.
“Babe. It’s like twenty degrees out, and you have my coat. I’m gonna freeze my balls off out here,” I pouted as I looked to Emma for some help.
“Don’t look at me. You snore,” her eyes went wide.
“I do not!” I balked. I glanced around at the other parked cars. They already had frost on their windshields. “Look! Ice!” I pointed. “I’ll behave. Please?” I put my hands together and stopped in front of Mel. “Just this once.”
She sucked in a deep breath and slowly exhaled before rolling her eyes. “Fine. Just this once, and if you so much as…”
I held up my hand to stop her, “I get it.”
Emma laughed as she led our group to the door. She swiped her card and we all made our way up to their room. Emma and Mel both grabbed shower bags and left Brock and I in the room alone.
“I don’t want to hear any of whatever you two do. I know you haven’t gotten laid since we were here the last time,” I groaned.
“I’m not some horny teen,” Brock growled. “I can control myself.”
“Right,” I sighed as I pulled a blanket off Mel’s bed and made a pallet on the floor. I still needed a pillow, and something to cover up with, but it was a start.
When the girls came back my tongue nearly fell out of my mouth. Mel was dressed in a pair of tiny cotton shorts and a cami. You could see the outline of her breasts through the thin cotton fabric, and it was very obvious that she was happy I was there. Last summer’s time at the beach was nothing to seeing her like this.
“I need a pillow, please,” I waited patiently while she fished one out of the closet. While her back was to me, I pulled my sweater over my head. I hadn’t thought very far ahead, so I didn’t bring anything to sleep in plus I usually slept nude.
After draping it over her desk chair, I kicked off my shoes. Mel chose that moment to turn around. “Here,” she swallowed as her eyes scanned my chest and abs.
“See something you like?” I smirked. I knew I looked good, but it was always a rush to get a reaction from a female.
“It’s ok,” she shrugged.
“Ok?” I stepped closer to her and her breathing hitched. “I haven’t even shown you the good part,” I chuckled as I popped the button to my jeans loose. As I began to wiggle my hips, she turned around and rushed over to the door, quickly flicking the lights off just as my pants hit the ground.
“I’m quite ok with that too,” she called out as she climbed onto her bed and pulled the covers up.
“I need a blanket,” I lowered myself onto my pallet. Emma reached for the blanket that was folded at the end of her bed and tossed it at me. “Thanks,” I murmured as I began punching the pillow on the floor, trying to get comfortable. “Hey, Mel?” I rose up on my elbow.
“What?” she grumbled. I knew I was pushing her and if I kept it up she was going to snap. She rolled onto her side to face me and before I could think too much about it, I pressed my lips to hers. It was a soft kiss, that ended before it really began but it was enough.
“Dream of me,” I whispered as I pulled away. “Night,” I mumbled to the ceiling as I laid back down and attempted to sleep.
Melinda
Dream of me? The words hung in the air like a thick cloud. How was I supposed to even sleep with him so close? When I came back in the room and saw him standing there beside my bed with no shirt and bare feet, well do I need to say more? My mouth watered as my eyes devoured him, and despite my resolve to not feel anything, lust pooled in my belly. Every muscle was cut to perfection, and the top of that V made me want to lick him. It had to be the rum talking. If I wasn’t tipsy, I’d be able to resist him.
I stared at the ceiling for hours, trying to sleep. I could smell Aaron’s cologne every time he shifted on the floor beside me. His breathing wasn’t even, and the subtle grunts he emitted told me he wasn’t asleep. It made me feel a little pride that he was having as much trouble as I was.
“Are you awake?” I whispered as I rolled onto my side. I tucked my hand under my cheek and inched to the very edge of the bed. When I peered down at him, I could barely make his face out in the dark.
“Yeah,” he whispered back.
“Why aren’t you sleeping?” I blinked as I tried with all my might to see him better. Darkness was not my friend right now. Aaron was like a work of art, and I wanted to enjoy that.
“Floor’s kinda hard,” he grunted.
“Oh,” I murmured. I hadn’t thought about that, but the tile was pretty unforgiving and all he had under him was a blanket.
“I’ll be ok. Go to sleep,” he whispered again as he shifted onto his side.
“Grab the blanket and come here,” I slid until my back was pressed up against the wall.
“What?” he sat up and rubbed his eyes.
“You heard me,” I grumbled. I waited until he stood up. He was staring at me, and I almost laughed at what little I could make out of his expression. He looked like a confused little boy. “You’re staying on top of the covers,” I pointed at the side of the bed closest to him. “If you so much as touch me wrong, I’ll shove your ass back on the floor.”<
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I watched as he tentatively climbed onto the bed. He draped the blanket over himself and then settled in front of me. One arm went under his head while the other draped over his hip. “Thanks,” he murmured on a yawn. “I’ll be good, but I can’t promise what I’ll do once I fall asleep.”
It didn’t take long before his breathing evened out and he began softly snoring. I’d have to let Emma know she was right tomorrow and break it to him that he did indeed snore. I thought it would take me longer, but within minutes, I too passed out into a deep sleep.
The next morning I was awoken by the ringing of my phone. I shot up in bed as I slapped around trying to find it.
“Ow!” Aaron yelped when I accidently hit him in the face.
“Sorry,” I cringed as I scrambled out from under the covers and dove for where my purse was sitting on my desk. When I finally picked up the phone, I’d missed the call. It soon vibrated though with a voicemail.
“Melinda, this is your mother. We had a deal yesterday. You told me you’d be ready first thing this morning. I’m sitting downstairs as we speak. You have five minutes before I come up.” My mother sounded pissed and I couldn’t blame her. She’d let me out of coming home last night, and now I was late. “Shit!” I scrambled around the room stuffing things in an overnight bag. “I can’t believe I overslept. This is your fault!” I pointed at Aaron as he stared at me. He was sitting up with the blanket around his waist. His bare chest taunted me, and his bedhead was the sexiest I’d seen.
“Me?” he pointed at his chest. “How is this my fault?”
“It just is,” I snapped as I finished packing my bag. I grabbed my shower kit and some sweats to change into as I headed for the door.
Aaron chuckled, “Why don’t you just let me take you home? Tell your mom you have a ride, then you can take your time.”
“Because I can’t,” I grabbed the knob and yanked the door open.
Trusting You (The Sutter Family Book 2) Page 5