Completely Captivated

by A. D. Justice

  I stepped into him, wrapped my arms around his waist, and raised up on my tiptoes. My lips found his—and they tasted so good. My tongue swept across the part in his lips, and his mouth opened, inviting me in.

  So, I took the chance.

  I tried to take control of our embrace. I attempted to seduce him, to convince him to stay with me all night. But Aaron maintained control—in every sense of the word.

  Every move I made to increase the fervor, he countered with measured discipline. When I tugged on him to pull him back inside my apartment, he didn’t budge. When my hands roamed over the hard ridges of his muscles down to his pants, his big hands softly gripped mine and lovingly held them in place.

  “Stay with me tonight.” Looking back, I all but begged with the inflection in my voice.

  “You have no idea how much I’d love to hold you all night, Christa. But it didn’t turn out so well last time, so maybe we need more time learning all about each other.”

  With that, he kissed me softly again then turned and left. My body hummed with desire, and my frustration level was through the roof. Nothing satisfied the intense desire coursing through my body.

  Before I fell asleep, doubt had seized control of my thoughts and convinced me of one thing. When he was in San Diego, he hooked up with one of the beautiful, sexy, successful models—and I didn’t compare.

  I knew if I tried to explain my irrational insecurities to Allie, she’d call me a pussy. At least. Then she’d go on a thirty-minute rant to outline all the ways I’m an idiot.

  She’d try to convince me I was wrong about not taking a chance on Aaron. It wasn’t that I was afraid she’s wrong. I was afraid she’d be right. I was afraid I’d fall even more in love with him than I was right then.

  I was afraid he’d leave me.

  I was afraid. Period.

  A knock on my door drew my attention, and my first thought was of Aaron. I’d already showered and was wearing my comfortable pajamas, but I couldn’t help but hope it was him.

  When I looked through the peephole, I saw an uncharacteristically disheveled Jared standing on the other side. A confrontation with him over Aaron was the last thing I wanted, but I’d rather get it over with than allow it to linger between us.

  “Jared. What are you doing here?”

  “Christa, we have to talk.” The smell of alcohol hit me from the few words he spoke. He ran his hand through his hair, leaving it even messier than a moment before.

  “Okay. Come on in.”

  He breezed past me and sat on the couch. No sooner did he sit, than he jumped right back up and paced as I walked toward him. When his eyes finally locked on mine, I noticed they were bloodshot and glassy.

  “Jared, did you drive over here like this?”

  “No, the taxi just dropped me off.”

  My brows drew downward before I even realized a “what the fuck” expression covered my face. “Why would you have a taxi drop you off here so late? And when you’re drunk?”

  “Christa, don’t throw away our chance to be together. We’ve waited too long for this. I saw you with him last night. You’re falling right into his trap again.”

  “You’re not making any sense. He’s not trapping me. For what? What do I have he’d possibly want to use me for?”

  “He doesn’t love you like I do. Dating him will only cause you more heartache. You have to cut the ties with him. We can be happy together.”

  “Jared, you and I are friends. That’s all. At one time, I had a schoolgirl crush on you, but now you’re more like a brother to me. I’m sorry, but I just don’t feel the same.”

  “That’s only because of him. Spend the night with me. Give me a chance.”

  “No, Jared. You’re not spending the night. Let me call a cab for you.”

  “Kiss me. Kiss me, and tell me you feel nothing for me at all.”

  He took a step toward me, and I put both hands up in front of me, palms out. “Stop, Jared. Right now.”

  My phone pinged with a text at that exact second.

  “Is that him?” Jared demanded.

  Without turning my back on a drunk Jared, I stepped back a couple of steps and grabbed my phone.

  Aaron: I miss you so much. I’d love to be there with you right now.

  For the first time in the last six weeks of messages, I sent a reply. Please come over. Now. Would feel safer.

  Aaron: I’m on my way. What happened?

  Me: Drunk friend won’t leave.

  Aaron: Yes, he fucking will.

  “What did he say?” Jared was essentially standing over me. His eyes dropped to my phone, but I hoped his vision was too blurry to see anything.

  “It was a private conversation, Jared. You need to leave now. I can’t talk to you when you’re drunk.” I moved away from him again, refusing to be cornered anywhere in my apartment without an escape route.

  “Why are you acting so strange? I’d never hurt you, you know that. Just kiss me, Christa. One little kiss, and I guarantee you’ll forget all about what’s his name.”

  “The fuck she will. Get the fuck away from my wife. She said no, and she told you to leave.” Aaron’s deep voice resonated through the room, causing Jared’s head to snap in his direction.

  Relief covered me, because I knew I was safe. Even though I knew Jared would never physically hurt me, his words and demeanor made me feel very uncomfortable. Jared’s head swung back around toward me, his expression one of disbelief.

  “Don’t look at her. I’m warning you one last time. Leave on your own two feet or flat on your back. Whatever you choose is fine with me, because you’ll leave either way.”

  Jared replied with a disgusted snort and turned toward the door. Aaron moved over slightly to give him room to pass, but Jared purposely knocked into Aaron’s shoulder on his way out. Except, Aaron didn’t budge and Jared was on unsteady legs, so Jared bounced off the doorframe and stumbled before righting his balance.

  Aaron smiled from ear to ear before his laughter broke free. “Nice try, prick.”

  He turned his gaze to me, and his expression turned to concern. “Are you okay now, baby?”

  I nodded, but for some stupid reason, the tears started when he called me baby. I’d really missed hearing that. He crossed the room in three giant strides and drew me into his arms.

  “Did he hurt you?”

  I shook my head, because I couldn’t speak.

  “Just scared you?”

  I nodded against his chest and buried my face tighter against him. He understood what I needed, because his arms curled tighter around me. This was my safe spot; my heart knew that was true. My mind played tricks on me, though.

  “I’ve got you now. No one can hurt you. Or scare you. Or come near you.” He rested his cheek against the top of my head, and I felt completely wrapped in love.

  When my sniffling subsided, he gradually released his hold and took a half step backward. With his thumb and index finger on my chin, he tilted my face up to look at him. “How do you feel now?”

  “Safe and protected,” I blurted out before realizing it.

  “Good.” He leaned down and kissed me on the tip of my nose. When I scrunched up my face in confusion, he chuckled. “I can’t kiss your lips and still be the good guy tonight. I know exactly what that motherfucker was thinking of doing to you because I’ve had the same thoughts. But I’ll never give you a reason to look at me like that.”

  I shook my head lightly from side to side. “Thank you for rushing over here so fast.”

  “I’m glad I was already nearby, leaving from a late meeting.”

  An instant pang of jealousy hit me. “A late meeting with a leggy model?”

  “No leggy models tonight. But she is a very sly and demanding lady.”

  “Sorry I interrupted.” Where was this jealousy coming from? I was the one who was pushing for a divorce, after all.

  “You didn’t, but it wouldn’t have mattered who I was in a meeting with anyway. When you nee
d me, I’ll be here.” He brushed his fingertips along my cheek, and chill bumps flared out across my body. “Since he’s gone and you feel safe, I guess I should get going myself. Don’t open the door for him again tonight, even if he says he’s sober. He may be waiting for me to leave.”

  I honestly hadn’t even thought of that.

  “Do you have to get back to your client?”

  He shook his head. “No, we’re finished for the night.” He paused and tilted his head to the side. “Are you afraid to be alone?”

  I nodded. It was ridiculous, but I couldn’t help it. After everything that had happened, I didn’t want to be alone that night.

  “I’ll stay if you want me to,” he offered. My knight in shining armor. Actually, my knight in a dark blue Armani suit, as the case may be.

  “I’d feel so much better if you did.”

  “I’m yours all night, then.” His voice dropped an octave. The sexy, silky timbre calmed my nerves and excited my senses. “I’ll be right here on the couch.”

  Did someone just throw a bucket of ice-cold water on me?

  * * *

  Aaron

  Christa didn’t get much sleep last night. I heard her tossing and turning, punching her pillow, and huffing loudly. That also meant I didn’t get much sleep. Knowing she was just a few feet away. In the bed. Most likely naked and waiting for me.

  But I couldn’t do exactly what I wanted to do. Storm into her room, throw the covers off her luscious body, and do all kinds of wicked and naughty things to her until the neighbors complained about her screams.

  That was exactly what she wanted me to do, of that I had no doubt. But she wanted that before and I gave it to her, then she regretted it. I hadn’t forgotten how that hurt, even though I couldn’t blame her after the way I’d hurt her.

  Because of that fiasco, she had to be sure she wanted me. Not for just one night. Not just for the time being.

  Forever.

  When streaks of sun shone through the blinds, she got up and went straight to the shower. After I made her breakfast with coffee and left it on the table with the latest letter, I slipped out the door and locked it behind me. Then I sat in the parking lot and kept a watchful eye on her place for a while. When she emerged, slid into her car, and drove away, I made my way back to my condo.

  My meeting last night was with Delilah. I changed up the rules again. Christa would still get the daily texts and the occasional letters, but she’d see less of me. Believe me, there was no doubt that would hurt me more than it would hurt her.

  I hoped absence did make the heart grow fonder.

  My whole world was riding on that cliché.

  Change of Plans

  Aaron

  * * *

  Everything that happened last night still weighed heavily on my mind first thing the next morning. I ran through the events one more time as I sat outside Christa’s apartment, hanging around to make sure that dickhead didn’t show back up for some reason.

  My thoughts drifted back to the beginning of the evening, before Christa’s encounter with Jared, when I was still with the “other woman” I mentioned to Christa...

  * * *

  “Now that she’s had another taste of the man in charge, it’s time to take him away from her.” Delilah pinned me with her steely-eyed gaze. She knew I didn’t want to do this part of the plan.

  “Delilah, what if this backfires on me?”

  “It won’t. If she doesn’t miss you when you’re gone, there’s not much to fight for, Aaron.”

  I couldn’t even consider that possibility, but I knew she was right. Christa had to want us as much as I did for our marriage to stand a chance.

  “Okay. What are the rules?”

  “You can only see her twice a week. Pick two days, stick to the plan, and make the time with her count.”

  I left Delilah’s and headed home, wracking my brain to figure out how I’d make the time with Christa count. How I’d make her miss me so much that she couldn’t stand to be away from me one more day. How our time apart would make her love me even more than she did then, even if she wouldn’t admit it.

  Since she was on my mind so strongly when I left Delilah’s. I sent her a text the moment I stopped at the red light.

  Red was all I saw when I read the text back from her saying a drunk friend refused to leave. Only one motherfucker would be so bold.

  I thought it took all my self-control when I didn’t break him in half at seeing him in her apartment, demanding a kiss. But I was wrong. The images of Christa in her bed alone, naked, and just as frustrated as I was took all my self-control and even some I didn’t know how I had.

  I watched her leave and decided I was putting the plan for month two into play starting right now. Leaving before she saw me this morning wasn’t originally part of my plan, but the timing couldn’t have been better. Safe and secure in my arms last night. Alone and hopefully missing me today.

  God knew I missed her more every day.

  The love letters and daily texts would continue, but the visits to her café wouldn’t.

  Not only was I depriving myself of Christa, but I’d also miss out on her tasty treats.

  Damn it.

  Delilah had better be right about this.

  Back in my condo, I took a quick shower and gathered my equipment to spend my Sunday hiking in the park, far away from the city and cell towers.

  And temptation.

  Spending so much time with Delilah wasn’t without benefits. She shared her wealth of knowledge and insight freely. Sometimes too much so, since she didn’t hold back what she thought. Ever.

  My assigned task for the day was to come up with the next step in my plan to get Christa back in case my absence didn’t work in my favor. Delilah kept telling me not to view this in singular acts, but in the grand scheme. Stepping stones that led to the ultimate prize.

  After a couple of hours of meandering through along the trails, I found the perfect spot and set up my tripod and camera. Since I’d left Rivers Forte, I’d taken time to pursue my passion—photography. My eclectic mix of urban grunge and natural beauty had caught the attention of a magazine editor I knew. I wasn’t doing it for the money. As conceited as it sounded, I had more than enough of that.

  My little hobby had become therapeutic. I looked for beauty in everything now, and I found it. Then I captured that beauty in my own way. The pictures reminded me not to be so hard on myself about my past mistakes. I was still a work in progress, and that was okay.

  I spent the day leisurely strolling and snapping pictures, always with Christa on my mind, but still at peace alone. Dusk settled in by the time I returned to my car and stowed my equipment bag in the trunk. Once I reached a more populated area, I reluctantly powered on my phone to check for any messages from Christa.

  I couldn’t help but feel disappointed when I realized she hadn’t tried to contact me all day.

  * * *

  Christa

  Dear God, it had been a long day, and I didn’t want a repeat of it ever.

  First, I stepped out of the shower with every intention of having a long, sit-down talk with Aaron. But he was gone. A delicious plate of my favorite breakfast foods and a piping hot cup of coffee were the only evidence he’d even been there this morning.

  As much as I wanted to talk to him about everything, I took his absence as a sign it wasn’t time to have that conversation.

  But no matter what the universe tried to tell me along the way, there was one conversation that couldn’t wait one more minute. I quickly scarfed down my food and jetted over to Jared’s place.

  It was still early, and no doubt he’d be hungover from his binge the night before. But I didn’t care. Headache or not. Crouched over the great porcelain throne or not. Apologetic or not. He was in for a giant piece of my mind.

  I repeatedly banged on his door with my fist and even kicked it a few times. When it swung open, I was ready to tear into him with my angry tirade, my finger already
pointing in the general vicinity of his face. Instead of seeing Jared’s face, I stared into the wide-eyed, bewildered face of a redhead who’d obviously just stumbled out of bed.

  Her hair was a bird’s nest of tangles. She wore Jared’s shirt inside out. Even with my small stature, I must have looked somewhat intimidating because she instinctively took a step backward and glanced around the room nervously.

  “Jared!” I screamed and stormed past her. “Get your ass out here.”

  “Listen, I’m sorry if you’re his wife or whatever. He said he wasn’t married.” His overnight guest pulled at the T-shirt she wore, trying to cover herself more.

  “I’m not, and he’s not.” I kept walking through his condo, yelling his name.

  “Fuck, Christa. Can you lower your voice? I think the neighbors five floors up can hear you.” Jared finally emerged from his bedroom, trying to tame his hair with his fingers.

  “I don’t give a fuck if the neighbors at the end of the block hear me.” I crossed my arms over my chest and stared him down.

  “Umm, excuse me. I’ll just throw my clothes on and leave you two to talk.” The third wheel crept past us, and Jared’s expression became instantly guilt-ridden.

  “Let’s go into the living room and talk, Christa.” Jared extended one hand toward the area behind me, where I’d just come in. When I turned to walk ahead of him, he put his hand on my lower back.

  I jumped to the side and turned toward him at the same time. “Don’t. Touch. Me.”

  He held his hands up in mock surrender, and at least he had the decency to appear duly chastened. When we reached the living room, I sat in the chair, and he took the couch. I didn’t want any chance of him sitting close to me after last night.

  “I had our entire conversation planned out before I came over here, and it started with you explaining yourself for last night. But now, I’ve changed my mind. There’s nothing you can say or do to explain away what you did.”