Chapter 27
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Aubrey
I reached over and wrapped my arms around him. My heart felt so much sadness as he told his story that it took everything I had not to break down. I now saw him in a different light. He blamed himself for Sophia’s death and had been carrying that around with him all these years. I understood all too well about guilt and having the burden of it take over your life. I broke our embrace and placed my hands on each side of his face.
“Thank you for telling me. I know how hard that was for you.”
“I wanted you to know why I am the way I am.” He removed my hands and held them in his. “After her death, I buried myself into my work, started Klein Technology, and devoted my life to it. I live, eat, and breathe that company. I don’t make time for anyone or anything else. I like you, Aubrey. I really do, and I don’t want to hurt you anymore. You don’t deserve it. All I want is to make love to you more than anything else in the world, but I can’t commit to anything, and I know you want more.”
Even after confessing to me about Sophia, he was still frightened. I wanted to take away his pain, but would I be happy just being a casual fling? Would it be selfish of me to keep having sex with him with the hopes that he’d change his mind down the road? Or would I be setting myself up for an even worse heartbreak? I wasn’t that type of person. Or was I? I didn’t know because I had never been in a situation like this before. All I knew was, at that moment, I wanted him, and he wanted me. He could have gone and had sex with any woman he wanted, but he was here, with me.
Letting go of his hands, I gripped the bottom of my shirt and pulled it over my head. Reaching back, I unhooked my bra and slid it off, tossing it onto the floor. The sharp intake of his breath heightened my excitement as I took his hands and placed them firmly on my breasts.
“Are you sure, Aubrey?” he asked with a whisper.
“Yes.”
While one hand firmly gripped my breast, he placed his other hand on my cheek. I could feel the warmth of his breath sweep across my face. Instead of our lips meeting for the first time, his tongue trailed along my neck. It felt so good to be touched by him again. He leaned me back on the couch so I was lying down, and while his mouth made its way to my breasts, his hand slid down my torso and unbuttoned my pants. He sat up and pulled them off, and his fingers traced the outline of my lips through the silk fabric of my panties. Before I knew it, his head was buried between my legs, and my panties were off in a split second. His mouth wasted no time devouring me as I arched my back, forcing him to go deeper. Subtle moans rumbled in his throat as he explored my opening, flicking his tongue in and out and making small circles around my clit. The pleasure built inside me. He took his fingers and tugged at my hardened nipples as his mouth sent my body into an explosive orgasm. I let out a low moan as my breath escaped me, and my heart raced faster than the speed of light.
He didn’t speak a word as he sat up and pulled me on top, my knees straddling him. Slowly lowering myself onto his hard cock, I gasped, as did he, while I took his entire length inside me.
“God, you feel so good,” he whispered in my ear.
His hands stayed firmly on my hips as I slowly moved up and down, taking in the moment that I didn’t want to end. As much as I was enjoying this, I wanted him to kiss me. I needed to feel his lips on mine, but I wouldn’t force it or him. He had his reasons for why he never kissed me. Another orgasm was on its way as I tightened my grip on his shoulders, and he tightened his grip on my hips.
“Come for me, baby. I need to feel you come all over my cock,” he panted as he thrust his hips and deepened inside me.
Letting out the sound of ecstasy, my body gave in as the rush of warmth over his cock elated him.
“That’s it. Oh God. Yes.” He strained as he held my hips in place and exploded inside me.
Wrapping my arms around his neck, I laid my head on his shoulder as his arms wrapped around me and held on tight. I prayed that he’d stay the night. I knew it was something he didn’t do, but in light of our recent conversation, I hoped he’d change his mind. He stood up, telling me to hold on as he carried me to the bedroom and set me on the edge of the bed. He pulled back the covers, and I climbed under them, pulling the sheet up over my naked body. I was a nervous wreck that he was getting ready to leave. But instead, he climbed in on the other side, wrapped his arm around me, and pulled me into him.
“You don’t mind if I stay the night, do you?”
My lips gave way to a delighted smile. “I don’t mind at all,” I replied, snuggling against him.
We lay there, his hand stroking my hair as my fingers trailed along his chest. I had never felt as safe as I did at that moment.
“How are you feeling?” I asked. “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine, Aubrey. Thank you for listening to me.” His lips kissed the top of my head.
“You’re welcome. Can I ask you a question?”
“Of course.”
“Why won’t you kiss me?”
“I’ve been waiting for you to ask me that.” He sighed. “I have a no-kissing rule. I can’t explain it. It’s just something I don’t do. I haven’t kissed anyone passionately since Sophia. I hope you can understand that.”
I lied and told him I did, even though I didn’t. There was something between us. I felt it, and I knew he did, too. I could feel and sense it. Maybe he just needed some time to adjust. After all, he just told me about her. I pressed my lips against his chest and then closed my eyes.
When I awoke the next morning, I was alone in bed but could smell the freshly brewed coffee coming from the kitchen and I could hear the opening and closing of cabinets. I let out a sigh of relief that he was still here.
“Good morning.” I smiled as I tied my robe and walked to the kitchen.
“Good morning. I hope I didn’t wake you.”
“No, you didn’t. What are you doing?”
“I wanted to make us breakfast, but I can’t seem to find a pan to cook the eggs in.”
I gently smiled and walked over to the cabinet next to the stove. Reaching down, I pulled out the frying pan.
“Is this what you’re looking for?”
“Yes. But I swear I looked in that cabinet.”
“Go sit down. I’ll make breakfast.”
“Oh no, you don’t. I’m cooking. So go sit down, and I’ll get you a cup of coffee,” he insisted.
“Seriously, Ethan?—”
Before I knew it, his hands were grasping my shoulders.
“Go sit down. I’m cooking breakfast. End of discussion. Do you understand?” He led me to the barstool at the counter.
“Fine. I’ll sit down.”
“Thank you. Now, how do you like your eggs?”
“Scrambled is fine.”
He set a cup of coffee down in front of me and told me to be careful.
“It’s hot. Don’t burn yourself.”
“Yes, Ethan. I know it’s hot. But I will be extra careful for you,” I smirked.
“You’re a little snippy from time to time. Do you know that?”
“Only when someone insists on treating me like a handicapped child.”
“I’m sorry. I’m learning.”
“I know you are. Just make my eggs. I’m starving.”
“What are your plans for today?” he asked.
“I don’t know. I really don’t have any.”
“After I make breakfast, I’m going to go home, shower, change, and head to the office. I have quite a bit of work to do.”
“It’s Saturday.”
“Saturdays are no different from any other day of the week as far as I’m concerned.”
I sat there, sipping my coffee with the hopes that he’d want to spend the day together. I needed to play it off as if I didn’t care.
“Sounds boring.” I smirked.
He chuckled. “It can be.”
After we finished breakfast, he cleaned up the kitchen and then kissed me on my forehead.
“Enjoy your day. I have to go.”
“You too. Try not to work too hard.”
“I can’t make any promises.”
He walked out the door and I sighed. I wasn’t sure I could do this.