Chapter 29 – Aston
ASTON
So, here’s my thinking, and it may be crazy, but I think Skylar likes me.
I think she really likes me, and I know I sound like I’m ten or whatever, but I don’t care.
Why else would she have freaked out last night?
If she didn’t care, she would have stayed or fucked me a third time in the shower or told me she still hated me.
Maybe she would have laughed at me trying to snuggle her and told me to quit being sappy.
She would have been able to look at me. But she couldn’t.
She asked for space before she ran from me, and I should grant her that, but I think that’s simply her fear and uncertainty talking.
I’m not uncertain.
I’m afraid, sure, but I’m not uncertain.
I’ve fallen in love with a pregnant woman before.
I gave her my heart. I gave her my everything.
And she betrayed me. She never loved me back, but worse, she lied to me and told me she did.
She played the happily married wife and me for a fool.
Am I setting myself up for the same type of heartache? For something possibly worse?
Maybe. I honestly might be.
But how will I know what can be if I never try?
And because I know my little swan so well, I’m outside her door bright and early so she can’t escape. I mean, let’s face it, it’s not like I was going back to sleep after last night. I was ready to charge after her the moment she left, but I stopped myself. Barely.
The thing is, I don’t care that she’s ten years younger than me.
I don’t care that she’s my best friend’s little sister.
I don’t care that I have a kid or that she’s pregnant with a baby that isn’t mine.
I just don’t care. I want her. The things that appear as obstacles or drama don’t have to be.
We can have it all. If she’s willing to.
I have to try. I have to. I’ll regret it always if I don’t.
I’m not sure anything in my life has ever felt truly right except for Zoey and Skylar. When I’m with them, I’m whole. I’m complete. I’m fucking happy. Even when Skylar is driving me crazy. But it seems I’m going to have my work cut out for me getting her to accept this.
The door to her room springs open, snapping me away from my gentle pacing. She jumps back when she sees me, and a frown tugs down on her lips. She’s fully dressed in a long cream sweater and leggings, and she’s holding a pair of boots.
“Nope. Not happening.” Before she can argue with me, I come over to her, take the boots from her hand, put them on the floor, and lift her by her hips to walk her back into her room. I kick the door shut behind me and drop her on the bed before I climb over her.
“What are you doing?!”
“What are you doing?” I throw back at her.
“I’m…”
“You’re running.”
“I’m not—”
“Bullshit,” I charge, hovering above her. She’s so pretty like this with her hair sprawled all over the place and her big green eyes wide and on me. “It’s six in the fucking morning, Skylar, after you were out till midnight and then fucked me till two. You’re running.”
She puffs out a breath and closes her eyes, defeat all over her. “Last night—”
“I swear to God, if you tell me that last night was a mistake or it shouldn’t have happened, I’m going to put you over my knee and spank your ass red. What are you doing? Why are you running from me?”
“Because I can’t do this with you!” she cries, her eyes flashing, her features fierce with indignation. “I can’t repeat old habits and allow myself to get swallowed up by a man who will hurt me.”
“What about me? Dammit, Skylar.” I sigh, shifting my weight and climbing off her.
She scoots out from under me and sits against the headboard, her knees up to her chest. A protective position if ever there was one.
“Wanna talk about repeating old habits? I married a pregnant woman, and once again I’m chasing after her.
I know you’re scared. I’m scared. There is nothing easy about us, sweetheart.
But instead of pushing me away, pull me toward you.
I…” I stop. I can’t tell her how I feel.
I can’t tell her I love her. Not yet. I scrub my hands up my face in frustration before I meet her eyes with an intensity I can no longer hold back.
“I don’t know exactly what this is or even what it could be, but I want to find out. I don’t want to run from it.”
Her glassy eyes search my face, but she doesn’t say anything, and I take that as my cue to keep going.
I climb up onto my knees and inch toward her until I’m sitting in front of her, my hand on hers on top of her knees.
“You’ve had it bad, and your trust in men, possibly even yourself, is shit.
I get that. So hear me now, so you know.
” I cup her jaw with my other hand. I will never hurt you.
I will never degrade you. I will always care for and respect you.
I will never treat you as anything less than the beautiful, smart, funny, feisty, pain-in-the-ass, incredible woman that you are.
” My thumb drags along her cheek. “God, Skylar, you have so much power over me, and you don’t even see it.
I’m yours. Everything I’ve said to you has been true and not simply in the heat of sex.
” I hold up my hand. “Well, everything except that last stupid thing I said to you in the kitchen that night. But everything else is real.”
“What are you asking of me?”
I smile softly. “Be my girlfriend and my wife?”
“What about… I mean, I’m pregnant and—”
“I’m a pediatric surgeon and a single dad.
Babies don’t exactly scare me.” I pull her up onto my lap until she’s straddling me and we’re face-to-face.
I wrap my arms around her and hold her tight.
“Just try with me, Skylar. Try with me, and I’ll try with you, and we’ll take it as it comes.
I don’t want to play games. I don’t want to have to keep fighting the way I want you.
I want to kiss you, and I want that kiss to be real. I want it to mean something.”
Her eyes glitter with emotion. “I want that too.”
A lightness hits my chest, and I fall back onto the bed with a chuckle. “Really?”
She laughs and smacks my shoulder. “Yes, you dummy. Were you expecting me to say no?”
“No. Yes. I don’t know. I’m tired. I had this whole thing built up in my head, and it involved a lot of fighting and sweet-talking.”
“Maybe you should have gotten some sleep instead of planning a battle strategy.”
My eyes pop open, and I stare up at her. “Maybe.” I spring up and take her down onto the bed, hovering over her once more. The hem of her sweater rubs my palms as I pull it up and over her head. “Or not, since now I’m here and there’s makeup sex to be had.”
“What are you doing?”
I smirk down at her. “I’m fucking my girlfriend, who also happens to be my wife.”
She rolls her eyes. “You and this wife thing.”
My lips are layered with her. “And yet you’re wearing not only my band but my engagement ring.” I tap her finger where the large rock sits. It makes me stupidly happy. She doesn’t wear it often.
“I don’t even know why I put it on. I saw it, and I just… did.”
“I’m not complaining.” I can’t stop staring at her lips. Her plump, pink lips. My weight goes to my forearm and elbow, and as I slide my hand up her belly, her skin quivers beneath my touch. “You’re fucking gorgeous. Damn, my girlfriend is hot.”
She lets out a breathy laugh as she tugs on my shirt. “That’s great and all, but you’re still wearing your shirt. I want to see my boyfriend’s hot muscles. Not to mention, time’s ticking here.”
“Thanks for the reminder.” I lean down to bite her nipple through her bra until she whimpers.
Reaching behind my back, I pull my shirt over my head and toss it to the end of the bed.
I want to spend all day with her like this, but Skylar is right.
We don’t exactly have that luxury, and Zoey will be up soon and anxious for her eggs. Vomit.
I capture her lips in a bruising kiss as I work on sliding her leggings down and off while she reaches behind her back to unclasp her bra.
Her tits fall free, and like a man who can’t help himself, I lower my head and take one nipple into my mouth so I can circle it with my tongue.
She arches beneath me and grasps onto my shoulder, her nails digging in ever so slightly.
I release it with a wet pop. “Too much?”
“No,” she breathes, threading her fingers through my hair to guide me back. “More. It feels so good.”
Happily, I oblige, alternating between gentle suction and teasing flicks of my tongue.
I can’t get enough of how they feel and taste, and I squeeze her tits together so I can bury my face in them, inhaling her scent and biting gently at her soft skin.
Every gasp and shudder, every time she pulls my hair when I get her in just the right way. All of it is intoxicating.
The best part is that these are mine now. All of her is. I don’t have to do everything all at once because I fear I’ll never have it again. I can fuck her now and make her come this afternoon and then fuck her again tonight.
And I will. I absolutely will. Every goddamn chance I get.
I slide a hand down her belly, over her small bump, until I cup her pussy. Her panties are fucking soaked, and her cunt is so warm beneath the soft satin tickling my palm. She rocks into my hand, seeking friction, seeking full contact, and I chuckle against her nipple and affectionately bite it.
“What do you need, sweetheart?” I slip her panties to the side and run my finger through her folds. “This? Is this what you want?”
“Mmm. Yes. More.”
“That’s your favorite word for me this morning.”
“I wouldn’t have to say it if you’d finally give it to me.”
I glance up at her as I plunge two fingers straight into her tight heat. “Like this?”