16. Chapter 16
Chapter sixteen
Aria
Allie left the next morning with John to finish giving her reports and her evidence to the authorities. Turns out, she had snapped a photo. Not a very good one, but still.
On the way back to Brooks’ house, I called Brad. He didn’t answer my call, but I left him a message. I’d been running all my life, but I was starting to think I hadn’t been running away as much as I’d been running toward something. Or rather, someone.
I think I had always been meant to be here at this time and place and find Brooks. Being with him… I believed him when he told me I wasn’t too much. Now I just needed to find out if he felt the same way I did.
When I got back to his house, I found him outside on the back deck, staring out at the water.
I stopped next to him and leaned on the rail, keeping my eyes on the rolling surf. “I’m done with the rule,” I said. “In fact, I’m done running.”
He turned to face me. “For Allie? For me? Or for you?”
“For all of us, but mostly me. I want to be here, with you, forever. But only if you want me because I’m not settling. Not anymore.”
“I want you. All of you. Just promise if you get scared, you won’t run.”
“I promise,” I said softly.
Brooks leaned down, sealing my promise with his kiss.
I pulled at his shirt, and he broke the kiss just long enough to yank it over his head.
Then he picked me up, took me back inside, and set me down on the kitchen table.
I reached between us and pushed his board shorts down. His cock sprang free, and I stroked it.
Brooks groaned, thrusting against my palm. “That feels so good.”
His hands pushed down into my shorts, and his fingers gripped my ass. I wiggled against him. “Inside me. Now.”
I lifted my hips as he pushed my shorts and panties down. They dangled off one ankle as he lined himself up and pushed into me. I gasped as sensations danced over me.
His hand pushed between us, and his thumb added pressure to my clit. Wave after wave of pleasure hit me, and I chanted his name as I came.
Afterward, we moved to the sofa. I lay on top of him, listening to his strong heartbeat. His fingers drifted over my back.
“That first night,” I said, “you mentioned you can’t have kids.”
Brooks’ hand stilled. “When I was a kid, there was an accident. My best friend drowned, and I almost died. They ran a bunch of tests. Turns out I’ve got an extremely low sperm count.”
When I didn’t say anything, he said, “Do you want kids? Because if you do, we will find a way.”
I shook my head. “No, I don’t think I do. My mom… She was a horrible mother. I’m not her, but I just think some things need to end with us.” I gazed up at him. “I love you, Brooks Callahan.”
He gazed down at me, his arms tightening around me. “I love you, too, Aria Andrews.”