10. Aaron
10
AARON
I pull back from the kiss, my heart pounding in my chest. Rena's eyes are still closed, her lips slightly parted. The sound of the rain pattering against the pavilion roof fades into the background as I focus on the woman in front of me.
"Move in with me," I blurt out, the words tumbling from my mouth before I can second-guess myself.
Rena's eyes flutter open, widening in surprise. "What?"
I take a deep breath, trying to steady my nerves. "I know it's sudden, but I don't want to waste any more time. Being with you feels right, Rena. I've never felt this way about anyone before."
She stares at me, her expression unreadable. Silence stretches between us, the only sound the steady drumming of the rain. I start to panic, wondering if I've made a terrible mistake.
But then, slowly, a smile spreads across Rena's face. It's like watching the sun break through the clouds after a storm. She throws her arms around my neck, nearly knocking me off balance.
"Yes!" she exclaims, her voice muffled against my shoulder. "Yes, Aaron, I'll move in with you."
I wrap my arms around her waist, holding her tight. I bury my face in her hair, breathing in the scent of her shampoo mixed with the earthy smell of the rain. Everything is perfect. She's perfect. I can't believe it.
I take Rena's hand as we exit the pavilion, both of us grinning like fools. The rain continues to come down hard, but I barely feel it. All I can focus on is the warmth of her palm against mine and the way her eyes sparkle with joy and excitement.
As we step out from under the pavilion’s shelter, I notice movement at the resort entrance. It's Rena’s boss, watching us with a knowing smile. She dashes out to meet us, seemingly unbothered by the downpour.
"Well, well, well," she says, her voice raised to be heard over the rain. "I knew you two would work things out!"
Rena blushes, ducking her head. I squeeze her hand, feeling a surge of pride and affection.
Madison turns to Rena, placing a hand on her shoulder. "Honey, take the day off. Go be with your man." She winks, her grin turning mischievous. "I'll find someone to cover your shift. Don't you worry about a thing."
Rena starts to protest, but Madison cuts her off with a wave. "No arguments. You deserve this. Now go before I change my mind!"
Rena looks at me, her eyes wide and hopeful. I nod, my heart swelling in my chest. "Let's go," I say softly.
Hand in hand, we dash for my truck, laughing as we splash through puddles. The rain soaks through our clothes, but I barely notice. All I can think about is getting Rena back to my cabin and starting this new chapter of our lives together.
The drive to my place feels both too long and too short. Rena's hand rests on my thigh, her touch sending sparks through my body. We don't talk much, but the silence is comfortable, charged with anticipation.
As I pull up to the cabin, I feel a flutter of nerves in my stomach. This is it. This is the moment everything changes. I glance at Rena and find her already looking at me, her expression a mix of nervousness and excitement that I'm sure mirrors my own.
"Ready?" I ask, my voice rough with emotion.
She nods, her smile soft and sure. "Ready."
When we make it inside, I quickly kneel by the fireplace, carefully arranging the kindling and logs. My hands shake slightly, and I take a deep breath to steady myself. I can hear Rena moving around the cabin behind me, her soft footsteps echoing on the hardwood floor.
As I strike a match, I glance over my shoulder. Rena is running her fingers along the spines of the books on my shelf, a small smile playing at the corners of her mouth. She looks up, catching me staring, and her smile widens. My heart stutters in my chest.
The fire catches, and I stand, brushing my hands on my jeans. Rena crosses the room to join me, her eyes flickering in the firelight. She reaches up, cupping my face in her hands.
"This is perfect," she murmurs, her thumb stroking my jawline. "You're perfect."
I lean down, capturing her lips with mine. The kiss starts soft, tender, but quickly deepens. Rena's hands slide into my hair, tugging me closer. I wrap my arms around her waist, pressing her body against mine.
We stumble backward, Rena's back hitting the wall. She gasps into my mouth, and I take the opportunity to trail my lips down her neck. Her fingers tighten in my hair as I nip at the sensitive skin below her ear.
"Aaron," she breathes, my name sounding like a prayer on her lips.
I pull back, resting my forehead against hers. We're both breathing heavily, our chests rising and falling in sync. Rena's eyes are dark, her pupils blown wide with desire.
"I love you," I whisper, the words slipping out again before I can stop them. It’s like my mouth has a mind of its own and needs Rena to know how much I want her, need her.
"I love you too, mountain man,” she says, her voice thick with emotion. "I think I have from the moment I first saw you."
I grin, feeling lighter than I have in years. I capture her lips again, pouring all the love and passion I feel into the kiss. Rena responds with equal enthusiasm, her hands roaming over my back, tugging at my shirt. I can't get enough of her, can't seem to kiss her enough. My hands are just as desperate, fumbling with the buttons of her blouse, eager to feel her bare skin against mine.
With a muffled curse, I break the kiss and step back just enough to yank my shirt over my head, discarding it on the floor. Rena's eyes darken as she watches me, her breathing ragged. I reach for her, my hands trembling slightly as I unbutton her blouse, revealing the lacy bra beneath.
"You're so beautiful," I breathe, my voice rough with desire.
Rena blushes, but there's a newfound confidence in her eyes, a fire that matches my own. "I want this, Aaron. I want you."
Her words are all the encouragement I need. I slide the straps of her blouse down her arms, revealing the creamy expanse of her shoulders. I trail my lips along her collarbone, savoring her gasps and moans.
"Aaron," she whimpers, her fingers tangled in my hair.
I look up, my question clear in my eyes.
"I'm sure," she says, her voice firm. "I've never been surer about anything."
That's all the assurance I need. With a growl, I scoop her up in my arms, carrying her over to the couch. I lay her down, my body hovering over hers.
As our eyes lock, I can't help but marvel at the trust and desire I see in Rena's gaze. Her confidence in this moment is both arousing and humbling. Slowly, I lower my lips to hers, our tongues tangling in a heated dance as I begin to explore her body with newfound hunger.
Her hands roam my back and chest, her nails leaving a trail of fire in their wake. My self-control, already tenuous, snaps. I need her, all of her, right now. I break the kiss, trailing my lips down her neck, pausing to suck and nibble on her sensitive skin. Her scent, a heady mix of vanilla and raindrops, fills my senses, driving me wild.
Rena arches her back, her breathy moans spurring me on. I can't get enough of her, can't seem to kiss her enough. My hands shake with desire as I unhook her bra, freeing her full, luscious breasts. I take one pink nipple into my mouth, sucking gently, then more insistently, as she arches her back and moans my name.
"Aaron, please," she whimpers, her hips writhing against mine.
I grin against her skin, the ache in my jeans almost unbearable. "Tell me what you want, Rena."
"I want you," she pants, her eyes dark with need. "I want all of you."
I reach for the fly of my jeans, fumbling with the button, desperate to be closer to her. Rena's eyes never leave mine as I slide my pants and boxers down my legs, freeing my hard length.
"Aaron," she whimpers, her hips arching towards me.
"I've got you," I assure her, positioning myself at her entrance. "I'll never hurt you, I promise."
Rena nods, her eyes trusting, and I can't believe I nearly gave up on her, on us. Slowly, so agonizingly slow, I enter her, our bodies connecting for the first time.
"Oh, God, Rena," I groan, my eyes slamming shut at the exquisite sensation of her around me.
Rena's tight heat envelops me, her body molding to mine like she was made for me. Her nails dig into my back, her breathing ragged and erratic in my ear. I can't believe this is happening, that this incredible woman is mine.
"Aaron," she moans, her voice a siren's call, urging me on. I thrust deeper, my mind clouded by lust and desire. All I can think about is her, the way she feels, the way she moves.
"Rena," I groan, my voice unrecognizable even to my own ears. I've never felt anything like this, never known such pleasure. She's hot and wet and perfect around me, her body a furnace that sets my entire being alight.
Her hips grind against mine, her legs wrapping around my waist as she urges me on. I kiss her neck, her collarbone, her breasts, unable to get enough of her taste, her scent, her very essence.
"Oh, God, Aaron," she gasps, her nails continually digging into my back. "I... I'm... I'm..."
I can feel it, too, the coil tightening in my gut, the fire in my veins threatening to consume me. "Rena, I..."
With a cry, she arches her back, her body tensing around mine as she climaxes. Her walls contract around me, sending me over the edge as well. I bury my face in her neck, my entire body shaking with the force of my orgasm.
As our bodies tremble together, our breathing ragged and hearts pounding in our chests, I can't believe this is real. Rena, the girl who was put on this earth to complete me, is in my arms, her naked body pressed against mine. This morning, I never thought I'd be this close to her again, let alone share this intimate moment.
"Aaron," she whispers, her voice a mix of wonder and satisfaction. "That was... I've never..."
"Me neither," I manage to say, my voice gruff with emotion. I brush a stray strand of hair from her forehead, marveling at the trust in her eyes. "I've never felt this way about anyone, Rena."
She smiles, her eyes shining with unshed tears. "I know," she says simply, as if she'd always known the depth of my feelings. "I love you, Aaron."
I pull her closer, my heart swelling with emotion. "I love you too, Rena. So much."
As I hold Rena close, our bodies still intertwined, a sense of peace washes over me. For the first time in my life, I feel complete, like I've found the missing piece of my soul. The warmth of the fire, the softness of Rena's skin, the steady beat of her heart against mine - it's all perfect.
"I can't believe this is real," I murmur, my lips brushing against her forehead. "I never thought I'd find someone like you, Rena."
She tilts her head up, her eyes meeting mine. "I never thought I'd find someone like you either, Aaron. But here we are."
I grin, feeling lighter than I have in years. "Here we are," I echo, my heart swelling with love and gratitude.