Chapter 21
Rey practically drags Julia when we walk into his house. She moans something about not wanting to be carried. She pushes at his hand, and for a split second, I wish he would dump her on the floor and leave her to sleep it off. Then I feel awful for thinking this way.
He practically carries her through the house and puts her to sleep. I’m unsure if it’s his bedroom or a guest room. I have never been in his room.
I walk toward the kitchen after Javier tells me good night with a peck on the cheek.
Opening the cabinet door, I pull out a packet of popcorn. I can’t sleep knowing that Julia is sleeping with Rey. I’ll toss and turn, trying to dissect my feelings.
When the popcorn is done, I pour it into a bowl and take a seat in the living room.
I scroll through Netflix and stop on The Notebook to wallow in self-pity. I place the popcorn on the coffee table and remove my boots.
I grab the bowl, lift my feet, and then hear a door close, followed by footsteps.
Butterflies swarm like bees in my stomach when Rey plops beside me and pulls his phone out.
Rey: What are you watching?
Ari: The Notebook
He smiles and shakes his head.
Rey: Why do women love that movie?
I frown and turn to him like he’s lost his mind.
He gently pushes me back on the couch, careful not to spill the popcorn, and lifts my legs over his lap. He raises his brow and dips his hand in the popcorn.
Ari: Because it’s a beautiful story. After years of being apart, he spent a year building a house for her because he believed their love was strong enough to bring her back to him. When she has dementia, he reads her their story so she can remember him. He never leaves her side. And to top it off, they die in each other’s arms in old age. What’s not to like about it? It’s beautiful. It’s perfection.
Rey: Is that what you want, Ari? For someone to love you that way?
Ari: Yes, Rey.
Rey: I think you will have to fall in love first.
Ari: Have you ever been in love?
Rey: No.
Ari: Do you want to fall in love?
He glances up at me and then looks back at his phone.
Rey: I don’t think I’m capable. Forgive me for not telling you earlier, but you looked beautiful tonight. A lot of people thought so.
I furrow my brows as I look at the picture he sent through text. It’s a photo of us dancing together at the club, posted on social media. The image is captioned, “The King has found his Queen.” The comments read, “She’s so pretty” and “That dress is gorgeous!” The dress is bad luck. Both times I have worn it for someone, I end up disappointed. Jimmy stood me up and was most likely with someone else. Rey did the same. It’s safe to say I should burn it instead of donating it to charity. I would be doing a disservice to the female population. I’m unsure how he feels being seen with me instead of Julia and how people must think we’re together.
Ari: Too bad I’m not going to wear it again. It’s only brought me bad luck.
Rey: How come?
Ari: Both times I’ve worn it, I ended up alone.
Rey: How’s that?
Since breaking up with him, I didn’t think I could talk about Jimmy, but I find myself telling Rey anyway.
Ari: I originally got the dress to celebrate when Jimmy signed with the Flyers. It’s the most expensive dress I own, and I thought it would be a special night. It took two hours to get ready, and then he called to tell me he couldn’t make it. I ended up watching Netflix until I fell asleep.
Rey: And the second?
Ari: I ended up watching Netflix.
I won’t tell him I wore it for him.
Rey: At least you’re not alone this time, and I got to see you in the dress before he did.
I shift on the couch when he puts his phone down.
His hand slides up my bare leg and stops below the hem of my dress. He takes the bowl of popcorn from my hands, along with my cell phone, and places it on the table.
He pulls me toward him to straddle him. Both of his hands slide down the sides of my thighs, shoving my dress up to my waist.
I look down at the scrap of lace covering my pussy when I feel his hand between my thighs.
“And now?” he says hoarsely.
My fingers slide into his hair, and I meet his lips. His hand slides slowly over my ass, pulling me against him. The taste of mint and popcorn fuses to my mouth when he hungrily slides his tongue inside. A small groan escapes his throat when I grind my hips.
I'm breathless when he pushes the strap of my dress over the curve of my shoulder. My right breast peeks out. I undulate my hips.
His eyes burn like flames, and our breaths mingle as we struggle not to lose control. He licks my breasts, sucking and teasing. I close my eyes, arch my back, and move faster.
“You could... never... be... a mistake, Ari,” he whispers against my skin, teasing me with the tip of his tongue. His teeth mark my skin.
I can tell he doesn’t talk much. The words sound forced like he’s learned how to say them recently.
He pulls my nipple out of his mouth when I slide my hands under the hem of his shirt.
He lifts his arms so I can pull it off. His muscles flex. My mouth goes dry at how gorgeous he is. My fingers trace his tattoos over his pecs, and I feel every ridge and groove under my fingers like ripples of sand after the tide.
My hand dips into the waistband of his pants, needing to feel his hard length. He leans back and places his thumb over my clit. My nerves explode, sending electrical pulses to my clit. I can’t think. Nothing matters but the need to come.
His eyes are like dark chocolate as he watches me, asking me permission with his eyes when he dips his finger inside me. My fingers slide back up his torso, and I widen my legs to let him. Two fingers slide deep, and his thumb rubs my clit as I bite back the moan wanting to escape. He moves faster, fucking me with his hand. My climax builds like the sun, fire heating my skin, and I melt like a puddle under him.
He kisses my lips softly, then nibbles, holding me with his eyes, and whispers, “You’re so...” His words trail off when I fall apart.
My thighs tremble. One hand grips my dress near my hips, his fingers deep inside me, and I’m lost. His voice. Like a precious gift, setting the rhythm to which my heart beats with the magic of his fingers when he licks them clean.
He removes my dress, pulling it up from where it is bunched around my waist, and reaches for his shirt. He places it over my head.
I close my eyes and breathe in his scent. He says he isn’t capable of falling in love, but I am hopelessly his.