Chapter 15
15
Holly
I’ve just finished wrestling my hair into a braid when my phone pings. Celine’s name pops up on my screen. I clip back the pieces that are already trying to break free and open her text. I snort out a laugh.
Cece: Anymore tongue action?
Me: Sadly no. And I doubt anything’s going to happen today. I’m meeting Max and Trevor.
Cece: Weren’t you going to meet them yesterday?
Me: There was a storm, and they couldn’t get through.
Cece: What are you and the hottie going to do?
Me: ‘rolling eye emoji’. We’re not attached at the hip, you know. I’m going to write. Aaron will do what he feels like doing.
Cece: You’re not attached at the hip now but soooon. ‘Winkie tongue face’
Cece: Listen, I texted to tell you something, but the girls are here to meet me for the party. I’ll tell you tomorrow.”
Me: No worries, have fun. You deserve it. I’m so glad it went well. My feed is full of praise for the signing.
Cece: Expect drunk texts.
Me: Can’t wait.
As I plug my phone into the charger, I can’t stop thinking about how proud I am of Cece. The event organiser has had nothing but wonderful things to say about Cece. She’s always been great at organisation. Me? I have too many characters in my head to be organised.
Speaking of being organised, I better get myself down to the pub to meet up with Aaron’s other employees. The sooner I do that, the sooner I can get back to planning out my next chapters.
I leave my phone on charge and make my way to the pub. I’m a bit nervous about meeting the guys. I never know when my social anxiety is going to rear its ugly head. I’ve been pleasantly surprised these last few days. Chatting with the people in the pub has been really easy for me, but that might be because they want to get on with it and have a few pints. But maybe meeting Max and Trevor will be different.
The closer I get to the pub, the more my belly flips. It’s like a thousand butterflies took flight and are trying to break free. I can’t wait to see Aaron.
Since the incredible, heart stopping, toe-curling kiss Aaron and I shared a few days ago, we haven’t really had time to discuss the list. In a way, I’m relieved. Although Aaron was kind and supportive about my list, I think my embarrassment meter was hitting max capacity, and I needed a break. But if I’m honest, I also wish there was more—as Cece put it—tongue action happening. I always imagined Aaron to be a good kisser. There were enough scribblings about it on the bathroom walls in high schools for it to be a given. But holy hell’s balls, I did not expect him to be that good. For real, if sex with Aaron is half as good as kissing him is, I’m going to need a one-way ticket to Nymphomaniacs Anonymous.
The thumping bass of nineties techno music greets me before I even get through the doors of the pub. I know this isn’t Aaron’s music since he prefers hard rock, so I steel myself to meet one of my colleagues. A slim, dark-haired guy has his back to the door. His hair is gelled in a haphazard style that gives the impression he just rolled out of bed, but I know it takes a while and a lot of product to get it that way—I’ve seen Spencer get ready to go out too many times.
He spins around. His eyes are closed, and he’s lip-syncing to the lyrics. The whole show is very entertaining and puts my nerves at ease. When the song stops, I surprise myself by whistling and clapping my hands. His eyes flash open and his skin flames red.
“Encore!” Hey, I’m in it already. I might as well be all in. Besides, I’m tired of being the scared little church mouse. I can hardly try the stuff on my list if I’m not willing to climb out of my comfort zone.
He grins wide and takes a bow. “Thank you, m’lady. You must be, Holly.”
I walk towards him. “That’s me. Are you Max or Trevor?”
He holds his hand out for me to shake. “I’d be Max.” He says it like he’s a pirate and blushes again. “I don’t know why I said it like that.”
We’re laughing when Aaron comes in, but our laughter dies down at the look on Aaron’s face. He’s pissed.
“I suppose you’re done with all your work for you to be fucking about?”
Max gives me a guilty look. “See what you’ve gone and done? Now I’m in trouble.” He winks at me, then scurries off.
I frowned at Aaron. “Did someone get out of the wrong side of the bed this morning?”
He quirks an eyebrow. “Don’t start, Trouble. I’m looking to give someone a hiding.”
“Yeah? Do you have a pen? I need to add it to the list.”
He leans in and whispers in my ear. “Don’t temp me, Holly.”
“And if I do?”
“I guess we’ll see tonight.”
“Tonight?” I squeak.
“I have a friend who owns a private club on the other side of the island. He has a heated pool. I thought maybe that could be a good place for you to check skinny-dipping off the list.”
He looks just as nervous as I feel, and it eases my nerves a little. “Okay.” I gulp. “When did he say we could use it?”
“He’s closed on Mondays, so we can head over there now.” He shoves his hands in his pockets. “If that’s still what you want.”
Have you ever seen the GIF where Forrest Gump is on super speed? That’s what my brain is telling me to do right now, but instead I smile like it’s every day I get the offer to go skinny-dipping with Aaron.
“Are you sure you still want me to help with everything on the list? I can do this by myself.”
A mischievous grin tugs at the corner of his lips. “Skinny-dipping is way better with someone else. Trust me.”
I get a knot in my stomach just thinking about why Aaron knows that. Obviously, he’s tested the theory, and I don’t like it one bit. I sigh. The whole point of asking him to help me with the list is because I need him to guide me through all the things I’m wanting to try. And he wouldn’t be able to do that without his experience, so I push my feelings aside.
“Okie dokie. I’ll go grab a towel.”
“Me too.”
The ride over to Aaron’s friend’s club crackles with tension. I can’t tell if it’s from nerves or sexual tension or both, but I’m so acutely aware of Aaron it feels like his presence takes up all the space in the car. My senses are so heightened that I can almost feel the heat from his body. Eventually, I can’t stand the silence anymore.
“On a scale of one to ten, how weird is it that I asked you to help me with the list?
His gaze darts toward me before fixing back on the road. “I would’ve bet the inn and everything in it that you’d never have come to me with this sort of thing. That said, if I found out about the list some other way and that someone else was helping you with it, I would’ve levelled cities to ensure no one else got near you. It was unexpected, Trouble. But nothing about you asking me is weird. I’m honoured.”
I’m so glad Aaron is focused on the road because I probably look like a cartoon character with the way my jaw just dropped. His words have some sort of aphrodisiac magic because I’m so turned on that my panties are soaked.
We arrive at the club and Aaron keys in the code that gives us access to the building. The building is magnificent. Stone walls with dark wooden doors and window frames accented by bronze fixtures gives it an elegant and classy feel. I can’t wait to see what it looks like on the inside.
Aaron steps aside and gestures for me to go in. My stomach does a nervous somersault, but the moment I see the interior of the building, I’m so distracted the feeling is almost bearable. The dark wood and brass theme from outside carried on inside, accompanied by expensive leather seatings and a stone fireplace.
I turn to Aaron. “Wow, this is gorgeous.”
“Wait ’til you see the pool.” His smile is slow, teasing, and full of promise.
I place my hands on my stomach. “Why am I so nervous?”
“We don’t have to do this if you aren’t comfortable. But all we’re going to do in there is swim. No pressure at all, I promise.”
I nod. “It’s okay, I’m good with doing it. I’m just nervous.”
Aaron holds out his hand. “I’ve got you, Holly. No need to be nervous.”
I believe him. I just wish my stomach would get on board.
When we walk into the pool area, the comforting smell of chlorine wraps around me. When I was a kid, I used to lie next to the pool just so I could smell the chlorine. I was impressed by everything else I’ve seen so far, but when I step into the pool area, I get what Aaron was saying. I have never seen anything quite as fancy. The pool looks Olympic-sized, and steam emanates from the inviting water. Leather recliners line the pool, and solid wooden tables house brass lamps. I would think that lamps next to the pool would be a bad idea, but they are far away from the splash zone.
“This is a very sexy room,” I say.
“So, you don’t mind stripping for it?”
I chew on my nail. “I guess not. Shall we do this on three?”
“Actually, if you don’t mind, I’m going to turn around?”
“Oh. Yeah…sure…no worries.” Well, this is kind of mortifying.
He must see my embarrassment and quickly clarifies. “Holly, I want nothing more than to have the privilege of seeing what I’ve dreamed about. But when I see you for the first time, I want to be the one undressing you before I claim your body.” He bites on his lip. “Is that okay?”
“Yes.” My breath rushes out of me. Holy balls. Could this guy be any more perfect?