Chapter 10
AADEN
We talk every night on the phone. A whole week without her has been torture.
I’m more than anxious to get home. The thought of seeing her in a bikini makes me insanely hard.
I may have agreed to take things slowly, and I meant it, but I can’t help how my body reacts to her.
She’s got a killer figure and the thought of getting to see her in something that skimpy has me growing harder by the second.
I reach down and squeeze my aching cock through my gym shorts as I settle against the headboard.
The hotel room feels empty without her, and the soft tone of her voice is doing nothing to help the situation.
“How much longer are you going to be in Miami for?” she asks.
“Nothing has been resolved yet, so it’s looking like another week at least.” I sigh, hating that I have to stay away longer. In the short amount of time since we’ve met, I’ve grown freakin’ attached.
“Another week? Will you be home in time for the party?”
Her disappointment hits me in the chest. Damn, if she asked me to come home now, I don’t think I would refuse. She is worming her way into my heart, and I think I like it. “I’ll be there even if I have to fly home and fly back within a few hours. I’m not missing you in that bikini for anything.”
“Jesus, Aaden, you even manage to make me blush over the phone.” She laughs.
“Baby, I know a lot of ways to make you blush over the phone,” I tease.
She giggles, which only makes my dick twitch again. “I bet you do.” I’m about to start telling her when she clears her throat and changes the subject. We talk for over an hour, then reluctantly say our goodbyes.
Two nights later, we’re back on the phone, and Leah is telling me all about her day with her mother.
She tells me that her energy level has greatly improved, but she doesn’t want to get a false sense of security.
The cancer is still there. She knows her time with her mother is still limited, and she forces herself to think about that almost every day, hoping that it will soften the blow when the time finally comes.
My heart aches for them both. I can’t imagine what it must feel like knowing your about to lose the most important person in your life, and there’s nothing you can do about it.
Leah doesn’t know it, but I asked her mother to allow me to reach out to a few of the top oncologists in the country, but she refused.
She’s accepted her diagnosis and wants to spend what time she has left with Leah; therefore, not flying around the country getting treatments that she’s already been told won’t cure her.
I have to respect her decision. She really is an amazing woman.
The next week drags by, and finally, it’s Saturday.
I just got off the phone with Leah, and I assured her that I’d be home today but would be a little late for the party.
I agreed to meet her and Madison there. I settle back into my seat, watching as the plane lifts from the tarmac, and smile.
In a few hours, I’ll be back home with the red-headed beauty I can’t stop thinking of, dreaming of, and craving like a junkie.
I have no idea what makes her different from any of the other woman I’ve been with.
Well, that’s not true. Yes, she’s beautiful, but I’ve had my fair share of beautiful women.
It’s her heart. Her strength and sincerity.
Her innocence and perseverance. It simply is everything about her.
I felt the attraction the moment we met, but the more I get to know her, the stronger it becomes.
For the first time in my life, I can picture a future with a woman. With her.
Two hours later, I’m rushing through my house, changing into a pair of swim trunks, and rushing back out the door.
The closer I get to her, the more anxious I become.
Finally, I’m pulling up to Tyler’s house and pushing my way through the crowds of people, searching for the one person I’ve been aching to see for the past two weeks.
As soon as I step outside, I spot her stretched out on a lounge chair, looking like she belongs on the cover of a swimsuit magazine.
I freeze, my heart jumping into my throat.
My cock instantly takes notice because, damn, she looks like a wet dream.
Chase is sitting on the end of the chair, laughing and running a hand up her calf.
My smile fades as jealousy and anger hit me at the same time.
Why the hell is he touching her like that?
Then I remember, it’s Chase. He is always flirting—hell, they all are.
So, I’m not really surprised. Leah pulls away from his touch, and I can’t help but smile.
She doesn’t pull away from me. I watch as Chase jumps up and walks away, and Leah closes her eyes, settling back against her chair.
Unable to wait any longer, I move toward her.
My hungry gaze scans her body as I approach, noticing the way the sun glistens off her luscious curves.
I slip onto the seat, the same spot Chase left only a moment ago, and pick up right where he left off.
I reach out and glide my hand up her leg.
She jumps, her eyes flying open and locking on mine.
Relief washes over her, and she quickly sits up, throwing her arms around my neck.
“You made it,” she slurs.
“You’re drunk.” I laugh.
She sits back with a smile, her eyes glassy and heavy. “Just a little.”
That beautiful smile warms my heart. “I’m glad you’re having a good time.” My eyes move over her body, and I hit her with my sexiest grin. “You look fucking hot.”
She smiles and twists her fingers into a strand of her hair as she takes in the sight before her.
I’m in a black and green pair of swim trunks with a green button-up shirt that isn’t buttoned at all.
My chest and abs are on display, asking to be touched, but only by her.
And touch she does. She reaches out and runs her hand across my chest and down my stomach, her gaze hungrily trailing down my body.
My skin comes alive where she touches it, and again, my dick instantly jolts awake.
When her fingers dip into the elastic of my trunks, I know I have to stop her, or every person at this party is going to get a show.
I grab her hand before it brushes against my growing erection.
“Whoa. Let’s not get carried away.” I tease.
She scoots closer, bringing her face inches from mine. The lustful glint in her eyes almost makes me groan. “So, let’s go find a room in this big house,” she whispers.
The smile on my face falls. She has no idea how much I’d love to do just that, but there’s no way I would ever take advantage of her while she’s drunk. Clearing my throat, I shake the inappropriate thoughts from my head. “How much have you had to drink?”
“Enough.” She giggles, reaching over and grabbing a red solo cup from the ground beside her.
Before she can lift it to her lips, I take it from her.
“I think maybe we should switch to water.” She pouts when I stand and walk over to a cooler, returning with a bottle of water and ordering her to drink.
I watch her throat work as she swallows, and I can’t contain my urges any longer.
I scoot forward and press my lips to the side of her neck, tasting the salty sweat on her skin.
I reach up and run my hands through her hair, cupping the side of her head while my lips explore her heated flesh.
Damn, she tastes fucking good. She hums, closing her eyes and leaning into my touch.
I know I need to be the one to keep things PG because she’s too drunk, but damn, I crave her.
I manage to pull away and keep both of us from doing something she’s not ready for.
We sit and talk for a while, and I encourage her to drink water the entire time.
She’s finally sobered up. It’s getting dark, but a lot of people are still in the pool or dancing.
Someone lit a fire in the center of the chairs, and more and more people are starting to fill the empty seats.
After several beers, I need to make a pit stop.
“I gotta hit the head,” I say, leaning forward and kissing her cheek. “Be right back.”
I head off to the bathroom, weaving my way through the crowd, smiling and slapping hands with familiar faces. I get several smiles and winks from a few of the girls I’ve partied with in the past, but I don’t bother to stop and catch up. There’s only one woman on my mind tonight.
After I finished up in the bathroom, I make my way back outside. Leah’s chair is empty. A loud squeal makes me look toward the pool just in time to see Chase throw a flailing Leah into the deep end. I grin, darting to the pool at the same time Chase jumps in next to her.
“Chase!” she sputters and laughs, splashing him with water.
He grins and moves near her, but I’m about to reclaim my girl.
I cannonball in right next to them, sending water over them both.
Leah squeals, holding her hands up to shield her face.
I pop up right in front of her, grab her arm, and pull her into my chest. She laughs as she wraps her arms around my neck and presses a quick kiss to my lips.
“I was hoping to see you all wet,” I whisper against her lips.
“You can thank Chase for that.” She turns to look at him, but he isn’t anywhere in the pool.
“I’ll thank him later.” I smile then claim her lips again.
After a quick make-out session, we finally climb out and make our way back to our chair. I wrap a towel around her, rubbing her shoulders as she shivers. “Your lips are purple.”
“I’m freezing,” she chatters, her teeth clicking together.
I slide our chair a little closer to the fire, then lay down and pull her down beside me, wrapping my arms around her to keep her warm.
She snuggles into my chest, and I can’t fight the smile that settles on my face. This is so damn perfect.
“Better?” I ask.
“Mmmhmm,” she hums.
Glancing around, I notice a few girls sitting across from us, staring and whispering to each other and looking at me as if I had just kicked their puppy. Sorry, ladies, looks like D.C.’s most eligible bachelor may officially be off the market.
***
The last few weeks have been incredible.
We rented a boat and spent a day out on the bay with all of our friends, had dinner at a comedy club, and went to see a show at the theater in the city.
As much as we enjoy each other’s company, I can sense that she wants to talk about our relationship, and surprisingly, I’m ready for that conversation, too.
It’s just been so busy, we haven’t really had the time.
Or we’re never alone long enough. Between work and her mother, we’ve only had a handful of moments together.
Chase and Tyler have been acting odd whenever Leah’s around, openly flirting with her and making strange comments.
To be honest, it’s starting to piss me off.
I know we haven’t officially announced that we’re dating, not my choice, by the way, but they should have picked up on the fact from the way Leah and I interact.
Noah seemed a little strange at first as well, but now it seems that Madison has caught his eye, and honestly, I think they make a great couple.
With a sigh, I press the connect button and lift the phone to my ear. I’m starting to hate these business trips.
“Hey,” she answers after the first ring.
“Hey yourself.”
“What? You don’t get enough of me at work, you have to call me at home now, too?”
I laugh. “I’ve had nowhere near enough of you.” I can picture her blushing at my flirtatious words. Damn, I’m about to ruin her good mood. “I just wanted to let you know that I have to go out of town on business again tomorrow morning.”
A heavy sigh comes through the phone. “How long this time?”
“I don’t know. Depends on the investors.”
She groans. “I hate these business trips.”
“Yeah, I hate being away from you too, babe.”
“You’ll call me every night?”
“You know I will. I can’t go a day without hearing your sweet voice.”
I can imagine the grin on her face. “Hurry home, please. I miss you when you’re not here.”
I sigh. “Trust me, I’m not staying any longer than necessary.”
I hang up, feeling empty, missing her when I haven’t even left yet. I hate being away from her. It’s absolute torture. It’s… I suck in a sharp breath, my body going stiff as realization crashes into me. Holy shit! I’m in love with her.