9. Aurora
Chapter nine
Aurora
F ridays used to mean wine, movie nights, and dreaming about my perfect future. Now? They’re a blur of social media strategies, sifting through ice rink photo shoots and praying I don’t bump into my ex and his plus at some random strip mall. All this, while trying not to spontaneously combust every time my roommate freaking looks at me. You know, totally normal life crap.
“Have a great weekend,” I call out before turning to leave. The week gallops by at a breakneck pace, and I’m glad to finally be able to take a deep breath. I know that working for a new team means some long days or nights while we work to get the word out and drum up excitement for the new hockey team in town.
So far, it seems our efforts are somewhat paying off. Community engagement is growing slowly but surely, thanks to efforts to support the local school’s sports teams, but the wider community is still hesitant to engage. A lot of the ongoing issues seem to involve surprise that we have a hockey team to begin with, especially in hot Florida. Still, it’s energizing to see how enthusiastic some of the kids are, especially when they realize they could possibly become professional hockey players too. I don’t know if some of them have just never considered it due to the climate in Florida or what, but they are definitely thinking about it now.
To be fair, I never imagined that I would be working for a professional sports team either. It’s just as much a shock for me as anyone else, but I can’t deny I am having a blast and actually enjoying my work for once, even with the added stress of trying to build a regular crowd.
Sure, occasionally people ask what a social media manager even does or how it’s a real job, but all I have to do is check my bank account and feel vindicated. Turner used to joke about it not being a viable career path. Well, who’s laughing now?
As I trudge through the parking lot my phone buzzes. It’s Katarina, probably planning our night out. I love her, but right now, the only date I want is with my shower. Is it wrong to hope for a freak Florida snowstorm to cancel all plans?
I snort at my own ridiculousness. A snowstorm in Florida. Right. And maybe pigs will fly, Turner will apologize, and Aiden will... nope. Not going there. Time to face the music - or in this case, the humid as hell night out.
My car seat is damn near burning my tush off, and I hiss when the back of my arm grazes the seatbelt buckle. “Ow,” I whine, starting the car and flipping the air conditioner on full blast. Summers here are relentless, and the air is thick. But thanks to the random rain shower that just started, the air should crisp up a bit soon, I just love the sound of the rain hitting the roof of the car.
I take my time heading home. But even with the air-conditioning, I’m still hot, sweaty, and can’t take it anymore. As soon as I get inside, I book it to the shower. Being home alone isn’t super rare, but it has been a while since I am truly able to indulge, and I don’t want to be interrupted.
Ever since the incident with Mark and Aiden’s interference, my body’s been thrumming with restless energy. I’ve started walking in the evenings when the sun isn’t as high in the sky in order to use up some energy and even contemplated joining Katarina at a yoga class she takes, but nothing’s worked. But tonight, Katarina wants to go out, and I need to not be so out of whack. I figure maybe I can indulge a little with the guys out, and that will hopefully settle me.
The water’s warm, the perfect temperature to help cool me down some, and I hum as I slide my hands over my sides. Ever since Turner and I split up, I haven’t felt much desire. Maybe it’s the stress of having to build everything I worked for all over again. Whatever it is, it’s clearly worn off because now I feel like I am revved up all the time.
I moan softly when I bring my hands up to cup my breasts. They have always been more sensitive, though Turner hasn’t spent much time there. I let my imagination run wild and imagine someone who is obsessed with them, who wants nothing more than to feel them. My fingers pinch my nipples, drawing another breathy gasp from me, and I lean back against the cool shower wall. It’s enough to make my skin pebble up, but I ignore that, knowing I don’t have all the time in the world to get off. Normally, it takes quite a bit of time for me to build up a scenario to get the momentum I need, but today, it’s almost no time at all that I feel my pussy clench.
“Jesus,” I groan as I let my free hand slide over my navel and bury it between my legs. I’m hot and already damp with water and slick. The neglected wiry hairs part easily as I slip a finger between my lips and aim for my aching core. I’m molten here, wet with heat that has me groaning. One finger is more than I’ve had in a long time, but I am eager to add another, stretching against my walls and making me wish I had thought to bring something more substantial with me.
I close my eyes and try to imagine someone’s here with me, watching and waiting for a chance to make me feel as good as I need. With a shock, a pair of dynamic gray eyes appear, the heat in them enough to have my lips parting with a gasp. I can feel the phantom touch of rough hands on my skin, and I arch my back, wishing I could feel the strength in them as they press harder. I lift my leg up, propping my foot on the rim of the tub to give myself more room.
“More,” I hiss out as I let my imagination unfurl. Maybe it’s wrong of me to do this—to imagine Aiden crouched down in front of me with his fingers deep in me, but damn, I need something, anything to get me off.
I want heated whispers and touches that burn until I’m not sure I’ll ever forget the feeling. “Please.”
I thrust my fingers deep, jerking my hips against the feeling. My thumb brushes my clit, sending sparks of pleasure racing through my body, and I have to clench my teeth to not shout out how good it feels. Slick sounds are swallowed up by the rush of flowing water, and I press my thumb up, wanting to come. If I were in bed, I would take things more slowly and let the pleasure slowly build, but I have to hurry because I know I’ll be mortified If I got caught like this.
With a final thrust up, I split my fingers until I can slide in a third. The stretch is so good my eyes roll back, and I feel my body clench before it releases.
I moan as a wave of pleasure washes over me. Slowly, the pelting water bleeds back into my senses. Beyond the shower, I can’t hear anything, and I breathe out a sigh of relief. I’m not ashamed about pleasuring myself, but geezuz, it would’ve been awkward to be caught by Jax or, even worse, Aiden. Yeah it’s natural, but I don’t doubt I’d fall victim to some teasing, and I don’t need that kind of stress in my life. Not when I am finally starting to get over the slump I’ve been in for the past couple of weeks.
“Damn, I needed that,” I say to myself. I shiver when I slide my fingers from my cunt and rinse them under the water before reaching for the soap. I wash quickly, my skin slightly oversensitive after having just orgasmed for the first time in a while.
I know this is just something I’m going to have to grow used to. Really, I am going to have to overcome my fear of masturbating when the guys are home.
Neither of them really comes into my room without knocking, and I do have a lock. Besides, my obsessive worrying about it is stupid because Aiden’s only ever even knocked to call me for dinner. And honestly I shouldn’t have an aversion to doing something that feels good at this point in my life—no apologies. I’m a grown-ass woman.
I take my time getting dressed even when I hear the front door opening and Jax’s voice calling out to Aiden. They’re rowdy in the way they always are when they’re weaning off the high of practice. It’s hilarious to see these grown men pushing back and forth like a couple of overgrown teenagers, but I let them have their moments.
I know adrenaline is a hell of a drug to come down from. I may not have gone professional, but I played sports too when I was younger. I know how these things work.
The noise of their rough and tumble entrance slowly subsides, but I don’t leave the comfort of my room. Katarina will be around eventually. She wants to show me the nightlife. I’m more than happy to relax at home, but I know she won’t let me do that this time.
I’ve been lying low for the past week, and I don’t have a good excuse for staying in another weekend. And I don’t need her to start worrying about me. I’ve done my best to keep my little slip-up with Aiden a secret from her. I mean Jax is bad enough when he starts his long-suffering mom routine, and I don’t need her to add to it.
Dressing isn’t easy, but I channel my inner Katarina and finally go with form-fitting jean shorts and a low-cut top. I think I look pretty good, even if it isn’t my usual choice of dress. After grabbing my purse, I open my bedroom door and prepare to exit when Jax and Aiden’s voices reach me.
“So, what’s the deal with Aurora lately?”
My hand freezes on the doorknob, and I strain my hearing. I don’t make it a habit to eavesdrop when Jax and Aiden are having a conversation, but since it is about me, I don’t feel so bad. I am not na?ve. I know Jax and Aiden have probably had conversations about me before. I’ve talked about each of them with the other too. It is something that comes with being roommates.
But this question seems less of a normal inquiry and more of a potential problem. Plus, I’m curious. I’m not often privy to their conversations, and I wonder what they normally talk about.
“What do you mean?” Jax asks. I slowly lean against the wall and hope my movements can’t be heard. I don’t want them to stop talking before I hear what they have to say. “She seems fine to me.”
“I don’t know, man. She’s been a lot quieter than normal.”
Jax laughs, though it doesn’t sound very humorous. “Weren’t you the one who always said she talked too much?”
That makes me wince. I don’t think I’m a chatterbox, but maybe that’s why Aiden and I struggle to get along.
I do have a habit of telling long-winded stories. It’s something I’ve always done, though no one’s ever brought it up before.
Does that make me annoying?
Does Aiden think I’m annoying?
I don’t know why the thought of answering that makes me so nervous. It’s not like I care if Aiden thinks I’m a pain. We’re barely even friends; more like frenemies..
“Yeah,” Aiden replies, making me scowl. “But that was when she was a kid. It’s fine now, but she never seems to have much to say. It’s weird.”
I lean my head back against the wall and close my eyes. I don’t know why I care so much about Aiden’s words. In the long run, he’ll eventually move out of Jax’s house, and then I won’t have to worry if he finds me not fun to be around or not.
“I mean, you know about Turner,” Jax volunteers. I can’t hear Aiden’s response, but I know he knows about Turner. But I stay quiet to see what else Jax will say.
“Yeah. Should’ve kicked his ass when we had a chance.”
“You’re not wrong,” Jax replies. “I tried to stay out of it, but he did a bit of a number on Aurora. She’s doing alright though. Just give her some time.”
“I’m not—“ A knock on the front door interrupts Aiden’s words, and I curse under my breath as I slowly creep back to my room. Katarina has the worst timing. I want to know what Aiden is going to say, but I can’t ask without revealing that I am listening in on his and Jax’s conversation.
When Katarina knocks on my bedroom door, I feign surprise before following her out into the living room. Jax and Aiden are sitting on the couch with a couple of beers in their hands. When they look up, Jax smiles, but Aiden’s face does some complicated thing before settling on frustrating indifference.
I wish I knew him well enough to understand what all of that means. I can’t even ask Jax. He’d probably try to do his overprotective brother thing and make everything awkward between all of us.
“Wow, look at you, lady,” Katarina gushes. She lifts my hand and gestures for me to spin. With a smile, I do. “You look amazing. Doesn’t she look so good?”
I refuse to comment other than to say,“I tried to pull out my inner Katarina—I must be doing something right.”
“Don’t make me have to hurt someone,” Jax says with a wide grin. Aiden’s gaze hasn’t left mine, but he also hasn’t said anything.
I shake my head. “It’ll be fine. We aren’t doing anything too crazy that I know of. Right, Kat?”
Katarina nods quickly. “Nope. Just dinner and drinks with a few friends. I’ll bring her back in the same condition as when she left, so don’t worry.”
I roll my eyes at her over-explanation.
“You look good.”
Aiden’s words hit me like a splash of freezing cold water, Well that’s totally unexpected. I glance at Aiden. His expression is still unreadable, but there’s something in his eyes that warms me all over. I barely stammer out a response before grabbing Katarina’s hand, practically dragging her out the door. My face burns with the thought of Aiden’s gaze looking up and down my body, and all I can think about is the memory of phantom hands and his deep voice in my ear.
In the car, Katarina chatters away, but I’m only half-listening. My mind’s stuck on replay. Aiden’s eyes, his words, the warmth that spreads through me at his approval. It’s ridiculous, really. Since when do I care what Aiden thinks?
As we pull up to the restaurant, I make the decision that tonight, I’m not going to overthink anything.