43
REECE
“Who said anything about fucking? Jeez, cocky much?”
Aurora’s tone is teasing, but I don’t miss the vulnerability reflected in her eyes. Her soft body feels tense, her hands no longer driving me wild with their touch.
I mean this in the nicest way possible: she’s been with the wrong guys.
Maybe not wrong per se, but certainly not romantic.
Jackson and Ethan are straightforward and open with PDA and sex.
She’s affectionate, playful, flirtatious, and used to enticing men with her body.
To her, my holding back is another rejection.
It’s not that I don’t want her. Believe me, I do. Badly. Just…not like this. I want her to know she’s worth more to me, far more than sex.
Her legs loosen from my waist, and she grips my shoulders, readying to put distance between us, but I refuse to release her.
I support her weight with my forearm and intertwine my fingers in her hair. “I’d prefer our first time not to be in this pool.”
She opens her mouth to argue, likely to tell me that wasn’t her intention, but I continue.
“Or outside the pool, in secret, in a rush, or where others can watch or hear. I want you to myself, in my bed, for far longer than a few hours.”
We’re almost there. We’re nearly at the point where being together isn’t so forbidden.
Her eyes turn glassy. “I wasn’t—I’m sorry.”
I kiss her forehead and then her nose, then her lips. “There’s no hurry, angel. I’m not going anywhere.”
She lowers her head. “You should be able to love freely. I’m sorry I pushed you.”
I tilt her chin and lift her gaze to mine.
“I want you—all of you, not only your body. Sex does not equate to love. You give me a sense of purpose unlike anything else. It doesn’t matter if we ever get married, have kids, or have sex, although I fucking hope we do.
I’m with you, and that’s more than enough. I’m not rushing this.”
She puts on a soft smile. “You’re too good, Reece—What’s your middle name?” she whispers.
“James.” I chuckle.
“You’re too good, Reece James Abercrombie.”
“You’re too cute.” I peck her lips. “I’m just trying to do this right and not hurt you in the process.”
Hello, Jackson, who’s likely watching.
It’s his reaction I worry about most. If Aurora and I cross that line, he’s not keeping her from me.
She releases a heavy sigh. “You said you’re leaving?”
“I need to finish this case…and a few other things.”
Her fingers thread through my damp hair. “Like what?”
I scrunch my nose. “My sister is getting married.”
Truthfully, I’m not excited about attending the wedding and hope work interferes. I’d invite Aurora as my plus-one, but I doubt that’ll go over well with Jackson and Ethan.
A flurry of emotions flashes across her face, giving way to curiosity. Her brows knit together, and she cocks her head. “You have a sister?”
I haven’t been in the right headspace to discuss my family with her, not without being negative, and I don’t want her to think my parents are terrible. They’re not bad people, but they’re not exactly accepting either. They’ll never approve of this relationship.
Before Aurora, I had no plans to visit my family.
I don’t feel a connection to my parents other than resentment, but they don’t realize that.
They believe I’m going through a rebellious phase.
They’re semi-correct—my tattoos and piercings are my way of defying them, a rebellion against their close-minded views. But this is no phase.
When my sister texted and asked for an RSVP update, I found myself wondering what Aurora would think of them—my sisters. I bet she’d love them.
“Two, yes. One older and one younger. The oldest is already married and has a four-year-old.”
Aurora’s smile widens. “That explains a few things. I’m sure they miss you.”
They miss the person I no longer am.
A thought comes to her, and she gasps. “Do they have blonde hair and blue eyes like you?”
I chuckle at her excitement and nod. “They do.”
“I bet they’re so pretty. Do you have pictures?”
“How about you get changed and come to my room?”
I drag us out of the pool, my pants full of water and sagging. I unbuckle my belt, let them fall to the cement, and kick them away.
“You got me walking around in wet boxers, you little devil.”
I carry her to the door and set her on her feet, then I pull my shirt over my head. Her gaze wanders over my body shamelessly. Our eyes connect, and she bites her lip in a failed attempt to conceal her grin.
“So needy.” I playfully slap her ass. “Go get changed.”
When I enter my room, Charlie is lounging in front of the dual-sided fireplace separating my bedroom from the sitting area—or whatever rich people call it. His feet are kicked up on the ottoman as he scrolls through his phone. He glances up. “I didn’t think you’d want me in the security room.”
The security room is an impressive setup: fortified walls, a reinforced door, monitors, flatscreens, and plenty of space for us to work. All areas of the property are monitored except the bedrooms and bathrooms.
I take back everything I said about Jax being a stalker—although he is. I’d do the same if I had his enemies. If I were traveling as often as him, I’d sure as fuck want to know if Kyle or Hugo decided to stop by.
“Nothing happened, but thanks.”
“I’ll admit, I laughed my ass offwhen you fell in the pool. You’re losing your touch, going soft.”
I grab my bag and head to the bathroom. “She’s coming in, so behave.”
An hour later, Charlie and I are reviewing Jackson’s list when she graces our presence.
She’s in tiny sleep shorts, an off-the-shoulder cable-knit sweater, and matching tall sweater socks—is that a thing?
Wool socks, maybe? Her dark hair is loosely braided, and she clutches a mug piled high with whipped cream.
I cock my head and glower. “There better not be caffeine or sugar in that; it’s after nine.”
Lately, she’s constantly craving sugar. I’m asking the doctor to check her glucose level at the next appointment.
She disregards me and shifts her attention to my partner. “Charlie, would you like some hot chocolate? I have sprinkles and cookies,” she singsongs.
He blushes and caves. “Yes, please. Thank you.”
“Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup, you want one?” Feigning innocence, she sips her hot chocolate and licks the whipped cream from her lips.
I give her a sharp glare, and a tinkling giggle erupts from her.
“I will spank you.” Yeah, right. I doubt I could hurt her, even if she did like it.
My dick argues otherwise.
She giggles harder and spins on her heel. “At least you’d be touching my ass.” Always flirtatious.
I watch that ass walk away and sense Charlie’s stare burning into the side of my face. “Don’t open your mouth.”
“Reese’s Pea?—”
I pick up a pen and hit him square in the forehead. “If you ever repeat that, I’ll strangle you.”
She returns, balancing three mugs of hot chocolate topped with whipped cream and sprinkles and a plate of thick chocolate chip cookies, setting them on the coffee table. The way Jax cooks and eats, I’m destined to gain a hundred pounds. I can’t miss a day at the gym.
Charlie grabs a cookie and immediately starts munching. “We should work here all the time.”
I guide Aurora onto my lap then grab a blanket from the basket between the chairs and cover her. “I’ve got a few more hours. You wanna sit with me or lie in my bed?”
“I can leave and let you work.”
“That wasn’t an option.”
She rolls her eyes, but I know she loves it.
“I’ll finish my drink, then read in your bed.”
For the rest of the night, Charlie and I plan one of LA’s largest raids while sipping hot chocolate and eating cookies.
Life ain’t so bad.