Chapter 30
Happiness filtered through Kreed on a cosmic level, something he hadn’t experienced in a very long time, maybe made a little bit better because Aaron hadn’t flat out told him to fuck off when he’d laid his heart on the line. Without question, Kreed could sense Aaron was holding back; he just couldn’t figure out why, and for some reason, that wasn’t limiting how deeply Kreed’s connection developed. The sorrow he’d experienced over the last few months about his brother had really done a number on him. Kreed flipped on the master bathroom lights while working to free the buttons of his dress shirt. Thoughts of his brother threatened to squash his good mood.
“You’re really gonna share? I feel pretty special,” Aaron joked, coming in behind him. Strong insistent arms wrapped around Kreed’s waist, halting the process of removing his shirt. It was remarkable how quickly Aaron zapped the funky mood he was developing.
“You’re pretty special. I might even get you hooked. You might have to start sending Lush products along with your computer equipment everywhere you go.”
Kreed chuckled, turning in Aaron’s arms in order to peel off his shirt. “You know, I’m not sure I realized how happy you are after you come.”
Aaron tilted that smiling face up, making it easy to lean forward and softly kiss those perfect lips. “You make me do things I wouldn’t normally do.”
“I like watching you do things you wouldn’t normally do, but I doubt you wouldn’t normally do them. I just think you let me think it’s my idea.” Kreed tugged free of his hold, going for the drawer that held all his spa products. He’d gotten shit for years from Knox over this stuff; he’d grown accustom to guys thinking it was weird. But he was certain, if they’d ever tried it, he’d have to fist-fight over his stash.
The old tub looked roomie for a bathtub made in the seventies. As he reached for the faucet, he dropped the plug in the drain and turned the water on. The thing had jets. There was a switch for those, and he flipped it on briefly, listening to see if the motor turned on. Score! Who would have thought they would still work after all this time?
He turned them off, waiting until the tub filled. Kreed reached for his belt buckle, but stopped as he spotted Aaron tugging off his clothes. It was becoming one of his favorite things to watch his guy undress. Kreed’s eyes fixed on Aaron as he pushed down his jeans. He knew Aaron was commando from the earlier hand job at the club. His church boy hadn’t bothered to wear any underwear on their date. He smiled. Aaron was full of little surprises, and damn if that shit didn’t turn him the fuck on.
Wet dreams weren’t as good as Aaron Stuart. His long torso, perfect ass, and strong muscular legs made Kreed want to run his hands up and down all that beautiful, naked flesh.
If it were up to him, he’d have his guy naked all the time. But that was all in due time. He would have that and more someday with Aaron, because he wasn’t going to easily let him go. There were obstacles to that dream, but he just had to figure out the barriers Aaron kept placing between them and remove them one by one.
Those decisions were made, and his heart clung to the hope they presented. He liked the contentment and hope Aaron offered, and it had been far too long since he’d experienced either one of those emotions. Now it was time to up his game and make Aaron realize they could get through anything, as long as they were together.
Aaron tossed his clothes aside, looking over the things Kreed pulled out of the drawer.
“Which are we using?” Aaron asked, moving the condoms he had in his hand to the bathtub. “Do they smell good. Is that it?”
“They smell amazing and make your skin feel fantastic. Some of the scents relax you, things like that.”
“Like aromatherapy?”
“Pretty much.” Kreed laughed at Aaron’s need to understand all the angles of the brilliance of these bath products. Lush wasn’t meant to be understood; it was meant to be enjoyed. Tossing his clothes on top of Aaron’s, Kreed lowered his foot into the water to test the temperature. He pulled his foot back quickly and adjusted the knobs to cool things off a little then went for the spice bomb—hell, anything named bomb surely was meant for a guy. He dropped it inside and watched it begin to fizzle. The scent of cinnamon and cloves instantly filled the entire room.
“You’re hot,” Aaron commented, coming to stand beside the tub as they watched the thing bubble apart. “Your body’s incredible, and I haven’t seen you work out.”
Kreed tested the water again, turned the faucet off, and stepped inside. It was hot, and like always, immediately began to soothe him. He lowered himself, reaching for Aaron’s hand and tugged.
“I’m gonna crowd you,” Aaron said, resisting a little.
“Good. That’s the plan,” Kreed encouraged again, pulling a little harder this time. Aaron stepped in, shuffling around a little until Kreed reached up and guided him down.
“I don’t take baths—and never with someone else,” Aaron said, moving awkwardly.
“Stick with me, church boy, and we’ll change that. I love taking baths. I do it all the time, especially after a hard workout. I’d rather sit in here than a sauna any day.” Kreed coaxed Aaron back, spreading his thighs wide, lifting his knees, helping Aaron get comfortable until his back rested against Kreed’s chest, that silky, dark head now close enough for him to kiss. So he did. “See? It feels incredible.”
“Am I hurting you?” Aaron asked. Kreed barked out a laugh at that one.
“Of course not,” he said, pushing water up Aaron’s chest. “Your skin’s gonna be soft when we get out.”
Kreed trailed small kisses along Aaron’s neck, lapping at the drops of water on his skin, but his guy was still tense. “What’s wrong? You need to relax.”