Southern Desire (Southern Heart 2)

“I know. That’s what made me think of it. Whit likes the view from the pond, I think she’ll love this.”

He nods. “Hold her tight,” he says, resting his hand on Mom’s hip.

As kids, Kinley and I used to get grossed out from their displays of affection. As a man, I can appreciate it for what it really is. Love. The love that they share shines through in everything they do. As I got older, that’s what I was waiting for. I wasn’t willing to settle until I found it, found her. The one person who could bring that out in me. Lucky for me, she landed on my doorstep and I haven’t looked back.

Upstairs, I grab a couple of thick quilts and a couple of pillows. I sneak out the door, making sure to close it quietly not to wake Mom. I throw the bedding in the backseat and back out of the drive.

“Are we going to our spot?” Whiney asks.

“No, but I promise this is just as good. Maybe even better. Text Olivia and tell her you’re not coming home tonight. We have a sunrise to watch.”

She doesn’t ask questions. Instead, she grabs her phone out of the cupholder and sends Olivia a text. I drive the short distance to the old barn and park the truck. She looks confused, but doesn’t question me. No, my girl trusts that I’ll take care of her.

I hop out of the truck and rush to her door, managing to get it open before she does. She smirks at me. She waited. That’s my girl.

“Can I help?” she asks as I grab the blankets and pillows from the back.

“I got it. You ready for this?”

She laughs. “Aaron, I’m not really sure what this is.”

“It’s heaven,” I say, grabbing her hand and pulling her behind me. I don’t stop until we reach the stairs to the loft. “Okay, wait here.” I lean in for a quick kiss and then carry our bedding up to the loft.

“Aaron, be careful!” she warns me.

I can’t prevent the smile. I’ve been up and down these steps a million times. Never for this reason, knowing it was something special, sacred to the farm. I didn’t want to ruin that. I get that softer, romantic side from Dad. “I’m good,” I yell down to her. I quickly spread out the thickest quilt and lay the pillows down, leaving the extra blanket folded on top. Our makeshift bed is complete. I then go to the loft doors and slide them open.

“Aaron?” Whitney calls again.

“Almost done,” I yell back. Once I have the doors open, I head back down the steps. “Now, take each step slowly. I’ll be right behind you.” She nods and places her boot on the first step. “Wait.” I reach out and grab her hand. She steps off the ladder and I pull her to me. Softly, I press my lips into hers. “There,” I say, pulling back.

“What was that for?” She smiles up at me.

“I didn’t want to have to wait.”

She chuckles. “Aaron, it’s what, ten steps?”

“That’s too long.” Leaning in, I kiss her again, because I want to and because I can. “Now, up you go. I’m right behind you.”

Her eyes sparkle as she shakes her head, turns, and starts up the steps again.

Aaron is right behind me on the steps. I can feel the heat from his body. “Watch your step,” his deep voice rumbles in my ear. His hand lands on the small of my back as I clear the final step. My eyes land on the bed he’s made for us. Turning, I catch him watching me.

“What’s all this?” I ask.

“It’s the best place on the farm to watch the sunrise. I wanted you to see it.”

I can’t describe what his words do to me. It’s like a tingling feeling throughout my entire body. “How many times have you watched it up here?”

He smirks, which means I’m busted. My play to find out how many girls he’s brought up here failed miserably. I turn back around and look out the open doors; nothing but the stars in the night sky, backlit by the moon.

Aaron wraps his body around me, my front to his back. “You’re the only one, Whitney. I’ve never brought anyone up here but family. Mom and Dad used to bring us up here sometimes to ‘camp out,’ as she called it. We would tell stories and lie on beds just like this. McKinley and I would always crash, but Mom and Dad would wake us the next morning in time to watch the sunrise. Dad says it’s nature’s beauty and he wanted us to experience it. He and Mom used to come up here, just like this. It wasn’t until we got older that we understood the importance of this spot and what it means.”

“He’s a romantic, that one,” I say, settling back against his chest.

“Hmm.” He kisses my neck. “Mom seems to think so.”

“I’m honored you’re sharing this with me. Thank you.”

“That’s where you’re wrong. I’m the one who’s honored to have you here in my arms like this. To be able to bring my girlfriend here to share my family’s private moments, to re-create those moments with you.”

There it is again. That feeling, that tingling sensation that flows through my veins every time he goes all sweet with me. And let’s be real, this is Aaron I’m talking about; he’s never anything but sweet when it comes to me, which is something I’ve grown quite attached to.

I turn so that I’m now facing him. I clasp my hands behind his neck and bury my fingers in his hair. The look he’s giving me tells me that his words are more than that. He means everything, and in this moment, there is nothing I want more than his lips on mine. With little effort, I pull his head down so I can kiss him. He doesn’t hesitate to trace my lips with his tongue. I started this, but Aaron is taking control. I’m more than okay with that.

“Let’s get comfortable,” he says in between kisses.

Reluctantly, I pull away from him and guide us to the blankets. I lie down and Aaron follows, pulling me to him, his lips crashing against mine. I open for him. He moans deep in the back of his throat. My hands find their way back to his hair and I hold him close to me. I lose myself to him. To his soft lips against mine, his hard body as he holds me close. Nothing else exists except for us, me and Aaron and the midnight sky.

Aaron breaks our kiss, but his lips stay on me. They trail across my jaw and down my neck. He stops when he reaches the neck of my shirt and makes his way back up my neck.

“Off,” I pant.