Slow Grind (Men of Mornington)

“You’ll get over it,” he assures me. “Once we rake in the money, it’ll be long forgotten.”

“Yeah, yeah,” I mumble and get back to business. “We need to carve out some time to work with Aubrey. I’m supposed to meet up with her in the next day or two to see what she’s thinking as far as a routine. Once we have it figured out, we’ll bring in you guys so we can all learn it together.”

“Uh huh. You sure you’re not just trying to rub up on Aubs?” I can’t tell if he’s being serious or joking, but either way, it pisses me off.

“Why does everyone think I want in her pants?” I grumble.

“Because we know you. And because she’s into you as much as you are her,” he laughs. “But just remember, you hit that and Max will hit you.”

“Whatever, I can take him,” I grin. “I’ll call you when I have more.”

Chapter Ten

Aubrey

For what feels like the tenth time in the last hour, I check my phone. Nothing. I toss it aside, annoyed the arsehole hasn’t had the decency to make even the slightest bit of contact with me. You can’t kiss someone like that and then do nothing. In what world does kissing mean incommunicado? Was I a bad kisser? Was it a huge mistake? Oh God, the over thinking is going to kill me.

Every possible scenario has been running through my mind. Did it mean more to me than it did him? Did it mean nothing to him? He probably kisses girls like that all the time. I was probably just one of another ten he had lined up for Friday. Stop it, Aubs. But I can’t. Because it’s been two freaking days of no contact and I’m going crazy trying to work out where we stand.

The doorbell rings, and I jog to answer it, a sick feeling welling in my stomach. It’s going to be either Drew or Mum, and I’m not sure who I want to see less right now. Swinging open the door, my heart pounds when I see Drew with his trademark grin, and just like that, I melt into a puddle of mush, forgetting all of the earlier thoughts of self-doubt. Cursing myself for being so weak, I narrow my eyes, cocking my eyebrow as I stare at him.

“Drew,” I say, keeping my tone cool. Folding my arms firmly over my chest, he shifts awkwardly on his feet, and I wait for him to say something. As far as I’m concerned, the ball’s in his court. The girls aren’t supposed to do the calling after a kiss like that...

“Before you say anything, let me speak,” he says as if I was actually going to be the first to talk. Men … Pfft. “The other night shouldn’t have happened. I have no idea what came over me, and the last thing I want is for things to be awkward between us.”

“So it was a mistake?” Bullshit. I felt the connection in that kiss and judging from the way he can’t meet my eyes right now, I know he did, too.

“Of course it was.” He says it a little too fast, and with a little too much certainty, that I begin to doubt myself. I can’t believe how stupid I am to think maybe he actually wanted me. Tears sting my eyes, but I remain strong, refusing to show him how hurt I am.

“Aubs, I love you, you know that.” He sighs and rakes a hand through his thick hair. “But you’re way too young for me, and Max would kill me.” Max—of course, it’s Max. In all my over thinking, did I think Max would let something like Drew and me be okay? Not even for one second, but it would have been nice to have someone stand up to him.

“Sure, it’s fine. Is that all?” My fingers shake as they grip hold of the door, ready to slam it shut the second he leaves. He doesn’t get my tears. He was right … such a stupid mistake. A stupid, split-second mistake that changes the course of everything. The fantasy of how wonderful he could be was ruined with one touch of our lips. How sad.

“Can I come in?” he dares to ask after he’s just crushed my heart.

“Why?” Can’t he just leave me to wallow in peace? It’s like he wants to see me break down. Who knows, maybe that’s what he gets off on.

“Because I want to make sure you’re okay.”

“I’m fine,” I mutter. I push the door wide open, allowing him inside. He follows me into the living room, where I pick up my half-full glass of wine and skull it. He raises an eyebrow but doesn’t say anything until I fill the glass again and do the same.

“Aubs…”

“So, the more I think about this, the more I think I should strip, too,” I say, feeling the effects of the wine even more. “I’m sure I can find a few guys who would pay to see this.” Even if you wouldn’t.

“You’re not stripping.” His tone is as cold as the look in his eyes. “You said your major was dance, but I doubt it was ‘watch me fuck this pole’ kind of dancing.”

“You have no idea what I’m capable of, Andrew,” I retort, my eyes flashing. “I’m not twelve anymore. Trust me when I say I’ve come into my own as a woman, and dammit, I know how to use my body.”

“Twerking, or whatever it’s called these days, is far from what a guy would pay for at a strip club. Trust me on that, darlin’. I’ve had my fair share of lap dances; I’d know. Aren’t you some kind of prima ballerina, anyway? Again, proving my point, Aubs.” I narrow my eyes at him, wanting nothing more than to punch that smirk off his face.

“You know what, you arsehole? You think I’m not capable of bringing a man to his knees?” Standing up from the couch, I pull my hair from the messy bun and rake my fingers through the tangles. Turning my back to Drew, I unzip my hoodie and glance back at him to see him watching me with wide eyes. “You still doubt me?”

“Knock it off, Aubrey,” he replies with a strained voice. “You’re pushing buttons you don’t want to push.”

I’ve waited years for you to look at me like you looked at those other girls. I’m not stopping now. I will prove you want me as badly as I want you and it’s not a figment of my imagination.

I let the jacket hit the floor and slowly and sensually pull my shirt over my head, letting it fall atop of the jacket. Standing in the living room, wearing nothing but a short skirt and bra, I turn toward Drew and lazily stalk toward him, the confidence I’m exuding in complete contrast to the crazy nerves I’m feeling inside. Am I really doing this? Oh God, I’m really doing this. He readjusts his position, and his pupils dilate so much, his entire eyes are nearly black. I breathe in, my effect on him intoxicating. After all this time, he’s going to see who I really am and what I’m capable of. All I want is to prove to him I’m not a child anymore.