Slow Grind (Men of Mornington)

“Mornin’, sunshine,” I say, my voice sleepy as I roll over and face Aubrey. I reach out and stroke her arm, the sight of her bare skin making me hard.

“Morning,” she says, forcing a smile. Her eyes, full of sadness, stare back at me. I don’t even have to ask her to know she’s been awake half the night.

“You okay?” I ask, slipping my arm around her waist. I tug her closer to me, edging her body on top of mine.

“I’m fine,” she replies. I nudge her softly, making it clear I’m not buying. She rests her chin on my chest, her eyes examining mine. “Just thinking about Max.”

I chuckle and stroke the hair away from her eyes. “Way to cure my erection.”

She lifts herself off me and glances at my still hard dick and I laugh. “He’ll be okay, Aubs. He’s come through this before.”

“Against the odds,” Aubrey points out. “What are the chances that he can do it again? I don’t know what I’ll do without him, Drew. I can’t…” She wipes the tears from her eyes. Moving herself off me, she climbs out of the bed, reaching for the robe that hangs over the chair in the corner of the room. “Coffee?”

I nod, wishing there was something I could say to make her feel better. Before I can release the words, her phone starts to ring. She glances at the clock on the nightstand, alarm in her eyes. I know what she’s thinking. Any call coming in at 6:53 can’t be good.

“Hello?” she says, after lunging for the phone. I sit up and wait impatiently, trying to read her body language. She rakes her hand through her hair and nods anxiously. “Okay. I’ll be there in half an hour.” She hesitates before adding; “Thanks Mom.”

“Everything okay?” I ask as she ends the call.

She shrugs. “They’re putting Max on a flight to Switzerland now. He’s stable, and they’re worried if they leave it any longer he won’t…”

“This is good news, Aubs. He’s going to get this treatment and be fine. Are you going over?” I ask.

“I can’t,” she whispers. “We need the money to pay for the treatment which means you guys doing these shows. I need to help you guys.”

“What about your friend?” I ask.

“Jacey?” Aubrey asks, her eyes clouded with confusion.

I nod. “She’s studying dance just like you, right? Surely she can teach us a few moves. You can go over with Max. Everything will be sorted.”

“I could ask her, I guess,” Aubrey says. She hesitates. “But what about us?”

I brush my finger over her cheek tenderly. “I’ll still be here once Max is sorted. Go be with your brother, Aubs. Family is important.”

“You always know just what to say,” she grins, her eyes sparkling with tears. I watch her as she tugs on a pair of jeans that hug her arse beautifully. My cock hardens. She eyes it through the thin layer of sheets and laughs. “You’re unbelievable, Drew.”

“What?” I protest. “What do you expect, standing there half naked in front of me.”

She laughs again as she threads her arms through her jacket, securing it tightly around her waist. Leaning over the bed, she places her lips on mine and kisses me deeply. When she’s done, I throw my head back against my pillow and sigh.

“Get out of here before I tie you to the bed,” I mumble. I have no idea how I’m gonna get through months without her, but I know Max needs her more right now. I’d never come between their bond.

“I’ll call you when I’ve organized my flight,” she promises.

Chapter Nineteen

Aubrey

“You want me to teach these guys how to strip?”

I laugh as Jacey’s eyes grow wide and a smile slowly spreads across her mouth. I can tell I’ve made her day. We’re sitting out the front of Mom’s house, waiting for Drew to pick me up for the airport. My flight leaves in three hours. I feel bad about deserting my friend after she trekked halfway across the world to visit me, but Max needs me, and I’d do anything for him.

“Only if you’re okay with it. It will take up most of your vacation time, and I know—”

“You think I’m going to complain about spending all my time with four half-naked, sexy-as-hell men?” Jacey squeaks. She bounces in her spot and I groan, laughing. What have I done?

“So long as you keep your paws off Drew,” I grin.