Shrugging my shoulders, I asked, “What look?”
Pulling out of the driveway, I headed back to my house as I reached over and took Sierra’s hand in mine. “That look, Aaron. Like you’re planning something I’m either going to love . . . or hate . . . or possibly both.”
Laughing, I shook my head and said, “I don’t know what you mean. I’m planning a simple night out with Em and Zach. Spending some time with my two favorite girls.”
“Uh-huh. Am I at any point this evening going to utter the words, dickhead, bastard or you son-of-a-bitch?”
Damn, Sierra, knew me so well. Taking a peek over at her, I chuckled and looked straight ahead.
“Oh shit. I’m going with son-of-a-bitch,” Sierra said as she stared straight ahead.
Once we got home and Sierra walked into my house, she practically collapsed onto the sofa. Pulling her into my arms, I held her while she cried. I knew she was trying to be brave and that broke my heart in two. In no time at all, Sierra was asleep in my arms.
Holding her close to me, I vowed I would never allow anything like what happened today to happen to her again. Blowing out a breath, I closed my eyes and thought back to earlier today when I got a terrible feeling in my gut. My parents have always told me to listen to my gut, and I’m damn glad I did. The moment I pulled away from the house that morning, something felt off.
Then when Sierra’s alarm to her house sent me a text, I knew right away it was that asshole. The fucker was lucky I didn’t kill him. Anger began to boil up inside of me as Sierra stirred in my arms. I promised her I’d never let him touch her again and I failed her. Fucking hell.
Kissing her gently on the forehead, I whispered, “No one will ever hurt you again. I promise you, Sierra. As God as my witness, I will protect you with my whole being.”
My eyes grew heavy as I leaned my head back and closed them. Sleep soon took over as I held the one person I would love forever and always.
Waking up to Princess jumping on me, I yelled for her to get down off the sofa. “You know better, you big ole baby.”
My sixty-pound golden retriever jumped off the sofa as Sierra stretched and let out a soft moan that rushed through my veins and caused my dick to jump. As much as I wanted her, I didn’t want to do anything to upset her or make her feel uncomfortable.
Sliding out from under Sierra, I glanced at my watch. “Shit, we better get ready for dinner and our night out.”
Sierra’s eyes were filled with something I’d never seen before, and it scared the piss out of me. “Okay,” she whispered as she stood up and gave me a weak smile.
Keeping my distance from her for fear I wouldn’t be able to control myself, I headed into the master bedroom and grabbed a change of clothes. Sierra walked in behind me and immediately looked at the bed. Turning back to me, she smiled and raised her eyebrows.
Damn it. What was going through her mind? Was she thinking about what that asshole did to her? Shaking my head, I turned and looked away as I fought to control my anger. Quickly walking into the bathroom, I turned on the cold water and began splashing my face. Sierra telling the police what happened in detail had me feeling sick to my stomach. What if I hadn’t gone back? Would he have raped her? How could he do something like that to someone he claimed to love?
Looking up into the mirror, I pushed my hands through my hair and cursed under my breath.
Sierra walked up to me and wrapped her arms around my waist as she kissed my back. “I won’t break, Aaron. Your touch is the only thing that will keep me sane right now. Please don’t pull away from me. My head is spinning right now with questions as to why you won’t touch me or look at me like you want me.”
Pulling her arms from around my waist, I spun around. Cupping her face with my hands I took her all in. She was breathtaking. Beautiful beyond any words I could use to describe her. “Sierra. I’m not pulling away, baby. I feel the same way. I’m not sure what’s going through your head. I’d never want to push you or make you feel uncomfortable in any way. Baby, I want to make love to you so bad, it’s physically hurting my body to keep from touching you.”
Giving me a smile that literally made my knees shake, Sierra whispered, “Make love to me, Aaron. Please push today away and fill me with your love.”
Pressing my lips to Sierra’s, I reached down and picked her up. Carrying her over to the bed, I gently placed her down as we never broke contact with our lips.
I spent the next five minutes kissing her and telling her how much I loved her as I moved my hands over her body. It didn’t take long for us to both be naked as I continued to worship her body with my hands and lips. Needing for her to know how much I loved her, I took my time.
Sierra’s back arched as I slipped my fingers inside of her and sucked in her lower lip. Whispering my name against my lips, Sierra let out a soft moan as I deepened our kiss yet again. Slipping her fingers through my hair, Sierra pulled hard as she purred, “More.”
Moving over her, I looked deep within her blue eyes. The love I saw had my heart racing as I saw nothing but my future with this stubborn, smart-ass woman who, next to my mother, was the strongest woman I’d ever known.
Pushing slowly inside her, I softly kissed her lips. “Look into my eyes, Sierra. Do you see how much I love you? If you could look into my soul, you’d see you fill it completely.”
A tear slowly moved down Sierra’s cheek. “Everything I do in this life, Sierra, I do it for you. You are my life and my very reason for being. I’d lay down my life for you. I need you to know that.”
Pressing her lips together, Sierra closed her eyes briefly before opening them and capturing my eyes. “You’ll never begin to know how you make me feel. Never in my life . . . have I felt so . . . loved and worshiped. I love you so much, Aaron. I’ve never felt like this before. Ever.”
Kissing Sierra softly, I slowly made love to her. When I couldn’t hold off any longer, I poured myself into her and knew in that very moment what I wanted more than anything.
To be Sierra’s husband and the father of her children.
WHEN AARON PULLED UP TO In and Out Burger, I died laughing. “This is where you’re taking me for dinner?”
“Hell yeah. Best burgers around,” Aaron said as he jumped out of his truck and ran to my side. Opening the door, I pushed him out of the way and turned to glare at him.
Placing my hands on my hips, I shook my head. “You are not a true Texan.”
Jerking his head back, Aaron curled his lip and grimaced. “Did you really just say that to me? I’ll have you know, hanging in my bedroom at my parents’ house is a birth certificate from the state of Texas stating I’m a Texas native. I am Texan, one hundred percent, baby.”
; “Texas birth certificate? As opposed to?”
Letting out a gruff laugh Aaron gave me a smirk. “You’re just jealous because you don’t have the giant framed birth certificate stating you’re a native Texan.”
Tilting my head, I gave him a look like he was stupid. “Um . . . dipshit. I don’t need one. My actual birth certificate states where I was born. Texas. Why do I need a special one that says the same thing?”
Pointing at me and yelling, “Ha! See. You don’t value your true heritage. If you did, you’d be shouting from the tree tops that you’re a native Texan.”
Dropping my mouth open, I glared at Aaron. “What did you just say? Um . . . excuse me, dickhead, but you’re the one standing in the parking lot of an In and Out Burger that’s from California. Where had I been driving, we would be standing in the parking lot of Mighty Fine Burgers. You know . . . the burger joint started by true Texans.”
Aaron placed his hands over his heart as if I had mortally wounded him. Letting out a giggle, I felt the weight of what happened today slowly lift away. I would not let Robert win. He would not strip me of my happiness.
Aaron reached for my hand and tried to lead me into the no-go zone. Stopping when he realized I wasn’t moving, he let out a small chuckle. “Oh my God, are you serious? You’re really not going to eat here?”
Shaking my head, I said, “Nope. I don’t even care if one of my favorite authors ever loves this place. I’m not going in.”
Aaron looked at me and asked, “Which author? Is she one who makes you laugh? Turns you on?” Wiggling his eyebrows, he pulled me into his arms. “If you were a true fan, you’d eat here just because one of your favorite authors loves this place.”
Giving Aaron a sly smile, I felt the butterflies dance in my stomach as he leaned his forehead against mine. “She made me cry.”
Aaron frowned as he rubbed his nose against mine. “Oh, baby. Good cry or bad cry?”
Looking away, I thought about poor Chase. How could she? Fighting the tears, I looked back at Aaron. “I’d rather not talk about it. Damn it, let’s just eat here. I’m starving and the more we talk about this, the more I shrivel up from hunger.”