Oh, fuck yes. I’m not about to turn down this chance. If he had asked me yesterday or the day before or hell, even last week, I would have laughed in his face and turned him down, but Taylor and Hank were right when they said it was time for me to start moving forward.
It’s time for me to start being brave.
“Okay,” I whisper, and Aaron gazes into my eyes. He strokes my hair softly before he cups my cheeks, and then he brings his lips to mine.
And oh, it’s fire.
It’s ice.
It’s everything.
He kisses me slowly at first, but I’m hungry for him. I’m hungry for this, for us, and I turn so I’m no longer sitting in his lap, but straddling him. I kiss him back hungrily, taking what I want, and he chuckles, pulling back. He kisses me softly on the nose.
“How was that?” He asks gently.
“It was better,” I manage to say breathlessly.
“Should we try again?” He asks.
“Okay.”
Aaron kisses me again. This time, this next kiss, is even more controlled, and I close my eyes and let him lead me. He holds my hips as he runs his tongue over my lips and then slides into my mouth.
I find myself grinding down against him even though I shouldn’t, even though it’s wrong. I want to play with him. I want to slide my hand down his pants and stroke his cock, but I won’t. It’s just not time for that. I mean, I shouldn’t even be making out with him right now, but oh, this is so, so wonderful.
It’s so fucking perfect.
He kisses me until I’m groaning, grinding against him, and then he pulls me back. He looks at me, questions lingering in his eyes, and he smiles.
“You’re gorgeous, pretty girl,” he says.
“Thank you.”
“And I’m sorry for all of the times I let you down.”
“It’s okay.”
“It won’t happen again.”
He pulls me close and holds me for a long time. I don’t know what that promise means. Is he saying he wants to date me? Is he telling me he wants to be my protector? What exactly is he asking me?
But I don’t have a chance to ask because I close my eyes and curl up in his arms, and much too soon, I find myself slowly losing myself in his comfort and in his arms, and I drift off to sleep.
Chapter Eight
Aaron
I didn’t expect any of this to happen today, but fuck, I’m glad that it did. I hold Mallory as she sleeps, curled up in my lap like Jiji always does. What did I do to deserve this magical moment today?
Nothing.
I don’t deserve it.
I don’t deserve any of it.
More than that, I hate knowing that she’s felt alone for so very long, and part of that is my fault. What happened between us long ago was unfortunate. It was horrible, actually. I made a mistake, and that mistake had consequences. Mallory is the one who’s had to carry that burden, but I hope I can help her work through that.
I’m not so young that I don’t realize there’s more at play, though. There’s something she’s not telling me, something she’s holding back. That’s okay. Mallory is allowed to have her secrets, but I hope that I’ll be able to show her that I’m trustworthy enough for her to open up with me.