My fingers brushed hers, and she wrapped her middle finger around my thumb. Instead of caging her hand like I wanted to, I used my finger to stroke the back of her hand while she worked out in her mind what she wanted to say.
“It’s different. This is my job.”
“You could quit this shit and not have to worry about working again, Ling, don’t try me.”
She huffed a laugh and shook her head as if the idea was foreign to her. “I wouldn’t ever do that, no offense. Money makes people crazy. But besides the job thing, there’s Ami. I love her too much and I got attached when I shouldn’t have.”
“Or maybe this is where you were supposed to be all along. You ever think that? The way your heart opened up to her meant this was all a part of the universe’s plan for you.”
“The fact that you’re saying the universe is the reason I’m standing here with you dripping down my thigh is wild.” She was chuckling but my eyes drifted south so I could see what she was talking about.
My dick jumped at her words and I worked my shoulders back so keep myself in check. “The fact that you said that like it wouldn’t want me to get back to painting your walls is what’s wild.”
“Aldrich!”
“Nah, Ling. You fucked up. We fucked up. But this could be us falling into place. I ain’t gone rush shit, just be easy and go with what’s in front of us. Anything else might make us stray from our destinies and shit.”
“Is it a Californian thing to get all metaphysical when you’re gaslighting people?”
“Is it a New York thing to be so suspicious and not trust people at all?”
She swung our connected hands casually. “Actually, yes. It’s served me well.”
“Yeah, well, fuck that. Right now it could hold you back and I’m not on that.”
“So what do you suggest?”
I moved her flush to me so she could feel me fully. “Right now we're about to go in your room—”
“Aldrich—”
“I’m not touching you again until you say so. But what we are about to do is lie down. Your room is the closest to Ami’s and we both want to hear her if she gets up. I hate this shit happened right before I gotta head to camp, but trust me we’ll figure something out. Aight?” I held her gaze so that she could see she wasn’t the only one being vulnerable.
Was I scared? Hell yeah. Afraid that I was gonna slip back into that nigga that wasn’t sure about himself. The one who might lash out at her for something she hadn’t done. Talking with Doc had helped, but anytime Ami’s egg donor was brought up, I slipped. Shit would get dark quick and although I was better about bringing myself out of it, how many times would Sterling be understanding about it? You could only hit something so many times before it broke and I didn’t want to be the reason that Sterling shattered.
She gave a nod so quick I don’t even think she realized she was doing it. “Okay.”
I wrapped my fingers through hers and led her toward her bedroom. “Cool. I’ll be the big spoon tonight.”
“What happened to you not touching me until I said so?”
“It’s called body language, Ling. Those nipples screaming they want to rest in my hands tonight and I for damn sure ain’t about to deny myself the privilege.”
“You are a fool.” Her laughter was soft, and her voice was low because Ami’s door was open.
“Might be. I’m still going to sleep using your titty as a pacifier.” When she stopped moving I turned around and found an odd look on her face. “What?”
“You must not plan on getting any sleep then.”
CHAPTER TWELVE
Camp
ALDRICH
“YOU SURE YOU’RE going to be good?”
I zipped up the duffle bag and tossed it next to the mate on the floor. I was trying my best to keep calm but I was nervous. It was time for training camp, which meant that my routine was being readjusted. But that wasn’t all. It also meant I was going to be away from my girls for the first time.
