“I love you. I never stopped.”
He brushed his lips to mine. “When I was in prison, I tried to forget you. Not because I wanted to, but because it was the right thing. I knew I didn’t deserve you. I couldn’t let myself think you’d ever want me again. Especially after what they did to me.” The whites of his eyes gleamed in the semidarkness. “But you know what, baby? You’re unforgettable. Anyone who’s ever met you comes away a better person for it.”
“I tried to forget you too, I’ll admit it.” I slid my hand through his tight waves to cup the nape of his neck. “I drowned myself in too much liquor and living on the edge. Taking chances with the men I met here.” I ran my nose down his cheek, inhaling his rich scent, imprinting him on my skin, in my blood. On my heart. “Every night I’d go home alone, empty and hurting. Nothing anyone said or did could make me forget you.”
Only I knew the man behind those hurt and wary eyes. I’d seen into his soul and heart and knew I had a home there. But I’d also known that before he could love me, he had to learn to love himself.
“I love you too. And I’m getting to the point where I believe I’m worth it.”
“You are. You’re not the same man I knew before. You should be happy and proud of everything you’ve accomplished.”
“I’m proud to have you.” A wicked smile curved his lips. “And damn, I’m happy ’cause you are the most beautiful thing I’ve seen all day.” He licked his finger and dragged its cool tip down and around my erection, then slid past my balls to tease around my hole before dipping inside. The tight ring of muscle gave way.
“Ohhh.” I sighed, the pleasure washing over me as he sucked me down to the root while working his finger into me. The head of my cock hit the back of his throat, and the wet heat of his mouth engulfed me and continued that buildup of friction as his lips dragged up and down my sensitive dick. My balls tingled, and my hips pumped frantically as he pushed deep within my passage to press against my prostate. Every nerve ending under my skin electrified. Trembling and overly sensitive, my body shivered. The heat of desire pulsed through me in heavy beats.
I was on fire.
“Ahhhh,”I cried out and shook as my orgasm exploded through me, traveling from the base of my feet, up my legs, to curl around my spine. It was on the tip of my tongue to plead with Aaron to stop. My body was open, flayed to the bone, exposing the me I’d hidden. My heart hammered and my breath stuttered short.
Aaron withdrew his finger and held on to me, drinking me down, rubbing my thighs. He nuzzled against my stomach. “When I’m with you, I’ve got the world. Nothing else matters.”
No one else had to understand what we meant to each other but us. Drowsiness settled over me, but I fought against it, knowing our time was coming to a close. “I wish I could stay here with you all night, but I gotta get back. James is only gonna let me stay off the floor so long.”
“I wish…” Aaron flopped back on the sofa.
“What? Tell me.” I wriggled back into my jock and shorts, carefully tucking myself in.
“I wish you didn’t have to do this no more. I understand why, ’cause the money’s so good. But I gotta confess.” He drew circles on my quivering stomach. “It still does kinda bug me to see guys put their hands on you and you liking it.”
“I hate it.” My harsh, visceral reaction shocked even me. “I mean, some guys are okay, but overall, I don’t like it. By the end of the night I’m so wiped out from being ‘on.’ I feel like my tank is running on empty, and I don’t got anything left for you. That’s why I was really hoping this investment and stock trading would work out, so I could give this up. I don’t wanna shake my ass forever.”
“You won’t. You’re smart. You’ll figure it out.”
“I ain’t ashamed of what I do—don’t get me wrong. No one’s ever forced me to do nothin’ I don’t want to. And a few months ago I was arguing with Austin over this same shit. He knew he didn’t want to do this forever.” I swung my legs over the edge of the sofa to sit up and smoothed my hair.
“So what happened to change your mind now?”
“You,” I said simply. “Don’t look so surprised. Yeah, I love dancing, but I’m thinking I’ve reached the point where I want you to be the only one who gets to touch me. I gotta think smart now and stop running from one idea to the next. I don’t wanna be flaking out on shit every time something new comes along.” I kissed him, clinging to his shoulders. “We’ll talk when we get home, ’kay? I gotta go back out.”
With one final kiss, we walked out hand in hand.
James sat at the bar with Rhoades and Austin, who couldn’t hide his relieved smile when he saw me. It bugged me that I still wasn’t sure if he got me being with Aaron, if he was happy for me. I didn’t care anymore. My life, my rules.
“I’ll see you later,” I whispered to Aaron and kissed his cheek. “The guys are in the back if you wanna go say hi.”
“Yeah.” Aaron hesitated and put his hand on my arm. “Do you think it would be wrong to ask Rhoades if he knows of any construction jobs?”
I cocked my head. “Is that what you want? I thought you were doing it to keep busy until you found something you really wanted.”
“I know.” His shoulders slumped. “It really ain’t what I want. I don’t mind it ’cause I like using my hands, but I guess I’m like you. I haven’t found that one thing I wanna settle on.”
“You’ll work it out—wewill. Together. Yeah, you could ask him, but I know it’s not what you want. The happiest I ever seen you was when you were working with the plants. We’re not that desperate yet that you gotta give up your dreams.” I hugged him tight. “I gotta go.” I hurried up onstage to join the others.
“Where you been?” Cort asked and grabbed me around the waist to start dancing. “You book a private dance?”
“Nah.” I shook my hips and zeroed in on a man staring at me who looked suspiciously like Gordie the stockbroker. If he and Aaron came face-to-face, it could be trouble. At the moment Aaron and Rhoades were by the exit, shaking hands, saying good-bye. I wondered if Aaron asked him about a job.
“James gave me a few minutes off after I worked that big table.” As I danced, I kept my eyes on the Gordie look-alike, who gave me a knowing smile and blew me a kiss.
