“She looks just fine to me,”Isaid asIsmoothed my roughened palm over her waist and hip. “Infact,I’dsay she looks better than ever.”
Aurora’s blush was a sunset pink.
I cupped her chin and drew her in for a soft kiss. “CanIread what you’re writing?”
“Absolutely not,” she whispered against my lips.
“It’ll help me heal faster,”Iteased.
Aurora shook her head, her nose brushing against mine. “Theanswer’s still no.Idon’t let anyone read my first drafts.”
“Not evenWillowandWhitney?”
“Nope.”
“Not even your boyfriend?”
Aurora tossed her head back and let out a sharp laugh. “Isthat what you are?”
“Yes.”
“Do you really think you can trick me into labeling this?Inever agreed to labels.”
“Yeah, you did,Roar.Youagreed to it when you said you’d be mine.”Ifisted the front of her shirt, yanking her down into a hard kiss. “Youagreed to be mine for however long it lasts.Soyeah.Thatmeans labels and titles and all the things you hate becauseIwant to be able to call you mine in every possible way.”
Aurora cupped my jaw and stared into my eyes, searching for something.
“What?”
“I’m just looking to see if you show signs of head trauma.Imight need to take you back to the hospital to get checked out again.”
I playfully pinched her side, making her laugh.
“I’m serious,”Aurorasaid as she combed her fingers through my hair. “Wheredid you come from?Thebuild-a-boyfriend factory?Haveyou been readingWillow’sbooks?Shewrites all the fluffy shit.WhitneyandIwrite the anti-heroes.”
“I’m more concerned with the fact that you think me wanting to label this is considered 'the fluffy shit' and not just being a reasonable person.”
“I’m serious,”Aurorasaid as she slid down and settled on my lap. “Menlike you don’t exist anymore.EveryguyI’veever been with has wanted the greatest return for the smallest investment.You’reout here building beds and renovating a house and saying you're fine if you don’t have another orgasm all summer.”
“Isn’t that what you’re asking me for, though?”Itucked her hair behind her ear. “Justsex.Noinvestment?That’slike playing the lottery,Roar.Thelikelihood of winning is almost zero.”
Her gaze fell away from mine.
“It’s okay to be scared,Roar.Don’tlet it stop you from going big.”Islipped my good arm around her waist. “You’llmiss out on all the good things life has to offer.”
Aurora tucked herself beneath my chin and closed her eyes. “I’venever been scared likeIwas whenDrewsaid you were in the hospital.NotwhenIwent broke.NotwhenIlost my deal.Never.”
I pressed a kiss into her hair. “Andyou want to pretend like this is nothing.”
“Don’t push me,Wharton,” she teased. “I’mfinally coming around to you.Doyou really want to lose all the progress you've made?”
I couldn’t help but laugh.Shewas stubborn as a mule, and it was cute. “Ithink you came around a long time ago.You’rejust finally brave enough to admit it.”Inipped at her lower lip. “Youcan trust me,Roar.It’llbe our little secret.”
“How are you feeling?” she asked to get out of the conversation.
“Aurora—”
“Don’t push me,Jack,” she said quickly. “Ineed time.”
