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I chuckle, and while I do want him, this would not have been the right thing to do. I’m no Goody Two-shoes, but making sure my partners don’t feel used is very important. “Not when you’re drunk.”

Aaron groans and slumps against me, rubbing his face. “Ugh. Is this why you don’t drink? So that you’re always ready?”

I shake my head, pulling his narrow form to my chest. It feels good to hold him like this and know that he is safe as long as he’s here. “No. But I might have a family problem with it. My dad’s always been a heavy drinker. And he acted out a lot when he was drunk. I suppose I stopped because I enjoyed it too much and worried I might end up like him.”

Aaron entwines his fingers with mine in the water, and while I wish I could be fucking his brains out right now, this is nice too. Maybe I’ve been putting up a wall for too long, hooking up only here and there since my last relationship, all under the guise of being busy growing the tattoo studio.

I usually make fucking a down-to-business kind of affair because I don’t care to spend my time with randos, but Aaron is… cute. I wouldn’t mind him staying for a cuddle next time he comes over.

“Promise you won’t laugh?” Aaron asks, and continues when I nod and nuzzle his shoulder. “I started drinking because lots of famous artists I admire seemed to do that. I thought it would give me this buzz of creativity. But I usually just get sleepy.”

I chuckle and kiss his nape, hugging him as if he were a massive pillow. “Lots of artists aren’t good people. Or smart for that matter. It’s not worth it.”

“Can we stay the night here? I don’t think I’m able to drive, and… I’m kinda freaked out by the whole knife thing.”

“My poor, scared baby,” I say, chuckling, but as he protests, I start kissing the back of his head, to make sure he understands I’m only playing with him. “Of course. We’ll lock the door and stay as long as we want. I can keep away anyone who wants to hurt you.”

He arches his head back and kisses my jaw. “Thank you.”

Chapter 9

Vex

Aaron might look like he’s made of fine porcelain, but his body feels soft and hot to the touch as I wake up and see him in daylight. Remnants of sleep cling to me when I rise on my elbow and take in the delicate, rosy tone of his cheeks. It’s as if he’s been touched with the tiniest brush of pastel. And his lips? A lush layer of color to tempt me close.

Many years ago, bards would have made songs about beauty like this, and while I know my thoughts are sentimental, I can’t help it. He’s perfect. And now, he’s mine too.

My morning wood fits so perfectly against his buttocks, but since he’s still sleeping, I indulge in kissing his shoulder and his hair. I don’t stay in bed with people I hook up with, but I already know Aaron is more, even though we haven’t defined the nature of our relationship.

I trace his ribs with my fingertips. It’s hardly a place for one’s first ink, but I imagine him covered in my designs all over. He’s sexy the way he is, but if he gives me the privilege of decorating his beautiful body with tattoos, I’ll oblige. This way he’ll always be mine. Even when he inevitably graduates and moves on from Springton. And me.

I exhale when he shifts, stretching in my arms. He’s such a prize. Such a beauty. I want to have all of him, even if it’s only temporary.

“Wakey, wakey,” I whisper and roll my tongue under his angular jaw.

He lets out a sexy little whimper that makes my cock twitch with excitement.

Aaron opens one eye and smiles. “Good morning.”

“Feeling better?” I whisper and push my fingers through his hair. It’s dried throughout the night and looks very frizzy from rolling against the cotton sheets. Still very cute. I don’t think there’s anything in the world that could make him ugly in my eyes.

Aaron nods and reaches back to stroke my thigh. “Yes. Shockingly, I’m not even hungover. Must be your magic touch.”

Or the fact that I made sure he drank a lot of water last night

“Magic touch where?” I ask, raising my brows as I place my right hand on his bare chest and lower it over his stomach. I know exactly where I’m going with this, and the sudden glint in his green eyes tells me so does he.

“Oh, please. There.” I can sense his heart picking up pace, and I love how responsive he is.

I’ve been watching him for a long time, and he’s most often so serious in public, so put together. I’d go as far as saying cold. In my arms, against my dick, he’s anything but. I love that he’s able to let go with me.

“Where is there?” I ask, as if it wasn’t obvious, and stop my hand as the tips of my fingers touch his pubes. I lean over him and work the same kind of magic up here too, keeping my lips just out of his reach while he squirms.

“My cock. I want you to touch me. Please.” Aaron’s cheeks become pinker by the second and his tongue darts out to give my lips a lick. He’s delicious. A dream of a boy.

I couldn’t resist him even if I wanted to, but I don’t, so instead of playing on and teasing, I open his mouth with my tongue as my hand dives lower and gathers his balls and stiffening cock. He rises against me like a wave, and I only hold him tighter.

I had no idea how much I’ve missed sex until a few days ago. And now I'm getting something so much better than a random hook-up at a club. I feel so seen after what I told Aaron last night. He listened to me with genuine attention, and now he spreads his legs for me. Pure heaven.