Page 34 of Completely Captivated
“Is there anyone from your past who could affect our future?”
“No.There isn’t anyone in the world who could do that.Not in my world anyway.What about yours?”
“Not a single person.”
His fingers floated over her bare chest, drawing invisible lines between her breasts.His gaze followed his hand, his focus slightly too intent on avoiding looking at her when he asked his next question.“Even Jared?”
The pointed pause following his question made his stomach knot, and dread filled his chest.With no other choice, he finally looked up and met her confused expression.“Why would you say that?I told you he’s just a friend and has been for years.”
He laid his head on her chest and tightened his arms around her.“You did, and I believe you.But I also saw the picture of you two when you were younger, and I recognized the same expression on his face when he came into your shop.Maybe you don’t even realize it, but he’s holding on to a pretty bright flame for you.My impression is you held a torch for him, too—at least, at one time anyway.”
“Yes and no.Seven years ago, when I wasfifteen, I had a huge teenage crush on him.But he’s been a friend for much longer than that—his whole family has been.He went off to college, not far from here at all, and not once stopped to see me when he came home.Holidays.Birthdays.Nothing.He didn’t even come home for summers because he rented an apartment near campus.
“That really hurt me, Aaron.Not because I was in love with him, but because he wassupposedto be my friend.If he were really a friend, would he have hidden his trips home from me?Would he visit his family and not even stop by here to say hello to me for a few minutes?I felt so unimportant…sodisposable… He’s trying to make up for that now, and that’s fine.I’ll be his friend again.But I just don’t see how our friendship can ever be what it was before.He hurt me too much for that.
“So, if you’re questioning whether I’ll run to Jared should he suddenly declare his undying love for me, my answer is no.Even if you and I weren’t together, I’d say no.But, in all honesty, you’ve just given me a lot more incentive to reject him, if he ever did proposition me.”
“Oh, so you only love me for my orgasm-inducing tongue?”
The words were spoken in jest, a playful lover’s banter, but they hung heavy in the air between them.He could see the wheels spinning in her head, questioning his meaning, looking for clues of underlying significance.
“If it’s the last thing I do, I’ll erase every doubt from your eyes.Christa, you have completely captivated me with your natural beauty, your delightful personality, and your tender heart.I am undeniably totally and completely in love with you.”
“I love you, too, Aaron.So much it scares me.”
“Never be afraid of me.You have my love—just don’t ever give it back to me.”His lips brushed softly across hers, his murmurs of love lingering between them.His pensive expression betrayed his thoughts as he rested his head in his palm.
“What’s wrong?”
“Next Monday is my two-week trip to San Diego.I know you can’t take off the entire two weeks to go with me on such short notice.But can you take off Friday and Saturday to go away somewhere else with me?”
“I’m sure I can work it out with Allie.Where are we going?”
“If I tell you, will it spoil the surprise of it all?”
“Nothing can spoil it as long as I’m with you.”
“All right, I’ll tell you.I want to take you to Vegas for the weekend.My friend Logan and his wife Mindy can go with us.We’ll have a great time before I leave you for the longest two weeks of my life.Are you in?”
“That sounds so exciting.Of course I’m in!I’ve never been to Vegas—I can’t wait to go with you!”
He slanted his mouth over hers, his tongue delving in and gliding across hers.The passion between them was hot enough to ignite the room with uncontrollable flames.But he held back, though his body cursed and revolted against him for it.“We’ll have our own suite.Just you and me.Can I apologize now if I never let you see the bright lights of the Strip while we’re there?As much as I don’t want our relationship to be based solely on sex, I don’t think I can stay there with you all weekend and abstain.”
“What if I told you I don’t want you to abstain?Or that I don’t care anything about seeing the bright lights if it means I have you to myself all weekend?”
“Friday night.You.Are.Mine.”He spoke the words as an oath, a promise of pleasure and ecstasy to come.
“Baby, I’m yours tonight.You just haven’t taken advantage of me yet.”
“If I can last three more nights past tonight, I have wonderful plans for us.Can you stop being such a cunning temptress until then?”A smile teased on his lips, but his resolve was waning swiftly.
“For you, until Friday.After that, I can’t make any promises.”
July
The week dragged by, day after day stuck in the office with his brother breathing down his neck.Thursday afternoon, Aaron walked into Lance’s office to face the music.
“Hey, Lance.”Aaron knocked lightly on the open door before walking in.“Just letting you know I’m leaving now, and I’m taking off tomorrow.”
