Page 49 of Break Out

“Don’t.” I hate that she’s so self-conscious. It bothers me that she thinks she needs to cover herself up around me.

“I—I wasn’t expecting to get naked in front of you when I picked these out. I don’t . . .” Her gaze drops to the floor.

“Hey,” I say, leaning down so she’s looking into my eyes. “There’s no reason to hide from me.”

She gives me a small smile and takes a deep breath. “I feel so inadequate in my boring underwear. I’ve gained some weight this last year—one more fun part about being in your mid thirties, I guess.”

“Aubrey,” I say, letting go of her hip so I can stroke her cheek. “Please don’t put yourself down. You’re beautiful. Exactly the way you are. You always have been. I’m going to kiss you but if you don’t want me to you, you need to tell me.”

She bites down on her bottom lip, and a growl rumbles in my chest, but I wait for her answer. I don’t want to do anything she doesn’t want.

“Please,” she finally whispers, and I close the distance between us and kiss her.

I grip her hip with one hand and caress her cheek, neck, shoulder and any bare skin I can touch with my other hand. I deepen the kiss, sweeping my tongue against her lips and she opens her mouth for me. Our tongues dance together. She moans and it goes straight to my cock. She reaches up and sinks her nails into my scalp. Her other hand grips my shirt holding me close to her as if she can’t get near enough to me.

“Fuck.” I groan, tearing my lips from hers. I kiss along her neck, noting the way she shivers and pushes herself closer to me when I reach the spot right behind her ear.

“Brody.” She groans as I reach up and cup one of her breasts through her bra.

“Yes, beautiful,” I whisper against her neck.

“Take it off.”

It takes me a second to realize she means her bra, and I fumble with the clasp before it finally comes loose and I push the straps off her shoulders.

“Hold on,” I say as I lean down, gently pick her up, and toss her on the bed. “That’s better.” I climb across the comforter and hover over her.

“You’re wearing too many clothes.” She tugs at the hem of my shirt. I sit back and peel it over my head in one swift movement, noting how her pupils dilate even more as she takes in my naked chest, her gaze dancing over my tattoos. I’ve caught her staring at them a few times recently, and I love that she seems to love them.

“These too,” she says, sitting up and fumbling with the button on my shorts before turning to push the comforter down the bed and laying back down again watching me.

My heart races as I stand up, undo my shorts, and pull them off, leaving me in only my black briefs.

This is the moment of truth.

She’s going to see it and know.

“I thought we were going to the pool,” I say with a laugh as I climb into bed with her.

“This is so much better,” Aubrey says, reaching for me, her fingers dancing along the top of my briefs and closer to the secret that I’ve kept hidden for years. My cock gets harder every time her finger slips under the waistband. I take a deep breath, steeling myself not to pounce on her.

“Take them off.” She bats her eyelashes at me like she needs to convince me to do what she’s asking.

“You first,” I say, gesturing at her underwear, moving back so she can take them off.

She sits up and pushes them down, kicking them off her ankles before motioning for me to do the same. I take a fortifying breath before standing and pushing my briefs down. My cock jumps to attention as her gaze rakes down my body.

I see it. The moment she registers my tattoo.

“Brody.” Aubrey says, point at my hip. “What’s that?” Her voice is barely above a whisper. She reaches out and traces the constellation on my hip. The one I consider our constellation. The one I always try to find when I’m away from the city lights and can see the stars.

“Aubrey.” My voice is cautious. She hasn’t freaked out yet, so that’s got to be a good sign, right?

“Is that Ursa Major?” she asks, finally locking eyes with me.

“Yeah.” I climb back into bed, lie down on my back, and tuck my hands under my head.

“How long have you had it?”