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"I'm glad you think so, Chloe."
His closeness sends a wave of desire coursing through me. I bite my lower lip, holding back a soft moan. I can feel my body responding to him, the desire pooling in the pit of my stomach, my panties now damp.
I wonder if he knows what he's doing to me. Is he aware of his effect on me, or is he genuinely oblivious?
Desperate to change the direction of the conversation, I ask him about his family. Aaron leans back, his gaze fixed on the star-studded sky.
"See, Chloe," Aaron starts, his voice rough, "when I left home, I was angry at my dad, the world, and myself. I thought I was doing the right thing."
He swallows hard, his gaze fixed on the dancing flames. "I got the call about his passing while working in the mountains. My first reaction was...relief. And that made me feel like a monster."
"Aaron..." I start, but he silences me with a look.
"Like I said before, I told myself that I wouldn't return until I had made something of myself, but I also promised that one day I’d make my father proud," he continues, his voice barely audible over the crackling fire. "But when he passed... I realized that he wouldn't be there to see it. I was stuck in my own stubbornness and missed my chance to say goodbye."
"I was scared, Chloe," he finally admits, his voice breaking. "Scared that if I showed up, I would just be the son who ran away. The son who failed him. That's why...I didn't go to his funeral."
"I'm sorry, Aaron. I shouldn't have asked," I say quickly, my heart aching for him.
He turns to look at me, his amber eyes reflecting the flames. Dusted with stubble, his jawline looks even more pronounced in the firelight.
"It's okay, Chloe. It's nice to have someone I can share this with."
I offer him a small smile, my hand brushing against his.
"You can tell me anything, Aaron. I'll listen."
He chuckles, his gaze softening as he looks at me.
"Well, there's not much else to do out here, right?"
His words send us both into a fit of laughter, the sound echoing into the darkness of the night, our shared mirth lighting up the dark sky more than any star could.
Chapter 6 - Aaron
I can't take my eyes off Chloe. The flames from our makeshift bonfire flicker, glowing her lovely face warmly. Those dazzling blue eyes are like the deepest ocean, reflecting the fiery dance.
I feel a pulse of longing echoing in me, an urgent throb threatening to expose my desire. I hastily cross my legs, hoping to hide my embarrassing predicament.
What was I thinking, whispering in her ear like that? She could've slapped me, and she'd have every right to. How could I have been so careless, so impulsive? But here we are, sitting side by side on my worn blanket, and I'm coming undone just looking at her.
She doesn't know what she does to me. She can’t possibly fathom the heat spreading through me, the adrenaline pumping in my veins. I'm burning up despite the chilly evening air, sweat dampening the front of my shirt. It's not just her eyes. It's everything about her.
The smooth curve of her neck, the glossy shine on her full lips, the way that tight black dress of hers fits so snugly on her fantastic body. It's intoxicating.
I want to reach out, pull her into my arms. I want to touch her, kiss her, lose myself in her. But I can't, I shouldn't. Not here, not now, not when she's been dealt such a rough hand today.
And not when she's my best friend's sister. Liam would never forgive me. Hell, I would never forgive myself. She deserves someone who loves her, not some lumberjack lust-drunk on her beauty.
After a moment's silence, she asks me about my family. So I spill the beans. I tell her about my father dying and how I was a coward that couldn’t even attend the funeral.
I continue, telling her that my mom and I get along well and that she was the first person I visited when I returned to Willow Creek.
"I remember she rushed to me, engulfed me in a hug so tight I thought I'd break," I say, the memory pulling at my heartstrings. "I thought she'd be mad, you know? I left without saying goodbye. But she wasn't. She was just... happy."
Chloe smiles at me, a soft understanding in her gaze.
"She was relieved her son was alive and well, Aaron."
