A few gasps echo around the room. “He told me his family owned an expensive jewelry chain.” I shrug, not making a big deal about it, because it isn’t. I don’t care about Shane’s money; I only care about him.
“Aubrey!” Emma shrieks. “It’s not just an expensive store! It’s the most expensive jewelry chain in the world! My dad can’t even get on their client list, if that tells you anything! And I could bet my life that the little beauty around your neck comes from there.” She groans. “Ugh! I can’t believe our baby Brey snagged up the heir to a jewelry empire. I’m so jealous!”
I can’t help but giggle a little at Emma’s reaction—she’s a bit dramatic at times.
“Okay, enough about that. I want to know what happened the night of the wedding! Spill.” Cecilia sits at the edge of her seat, begging me with her eyes for details.
I smile as my blush resurfaces. “We just… talked and had a good time.” I’ve never been the one to talk about my private life—this is still new territory to me and I’m not sure what to say.
“Please, you were all over each other in the morning, you did way more than talk.” Emma rolls her eyes. “Answer this for me, did you have sex with Shane?”
I can’t even look at her as I answer. Instead, I hide myself behind my hands as my face heats and my cheeks hurt from smiling so much. “Yes.”
There’s a series of squeals before the next question is thrown at me. “How was it? Was he sweet? Or did he go all manly beast on you?” It’s Morgan this time.
Oh God, I’m overheating.I fan my face with one hand, using the other to cover my eyes.Why do I feel so embarrassed talking about it? Why can’t I talk about sex like it’s normal? Like they all do.
“He was gentle and caring the first time,” I admit.
“I’m going to get her some water. She looks like she’s about to burst or something.” Cecilia giggles as I hear her stand.
“Wait, you said the first time. How many times did you do it?” Ronnie asks next.
“Three.” My voice comes out squeaky, and I clear my throat just as a water bottle is handed to me. I quickly uncap it and drain half of it before sticking the cold bottle to my face.
“How big is he?” Emma smiles wickedly.Of course, she would ask that.
“Oh God! I am not answering that.” My eyes are wide as I fan with one hand and press the cold bottle to my flaming skin. “All you need to know is that Shane is an amazing lover, and he took very good care of me. He treated me like a queen the whole time. That’s all that matters, right? Now can we drop the subject and move on to something else, please?” I need the course of this conversation to change before this blush becomes permanent.
“Yes, that’s all we really wanted to know.” Cecilia smiles warmly at me. “Have you seen him since Christmas?”
I shake my head. “No, tonight will be the first time. Although we do have a date planned for next week.” I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t excited. I’ve never been on a date before, so I’m not quite sure what to expect.
“Ooh! Where is he taking you?” Emma asks with excitement in her eyes.
I shrug. “I’m not sure, he didn’t say. But we agreed to nothing too public until I find a way to tell Greyson…” My mood instantly dips and a tightness forms in my stomach, and not a good one like I get with Shane. I hate lying and hiding things from Greyson.
Emma takes my hand. “Grey will be fine. Yeah, he’ll be mad at first, but he’ll get over it once he sees how well Shane treats you.”
“I don’t want him to hate me…” I feel my eyes well with tears.
“Oh, sweetie, he won’t.” Morgan places her hand on my knee. “Greyson could never hate you.” Her comment settles my doubt slightly, and I pray she’s right.
I don’t know what I’ll do if my brother never accepts this… because I don’t think I could ever say goodbye to Shane. Not now.
SHANE
It’s just half past three in the afternoon when I finally leave my office. The team’s training session ended at noon, but that didn’t mean my day was over. I wave goodbye to Paul, our general manager, through his open office door as I head out.
Once in my car, I send off a quick text to Jessie, letting him know I’m on my way over. I already have an extra set of clothes in my car, so no need to stop at home and get changed. I’ll just get ready for the party at Jessie’s place, and it also gives me an excuse to be closer to my girl sooner.
Not seeing her for a week has been hell, I have no idea how I went months without a glimpse of her in the past.Never again.We’ve been talking constantly since our relationship hit a new level, and it only makes me ache more for her. Not the sex, it was beyond amazing, but I don’t care about that. I just want to hold her and kiss her and see her beautiful blush spread as she smiles up at me.
On my way over, I stop at a florist and pick up a dozen red roses. I know getting flowers is cliché, but I can’t help it. I want to get her flowers. I want to get her everything her heart could desire.
I used to feel old in my skin, nearly forty with no wife or kids. But Aubrey makes me feel young again, like the world is full of possibilities and maybe I won’t end up alone for the rest of my life. I know I’m not acting my age. My friends like to remind me that I’m behaving like a lovesick teenager with how much I’ve been texting and smiling at my phone over the last week. But I couldn’t care less. She’s become my happy place—more than the ice.
Once I’m parked in Jessie’s driveway, I look at the house across the street and over the cars in the driveway. I recognize most instantly but don’t spot Greyson’s or Silas’s, which means they’re either not there yet or they tagged along with someone else. But my Angel’s car is there, which is all I really care about.
