AARON

Same old truck. Same old girl.

She’d been quiet the short drive to her house. I wanted her the same as I had back then, and I was about to just fucking go for it. It was too hard fighting it anymore and I was tired, about to give up on something for the first time in years.

It was my breaking point.

When I pulled up at her place, my hand slid across the seat to her leg and she jumped. I liked it, catching her off-guard. Her eyes wide, they darted to mine. Different from shared fingers on a bag, on a bottle, the slight touch of her hand, her arm, this touch was purposeful and intentional.

A daring choice I couldn’t resist making anymore.

I wanted some of her, and I wanted it that night. I couldn’t put it off again and I’d made my move.

After the shock of my hand wore off, she noticed her car.

“Hey, what is that?”

I braced myself for her temper and teased, “Looks like a 2009 Sonata.”

She swiveled back to me, accusation all over her pretty face. “I thought it was still at O’Fallon’s. What did you do?” Faith’s light teal eyes defensively squinted, and her glare, powerful as ever, seared into me.

Oscar. Sierra. She was mad, but I could stand the heat and wasn’t about to get out of the kitchen.

“Please, don’t argue with me about it. Those old tires weren’t safe. You’d just be back up there in a few weeks when the next one blew out, and I can’t handle the thought of going to a wreck and seeing your car. I just can’t do it anymore.” The thought of her—of Delaney—being hurt, it wasn’t okay. Just thinking about it was torture enough.

I hadn’t deliberately squeezed her leg, but then I noticed I was.

Her head turned and she repeated a sentence that sounded like a visit from a long-lost friend. Her voice shook when she asked, “Can I kiss you?”

It was dark in the cab of my truck, but Darrell had a light glowing on his porch and it lit the most beautiful half of a face I’d ever seen.

I paused, remembering how foolish I’d been in my youth. The night before I’d left was a moment I’d dusted off many times, and it was almost as if I were getting a chance to relive it, like it was buffing out all the peaks and valleys I’d had since.

Finally, I’d learned a lesson from it all. When Faith wanted to kiss me, I’d let her.

Her eyes were glassy, which felt a little like I’d overshot. I wanted her to be happy that I’d bought her tires, which—come on—is the least romantic thing a man could do for a woman. But my hand was on her leg, and she wanted to kiss me again.

I wasn’t strong enough to say no anymore. Or ever again. Or maybe I was just finally strong enough to say yes, but the words stuck in my throat.

“Even if it’s just right here.” She tapped my cheek, choosing a spot to place her lips. “Aaron, I’ll take it.”

I plucked her finger from my cheek and wrapped my lips around it. The tip of it was soft and warm against my mouth. My eyes shut savoring the moment, the contact. It was like speeding through a door that was closing, hoping I’d make it through, trying to get to the other side, but knowing there’d be no going back.

No getting out.

When my eyes found hers again, hers were closed. Her breathing was labored and she trembled when I tapped her finger across my lips.

Tap. Tap. Tap.

Kiss. Me. Here.

I tugged her leg closer to me, wanting to get as close as I could, and she looked at me. Really looked at me.

On her own, she patted my lip again. Three slow presses. A question. A confirmation. She was giving me the chance to stop, but I wouldn’t. Not now.

I nodded yes.

She shook hers no.

I nodded yes again.

Faith’s head fell forward, and her hand laced with mine on her leg. She was holding on tight to me. A touch that beckoned, so I bent to kiss her hair.

I was ready to put my lips anywhere on her. Might as well start at the top.

A sob and a laugh ran through my ears, and then her tiny voice chased them. “I’ve wanted to kiss you for so long, and it might finally happen, and I can’t stop crying over new tires.” She sniffed.

“Look at me,” I requested, glad the closeness brought the other side of her face into full view when she lifted it for me. Her gorgeous eyes were wet.

I had to admit that I felt the gravity of it too. My stomach tightened like a taut balloon about to pop. A thread about to snap. In all my years, I hadn’t been alive yet and was waking for the first time.

After her gaze passed over my lips, her eyes returned to mine.

I’d been a fool to wait that long to kiss her. She’d been right down the road the whole damn time. Whether I was worthy of doing it or not, I didn’t give a damn anymore. I’d sort it out later. I’d get worthy.

“Kiss me, Fay. Let’s see what happens.”

Her parted lips fell on mine and I tasted her sweet, almost silent moan. Warm fingers roamed up my chest, then my neck, and came to a stop on my cheek. Abandoning her leg, my arm snuck behind her to embrace her and I made a fist, clutching the hem of her shirt.

I’d beaten the closing door, and the other side could have been a firestorm for all I cared. At least in hell, I could burn and kiss her at the same time.

She collapsed into me and I pulled her closer. The kiss deepened, and when that wasn’t enough I heaved her onto my lap. Her ass across my thighs, I was careful not to crush her against the steering wheel, and my hand slipped into her hair. 

The tightness in my jeans sought more pressure. More friction. I tensed as need took hold of me, and my hips rose, pressing against her.

She arched in my arms and hummed into my mouth.

I nearly bit her, but smiled against her lips instead. She smiled back and we caught our breath. The respite was brief, and then, like two addicts, we went at it again.

Deep, wet, and wonderfully satisfying, we explored. I waited for her tongue to search for mine. When it did, she slowly tangled hers with it.

I’d always imagined our kisses rushed and in a hurry. That had been foolish because slow was infinitely better. Time stretched. Every sensation was more intense than I’d imagined.

Dammit, that was how a first kiss should be.

Her warm body shivered and my grasp strengthened around her. After some time, I pulled back for a breath, hoping she wasn’t uncomfortable twisted in my driver’s seat, but she leaned up with me, not allowing me to part from her.

Who needed air?

I’d gladly let her suffocate me if it meant I’d die with her in my arms. I’d let her enter me and burn my lungs. She wasn’t the untouchable version from my dreams anymore. She was tangible, and I wasn’t letting go.

My lips went off course and kissed her jaw. When she offered her neck, my mouth accepted and slid over her tight skin to the bend where it met her shoulder. She sighed and I loved the sounds she made from pleasure. They were completely new to my ears and completely welcomed.

“I could do this all night.” My palm smoothed over her ribs and paused around her breast over her shirt. “I never want to stop.”

She froze, going from pliant to rigid, and I loosened my hold.

“I need to go get Delaney,” she whispered.

I wouldn’t keep her from her little girl. A guy was lucky to come in second. Especially when second place came with her hand in my hair and her ass on my lap. Brief as it might have been.

“Okay,” I reluctantly said against her jaw, having worked my way back up. Hopefully there was time for one last taste of her.

She met me halfway and crushed her mouth to mine. I claimed hers right back.

For the sake of restraint, I turned my head and broke the kiss faster than I should have, but it was hard to end the moment, and I finally just had to.

“Are you going home?” she asked.

I ran my fingers, one last time, through her lively blond hair. “When I leave here I am.”

“Can you stay a while?”

I couldn’t refuse those eyes. “Hell, yes.”

Faith smiled, and, there and then, I was sure I’d never have to worry about her driving on bald tires again.

She leaned up, and goddamn if her ass didn’t brush perfectly over my lap as she moved to her side of the cab.

Her smile was bright, if not actually glowing. “Give me a minute. I’ll go next door and get her. Follow me into my place. I’ll put her in bed.”

“Let me help,” I offered and reached for the door.

“No.” She grabbed my arm and looked me dead in the eye. “Not with this. Not with her.”

I sat back into the seat understanding she meant it.

“Just wait until I take her inside. Aaron, I’ve never—ever—had a guy over.” She huffed and added under her breath. “Not even her dad.”

It was the opposite of rushing into a burning building; with her I had to step easy. Our footing in this new place was shaky, and our path hadn’t been forged yet.

She was smoke again, and if I took my time, I could touch her, but if I rushed, she would scatter in the wind.

“Okay,” I agreed.

She opened her door, but before she climbed out she rewarded me with a very optimistic grin, shaking her head like she didn’t believe what had just happened. It was fantastic. 

She got out, and then, without rolling up the windows or a thought to lock the doors, I stepped down and watched her from over my hood. Briskly, she walked up the stairs, and then hesitated. Her hand reached for the mailbox before she stopped to glance back at me. She was giving away Darrell’s key hiding spot. After shrugging, she pulled the spare key from its secret place and opened the door. A few minutes later, she emerged, packing a sleeping four-year-old.

Naturally, I wanted to help her and met her at the carport attached to her tiny ranch house. She waved me off, and I fell back.

During my years in the military, I’d learned when given instructions from a superior to follow them. There was no mistaking—she was totally in charge.

Faith opened the storm door and pulled her keys from her pocket. Skillfully navigating the keyhole, she unlocked it. All the while, packing a passed out kid in her arms.

Damn, she was strong.

I hated how she had to work twice as hard as everyone else, but she was no worse for the wear. If anything, she was better for it.

Faith moved like a ninja through the dimly lit laundry area, around the kitchen table, and straight down the hall. Before she turned into the room, Delaney’s tiny head lifted and she squinted at me. Then she put her head back down on her mom’s shoulder and fell back to sleep.

I wasn’t sure what to do with myself after a few minutes, so I shuffled to the calendar on the wall. There were random numbers marked on some of the days. Doctor’s appointments. Work hours. Bill due dates. Pay days. Chad Money Day. Tomorrow she had Skype with the Girls noted. The urge to write my name on all her blank days nagged.

Being alone in her space was strange. I hadn’t been inside her house since high school.

There were a few dishes in the sink, and the time flashed on the microwave and stove. A stool sat on the floor in front of the spot on the counter where the coffee pot was. Beyond that, I saw some cabinet doors that needed tightening and her faucet had a drip, but the place was tidy and smelled like her.

With my hands behind my back—which felt appropriate—I wandered.

Her living room was small, but neat. There were toys in a basket near the couch and a light pink blanket folded over the back of a recliner.

Eventually, I sat in the chair. Rocking and waiting. Listening to the water drip in the kitchen and dying to fix it. Wondering if I should just call it a night and let her get some sleep.

She sighed behind me, and then turned off a light somewhere.

I kicked the chair to the side, spinning about ninety degrees to see her.

She startled. “Oh, hi. I thought you left.” Her hand crept up her shirt and lightly scratched at her neck. She blew a stream of air out, like she was whistling, but it was silent.

“Sorry.” I hadn’t meant to catch her off guard. “Do you want me to?”

“Yes. No. I don’t know.” She passed by me and sat on her couch. Grabbing a pillow and pulling it to her lap, she hugged it. Innocently, she smiled.

“I’m a mom, Aaron.”

“I noticed.” I propped my elbow on the arm of the chair and relaxed. I wasn’t afraid of the conversation, but I was impressed that, even though she looked nervous, she was brave enough to bring it up.

“She’s my priority. My whole world.” Her head tipped and she looked at the ceiling, avoiding my eyes.

“You’re a great mom.”

“Sometimes.” She paused, drew a foot underneath herself, and sat back. “Sometimes I feel like I’m dropping every ball I try to catch.”

“Hey,” I said, wanting to make damn sure she heard what I was about to say. “You don’t need anyone’s help to be a great mom, you’ve got that. But you need to be happy too.”

“She makes me happy.”

“I want to, too.”

“Aaron, I’m stretched so thin. I’ve got baggage. Luggage, really. Tons of it.”

I wanted to say the right thing, so my words didn’t come quickly, and before I could speak again, she added, “I’m not the same person I was. Neither are you.”

Back to this again?

“We don’t have to be them, remember?”

She slouched to the side, silent and skeptical.

“I’m not asking for anything, Faith. I’m not here to take anything away from you.”

She rested her chin on the pillow. “Why are you here?”

There were hundreds of answers. “I like being around you. I like knowing you’re okay. I like seeing you smile. Now, I like kissing you. I’m not that complicated.”

The light in her eyes came back.

“I like kissing you, too,” she admitted, sucking her bottom lip between her teeth like she’d spilled a secret. Then she yawned into the crook of her arm.

“How about you kiss me good night, and I’ll let you go to bed.” I hated leaving, but I’d be installing windows in a few hours. Mrs. Williamson would kill me if I was late, and Faith was tired.

“And if I say no?” She smiled into her pillow, but it didn’t hide the charm in her eyes.

“I guess you can spend all night trying to talk me out of wanting you.”

“I think it’s your turn to kiss me.” Then she tapped one slender finger on her pretty lips. A sexy, sleepy challenge, and, damn, I loved the moment. Everything about it. Her hair and how it was all over the place. How she looked so cozy, curled up on her sofa. How she wanted me to kiss her.

I stood, crossed her small family room, knelt in front of her, and snatched the pillow away. She leaned forward and stopped just before her mouth met mine, her face aimed up at me. She closed her eyes and pursed her lips.

I wasn’t sure what I’d done to deserve the view.

My arms encircled her, and she wrapped hers around my neck in response. I went in first, but we claimed each other just the same. She kissed me back in earnest.

I tucked my hands under her ass and picked her up, careful to miss the low hanging ceiling fan. She held onto my shoulders. I couldn’t wait for the night when I finally carried her to bed like that.

But instead, taking my sweet ass time, I walked us out of the living room and down the tiny hall to her side door. I thought about pressing her against it, but couldn’t see a way that I’d be able to tear myself off of her if I did. So wisely I set her on her feet and ended our kiss with a tightening of my lips for just a second and then pulled away.

Before I left there was one more thing.

“Why is your microwave blinking?”

“I tripped a breaker this morning,” she casually answered against my mouth. She didn’t want to stop kissing and her hold around my neck didn’t loosen. “Thank you for the tires.”

The night had been thanks enough.

“I’m gonna go,” I said. The idea of picking her back up and hauling her—well anywhere, including to the top of the dryer behind her—was too damn tempting.

“Okay. Good night.” Faith’s arms slid down my body, over my chest, and then she dropped them to her sides.

I opened the door and ran my free hand over her forehead, placing one last kiss in its wake.