Page 131 of Endgame

After we have lunch in a nearby pub, I go straight to the gym and get to work. Time gets away from me and I stay there until late. By the time I get home, Aari is in bed, and I commit to not making a habit of working so late – I miss our evenings together. After I’ve showered I get in, curl over her and drape my handover her belly. Just as my eyes begin to close, I feel the slightest bit of pressure against my wrist. My eyes fly open and I hold as still as I can. A short while later, the pressure disappears.

THIRTY-FIVE

ARIELLA

‘Urrrrggh, Caleb! You’re sweaty and horrible,’ I complain.

He has settled into a good work routine that ensures that we spend evenings together, and the fight studio is coming along nicely. He has just come back from working all day, dropped his bag by the door and grabbed me from behind as I am finishing the last dishes for the shelter.

‘I can’t help it. You’re so round and juicy…’ he says, putting his lips on my neck as he unzips my dress.

‘Stop undressing me, Black, this risotto is hot.’ Too late. My dress falls, only for the straps to catch at my elbows. He gently runs his hand over my tender breasts.

‘They are so full.’

I want to shoo him away, but he feels good too. Even sweaty. I drop the risotto and turn to face him. The look in his eyes tells me that we’re doing this. My bra pings open and, as Caleb introduces his tongue to mine, he teases the straps to meet those of my dress at my elbows before he brushes my breast with the palm of his hand and I surrender.

With one quick movement, Caleb lifts me in to him and carries me to the end of the kitchen island, then plops me on the counter. He takes the clip out of my hair and lets it fall.

‘Fuck, Aari, you’re beautiful,’ he says, before covering his mouth with mine. I’m pretty certain I look a mess with my clothes half on, hiked up and my hair absolutely everywhere. Caleb moves on to my body as he runs his tongue down my neck, chest and breasts, circling a nipple before taking it into his mouth. It feels so good, I let out a small whimper, making him stop.

‘Are you okay?’ he asks, deeply concerned.

‘More than okay,’ I gasp.

‘You have to tell me if you’re not, Mason.’

He looks unsure until I lean forward and slide my hand under his soft navy track bottoms. The moan he produces as he closes his eyes and tips his head up to the ceiling only fuels my fire. I move my hand, slowly stroking him, his hips responding to my touch. When his movements get urgent, I snake my other hand up his shirt and dig my nails into his back.

‘Shit. Okay. That’s enough fun and games.’

Caleb slides me off the counter before turning me to face it.

‘Put your hands where I can see them, bend over and spread your legs, Aari.’

I do as I am told, and bend over the counter. Caleb slowly lifts the bottom part of my dress up before pulling my underwear down to my ankles and instructing me to step out of them. I comply, keen to feel him inside me. My anticipation builds as Caleb traces his fingers up my leg and past my knee. He touches me between my legs so lightly, I push against his hand.

‘Don’t move, Mason.’

He touches me, again so lightly that I push against him, and he removes his hand.

‘So how was your day?’ he asks softly.

‘Caleb, right now, I can’t think of a single thing I did today,’ I pant. He reintroduces his hand and gives me the gift of a little stroke.

‘Want to know what I did?’

‘No.’

Caleb chuckles.

‘That’s not nice.’ He barely touches me again and I want to scream.

‘You’re dripping, Aari.’

More pressure this time as he slides a single finger over me. He holds my hips steady and away from the counter edge, then enters me slowly.

‘Oh, Caleb,’ I exhale.

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