Page 68 of Worth Every Risk

“Does it feel that way to you?”

Her brows draw together. “Not at first. It felt right. So right. The most right thing in the world. And then…”

I turn to face her, leaning back against the sink. “Then what?”

“Then it scared me, feeling that way. Being so open to you. I shut down the connection. I didn’t mean to. And then you noticed, and it felt like you thought it was all a mistake. All of it happened in the blink of an eye, and then you walked in here like you were trying to escape.”

I blow out a breath. She saweverything. In seconds, she had me all figured out.This is intense. And also ridiculous, the way we’re both naked, discussing what ought to have been nothing more than a quick and satisfying fuck. And Aries is only making it worse with her talk about connection and openness and all that bullshit. Only it’snotbullshit, because I know exactly what she means...

I did this. I fucked this up, and I don’t know how to unfuck it.

Moments ago, our bodies were so in tune, so perfect together, and now there’s an insurmountable gulf between us.

“Is this a one-time thing?” she asks, her voice full of pain. “Should I leave?”

I rub the heels of my palms against my eyes and let out a frustrated groan. “No. I’m sorry. It’s just… I wasn’t expecting it to be the way it was either. I wasn’t—”

“I know. I get it.”

“You do?”

A tentative smile pulls at her lips. “I was there too, remember?”

I laugh, but without opening my mouth to release the sound. “Shit.”

She takes a step towards me, cautious at first, but then with more confidence. “There’s one thing I really do need to know,” she says, looking at me seriously. “Am I going to get more time with that huge dick of yours? Because if not, you’re going to have to clone it for me.”

I laugh aloud now, unsure what the hell she means, but grateful that she’s making light of whatever just happened. “Huh?”

“Make a model. Turn it into a dildo. So I can fuck myself with it every day.”

This woman is full of surprises. I smile, shaking my head. My dick is hardening again at the thought. She nods knowingly at my growing erection.

I don’t know how she did it, but she dispelled the tension like it was nothing more than morning mist.Maybe she’s the sun.She shakes that mane of red hair and laughs, and for a second my heart stops beating.Definitely the sun.

I step towards her, meeting her in the middle of the bathroom. I wrap my arms around her and kiss the top of her head. “You don’t need a dildo. You can have the real thing. It has to stay attached to me, though.”

Her cheeks fill out as a broad smile splits her face. “Thank you. That’s all I needed to know. We can forget about all the other stuff.”

I lean away from her. “What other stuff?”

“All the stuff you were saying to me with your eyes.”

I purse my lips, giving her my best sceptical look. “You think my eyes were speaking to you?”

“The eyes are the window to the soul. They’re always talking. You can’t hide anything from me, Matt.”

It’s only the second time she’s said my name, and the raw ache of my heart heals a fraction at the intimacy it conveys, as though, right now, I’m not her boss at all. “I don’t know whether to be reassured or disturbed by that idea.”

She tilts her head up, meeting my concern with unflinching directness. “Then don’t think about it. Let’s just fuck again instead.”

I burst out laughing and she wraps her arms around me, pressing her cheek against my chest.

I hold her tight. “You are definitely a dream.”

It’s nearly dawn and we’ve barely slept. Aries is insatiable.

“It’s one of my favourite things.” She’s in the middle of telling me about her penchant for dildos and masturbation. I’m stroking her stomach and breasts with one hand as she lies on the bed next to me, our legs intertwined, and I love the intimacy of it. I’d say I’d missed it, but the truth is, I’ve never known it. Not the way it feels with Aries. “Any time I’m not feeling great, I set aside time for self pleasure. Nothing shakes up your energy system like an orgasm.”

---