Page 53 of Unmasking Love
"Hi!" I say as I, eagerly, reach up and throw my hands around his neck in a hug. I didn’t plan it but the pull towards him is overwhelming. His wide hand falls to my back as he hunches over and keeps us upright. It’s a good thing he’s got this under control because all my joints have turned to jell-o in his embrace and without him holding me up I’d be a puddle on the ground.
Over the course of all our texting I forgot how tall he is. He’s lean but solid. And seeing him in all his goalie gear also plays with my perception. He fills the net when I’ve seen him play and tonight, his height fills my doorway. "Good to see you!"
"Uh, yeah, you too." He says with a little laugh. "C'mon, Felix is waiting."
Aiden ushers me to the car with a hand at my back and, like when he brought me lunch, it sends a wave of liquid gold through my body. He opens the door for me and I climb in.
"Harper, you look lovely tonight!" Felix says from the driver's seat.
"Thank you, Felix."
The guy in the front seat turns around and holds out a hand, "Hi, I'm Bryson, we met on FaceTime but it’s nice to meet you in person. And, it's my birthday."
"Happy birthday, Bryson." I say as we shake hands. Aiden climbs in next to me and the car feels a lot smaller than it did a few seconds ago. The air is thicker. Charged.
"Young Gun, tell Harper she looks nice," Felix prompts as he starts to drive.
"You look nice." He says and I laugh.
"Was that painful?" I tease quietly as I throw an elbow into his arm.
He leans over and as soon as he's in my personal space my nerves start humming. "No. I just don't like an audience."
"Oh."
The ride to the club isn't long but Aiden stays close to me. At one point I use his thigh for balance because Felix took a tight turn and as much as I liked feeling his solid muscles under my fingers, I pulled my hand away when the car straightened out. I didn’t want to be too forward. When we pull up to the club Aiden rounds the back of the car to meet me. I pivot my legs to slide out of the SUV and slip my hand into the one he offers me.
And neither of us let go.
None of my previous boyfriends were hand holders. Well, not that Aiden is my boyfriend, but he's a boy who is my friend who has seen me naked and who I told I want to see naked. We’re whatever label that is.
He holds my hand as we're escorted to the VIP section. He holds my hand as introductions are made to other teammates. He holds my hand on the way to the bar to get a drink. He lets go when I lean against the bar in the back of the VIP area and my hand feels heavy with out the support of his. I bite on my smile as I feel his hand fall to the small of my back instead.
My body, and my sentimental heart, are clamoring for the connection. These touches aren't overtly sexual, but I am wound up nonetheless. My nerves are tuned in to every minuscule movement we make and how it impacts where we’re touching.
His hand slides across my low back to my hip that he nudges back and I turn my whole body to face him. I expect him to take his hand away but he settles in and his thumb slips under the hem of my shirt causing lightning bolts to crack in my veins.
I sip my ranch water cocktail as Aiden sips a beer. Our eyes connect over the drinks and I find myself wanting to know everything going on behind those crisp blue eyes. On my next sip, I let my gaze wander south. I take in his broad chest under a black button up, his gray dress pants that fit tight around his athletic thighs. I scan back up and catch a glint of a chain around his neck I've never noticed before.
"What's this?" I ask as I snake a finger under the delicate gold.
"A necklace," he says into my ear and I laugh.
"C'mon, tell me," I say as I take the risk and flatten my palm along his chest. His heart beats steadily under my hand and he makes no move to separate us.
"It's something I've had for a while." He says before setting his beer down and then taking my drink too. "Let's dance."
He reaches for my hand again but this time he winds it around my back and lets me lead the way into the crowd. The house music thumps through my veins and as I start to sway side to side, Aiden keeps our fingers interlaced but moves my hand to my front. He presses my stomach and I lean back into his chest. We grind to a beat that is slightly slower than anyone around us and he uses his free hand to brush the hair off my neck. He slowly, gently, presses a kiss to my pulse and my knees nearly give out.
"No more tequila for you tonight," he whispers against my ear and I smile.
"But can I still get naked for you?" I tease.
"I'm going to insist you do." His voice is like black silk sliding across my body and I melt into him a little more.
We dance, one song blends into the next. Sweat slides down my back and I can feel Aiden thickening behind my ass. His big hand pushes on my hip and he turns me so I'm facing him. I catch his eyes in the flashing lights. His pupils are wide and I get lost in their depths. He brings our joined hands up to the back of his neck and plants my palm there.
His long hair is damp, the strands are cool to the touch but his skin is hot. It’s like the burn of touching an ice cube right out of the freezer.
