Page 21 of Ensnared By Silence
Seeing how Amaya and Elise worked, putting Aubrey in contact with James and Devlin was not only generous but kind as well. I knew them both to be honest and loyal friends, and if Amaya thought there might be an opportunity for Aubrey, I believed it would happen for her.
Aubrey looked up at me, the wind blowing off Pierce Lake causing her brown hair to blow to the side. Her eyes were shining brightly, and I leaned over, kissing her softly. She returned the simple embrace, and I whispered, “Do you want to come back to the house? We can lie around the pool and I can cook us dinner.”
I was hopeful she wouldn’t push me away. I wasn’t used to chasing a woman, and I bedded my fair share over the years, but for Aubrey, I would run a marathon, just for the chance to hold her hand.
“Are . . . are you sure?” she asked, her eyes flickering to the side before finding mine again.
Be calm. Give her space. Don’t push her.
“Only if you’re comfortable,” I replied honestly.
“You don’t scare me. Not like . . . that,” she said and her eyes glistened.
I linked my hand with hers and brought it to my lips, kissing the back and smiling. “I promise to never hurt you. Not in any way.”
“Why promise that?” she asked as we walked to her car, her words soft and filled with curiosity and fear.
As we reached the older car, I tugged her hand, and she stopped. I smiled down at her and brushed a lock of hair from her cheek as I explained, “You’re mine, Aubrey. I wouldn’t ever hurt you. It would be like hurting a part of myself.”
“You don’t even know me.”
I stepped to her and looked deep into her emerald green eyes before I kissed her and whispered against her lips, “I saw you walk into my bar three years ago and you took a piece of my heart with you. I saw into your soul and knew you were where I was supposed to be. Our timing was off, and I’ve been waiting patiently for you to find your way to me, but I’m not waiting anymore.” Placing my hands on either side of her neck, I rubbed my thumbs over the pulse, feeling it beating rapidly, matching the staccato rhythm of mine. “Give me a chance to show you how right we are. Give me a chance to show you what true devotion is. Give me a chance to earn your trust.”
She licked her pouty lips and her eyes glistened. I caught a single tear as it fell down her cheek as she whispered, “I’ve never had anyone care about me. I don’t know how.”
“This is new to me too, so let’s find out together.”
She nodded, and I pulled her into my arms. I felt her tremble, and I kissed her head before she walked to the driver’s side and unlocked the car. I glanced over my shoulder and up onto the banisters of the building behind us. On the fifth floor, I saw Amaya and Elise with their hands over their heads, dancing around as they watched us. I smiled up at them and shook my head before getting into the cramped car.
It was old and needed some cosmetic repairs, but it appeared to run smoothly. Within a few minutes, she drove us out of the public parking lot and we entered the tree-covered road leading to my house. She parked her car in front of the closed garage, and I jogged around the car to help her out.
Silently, we entered the house, and she swallowed deeply the further in we went. I turned her to me and grasped the back of her head before dipping her down and kissing her breathless. Her body became pliable in my arms and she gripped the front of my shirt as her tongue battled with mine.
I placed her back on her feet and she swayed slightly, her gaze fuzzy and her lips swollen from our embrace. She placed her hand over her lips and smiled up at me. I wiggled my eyebrows at her and pulled her onto the back deck.
“Let me make us something to drink,” I remarked and quickly poured two glasses of fresh lemonade. Grabbing my weed box, I walked back out to find Aubrey barefoot with her pants legs rolled up and her head leaned back in the sunlight.
I placed the small tray down on the table and she lifted her head with a content smile on her face. Shielding her eyes with her hands, she watched as I rolled a joint and placed the box on the side table.
“You want some?” I asked, and she nodded, sipping her drink with a sigh.
“It’s really beautiful here.”
I looked directly at her as I replied, “Best view ever.”
Aubrey blushed, and I wanted to peck her on her cute nose. Settling for her feet in my lap, I lit the joint and passed it to her as I massaged her feet. She moaned, exhaling the sweet smoke into the air as I kneaded her arches and heels.
“Fuckkk,” she moaned, and my dick twitched under her feet.
Willing him to settle down, I took the joint from her and inhaled deeply, needing the buzz to stop me from face planting between her thighs. She watched me and I saw trust blooming under the secrets she hid. She tossed the roach into the ashtray and tilted her head to the side.
I let her feet dangle off my legs as I kicked my feet onto the coffee table and felt the sun shining down on me. After spending most nights inside the bar, I relished the moments I could enjoy the sun and peace of mind that being outside gave me.
“My dad and his girlfriend died in a house fire when I was twelve. I was the only one who made it out,” she admitted, and I fought the muscle twitch threatening to push me off the couch and drag her into my arms. She needed to speak, and I needed to listen, not react.Not yet.“I don’t know my mother. She left me with him when I was six months old and never came back.”
“I’m sorry you had to go through that, and that you lost your dad.”
“I’m not,” she replied, and her words shocked me until she continued, then my blood boiled for her. “He beat me and encouraged his girlfriend to beat me too. That scar running up my left calf was from when I fell through the floor of the trailer and he wouldn’t take me to the hospital for stitches. He starved me and treated me like I was the worst person alive. This may sound terrible, but I’m glad they’re dead.”
