Page 79 of Bake You Mine
“I feel like I did when I was little, in a blanket fort,” Aubrey said.
She reached her hand between them; it came to rest on his hardness.
He exhaled as she gave him a gentle stroke through the fabric. “I think we had very different childhoods. I was never alone long enough to do something like that.”
The noise he emanated was part groan, part laugh. She trailed her hand up and down the length of him. “You know what I mean. Minus the sex part.”
He fell over onto his side, with her rolling to face him. “Were you lonely a lot as a kid?”
She brushed her hair from her eyes. “I mean, kind of. We moved around a lot. I learned to make the most of relationships while I had them because we’d be moving again sooner or later.”
“I was born in Port Fortune and lived here until I turned eighteen. That’s why I was so desperate to leave, y’know?”
“It must have been nice, that stability. But there were upsides. I got to see the world at a very young age. Something I’ve tried to mimic for Daphne. We’re planning a trip over spring break next year to Paris. It’ll be her first time going, and she’s so excited, as she’s heard me talk about the time I’ve spent there.”
He frowned at the thought of her making plans without him. Then he realized how insane that was. He wasn’t the barnacle type, so why did he want to latch onto Aubrey? “That sounds fun. I went to Paris all the time when I lived in London.”
“I think that’s why you and I get along, Liam. We both made our own paths.”
“I agree. If you don’t mind, can we switch topics and positions? You have a lot on your plate right now. How about I lessen your load a bit?”
She snorted. “Load.”
“You’re officially thirteen years old.”
“Hey, you should be glad I’m showing you my authentic self. Dumb jokes and all.”
He rolled over, taking the covers with him as he settled on her.
“Covers, STAT. You keep your place too cold, Linley.”
They pulled the covers over them as she sent her hands onto his hips, catching his boxers at the waist and edging them off. He shoved them further down his legs. They stayed there asAubrey kissed him. He exhaled, happy that whatever weirdness had bothered her earlier had vanished. He braced himself by her head as he deepened the kiss, loving the way her fingers traced along his back as they explored one another.
She slid one hand out of their blanket fort, tugged open the nightstand drawer, and produced a condom.
“You’re in a hurry tonight, aren’t you?” he asked.
“Is that so bad? To know I want you as much as I do?”
Their eyes locked under the blankets. Her face was hidden by shadow. He couldn’t take his eyes off her as he ripped open the packet with his teeth. Their blanket fort fell apart as he leaned back to slide the condom on.
“Of course not, it’s flattering as hell.”
Her gaze was soft and focused as she took him in. She brought her hands together, rubbing fiercely. “Oof, I’m cold!”
“I’ll keep the thrusting to a minimum to keep the covers in place.” He finished rolling on the condom and descended on her once more, bringing the covers tightly around them.
“You’re such a dork. I never would have expected that, given your face.”
He guided himself into her, relishing in her happy sigh. “Hey, you should know better than to judge a book by its cover.”
He dropped his elbows to either side of her shoulders and began to move inside of her. She leaned forward, bringing their mouths together. This closeness was new. Maybe he was stupid to consider it, but this kind of felt like forever.
twenty-three
“Eww!”Kiki and Brody recoiled, giggling when Liam set the serving tray in front of them. He could think of no better audience to try this recipe on than his niece and nephew.
“Uncle Liam, what is that?” Kiki asked.
