Page 28 of Tell Me No
“Look, I’m never going to give you an order, Aurora. But I would prefer it if my wife didn’t work at a strip club. Especially since you don’t really need to work at all.” I don’t mean for it to come out as possessive as it sounds, but judging by the look on her face, that’s the way she took it.
“Wow. Is that why you suggested this whole ordeal? So you can tell me whatyour wifecan and can’t do?” She snaps back.
“I just said I’m not gonna make you do anything you don’t want to do, Aurora. Don’t get pissy with me. You want to stay at that place, letting other men droll over you while you shake your ass on stage? If that’s what you need to be happy in your life, then by all means, stay there.” I tell her, rolling off my side on the bed and walking into the bathroom.
Shutting the door behind me, I hear her let out an annoyed huff. I don’t want to start an argument with her. I try to rein in my temper, knowing that getting pissed off isn’t going to solve any problems for either of us.
The bathroom door flies open, Rory standing in the doorway with her fists on her hips. She didn’t bother to put any clothes on. Instead, she stands tall, her head held high like a fucking queen, her naked body already making me forget why I was even mad.
“Is this what it’s gonna be like? You tell me what you want and I’m just supposed to obey without a fight?” She asks, anger flashing in her eyes. It shouldn’t make me so fucking hard to see her so angry, but it does.
“If you had actually listened to what I said, Aurora, you would know that’s not what I’m asking.” I grit my teeth, my hands gripping the granite countertop until my knuckles turn white. Ive never been good at keeping my emotions under control. Part of me thinks that’s why I just turned them off for most of my life. But with Aurora, I can’t do that. I can’t withdraw into myself and push her out.
“I want to dance, Jason. I need it.” Her voice breaks when she forces the last part out. I’m by her side before the tears can fall from her beautiful blue eyes. It breaks my stone heart to see her so sad, so lost over something that used to bring her such joy.
“Then dance, baby. If I have to build you a studio with my fucking bare hands, I will. If that's what it takes to make you feel safe again, to make you fall in love with your talent again, then that’s what I'll do. Those are your dreams, Aurora. No one can ever take that from you unless you give them the power to do so.” I catch her tears on my thumbs, tilting her head back and kissing her forehead softly.
“Every time I step into a studio, it's the same. I see… I see Erik in the corners. Just standing, staring. Like he’s waiting for me to fail. I can’t get it out of my head, Jason,” she buries her face in my chest, her body shaking with sobs as the weight of her pain sinks into my bones. I make a vow to myself at this moment. If I have to search the world to find him, I will exorcize her tormentor from this earth. He will die at my hand, and he’s gonna know it’s for her.
“You don’t have to carry this weight alone anymore, Aurora. You have a family that loves you so much. We will do everything we can to help you heal. You deserve to live your life exactly the wayyouwant to live it. If you want to dance, then you dance. And I will stand guard in the corners, if that's what it takes to keep your demons at bay,” I tell her, and she clings to me tightly.
“I love you, Jason. I love you so much,” she mumbles into my chest, placing a kiss against my heart.
“You belong to me, just as I belong to you. I will never stop fighting for you, even if I have to fight against you. Never doubt my love for you, because it's the only thing I am absolutely sure of.” The look of unadulterated gratitude in her eyes is enough to fuel my needs for an eternity. I kiss her with all the passion and devotion I can possibly convey.
This woman, so fucking strong but still so fragile in my arms, is my wife. Mine. Pride swells in my chest to know I get the privilege of spending the rest of my life watching her create the life she’s always dreamed of. Before I can take our kiss any deeper, a knock on the door forces us apart.
“Go away,” I shout, pulling her lips back to mine. She giggles against my lips and it’s the most beautiful sound.
“Better open this fucking door before I do,brother,” I hear Elijah’s voice call from the hallway and Aurora screams, her eyes wide and nervous.
“Oh shit! They found us!” is all she can say before dissolving into a fit of laughter.
eighteen
Hearingmy brother's voice on the other side of the door sends a momentary panic through my system. Will he be pissed? Oh, most definitely. But I hope he trusts me enough to make up my own mind. Once his protective instincts calm down, I know he’ll be happy for us.
I run back into the bedroom, sliding on some underwear and picking up Jason's black t-shirt from the end of the bed and slipping it over my head just in time for him to open the door to Elijah's furious glare.
Before anyone can say a word, Elijah's fist collides with Jason's jaw. The sound of bone on bone is so jarring. I'm stunned, absolutely speechless. Kelsea lets out a shrill scream, her hands flying up to cover her mouth. Ember stands behind Elijah, eyes wide in shock. Nobody expected that reaction.
“Oh my fucking god, ELIJAH!” I shout, coming to Jason's side to inspect my brother's handy work. Blood trickles from a split in the side of his lip, but a smile spreads widely across his face. Jason touches his thumb to the side of his mouth, wiping away the blood and huffing out a laugh.
“You get it all out?” Jason asks, purposely placing himself between my brother and I. I know without a single doubt my brother would die before hurting me. But Jason is nothing if not the most protective man I've ever known.
“Yeah, probably,” Eli replies, flexing his hand at his side. Ember rolls her eyes behind her husband.
“What. The Fuck.” I say, shooting my brother a glare that would kill if I had to power to.
“Running off to Vegas and marrying your best friend’s sister without telling anybody really ain’t cool, Aurora,” Eli says, giving me an annoyed look.
“And fucking my best friend, knocking her up, and marrying her was cool?” Kelsea interjects, quirking an eyebrow at Elijah.
“Ohhhh! She gotcha there, bro,” Iris says from the hallway.
“I don’t remember punching you in the face when I found out you and Ember were… what’s the word for it… fucking like bunnies?” Everett says, and Ember blushes the brightest shade of red.
“Look, I’m not mad, okay? I just… I wish we had been here, Bug,” my brother says, wrapping me up in a bone-crushing hug. “I always imagined I’d be the one walking you down the aisle,” he mumbles.
