Page 24 of Pregnant by the Texan
With a quick glance he reached over to take her hand. As he looked back at the highway, he squeezed her hand lightly. “Royal is lucky to have you,” he said.
She laughed. “And you. And Cole and Lark and Megan and so many other people who are helping.” He signaled a turn. “There’s a farm road. We’re stopping so I can send the text.”
As soon as he stopped he unbuckled his seat belt and reached over to wrap his arms around her and pull her toward him.
“Aaron, what are you doing?”
“Kissing you. I think you’re great, Stella,” he said. As she started to reply, his mouth covered hers. It was as if he had waited years to kiss her. Startled, she didn’t move for a second. Then she wrapped her arm around his neck to hold him while she kissed him in return.
What started out fun and rewarding changed as their desire blossomed. She wound her fingers in his hair, suddenly wanting to be in his arms and have all the constraints out of her way. She wanted Aaron with a need that overwhelmed her. The kiss deepened, became more passionate. She wanted to be in his arms, in his bed, making love. Would it give them a chance to fall in love?
She moaned softly, losing herself in their kiss, running one hand over his muscled shoulder, holding him with her other arm.
She realized how intense this had become and finally leaned away a fraction. Her breathing was ragged. His light brown eyes had darkened with his passion. Desire was blatant in their depths, a hungry look that fanned the fires of her own longing.
“You did well today. You’re taking back another check to help people,” he said, his gaze drifting over her face. “When we get back we’ll go to dinner and celebrate.”
“I’m glad you went with me.”
He moved away and she watched as he sent a text. He lowered his phone. “I want to wait a minute in case they answer right away.”
His phone beeped and he scanned the message. “You’re set for Wednesday,” he said, putting away his phone. “We’ll go home now.”
She had a tingling excitement. Part of it was relief that the talk was over and she had been able to raise some money for Royal. Part of it was wanting Aaron and knowing they would be together longer.
* * *
They met again for dinner in the dining room at the inn. Both had changed to sweaters and slacks. Throughout dinner Stella still felt bubbly excitement and when Aaron finally escorted her back to her suite, she paused at her door to put her arms around him and kiss him.
For one startled moment he stood still, but then his arm circled her waist and he kissed her in return. Without breaking the kiss, he took her key card from her, unlocked her door and stepped inside. He picked her up and let the door swing shut while she reached out to hit the light switch.
Relishing being in his arms, she let go of all the problems for a few minutes while they kissed. Their kisses were becoming more passionate, demanding. He set her on her feet and then his hands were in her hair. The long locks tumbled down as the pins dropped away. As he kissed her, his hand slipped beneath her sweater to cup her breast and then lightly caress her.
She moaned, clinging to him, on fire with wanting him. He stepped back, pulling her blue sweater over her head and tossing it aside. He unfastened her bra and cupped her full breasts lightly in his hands. “You’re soft,” he whispered, leaning down to kiss her and stroke her with his tongue.
She gasped with pleasure, clinging to him, wanting him with her whole being but finally stopping him and picking up her sweater to slip it over her head again.
“Aaron, I need to sort things out before we get more deeply involved, and if we make love, I’ll be more involved emotionally.”
“I think we’re in about as deep as it gets without marriage or a permanent commitment,” he said solemnly. His voice was hoarse with passion. “You can ‘sort’ things out. I want you, Stella. I want you in my arms, in my bed. I want to make love all night.”
Every word he said made her want to walk back into his arms, but she stood still, trying to take her time the way she should have when she first met him, before she made a physical commitment. Could they fall in love if she just let go and agreed to marry him? Or would she be the only one to fall in love while Aaron still stayed coolly removed from emotional involvement or commitment?
“Aaron, we really don’t know a lot about each other,” she said, and that shuttered look came over his expression. A muscle worked in his jaw as he stared at her in silence.
“What would you like to know?” he asked stiffly.
“I don’t know enough to ask. I just think we should get to really know each other.”
He nodded. “All right, Stella. Whatever you want. Let’s eat breakfast together. The more we’re together, the better we’ll know each other.”
“I’ll see you at breakfast. Thanks again for today. It was nice to raise the money for people here and to have your moral support in Lubbock today.”
“Good. See you at seven in the morning.”
“Sure,” she said, following him to the door. He turned to look at her and she gazed into his eyes, her heart beginning to drum again as her gaze lowered to his mouth. She wanted his kisses, wanted to stop being cautious, but that’s how she had gotten pregnant. Now if she let go, she might fall in love when he wouldn’t. Yet, was she going to lose a chance on winning his love because of her caution? She couldn’t see any future for them the way things were.
Five
