Page 61 of I Shouldn't Feel This Way

“No, notmasculine.” Aria laughed. “I just think I could learn a few tricks from you at the gym—and don’t be so sexist! If a woman wants to work out and be a body builder, that doesn’t make her masculine! It makes her a strong woman—femininity intact.”

Someone read my mind … again, which explained her spontaneous counterargument.

“Lifting isn’t limited to men,” she added.

“All right, all right, I get it.” I chuckled. “I didn’t mean to discriminate against your gender. My apologies.”

“You are forgiven.”

I felt her lips on my chest and something down below automatically responded with a throb.

Fuck. Not good.

She wrapped her leg over my hip and moved in closer so that her crotch was pressed right against mine. I’m sure it was innocent on her side, but how would you even begin to explain to your own daughter thatanykind of stimulation down there would cause an erection?

“Just train me with the weights,” she said. “It wouldn’t hurt to sculpt and tone a bit.”

No way. She was sculpted enough. Every time I saw her in a pair of skinny jeans or shorts, I had to look away because … well, let’s just say it showed off one of her best assets.

“You want to work out with your old man, huh?”

“You’re not an old man—stop saying that.”

I could see that she was bothered by that comment, despite the humorous way I’d said it.

“Fine. I’m a charismatic, attractive young man. Is that better?”

Aria nodded and smiled, kissing my cheek. God, I loved her so much.

“Noah?”

“Yes, baby?”

“Can you rub my stomach? I’m cramping a little.”

“Is it that time of the month?”

“Almost.”

I placed my palm on her tummy and gently began to massage in a soothing, circular motion. She sighed and stared at me like she was searching for something in my eyes.

“Does that feel better?”

“Yes, much.”

My hand was sliding under her shirt, not of my own free will; Aria moved it for me. I was suddenly tense and nervous as my palm brushed against her soft, warm skin.

“Hey,” I said, “are you eating enough?”

“Mhm, why do you ask?”

“Well, because your stomach is just so …” Jeez, how could I say this without offending her or sounding like an ass? “… flat.”

“I guess those PE classes have been paying off. I’m working out a lot. You’re not the only gym buff around here.”

“No, I guess not.”

I brushed my fingertips over her stomach and kissed her forehead again. She was so damn beautiful. She was my angel. I caressed her like this for the longest while, until her eyelids slowly drooped shut and her breathing became slow and shallow. It was probably best to get her back in bed, so I gently lifted her in my arms and carried her to her bedroom.

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