AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I understand what it’s like to face difficulties.”
“I’m not talking about a bad breakup. I’m talking about making ends meet. Avoiding poverty.”
“I see that, but—”
“So, with all due respect, no, you don’t get it. Please don’t try to suggest that you do.”
I pause, pulling in a deep breath for patience. She’s right, to an extent. I’ve never lived through those experiences. I’ve been fortunate to have been born into a situation and lifestyle where I never had to worry about where I’d find money for rent or wonder if food would be waiting on the table for me. While I’ve never personally faced these issues myself, I have worked with and gotten to know many in similar positions. That’s not the same. I know it’s not. Meeting the people I do through my foundation work is not the same as living it. But I am aware. I am open-minded. I am inclusive, and I desperately want to show her empathy about the struggles she voices. But I fall short. No matter what, I will fall short.
Caleb’s correct. Aubrey isn’t like me or him. She hasn’t been raised the same way we have. But that doesn’t mean I can never relate to her or connect on any other level.
She’s not an alien, for fuck’s sake. She’s just another woman when it comes down to it, and I wish I could remove the stigma and divides that part us and keep us untouchable: poor versus rich.
“From what I can see, you are more capable than what you think.”
She waves me off, but I grab her hand and hold it to snag her attention. I hate that she refuses to at least hear me out, and I’m glad, taking it as a small win, when she doesn’t try to pull away immediately.
“You’re smart, witty, and…demanding.”
She furrows her brow. The blue darkness in her eyes glimmers with reflections of the firelight, enticing me to stare forever into her soul.
“You…you can just take what you want, Aubrey. Anyone can.”
“You think I’m demanding?” she asks.
I almost want to smile because the tone she used to ask that was demanding.
“You are demanding. Very demanding. And annoying.” I frown, letting out all the truths I’ve wished I could tell her to her face. “And downright infuriating, too. But I—”
She shifts quickly, turning to face me more directly. The blanket falls over her shoulder, and the coolness of my exposed arm makes me shiver. We’ve been sharing this flannel blanket as we sit here so close to each other and the fire.
Her brows shoot up as she waits, expecting me to finish what I cut myself off from saying. I’m not fond of this habit of actually speaking my mind around her, but I can’t stop it. I gaze at her, wondering what about her draws me so damn hard. It can’t just be the fact that we’re here together, alone. It can’t be the thrill of the moment, surviving the storm. Hell, maybe that is it. Maybe I’m desperate for her because I realized how close I came to death with that tree almost crushing me in the house.
But that’s not it either. It’s just her. Aubrey captivates me and it’s not because we are the only ones in this house or anything else about this night.
It’s just her.
“I want you.” I blurt that truth I tried to keep close, knowing the moment I let it out, everything would change.
She frowns.
“I want you. I’ve wanted you since you ripped into me for cutting you off when we got here. I can’t explain—”
I’m spared from spewing more uncensored and raw honesty.
Aubrey leans in quickly, pressing her lips to mine and silencing me.
Desire overwhelms me as her mouth brushes against mine.
I growl and don’t hesitate to kiss her back.
Chapter 15
Aubrey
Demanding?
Demanding?
