"I didn't know you could dance like that." Alice stared at Aaron dreamily, making me a bit uncomfortable. Alright, I was a bit jealous. I have a right to when any woman looks at my husband that way.
But I did notice how Aaron's eyes become a bit cold and distant when he's talking to someone else. When he looks at me, there's a slight softness to them. I'm not saying that he gets all dreamy eyed and that love radiates from them. I won't fool myself. But he does look at me with a bit more care. That's a big step for me.
All I want is that he cares from me. Maybe he'll love me someday and I'll love him too. But as of right now, I wanted him to care for me as much as I cared for him. And since this trip started I've gotten a step closer to accomplishing just that.
"I didn't know you could even dance at all." Greg shook his head amazed.
"Those moves were sick." Jared grinned at my husband.
Everyone was surprised that Aaron danced, that he laughed, that he was still smiling and probably still thinking about the kiss we set on display.
Almost everyone at school knows we're married, but sharing a kiss like that in public made me a tad bit uncomfortable. Now whenever I looked at someone, they wiggled their eyebrows at me and their eyes went into suggestive mode.
It felt intrusive.
And like Aaron said, we were raised differently. So I didn't understand why he put that in display.
God, I'm giving a kiss-- a mind melting kiss-- too much thought.
Instead I decided to focus on the conversation before me.
"I seriously thought you were too cool to even bother listening to this sort of music, let alone dance to it." Leah admitted with a blush.
"Your husband is full of surprises Regan." Alice wiggled her eyebrows at me, making me give an awkward cough.
"Enough talk. Lets party! It's our last year!" Jared cheered and pulled Alice away to dance. Greg did the same with Leah while Elliot was following Jess around.
Aaron and I sat down on the log.
"I don't think I can move." I commented. "All that food and then the dancing. I'll gladly go into a coma for a week."
"I didn't peg you for the lazy sort." Aaron said as he looked down at me. The laugh from his eyes and mouth were gone, replaced by a curious glance.
"I have my moments. Or are you going to tell me you don't doze off at the office from now and then?" of course I was only joking but he surprised me by blushing just a little. I think it was a blush, it was dark so I couldn't be a hundred percent sure. But he did avert his eyes.
"Oh my god! You do!" I teased.
"I do not." he paused, winced and looked back at me. "Okay maybe it happened once or twice but that was when--" he cut himself off, a sad and pained emotion crossed his eyes, going away in a blink.
I opened my mouth to ask what it was but, of course, our night couldn't be made without the insufferable, nosy, annoying trio didn't make an appearance.
"That was quite a kiss." one said.
It had me thinking, I really need to ask the guys how they differentiate them. It's so annoying not knowing who is who.
"You know, if you get bored of her, we're always available. Our cabin is just a few away from yours. We're with the yellow group." the second exact replica smiled flirtatiously.
"Now I know where not to go." Aaron pulled up that cold and distant attitude. The one that came with the I-don't-care-if-you-die-as-long-as-you-don't-bother-me look, along with the go-away-I-don't-have-time-for-you. Yeah, he has many kinds of looks. It's the only way to describe them. And boy where they effective? He made you feel like an insect who shouldn't had even bothered to survive this long.
"Do you always play hard to get? That's so sexy." and the third opened her mouth.
I groaned at the cliché. But what's high school without some drama?
At least they're not talking about what I'm wearing and how I should buy things from this designer in Milan. Or how pretty those shoes were, recommending me stores. Or how I needed a new stylists. Asking when I'll go through my first surgery, saying how I wasn't going to stay young forever.
Just remembering all that made my stay here a dream come true.
I did love fashion and cared for my appearance, but I tend to be a little bit more laid back and not so talkative about it.
"Go find your own sexy man." I said disinterested. If I showed them they bothered me, they will never stop. At the end of the day, I am married to Aaron. I am Mrs. Scarlatti. So let them try all they can. Aaron isn't cheating on me. If he knows what's good for him.
"See? She's such a party pooper." one groaned.
"She's such a little bitch looking for attention." the other followed.
"I'm sure she doesn't even pleases you at night. We can always show you how a real woman handles a man. We're not afraid to touch you, anywhere. I bet she doesn't even get down on her knees."
And Aaron gawked at them together with me.
Okay, we did not use those expressions. Once I did and my mom slapped some sense into me. Literally. One thing is to talk with class and another is to talk normally, like the young lady I am. But it's an entire different thing to be vulgar.
We, Aaron and I, stood up. Of course still staring at them as if they'd grown another head.
I may not be a full grown woman or old enough, but I tended to be mature. And even mature or not, I had some decency. By God, that had been drilled into me since I could remember.
Aaron and I came from families who were big on honor, respect, honesty, loyalty, decency and many more. So we were a bit appalled to be hearing this kind of talk. I mean I'm sure we think of things that way sometimes, call people names in our heads, but the words were never spoken. That's what counted.
Maybe Aaron thought of saying: "I want to fuck you" or "I want to bang" or any other way of sex, but he wouldn't say it like that. He'll be more like: "I want to take you to bed" or "I want to make love to you" or "I want to touch you." That made a difference.
And since everyone we're used to treating and mingling with, whatever you can call it, were always decent and respectful. Well mannered.
The triplets could bad mouth us and everyone all they wanted, but going from that to talking about our sexual life? That was seriously crossing the line.
So the lack of decency and their sudden interest in our sexual life, which was non-existent, was a shock.
"Judging from your looks, I'm right. She doesn't do good in bed." she got close to him, running a hand over his chest. "Why don't you ditch her and come with me? We'll have some fun. I bet there are a lot of thing I can do that she can't."
Aaron gripped the hand on his chest and pulled it away, letting go as if the girl before him sickened him.
"No woman has ever disgusted me as much as you." venom dripped from Aaron's mouth. "I'm not even sure I could call you one. You are one immature little girl-"
"She's our age, you don't seem to mind that." one pouted.
"Regan is my wife. She's mature enough to be anyone's. And she has more decency, more beauty and many other qualities you wish you had. So why don't you go back to your pathetic life and leave us alone?"
"But-"
"I'm not asking for your permission, I'm ordering you to." then his voice went colder, a dangerous glint in his eyes. "You don't want to mess with me little girls. You really don't."
There was a long pause.
"What are you waiting for? Leave us alone!" I snapped.
They regarded us with wary glances but didn't leave without a word. "Whatever, it was boring here anyways."
Aaron was a bit mean to them, but maybe that's what they needed to leave us alone. Then there's also the fact that he's used to being the top symbol of authority and he didn't like being messed with.
"They could have been raised better." he mumbled, still glaring after them. So I pulled his face towards me, with my hand on his cheek.
"Not everyone was raised to follow the higher societies rules. We were one of the unlucky bunch who couldn't have fun." I chuckled at his frown. "It's not normal to be raised with the sole purpose to be a wife, or be raised to take over your dad's business and be a husband. Not everyone had virtues and expectations drilled into their heads like us. We're the strange ones here, Aaron."
He opened his mouth to speak but I ran my thumb over his lips, succeeding in stopping him.
"We walk straight, as if we have a metal bar on our backs. We wear expensive clothes. We eat as if we're royalty. We speak a bit more formally than the rest of the guys here. Then you're mostly serious, as if nothing amuses you. The biggest one is that we're married and we're richer than rich. By God, be wary if we start dancing and touching food with our bare hands!"
Aaron chuckled, his arms going around my waist as he leaned down.
"I knew marrying you wasn't a bad idea. I enjoy your company."
"Really?" the idea excited me.
"Really." the smile forgotten, he leaned down until our lips touched softly. The kiss was kept that way, soft and gentle. Before it could escalate into something more, Aaron pulled away. "Enough show for one night."
I felt him stiffen as I wrapped my arms around his torso, laying my cheek on his chest. His arms slowly held me back.
"Am I being clingy? Because I can always fake to cough or sneeze to pull away." I suggested a bit pained.
He didn't answer for a while and that worried me. Just as I pulled away to fake a cough, my friends approached us.
"You guys are quite the pair." Jared commented. "The way you got rid of the triplets was impressive. Mean and cold hearted, but efficient."
"How did-"
"Don't worry darling, we were paying attention. That's why we noticed." Elliot winked at me.
"You're too well mannered to do something. Want me to beat them up for you?" Alice cracked her knuckles for emphasis.
"Alice!" Leah exclaimed with embracement.
"What? Those three need to learn a lesson." Alice said in her defense.
"I think that after that cold rejection, they won't get close to Mr. Scarlatti or any guy for that matter." Jess chuckled.
"Aaron's fine." my husband said but didn't smile. His voice was void of emotion and so were his eyes.
Nobody said anything. They all just shifted uncomfortably in their spots.
I've got a feeling he's going back to the Aaron I've always known.
And for one of those rare times, I was right. Aaron went back to his usual self. Cold, distant, uninterested, emotionless. All in a matter of minutes. It made everyone around us uncomfortable.
The tricky part was when we went back to the cabin. We had to share a bed.
Aaron went inside the bathroom to change while the rest of us did it in the room. All of us putting on some comfortable pajamas. I have to admit I don't really know what Aaron sleeps in. If he wears anything at all.
The thought made me anxious.
After a couple of minutes Aaron said he was coming out of the bathroom. We all said we were changed and he walked out wearing a pair of gray sweat pants. Nothing more.
Leah and Alice blushed at the sight. Of course I was red as a tomato too.
My God, he was all muscle. Near to flawless skin. I noticed a few scars and it mare me curious to know how he got them.
He also seemed to sense the discomfort, you could say, of my friends. As he placed his clothes back in his suitcase, he pulled out a midnight blue shirt.
"I'm not use to wearing one." he explained.
"No problem." Alice managed.
"Yeah, um..." Leah stared at Aaron and I, since we were both stuck.
We've never actually pulled the love embrace in front of others. What I mean is that there hasn't been any need to sleep in the same bed for the night and fake we liked it. Earlier today I fell asleep on him, but I'm quite positive he pulled away once I dozed off. And still it was only an hour or two. But now we had to sleep the whole night. We had to actually touch each other since we're so in love and married.
"Don't feel uncomfortable with us. You guys can hug and all, just don't start taking each other's clothes off." Alice blushed and got in her bed. Leah mimicked her as Aaron turned off the light.
The worst part is that before, when I took my nap, he was acting a bit sweet and caring. Right now he's his usual indifferent self, probably mad and tired.
Great.
I got on the bed and Aaron did the same. We laid on our backs awkwardly for a few moments. Then we moved a bit closer to each other until I was caged between his arms and chest. He was rigid and so was I.
"You can let go once they fall asleep. Or we can pull the covers over our heads and just lay close to each other. That can-"
"Just sleep, Regan." Aaron cut me off sharply.
I winced but tried my best to obey.
A million thoughts went inside my head. I replayed every moment I've had with Aaron until now.
The first was around a month ago, I didn't have an actual encounter with him but I did know I was going to be his wife. My mother had come rushing into my room with a big smile on her perfect face. She'd said that I wasn't going to marry Carter Ridgeway anymore, but Aaron Scarlatti instead. Apparently my father and his father had talked over a contract signing and Mr. Scarlatti had made the proposal. Of course it was something to be thought through, but they had no doubts. Aaron was a great man, respectful, honorable, mature, knew the business and was of our social status. So we started planning for a small wedding in Australia, far away from family friends.
After everything was set, Aaron and I saw each other for the first time a week before our wedding. We talked a bit, he was very serious at first but loosened up a little bit as we went along. He asked me on a few dates, very formal dates. That's when he gave me the necklace I love so much, the one with the interlocked hearts. The night after that he gave me the engagement ring and then we were all on a plane to Australia. Only close friends assisted. Only a few knew it was arranged.
There was no honeymoon. My parents left right after the wedding. Aaron made a call and had all of our belongings moved from one State to another. When we got home-- where we live now-- after just a few hours of saying "I do", he walked inside the house and led me to my room, he said he had work to do and walked out. I was still wearing my dress.
It pained me to remember that and the events that followed. I knew he respected me and took me into consideration in some things. He had the staff obey my every demand, just as they obeyed him without a thought. He made sure that when he introduced me there was not a single chance of disrespecting me. He was very firm on the fact that I was Mrs. Scarlatti and wouldn't be treated otherwise.
"Stop squirming." Aaron whispered.
"Sorry." I went still, even though my arms were starting to go numb.
"Regan." Aaron warned as I started moving again.
"It's just--" I groaned. "My arms are getting numb."
He was quiet for a little while and at first I thought he had simply ignored me and gone to sleep. But a minute later he answered.
"Turn around." he ordered.
"What?" was my brilliant answer.
"Turn around." he repeated somewhat annoyed. When I did he placed a hand over me, and we were spooning.
I felt his hand brush my neck and I felt goose bumps rise as I failed to resist a shiver. A second later I realized he was pushing my hair away. But he was breathing right on my neck! So distracting. How am I supposed to sleep now?
It didn't help that his arm was secured tightly on my lower abdomen and that he had me pressed to his chest. A very warm, muscled, strong, firm chest.
"Now sleep." Aaron mumbled and left me with wild thoughts running through my head when he pressed those perfect lips on my neck. He kissed my neck!
Oh God, you can take me now.
Aaron goes from I-don't-care-about-you to I-like-you then back to I-don't-like-you and now he wants to spoon and he kisses my neck for no real purpose. I mean the girls are sleeping, they can't see if he kisses me or not!
Why do you have to be so confusing, Aaron?
The next morning was a bit awkward. Alice and Leah hadn't woken up yet but Aaron and I were wide awake.
We both stood up and grabbed clothes from our suitcases. I settled for a beige spaghetti strap summer dress and sandals to go with it. As I made my way to the bathroom, Aaron was thinking the same. So we stood there stuck.
"You can shower first." I said. Aaron nodded and walked inside the bathroom, closing the door behind him.
Several minutes later the door opened. Aaron wore a pair of white pants and no shirt.
"I need to shave. You can shower while I'm at it." he suggested, succeeding in making me blush.
Unable to find my voice I nodded and walked inside the bathroom, he closed the door after me. Then I noticed he hadn't turned around, which means he was waiting for me to get naked and get inside the shower.
I feel so wanted.
Not.
With a sigh I stripped off my clothes and got behind the curtain.
"You can turn around. Don't worry, I'm behind the curtain, you won't get eye cancer. Or nightmares from my hideous body." I voiced annoyed.
"Don't start." Aaron warned.
I rolled my eyes and started the shower. I went for cold water.
I heard a few noises and guess it was Aaron moving around. This felt so strange. I mean, it's what real married couples do. They shower together, okay we're not showering together but he's inside the bathroom while I'm showering. He's also shaving. I was dying to watch him do so, maybe another time.
I finished and shut off the water, grabbing my towel and drying myself the best I could.
"Um, Aaron?"
"Yes?"
"Either you turn away from the mirror, or I walk out of here naked or you hand me my underwear. You choose."
After a few seconds the curtain opened and I let out a squeal, rapidly covering myself with the towel. Aaron held my underwear in his hand.
"Thank you." I mumbled nervously.
He closed the curtain again and I dressed, sort of. I walked out of the shower with just my underwear and went to grab my dress. Aaron didn't even glance at me as I slipped the dress on. With a frustrated sigh I walked up to stand next to him, grabbing my comb to tame my hair.
I have to admit it was fascinating to watch him. He was done shaving and looked amazing as ever. And smelled so good.
He must rarely wear a shirt in his room because he isn't wearing one right now and last night he hadn't one on when he walked out of the bathroom. Fascinating. I chuckled.
"What is it?" he asked as he leaned against the wall next to the mirror, watching me.
"Just remembering things." I lied and he noticed but didn't say a word.
I set the comb down and gathered my clothes.
"So, you're going back to your usual self?" I dared to ask. "What hit the switch? The fact that the triplets got on your nerves? Your distaste towards me? Tired of acting?"
Aaron stared at me intently for what seemed like eons.
I let out a shriek as he grabbed me by the waist and lifted me up to sit me by the sink countertop. I let out a gasp as I saw the lust in those blue-green eyes.
Any protest was muffled by his lips as he laid them on mine. And just like before, there was so much passion behind the kiss. His hands were gripping me tightly by the waist as he ravished my mouth. I was feeling lightheaded as his tongue invaded every inch of my mouth. On instinct, I wrapped my legs around his torso, my hands going around his neck as I pulled him closer. If that was even possible. The groan at the back of his throat sounded so sexy that I bit down gently on his lip as I stroked the back of his neck, just to hear it again.
As if he too concluded that he needed oxygen, he pulled away slightly. We were both panting, his lips swollen, probably mirroring mine. And just in a blink, his mouth was on me again. This time his hands didn't stay still. One went to my thigh, pushing the dress up to touch skin. While the other held me close to him, wrapped around my torso. I let my hands wonder to his chest, letting my nails scrape gently over him.
An embarrassing moan left my mouth as his lips traveled to my neck, where he began to nip, suckle and lick right under the spot below my jaw. My legs tightened around him, one hand gripping his shoulder, sinking my nails in, as the other hand cradled his head close.
The moans became gasps and pants as his mouth traveled to my ear, where he captured my earlobe with those glorious lips of his. Then his mouth was back on mine, this time a bit patient. Little by little the kiss became gentler and softer, until it was just a touch of lips.
"We should get out. Maybe your friends are awake." Aaron pulled away, helping me get off the sink's countertop. "And I'm hungry."
Words had taken a trip and wouldn't come back to me, so I simply nodded and gathered my clothes. Aaron opened the door and walked out. I noticed that Alice and Leah were sitting on the same bed, both blushing. Oh God, they'd heard!
I felt my face heat up and I didn't dare to look at them. Aaron pulled on a blue shirt after placing all his dirty clothes inside the bag Fuller had packed for us to place them in.
Leah got up, walking straight into the bathroom.
"Next time, try to not be so loud." Aaron whispered in my ear from behind me, sending shivers down my spine. Making my face heat up again as he gently nipped at my shoulder.
I turned around, my mouth hanging open. And God help me, he was smirking down at me.
"Not be loud? Maybe you should at least warm me so I can get a sock and shove it in my mouth!" I hissed.
"Kinky." Aaron chuckled as he went to sit on his side of the bed, looking very interested in the contents inside his phone as I gawked at him.