Chapter 24

They ordered take-outs before heading to Aubrey’s apartment. The ever-friendly doorman greeted them cheerfully when they arrived, grinning brightly at Eric as if they were old time buddies.

“I like that guy,” Eric said as they approached the elevator.

“Everyone does,” Aubrey replied. “I bet he’s extra friendly to you because he thinks you’re my boyfriend.”

“Aren’t I?” Eric teased.

“Since when?”

“Since today. We are friends, aren’t we?”

Aubrey chuckled. “I wouldn’t call us that, but I see where you’re going with this.”

“Where?”

The elevator dinged and the doors swished open. “Welcome to the 7th floor,” Aubrey said, leading the way to her apartment.

“Hmm…swanky,” Eric commented when he followed her into his apartment. “This place looks like an art studio.”

“I’ll take that as a compliment, thanks,” she said with a satisfied smile.

“I don’t know if I can stay here for the night,” he said, sounding worried.

Aubrey’s brows furrowed. “Why not?”

“I’m a very clumsy guy, and I might accidentally break something here. These things look pretty rare and expensive.”

Aubrey couldn’t help but laugh. “Don’t be silly, Eric. Most of them aren’t as fragile as they look. But please, try not to break anything. You were right—they are very expensive and some of them can’t be replaced, so get yourself together and don’t destroy my shit.”

His eyebrows shot up. “A lady who curses? I’ll be damned.”

“Stop it,” Aubrey laughed. “I’m not a prude, you know. People just seem to think that I am.”

“I know. I was just kidding,” he said softly. He didn’t want her to have to explain herself to him, not after what he’d learned about her today. Everyone needed to cut her some slack.

Eric was surprised at how he suddenly felt protective of Aubrey—as if someone had entrusted her in his care. She is yours to protect, his mind told him. She’s your mate.

“Let me show you around,” Aubrey said.

After giving him a tour of her apartment, she excused herself to go take a shower and freshen up for the night. Eric on the other hand made himself comfortable on the plush white couch and surfed the channels on Aubrey’s 52-inch smart TV. He couldn’t help but compare her exquisite apartment to his own college dorm-looking loft in Fairbanks that was filled with baseball knick knacks and scanty souvenirs from his few travels.

When Aubrey eventually emerged from her bedroom several minutes later, Eric’s jaw went slack at the sight of her. He felt his cock twitch in his pants and his pulse picked up speed immediately. Aubrey was dressed in an open black silk robe that was designed with Oriental patterns, the skimpy black nightie she wore was see-through, showing her beautiful naked body underneath it. She wore her long hair loose, draping the jet-black locks over one shoulder. To say that she looked breathtaking would be an understatement—she looked ephemeral.

“Wow,” Eric breathed as she continued to approach him.

“Like what you see?” She asked seductively.

Eric gulped. “I love it,” he whispered.

“Good, because it’s all yours tonight,” she said and sat down beside him on the couch.

“Only tonight?”

She shrugged. “You’re only going to be here tonight,” she said.

“Yeah…that’s correct,” he said and leaned closer to her to sniff her neck. He heard her suck in breath as his nose grazed her neck lightly.

“That feels good,” she sighed. Her hand came up behind his head to pull him closer. He pressed his lips to her neck and began to French kiss that sensitive spot. Aubrey moaned and pressed herself into him, her whole body quivered as he continued nuzzle and kiss her neck with so much intensity, it was as if he was making love to that part of her body.

She shrugged off her robe, letting it fall to the ground to form a pool of black silk around her hips. Eric transferred his attention to her lips, kissing her with so much passion that Aubrey felt her entire being vibrate with ecstasy. He grazed a thumb over one erect nipple, and he felt her shudder.

“Does your boyfriend make you feel this way?” He asked against her lips.

“Who?” She asked absently.

“That red-headed clown I saw you hanging out with at Freddy’s the other day.”

Aubrey rolled her eyes. “Let’s not talk about him, ok?”

Eric smiled. “So, you were just trying to make me jealous?”

“Don’t ruin the mood, Eric. We can always talk about that later.”

“You’re right,” he said went back to kissing her. He pushed down the straps of her nightie, exposing her smooth, alabaster skin. “You are exquisite,” he whispered in admiration.

“Thanks,” she said, feeling a little shy.

Eric held her at arms-length to get a good look at her—she looked like an expensive porcelain doll with her fair skin, perky boobs, shimmering black hair and rosy lips that were now swollen from his intense kisses.

“Beautiful is not a word that can describe you properly, Aubrey,” he said thickly. “You’re exceptionally gorgeous in a way I can’t even explain.”

His glowing words melted her heart, but she was afraid to believe him. No man had ever described her with such impressive adjectives and hearing them now seemed far-fetched.

“Don’t lie to me,” she said softly.

“I’m not lying to you,” Eric assured her. “My words may sound unbelievable to you, but they are true. I have no reason to lie to you.”

“Then stop talking and make love to me. I don’t need pretty words; I want you to show me how you feel about me.”