Chapter 51: Chapter Fifty-One

Everett

I’ve been awake for a bit, but I haven’t moved. I am not ready to see Aubrey. I remembered quickly, once I woke up, that I had opened my big mouth when I was drunk. I didn’t say too, but it was enough. Aubrey didn’t seem to pick up on what I meant. That is something, I guess. I can’t hide here all morning. A part of me wants to go home because being around Aubrey so much isn’t good for my sanity. I can’t, though. I am not ready to leave her alone yet.

Sighing, I sit up and run my fingers through my hair. The bedroom door opens, and Aubrey comes in with two mugs in her hand, with what I assume to be coffee in them.

“Welcome back to the land of the living,” she giggles.

She doesn’t seem bothered by last night. I won’t bring it up.

“Good morning,”

Aubrey strolls over to the bed, handing me one of the mugs before she climbs onto the bed next to me, smiling.

“Are you rough?” she asks, taking a sip of her coffee.

“No, I am okay. I am sorry if I did or said anything stupid or confusing last night.”

“Nope, all good.”

Aubrey is a terrible liar. Anytime she lies, her nose wriggles, and a little crease appears on her forehead between her eyes. She clearly doesn’t want to talk about it either. I nod, drinking my coffee, not knowing what to say next.

“Do you want to go for breakfast? I am hungry and haven’t been to the grocery store. Or do you have other plans?”

“Yes, breakfast sounds good. Let me shower and change.”

“Okay, hurry along then because my stomach is grumbling, and I am so hungry I feel sick.” She pouts.

I take another couple of sips of my coffee. “Yes, ma’am.”

I climb out of bed and head straight for a shower. If Aubrey doesn’t eat soon, she will get cranky. I don’t want a cranky Aubrey. I switched it on, hopping and in. I don’t take long. In and out in ten minutes. I forgot to bring clothes with me. Aubrey will need to deal with my half-naked body for a minute. She won’t mind.

Wrapping one towel around my waist, I dry my hair with another and drape it over my shoulders, returning to her. She is still lying in bed. The second I appear, her eyes run over my naked upper body, her tongue darting along her lips.

I smirk, standing at the bottom of the bed. “Enjoying the view?”

Aubrey quickly turns away, blushing. “Sorry.”

I laugh loudly. “I don’t mind.”

With a roll of her eyes, she looks everywhere but at me. I grab some clothes and dry off, changing. It doesn’t bother me that Aubrey is right here. It isn’t like she hasn’t seen it all before.

“Really, right in front of me?” she groans, covering her eyes with her hands, but I see her peek through them.

“I am not shy. It isn’t like you haven’t seen me naked before, sweetness. Your lips and hands have been over nearly every inch of it.”

“Not the point,” she whines, lifts a pillow to cover her face and groans into it, frustrated.

Someone is sexually frustrated. With only my boxers on, I crawl up the bed, kneeling before her and take the pillow from her face. Her cheeks are crimson, and her breathing is a little heavier than normal. She keeps her eyes firmly closed.

“Aubrey, open your eyes.”

She is hesitant but does meet mine. A small gasp escapes from her lips. She wasn't expecting me to be so close.

“Yes?”

“You seem frustrated. Are you sexually frustrated?” I ask outright. She knows me well enough now to know that I get straight to the point.

Aubrey shakes her head, but the lust dancing in her eyes gives her away. “I-I—I am not sexually frustrated. Even if I were, it would not be your problem.” She breathes out.

She can’t handle having me as close.

“I could make it my problem,” I rasp, our lips only inches between us.

She whimpers, “W-w-we can’t.”

“Yes, we can, if it is what you want.”

Aubrey shakes her head and quickly jumps off the bed. “I need food.”

I sigh and leave it there. She takes some clothes and disappears into the bathroom. She isn’t ready for me again. I thought she was, but clearly, she isn’t. I pull the rest of my clothes on and wait for her to return. I try to ignore the sexual frustration that has now crept up on me.

Aubrey returns a little while later. “Ready for breakfast?” she asks, acting like what happened didn’t.

I nod. “Sure, let's go.”

Smiling, she leaves the room. I groan, pull it together and follow her. I need to find someone to get laid by. I had the chance last night, more than once, but I rejected them. I have never rejected a pretty woman in my life, but last night I did, because a stupid voice in my head kept reminding me of Aubrey. She cock blocked me without even being there. The voice needs to go away. I need sex! And if I get it from somewhere else, then it will be easier to behave myself around Aubrey.

Aubrey is waiting by the door for me. “What do you want for breakfast?”

“You can pick, sweetness.”

“Hmm, okay, then I know the perfect place. They made the most amazing egg benedict.”

“Sounds good.”

She smiles brightly, and we exit her apartment. We walk out in silence.

“Everett, if you want to go home, that is okay. You don’t need to stay with me any longer. You can get back to your life and your many women. I will be fine.”

“I am in no rush to return home. I will stay for as long as I need.”

“Are you sure? You must be tired of me by now?”

I shake my head. “If I were tired of you, I would have left already, Aubrey.”

I like being around her more than I should, but I won’t tell her that.

Aubrey hooks her arm through mine, “Okay, any time you want to leave, you can. I will understand and not hold it against you.”

“Good to know.” I smile.

I hate myself for feeling the way I do around her. I know that if I were completely honest with her, it might change things, but I won’t do that. I can’t. I am not what she needs. Aubrey deserves someone better who will treat her right and not end up breaking her heart. I can’t be that man for her. I will never be that man for her or for anyone.

I draw in a breath and gather myself before Aubrey senses something is wrong.