Skin and Scars Chapter 13

 Chapter 13

“I think that I might have… well, uh…fallen in love with you. A little.” Julia shrugged her shoulder and crinkled her nose.

Still holding himself above Julia, Aaron blinked a few times. His mouth opened but no words came out.

Did she say love? She is in love with me?

Aaron watched as Julia laid a hand across her face; looking to be completely embarrassed. He realized several seconds had passed that he had been silent while processing her words. He quickly brought himself out of the shock of the moment.

Say something, jackass.

Aaron steadied himself then brought one hand to Julia’s, which still rested across her face. He wrapped his fingers around hers and pulled it away. She slowly opened her eyes which had been squeezed shut.

“I just said that, didn’t I? I’m such an idiot.” She said softly as she looked up at him.

“No, you’re not.” Aaron lowered his head and then met her mouth with his. He kissed her slowly and with intent.

After a few moments, Aaron lowered down to the bed and twisted to lay on his side facing Julia. He took a moment to himself. This was a moment he didn’t intend on screwing up.

Aaron’s mind flashed back to earlier that evening when he saw the family at the grocery store and the way seeing them made him think of Julia and a future with her. He already knew that those same feelings she admitted to having were stirring inside of him as well. He was falling in love and if he were being honest with himself, he knew he had been for a while.

Your turn. Say it.

As they lay facing each other, Aaron reached for Julia’s hand and intertwined his fingers with hers. 

“Julia, you’re not an idiot. I’m glad you said it.” He smiled and brought his forehead to hers.

“And, well, since we’re talking about it…,” he said as he brought his other hand behind her head. “I 

might have, what was it you said? Uh, fallen in love with you, a little bit, too.” Aaron said with a laugh.

Julia’s face softened with a smile; a sense of relief washing over her features. “Well, good. That makes two of us.” She laid her arm across his shoulder and pulled herself closer to him.

Aaron quickly turned over to lay flat on his back and he brought Julia with him. “Stop talking so much and let me kiss you.” He held her on top of him, let his fingers tangle in her hair, and claimed her lips.

He reached down with one hand and began to slide Julia’s panties down and she helped them off the rest of the way. Aaron felt Julia’s hands travel down his chest to his stomach and knew when he didn’t feel her touch anymore that she was going for his boxers. They pulled their mouths apart long enough for Aaron to get the boxer briefs down to his shins and Julia quickly jerked them off and dropped them on the floor.

“I don’t have any…,” Aaron’s voice was low as he spoke through kisses referring to the medication he sometimes took to aid in performance.

Aaron let his hand find its way between her legs and felt her already present moistness.

“I don’t care.” Julia said quickly. “It’ll be enough without it.”

Aaron explored further with his fingers and Julia’s breath quickened.

“I promise it will be…,” she said softly.

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“We should probably do something productive at some point today.” Aaron’s stretched his arms above his head.

“Yeah…probably…,” Julia agreed with a small smile.

It was late Saturday morning and they were still in bed, having woken up and been blissfully unaware of the time a short while earlier. In a post-I-love-you-exchange haze, there was no rush to get up and begin the day. They had taken turns using the restroom, both coming back to the comfort and tranquility of the bed.

Aaron turned over on his side to face Julia. “Hungry?”

She shook her head. “Not particularly. You?”

He cracked a lazy smile. “I’m a guy. I’m always hungry.”

“Let’s get you fed then.” Julia reached out her hand and patted his chest teasingly. She leaned in and kissed him tenderly before throwing back the covers and slipping out of the bed. She looked over her shoulder at Aaron as she pulled on her panties and a camisole then slipped on a thin gray knee length robe.

“Alright, I’m coming.” He began to sit up and scooted back against the headboard.

Julia went to the chest of drawers and pulled something out, then she went to the bed and leaned across it. “Here.” She handed him a pair of pajama pants he had left there.

“Thank you.” He said as he tossed back the covers from his bottom half. He shook out the pair of pants and began to pull them on.

Julia backed off the bed and turned to leave the room. “What are we having?” She asked as she made her way down the hall.

“I don’t care… really.” He said. “Be right there.”

Aaron got the pants on quickly and then threw his legs over the edge of the bed. He leaned out and grabbed his chair, pulled it closer and hopped into the seat efficiently. He lifted each leg and placed his feet on the footplate then he grabbed his t-shirt and tugged it on over his head. He pushed around the end of the bed and from the bedroom.

In the kitchen, Julia stood in front of the open refrigerator, looking into it silently.

When she heard Aaron’s wheels on the kitchen floor, she glanced over her shoulder. “I have…nothing. I have nothing to cook.” She spoke through a laugh.

Aaron stopped right behind Julia and leaned out to place both hands on her hips. He poked his head around and took a look in the fridge too.

“Unless we can whip up something from…bottled water, lemons, and…is that string cheese?” He pulled Julia back and she had no choice but to sit right on his lap.

“Hey now...” Julia said.

Aaron wrapped his arms around her middle and she leaned back into his embrace. He moved her hair aside and kissed her neck. Julia let out a small gasp when she felt his lips. He was getting good at knowing which places on her body were most sensitive.

“Maybe we should go grab something instead.” He said finally.

“Yeah. Maybe. Right after you finish what you’re doing.” Julia turned her head to give him more room to explore with his mouth. She reached her foot out and closed the refrigerator door.

“Suddenly, I’m not that hungry anymore anyway.” He said softly and continued his task.

“Wait…,” Julia said. She stood quickly and turned around, hiking up the robe and straddling his lap. Her bare feet dangled over the wheels of the chair and she placed her arms around Aaron’s neck. He grabbed her waist and settled her to sit more evenly on his lap.

They weren’t going anywhere anytime soon.

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Morning came and went, and by late afternoon, they were starving. A pizza was ordered and they sat on the couch with the open pizza box on the coffee table.

Julia sat with her legs crossed on the couch cushions and held a plate for the pizza she was devouring. Aaron had already eaten two pieces and was starting in on the third. Thankfully the refrigerator held a few beers which were pairing nicely with the hot and greasy pizza.

“I like today.” Julia took a swig from her bottle of beer.

Aaron smiled and wiped his mouth with a napkin. “I do too.”

Julia set her plate and beer bottle on the coffee table and then turned to Aaron. “You missed a spot.” She reached out and wiped sauce from his cheek with her thumb then leaned in to kiss him quickly. She settled closer next to him.

“Hey, speaking of days…,” Aaron said as he leaned forward and set aside the plate he held.

“Your birthday is soon…,” he said with a raised eyebrow. “Don’t think I forgot.”

Julia smiled and rolled her eyes. “Oh, come on.”

“Well, it is. And it’s your thirtieth if I’m not mistaken.” He took a pull from the beer.

“Yes. The big three-oh. God, I am so old.” She laughed.

“No, you’re not. Not even close.” He nudged her softly with his elbow.

After a moment, Julia sat up straighter and leaned into Aaron. “Do you want to fly somewhere? Just us. I don't want to do the whole party thing for it. A long weekend, maybe?”

Aaron smiled. “Where do you want to go?”

“Anywhere. Throw a dart at the map. We’ll go there.” Julia sounded excited.

 

“Alright, let’s do it.” Aaron placed his hand on her thigh and gave her a squeeze. “Got a map?”

Julia uncurled her legs and jumped up from the couch. “I’ll be right back.”

She came back from the kitchen a minute later and moved the pizza box, plates and beer bottle out of the way. She laid down a spiral bound road atlas and opened it to the map of the United States.

Aaron couldn’t help but to let out a chuckle. “You don’t mess around, do you?” He shifted his position and sat straighter on the couch.

Julia sat back on the couch next to him.

“No, I do not.” She laughed.

“Got a dart?” He asked.

Julia leaned forward to the open book. “Well…no…”

“Close your eyes then and just point to a spot on the map.” Aaron leaned forward and rested his forearms on his knees.

Julia nodded. “Ok. Here goes.” She closed her eyes and lifted her finger.

“Don’t peek.” Aaron poked her side.

“Hey! Stop!” She laughed and opened her eyes.

Aaron chuckled. “Alright, go.”

Julia closed her eyes again and lifted her finger. She circled her hand around the map and then dropped her finger down.

Aaron leaned forward more to see where she was pointing.

“Oh god, where is it?” She asked with a laugh, her eyes still closed. “I’m scared.”

“Open up, babe. Take a look.” He placed his hand on her back.

Julia opened her eyes and looked down. She immediately started laughing. “Ok. Well, that’s the Pacific Ocean. So… Hawaii it is.”

“I’m in.” Aaron said with a smile.

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Thank you for your patience on this chapter! I always love reading your comments, so please tell me what you think.

Next chapter up two weeks from now!