there might be interlopers on the property.”
“Interlopers, huh?” Aries grinned. “Is that the same as antelopes?”
“Buddy, I know just about everyone who lives here, and you don’t look like any of them. Are you two visiting someone?” the man barked. “Furthermore, making out in this communal swimming area is totally unacceptable, unhygienic, and—”
“Slow the hell down and relax. We’re not making out, first of all. It was a kiss. Get over it. Secondly, when I visited this building the first couple of times, you weren’t here.” Lauren slid off his lap and Aries stood to his full height. He walked over to the man, his chin held high, keys jangling in his hand. He towered over the tiny man. “My name is Aries Creed. I am Benjamin Creed’s son and I own this property. I am currently trying to sell it, and if you’re the manager, then you should know that. But maybe I’ll change my mind. Maybe I’ll just start fresh, get new staff and keep the place. It’s kinda nice.”
The man’s face reddened and he tossed on a smile.
“Oh, yes! Yes, I knew Benjamin well. He told me all about you!”
“I doubt that. You don’t have to act overly enthusiastic, try to kiss up and pretend to be nice because you now realize who I am. You came in here like a Pitbull; don’t leave like a Chihuahua. Anyway, you weren’t in the office when we first stopped by today or I would’ve introduced myself.” The man’s eyes practically bulged out of his skull now. “We’ll be leaving now. You have a good night, Rodger Apperson.”
Aries took Lauren’s hand and they made their way out the swimming pool area and back to the truck. It had been a long ass day. She turned on the radio. RenBoz’s ‘This Must Be Love’ was playing. The perfect end to an intense, crazy day.
“I love you, Lauren…” Her stomach fluttered with butterflies. “I haven’t felt like this about someone in a long time. Thank you for everything. For caring about me, listening to me. I don’t know what I would’ve done without you here by my side today.” He reached for her hand and kissed it, then lit a cigarette.
“You don’t have to thank me, Aries. It was an outlandish day, but there is nowhere else I would’ve rather been.” And that was the truth.
“Why don’t you stay with me tonight?” Her eyes widened. “You haven’t been inside my house yet, only outside that one time while you waited for me in my truck.”
“I have to go to work in the morning and I don’t have any clothes or anything over there.”
“I’m taking you home so you can grab some clothes, your makeup, whatever you need, and you’re coming home with me. I won’t take no for an answer.” He kept on driving, his eyes on the road ahead. She leaned over and kissed him on the cheek. His beard prickled her lips, and she liked it.
“I was going to say yes, anyway. In fact,” she began to play with the hem of her shirt, smiling wide, “I have a spend-the-night bag already to go in my bedroom closet, just for you. I have been itching to get inside that pretty house of yours. I was just playing hard to get. Maybe, if you have the right ingredients, I’ll even make you a quick dinner.”
“What about dessert?” He winked at her, his eyes full of love.
“Dessert is between my legs… but I want you to pretend that I’m a respectable lady, all right? Act like I am as refined and dainty as they come, then fuck me like you did the first time, and I will put on an apron, with heels, butt ass naked, and make you any damn thing you want.”
They burst out laughing.
“Oh, baby, it’s on. I’m going to fuck you even better, longer, and harder than that. I’ve got a brand-new box of condoms with your name written all over it.” He tossed her another wink and put his foot on the gas…
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Pride Aside
“You like it?” He mustered a smile, pushing his troubles aside as Lauren perused his living room, her bare feet sinking into the light carpet. Watching her slowly walking around, he opened the refrigerator and grabbed a beer.
“I love it. You have a really nice home. Very different. It’s like a mixture of rustic and modern. I had no idea it would be so clean.” She tossed him a gorgeous smile, tinged with