Page 23

Taylor

My computer threatens to fall to the floor as Reagan and Tucker plop down on either side of me.

Clutching my computer to my chest, I rip my headphones out, glaring at both of them.

“What the fuck, assholes? You almost sent my computer to an untimely death.”

Reagan shrugs and pulls her legs up to sit criss-cross on the couch. Her now pink hair is wet and resting against her oversized graphic tee.

“Sorry, Tay. We’ve been looking for you forever. Whatcha doin’ hiding in here?” Tucker says, his tattooed arm resting behind me on the plush couch.

“Tuck. How the hell are you shirtless? It’s thirty degrees outside!”

He waves his hand, dismissing me. “Don’t avoid the subject, Tay. Why are you hiding out back here?” He tries to take my laptop and I swat his hand away.

Tugging down the sleeves of my Braveheart sweater, I hold my computer closer to my chest. “None of your business. And it’s quiet in here. Free of nosey asshats.”

I glance around the alcove tucked in the back of the shop. I come here often to get away from the noise within the compound. It’s a small area with room for a couch that faces a bay window, two large recliners framing either side, and a small wooden table that sits in the center.

“Whatever you say, Tay. Now that we have your attention. Is there something you would like to tell us?” Tucker asks.

My eyebrows furrow in confusion, and I glance at Reagan for translation of Tuck’s nonsense.

Reagan leans over the side of the couch, grabbing a blanket from the basket and covers herself. “Don’t look at me. I’m on his side. I thought we were friends, Tay. Now you’re keeping secrets from us. What the hell?”

If I didn’t catch the hint of humor lacing her tone, I’d swear she was actually mad.

I let out a sigh, place my computer in the center of the table, and rest my back against the couch. “Someone explain, please.”

Tucker sits up, an excited look on his face. “I’ll give you a hint. It has to do with your sleepovers with a certain prez.” He waggles his eyebrows at me and my hands scrub down my face.

I should have known. Nothing happens in this damn place without these two knowing within the first day.

“What if I told you it was none of your business?”

“What if we told you we know you are so in love with that man that it would take you a thousand years to dig yourself out of that trench?”

Tucker chuckles as Reagan’s words hit hard.

She’s right. I’m so deeply in love with this man. I think I have been for a while. Especially after that day at Horseshoe Canyon. That was last week and since then, he has shown me nothing but patience and understanding as I navigated my feelings.

This damn man has worked his way into my concrete clad heart and I don’t think I ever want him to leave.

So why can’t I just say that?

I mentally kick myself and I cover my face, my head resting against the back of the couch.

“Talk to us, Tay.” Tucker’s voice is soft. Gone is the playful edge he always has, and in its wake is the caring best friend that I know and appreciate so much.

Taking a deep breath, I stare up at the ceiling, letting all the thoughts that have been plaguing my every waking moment run free.

“Why now? Why me? I’m a nobody that Ari brought in from a dangerous situation. I’ve been a pain in the ass for years and someone he has to keep an eye on constantly. Have we grown close over the years? Kinda. But ever since he’s been back, it's been so different. It’s like he knows me better than I know myself, and that scares the shit out of me. I have no idea how to be in a relationship, let alone be the woman Ari deserves. For fuck’s sake. He’s the president of Braveheart. His life is full of chaos and unpredictable outcomes. He needs someone—”

“He needs someone like you, Tay.”

Reagan interrupts me as I struggle to find the words that plague me every second of the day since Ari kissed me.

I go to protest, but Reagan shakes her head. “No, Taylor. Listen.”

I nod, raising my knees to my chest, my arms wrapping around them. My cheek rests atop my legs, my focus on Reagan.

“You have spent your life running until Ari came busting in the door you had already cracked open. I know without a doubt if Braveheart hadn’t shown up that day, you would have gotten us out of there. You risked your life for a group of strangers who suffered an unlucky hand at fate, and I will forever be grateful.

“Aries took you in because you are a force to be reckoned with. Do you really think he would keep you around if you were too much of a problem? I’ve seen him kick members out for taking out the trash wrong. That man knows what he wants and how to make this ship run smoothly.

“You are not broken. You are not unworthy of someone like Aries. You are just what he needs, and it's about damn time you stop living for others and live for yourself. Stop putting others before yourself. It’s time you get a chance at happiness. You are one of the bravest people I know and I think…no, I know you and Ari could be an unstoppable force. You just have to let him walk through that door and show you that you can lean on someone other than yourself.”

Silence fills the air as Reagan’s words cut deep.

I want to protest, but I know in my gut she’s right. I’m so used to relying on me, myself and I that I never stopped to think about what it would be like to allow someone else past my walls.

Aries has been a constant in my life for three years, never wavering, always there when I needed him, and always there when I didn’t know I needed someone.

“She’s right, Tay. When have you known Ari to do something he didn’t want to do?” Tucker says, breaking the silence.

“Never.”

“Exactly. Take your time, go slow, but don’t push him away because you’re scared. You deserve to feel loved. And dammit baby, Ari would burn the world for you, so why not let him?”

Our collective laughter fills the air, and I lean back against the couch.

Tuck pulls me into a hug and I wrap my arms around him. “Thanks guys. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”

Reagan joins us, her chest against my back. “Anytime. So does that mean you’re going to give the poor love sick puppy a chance?”

“Yeah, Tay. That man has it baaaad for you.”

We all break out into a fit of laughter, still wrapped in each other’s arms.

I love these two. I couldn’t ask for a better group of friends.

“Tucker. Arms off now.”

Our attention snaps to Ari and Boone standing behind the couch.

Reagan lets go and moves back to her spot, while Tuck pulls me in closer, his eyes locked with Aries’.

Ari’s face morphs from slightly annoyed to pissed off as he rounds the side of the couch.

His hands wrap around Tuck’s forearms, flinging them off me. Tuck is a ball of laughter as Ari points to the vacant recliner next to Boone, who is sitting in the other.

I expect Tuck to protest, but he doesn’t. He stands and jumps over the table, almost face planting into the plush recliner.

Reagan and I’s laughter fills the air, but I’m quickly distracted when Ari sits in Tucker’s vacated seat and pulls me close to him so that our sides are plastered together.

One arm rests behind me on the back of the couch as he leans in to place a gentle kiss on my forehead.

“Hellhound.”

His dark eyes lock with mine and Reagan’s words play on repeat.

Maybe I can do this? Maybe I can let him in fully?

“Ace.”

Aries flashes me a small smile, his hand moving to rest on my thigh. His thumb stroking back and forth over the tiny blue butterfly.

“Aww, you two make such a cute couple.”

Aries and I’s head snap in Tucker’s direction.

“We are not together,” I protest.

“Keep telling yourself that, Butterfly.”

This time, my head snaps to Aries, my eyes wide in shock that he just said that in front of our friends.

I glare daggers at him, and he winks at me.

This fucking…

“Tuck. Leave them alone.”

“Thank you Boone!” I say, grateful to have someone on my side.

“Didn’t let me finish, Tay. I was gonna say leave them alone. She hasn’t seen Ari’s dick yet. That thing would scare anyone away.”

My cheeks heat.

“For fuck’s sake,” Reagan mutters.

“YOU’VE SEEN ARI’S DICK?” Tucker exclaims, his body practically falling off the chair as he stares wide eyed at Boone.

Chatter fills the room as Reagan, Boone, and Tucker all begin talking at once.

I try to keep up, but when Ari’s lips brush against my ear, all the chatter falls away.

“Don’t worry, Butterfly. I can promise you won’t be disappointed.”

“Ari! What the hell?” I exclaim, trying to hide the fact I am now thinking about Ari’s dick.

What the hell is going on right now?

As if Aries can read my mind, he places a quick kiss on my lips and pulls me into him, his chest vibrating with laughter.

Aries: Infinity

Taylor: Fucking obliterated by Aries Clark.