Page 43 of Uprooted

Elowen

It’s incredibly intimate to enter Aro’s apartment. It feels like him the moment I step off the elevator, directly into his warm and cozy home. Soft rugs and overstuffed chairs fill the space. Shelves are stacked with pictures and books. His maximalist style is at odds with modern spartan trends.

The external wall is one giant window and a shade has been drawn, muting the bright light.

I step closer to take in the view. We are hundreds of stories up and the neighboring buildings still tower over us.

The view’s not completely obstructed. I can still see the mountain range looming over the city in the distance.

I poke around for a quick minute before Aro appears with a fresh, fluffy towel and takes me to the bathroom. He’s already turned on the water in the shower for me. Such a small gesture, but it endears me to him even more.

His shower is leagues ahead of the cramped bathtubs I’ve been using at the dome. It’s spacious and steamy. I allow myself to linger for a while.

I start to feel guilty for how much water I use and step onto a soft bathmat.

Again, I’m impressed with Aro’s place. In the past I have found myself in guys' apartments that were messy and hardly habitable. One was empty except for a bare mattress in the corner—with no sheets or blankets. Discarded empty noodle containers and torn open whisky packs littered the floor. Needless to say, I got out of there immediately. A bathmat wouldn’t have even been a possibility .

Of course Aro would have a grown-up apartment. The guy who brings sunshine and confidence to every room he walks into would have a home that reflects that.

Staying here is as private as it’s going to get, and I am ready to get naked.

I desperately want him, and we are running out of time.

I sift through his drawers and pull out one of his shirts.

The maroon button-down shirt covers me all the way to mid-thigh, the sleeves well past my hands.

I tug the bottom down as far as it can go, roll up the sleeves to my elbows, and inspect myself in the mirror.

I hear Aro tinkering around in the kitchen.

The smell of his cooking makes me hurry to him.

Aro has his back to me, cooking something on his stove.

I’m impressed that he is actually cooking and we’re not just having instant noodles.

He’s clearly enjoying himself, spinning the spatula around and adding spices with flourish.

I didn’t know he liked cooking. I tuck this away as another detail I will hold onto.

“That smells amazing,” I tell Aro as I walk up behind him. I hug his narrow waist and peer around him to see what’s cooking. It looks like stir-fry. Thick slices of meat with sautéed colorful veg in a sizzling sauce.

“I hope you like it.” He turns and passes me a bowl of steaming food. I take it with me to a stool at the countertop.

My mouth waters while I blow to cool it down before taking a bite. I slowly chew the food, savoring every second.

“You’re my hero. This is the first time I’ve had something other than noodles in months and it’s amazing,” I tell Aro before taking another big bite.

“I’m glad you like it. Eat up. I’m going to jump in the shower.” He pulls his shirt over his head as he swaggers down the hallway. I crane my neck to watch him strip. He is exquisite. My attention returns to my food and it doesn’t take long before I’ve finished every single bite.

Shortly after I finish my food, Aro’s back and towel drying his hair. He’s changed into a pair of gray sweatpants that hang low on his waist. He snags my bowl, piles on more food, fills one up for himself and sits on the stool next to me as he hands me my seconds.

“So, what’s the plan?” I ask.

“You’re looking at it. ”

“I like this plan. Real food, no shifts at the lab. A girl could get used to this.” It comes out of my mouth without thinking.

I want to take it back, but it’s too late.

The words were said, even though I know I’ll be leaving soon.

Even though it’s the truth, I could get used to this, I shouldn’t be saying it out loud.

“You could stay.” It’s nearly a whisper.

Aro pulls me to him and kisses my lips. He deepens the kiss while grabbing my shirt collar.

I slip off my stool and take a step toward him.

I find myself standing between his legs trying to get closer.

I cup the back of his neck. Being here with him feels right, and I’ll save all my worries about leaving for later. Right now, I just want him.

I realize I’ve interrupted his dinner. He’s got to be starving by now. I end our kiss and climb back up onto the stool next to him. I am genuinely impressed with how quickly he eats.

“What do you think they’re doing at the muradome right now?” I ask, only slightly concerned Bri has backed herself into a lie that will result in major consequences for the both of us, or that everyone at the facility will think I have a severe digestive condition.

“If Tai and Bri haven’t killed each other yet, I’d say it’s a pretty boring night.” He smiles and takes his last bite. “Tai hasn’t said a word about their little snuggle session on the couch back in the rec room.”

“Bri either. I think they’re in denial.”

He starts cleaning up from dinner. I grab my plate to help and he snatches it back with a stern look. Next thing I know he has me by the waist and he’s hoisted me up and sets me on the counter. He pushes down on my shoulders, holding me in place.

“I’ve got this. You stay here,” he says and goes back to gathering the dirty dishes.

There’s this tiny part of me that indulges in thoughts of a future here.

I can easily picture myself living here in this apartment.

He and I quietly going about our days and then coming together at night.

Aro cooking me dinner. Us cozy on the couch together recapping our day.

Traveling the planet together. I indulge in the fantasy.

I’m weak when it comes to him. Every barrier I have erected between us he has systematically dismantled.

The windows past Aro grab my attention. The suns are barely over the horizon, and the sky has turned a shocking orange and blue. Aro taps a few instructions into a control pad. The window shades retract into the wall and the bright orange light fills the kitchen.

“Oh wow.” I can’t find the right words. Watching the sunset is another breathtaking experience. Aro comes back to me, he gets close and nudges my knees apart, bringing his body up to mine.

He puts his hands on the counter next to my hips and leans forward.

I wait for a kiss that doesn’t come. He watches me intently, learning every detail of my face.

I savor his nearness while watching the suns sink lower and lower to the edge of the horizon.

I rest my arms on his shoulders and frame his body with my bare legs.

Over his shoulder, the sky changes colors as the suns continue their descent.

“Aro, turn around. You’re missing the most incredible sunset.”

“I’m not missing anything. This right here… is what I can’t look away from.” He runs his index finger down the center of my forehead and down my nose.

I pull him into me by his shoulders and kiss his gorgeous mouth.

I stroke my tongue over his and squeeze his hips with my thighs.

Aro quickly takes control of the kiss and grabs my ass with both hands lifting me off the counter.

I wrap my legs around him and hook my ankles together.

I take one last look out the window at the setting suns as Aro carries me toward his bedroom.

We make it about halfway to the bedroom when I’m pushed up against the wall, held up by Aro’s hips and his mouth at my throat.

Aro grips the hair at the base of my head.

A breathy moan escapes my lips. Lips and teeth make their way down my neck.

Aro’s hard cock pushing against me sends vibrating energy to my core.

The shirt I’ve borrowed is up to my waist and I’m completely exposed below.

Aro breaks from his kiss and looks down at me.

Over the pounding of my heart, I hear a growl from deep in his chest. He peels me off the wall and carries me the rest of the way to the bedroom.

It felt incredible when he pulled my hair.

My fingers itch to do the same to him. Aro’s got both of his hands roughly palming my ass as we approach his bed.

Before we can drop, I lace my fingers through his hair and tug.

“Fuck.” Aro draws the word out into three long syllables. He grinds his hips against mine and the head of his cock still inside his pants pushes against me .

Aro places me on the edge of his expansive bed.

I trail my fingertips across his soft, lush sheets.

His shirt comes off first and for the first time I notice a black vertical tattoo traveling up his rib cage.

He hooks his fingers in the waistband of his pants and pulls them down.

His impressive cock springs up. Woah—this is going to be interesting.

Aro closes the distance between us. When he stands at the edge of the bed, I stroke the outside of his thighs and I pull his hips toward me.

A bead of cum glistens on the tip of his dick.

I look up at him from my vantage point and smile.

I grab him and stroke up and down. I lick my lips and run my tongue up his shaft, then pull the crown of his cock into my mouth.

A rasping breath escapes his lips and he clutches at the back of my head.

I move my mouth up and down with my tongue flattened seeing how much of him I can take.

I go a bit too far and gag a little. My mouth is watering because he tastes so good.

With a wet mouthful of him, I look up to see his reaction.

His face shows every ounce of his pleasure and his hooded eyes look down at me.

I move a little faster and he pulls out of my mouth with a pop.