Strong For Too Long Trilogy ✔️

09. High in the Stakes

CHAPTER 9: High in the Stakes

When I awake, I find I'm still in the exact same position as when I closed my eyes. Pale light consumed the room while Aaron sleeps soundly underneath me, his head snuggled in over mine with his angular jawline still in against my forehead. I study his silhouetted features. His arms were naturally tightened around my slim, small form. The difference in height and build between us both was a vastly great source of variation. He was a six foot four muscular agent. I looked like a damn pixie. I check the time to be exactly seven in the morning.

I lean up slowly, watching his eyebrows pinch underneath me before relaxing back into the pillow. His prominent pecs displayed before me, muscular biceps relaxed and abs. Just under my thighs. I lean down, a small smirk on my lips and I slowly lower my lips to the place where his collarbones meet. He doesn't even move, so I get bolder and trail my soft, dry lips towards his chin, "Wake up." I murmur against his chin. His arms tighten around me and I'm pulled flushed to his chiseled chest.

"...better not be another torturous dream." He whispers, his husky, sleep-driven voice in my ear as I pucker my lips against his jawbone, relishing in the scent of him, finding it strangely intoxicating. I'd barely been with him a week and all of a sudden, I'm kissing him awake, not on the lips yet, but watching him attempt to differentiate what's happening to his dream, was rather entertaining.

I sit up before seeing his cognac eyes are open completely, "I look a little too good to be just a dream." I sass, sitting up while he looks at all of me, his fingers slowly running up from my knees to my outer thighs.

"Only four hours of sleep and somehow I haven't slept this good in a long time, even with you using me as your own personal bed-I'd ask you not to stop." He breathes out, sitting up slowly. I raise an eyebrow the closer his eyes get to mine and suddenly his forehead slides against mine, his nose taps mine too.

I stare up at him, "So cute...but we have a jet to catch." I remind him.

"Can I not return the morning awakening I hope becomes a tradition between us?" He asks, sliding the strands against the back of my ear before running his thumb and forefinger along the dip and slope of my neck.

"Are you two up yet?!" Thirteen calls out from the other room.

I run my fingers against Aaron's broad shoulders, "If only you woke up first." I tease, twirling off his lap and towards the bag of mine, grabbing it, I check my phone.

"We'll be out in five! Obsidian's on the roof, ensure everyone coming is packed!" I call out to Thirteen and Eight, whom I knew were both behind the door, along with Aaron' team, Javier, Alexander, Pierce and Fern. I stand up straight with the bag still in my hands, only soft warm hands slide against my hips, he lowers his head in against mine.

"Challenge accepted." He whispers against my cheek.

I scoff, "Good luck with that. You're lucky you don't snore." I say to him. He smiles against my skin.

When I see the others are all ready to go, Candidate One stands there, furrowed eyebrows with cereal in his hands, "What the hell is going on? I thought we were going tonight, and why are all of them going?" He asks me, placing the bowl down next to Agents Meira, Celeste and Aidan. Along with Silas and Reed's team members.

I fix my hand gun, "Sorry, but your want to see your family is not my priority right now. Other matters need to be dealt with and until I can feel as though trusting you is an option, you're slit at the throat and in the dark." He narrows his eyes at me and was about to strut forward when Aaron steps in front of me and aims a gun at his head.

"Not one step closer, or I will pull this trigger." He threatens.

Candidate One eyes me, "You and I both know I can beat him without a blink. I am sorry for what I've done, but I did it to protect my son, that doesn't subside my feelings for you."