Midnight Rides

Chapter VII

I woke up to the sound of rustling, my eyes slowly adjusting to the morning light streaming through the curtains. I turned to Aaron's side of the bed, finding him shirtless and still damp from what appeared to be a recent shower. The sight of his glistening six-pack and wet hair caused a tingle of desire to stir within me.

"What are you looking for?" I asked, my voice raspy from just waking up. Aaron jumped slightly at the sound of my voice, his eyes meeting mine. A mischievous smile danced upon his puffy lips as he moved closer, pecking my lips softly before settling against the white headboard for support.

"I'm looking for an empty notebook," he replied, his gaze searching the room. His attention then shifted back to me as I sat up, mirroring his position. "By the way, why do you have five filled notebooks?" he asked curiously. I smiled softly, my eyes tracing the lines of my dark hands as I absentmindedly picked at the chipped nail polish, resembling the color of Aaron's eyes.

"I write songs and poems," I confessed, a hint of vulnerability in my voice. His eyes widened with admiration as he leaned in to kiss me once again, causing me to giggle at the sensation of his wet hair against my face.

"You never told me you write. That's amazing," he whispered, his voice filled with awe and appreciation. Smiling, I reached up to gently brush his damp hair behind his ear.

"That's because you never asked," I teased, a playful laugh escaping my lips. Aaron scoffed in a mock-offended manner before suddenly launching into a tickle attack, eliciting uncontrollable laughter from me.

I squirmed and wriggled beneath his playful assault, my giggles filling the room. Our shared laughter created an atmosphere of warmth and joy, a reminder of the lightness we found in each other's company. Eventually, Aaron relented, giving me a chance to catch my breath. I gazed up at him, his eyes twinkling with mischief and affection.

"Who knew you were such a tickle monster?" I teased, still catching my breath from the laughter.

He grinned, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Well, now you know," he replied, his voice laced with playfulness. "And I'll make sure to use that knowledge to my advantage." With a wink, he leaned in, capturing my lips in a tender, lingering kiss.

In that moment, as the sunlight streamed into the room, I realized that our connection ran deeper than just physical attraction. We were two souls intertwined, discovering new facets of each other with each passing day. And as we continued to explore our love and creativity.

~~~~~~~

We soon found ourselves sitting in the cozy kitchen, each of us enjoying bowls of cereal. Laughter filled the air as we exchanged playful dad jokes, a lighthearted moment that brought smiles to our faces. It was in these simple, mundane moments that I realized how comfortable and content I felt with Aaron by my side.

As we finished our breakfast, Aaron's eyes sparkled with excitement as he retrieved my notebooks from our room, eager to delve into the world of my writing. With a sense of vulnerability, I shared my poems and songs with him, revealing the inner workings of my creative mind. I longed to move forward with my passion but felt unsure of how or where to begin.

"You can sing at the club where I play tennis," Aaron suggested, his smile warm and encouraging. My heart skipped a beat at the prospect, a mixture of excitement and nervousness washing over me. I gazed at him, my eyes searching for any signs of doubt.

"You're willing to let me sing at the club?" I questioned, a touch of disbelief in my voice.

"Yeah, Pinecrest Country Club is where many talents have found their start. Just look at Layla Grey," he replied, referencing a successful musician who had risen to fame from humble beginnings. I couldn't help but squeal at the mention of her name, the excitement bubbling within me.

Aaron's phone suddenly chimed, signaling a new message. I reached for it eagerly, my eyes scanning the words from his coach. A grin spread across my face as I turned to Aaron, unable to contain my joy.

"He says I could come in and sing tomorrow!" I exclaimed, my voice filled with anticipation. Aaron's excitement matched mine, and he let out a delighted squeal, causing me to burst into laughter.

In that moment, sitting in our kitchen, I realized that this was the beginning of something extraordinary. With Aaron's unwavering support and the opportunity to showcase my talent at Pinecrest Country Club, I was ready to embrace this new chapter of my life. The nerves still lingered, but the anticipation and the belief that this was the right path fueled my determination.

As we continued to bask in the warmth of the kitchen, enjoying each other's company, I couldn't help but feel grateful for Aaron's unwavering belief in me. Together, we would embark on this journey, knowing that whatever the outcome, we would face it with love, support, and a shared passion for embracing the unknown.