Silent Attention [COMPLETED]

41. date

I'm taking a small break from writing a new book to post this a little early in the day.

I threw on a pair of shorts and a pink v neck shirt.  I put up my hair in a messy bun and practically stomped out of my bedroom.

"I want to drive your R8.  I want to know what I did to 'make it up to you' last night.  And I want a picture of you bare ass, since you got to look at mine for so long and didn't say a single word."

Aaron sat on the couch stunned momentarily.  His lips upturned slightly and out came his cocky reply.  "I thought you had to rub a lamp to get three wishes?  And I would remember if you rubbed mine."

All the anger I had slowly slipped away, the heat forming into a different kind.

"I guess you planned the night out for us, shall we go in order?"  He got up form the couch and tossed me his keys.  I caught them, stunned at first then a shit eating grin grew like wild fire on my face.  I was so giddy, I was having a hard time slipping on my shoes.  I grabbed my phone off my coffee table and shoved it into my pocket.  I headed for the door and locked up behind us, arming the system with my app in the elevator.

We got out and I followed him to the building next door.  My step slowed some wondering where he was taking me.  He must have sensed my hesitance and spoke up.

"I parked next door.  I own the building and don't have to worry about someone scratching my car.  I won't be able to park there soon though.  I'm turning the first floor into business space to rent out and the following floors will be higher income apartments."  We stopped at the car, and I was about to open the driver's door.  "You sure you know how to drive a stick?"

I gave him an are-you-stupid-look.  "Pftt, I got this."  We both got in and buckled up.  I turned the engine over and revved the car.  I was so excited, in heaven.  He didn't know it but I was about to put him in hell.

"Every gear you grind, every time you kill the engine, you owe me one date."

I could tell Aaron was not comfortable in the passenger seat.  Not comfortable with letting me drive and was trying to ease his mind.

"I guess you're going to stay dateless." I launched the car forward and did a 180 to face the exit.  The tires screeched against the concrete and the stone walls echoed the sounds of the audi.  Aaron was already grabbing the door handle and his seat belt.  I slowed down to turn onto the street and took it steady.

"Jesus fucking christ where did you learn how to drive like that?"

I chuckled at him and changed the gears.  "My dad taught me how to drive a stick and as for the whole speed racer thing, I taught myself."

"That sounds promising."

I could tell I surprised him with my mad skills.  His cool cocky self was gone and replaced with something between bewilderment and amazement.  It stayed that way after I hit the interstate.  It was around ten and I knew this highway.  No cops.  I sped, getting it up over 120 and changing lanes around other cars.  Aaron stayed quiet, probably wanting me to keep full attention on not killing us.  I stayed in my own personal bubble of joy where dreams come true.  This was like a pink unicorn to a five year old.  After we drove out a ways,, I exited and headed down to the old bridge. 

It was a place that I used to go to think when I was younger.  The bridge was built over a large pond a long time ago.  Someone had bought up the land so the city no longer had to maintain the bridge.  After a while, it collapsed into the pond, leaving fifteen feet of bridge jutting out over the water. 

Clearly Aaron had never been here.  I parked the car and got out and he looked a little confused.  I shoved the keys in my pocked and he followed me out to the edge.

"When we were kids, we used to come out here and dare each other out to the edge."  My hand brushed his and I made the move to intertwine our fingers.  "I was always the one that walked out first.  Always the one most brave."  I pulled him along and we sat down at the edge, letting our feet hangover the water.  I leaned over to stare down at the long drop and felt his hand tighten on mine.

"Now it seems like it is so hard to be brave."  I leaned back up and glanced at him.  He was watching me in wonderment. 

"You're the bravest person I know."

I bumped shoulders with him.  "You don't know me that well."

He shot me a genuine smile.  "I know you're beautiful.  You speak your mind.  You can out drink and out drive me any day.  You have a smile that is dorky, but it captures peoples hearts.  I know you've been hurt."  He ran his finger down my jaw, forcing me to look at him.  "I know that I want to kiss you."  His finger left my chin and feathered over my bottom lip. 

I closed my eyes at his touch.  "Only if I can drive your car back."  It didn't come out firm like I wanted it to.  Somehow, Aaron had managed to take my breath away making my words light and airy, and moving my lips against his fingers didn't help any.

He quickly replaced his finger with his soft firm lips, brushing them against mine with a tenderness I hadn't felt in a long time. 

This chapter reminds me why I love this book.  It's so good and so bad at the same time.