Page 30 of Accidentally Falling for Her
SAGE
Iwant to ask Aspen if that means she’s my girlfriend.
But I should probably break up with my boyfriend first. I’m riding the high of Aspen and I confessing our feelings, so I’m not as nervous about talking to Oakley as I should be. I stand from the bed, still holding Aspen’s hand as I lead her back to the kitchen table. “Is it okay if we join you?” I ask the guys, waiting for their nod before sitting down.
The mood out here is not nearly as happy as we’d just been in Aspen’s room, and I’m trying to suppress my smile as much as I can, aware that I need to have a very awkward conversation now.
“I’m so sorry, Oakley,” I start, unsure what to say next as I take him in.
He was definitely angry earlier, but he seems to have calmed down, a reluctant acceptance in his expression as helooks between us. “Are you guys together now?” he guesses.
“I swear I wasn’t lying to you or trying to hurt you,” I rush to explain. I’d hate for him to think that I planned any of this. “I’ve had a great time dating you. But I think I’ve been lying to myself for a long time. I’ve always been so drawn to Aspen, and I told myself that it was just because of our friendship, but I think maybe it’s always been more than that. I had no idea she felt the same way.” I can’t help but look over at Aspen as I talk, and she’s staring at me like she can’t believe I’m real. I’m going to lose focus really quickly and end up kissing her again if she keeps looking at me like that, so I turn back to Oakley.
“I’m not mad,” he admits with a dramatic sigh. “I was upset about how this all came out, but it sounds like it wasn’t some conspiracy to hurt me. If you guys will be happier together, then I wish you the best. I don’t want to be dating someone who would be happier with someone else,” he adds with a shrug.
Wow. I don’t know why I’m so surprised, but I was expecting this conversation to be a lot harder. I smile at him fondly, unsure how to even respond. Oakley really is one of the best guys I’ve ever known. I wish there was a way for us to remain friends.
“So what does this mean for our arrangement?” Parker asks Aspen hesitantly, reminding me that they’re technically still dating as well.
“Fuck… I don’t know.” Her eyebrows are scrunched together, and she’s picking at her nail polish, looking far more worried now that she’s been reminded about that as she explains the situation with her father to Oakley.
I reach across the table, squeezing Aspen’s hand. “We’ll figure it out. We won’t let him ruin everything you’ve built,” I promise.
“We can keep up the pretend dating thing for them if that would help,” Parker offers. My mouth falls open. These men keep surprising me with their kindness.
“Really?” she asks, sounding just as shocked as I feel. “Even after all this, you wouldn’t mind?”
Parker and Oakley exchange a look as Aspen turns to me, arching a brow. I nod quickly, fully supportive of whatever plan Aspen thinks will help free her from her family’s control.
Parker looks back our way. “Sure. I do really care about you, Aspen,” he says, making me like him even more. Knowing what I do about their relationship now, it’s clear to me that there’s nothing romantic or physical between them, only a strong and supportive friendship that’s actually quite beautiful. “You’re one of my best friends,” he continues. “And I don’t want to speak for Oak if he’ll want to keep hanging out, but you and I can at least get together to take pictures for you to post or send to them or whatever you’ve been doing.”
“That would be amazing.” Aspen sighs in relief, her whole body visibly relaxing. “Thank you so much.”
Parker gives her a small smile before turning back to Oakley. “Do you want to leave?”
As much as I’d love to be alone again with Aspen immediately, the last hour has been emotional whiplash, and I wouldn’t mind the four of us sharing this meal and using it as a kind of reset for our dynamic.
“Nah, we can stay and finish dinner,” Oakley says, looking pointedly at the uneaten tacos on Parker’s plate. I think he’s concerned about Parker’s blood sugar and wants to make sure he eats, but I’m relieved that he isn’t immediately bolting. If Parker is going to continue spending time with Aspen, and there’s any chance the four of us could remain friends, then I’d like to fight for that to happen, even if tonight is still a bit awkward.
“So, how was the meeting with Tokyo?” Aspen asks, obviously trying to move on to something more casual for us all to talk about. Parker fills us in, and we all have a fairly normal dinner. Oakley is still a bit stiff at times, but overall I think there’s plenty of hope for us to remain friends, and that makes me very happy.
When everyone is donewith dinner, the guys finally head back upstairs to their place. I close the door behind them, making sure it's actually locked this time, and turn to Aspenwith a huge smile. “So, does this mean you’re my girlfriend?” I ask hopefully.
She lets out a little laugh as she takes my hand. “Sage, do you want to be my girlfriend?” she responds, biting her lip as she waits for my answer.
I want to be the one doing that. I need my mouth back on hers more than I need air to breath. How did we go years ignoring this magnetic pull between us? My whole body is buzzing with anticipation as I consider what else we might do beyond kissing. I nod eagerly and she leans in for a short and sweet kiss before pulling back. “Good.”
Then she’s tugging me back toward her room and we’re both laughing as we practically run there. I jump onto the bed, lie back, and prop up on some pillows as Aspen crawls up the bed until she’s hovering over me, that adoring look back in her gaze. “I can’t believe you’re mine,” she whispers, making me smile even bigger.
“Well, get down here and let me show you,” I tease as I wrap my hand around the back of her neck to guide her to kiss me. I might be inexperienced when it comes to being with another woman, but I’ve never been shy in bed, and I don’t see why this should be any different. Aspen is my best friend, my person, the love of my life. I want to experience everything I possibly can with her, and I don’t want to wait.
I run my free hand over the curve of her hip, slipping it up her shirt as our kiss deepens. I tug her down fully so she’s straddling me, resting her weight on mine, when she suddenly pulls back. “Wait. We don’t have to do anything,”she says between heavy breaths. “I know this is new for you, so we can just kiss or do whatever you’re comfortable with.”
I think about it for a moment, but shake my head. “I appreciate that, I really do. But I don’t think I need to take this slow,” I say “I trust you, babe. I know you won’t make me do anything I end up not enjoying, but I want to try it all.”
She smiles at me before leaning in to kiss me again. I move my hand back under her shirt, pushing it up until she has to pull back to help me remove it entirely. She’s wearing a gorgeous see-through black lace bra that is doing absolutely nothing to hide how hard her nipples are. Or the piercings with what look to be emeralds adorning either side of the barbells.
“Fuck, Aspen,” I exhale, unable to tear my gaze away from her perfect breasts. “I’ve always loved the lingerie you wear. And your piercings. I can’t believe I never questioned why I always wanted to see you practically naked. You’re so sexy,” I say, running my hand up her side so I can cup her boob. I love the feel of it in my hand as I squeeze, then shift my thumb to rub over her nipple, admiring the way the piercing moves with it. She lets out a soft gasp as I do, and I finally look up to see her parted lips and hooded eyes as I repeat the motion.
