Page 57 of Aperture

“Sleep, Babe. I’m going to take Milo outside.” He grumbles something and falls back asleep.

I grab my shoes, and Milo and I head outside for a quick walk around the block.

We don’t have distinct seasons here in Sierra Falls, but a few trees turn orange and then lose their leaves, indicating we are heading into winter. There is a chill in the air. That is the first excuse I think of when my skin breaks in response to the chills I’m experiencing, but it doesn’t go away when we increase our speed, and I pull my jacket tighter.

Suddenly, Milo stops and abruptly turns around, a low growl erupting from his chest. I turn 360 degrees and don’t see anything, but parked cars. I definitely feel something, though.

Someone is watching me. I know it.

“Wyatt?” I yell. “Are you following me again? Wyatt?” I call again.

He doesn’t step out of the late-day shadows to put my mind at ease, and I know deep down, it’s not him. Wyatt might watch me, but he never tries to scare me.

Milo is tugging on his leash and barking now. I refuse to be that dumb girl who goes to investigate something strange when every part of my body is telling me I shouldn't. Instead, we speed up and finish our walk around the block, with me looking over my shoulder every few seconds.

I decide I’m not going to say anything to Theo when I get home. The more I’ve thought about it, the more I’ve convinced myself that I’m just being paranoid. As for Milo, he has a beef with every squirrel in the neighborhood, so that’s probably all it was.

I find Theo standing in front of my open refrigerator, one arm holding him up as he leans into it. At some point while I was gone, he decided to take his shirt off. I’m definitely not mad about it. He shuts the door and looks at me looking like he's in trouble.

“I was hungry,” he says sheepishly, as he scratches his six-pack abs. “And sweaty.” He looks completely adorable. I walk up and envelop him in a hug, feeling his strong heartbeat against my cheek.

“I don’t have much, but I can make us some grilled cheese sandwiches and soup,” I offer.

“I love grilled cheese!” he exclaims. So, we make dinner together and eat in the dining room, talking and laughing about nothing in particular.

By the time we’ve cleaned up, it’s getting late. I don’t know if I should invite him to spend the night or not. I’m not ready to take this further yet but I love his company and snuggling with him.

“Do you want to spend the night?” I ask hopefully.

“I should actually head home tonight,” he says. “I haven’t been to my apartment in a while and I have a few things to do. I could also really use a shower.”

I’m disappointed but I do my best to hide it.

“I will call you tomorrow,” he says as he stands and walks toward the door. I walk with him, holding hands until we get there, but before he steps through the door, he turns and shoves me against the wall, dipping his head to kiss me. It starts innocently enough but quickly heats up.

I return his kiss with the same intensity he is pouring into it. He takes hold of both my hands and pins them over my head, then his lips leave my mouth to trail kisses down my neck. I moan as I give him better access.

He stops and whispers in my ear, “I know we are taking this slow, but once I fuck you, I won’t be able to stop.”

Then he places a chaste kiss on my lips, gives me one more heated gaze, and then walks out the door.

I stand there, stunned and turned on beyond words. That was new. I punch in my alarm code and then make it over to the couch, where I fall onto it with a thump and try to settle my beating heart.

Chapter 30

I’ve spent the better part of the past two weeks with Theo. Whenever I’m not shooting a fall-themed photo shoot, we are together.

With sex off the table, we are forced to talk and get to know one another. It’s refreshing.

I have learned that he hasn’t had a serious relationship since college. He didn’t offer specifics, but I gather whatever relationship caused his rift with Wyatt is the one that really messed him up. I know that’s where a lot of his hostility comes from. He never got any closure with her, and that has to be difficult.

I’ve also learned some small stuff. He prefers strawberry flavor to vanilla. He loves history and documentaries. He’s hungry all of the time. He enjoys taking naps with me as much as going for walks with me and Milo. He’s funny and sweet and sensitive. He’s good with numbers and good with his hands. We’ve had some pretty intense make-out sessions and while we haven’t ventured past second base, he’s learned his way around my boobs like a pro.

Last week we went to a pumpkin patch with the kids, ate apple cider donuts, and carved pumpkins. We spent Halloween together, making chili and cornbread, handing out candy to cute little ghosts and goblins, and snuggling up on the couch watching slasher flicks.

I’ve quickly found a groove with him, and he makes me happy.

I have thought about Wyatt occasionally, but he crosses my mind less and less often. I haven’t seen him around or heard from him since our day at the gym. I also haven’t felt like I was being watched since the day Theo got back. He does have to go out of town tomorrow, which bums me out, but I have a few shoots booked next week and plenty to keep me busy.