The Aubrey Rules

by Aven Ellis

  “But then I was thinking,” Beckett says slowly, reaching for my hand and entwining his fingers with mine, “that’s too far away.”

  Every nerve I have explodes the second his large, strong hand wraps around mine. Now his thumb is moving gently back and forth across the top of my hand, and desire burns within me.

  “It is?” I manage to ask.

  “Yeah,” Beckett says softly. “So when you get done, why don’t you come over to my place? I want to spend time with you before I leave. More than the time we have now. So will you, Aubrey? Will you see me tonight?”

  Chapter 15

  The Aubrey Rules To Live By, Rule #15: Okay, this rule is more for fun, but because I love getting ready for the “big date,” I have to write it. The three components to prepare for a hot date that must be followed without fail: lip stain that won’t smudge when kissing, perfume at the base of the neck to entice your date to kiss you there, and no jewelry that could catch in his hair, such as bracelets or cocktail rings.

  **Note** I can’t even imagine Beckett kissing me on the neck without imploding.

  **Note #2** I’ll never tell him that, though. He would be super embarrassed to know that.

  **Note #3** I hope he thinks I’m a good kisser.

  **Note #4** I’M GOING TO KISS BECKETT.

  **Note #5** I can’t get past Note #4.

  I check my appearance one more time before heading up to Beckett’s place. I finished that stupid report around nine, and even though Beckett offered to pick me up, I refused. I didn’t want him to see me with smudged makeup and a shiny nose. So I took the bus home instead, which I think mystified him.

  But come on now. I want to look good for the most important first date I’ll ever have.

  I’ve changed out of my work clothes and slipped into my J Brand jeans and a black-and-white striped sweater. I’ve touched up my makeup, finishing by swiping my satin lip pencil across my lips, coating them a peachy-beige color. Perfect. I know this lip color will stay put the rest of the night and not end up on Beckett.

  An electric feeling shoots through me as I think of that.

  I’ll be kissing Beckett.

  GAAAAAAAAAAAH, I don’t know if I can survive it. Beckett was very sexy merely touching my wrist and my hand. If those are indications of how he will kiss—

  Butterflies shift wildly at the thought of his lips brushing against mine. I swear I’ve never had so many butterflies in all my life. I mean, of course, I’ve felt them before, but not with this intensity or frequency as I do with Beckett.

  Buzz!

  I glance down at the phone on the bathroom countertop and see it’s Captain Smart Ass himself.

  Did you take a bus to Milwaukee? Where are you?

  Before I can answer, another text comes across.

  Hurry up. I can’t wait to see you.

  Ahhh! I don’t even bother to text him back. I grab my phone and my keys, slip into my pointed Kate Spade flats, the ones with the cute black bows on them, and race out of my condo. I catch the elevator to go up and anxiously watch as each floor goes by. Finally it chimes on Beckett’s floor, and I eagerly get off.

  And it’s all I can do not to run to his apartment.

  I reach his door and take a moment to collect myself. I should be reviewing more rules in my head. Normally I’d be thinking of what to say, what to ask him, what non-verbal signals I should send if I’m interested, all that crap.

  But that’s the thing. With Beckett, it’s all crap. I’ve been nothing but myself with him, and it’s liberating. Best of all, the real me is the girl Beckett can’t wait to see tonight.

  I press my finger against the doorbell. I practically hold my breath as I wait for him to answer. Finally I hear the lock being turned on the other side.

  Beckett opens the door, and I’m momentarily distracted by how he looks tonight. His brown hair is tousled, and a lock of it deliciously sweeps down across his forehead. He’s wearing a dark-green V-necked sweater, one that reveals a gray T-shirt underneath. Distressed jeans and rich brown leather boots finish his outfit. It’s masculine and rugged and he is insanely hot tonight.

  “So you didn’t go to Milwaukee,” he says, his eyes sparkling at me.

  Oh, I love his eyes. They’re so expressive and gorgeous. I swear I could get lost in them.

  “Milwaukee would be a roundabout way of getting to you,” I say, teasing him by putting on a Canadian accent.

  His face lights up the second I mimic his accent, and happiness fills me.

  “I’m going to let your horrible Canadian accent slide,” Beckett says, opening the door to let me in. “For now.”

  I giggle. “Oh, Captain, are you going to make me pay for that?”

  He grins at me as he steps aside to let me in. “It’s Captain Smart Ass to you.”

  I flash him a wicked smile. “Perhaps I need to write it on my hand.”

  I enter his foyer, and as I move past him I inhale his sexy cologne, the scent of spice and pine and citrus enveloping me as I do. That’s now the scent of him in my mind, and an electric feeling surges through me as a result.

  Beckett shuts the door and turns to me, reaching for my hand. He flips it over and studies my palm, gently tracing his index finger over it and sending heat searing through me.

  “Let’s see, can I spell Captain Smart Ass here?” he teases, pulling me closer to him. He slowly traces his finger over my palm, acting as if he’s spelling out the words.

  My body is on fire from the way he’s touching my hand. It’s teasing and sexy and, oh, I can’t imagine what kissing him will be like.

  “Might be a tough fit,” Beckett says, lifting his sparkling eyes to mine.

  “Perhaps I should work on my memory skills,” I manage to say.

  “Speaking of memory sills,” Beckett says slowly, now lacing his fingers through mine to hold my hand, “Let’s see how good I did on remembering things you’ve told me.”

  “What do you mean?” I ask.

  “Come on,” Beckett says, leading me down the hallway.

  Excitement shoots through me as he brings me to the cozy seating area off the kitchen, the one that has the gorgeous view of Lake Shore Drive.

  And I stop as I see Beckett has it set up for a perfect date night.

  There’s a bottle of wine on the coffee table and two wineglasses next to it. I see a cheese board with a selection of cheeses and rustic bread and an assortment of charcuterie meats. The lights are set down low, and I see a few candles flickering in spots around the room, perfuming the room with the scent of lavender and vanilla. And the sounds of Mumford & Sons can be heard in the background.

  It’s the perfect date.

  My perfect date.

  In one of our many conversations, I described my ideal date. It would be at home, with food and wine and candles. Music. Talking and being together. I said that sounded like the ideal evening to me, yet I’d never had a date like that in my life.

  Until now.

  I step forward, taking everything in, and I swallow down the lump in my throat.

  “You remembered,” I manage to say. “You listened to me.”

  Beckett slides his arms around my waist and draws me back against his massive, rock hard chest. He dips his head down so he can speak into my ear.

  “Is it what you wanted?” he murmurs. “Is this the perfect date for you?”

  Every nerve I have jumps in response to his soft voice. I slowly lift my hands to wrap over his massive forearms, the powerful and athletic arms that I’m lucky enough to be held in tonight.

  “Yes,” I say. “It is.”

  Then I turn around so I’m facing him, his arms still around me and holding me close. I gaze up at him, and my heart melts from the gentleness expressed
in his brown eyes.

  “But more than all of this, it’s the perfect date because you’re here,” I say, meaning that with all my heart. “This doesn’t work without you.”

  His eyes remain intently on mine. “I haven’t created a date like this for any other girl.”

  With those words, I know. I know my heart is going to belong to Beckett. I haven’t kissed him. I don’t know where this story is going to end as it’s only beginning, but I know he’s going to own all of my heart.

  Which is against every rule I’ve ever written.

  But I don’t want rules. Not anymore. Not since I met this amazing man.

  The rules don’t matter.

  Beckett does.

  “You look beautiful tonight,” Beckett murmurs.

  I see nothing but heat in his eyes now, and my body burns in response to his gaze.

  “I’m glad you think so,” I say, sliding my hands up his broad chest. “That’s why I took the bus back. I wanted to get ready for you.”

  He smiles at me. “Yeah?”

  I nod happily. “Of course.”

  “I still would have thought you were beautiful, Aubrey.”

  My face grows warm from his words, and Beckett clears his throat.

  “I should offer you a glass of wine,” Beckett says.

  “You should,” I say, my heart hammering.

  “Or something to eat.”

  “Hmmm-mmmm.”

  “That would be the gentlemanly thing to do.”

  “Yes.”

  We’re silent for a moment, the sexual tension between us almost unbearable. I’ve never needed a kiss as much as I need Beckett’s at this moment.

  Beckett slides his hands up to my hair, raking his fingers through my waves, and a wild shiver shoots down my spine in response. He lowers his head toward mine, our lips now inches apart. I draw a breath of air, inhaling the sensual cologne on his skin, absolutely desperate to feel his kiss.

  “Beckett,” I plead, instinctively licking my lips.

  “I have to kiss you first,” he breathes sexily. “Your mouth, your lips, every gorgeous part of them. I can’t, I can’t do anything until I kiss you. Now.”

  And then Beckett lowers his head. His lips are teasingly in front of my own. My heart is racing. I’m aching for his kiss, his mouth, his tongue, all of it right here, right now, and I can’t wait a second longer to taste him.

  His hands are in my hair, down my face, and he’s discovering me with his fingertips. Beckett then brushes them over my lips, grazing them teasingly with his touch.

  I can’t take any more of this. He must kiss me. Now.

  Beckett takes his fingertips and slowly moves them down my jawline, to my chin, and gently tilts my face toward his.

  “Now I’m going to kiss you,” he whispers sexily, his lips pressing against mine.

  Chapter 16

  The Aubrey Rules To Live By, Rule #16: If he’s not a good kisser, it doesn’t go past one date. You need chemistry, and you won’t have chemistry if he can’t kiss.

  **Note** OH. MY. CAPTAIN. This is the hottest, sexiest kiss I’ve ever had.

  **Note #2** Note #1 needs to be emphasized more. BECKETT IS THE BEST KISSER EVER. EVER!!!!

  His lips are warm and soft and simply lingering on mine in the most whisper-like kiss I’ve ever received. My body explodes from that simple contact. I want more. I need more. I need to drink him in.

  Beckett then eases my mouth open with a slow, deliberate, teasing kiss. Heat flashes through me the second I feel his tongue moving against mine. I instinctively run my hands through his hair as we explore each other with this sexy kiss. His mouth is warm and tastes of mint and, oh, my captain knows how to work his lips against mine.

  I drink him up, every part of his kiss, his lips, his tongue, needing this kiss like I need air. His hair is thick and soft and glides through my fingers. Beckett increases the intensity of the kiss, and we shift from slow and sensual to heated and passionate.

  My heart is racing. My pulse is beyond measure. His hands are down my back, in my hair, at my waist, all over me. I’m tugging at his hair, feeling his chest, exploring him just as he is me. This is the kiss I’ve been waiting for my whole life, but never knew it until this moment.

  Beckett breaks the kiss, and I stare up at him as I try to catch my breath.

  He stares seriously at me, his brown eyes deep with intensity. “I need to do that again.”

  Then his mouth descends on mine, kissing me hungrily. I moan against his lips, and he deepens the kiss. I’m going to kiss this man all night. I’m going to kiss Beckett until my lips are numb. I never want to stop kissing this man.

  Finally Beckett stops kissing me, and we both come up for air. He strokes his hands through my hair again and presses his forehead to mine in the sweetest of gestures.

  “It’s going to be hard for me to stop that,” Beckett says.

  “Who says you have to?” I reply, laughing.

  Beckett stands up, a huge smile spread across his face. “Come on now. You didn’t say your ideal date would be one big make-out session,” he teases.

  “That’s before I knew you’d be such a great kisser,” I blurt out.

  As soon as the words escape my lips, I feel my face grow hot. Beckett laughs, and I know my face is on fire now.

  “So I’m a great kisser, eh?” he asks.

  Okay, time to turn the tables on him.

  “Why yes, you are,” I say, my hands dancing around his waist. I cock my head to the side and study him. “In fact, your kisses are scorching, Captain. I practically imploded from them.”

  That does it. He begins to blush, and I die laughing.

  “You’re so cute when you get embarrassed,” I say.

  “Stop it,” Beckett demands.

  “I’d better be careful. I’d hate to implode just as I’m getting to know you.”

  Now Beckett is turning blood red. He rubs his hand across his face, his uncomfortable move, and my heart melts in response.

  “If I kiss you again, will you stop?” he asks.

  I burst out laughing. “You’re adorable. And sexy. I know why I checked yes, Beckett.”

  He draws me into his arms and hugs me. “Come on, let me get you a glass of wine,” he says, kissing the top of my head.

  Oooooooooh, I like him. I really, really, like him.

  I sit down on the couch and Beckett pours two glasses of wine. He hands me one and sits down next to me. I snuggle into him and never has anything felt so right to me as this moment does.

  “You should be safe from meltdown now,” Beckett cracks.

  I burst out laughing and park my wine on the coffee table. “Yes, I am.”

  “So normally I’d start by asking how your day was,” Beckett says, taking a sip of his wine before placing it on the table, “but I already know it sucked.”

  “Ugrh,” I groan. “No work talk. Unless we talk about hockey. That I approve of.”

  “Nah, no hockey talk,” Beckett says, winding his fingers through my hair in an affectionate way. “I want to talk about you. That’s what interests me tonight.”

  “What if I’m more interested in talking about you?” I flirt back.

  Beckett laughs. “Okay, we’ll take turns. But I get to go first.”

  Although he can’t see me, I’m beaming that he insists on asking the first question.

  “Go ahead caller, you’re on the air,” I joke.

  Beckett laughs and kisses the top of my head. “You’re crazy.”

  I prop myself up so I can see him. Beckett’s eyes are dancing.

  “I am. But you like it,” I insist.

  “I do. Now can I ask my question?” Beckett teases.

 
I laugh. “Boy, when you aren’t being the one interviewed you grab the opportunity with both hands, don’t you?”

  “Yes. Now get serious, these are important.”

  “I’m ready,” I say, putting on a straight face.

  “Are you a morning or night person?”

  “Night. Definitely night,” I say. “I stay up late reading—”

  “Reading social media or a book?” Beckett interrupts.

  “Both,” I admit. “What about you?”

  “Definitely night,” Beckett says. “I’m up late with hockey, and it takes me time to wind down after a game.”

  I nod. I can see that.

  “My turn,” I say. “TV or movies?”

  “TV,” Beckett says easily. “I can survive with the Discovery Channel, History Channel, and ESPN. You?”

  “Movies,” I declare. “I love old romantic comedies.”

  “That surprises me,” Beckett says. “With you being all about the latest social media, I thought you’d be into everything new.”

  “Oh, no, not at all,” I say, shaking my head. “I love the romance of the old movies. My favorite movie of all time is Breakfast at Tiffany’s.”

  We continue the light questions, and I can’t ever remember having this much fun on a date before. I learn so much about Beckett—what it was like to grow up in Toronto with three brothers, how the house was crazy with all of them playing hockey. The exact opposite of my quiet house, with me being an only child.

  I learn he has a passion for the water and loves spending time near the ocean. In Hawaii. I love Hawaii as well, but I haven’t been to Kona, which is Beckett’s favorite off-season spot. I share the same love for the beaches of Hawaii, and we both get geeky about going to aquariums, too.