|23| i know your secret

She looked at him like,

She just realized what love is.

~unknown

_______________

Do you know how at times you have this feeling in your chest? A feeling fastened deep within your bones that you can't contain, that needs to be said or else nothing else will be dealt with in a day? Yeah well, that's what was happening to me a moment ago,

It was unbelievably difficult for me to concentrate on a singular thing when the knowledge of my love for Aaron became so apparent to me, It physically wasn't possible for me to look at him and not blurt out that I love him,

Laying on his chest, feeling so relaxed and safe, I knew that he needed to understand where I stood, I've never wanted nor did I feel like I should make the first move by saying those three words in any of the relationships I was in,

But Aaron isn't like any of the careless, manipulative, assholes that I dated before, he genuinely cares for me, makes me feel safe and comfortable any time and anywhere, apologizes when he knows he hurt my feelings, and constantly shows me he's always there for me,

I believed I was falling, but I assume it was with my eyes closed because I didn't acknowledge that I was already at the bottom and Aaron had caught me,

It's impossible to not love him

Attempting to not love him is like trying to not breathe, at some point, you have to give in and take a deep breath, taking in that love that fills your lungs with the air it's desperately been needing,

I think I loved him for longer than I originally believed, I've spent nearly every day with him at countless meetings, events, and in the office, our proximity was bound to make us develop something for each other,

I think what truly intrigued me about Aaron in the beginning, was his cold demeanor, he was like this mystery waiting to be uncovered, it made me wonder what was going on inside his head, why he was the way he was, and then to get glimpses of his true self...it solidified my want for his closeness,

And when we started hanging out together outside of work... it was completely inevitable that I fell for him, he was that missing piece that my heart was waiting for,

when I was on the couch with his parents speaking about how my father proposed to my mom...it was clear to me that it's not worth it to wait months from now to have the dramatics of an I love you moment, I want him to know now, so I told him, and I don't regret it for one second.

He cups my cheeks and brings his forehead to rest on mine

"Say it again" he whispers his voice hoarse, the softness in his voice sounds almost pained

I gently smile "I love you Aaron" I whisper speaking with complete certainty

I hear him inhale sharply, his hands tremble slightly as they hold my face with gentleness

"Say it just one more time so I know this isn't a dream" he whispers even quieter than before

I laugh lightly and kiss his lips, its a gentle kiss, our lips barely fully touching

"I-love-you," I say in between kisses

"I love you" he whispers back, voice cracking

"So damn much Vanessa," he says before pulling my lips back onto his

this kiss is different,

It feels more special than all the other ones,

Because I can feel the love he's pouring out into this kiss, it's slow, sweet, and everything I want and more,

He's everything I want and more.

"I love you so much Vanessa," he says when we pull away from the kiss

"too bad, I can't completely squish you with a hug right now" I tease, as I watch his flushed face

"I look forward to it in 3 weeks" he grins, gently massaging my hair,

Oh, that beautiful, heart-melting smile...

I watch his smile for a long moment, memorizing every little wrinkle that forms when he beams, I engrave that sight deep within my brain so it lasts a lifetime.

I lay my head back onto his chest, he continues to massage my head, I can hear his heart racing from beneath me, I slowly drift to sleep at his touch, just as I feel myself falling asleep I hear his voice gently speaking

"Say it one more time sunshine" he murmurs

I grin even though he can't see me

I let out a chuckle "I love you, Aaron"

"goodnight" I whisper and I give his chest a little peck

"I love you sunshine, Goodnight" he whispers kissing the top of my head, and I can hear the smile in his voice, the thundering of his heart, and the shake in his hand as he holds me close,

And I know deep within my heart, at this moment, that he has the biggest heart, the softest interior hidden within a scratched-up hard surface that no one dares to come near,

His heart is more perfect than anything in this world will ever be, the beautiful sound of it is like a melody that puts you to sleep, calms you, and reminds you that someone you love dearly, is alive and well,

Someone loves me...they accept my imperfections and treat them like a treasure you have to handle with care, that you don't believe is real and you have in your possession.

I'm loved.

__________________

Shifting in bed slightly, I contain a yawn as I slowly sit up, looking to my side I see Aaron laying next to me, a small smile playing on his lips, I quietly take a picture of him, to make this moment last for an eternity,

I wish more than anything that my parents could have met him, and seen me find someone who makes me entirely happy,

I give him a soft kiss on his cheek and go out to the kitchen to make breakfast after I brush my teeth, its been about 2 weeks since the kidney donation so Aaron should be allowed to walk around more so I don't have to help him up, he is finally cleared to do work at home which I know he has been itching to do,

Henry still needs to be closely watched at the hospital for at least a few days so I just visit him as much as I can,

While I am finishing up breakfast I get a text on my phone

Unknown number: I know your secret, if you knew what was best you would leave him

I look at the message, my brows knit together in confusion, I'm not sure what in the world that means...I'm guessing it's a scammer messing with me?

I shake off the weird feeling settling in my stomach and put my phone away to continue making the breakfast

It's probably nothing.

I'm so lost in the text message that I barely register when warm hands slid around my waist and a chin rests on my shoulder

Aaron kisses my neck gently while mumbling a "good morning" his deep husky morning voice that I can listen to all day fills my body with goosebumps,

I turn my head slightly to kiss his cheek "good morning"

"How is your side feeling?" I ask as I put the omelets on two plates

"I feel stronger with each passing day, but it's always more on the sore side in the mornings and at night," he says against my skin

"At least it's getting better, are you excited about starting work today?" I grin turning around

"Well I can't exactly go to the office yet," he says irritatedly, but the look on his face quickly disappears when he looks at me, its transformation into a sweet smile

"Yeah you get to do online meetings and everything from the comfort of a couch or bed...horrible indeed" I tease

He gives me a sweet kiss on my lips "stop being a smart ass"

"Sorry I can't help being a genius" I shrug with a small smirk

He shakes his head fighting a smile

"I need to swing by work to see how the rooftop is doing, they said the bar is almost finished so I want to check it out," I tell him against his lips

Aaron gives me a nod "Too bad Henry couldn't finish it"

"Yeah" I sigh

"It's okay as long as he's fine, are you going to visit him today?" He asks before laying a gentle kiss on the tip of my nose which makes my heart skip a beat, and my skin warm at his touch

"Yeah, you think you will be fine for an hour or two by yourself?" I tilt my head

His laugh fills my body with butterfly and leaves tingles all over

"I'll be fine sunshine, plus I'll be busy with work" he assures me

I leave a kiss on his cheek and grab our plates walking to the island

After we eat Aaron goes to the couch with his computer to get some work done and answer emails while I get ready to swing by the office and then say hi to henry.

I wear tight black jeans, a black knit top, black heeled boots, and a white long coat that's slightly fuzzy,

"You look beautiful," Aaron says as I walk over to the couch to say goodbye to him

"Thank you" I smile as I sit down on the edge of the couch

"I'll be back in an hour or two" I cup his face giving him a kiss

He pulls me on his lap so I'm straddling him "careful with your side," I mumble against his lips

All he does is hum in response deepening the kiss

"Use my car, the keys are by your door" he mutters against my lips

I smile "okay"

Like I'm saying no to driving his fancy-ass car...

"I love you, stay safe" he whispers

I grin like an absolute idiot, it's the first time he's said it this morning and it hits me straight in the chest making me feel all warm and fuzzy inside

"Ok, I love you" I whisper gently before heading for the door

In the corner of my eye, I can see him beaming and then looking down at his computer

I don't think I have seen his smile that big before and it completely melts my heart

I've finally succeeded in getting the biggest smile out of Aaron Huxley,

His smile is wide because of my words, it fills me with an unbelievable feeling to know his joy is centered around me telling him those three words.

________________

The whole drive down to the office I thought about the text message I got this morning, it gave me a really bad sick feeling in my stomach and I don't like it,

It might just be my head getting to me, it might be nothing so I won't mention it to Aaron, I don't need to worry him especially when it's probably a weird scam or something,

I head-on into the building and go to the rooftop, I smile as I see how much has changed since the last time I went up here

The bar is almost completely built and they're beginning to build the tables and chairs by the bar,

I talk to the workers for a while making sure everything is going according to plan, and then I head on over to see Henry in the hospital

___________

"Hi Henry" I greet him as I walk into the room

"Hello Vanessa" his face instantly transforms into a smile as he puts a chocolate pudding down on a tray giving me his attention

He looks much better, he doesn't look pale or as tired, and overall he seems more like himself

"How are you feeling today?" I ask as I sit down on the edge of the bed

"Much better, the nurse said I should be out of here in a few days" he nods going in to take a bite of the pudding

"that's great" I nod

"So tell me what's been going on?" He grins

I think about telling him about the message but I decide not to do it, he doesn't need any stress after a big surgery

"Well I met Aaron's parents, I'm his girlfriend now, and we both said I love you to each other last night" I chuckle looking down at my hands

"Well, that's amazing!! I am so happy for you" he grins

"I knew that man loved you, it was unmistakable in the way he looked at you" his face holds an 'i told you so' in it

"Yeah I guess you were" I roll my eyes

"So tell me all about the rooftop project" he continues eating the pudding after he speaks

And so we spend the next hour talking about it, I explain all that has progressed, and what going to be happening in the next week, then he asks me to tell him all about the dinner with Aaron's parents and so I do,

He gets sleepy at some point so I take it as my Cue to leave,

"Alright we'll I'll try coming by tomorrow" I smile getting up from the edge of the hospital bed

He nods "see you later Vanessa"

"see you later Henry" I nod

_______________

I walk into my apartment seeing Aaron past out on the couch with his laptop in his lap, I quietly walk up to him after taking my shoes, and coat off, and putting the sandwiches I bought on the island,

I grab his computer and put it on the side table, then sit on the edge of the couch moving his hair out of his face giving him a light kiss on his forehead,

I get up to leave but feel Aaron's hand grab my arm pulling me on top of him, he flips us around so I'm under him and he's laying halfway on me

"Aaron you have to be careful with your side" I sigh but don't make any moves to move him off of me, since he's so warm and comfortable to lay with, He's like a damn heater.

He hides his face in the crook of my neck, humming in response

"Aaron" I gently shake his shoulder awake

"Shh sunshine" he shushes me

"come on, I got us sandwiches" I gently speak while running my fingers through his hair

"One minute" He mumbles against my neck

I smile looking down at him "I can put yours in the fridge and you can eat it a little later if you want"

"No, you're not getting up" he grunts holding me tighter

"Aaron" I laugh as I nudge him gently

"Shh baby just sleep for a minute" he mutters

I smile shaking my head as I begin to stroke his hair gently

I'm convinced that he's the biggest teddy bear in the world on the inside, you'd never suspect it when you glance at his cold demeanor on the outside, and yet I'm lucky enough to get to see this vulnerable, real side that he hides from the world,

I'm interrupted in my thoughts when I get a phone call

I notice it's from Aaron's mother Lillian

I ended up getting her number just before she left my apartment,

(Phone call with his mother)

"Hello?" I say trying to be quiet and not wake up Aaron,

How in the hell do men fall asleep so fast?

Lillian: hi! I just wanted to check in on Aaron to see how he's doing, and how you are as well

I smile while looking at a sleeping Aaron

"we're doing good thank you for asking, he's asleep right now, how are you guys?"

Lillian: we're doing well, thank you dear for asking

"Who are you talking to sunshine," Aaron says muffled against my neck

I massage his head and tangle my fingers in his hair "your mom"

"Well tell her you will call her later because I need sleep" he bites my neck, purposefully leaving marks to get me to end the call

Lillian: someone's quite grumpy

I hear her laughing

"yeah and clingy," I say fighting a smile, as I try removing his lips off my neck by turning my head

"Shhh," he says taking his pointer finger over my mouth,

"Aaron let me talk to your mother" I scold

"Can't you talk later" he whines like a child

Lillian: Can you hand him the phone dear

"of course"

"Aaron here your mom wants to talk to you" I smirk

He huff's before taking the phone his eyes remain closed

"Hi mom," he says half asleep

"Yeah yeah, can't you bother her later"

"No, I'm trying to sleep"

"No she's not going to another room, she's my pillow right now"

"Whatever, call her later"

"Please"

"Mom what is so important anyway"

"Okay we'll you checked up on us now can you please let me sleep"

"I'm not moody stop saying that"

I snatch the phone out of his hands while frowning slightly

"I'm sorry about him how about I call you tomorrow, I need to handle Mr crabby pants over here" I look at Aaron's face forming into a frown

Lillian: it's no problem he was always like this as a child, give him some food and he should be fine

She says while chuckling

"Alright thank you, I'll talk to you later"

Lillian: bye

(End of call)

"Aaron why are you so annoying" I sigh pinching the bridge of my nose

"I wouldn't be so annoyed if someone didn't interrupt my nice nap" he groans

I roll my eyes "you're such a baby, you didn't have to be so rude"

"I wasn't rude" he huffs

"Yeah you were, now call your mother and apologize," I say bringing my phone up to him

He takes his face out of the crook of my neck and rolls his eyes before taking the phone

"So damn bossy" he mumbles

I shake my head at his childish behavior,

"Hi, no it's me Aaron, not Vanessa"

"I'm sorry"

"For being rude"

"Yes, yes I know"

"But You're stealing my girlfriend away from me, it's rude"

"Yeah you are, I'm trying to peacefully sleep, and your calling"

"But-"

"No! I can't sleep without her"

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry, please can you call later and accept my apology"

"Thank you"

"I Love you too, bye"

I sigh taking the phone out of his hands "well that sounded like more whining and less apologizing, but it's better than nothing I guess"

"Shh" he frowns laying on my chest

"Are you hungry?" I ask stroking his hair

He hums in response

"Aaron that's not an answer" I fight a laugh

"Can't we just sleep right now?" he asks sleepily

"It's only 9 Aaron," I say looking at the clock

He lifts his head and lowers his mouth onto mine

He bites my lower lip "owww" I whine

"What the heck Aaron" I pout bringing my finger to my lip

He kisses my pout "sleep"

"No, you're going to eat" I argue

"Later" he replies

"Aaron you need to eat something and I'm not going to let you sleep until you have at least half of your sandwich, now get the hell up and let's go eat, we haven't eaten in hours," I tell him sternly

He stares at me with a small smirk

"You would make a very sexy boss you know that?" He whispers against my lips

I hum "yeah and would you be my assistant?" I whisper back

"I bet you would love telling me what to do all day," he says against my lips

I tilt my head to the side with a smile "I already do that, now go and eat" I say giving him a quick kiss

"Excuse you if I'm going to be listening to your demands I deserve a better kiss than whatever the hell that was," he says sounding offended

I smirk before capturing his lips into a longer, deeper kiss

I get up and get our sandwiches

"You're such an annoying man," I say as I set his sandwich on his lap

"One you love" he argues

"Very much," I say quietly while smiling and looking deeply into his eyes.

---notes---

Hope this chapter was okay...because I hate it but my lazy ass ain't changing it, I was MAJORLY procrastinating while writing this, (that's why it took longer than usual to post)

Vote and comment!

Word count: 3460