Clonely You (Sunrise Cantina #2)

Chapter 7

CHAPTER

SEVEN

ONE MONTH LATER

MICHAELA

Aithar flops down on the bed next to me and groans. I grin to myself, rolling onto my side so I can watch him recover. Every time he comes, he acts as if his entire being is about to fall to pieces. It’s all very dramatic and adorable and I love to watch him and the look of wonder on his face. He scrubs a hand over his brow and turns to look at me, expression utterly adoring. “You are a marvel.”

“Yeah, I’m pretty awesome.”

“Awesome does not even begin to describe it.” His hand slides to his chest, over the tattoos on his heart. “You are the most generous of females. And you never ask for anything for yourself. Truly, I do not understand it.”

I shrug.

In truth, I’m not sure I understand it myself. In the month that we’ve been meeting up—or dating, I suppose—Aithar has come over every day. And every day, I’ve been the one in control. Every day, I’ve been the one that establishes when and where we kiss and for how long. I’m the one doing the touching. I’m the one giving the pleasure. I enjoy it, too. I love Aithar’s sweet and genuine responses to my touch. I love how amazed he is when I make him come. I love how he cries out my name when I suck on his cock, or when I tickle that spot underneath his balls that makes him go wild. In short, I’m giving him everything I can and the only thing I’m taking for myself are kisses…and control.

But oh man, I love that control.

In the past, my relationships have been equal, with my partner giving as much as taking. With Aithar, however, just the thought of ceding my control and letting him take charge has me in a panic. I end up tying him to the bed and giving him strategic hickies until he no longer remembers to ask when it’s his turn to do me.

It’s been a month of fooling around and I’ve been enjoying myself more than I thought I would. I thought after a few rounds of kissing and some heavy petting, I’d get tired of seeing Aithar. I’d seal myself into my isolation once more, focusing on my dairy farm alone and saving up money to buy back my sister. Yet the days pass, and I tell myself that this time, this time, I’m not going to invite Aithar over again the next day.

Each time, we part with a kiss and me demanding that he come back the next day, which he enthusiastically agrees to. And I’m delighted that he’s interested in returning, too.

I should go and visit his friends in town. I should ask about Rafaela. I should move our relationship forward.

But I just…don’t.

We’re stalled, and I know it’s my fault. I’m seizing a little joy for myself and it’s hard to give that up. I’m not sure I want to change things yet. Why rock the boat when things are just fine as they are? I roll onto my back and stretch, pleased with myself. “The flavored butter is working out really well, you know. I sell out almost immediately each time.”

Aithar reaches for me, but I capture his hand in mine and twine our fingers together instead. It’s another way of me keeping control of the situation, even in a small way. “You are doing a fantastic job with your business. How is production?”

“Behind. I should probably be out in the barn right now, getting another batch of butter started.” But I don’t get up from bed. I just lift our twined hands to my mouth and kiss his knuckles.

“I could come help more often. Or perhaps one of my friends?—”

“No.” It’s not the first time he’s offered for others to help, or for him to assist to bring my production up to demand. “It’s my job, and I want everything that goes out the door to be something I created.”

He doesn’t argue. It’s something I’ve told him is important to me—remaining in charge of my business. The last thing I want is for something sub-par to go out the door and I lose customers. No one cares about my business as much as me, so I want to handle it all. “They will just have to be patient,” he muses. “I am learning it’s not a common thing with humans. They want what they want, and they want it now.”

“They’ll appreciate it more if they have to wait a bit longer,” I agree. Truthfully, I could sell three times as much as what I’m making, but I’m afraid of letting things spiral out of my control

He turns and looks at me, a devoted expression on his face. Every day, without fail, Aithar watches me as if I have hung the moon. He acts as if I am the most perfect, gorgeous, clever woman ever. I thought I’d get tired of it but…how does one get tired of being adored? It’s impossible.

“Want to come into town tomorrow for dinner? Several of us are getting together at the cantina to test the menu.” He rubs his fingers against mine even as I nibble on his knuckles. “Others are bringing dates, so neither you nor I would be the focus of conversation. And no one thinks you are pretending to be my girlfriend any longer.”

“I appreciate the invite, but I think I’m going to focus on work.”

“Mm.” Aithar isn’t surprised at my decline. Every time he invites me out, I refuse for one reason or another. “Well, if you change your mind…”

“I’ll let you know for sure.” I turn his wrist over and press a kiss to the soft flesh there. “Will you come over afterward, then?”

The heated look he gives me makes my toes curl. “Always.”