Loyal Heir

by Michelle Heard

  She pulls me to a stop, and then standing on her tiptoes, she wraps her fingers around the back of my neck and pulls me down to her. When her mouth touches mine, I move my arm around her waist and pull her against me.

  Aria’s lips brush against mine, and her tongue skims over my bottom lip before she pulls back. She sounds like a sexy siren as she whispers, “Yes, I’m excited.”

  I shake my head and begin to lean down. “Hell no. You can’t tease me with half a kiss.” I crash my mouth against hers and finish what she started.

  When I’ve kissed her thoroughly, I grin down at her. “Have a good first day, babe.”

  A smile splits over her face, and knowing she’s happy because of me fills my chest with warmth.

  “I like when you call me babe,” she admits.

  I press another quick kiss to her lips, then I murmur, “My babe.”

  Her eyes look like sparkling water as she says, “Always.”

  ARIA

  Whatever doubts I still had this morning are gone after Forest walked me to class. Every time his eyes met mine, I could see he’s serious about us, and Forest never backs out of something he’s fully invested in. It’s one of the things I love most about him.

  My day is spent trying to pay attention in class and thinking about Forest and me. It’s still surreal that we’re giving a relationship between us a try, fake or not. Part of me worries we’re moving too quickly, and I’m super confused about the new feelings. Then I remember his kisses and the sincere expression on his face, and I’ll find myself swooning.

  It was so sudden I’m still struggling to wrap my head and heart around it all.

  My phone vibrates, and pulling it from my pocket, I smile when I see it’s a text from Forest. Opening the message, I let out a burst of laughter. It’s a photo of a slice of chocolate cake. Another text comes through.

  F: Your favorite dessert is waiting for you.

  A: Are you referring to the cake or yourself?

  F: Both.

  I let out another chuckle.

  A: Be right there.

  When I walk into the restaurant, Forest’s eyes follow me until I sit down next to him. I spare the cake a glance. “Yummy.” Then I lean over and press a kiss to his lips. “Missed you.”

  Forest tilts his head. “It was weird today, wasn’t it?”

  I know he’s referring to us not having the same classes. “Yeah.”

  Picking up the fork, I stab a piece of the cake then hold it to Forest’s mouth. His eyebrow shoots up, and then he teases me, “You’re giving me the first bite? That’s huge. I’m taking it as a sign of commitment.”

  I let out a chuckle, then say, “Open up.” After he’s taken the bite, I grin, “The rest is mine.”

  Carla comes to sit down next to me and glances at the cake. “I’ll never understand how you can have dessert before a meal.”

  I turn to face her. “Yumminess before nourishment. What if I choke during lunch? Then I would miss out on my cake. This way, if I die, I’ll at least leave this world with a belly full of chocolate.”

  Carla laughs. “Like I said, I’ll never understand it.” She glances over the menu then asks. “What are you having for lunch?”

  “I ordered two pizzas,” Forest answers. “One with pineapple for Aria so you can share the other one with me.”

  “Oh, great.” Her gaze darts between us. “Is everything okay between the two of you?”

  Crap, has she picked up on the vibe between Forest and me?

  A frown forms between my brows. “Yeah. Why do you ask?”

  “I’m just checking to make sure.” A waiter interrupts us, and Carla orders herself orange juice. She never drinks soda. When the waiter leaves, she turns her attention back to us. “I want to know when I should take cover.”

  “Ha-ha,” I tease her.

  Forest takes hold of my hand and presses a kiss to the back of it, then says, “We’re still madly in love.”

  My eyes dart to his, and I feel my cheeks heat when I see the certainty on his face.

  Our food comes, but I finish my cake before I have a slice of pizza.

  Once we’re done eating, Carla says, “I’m going to the library. I want to get a head start on the assignment we got today.”

  “Okay.” I smile at her. “Good luck.”

  As Forest and I get up, Fallon and the rest of our group of friends come into the restaurant.

  “Hey,” Forest stops to greet Fallon.

  “How’s your first day?” she asks, her eyes darting between us.

  “Good,” Forest answers. “One hell of a workload so far, but I’ll manage.”

  “I still have all my notes and assignments from last year. I’ll email them to you,” Fallon offers.

  “That would be great. Thanks.”

  Fallon turns her gaze to me. “How’s your workload?”

  “Not bad. We’re mostly going over the syllabus for the year in each class.”

  “Lucky fish,” Fallon grumbles. “See you later.”

  Forest’s hand finds mine as we walk out of the establishment, and he asks, “What time is your next class?”

  “Not until three. I have two hours to kill.” I grin up at him and ask, “What time is yours?”

  “Two-thirty.” He glances over the campus then changes direction to our dorm.

  “Hmm…” I begin to tease him. “Why are we going to the suite?”

  He begins to walk faster, and I laugh as I have to jog to keep up with him.

  “I’d rather spend the time we have alone with you,” he answers as he pulls me into the building.

  By the time we step into the elevator, I’m out of breath. As the doors close, we turn to each other, and while I reach up for Forest, he grabs hold of my hips and yanks me toward him. Our mouths crash together, and in a split-second, I go from being his best friend to a girl that’s teetering on the edge of falling in love.

  It scares the hell out of me.

  Chapter 8

  FOREST

  We somehow make it to my bedroom without crashing into anything. I kick the door shut behind us, and with my mouth fused to Aria’s, I push her toward the bed.

  Aria breaks the kiss, and panting, she says, “Wait. Wait.” She sucks in a breath of air. “Are we doing this?”

  Tilting my head, I ask, “Making out?” I nod. “Yeah, definitely.”

  As I begin to lean down again, Aria places a hand against my chest and explains, “No, I mean, are we going to have sex?”

  Her question makes me freeze, and my thoughts scramble for the right answer. I want to but not sure whether Aria is ready to take that step, I ask, “Do you want to?”

  When a blush stains her cheeks, I stand and stare at her, totally transfixed. Her eyes dart down before they come back to mine, and then she begins to ramble, “Yeah… I mean, we should at least try… right? If we can’t have sex, then we’ll know we should just stick to being friends. Right?” She nervously tucks some hair behind her ear, then continues, “Also, you’ve made me feel things I’ve never experienced before, and I’m…” she shrugs, then resorts to whispering, “I want to… I want to try with you.” She lets out a shaky breath and looks down at the floor. “I want to see if the problem lies with me.”

  Christ, she’s never been more beautiful than she is at this moment. Seeing her vulnerable because of me makes a burst of protectiveness bleed into my heart.

  Lifting my hands, I frame her face and locking eyes with her, I say, “I’ll do whatever you want. If you want to take this slow, then we go slow. If you want to take the next step, then we take the next step.” Her breaths are still coming fast, and her features are tight with nerves. I give her a comforting smile. “You’re safe with me, Aria. I’ll never push you to do something you’re not comfortable with.”

  Aria darts forward and wraps her arms around my waist. She presses her face to my chest, then murmurs, “Why has it taken me so long to see what was right in front of me all along?” Her grip o
n me tightens, and I brush a hand up and down the length of her back.

  She pulls back and stares up at me. “Every guy I’ve dated pales in comparison to you. I really think if I can’t get it right with you, I’ll never get it right.”

  Her honesty strips me bare, and emotion fills my chest until it feels like I might burst.

  Leaning down, I press a tender kiss to her mouth, then I say, “It has always been you and me, Aria. There’s no one more important than you.”

  With my eyes locked on her, I see the moment she makes the decision. She lifts her chin, and there’s no doubt in her eyes as she says, “You know I love you. More than anyone.” Her eyes begin to darken, and I know she’s feeling emotional. “I want to make love with you.”

  Knowing she needs to hear it, I say, “We can stop at any time. Just say the word. Okay?”

  Aria nods while her tongue darts out to wet her lips.

  I let go of her so I can lock the door, and when I turn back to her, she looks vulnerable standing in the middle of my room.

  I walk to her and lifting a hand, I brush my fingers down from her temple to her jaw. “God, you’re exquisite.”

  Aria brings her hands up, and with trembling fingers, she begins to unbutton my shirt. I shrug the fabric off and let it fall to the carpet.

  When she swallows hard, I lean down and press another tender kiss to her lips. “Want me to take the lead, or are you good?”

  “I’m good.” She gives me a wavering smile.

  Tilting my head, I ask, “Why are you nervous?”

  “I know this is a big step for you,” she admits. “I know how much it means to you, and I just don’t want to disappoint you.”

  “That can never happen,” I assure her.

  Her smile widens, then she confesses, “I’m also excited. I get a feeling what’s about to happen will be a million times more intense than kissing you.”

  I grin at her and wanting to ease the tension, I tease, “It better be, or my ego will take one hell of a blow.”

  “Trust me,” Aria says, a playful expression erasing the tightness from her features, “I’m dead sure anything you do will be better than I’ve ever had.”

  ARIA

  My heart is pounding wildly in my chest, and my mouth feels dry.

  I’m filled with anticipation and anxiousness. Being with Forest is more nerve-wracking than anything I’ve ever experienced. It’s because I have so much to lose. Without Forest, I’d be half a soul.

  Everything is happening so fast it’s making my head spin, and my emotions spiral out of control.

  I need to know if I’m broken because after Eli, it sure feels that way. Honestly, my relationship with him left me traumatized.

  Still, I feel safe with Forest. Even if I don’t enjoy the actual sex, I know I’ll be okay because what I’m sharing with him will mean a lot to me emotionally.

  Forest’s hands take hold of my shirt, and when he pulls it over my head, I suck in a shaky breath.

  Please don’t let me be bad at this.

  Forest drops the fabric on the floor, and with his eyes locked on mine, he takes a step forward. Our bodies brush against each other’s, and it makes a shiver rush through me.

  He brings a hand to my jaw, and when he leans down, everything inside of me focuses on him. His breath flutters over my lips before our mouths fuse together.

  I’ve seen every side to Forest, except for this – the man he is when he’s loving a woman. He’s always been sure of himself, but being on the receiving end of his passionate kisses and desire-filled touches leave me breathless. It feels like I’m having an out of body experience.

  I feel the sudden loss of our friendship, knowing it won’t survive after we sleep together. But I also feel the security of our new love, one that’s stronger, leaving us committed in a way that nothing will be able to come between us.

  As Forest’s tongue brushes against mine and his fingers unbutton my jeans, I’m filled with a possessive feeling, wanting to make Forest mine and only mine. I never want to share him with anyone again.

  Using his body, he pushes me toward the bed, and when I lie down, his hands take hold of my jeans, and he pulls the fabric down my legs. I watch as Forest rids himself of his cargo pants and shoes. My eyes glide over every muscle and expanse of skin that’s visible to me before he crawls over my body.

  The nervous feeling rushes back, tightening my stomach, but I don’t let it stop me from lifting my hands to Forest's arms and arching my back so he can unclasp my bra.

  When he pulls the fabric away from me, and his eyes drop to my breasts, I hold my breath. I’m small and have always felt self-conscious about the size of my breasts. Especially after Eli commented that I should get implants because it felt like he was groping a boy.

  Forest lowers his head, and his mouth skims over my nipple. Goosebumps spread over my skin, and when he sucks me into the heat of his mouth, I let out a gasp from the intense tingles rushing through every inch of me. There’s a sharp tightening in my abdomen, drawing a soft cry from me.

  Forest lifts his head and staring down at me, he says, “You’re a masterpiece.”

  His words heal some of my low self-esteem.

  I lift my hands to his chest and flattening them against his skin, I drink in the feel of him as I brush them down to his abs. Reaching his boxers, my eyes dart to his before I begin to push the fabric down.

  Forest helps me get his boxers off, and then he drags my panties down my legs. When we’re both naked, we pause to stare.

  My one eyebrow lifts as I take in the size of him. I’m not sure whether I should get excited or worried about how big he is.

  “Are you still okay with this?” he suddenly asks.

  My eyes dart to his, and I nod. “Yes.”

  Forest’s hand settles on my side as he lies down beside me. Lifting my head, I press my mouth to his. I bring my hands up and weave my fingers into his hair. Tilting my head, I brush my tongue against his.

  Forest takes control of the kiss, his whole body moving over mine as he bites my bottom lip before plunging his tongue back into my mouth. It feels aggressive, as if he’s trying to dominate me, and it makes me melt into a puddle of desire beneath him.

  His hand moves down, and when he slips between my legs, I gasp as a sharp sensation tightens my abdomen. His finger brushes over my clit, and my body trembles in response.

  Forest kisses his way down my body, and I’m not prepared for the sensations as his shoulders force my legs apart, and his tongue lashes over my clit. It’s so overwhelming, my hips buck off the bed, and a silent cry escapes me.

  I grab hold of the covers, and when his teeth scrape over me, my thighs begin to tremble.

  God, I’ve never felt anything like this.

  Forest begins to alternate between lapping at my clit and thrusting his tongue inside me. Within minutes, I’m a quivering mess, gripping the covers for dear life.

  “God,” I cry as the tightening becomes too much. “Forest!” I pinch my eyes shut, and I’m sure my nails are about to tear through the covers. My butt lifts off the bed, every muscle in my body feeling like they’re about to snap. “I can’t. It’s too much.”

  Forest pushes a finger inside me, and when he curls it, my entire world explodes. It’s sudden and overwhelmingly intense. My body begins to convulse uncontrollably as pleasure, unlike anything I’ve ever felt before, invades every inch of me. My abdomen clenches tightly, bordering on painful. All I can do is gasp. I can’t think of anything as the orgasm sweeps through me.

  As I begin to come down, I manage to lift my trembling hands to my face in time to smother the sob. I feel overemotional, fulfilled, but most of all – I don’t feel like I’m broken anymore. I can climax.

  Forest, knowing me better than anyone, pulls my hands away from my face, and giving me a loving smile, he says, “See, there’s nothing wrong with you.”

  I nod before I press my mouth to his, and then I taste myself on his tongue, and it
wakes something primal in me. Moving my hand down between us, I wrap my fingers around his cock. When I start to stroke him, his breath hisses into me.

  Forest breaks the kiss, then asks, “Condom or bare?”

  “Bare.” I position him at my entrance. “I’m on the pill.”

  He uses his left arm to keep himself braced over me, and placing his right hand on my hip, he pushes the head of his cock inside me.

  I lift my face and crash my mouth to his. I suck his tongue hard, wanting to taste more of myself.

  Forest enters me slowly, giving me time to adjust to him. When I think he’s all the way in, I lift my hips just as he thrusts forward.

  “Holy. Mother,” I gasp as he hits a spot that has never been touched before, and I feel a twinge of pain.

  His voice is tense as he asks, “Are you okay?”

  I nod. “You’re just bigger than I expected.”

  My words make him grin. “I’m taking that as a compliment.”

  I nod again. “Totally.”

  The playful moment fades from his face as he stares deep into my eyes, making space for something akin to awe as he murmurs, “Fuck, I’m getting to make love to you.”

  He pulls out, and when he thrusts back in, my back arches, pressing my breasts against his chest, and again I’m overcome with intense tingles spreading through me. It’s as if every touch is electric, stunning me into a Forest-induced trance.

  His mouth crashes against mine, and the kiss is just as dominating as his body as he begins to move. With every thrust, his tongue strokes mine.

  Forest demands that my mind, my body, and my heart are solely focused on him.

  Chapter 9

  FOREST

  I’m amazed by how sensitive Aria is to my touch. I’m not the most experienced man on the planet, and I’ve only been with one other girl, but damn, I got Aria to orgasm in minutes.

  My girl’s definitely not broken.

  I kiss her with all the emotion I feel after making her orgasm for the first time. As I fill her until my cock is sheathed in her heat, one thought dominates all others – Aria was made to be mine.