by Vivian Wood
I let my gaze wander up and down her body. She’s wearing a minidress, emphasis on the mini. Her legs are a mile long. I smile, thinking of how good those legs would feel wrapped around me. How she would grip my shoulder with her elegant hands, shouting my name as I drive into her deep. She’s tall for a girl, slender all over. My guess would be that she’s on the young side, but I’m okay with that. As long as the girl is legal I don’t put up much of a fight.
I go for another sip of my beer, trying to pull my gaze away from that girl who won’t turn around. The beer can is empty.
I think this is the point at which I realize I’m drunk. Like, really drunk. If I don’t slow it down, I could end up passing out before I even touch a girl. Which would really be a crime, considering that I think I just found the girl of my dreams.
“OMG! Shots!” one of the girls I’m dancing with squeals.
“Shots!!” the other girls chorus.
Two shot glasses are pushed into my hands. Without really thinking about it, I slug them back. I wince as the shitty tequila burns its way down my throat.
That probably wasn’t a good idea when I already decided that I need to slow down, but what the hell.
Out of the corner of my eye, Hottie McTurnedAround shifts her stance. She faces me. I see the excitement on her pretty face two seconds before she hugs Grayson.
Oh, shit.
Blue eyes. Dark brows. A hint of pink in her cheeks that will glow like twin coals under the slightest provocation…
I was just eye fucking Olivia, Grayson’s little sister. Drunkenly, yeah. But still.
That is definitely not allowed. That is so not allowed that it’s crazy. What the fuck is wrong with me?
My eyes won’t leave her body, even though I know that I should be angry at myself. Grabbing a shot that a guy is handing out, I throw it back, wincing at the slow burn. Then I give myself a shake.
Maybe my drunk senses fooled me. Surely if I look back over to Olivia again, I’ll find her… changed, somehow. But when I swing my gaze back to her, she looks every bit as good as ever.
And then she swings her blue gaze my way, taking me in. Seeing right through me, is how it feels. Suddenly she blurs, separating into two figures.
Fuck.
I really need to lie down.
And I really need to do it now, before I make the mistake of trying to chat Olivia up. There is no amount of drunk that can excuse that behavior.
Breaking away from my little dance party, I weave to the stairwell, making it halfway up before I black out.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Olivia
I will think about it.
Aiden’s tossed off response to me offering my virginity to him — something that took a lot of guts for me to mention — bounces around in my head for almost twenty-four hours.
When I’m in bed. When I’m working. When I’m sipping my afternoon glass of iced tea, trying desperately to forget how forthright I was with him.
It bothers me, how frank I was about my desire for him. And for a second, he was so stunned… I thought for sure he was going to say yes.
At least I heard good news from the hospital. Carter called this morning to say that Margaret was up and moving around, showing no deficits at all aside from her bum ankle. So that’s a relief.
Still, there is a ton of embarrassment and repressed longing washing around in my system, threatening to drown me. By the time Megan calls me, I’m a pent-up mess.
“So… I heard that Margaret is feeling way better,” Megan says.
I chew my finger. “Yes. Thank god.”
“And I’m especially glad, because… I have someone I think you should meet.”
Pulling my finger free on my mouth, I frown. “What?”
She chuckles. “Okay, so… I don't even normally hang out with that many straight guys. But I was forced to hang out with this new group of people and they are actually really cool. And hanging out with them made me think of you, for some reason. You guys have the same vibe, I guess.”
“Vibe?” I echo.
“Yeah. Like… nerdy, smart, have their shit together kind of people. I don't know. I was just thinking that you should meet all of them. And it just so happens that one of them is throwing the biggest house party tonight.”
My heart rate starts accelerating. “Oh, I don’t know Megan… I don't really do that well with house parties, typically.”
“Just come for one drink. Then if you hate it, we’ll split.”
I sigh. “Okay. One drink.”
“Yes! You won’t regret it. I’ll text you the address, because it’s just a little past your house. We’ll go early and feel it out. Like… I don’t know, in an hour.”
“Okay,” I say again.
After we hang up, I look up the address she texts me. She’s right about where the party is, because the house is practically close enough for us to be neighbors. As the sun sets, I put on makeup and fix my hair, then try about five different clothing combinations. I end up in a pastel pink high waisted skirt that is the shortest thing I have and a semi-sheer white tank top.
Looking in the mirror, I don't feel like this outfit is really authentically me. But maybe I can still pull it off anyway.
Grabbing my purse, I sling it over my shoulder and head out of the apartment. Walking along the wooded path between my apartment and the main house, of course I run into Aiden. He’s not wearing his handyman clothes. Instead, he wears a clean pair of dark blue jeans and a white tee shirt with the sleeves rolled up. A lollipop stick hangs out of his mouth.
If only I were that lollipop.
Just thinking that makes me blush furiously, though.
He takes one look at me, at the outfit I’m wearing. He pulls the bright red lollipop out of his mouth and squints at me. “Where are you off to?”
I don't know where to look. “A house party.”
“The same one that Carter invited me to?” he asks, frowning.
“Maybe.” I shrug. “I’m just going to the next house over I think.”
He studies me for a second. “Yeah, I’m going there too I guess. Give me a second to grab my phone from my apartment and I’ll walk over there with you.”
My face starts burning. The idea of walking over there with him, of the weighted silence between us, horrifies me. “I… I’ll meet you there. I told Megan I would… um… go there right now.”
My lame explanation is right there between us. Aiden squints at me and then shrugs. “Okay. See you there.”
I halfway run to the house rather than walking leisurely as I planned. Then I control myself, more walking than running down the driveway. As I walk the quarter of a mile over to the house, I get honked at no less than three times.
Although I get that you don't see a lot of cute girls in short skirts walking beside the highway, by the second one I start to wish that I’d taken Aiden up on his offer. It’s a quick walk though, no more than five minutes. I turn down the driveway where Megan told me to just as dusk settles.
Cars line the narrow pathway. I can hear the house party from here, the heavy bass line and shouts of party guests. Wub-dub-dub. Wub-dub-dub.
God, what have I gotten myself into? I glance behind myself and see a group of guys walking toward the party. Not wanting to get caught up in that net, I scurry toward the sounds.
The house reveals itself to be a Gothic masterpiece, all gables and dark red exteriors, three stories tall and rambling. There are people spilling out of the open front door, laughing and talking to each other. Each step closer seems like a worse and worse idea.
Then a familiar face turns my way. Carter spots me and trots over, wearing a dirty red button up and dark slacks. With his dark hair ruffled, his cheeks unshaven, and his dark eyes glinting, he looks like a million bucks.
God, maybe I tried out the wrong brother.
“I didn’t realize you were coming,” he says, giving me a hug.
I’m beyond glad to see him, and not just because
he looks like he just did a photoshoot for GQ. I flush. “Yeah, me either. Megan invited me.”
His lips curl up. “Same. She isn’t here yet, as far as I can tell though. Come on, come inside and grab a drink.”
He grabs me by the arm and tows me up the front steps. The music here is almost unbearably loud; we pass right by a speaker the size of my body as we head through the house. His height and broadness easily part the denseness of the crowd inside.
Soon we reach the back porch, where there is a keg and a large bowl of something blue on the table beside it. Carter leans over and cups his hands to his face.
“Beer or punch?” he asks, indicating the two choices.
“Ummm… punch?” I say quizzically.
He nods, grabbing us each a cup of the blue liquid. He hands me mine and I take a sip. Incredibly, I can’t taste the alcohol in this at all. Maybe it’s a non-alcoholic version or something.
I turn to Carter to say as much, but my attention is drawn away from him. Aiden appears out of the back door and looks around. He lays eyes on me, then sees Carter right next to me. Instantly his face turns as dark as a sudden thunderclap.
I have another gulp of the punch as Aiden makes his way over to us, glaring at us like he’s ready to cause trouble. God, I’ve only been here for two minutes and I’m already about to be the cause of an incident.
I plaster on a huge smile and move towards Aiden, stopping him with a hand on the middle of his chest. “Aiden! Glad you’re here.”
His gaze slides between me and Carter. The jealousy emanating from him is so evident it almost makes me laugh. He looks down at me, pinning me with his gaze. “I don't trust you alone with him,” Aiden rumbles in my ear.
My fake smile grows wider. “Okay! Okay, no problem. How about you and I grab you a drink?”
Aiden scowls at Carter. Carter shoots him almost the same look, a glare that would kill a lesser man. I need to break this up, fast.
Grabbing Aiden’s hand, I put on my bossiest voice. “You’re coming with me, Aiden.”
At the sound of his name, his gaze slides to me. He quirks a brow, his lips turning up faintly. My cheeks flame; he’s obviously amused by my tone.
I don’t care. Tugging at his hand, I stubbornly tow Aiden to the back door. Once we get inside, there are a ton of people to navigate through. The second he sees me struggling even a little, Aiden takes over. He steps in front of me and clears a path forward with his sheer size.
Now it’s my turn to be amused, because I noticed that his half-brother did the same thing. In the kitchen, Aiden grabs us each a cup of punch, hands me mine, and then heads toward the front of the house.
He gets through the entire house relatively quickly. People move out of his way and I just scoot along behind him. Aiden gets out the front door and down the steps without a glance back. He just expects me to follow.
Aiden doesn’t stop when he’s outside, though. He stalks to the end of the driveways, then across the highway. I hurry to keep up, my shorter stride making it a challenge.
When he gets down to the beach he stops and turns, sipping from his cup while he gives me a pointed look. I’m a few steps behind him, returning his gaze bashfully. His dark eyes are so intense right now, as if he sees right through my clothes and skin, right down to my bones.
I get a chill just meeting his gaze. Behind me, waves crash on the beach with a hiss.
One of his eyebrows lifts. “You were just going to do that, then?”
I’m chewing my lower lip, which I only realize just now. “Do what?”
He shakes his head and glances away, draining his cup. “Carter,” he grouses. “You were all over him.”
My face goes red. Still, I’m more than a little annoyed at his tone and antics. “Are you seriously slut-shaming me right now?” I give a disbelieving half-laugh. “You’ve got to be kidding me. You’re the biggest man slut I know. And besides, I wasn’t doing anything with Carter. We were just talking.”
“Just talking?” he asks. “I’ve seen how that goes. First he plies you with drinks, then he makes you laugh. Then at the end of the night, you end up in his bed.”
I set my cup down and then cross my arms. “First of all, you are wrong. I have my own mind. I make my own decisions. And second, even if I planned to spend the night with Carter, so what?”
His expression instantly turns into a glare. Tossing his empty cup down, he circles me. “So what? That’s what you want me to say when I hear you’re planning on giving your virginity to another man?”
I go bright red, glancing around. “Shhh! Aiden!” Grabbing his forearm, I lead him farther from the road even though no one is remotely close. The only thing around to shelter us is two mostly dead trees, one fallen and one still standing. I tow him over to them, facing him once again under the dead branches of the one that is still stubbornly gripping the sand below.
“I would like to keep my sex life private.” I level my gaze at him.
His expression is haughty.
“So what? People might think less of you because of who you choose to fuck? Newsflash, honey. Everyone judges. And everyone fucks. Everyone but you, apparently.” He’s so cocky that I want to slap him. Aiden looks me up and down suggestively. “We could fix that right now, though.”
I blush, but I keep my head held high, looking him right in the eyes. “You’re just saying that. You just want what you can’t have, like some… some spoiled little boy!”
Slipping an arm around me, he pulls me flush against his body. He glares at me as he leans down to whisper in my ear. “You don't want Carter, though. You want me. Am I wrong?”
Flushing at the closeness of his lips to my ear, I give my head a tiny shake. “No. You’re not wrong at all. But… Carter is here. And he’s available…”
Aiden uses his thumb and forefingers to pull my chin exactly where he wants it. Then he kisses me, slow and heavy. I melt against him, even though I should be running away.
When he pulls back an inch and looks down at me, his gaze is heavy with need.
“I’m here,” he whispers, placing another kiss on my lips. “I’m here right now. I want you. Are you going to say no?”
He flexes his hips against mine, making sure I can feel the outline of his cock. It’s thick and long, just like the rest of Aiden’s body. My whole body tingles with anticipation.
This is what I wanted. It’s what I need. Letting my eyes sink closed, I offer one last reason.
“What about Grayson?” I whisper.
His pause is so long that I open my eyes again. His brow is furrowed, his gaze fiery.
“I’ve been thinking about it. About how badly I want to fuck you. And I’m weak, Olivia. I want— No, I need it to be our secret,” he says at last. “Grayson never has to know about any of this. All I really want to know is whether or not I should use a condom.”
I bite my lower lip and shake my head. “I’m on the pill. But are you… have you been tested?”
He grins a little. “Yeah. Every month, without fail, I get tested for everything. I’m clean.”
I blush furiously, unable to meet his gaze. “I think we’re in the clear.”
Then he kisses me, his hands gripping my waist hard. And I put my arms around his neck, moaning as he kisses my neck. Little ripples of pleasure are already taking over my body and I don't have the willpower to resist.
“Yes,” I answer, my response little more than a huff of air. Every nerve ending is firing, alive with need. “Take me right now.”
I look at Aiden. His eyes bore into me. His fingers skim my cheek.
“You deserve more,” he whispers.
“I don't want it,” I say.
“At least let me take you inside,” he says quietly. “Make your first time special.”
I lean into him. “I don't care where I am.”
He backs me toward the fallen tree, his fingers touching my bare shoulder, drawing the strap of my sheer tank top down, inch by scorching inch. I close m
y eyes as my ass hits the tree trunk.
This is really it. It’s happening, after all these years of wanting Aiden.
I close my eyes and breathe out, trying to memorize each sensation I’m feeling so that I will remember them forever.
Then he surprises me by picking me up, carrying me toward the Morgan estate. I don't fight him on it; as long as he’s willing to have me, it doesn’t matter where.
I just kiss his ear, bracing myself for Aiden to put me down.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Olivia
We make it back to his apartment in one piece although Aiden stumbles with me in his arms more than a couple of times. He manages to make it inside the apartment and slam the door, carrying me to the bedroom. I giggle a little bit and he seems to drink it up.
Aiden is everywhere all at once, his calloused fingers touching my shoulders and my breasts, his hips pinning mine against the doorway. I throw my head back as he traces his lips down the column of my neck to the firm lines of my collarbone. He shifts me impatiently, pulling me up to sit on the bed.
He draws the remaining shoulder strap of my tank top down my arm, exposing more cleavage. “Fuck,” he mutters, sliding his gaze up to meet my own. “Do you realize how fucking beautiful you are, Olive?”
My cheeks turn pink. He used my nickname again, one I’ve hardly heard since I was a kid. Under his relentless gaze, I feel so seen, the opposite of invisible.
“No,” I breathe. His look is so direct and frank, so honest. It sears me from the inside out.
When he speaks again, it’s as much a worshipful promise as it is a compliment.
“I do.” He sucks in a ragged breath. “I’ve always thought you were beautiful.”
My eyes widen at that. It’s a little hard to believe him, but it’s even harder not to counter that with the earnestness written across his face.
In the next second, Aiden buries his face in the space between my breasts. I’m not wearing a bra, so when he pushes aside the material and exposes both my breasts, I’m bare before him.
