Love Desired

by Kelli McCracken

  My throat constricted once the words left my mouth. The way she stood there, focusing on my face yet not saying anything, had me regretting my decision to do this. It was too much for her to handle. I should have known better than to—

  She leaned closer to me, filling the last bit of space that existed between us. Instincts had me wrapping my arms around her, and once I did, I felt her muscles relax.

  “You have broken through, Ayden, more than you know. That terrifies me.”

  “Why?”

  “Because I don’t want your involvement with me to harm your career in any way.”

  “It won’t.” I held her close, hoping like hell she would believe me. It didn’t work. Doubt darkened her face.

  “Aren’t you afraid of the rumors that will start? Will you be able to handle someone approaching you, accusing you of having success because of being involved with me?”

  “I think I handled Wesley’s snide remarks just fine.” For a moment, I saw a hint of a smile on her lips. When it disappeared, I pressed my finger against them. “I don’t care what anyone else thinks. I’ll face down any rumor someone creates, as long as I have a chance with you.”

  I was getting through to her. The way her expression softened said as much. The fact that we were having this conversation was surreal. I had to make sure it wasn’t for nothing.

  “Mia . . .” I whispered her name as I cupped her cheek. She studied my mouth as I pressed one hand to the small of her back. “I’ve tried to resist you from day one, but the more time I spend with you, the less I want to fight what I’m feeling.”

  “Tread carefully, Ayden. Don’t rush into something unless you know it’s what you want.”

  It was too late. I realized we were only two months into this, but how long was I supposed to wait? How would I know if she was the one if our relationship didn’t go in that direction?

  “I know exactly what I want, Mia.”

  “And what’s that?”

  I lowered my head toward her and whispered, “You.”

  Hesitation played in her eyes, but only for a moment. I didn’t give her a chance to think about it. In one swift motion, my hand fisted her hair, bringing her lips to mine.

  There was no resistance on her end. Quite the opposite. She melted against me, reminding me of the lush body pressing against mine. What I wouldn’t give to be underneath her, watching her ride my cock.

  My tongue sought hers. The moment I found it, I rolled them together. She moaned at the sensation. So did I, but it wasn’t the only thing arousing me. I groaned at the thought of stripping her down and carrying her to the bedroom.

  Then it would be on. I would fuck Mia all night. I’d make sure she never forgot my name or the way I felt inside her.

  * * *

  ~Mia~

  I couldn’t fight against this anymore. Ayden. The way I felt about him. The feelings he brought to life with every pass of his lips. As if the words he’d said to me hadn’t drawn me in enough, his mouth was making me forget everything except him.

  If he didn’t stop, I’d succumb to his every want. Part of me wanted to anyway. My desire for him began in Tucson. Every day since then, it had increased. The thought made my heart pound faster. Yet a little voice inside my head thrummed a warning. I was getting in too deep, too soon.

  When Ayden broke the kiss and stared at me, I half expected him to step away. He hadn’t thus far, and the way that excited me was a sure sign that I was already too far gone. Ayden had gotten to me. I was falling for him.

  A question hung on his lips, but he didn’t ask it. He studied me a moment then pulled me against him. My resolve crumbled at my feet.

  His hands were all over me, pulling and tugging my clothes. I was doing the same to him, not thinking about any consequences our actions could cause. As soon as we crossed the threshold of my bedroom, I knew exactly where this was leading.

  I didn’t fight it. My body craved Ayden’s touch. It craved each caress of his hand and every roll of his tongue.

  My shirt hit the floor first. His followed. He kissed my neck, biting tiny sections as he unhooked my bra and lowered the straps down my arms. It plopped against the floor just as his finger worked the button loose on my jeans.

  I don’t remember hearing them fall to the floor. I was too focused on the heat of his hands, the way they consumed me when he rolled my panties past my hips. As soon as they hit my ankles, I stepped out of them. The darkness of the room didn’t leave me much of a view, not that I needed to see him. I could feel him, the muscles cording under my palm, the smooth skin of his cock rubbing against my thigh.

  Part of me wanted to stop this from going any further. I didn’t want to give him the wrong impression. I didn’t sleep around. I’ve never been one to say to hell with everything and fall into bed with a man. The fact this was happening between us so soon left me questioning my decision. I wanted to be with him, but he had to know it was for the right reasons.

  “Ayden,” I began as I pulled away. “I don’t want you to think less of me.”

  “Think less of you?” His voice was calm but full of confusion.

  “I don’t sleep around. I’ve been with a total of two men, and it took months before it got to this point with either of them.”

  “I believe you, Mia. I also believe in us. What’s happening between us . . . it’s right.”

  He caressed my face, waiting for any sign of my objection. I had none. I wanted him, wanted to feel his body next to mine, feel the way he filled me with his cock.

  His lips warmed mine again. I gave in to the kiss and let go of the rest of my doubt. Life was about taking chances. This was my chance at happiness. I refused to let it slip away.

  Ayden sat on the edge of the bed and pulled me onto his lap. I felt awkward sitting on him at first, especially when I heard the distinct sound of a condom wrapper breaking open. When his mouth latched onto my nipple, everything else faded from my mind.

  I rocked against him as he sucked harder. His tip met my entrance as mild pressure formed. It grew more intense as his cock slid inside of me. I drew in a deep breath, not expecting him to be as thick as he was. I was full of him a moment later.

  The thought made me wetter. I clenched against him, enjoying the way he pulsed inside me. He released my nipple as he groaned against my breast. His hands dug into my hips, gripping them tighter as he guided them.

  We fell into a rhythm, with me sliding up and down him as he held on to me. When I leaned my forehead to Ayden’s, his breath warmed my cheek. The light outside the window was enough for me to see his eyes, how they were fixed on me as he breathed hard.

  In the distance, I could hear music playing, but the sound of his grunts grew louder. So did my moans. I cried against his mouth as I felt my clit swelling against the friction of his body.

  Grabbing his shoulders, I held on to him as I worked my hips faster. A slow tickle began deep within me, spreading to my belly. Pressure formed below, pressure I knew would come to a head with a few more rocks of my hips.

  It had been too long since I’d made love. My body was revealing my secrets. If I came this quick, he would know the control he had over me. Yet the more I fought it, the more I saw myself losing the battle.

  I slid away, nearly taking him out before thrusting my hips toward his. His cock spread me so deeply I cried from the pleasurable pain.

  “Mia . . .” His voice was barely a whisper but enough to make me shiver with want. I ached for him, for the sweet release I knew was close. “I want to feel you come.” He teased my lips again as he nipped the bottom one. “Please, come for me.”

  Hearing him beg so desperately sent me over the edge. All the pressure building inside me came to a head. It exploded the moment I slid back onto him.

  My body jerked. Each throb of my clit had me crying out. The sheerest pleasure jolted through my body, twisting every muscle until I turned to putty.

  As soon as I leaned against him, he guided my hips up and down a
few more times. His teeth raked against my neck as he nipped it. The sound of his voice grew raspier, his breaths more frequent.

  Then his body seized.

  A few grunts left his mouth as his cock pulsed inside of me. He was coming. I delighted in that fact as much as the way he held me tight. Even when he’d finished, he didn’t move. His chest heaved from his heavy breathing, but his grip on my body was as fierce as when this all began.

  Wrapping my arms around him, I enjoyed the way he felt in my arms. When he pressed his temple against my breasts and squeezed me harder, I did the same to him.

  We didn’t speak. There was no need. Everything we needed to say, we did it with tender touches and soft caresses. Body language revealed things words could not.

  If I could freeze time, it would be this moment. Everything was perfect. The thought of it ending left me feeling empty. I wasn’t sure what would happen after tonight. I knew what I wanted to happen.

  The only question was, did Ayden feel the same?

  Chapter 10

  ~Mia~

  The atmosphere backstage was chaotic as usual. After spending my life growing up in this business, I’d become accustomed to it. Not tonight. My mind was full of thoughts, each spinning around inside my head until I felt drunk.

  I glanced at Ayden, allowing his presence to soothe my anxiety. He was just as anxious as I was. Hopefully, my presence was helping him too.

  We had been counting down the days for the last month. It didn’t seem like this one would ever arrive. Now that it had, it felt as though time had flown by.

  After tonight, Ayden’s music career would change. Tonight, Breaking Silence was performing for the public, as well as agents and label executives. It was his moment to shine as much as it was time for me to fulfill my promise.

  It was hard to believe that almost four months ago, he would barely look at me. I’d resisted him as much as possible too. Now we were in a relationship. All it took was one night with him for me to let down my guard. Part of me hadn’t come to terms with that fact, but I tried to drown out that voice whenever it sang its song of doubt.

  Ayden hadn’t given me any reason not to trust him. He was nothing like Wesley or the first man who stole my heart. I assumed it was the fact that he didn’t have the ego either of them had. A lot of it had to do with his ex.

  As much as I didn’t like the thought of him getting hurt by another woman, at the same time, I knew in a way it brought us together. That relationship did something to him. It broke his confidence.

  I planned to rebuild it.

  Touching his shoulder, I stood on my toes and leaned toward his ear. “Are you ready for this?”

  He glanced toward the sea of people beyond the stage. They were hanging on to Andi’s every word. She was pumping up the crowd like she always did. Hell, she’d been doing the same thing since she was sixteen.

  Locals loved coming to hear new music. It made them feel like they were a part of something bigger. I valued their reactions more than anything. They made a great test group when it came to planning marketing strategies.

  I had no doubts they would love what they heard from Breaking Silence.

  Finally gazing back at me, Ayden shrugged his shoulders. “Tough shit if I’m not ready.” He chuckled at me when I frowned. “I’m ready, Mia. This isn’t my first time on stage. After everything we’ve accomplished together, I know our music is better than ever. It’s time to prove it.”

  He looked around at everyone in the vicinity, then he kissed the end of my nose. While we may be a couple, we did our best to keep it somewhat under wraps. Andi and Bentley knew. So did his bandmates, Jason and Ryan. As for everyone else, we tried not to show too much affection outside of my suite. It didn’t stop him from doing sweet things like he just did.

  One day, we wouldn’t hide it anymore, but until he was further along in his career, I didn’t want to do anything to jeopardize it. Plus, I didn’t want to give Wesley a reason to start his shit again. He’d behaved so far. That fact disturbed me as much as it relieved me, but with Ayden by my side, I wasn’t worried about Wesley doing something to me.

  A moment later, Bentley walked up to us. Jason and Ryan weren’t far behind. That meant the time had come. I had to leave and let Ayden work his magic.

  Bentley went to his drum set while Ryan and Jason found their guitars. All that was left was for Ayden to stand in front of the microphone. Andi was wrapping up her introduction, and I knew I didn’t have much time to exit the stage.

  Just before I turned to go, Ayden pulled me closer. “For good luck.”

  He didn’t say anything else. Instead, he kissed me. It wasn’t anything modest, either. It was a sensual kiss, one that made my body heat in all the right places.

  I didn’t notice anyone looking at us when he pulled away. Not that I had time to worry. I mouthed the words good luck and sprinted off the stage as he advanced toward the mic.

  He was ready when the curtain opened. Bentley started the song as his bass drum set the tempo. Jason joined in a second later, followed by Ryan.

  The crowd went nuts as Breaking Silence began their first song. I reveled in the thought as I made my way up the stairs to the bar. People were waiting for me in the VIP box. I needed to gauge their reaction to the music before they made any offers. Most of them were easy to read, and I would know who had Breaking Silence’s best interest at heart.

  I hadn’t planned to stay this long with Ayden, but I couldn’t leave him until I knew he was ready. That didn’t happen until he kissed me. The rebellious moment gave him the confidence he needed because when he came back into view, there was nothing but a strong, talented man showing off his skills.

  Though we’d worked together in the studio, hearing him play live— uncut and unedited—made my heart race. It was like the first time I heard him play, how the tone of his voice called to me, the gritty sound tugged at me, drawing me closer.

  Forcing myself to keep going, I waved at a few guests on my way to the VIP box. It came into sight as I rounded the corner of the bar. A few of the men awaiting my arrival were old acquaintances of my grandfathers. Others, I’d met in the last few years.

  For the most part, I’d earned the respect of the newer associates from reputation. A couple thought they could bulldoze me, but they would learn in time that I didn’t bend to their demands.

  In truth, I enjoyed working with the older associates more than newer ones. I’d worked with several of them since I was eighteen, but back then, I didn’t have their respect. It wasn’t until I proved to them that I knew what I was doing that they viewed me differently. None would question me now.

  Stopping at the end of the bar, I waved at Max, who had drinks prepped for Andi and me. She wouldn’t be far behind. We’d made this our meet-up spot before we went to see any associate. It took her a few extra minutes to get upstairs after she opened the show, which allowed me time to gauge the reactions of those that came to hear the performances.

  This time, it was twice as important.

  A couple of them were bobbing their heads to the beat. A few more tapped their fingers against the closest object, while the one standing back the furthest played a little air guitar. They were enjoying what they were hearing.

  The thought calmed my nerves. So did the drink Max made for me. I took a small sip, concentrating on the warmth of the liquor as much as the sweetness of the juice.

  I spotted Andi approaching. She didn’t say much as she grabbed the drink Max left for her and placed it to her lips. Taking a long sip, I waited until she finished before I chuckled.

  “Nervous?”

  She snorted. “That doesn’t come close to describing it. Guess this is what I get for falling for someone we’re working with.”

  “Welcome to my world. I’m letting history repeat itself after promising myself that I wouldn’t.”

  Taking another drink of my cocktail, I noticed her shaking her head. “Ayden’s different than D.”

  “
Is he?” I asked her the question as much as myself. “Ayden wasn’t nice to me when he first arrived.”

  “Yes, and you told me it’s because of what his ex-girlfriend did. D was just a jerk when you two first met.”

  It was more than that. D was damaged. Andi didn’t know because she wasn’t there for every second of our working relationship or the personal one we developed later. She wasn’t there when I fell in love with him, nor did she see the little things that made me as crazy about him as I was.

  But she was there after he broke my heart.

  “For the most part, you’re right. Ayden isn’t like D, but they do have some similarities. There was a side of D you never saw like I did.”

  “Even so, I have a different feeling about Ayden. I really think he’s the one for you.” She touched my shoulder and curled her hand over it. “I’m not sure I’ve ever seen you this happy, Mia. That says something.”

  Andi and her gut feelings . . . Granted, most of the time her intuitive insight was accurate. It’s why I paid attention when she mentioned it after the concert in Tucson. Hearing her repeat the words weighed on me harder. Was she right? Was Ayden the one?

  It was too soon to tell. I didn’t have time to worry about it right now anyway. There was a box full of influential men in the industry, men that could make Breaking Silence one of the best bands in history. I couldn’t keep them waiting.

  Making our way to them, we were greeted with a round of smiles, many hellos, and plenty of handshakes. Several expressed their amazement about how good the band sounded live. Studio quality. That’s what they said. It was the words I wanted to hear, and they were coming from the right people.

  Of all the associates I’d invited tonight, there were three I wanted to meet with more than the others. The first was Dave Shultz, the eager and sometimes annoying agent who called me off the hook for the last few days. Second would be Richard Russell, a longtime acquaintance of mine and the CEO of one of the most reputable recording labels. The third was Doug Moore, a highly sought-after entertainment manager who represented more than musicians. He had several of Hollywood’s best movie stars as clients. The man knew people.