“Babe,” he said to Felicity, deciding to take his earpiece off so he could focus on this conversation. “You understand the need for all the IR secrecy regarding our identities, right?”
“Yes.”
“Do you still feel some resentment that I hid it from you?”
Felicity glanced at the masked IR.
“It’s okay,” Aidan said. “I’m okay for her to hear this part.”
“Well…” Felicity paused. “I guess a part of me wondered why it has to be kept a secret to people close to us. I mean, I’m already thinking about Isla. I know I can’t tell her—and I won’t—but I’ll always want to.”
“Do you think you can lie to her if, say, you’re called to work on a case while you’re having a get-together?”
Felicity exhaled heavily. “I’m gonna have to, won’t I? I can imagine Isla worrying to death about me being an IR. She might even do some covert investigation herself to see what I’ve gotten myself into. And I can’t have her doing that. She might stumble upon unsavoury characters and…” She shook her head. “For her own protection, I can’t tell her. It’s just like you couldn’t tell me even after I broke up with you.”
Isla sniffed.
Felicity looked at the masked IR, frowning. Then, her eyes widened, and she paled.
Aidan held his breath. Felicity had recognised her best friend.
“Oh my God,” Felicity whispered. “Isla?”
Isla nodded, running to Felicity and throwing her arms around her. “I’m so sorry. I couldn’t tell you.”
Felicity glanced at Aidan. Then, her tears fell, and she hugged Isla fiercely. “I can’t believe this. My best friend and my boyfriend are both IRs.”
Aidan smiled, his chest expanding so much at the sight before him. This was perfect.
After a long moment, the ladies pulled apart.
“This mask is not good for crying,” Isla complained, wiping her face with her sleeve.
Felicity laughed, using her fingers to dry her tears. “I’m dying to hear both your stories.”
“You’ll know once we finish here,” Isla promised.
Felicity looked to the heavens. “The suspense is killing me.”
They all laughed.
“Let’s see what’s going on now,” Aidan said, wearing his earpiece again.
“What can you hear?” Felicity asked.
“One of the goons is still singing. Our guys are doing a great job with the interrogation.”
“Great. Can you also hear?” Felicity asked Isla.
“Yup.”
“So, I’ll get one of those in the future, right?”
“Yeah, if you’re really keen on becoming active,” Aidan answered.
“I am. I know you’ll train me well, huh, team leader?” Felicity bumped his shoulder with hers.
“He’s the best teacher and mentor,” Isla said sincerely.
A masked IR entered the room. “Heya,” said Kallan. “Glad you’re okay, Fel.”
“Oh my God.” Felicity placed the back of her hand on her forehead and swayed.
“Fel!” Aidan was quick to be by her side to catch her.
Felicity straightened. “I’m kidding,” she dryly. “I can’t believe it. Kallan, you, too?”
“Uh-huh. Since Isla already unmasked herself, so to speak, I thought it would be okay if I did, too.”
“How did you know she did?” Felicity asked.
Kallan tapped his ear. “We can all hear you with Isla’s and Aidan’s microphones turned on.”
Aidan draped an arm around Felicity’s shoulders. “We always have each other’s backs during operations. And, yes, you’ll get your mic, too.”
“That’s good. So, will I recognise any other IRs?”
He kissed her temple. “A handful more, sweetheart. A handful more.”
Felicity shook her head in wonder, then she curved her arms around his waist and burrowed her face in his neck. “I can’t wait to meet them all as Indie Rebels.”
Aidan tightened his arms around Felicity. This night—this moment—would forever burn in his mind and heart.
Chapter 22
One Year and Three Days Later…
Aidan woke up with the feel of weight on top of him and kisses being pressed on his lips. He hid a smile as he half-opened his eyes. “What time is it?”
“Eight-thirty,” Felicity said. “Time to get up.”
“We don’t need to be there till lunchtime,” he mumbled, pretending to still be super sleepy. “Give me another hour.”
“But we have things to do before we head to Bowral.” Felicity placed a peck on his cheek.
“We’ve decided to buy food instead of cooking, right? We’ll get it from Mar’s favourite restaurant near her place. We can order before we leave.”
He felt Felicity‘s hand wrap around his already stiff cock. His lids flew open.
“I’m not talking about food,” Felicity purred, stroking him.
He grinned. “Why didn’t you say so?”
Felicity pouted. “You couldn’t tell?”
Aidan let out a low chuckle. “I’m sorry, babe. Let me make it up to you.” He rolled them over so he was on top. “So you woke up horny, huh?” he murmured as he caressed a breast.
“Thought it should be my turn,” Felicity said, rubbing her leg against his.
He smiled as he ran a hand down her side and up under her nightgown. “I’m glad you woke me up or we wouldn’t have had time for this.” He pulled Felicity’s panties down her legs.
“My thoughts exactly,” Felicity breathed as she kicked her underwear out of the way. “I wanted you last night, but I was very tired, too.”
Aidan ran his palm up her inner thigh. “Well, we’ve got plenty of energy now. And I bet you’re already soaked.” His fingers found her wet centre, and he moaned at being proven right.
Felicity gasped. “Yessss.”
His cock jerked at Fel’s readiness. God, he couldn’t get enough of this woman. And one of his favourite things to do was to drive her crazy with want.
“You’ve been waiting for this?” he murmured in her ear as he started to rub her clit with his slick finger.
Fel moaned her answer.
“You want me to lick it while I do this?” He inserted a digit inside her.
“Oh, God, yes,” Felicity answered, looking at him with hooded eyes.
“When?” He dipped his head to take a nipple between his lips while he resumed stimulating her nub.
“You always give me hard choices,” Felicity complained. She found his erection and stroked.
Aidan groaned. “You have magic hands.”
“I’m sure it’s not just my hands that are magic,” Felicity said sultrily.
He chuckled. How he loved making love with this woman. Felicity brought him to heights of passion and ecstasy he’d never known existed before he met her.
And he was clear why. His heart was completely engaged with his body during sex with Fel. With her, it was always sublime.
He crawled down her body and settled himself between her legs. He poked his tongue out and licked her swollen nub.
Felicity moaned loudly.
Ah, he loved that sound—and he wanted more of it.
As he’d promised, he pushed a finger into her wet centre as he continued to tease her clit with the tip of his tongue. He stayed with her like that, using his mouth the way he knew she loved, and was rewarded by her unbridled cries of lust.
Unfailingly, Felicity’s passion turned him on further, and every cell in his body craved to respond to her need.
Felicity tried to sit up.
“Had enough?” Aidan asked with fake innocence.
Felicity giggled. “Yes. I’m going to have a shower now.”
He made a face, tackling her so she was lying back on the bed with him on top. “Sure, sure. Tell me what you really want,” he said huskily.
Locking gazes with him, Felicity ran a finger along his lips. “Take me now. I wa
nt to feel you hot and hard inside me.”
How could he resist? Eagerly, he positioned himself and placed the tip of his erection at her entrance. He savoured the moment of intense anticipation before pushing in slowly, then pulling out. Then in again, much deeper this time, and pulling almost all the way out.
Felicity placed her palm on his cheek. “So good, sweetheart. More, please.”
Argh, he could never say no to this woman. He thrust again, no longer holding himself back, giving Felicity what she asked for—which was exactly everything he wanted. He pumped his hips tirelessly as he stared at the beautiful face expressing so much pleasure that he felt it in his bones.
Fuck, he was so close. Felicity always did this to him—made him lose all control apart from the focus it took to take the both of them to their own special heaven.
“Aidan,” Felicity gasped, her body tensing.
“Come, babe. Come with me now,” he panted.
And they cried out their release, reaching the crest together.
He collapsed on top of her, breathing hard. “I love you.”
“I love you more,” Felicity murmured.
Aidan reared up so she could see him rolling his eyes. How many times did he have to tell her that wasn’t possible?
“I love you the same,” Felicity corrected.
He chuckled. “I think I love you more.”
“Hey, don’t start that. Not fair.” Felicity swatted his bottom lightly.
“Hm, that turns me on.”
Felicity laughed. “No. We have to get ready. I want to stop by the flower shop and get Mar her native flowers, too.”
“Okay,” he said readily, pulling out of her and rolling off the bed.
Today was a big day. There were two surprises for Felicity, both of them of equal importance.
Chapter 23
Felicity grinned with excitement as they turned into the driveway of Maricar’s Bowral property. She loved this place, and she loved visiting Mar even more. The woman had embraced Felicity like the daughter she'd never had, just like she’d found a mother-figure in Mar.
Her brows rose at seeing cars parked ahead. “Who else is coming?”
“Don’t know,” Aidan answered.
Felicity narrowed her eyes. “Why are your lips twitching?”
“They are not.”
“I saw them twitch.”
“Not because of the cars,” Aidan protested. “You know I’m a poker face.”
“Not with me, you’re not,” she said smugly. She frowned as they neared the other vehicles. “That’s Kallan’s car! And isn’t the BMW Holly’s? Oh my gosh, let me guess. All of our IR friends are here! What’s the occasion?”
Aidan chuckled. “Do you realise that it’s been a year since you became an IR?”
“A year and three days,” she said with a grin. “Are we celebrating it?”
Aidan parked and turned off the engine. He turned to her. “Do you know that it was one of the best moments of my life?”
She smiled and gave him a soft peck on the lips. “Mine, too.”
“That’s why I thought we should invite the guys and celebrate your one-year IR anniversary.”
“Oh, honey, that’s so sweet. Thank you. What did Mar say, though? She would have wondered what the party was for.”
“I just said we wanted a get-together with our friends, and she was so excited when I suggested we do it here. She especially wanted to see baby Zena, so it worked out well.”
Felicity got out of the car, carrying the flowers for Maricar. She eyed the bag from the restaurant that Aidan took from the boot. “You think there will be enough food? Maybe we should have ordered more.”
“We probably didn’t even need to buy any. I told Mar and Petra not to worry about cooking anything since everybody will be bringing a plate or two. Knowing them, though, they won’t have listened.”
Felicity took Aidan’s hand as they walked towards the front door. Usually, Maricar would be greeting them by now. She guessed the older woman was already busy entertaining guests.
They made their way to the big room at the back that housed the kitchen, informal dining space, and family room, their footsteps on the hardwood floor announcing their approach.
“There you are,” Maricar said, greeting them with a hug.
“Hello, Mar,” Felicity said. “How are you today?”
“I’m great! So excited about today. And how are you?”
“Good, thank you. Excited as well.”
Felicity turned to greet Isla, Kallan, Bryce, Emma, Xavier, Jaxon, and an obviously pregnant Holly. “Where are Eve and Zena?” she asked.
“Eve’s changing Zena’s nappy,” Xavier said, hiding a yawn.
Felicity chuckled. “Were you on night duty last night?”
“Yup. Zena was a little unsettled although she wasn’t hungry. I let Eve get some sleep.”
“Aw.” She leaned closer to Xavier. “Thanks for coming today. Really appreciate it.”
“Hey, we were looking forward to this, too. We were missing you guys.”
Felicity grinned. Since baby Zena had been born, Xavier and Eve had taken some time off from active IR duty. Soon, Jaxon and Holly would be doing the same. Luckily, they could still get together like this and catch up.
Felicity noticed Petra carrying a pot to the dining table and saw how laden with food the table was. “Oh my goodness.”
“Well,” Maricar said, “we have plenty of takeaway containers for everyone to take home.”
“Told you,” Aidan whispered in Felicity’s ear.
She chuckled.
“We’re back,” Eve said in a sing-song voice, her adorable three-month-old daughter in her arms.
Felicity rushed to them. She kissed Eve hello before cooing at the baby. “Hello, Zena, darling. You get bigger and bigger every time I see you.”
“I know,” Eve said with a laugh.
“Food’s ready,” Petra announced.
“Great!” Aidan said. “Could I please have everyone’s attention?”
Felicity turned to Aidan in surprise. What did he have to say?
“I thought about announcing this towards the end,” Aidan said, “but all this food is to celebrate something special today. So, I figured I should do this before we eat.”
Felicity frowned. She didn’t know anything about this. Surely, this didn’t have anything to do with her IR anniversary. Maricar and Petra were around. They couldn’t know.
Aidan walked towards her, holding her gaze.
Felicity’s heart started pounding. Could it be?
Once Aidan was in front of her, he got down on one knee.
Her hand flew to her mouth, and her eyes watered.
“Fel, before I met you, I believed that complete happiness was something that could only exist in my dreams. But you showed me how wrong I was. You make me happier than I’ve ever dreamt possible. I love you so much, and I can’t imagine a future without you. So, Felicity Sebastian, will you marry me?”
Felicity sniffed, nodding. “Yes, Aidan. Yes.”
Their audience cheered while Aidan took a ring from his pocket and put it on her finger.
“It’s beautiful,” she breathed, staring at the big solitaire diamond, sitting on a platinum band.
Aidan stood and gave her a kiss.
Felicity wrapped her arms around his waist, revelling in this wonderful feeling. She was going to marry Aidan! She couldn’t wait to plan their wedding.
“We have another surprise for you,” Aidan murmured.
She looked at him, brows raised. “Really? What could possibly top this?”
“Nothing, I hope,” Aidan said with a grin. “This next one’s more like a…shocking surprise.”
She frowned. “What is it?”
“Mar will announce it.” Aidan gave Maricar a nod.
Felicity held her breath as Maricar smiled at her.
“My darling Fel,” Maricar said. “I’m very happy and proud to announce that yo
u have passed initiation. You are now a fully-fledged Indie Rebel.”
Felicity’s jaw dropped. How did Maricar know?
Maricar took her hands in hers. “As you know, the chiefs agreed for Aidan and your friends to reveal their IR identities to you before you passed initiation. What they—we—didn’t agree to was for you to know any of the chiefs—until now. I’m one of the chiefs, Fel. I’m sorry I couldn’t tell you before. There’s only so much bending of the rules we could do for you and Aidan.”
Felicity’s heart was so full she could hardly breathe. “Oh, Mar. I never expected this at all. I’m so glad, because I’ve grown to love you so much. Now I don’t have to feel guilty for lying to you about some of the things Aidan and I have been up to.”
“I happen to know everything you’ve been up to—IR-related only, of course.”
They all laughed.
“By the way,” Maricar said. “Petra’s an IR, too, and so are Natalie and Elsie.”
Felicity shook her head in awe. “Any other surprises?”
“No. I think that’s it for today. Now you can put my news aside and enjoy your engagement party.”
Felicity hugged Maricar. “Thank you. For today and for everything.”
The party was winding down, and Felicity was getting one last cuddle with Zena when she felt her watch alert her with an incoming call. It was Sophie. She gave Zena back to Eve and went to her handbag. By the time she fished out her phone, it had stopped ringing.
“Who was that?” Aidan asked.
“Sophie. I wonder what she wants.” Her friend hardly called as they always got together on Sunday afternoons for the New Again workshops. She called Sophie back. “Hey, Soph.”
“Hi, Fel. Am I interrupting something?”
“It’s okay. I can talk.” She’d tell Sophie about her engagement tomorrow, when she announced it at the workshop.
“I just want to tell you a funny story. I was at Darling Harbour today to have lunch with friends. When I was walking back to my car, I thought I saw Kallan. I said hello to him, and it turned out it was his twin—Kerrod.”
Felicity chuckled. “I told you they look so very alike.”
Aidan: The Rescue (Indie Rebels Book 5) Page 21
