by Lilly Wilde
He pulled away and placed me on the floor. “Not here. Come.”
Aiden grasped my hand and led me to a room behind the gym, down a short corridor, and then to an area with four large showers. Stepping into one of the stalls, he turned the dial on the wall and then stepped underneath the flow of water. He placed his palms flat against the marble wall, his back muscles visible when he leaned forward and lowered his head. The water bounced off Aiden’s back as the steam surrounded him, creating a vision that appeared as though it was beyond my grasp. He moved his hand through his wet hair as he turned to face me and my core instantly ached for him.
Aiden removed the remainder of his clothes and tossed them on the floor. He slowly approached me and I gasped when he abruptly pulled me into the shower with him. With his hand at my nape, he pressed his mouth against mine, his tongue slipping between my lips as he pulled me closer. I sank into the kiss as his grip tightened, his fingers crawling upward, forcefully gripping my hair as our tongues wrestled and ravished each other. He quickly withdrew and then met my eyes with the smoldering heat of his gaze. Our breathing was quick and rough, and our need was raw and insatiable.
I moved my hand across his jaw, as he blinked past the water dripping in his eyes. I traced my finger along his lips and then down his chest and lower still until I’d reached the thin trail of hair at his abdomen. I followed the path to the manscaped nest of dark curls that surrounded the most perfect cock I’d ever seen—long and thick, with a wide, opulent head. He was already fully erect, and I gawked at him like he was the first naked man I’d ever seen. I was starved for him—my sex ached for him. Damn, I wanted this man. I wanted him all over me.
I stepped under the stream of water and reached up, touching his face. He lowered his head and kissed me. I was like a wild animal, licking his lips and then his tongue, kissing the tip and then sucking it hard, pulling it into my mouth. He took control of the kiss and slowed my pace, drawing me closer to his hard body, molding me to him. His tongue was in my mouth, building my arousal, seducing me into a world that always took me to the edge. His kiss did that to me. It was like sex—it was the capture and total surrender of my mind and body.
Once he broke our kiss, he stepped back and looked down at me, his dark eyes seductive and hungry. I knew what he wanted. He wanted me naked—he wanted to be inside me. I lifted the wet shirt over my head and tossed it aside. Unsnapping the front of my bra, I let it drape open and I watched as his eyes left my face and skimmed my swollen breasts. They were pleading for the pleasure of his touch. His gaze dropped to my pants and then his eyes met mine, the darkening of his irises communicating exactly what he expected of me. I shimmied out of the wet jeans and was wearing only my panties.
“Come on. Don’t stop now,” he coaxed.
Slipping my hand into my panties, I teased myself as the fire in his eyes flamed higher. His jaws flexed as his impatience reared its head. I slid the panties down my legs, and when Aiden grabbed me, I pulled away. He subtly shook his head in warning as he stared at me—the desire in his eyes stirring my blood. I couldn’t wait any longer—I rushed him, pushing his muscled body against the wall and pulling his head down to my lips. Seconds later, his large hands were on my shoulders, guiding me down.
I sank to my knees, my fingers curving around his dick as I pulled him into my mouth.
“Ahh. Yes,” he groaned.
I gripped him, sucking hard on the head of his thick cock as my other hand went for his testicles, softly caressing. Then I took him all the way in, moaning around his length.
Aiden hissed. “Shit, Aria.”
His taste, the honeyed juice of pineapple, was fresh on my tongue. “More,” I begged. “Mmm, I want more.”
“I need to fuck you,” he said, gruffly. He lifted me from the floor and sat on the marble bench beneath a different showerhead. He reached behind him, turned on the water and then tugged me toward him. I straddled his leg, my pussy wet and sensitive on his thigh. I was soon grinding ferociously as he cradled my face and shoved his tongue into my mouth. His hand at my waist tightened, his other hand moved my leg and placed it on the side of his and then effortlessly, he lifted me, hovering my pussy over his erection. His eyes locked with mine as he lowered my body to his, connecting us, as the wide head of his cock parted my lips. He grunted, pushing me down to the root as he penetrated me with firm upward thrusts. I rolled into each one, completely filled and feeling every inch of him.
“Harder. Fuck me harder,” I panted.
Digging his fingers into my waist, he yanked me down harder, giving me what I begged for—his hips bucked upward, as his cock powered into my greedy flesh over and over and over.
“You feel good, too good. I’m going to come,” he murmured.
“Oh, Aiden.” I cried out and gripped his shoulders as his thick penis repeatedly filled me with fast, powerful lunges. I couldn’t take any more—my insides clenched as a heated wave of ecstasy tore through my body, my back bowing as the raw savagery of the orgasm claimed me. Aiden wrapped his arms around my waist, enveloping me so tightly I nearly lost my breath. His hold didn’t loosen until he’d reached his goal. He threw his head back with a fierce grunt as he spurted endlessly, emptying himself into me.
Winded and spent, I collapsed in his arms, clutching him tightly against me until my breathing slowed. After a while, Aiden reached up and turned off the water. I looked up at him and grinned.
“Why are you smiling like a banshee?” he asked.
“Because I’m a winner, which makes you the loser,” I said.
“Just what is it that you think you’ve won, princess?”
“I can’t say what I’ve won, but I know what you’ve lost.”
“And what’s that?”
“The option to skip out on any more outings with your mother.”
“So my gift to you just now…that didn’t change your mind about this crazy idea?”
“Hell no. You knew exactly what I was walking into with your mother and you said nothing. And to make matters worse, you made excuses to make sure you weren’t involved. Well, that’s over.”
“Hey, wait. I did warn you.”
“Maybe you did, maybe you didn’t, but either way, it wasn’t to the degree anyone would have needed. If you had properly warned me, I would have never entered into this lunacy with her.”
“Aria, you’ve got this all wrong.”
“Okay. I’ve got it all wrong. I don’t care. You’re in one-hundred percent or I’m out one-hundred percent. Your choice.”
“That’s how you negotiate?”
“That’s how Aiden Raine, CEO negotiates. I’ve learned from the best, baby.”
“Touché.” He touched my lip, tracing his finger back and forth across it. “Is there any room for compromise?”
I grasped his hand, moving his finger from my mouth and replied, “I’m not familiar with that term.”
“What if I made you familiar with it? I have several counter offers.”
“I wouldn’t expect anything less from someone like you.”
“Is that an insult?” he asked.
“It’s a compliment.”
“I’ve really rubbed off on you.” He cocked his head. “Not sure that’s a good thing.”
“In this circumstance, it is. I love you,” I said and lifted myself from him, my eyes still on his.
His impassioned gaze was hot on my face—the yearning and reverence in his eyes burning into mine, rendering me breathless.
He heaved a sigh and with a slight shake of his head, he said, “I love you more.”
I found that hard to believe. There was no way he could love me any more than I loved him—so much that it hurt. My love for him was unrelenting—it pulled me fiercely to him. Even when I’d tried my damnedest to shun the power of it, it was still there. I’d tried to suffocate it—an attempt that only served to exacerbate feelings that had now consumed me. The love we shared couldn’t be e
scaped—it couldn’t be ignored.
After drying ourselves, we tossed our wet clothes in the hamper and started down the hall.
“We can’t go back through the house in towels,” I said.
“Why not?”
“Well, I guess we could, but I would prefer we didn’t.”
“There’re some sweats in the closet at the other end of this hall.”
“Does every room in his house have showers and clothes?” I asked.
“Most of the sports areas. Better to be prepared…just in case. Look at us. Perfect example,” he said, as we left the shower in search of clothes.
“So, I didn’t know you fenced,” I said, after we were dressed.
“It was one of the extracurricular activities in middle school.”
“What did Nicholas mean by you’d gotten better while I was away?”
“I was angry—very angry on most days. I’d told you that. And I needed a way to channel that energy, and fencing with my brother was one of the better ways of doing that.”
“Oh,” I said. I hated to even think about our time apart, let alone hear him speak about it.
“We’re heading back to Boston soon,” he said, lifting the mood. “Are you excited?”
“Yes, if for nothing else than to get away from your mother,” I replied, shaking my head. “Speaking of which, let’s find her, and let her know you’ll be joining us tomorrow.”
Aiden let out a sigh.
I laughed and grabbed his hand, and we quietly walked out of the gym.
Chapter Six
After what seemed like an endless day, Aiden, Lyric and I were finally home. I’d retreated to the bathtub for a long soak, and Aiden and Lyric were somewhere in the house doing whatever they did when I wasn’t around.
After grabbing a robe, I ventured out of the bedroom in search of my guys. I didn’t have to go far. I followed the sound of music coming from the nursery. My eyes brimmed with tears when I spotted the two of them—Lyric was in his booster seat and Aiden was sitting in front of him playing the guitar. Lyric was staring openmouthed, totally fascinated by his father.
I tried to place the song Aiden was playing, but it didn’t come to me. I stood there and listened as Aiden sung to his child. I remembered the first time he’d sang to me at the Esplande. That night was one of the most profound we’d shared before I knew who he really was. It was a night I’d never forget. And this moment was another special one I’d record to memory.
Aiden strummed a final cord and then placed his finger in the baby’s palm. Lyric grabbed a hold and started babbling with his daddy. It was the cutest thing ever.
“That was beautiful,” I said, stepping closer behind them.
“Look who’s here, Lyric. It’s your gorgeous mother,” Aiden said.
I still had a hard time believing the term mother was on the list of words that described me.
Aiden placed the guitar on the floor beside him. He grabbed my waist and pulled me into his lap.
I leaned in and lightly touched his lips with a kiss. “I’m not familiar with that song,” I said.
“That’s because you’ve never heard it. It’s a lullaby I wrote for Lyric.”
“That’s pretty special. I wish I had that talent. I would love to hear it in its entirety.”
“How about I play it again when we put him down for the night?” he asked.
“Perfect.”
“Are you ready for the move next week?” he asked.
“Excited as ever. I’m ready to get back to RPH.”
“What about Mother? Aren’t you going to miss being so close to her?”
I rolled my eyes. “Very funny.”
*
It had been two weeks since we moved from Chicago to Boston, and I had a few more meetings with the interior designer before everything was complete in our new house. She’d done a remarkable job creating the perfect home for our little family. Actually, at twelve-thousand square feet, the house was quite large, and the decorating had been quite an undertaking, but I absolutely loved it. Neither of us wanted anything as large as the mansion in Chicago but we wanted some of its comforts.
We’d decided on a three-story home that sat on several acres of land outside the city limits. There was a short private drive that forked to the rear of the house, leading to the parking garage. Stepping into the house was an enclosed grand foyer with a heavily veined marble Italian tile with dramatic swirls of black, dark brown and tan, with pearly white deposits and subtle reddish flecks. In each corner of the room were exceptionally tall white lamps trimmed with dark brown flourishes. Two white high-backed chairs were positioned between each lamp. The foyer opened into the house using one of three arched entries. Beyond that were two white marble staircases that met in the center on the second floor. The third-floor entrance was also visible from here, revealing several paned windows and an alcove that jutted out in the center, and two other alcoves equal distance apart. Directly below the center of the staircases, was a huge sparkling chandelier with two columns on either side.
Leading from the foyer were long halls to the right and left. Each went to one of two living rooms—one for everyday use, where you’d find my piano—the other for formal gatherings. Aiden and I each had an office, there was a nursery for Lyric, a billiard room, a gym, a theater and several other rooms that added to the comfort of our home.
Dianna had decided to move to Boston with us, at least for the first six months to help out with Lyric. Little did she know, we intended for her to stay on. There were two small houses on the far left and right of the property, and one of those houses had been furnished for her. Since Dianna’s sister lived in Boston, I was hoping she would be the extra incentive we needed to sway Dianna toward making this a permanent move.
I was back at RPH, working only six-hour days as I adjusted to my most recent title of working mom. The plan was to build up to full eight-hour days over the course of the month. The first week back at RPH brought about so many memories. Most were wonderful, reminding me of the excitement of my first days in publishing, but there were also a few sad memories in the mix.
In my absence, there had been some changes—one of which was Raina’s move to a senior editor position. When I was in Chicago reviewing resumes, I’d eventually come across a promising candidate, Andrea Melton, to replace Raina. Lorraine Atchison, in human resources, conducted Andrea’s initial interview and I’d taken it from there. Raina had been kind enough to spend time with Andrea for the first couple of weeks to better acclimate her as my assistant.
One thing I soon realized was that I couldn’t be away from Lyric. A nursery was in the building, but I’d had some modifications made to the office next door, and it was being transformed into a room for my little guy. It looked as if he would be introduced to the business side of his heritage sooner than I’d anticipated.
Aiden lasted about three days as a stay-at-home dad before he dived into Heart of Wyatt. Although heavily involved with getting the foundation off to a great start, he was typically home when I arrived from work, but for the last several days, he’d come in an hour or so later than me. At first, I didn’t think much of it. Then I started to notice that he was different—moody and irritable.
I was sitting in the living room making notes on the latest plans for the wedding. Sienna was sending me something new practically every day. If I survived this wedding, it would be nothing short of a miracle.
Before leaving Chicago, I’d decided on one of the designers Sienna suggested, Fantta Currier. She was the latest rave in Paris and Milan. Fantta’s designs were featured during Milan’s Fashion Week, and when I saw the first one, I was convinced she was perfect for the wedding. Sienna was flying her in for a meeting later this week. From my modest research, I’d concluded that Fantta was very strong-willed and had an eye for what best fit her models. Since I already had a vision of the dress I wanted, I knew working with her would be interest
ing.
I looked up from my tablet when Aiden sauntered into the room. “Hi, handsome. Why such a long day?” I asked.
“Just busy,” he replied.
“Were you working with the foundation all this time?”
“Some.”
“And after?”
“I was just out,” he said and headed toward the bar.
“Doing what?”
He poured a drink and replied, “Nothing really.”
I dropped the tablet on the couch. “People aren’t just out doing nothing, Aiden.”
“What do you expect me to say? Should I start documenting a play-by-play of my day so you can look it over?” he asked.
“Excuse me?”
“I’ve had a bad day,” he said. “I’m sorry.”
I was about to let him have it for snapping at me, but decided to try a different approach. “Do you want to talk about it? Maybe I can help?”
He swallowed his drink and poured another. “No, it’s not a big deal.”
“But you just said—”
“I know what I said. But this is not something I want help with. Please drop it.”
“If it were me, you wouldn’t drop it,” I said.
“But you’re not me. Would you like a drink?”
I crossed my arms and stared at him as he downed his second drink. “No, I don’t have any milk for the baby. I need to pump.”
“Isn’t he getting close to starting baby food?” Aiden asked, and placed the empty glass on the bar.
“Yes, next month,” I said. “Why are you changing the subject?”
“Is that what I’m doing?”
My plan to let his snide comments go, and to offer my help, wasn’t going to work. “Look, I don’t know what’s crawled up your ass, but I’m not going to sit here and pretend this is okay.”
“Of course not. You’d never do that,” he replied dryly and walked out of the room.
What the hell was that?
