The Proposition

by Katie Ashley

“No, it’s nothing like that.”

  “Then what is it?” he demanded.

  “I’m afraid of being a disappointment.”

  His mouth fell open in disbelief. “How could you possibly think that?”

  She shrugged. “Because you’ve been with a lot of women…I don’t have the experience. I’ve only been with one man, and outside of him, I don’t know what men want.”

  “First of all, despite what the rumor mill says my number is relatively low, Emma. It’s not like I’ve fucked half of the city, or I’m Gene Simmons from Kiss. And second, sex is basically the same premise no matter who you’re with. Different people bring different likes and desires to the table.”

  She toyed with the straw in her drink. “I guess I’m afraid once you’ve been with me, you won’t want to follow through with our bargain.”

  “Like I’d be so turned off by the experience I’d never want to sleep with you again?”

  “Yes,” she murmured. When Aidan threw his head back and roared with laughter, her lip trembled slightly. “It’s not funny.”

  His amusement quickly faded. “Oh Em, I’m sorry if I hurt your feelings. It’s just I couldn’t imagine you would actually believe something like that.”

  “Well, I did.” She sighed. “I do.”

  He held up his index finger. “Let me make this abundantly clear. There is no way in hell you could ever disappoint me to where I wouldn’t want you.” He drew closer to her—his fiery breath singed the sensitive skin on her earlobe. “I get hard just looking at you.”

  Emma’s cheeks flushed at his words. “I can’t believe you just said that!”

  Aidan grinned. “It’s the truth. The moment I saw you tonight I wanted to sweep you upstairs.” Taking her hand, he ducked it under the tablecloth and brought it to his lap. “See what you do to me?”

  Emma’s mouth ran dry at his words, and the fact he was already at half-mast just like Casey had wanted. She ran her tongue over her lips. The way he was staring at her made her body tingle from head to toe, especially between her legs. God, he was so sexy—a little too sexy for her liking. If he was able to get her so hot and bothered just sitting at the table, she couldn’t imagine what it would be like in bed with him. In that moment, her anticipation won out over her nerves. “I think I’m ready to go upstairs if you are.”

  Aidan’s eyebrows shot up in surprise. “Even without dinner?”

  She bobbed her head.

  “Let me guess. You’re afraid you’ll lose your nerve?” he asked.

  With the ridiculous amount of alcohol pumping through her system, she gave him a sultry smile. “No, I’m just ready for you to fuck me.” The moment the words escaped her lips, she gasped and ducked her head. “Oh my God, did I actually just say that?”

  “You keep talking dirty, and I won’t be able to walk upstairs without giving away my condition to the whole room.” He quickly signaled the waiter for the check.

  Once he had paid, Emma shot out of her chair, sending the room spinning around her. “Oh shit, I’m dizzy.”

  Aidan grabbed her shoulders to steady her. “Are you going to be able to walk?”

  “I think so. But whether or not I ever drink again is debatable.”

  He chuckled as he wrapped his arm around her waist and led her out of the restaurant. Emma leaned her head against his chest, enjoying the woodsy smell of his cologne. When he started for the elevators, she glanced up and asked, “Don’t we need to check-in?”

  He fished the room key out of his jacket pocket and waved it at her. “All taken care of.”

  “Aren’t you just the man with the plan,” she replied, and then giggled like it was the funniest thing she had ever said. When Aidan glanced down at her in amusement, she shook her head. “Seriously, never, ever drinking again.”

  “Nah, you’re pretty cute when you’re tipsy,” he said, punching the elevator button.

  The doors opened, and they stepped inside. The car’s jolt upward made Emma’s legs feel rubbery, and she clung to Aidan tighter. The elevator dinged when they reached their floor. “After you,” Aidan insisted when the doors opened.

  “Thank you.” But when she stepped out, she turned right and then left, unsure of which way to go.

  “This way,” Aidan instructed, taking her by the arm.

  When they reached their room, Emma’s gaze caught the brass nameplate on the door, and she grabbed Aidan’s suit sleeve. “What are we doing here? This is a Honeymoon suite.”

  “Yes, I realized that when I booked it. I was told it happens to be one of the nicest ones they have.” He grinned. “Besides, I thought you might be more comfortable doing what we have to do if it looked like we were married.”

  She blinked in disbelief. “That’s so sweet. You’ve thought of everything, didn’t you?”

  “Anything to make you more comfortable.”

  Her heart fluttered at his words. “Thank you.”

  Aidan unlocked the door. “After you.”

  CHAPTER SIX

  Emma walked into the suite and gasped. A trail of intertwining pink and red rose petals led the way from the living room into the bedroom. On the coffee table, a bottle of champagne chilled in a silver bucket next to two champagne flutes. An overflowing bowl of strawberries dipped in chocolate caused her stomach to growl. She turned her gaze and then followed the rose petals into the bedroom where rows of candles waited to be lit, and a pink wrapped package sat on the bed.

  She glanced back to Aidan who was shrugging out of his suit jacket. “You did all this for me?”

  “I’d like to take credit, but the staff did all the fruity candle stuff and flowers,” he replied, tossing the key card on the table. At her continued bewildered expression, he chuckled. “What did you expect? A single bed and a quickie? I know this is just about procreating, but give me a little credit.”

  “No…but I just didn’t imagine this.” She smiled shyly. “For what it’s worth, thank you.”

  “You’re welcome.”

  “What’s in the box?” she asked, motioning to the bed.

  “Something for you.”

  “Me?”

  He nodded and handed her the package. “Before you open it, let me say this. You already know you don’t need to do anything but breathe to give me a raging hard-on—”

  “Aidan!” she protested.

  He laughed at her outrage. “Anyway, I’m kind of a lingerie man, so I thought you might humor me and wear it.”

  She opened the lid on the box. After whisking away the pink tissue paper, her eyes honed in on emerald green satin. Her fingers trembled as she reached inside to pull out the baby-doll nightie. The bodice had intricate green and gold beading and embroidered flowers with sheer material that would reach her thighs along with a matching thong.

  “Is it okay?”

  “It’s beautiful,” she murmured. The thought of him shopping just for her was overwhelming. Did he do that for all his conquests, or did they come with their own readymade lingerie? “Thank you.”

  Aidan’s face broke into a wide grin. “I don’t know about it being beautiful. It’s more about how you’re so fucking sexy when you’re in green. Just like that green dress at the Christmas Party and the one you’re wearing tonight.” He tenderly brushed a strand of her auburn hair out of her face. “That color makes everything about you stand out from your hair to eyes.”

  “But how did you even know my size?”

  “Casey helped me out with that one.”

  Emma rolled her eyes. “Why am I not surprised? I’ll have to remember to thank her for that.”

  Aidan laughed. “Well, if it makes you feel any better, she swore she’d cut my balls off if I ruined this night for you.”

  “She didn’t?” Emma squeaked.

  “Oh yeah, she did.”

  “Between Connor and Casey, I can’t believe you even want to go through with this!”

  “It’s okay. I work well under pressure,” Aidan joked. He motioned his head t
o the bathroom. “Now go get your game face on and change.”

  Emma giggled. “Okay, then.” She slipped into the bathroom and shut the door, locking it for good measure. She unzipped her dress, and it pooled into a whisper of chiffon on the floor. After exchanging her panties for the thong, she whisked off her bra and put on the nightie. There were no buttons or zippers, just a satin bow to tie in the middle to keep it in place. When she finished, she stared at her reflection in the mirror. “Oh my,” she murmured. Somehow donning the nightie had morphed her into a full-on sex kitten. She could practically hear Casey’s voice ringing in her ear. Go get him, babe!

  As her hand hovered over the doorknob, she took a few reassuring breaths before opening it. Aidan had his back to her when she stepped out of the bathroom. The bedroom flickered in candlelight and soft music played from an ihome in the corner. She couldn’t believe he was going to all this trouble. In her mind, she’d imagined him leading her upstairs like the Big Bad Wolf and devouring her before she could get the door closed.

  She stood awkwardly in the middle of the room waiting for him to notice her. She shifted on her feet, rubbing her bare arms. Finally, she cleared her throat. When Aidan whirled around, his eyes widened. “Holy shit, Em.”

  Self-consciously she tugged on the baby doll’s hem, trying to cover herself a little more. “How do I look?” she asked, as she slowly turned around for his approval.

  He closed the space between them in two long strides. Wrapping his arms around her waist, he jerked her against him. His breath teased against her cheek as he whispered, “Sexy as hell.”

  “Thank you.” Bolstered by his compliment, she leaned in and brought her lips to his. This time she slid her tongue into his mouth, eagerly seeking his warmth. His hands slid down from her waist to cup her buttocks. He hitched one of her legs over his hip, grinding his need into her. Emma moaned at the exquisite feeling of him through her thin panties. As he moved against her, she wanted to feel more of him—his bare skin on hers.

  She tore her lips momentarily away from his. “Aren’t you taking anything else off?”

  “I was waiting for you to undress me.”

  “Oh,” she murmured. Thankfully, he had already taken off his tie, so she didn’t have to worry with that. Her trembling fingers reached for the buttons on his shirt. She fumbled with the first one before undoing the rest. She pulled his shirt apart and widened her eyes at his sculpted chest. Without questioning herself, she ran her hand down the center of his chest, over his washboard abs, and down to his belt buckle, causing Aidan to suck in a breath and his stomach muscles to clench. Enjoying the effect even her slightest touch had on him, she glanced up and smiled. “Nice chest. I bet you spend hours in the gym.” Before he could respond, she shook her head. “Could I sound more cliché?”

  He chuckled. “Nope, more like in the pool. I was an All State Swim champion back in the day.”

  Hmm, I bet you look good enough to eat in a Speedo, she thought.

  Aidan’s chest shook with laugher, and she realized with horror she had slipped up and said that thought out-loud. “Play your cards right, and I just might wear one for you.”

  Eager to see more of him, she hastily unhooked his buckle and jerked the belt out of the loops. After she tossed it to the ground, she glanced up at him. His heated gaze burned into her, and she felt a warmth flood her cheeks and go down her neck. She reached up to push his shirt off his arms. It slid to the floor.

  Now all that was left was Aidan’s pants, and for Emma that was the most intimidating—or at least what was inside. Once she unbuttoned his fly, her fingers fumbled on the zipper. When she pushed it down, her hand brushed against his erection. It bucked against his underwear, waiting to be freed to her touch. She leaned in against him, pressing her body flush to his, as she reached into the back of his waistband to push his pants over his buttocks. Her hands momentarily stopped to cup both of his cheeks before grabbing the material. She slid down his body in the same motion as his pants.

  “No compliments for my ass?” Aidan questioned, his voice laced with amusement.

  When she reached the floor, she cocked her head up at him. “Very nice?”

  He laughed. “Thank you.”

  Cupping the back of his legs, she pushed her way slowly back up. Her fingernails raked over his calves and thighs. Aidan never took his eyes off of hers. Once again, she found herself cupping his buttocks as she moved her fingers to the waistband of his underwear. Just as she started to free his erection, he jerked her hand away. When she glanced up at Aidan in surprise, he shook his head. “It’s going to be all about you this first time.” Then he brought his lips to hers, plunging his tongue into her mouth. She wrapped her arms around his neck as he massaged her tongue with his.

  Aidan kissed a warm trail from her mouth over to her ear as his hand came up to cup her bodice. “You have the most amazing pair of tits.”

  A nervous giggle escaped her lips.

  “What?” he asked.

  “You sound like a horny frat boy.”

  He grinned. “Do I now? And just what would you have me call them?”

  “Breasts maybe?”

  His fingers delved inside the bodice, cupping her warm flesh. When his thumb flicked back and forth across her nipple, she gasped. He smiled at her response. “Okay, you have the most beautiful breasts. Is that better?”

  Emma arched into his hand. “Mmm, much better,” she replied breathlessly.

  “I can’t wait to get my mouth on them.”

  She moaned as he brought his other hand to her neglected breast and started kneading them both. In a statement that surprised herself, she asked, “What’s stopping you?”

  “Hmm, this little bit of fabric. Do you mind if we get rid of it?”

  She shook her head.

  Aidan brought his fingers to the satin bow at her cleavage. Slowly, without taking his eyes off hers, he slid the ribbon loose. He gave it a slight tug before the nightie gaped open. His gaze dropped to her chest, and he licked his lips. Emma felt the heat rising between her legs, and she shifted on her feet, pressing her thighs together for relief.

  Her head lolled back when his mouth closed over her nipple. He suckled it deeply before flicking and swirling his tongue across it. His hand kept stroking her other breast as his tongue worked the nipple in his mouth into a hardened pebble. She couldn’t fight the cry of pleasure that escaped her lips. Her fingers automatically went to his hair, tugging and grasping at the strands as the pleasure washed over her.

  Aidan licked a wet trail over to the other breast before claiming the nipple. The ache between her thighs grew, and she knew if he touched her there, he would find she was drenching in need for him.

  As if he could read her mind, Aidan snaked a hand down her stomach. His fingers feathered across her belly teasingly, causing her hips to buck. He hesitated before finally dipping them between her legs. Emma panted against his lips when his fingers worked against her sensitive flesh over the fabric. Her hips arched involuntarily against his hand, rubbing herself against his fingertips.

  “Think we should get rid of these, too?”

  “Uh-huh,” she muttered almost incoherently.

  He chuckled as his fingers tugged at the waistband, sliding the underwear down over her buttocks. Just like she had done to him, his body followed the panties to the floor except he kissed and nibbled a trail down her thighs and legs. She felt at any minute her knees would buckle and give way. Thankfully, Aidan gripped the back of her thighs to keep her steady as she stepped out of her panties.

  Kneeling before her, Aidan’s fingers delved between her legs, seeking out her swollen clit. The moment he stroked it, she cried out and gripped his shoulders tight. His thumb continued rubbing as his fingers slid into her wet folds. They swirled against her tight walls, working her into a frenzy of desire. She bit down on her lip to keep the ecstatic cries buried in her throat from escaping. But it became useless as he continued his assault on her core and brought
her closer and closer to coming. As the wave of her first orgasm crashed over her, she dug her nails into Aidan’s back and thrust her pelvis hard against his hand.

  Aidan rose off the floor. He kept his hands tight on her waist to steady her as she tried to get her bearings. “You’re so fucking hot when you come,” he murmured into her ear.

  She flushed at his words, her breath still coming in uneven pants. Gently, he nudged her towards the bed and then eased her down onto her back. Pushing on her elbows, she scooted up on the mattress. Aidan loomed over her, desire burning bright in his blue eyes. Emma shuddered under his gaze. As his body covered hers, he pushed her legs wide apart. He then kissed a path from her neck, down through the valley of her breasts, and over her belly.

  When his head dipped between her legs, Emma’s eyes pinched shut in ecstasy. As his fingers entered her again, his tongue swirled around her clit, sucking it into his mouth. Emma fisted the sheets in both hands. “Oh Aidan!” she screamed. Immediately, her hand flew to cup her mouth. God, what’s happening to me? I’ve never screamed in bed before. His fingers kept a rapid pace while he kept licking and sucking at her center.

  “Oh yes! Yes, Aidan…please,” she murmured, twisting the sheets tighter in her hands. Her hips kept up a manic rhythm as he plunged his fingers and tongue in and out of her. Finally, it sent her over the edge, and she climaxed violently. When she started coming back to herself, she realized one of her hands had abandoned the sheet and had twisted into Aidan’s hair.

  After she released him, he slid his briefs off, giving her an eye-full of his massive erection. He rose up on his knees between her legs and grinned down at her. “So what’s the best baby-making position?”

  What the…? Had he seriously just asked her about what position to use. “Um, well, supposedly Missionary.”

  “Sounds good to me.” He bent over her, positioning himself between her thighs. When his cock nudged against her opening, she tensed and gripped his shoulders. Aidan kissed her tenderly on the forehead. “I’m going to take this nice and slow, okay?”

  She nodded and clamped her eye-lids shut.