“I got it today.”
“You didn’t buy much.”
“I bought enough. You’re spoiling me, Aiden.”
“I want to spoil you.”
She turned to the mirror, brushing her hair off her face. I wrapped my arms around her, pulling her back to my chest. I rested my chin on her shoulder. “Let me spoil you, Sunshine.”
She leaned back, her expression soft. “I do. But I’m not used to it, Aiden.”
“Get used to it. I’m not going anywhere.”
“Yeah?” she breathed out.
I held her tighter. I knew she was still worried I would push her away again. The only thing that would change that doubt was time, along with my constant reassurance and love.
“Hold out your arm.”
Confused, she did as I asked. Her eyes widened as I slipped a delicate bracelet around her wrist.
“Aiden!”
“I saw this in the window today. It reminded me of your eyes. I wanted you to have it as a memento of this trip.”
“A key chain would have been cheaper.”
I chuckled. “Nope.”
She blinked and smiled, her finger tracing the intricate design of emeralds and diamonds that had caught my eye. It wasn’t large and showy, but it suited her perfectly. The saleswoman had been patient, explaining in great detail the cut and clarity of the stones.
“I remember once thinking you needed a bracelet on your arm. I decided to give it to you.”
“It’s so beautiful.”
I spun her in my arms and kissed her. “So are you, Sunshine. So are you.”
Cami hugged my arm to her chest, laying her head on my shoulder. “What a wonderful night, Aiden.”
I grinned. “Yeah?”
“Yes. We’ve done everything I wanted to do. Dinner with our friends. The night with you. The Eiffel Tower, the gondola ride, the fountains. We’ve been in and out of every famous casino I wanted to see. It’s been incredible.”
It had been. Dinner was fun, and seeing her shyly show off her gift had touched my heart. The girls loved her bracelet, exclaiming over its beauty. Bentley shot me a wink while Maddox smirked, and I subtly flipped them off, knowing they were teasing me.
The best part, though, was spending the evening with her. Just the two of us. Watching her reactions to everything I arranged, seeing the fear and worry caused by recent events gone from her face, and her simply enjoying the night was the best reward. Kissing her on the Eiffel Tower and in the gondola. Then again by the fountains as we watched the mesmerizing display. Taking silly selfies. Being able to share it with her. It had been perfect.
Yet, I felt something was missing. I wasn’t ready for the night to end.
I glanced around, a cab slowly crossing our path. An ad splashed across the doors in bright colors caught my eye.
The Little Chapel. Open till Midnight. Why wait?
I looked down at Cami, tucked into my side. Where she belonged. I wanted her there for the rest of my life. Like a bolt of lightning, I knew. I loved her. She was it for me, and I wasn’t waiting any longer or worrying if I was enough. I was what she needed, and she was all I wanted.
“Cami, there’s something else I want to do tonight.”
She looked up at me with a wry grin. “You want the midnight buffet at Caesar’s Palace?”
“No, it’s something special. Something I want only with you.”
“Okay. Whatever you want.”
“Anything?”
“Anything,” she stated. “Tonight has been all the things I wanted to do. Now it’s your turn. Name it.”
I lifted her hands and encased them in mine.
“It’s big. Life-changing.”
She looked confused. “Okay, Aiden. Whatever it is, I say yes.”
I swallowed the nervous lump in my throat and brushed a kiss to her fingers.
“Marry me, Sunshine.”
Maddox—Vested Interest #3
***Coming July 2018***
WITH THE LIGHTS of the city spread out below me, I stared out the window, sipping my whiskey, enjoying the way the rich flavor rolled around my tongue. The low lights reflected my condo in the large pane windows. Tidy, organized, everything in its place. Exactly the way I liked it. Needed it.
Behind me, I heard a light tap. I hit the button on the remote, unlocking the door, knowing who was waiting. Soft footfalls headed in my direction, and Dee’s reflection appeared in the glass. Turning, I offered her a smile and a tumbler of whiskey. I knew she’d like this one.
“Hey, neighbor.”
She shook her head, taking the glass from my hand and settling into the club chair. “You are such a dork. I live ten floors below you. I am not your neighbor.”
I shrugged. “Close enough.” I sat across from her on the sofa. “Seriously, are you settling in?”
She held up her whiskey, studied its dark golden color, then took a sip. Her eyes drifted shut as she swallowed. Her hand swept through her hair, the strawberry color catching the light. She was artless, sexy.
I liked it.
She opened her eyes. “Nice choice.”
“I knew you’d like it.”
She smiled and reclined her head. “I am settling in. I wasn’t expecting to be on my own, but it will be nice to have a home office to work from.”
“Still in shock?”
She chuckled. “I shouldn’t be, given it was Cami, but I am.”
“I think this was all on Aiden, which makes it the biggest shock of them all.”
We went to Vegas for a quick trip away. Everyone needed a break, and rather than the girls going on their own, we joined them. The first day was fun with sightseeing and dinner out. We went to a show and even did a little gambling. The next night, we ended up pairing off the way we usually did: Emmy and Bent, Cami and Aiden, and Dee and me.
Bent and Emmy went to another show. Dee and I checked out a whiskey bar we’d heard about, spending a few hours sipping some extraordinary samples and enjoying each other’s company.
Cami and Aiden spent the night doing the usual touristy things. They visited the Eiffel Tower, took a gondola ride, and watched the fountains dance. Then, Aiden being Aiden, he had gone for broke and, since we were in Vegas, married Cami.
They showed up at breakfast the next morning, and neither of them said a word. But they looked guilty, yet so happy, and I knew something was up. They simply ordered their meals, talked about the day’s plans, and acted as if nothing was amiss. Until Emmy spotted the rings on their hands.
“What the hell? Cami . . . are you . . . oh my God, are you married?”
Four sets of eyes snapped in their direction. Aiden lifted Cami’s hand, pressing a kiss to her knuckles. The light glinted off the matching ring on his left hand.
“We are,” he stated.
We all gaped at them, shocked.
“Is it legal?” Dee asked, looking between Cami and Aiden. “You really got married?”
“Very legal.”
Suddenly, the table exploded. Hugs, kisses, backslaps, and congratulations were exchanged all around. Aiden looked like the happiest man on earth, and beside him, Cami beamed. When Emmy asked if they were going to have a real wedding, Cami shook her head.
“It was exactly what we wanted. Only us.” She smiled at Dee in apology. “We thought we’d renew our vows next year and bring everyone to join us.”
Dee covered her hand. “That sounds perfect. I’m happy for you.”
I had wondered then, the same way I wondered now, if Dee was as okay with the marriage as she seemed to be. In the weeks since we had returned, life had been busy with work, moving Cami in with Aiden, and moving Dee in to her new place in the building where I lived. We’d barely had time to see each other.
Or, in other words—fuck each other.
“You were very calm about the whole surprise wedding.”
She sipped her whiskey, contemplative. “I was a bit hurt, but then I realized it was Cami’s decision and her
life. She was much too happy for me to be upset.” She huffed a long breath. “I only hope it wasn’t a rash decision they’ll both regret.”
I scowled, feeling the need to defend my friend. “Aiden loves Cami. He loves her so much it fucking terrified him. When he accepted what he was feeling, it changed him. She changed him—for the better. For the first time in his life, he accepted something good for himself. I don’t think you have to worry about any regrets from him.”
She tilted her head, studying me. “That was spoken with conviction.”
I shrugged. “The two of them work.”
“They do.” She grinned. “That was spoken like a true romantic, by the way. Which you insist you are not.”
I chuckled. “I have my moments. I’m okay with romance . . . for other people.”
“Me too.”
We stared at each other, not speaking. Gradually the air shifted, growing more intense. I stared at her over the rim of my tumbler.
“So, tell me, Deirdre, what are you wearing under that businesslike navy suit you have on?”
She loved it when I murmured her full name. No one used it but me, and I only uttered it when we were alone.
She traced the rim of her glass, eyeing me. “I’m sure you’d like to know.”
I shifted, my erection lengthening as I thought about it. Wondering what secret I would discover tonight.
Dee was a walking contradiction. Classic, dark suits, neutral-colored blouses. No-fuss hair. Simple makeup. No jewelry.
However, underneath the linen and cotton was an entirely different story.
Lacy push-up bras, tiny triangles that covered silky curls, and a sweet little cleft I knew intimately.
Satin, lace, silk, and sin.
Black, pink, red, every color of the rainbow.
Cutouts and high tops. Thongs, boy shorts, strapless, bustiers, stripes, polka dots, pin-tucked, bedazzled, and sexy.
She had them all. She was sex on legs.
“Why don’t you show me?” My eyes raked down her body.
She stood, her fingers drifting to the pearl button under her neck. I settled into the cushions, anticipation waking every nerve in my body.
“Slowly.”
She tilted her head.
“I want it slow tonight, baby.”
She shrugged out of her jacket, the fabric a dark pool on the floor.
“Is that so?”
“Yes.” My cock grew harder as she moved. Slow. Sensuous. Just the way I instructed her.
“Do I get a reward?”
I palmed my erection. “You get me. Buried so deep inside you, you’ll feel me for days.”
Her blouse joined her jacket, showcasing a cream lace bustier encasing her torso that made me groan. Her breasts were high, ready to spill over the tight fabric. I wanted to bite them. When her skirt fell, revealing the thigh highs attached with tiny straps of lace and a silk thong, I almost lost it.
I widened my legs. “Come here.”
She stood between my knees. I trailed my fingers up and down her thighs, tracing the ribbons and lace, teasing the satin of her skin. I jerked her forward, burying my face in her pussy, breathing her in.
She whimpered as I pressed my mouth to her, hard.
“You want me. I can smell how much you want me.”
She dug her fingers into my scalp, lifting my face.
“Yes. But the rules still apply, Maddox. Sex. That’s all it is. Nothing has changed.”
I smiled grimly. “I wouldn’t expect it to.”
“Then fuck me.”
Never breaking eye contact with her, I shredded her panties. Tore them away from her skin with one firm yank of my fist.
I would fuck her. I would fuck her because that was what we did.
To the outside world, we were the same: cool, calm, and collected. Detached.
When we came together, alone, things changed. We were relentless. Explosive and insatiable.
She fucked with my control.
I fucked her to get it back.
That was our game. It always had been.
Until one of us changed the rules and fell in love.
THERE ARE ALWAYS so many people behind the scenes when writing a book. They inspire, suggest, encourage, and often lift you up when the words don’t come.
Deb, mark another one complete. So many words we have shared! Thank you for everything.
Denise, once again, thank you for your input and encouragement. Your support is so appreciated.
Jess and Jodi, thank you for all your hard work and effort—it is much appreciated.
Caroline, thank you—your keen eyes and enthusiasm are such gifts.
To Beth, Shelly, Janett, Darlene, Carrie, Sue, Jeanne, Eli—you all encourage and support. Share and love. Make me laugh. Add a richness to my life. Thank you.
Lisa, you are a rock star. You went above and beyond and I adore your nerdy side. Hugs!
Flavia, thank you for your support and belief in my work. You rock it for me.
Karen, my wonderful PA, and friend—the dedication says it all, and yet not enough. There simply are not enough words—even for me. Much love.
To all the bloggers, readers, and especially my review team. Thank you for everything you do. Shouting your love of books, posting, sharing—your recommendations keep my TBR list full, and the support you have shown me is so appreciated.
To my fellow authors who have shown me such kindness, thank you. I will follow your example and pay it forward.
To Christine—thank you for making my words look pretty!
My reader group, Melanie’s Minions—love you all.
Finally—my Matthew. After all these years, all the laughter, tears, and love, it is still not enough. Thank you for all you are, and all you do.
Into the Storm
Beneath the Scars
Over the Fence
It Started with a Kiss
My Image of You
THE CONTRACT SERIES
The Contract
The Baby Clause
VESTED INTEREST SERIES
Bentley (Vested Interest #1)
Aiden (Vested Interest #2)
Maddox (Vested Interest #3 coming July 2018)
NEW YORK TIMES/USA Today bestselling author Melanie Moreland, lives a happy and content life in a quiet area of Ontario with her beloved husband of twenty-eight-plus years and their rescue cat, Amber. Nothing means more to her than her friends and family, and she cherishes every moment spent with them.
While seriously addicted to coffee, and highly challenged with all things computer-related and technical, she relishes baking, cooking, and trying new recipes for people to sample. She loves to throw dinner parties, and enjoys travelling, here and abroad, but finds coming home is always the best part of any trip.
Melanie loves stories, especially paired with a good wine, and enjoys skydiving (free falling over a fleck of dust) extreme snowboarding (falling down stairs) and piloting her own helicopter (tripping over her own feet.) She's learned happily ever afters, even bumpy ones, are all in how you tell the story.
Melanie is represented by Flavia Viotti at Bookcase Literary Agency. For any questions regarding subsidiary or translation rights please contact her at [email protected]
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Aiden ~ Melanie Moreland Page 24
