Hindrance

by Angelica Chase

  Maybe the fat lady hadn’t sung on my time with Aiden just yet.

  The truth was, I didn’t need Aiden. I wanted him, and that wasn’t going to change.

  I’d left the door open for him in invitation, but I walked through it alone.

  The next morning, I woke up determined that no matter the case with any man in my life, I’d find a little piece of me by repeating old habits. Habits I didn’t have to question at all if they were good for me.

  I was exhausted after two miles on the treadmill, a personal low in all the years I’d been working out. I refused to beat myself up about it. I was in recovery. Glancing at the clock, I dreaded waking Cedric. The overwhelming need to feel the sand beneath my feet and go for a quick swim in the Atlantic before work took precedence. I braved the trip without him, submerging myself in the warming water as the sun rose. I swam, stretching my unused muscles until I was sure I wasn’t over exerting myself. Making my way back to shore, my smile faltered as I noticed Cedric standing near my towel.

  “I had to do it.” His stern look told me that if he could speak freely, his words would sting. “I’ll wake you next time.”

  “That’s all I ask. You know when you feel the safest is usually when they use it to their advantage and strike.”

  Wrapping the towel around my body and fastening it, I huffed. “Well, you are a buzz kill.”

  Another hard glance from Cedric had me cowering with a peace offering.

  “Okay, okay. Let me make you breakfast?” He seemed surprised by my offer. “It’s the least I can do. You have to be bored out of your mind by now.”

  He followed me inside with a huff of his own. “You don’t want me busy, Ms. Scott.”

  “True.” Opening the fridge, I gathered ingredients for omelets and used the time in an attempt to drill him on Taylor. It was wrong, but my curiosity was piqued. She had refused to reveal more than she had the day we went gun shopping, and I couldn’t force her friendship¸ though I knew if I was patient it would pay off. I worked with her side by side every day, and as always, she was the meticulous professional, nowhere near the outlaw she was when she had picked me up from the hospital.

  “How did you and Taylor meet?”

  “Middle school,” he said carefully, onto me already.

  “Oh, childhood sweethearts?” Chopping chives, I tossed them into the pool of eggs as I braved a look at him.

  “No.”

  Great, one word answers.

  “So you went to high school together?”

  “No.”

  Fuck.

  Cedric hadn’t been open about himself, either, only revealing that he had a sister in the Charleston area and a niece I could tell he adored. I served him his omelet, which he thanked me for, devouring it in a mere minute and letting me know he would be waiting for me when I was ready.

  Unsuccessful in my attempt, I showered then checked my phone.

  Aiden: I went surfing this morning without you.

  A welcomed warmth spread throughout my chest as I texted him back.

  Nina: Should I be hurt by that?

  Aiden: Yes.

  I laughed in my closet as I pulled out a white dress that dipped low in the front and clung to my midriff, ending high on my thighs. Wanting to feel sexy, I paired it with some red soled, heeled Mary Janes, topping the look off with my lengthy diamond chain and studded earrings. I pulled my hair up after curling it then brushed bronzer on my now naturally tanned skin.

  As I climbed into the limo, I answered Aiden’s text.

  Nina: That was a hell of a show you put on last night.

  Aiden: Likewise.

  Nina: I have no idea what you’re talking about.

  Aiden: Encore?

  Nina: I have meetings all day. Meet you after?

  Aiden: My place.

  Nina: See you then.

  As quickly as my elation came at the possibility of rekindling that spark with Aiden, the underlying threat of stoking the fire with him meant furthering myself from Devin, to the point of no return. There was no going back, anyway. Not after what had transpired. I wouldn’t hurt Aiden again. Not that way. Not if he gave me the chance to be a part of his life again.

  Swallowing the harsh burn of betraying Devin, I made my decision. Now it was just a matter of living with it.

  Aiden answered the door with a small smile, leaving it open for me to enter and follow him into his kitchen. There were a few scented candles burning throughout his house as Portishead played in the background. The atmosphere was completely relaxing and I basked in the comfortable feeling.

  “It’s stir fry, no carbs,” he said, glancing up quickly. I felt the guilt spread over me. He was truly trying while I remained deceptive.

  “Aiden, I …” I trailed off, unsure of how to apologize again as I watched him chop vegetables. He looked up at me and I flinched as I saw him slice through the pad of his finger.

  “Fuck,” he muttered, grabbing a paper towel and wrapping his injured digit.

  As I rounded the bar, I noticed a visible change in his demeanor as he studied his bloodied finger, the evidence of his arousal growing in his pants as I approached. His eyes drifted down to his hard cock and back up without apology as I moved forward, taking his finger with a smirk.

  “Little masochistic, isn’t it?”

  “Pleasure and pain, you know all about that.” His eyes burned with his statement.

  “Unfortunately for me, doctor, I’m addicted to it,” I said in the worst German accent. “But for you, maybe it’s good.” We stood facing each other as I gripped his finger, squeezing to make it more painful. I was fascinated by the rigidness of his body and failed to stifle a giggle. His amber eyes seared my mouth shut as he pulled his finger away.

  “You’ll pay for that.”

  “I hope so,” I flirted, wrapping his finger tightly with the towel.

  “You really are a beautiful woman, Nina.” He was watching me as I searched his cabinets for a bandage, coming up empty. I turned to him in question as he continued. “And really fucking dangerous for me.”

  Suddenly, all the humor was sucked out of the room as Aiden turned back to his cooking. Scrambling to gain some balance back, I offered a hand, which he refused. Minutes later, I could still feel the heaviness as we dined in silence. I glanced at him as he studied his plate, refusing to look at me.

  “I’ve hurt you and ruined this,” I said, waving the white flag. “I mean, I know you’re trying, but I ruined this, haven’t I?” I pushed my plate away, suddenly sick. “I should go.” I looked up to see Aiden gripping his towel that rested on his shoulder. He moved it to wipe his mouth then grabbed my hand.

  “I just don’t see a way around it,” he bit out, as if we were having a conversation I was just joining. “Around making you pay.” His eyes flared as I swallowed slowly. Playful Aiden was gone, and I found myself afraid of him for the first time. I knew he wouldn’t hurt me, but somehow I knew our dynamic had changed, and I didn’t know if we would ever get it back.

  “Aiden, I want so much for us to be okay again. I do.”

  “I don’t think I can be the nice guy you want me to be right now. I’m pretty fucking mad.”

  “I’ll just go.” I reached over and kissed him on the cheek. He slammed his fist down on the table, making me jump, the sudden noise ruining me and putting my already torn nerves on high alert. I braved one last look and he struck out, gripping me tightly and pulling me into his lap.

  “I didn’t know. I swear I didn’t know he was your cousin. I knew you weren’t brothers and that was enough for me.”

  “And when you let him fuck you?!” I flinched. He pushed me down to the bottom of his thighs as he freed his throbbing cock from his sweatpants. I licked my lips, feeling the instant longing then looked up at him.

  “Where should I put my cock tonight, naughty Nina? In your lying fucking mouth, or you treacherous pussy?” I wanted to shy away from his anger, but instead I was turned … the … fuck … on.
I slapped him anyway, feigning offense, and saw the small smile form on his lips before disappearing. He gripped me roughly as he pulled me off of his lap, pushing me toward his kitchen island.

  My mind scrambled as his glowing eyes burned into me. “I’m supposed to forgive you for letting him have this,” he hissed as he cupped my sex over my thin, white shorts. I ground my hips, wanting to feel the delicious friction. I gripped him back, sliding my hands up and down the smooth, soft skin that covered his hard, thick muscle.

  “Put it anywhere you want, Aiden,” I invited, my chest heaving fast. He saw my fear and called my bluff.

  “Big mistake,” he snapped, ripping my shorts free, and not bothering to hold back his contempt for the rest of my clothes as he shredded through them. I was face down on the counter, bracing myself for the worst. I felt the burn in my scalp as he held me there, his hand fisted in my hair. I felt the violence threatening to escape him in his fucking. It was tangible in the air as I waited, pussy dripping in anticipation.

  “You’re a ready whore,” he hissed as I jerked my head up, but he forced it down. “I cooked the dinner. Dined like a lady and fucked like a whore, remember?”

  “Then shut up and do it,” I hissed back, suddenly unafraid and ready to fight, angry at his power over me. Sensing my fury, he let me up. I whirled on him, clawing his now bared chest.

  “I was Devin’s whore, now you proclaim I’m yours? Fuck you.” His eyebrows shot up as he stopped my assault. Pressing his forehead to mine, he wrapped his arms around me as we stood naked in his kitchen. I tried to wriggle free as he held me tightly to him.

  “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean that. I didn’t mean to hold it against you. I’m sorry. We all have our weakness and right now mine is you.”

  I stopped fighting as I looked up at him. He seemed sincere. I surprised myself with my next words.

  “Punish me.” His eyes widened. “Please, Aiden.” He took a step back and grabbed my hand, leading me upstairs. When we reached the top, I held his hand tightly as he led me to his bedroom. I felt the familiar stir of memories of all times he’d had me and looked at him with longing.

  “Can we really do this?” I had unintentionally spoken my thought aloud, and he paused as if to let me know I had to answer the question for myself. I began to breathe heavily as I looked at the beautiful man still trying to handle my indecision. I was hesitating because of Devin, and somehow I was sure he knew it.

  Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.

  Making a quick decision, I sank to my knees, gripping his hard cock and licking my lips. He jerked my chin up to meet his eyes as I readied my mouth. “You look at me with every fucking twirl of your tongue and move of your lips. The minute you look away, I will punish you.”

  I nodded, taking him into my mouth, our eyes locked. He stood perfectly still as I sucked him mercilessly, scraping the top of my nails over his thighs and then purposefully digging them into his skin to draw blood. He bit his lip in approval as he glared down at me, my mouth working frantically to soothe the hurt I’d caused him. I felt his length harden further as a burst of pre-cum invaded my mouth, and it spurred me on. I let my eyes water, taking him deep, but never closing them so he could see my apology. He pulled himself out of my mouth as I dove back in, trying to recapture him. Standing me up, he gripped my throat then pushed me onto his nightstand, my back knocking off the lamp. He invaded me without pause, thrusting into me furiously as I screamed out his name. He stopped briefly to throw the lamp on the bed, using the cord to bind my wrists over my head, securing them around the post. I heard the thump of the lamp behind me as it hit the headboard with each solid push of his hips. The sharp end of the stand bit into the top of my back as he filled me over and over. He lifted my legs and hooked them over his shoulders as he fisted my breasts painfully. I lifted my hips to match his movement, unbelieving of the build behind it. Feeling the orgasm start around his cock, I shuddered with pleasure just as he robbed me of it by pulling out. I cried out a loud “No!” as I lost the sensation. He gripped himself, bringing it back to my mouth, I opened wide as he shot into me, unforgiving. His eyes told me not to protest as I licked the last of him and took it inside. He unplugged the lamp, untied my wrists then pulled me to his chest. I couldn’t hide my disappointment as he laughed at me openly.

  “Wow, you are such a sore loser,” he said, grinning down at me. “You might want to let that loss sit a little better. I have the rest of my punishment to dish out.”

  I looked up at him with wide eyes. “You can’t be serious.”

  “Oh, you thought punishment meant pleasure. Well, that’s the point, isn’t it, naughty girl? You see, I’m in charge of your pleasure. It’s time you learned that. Get on the floor, all fours.”

  Hours later, I was out of my mind as Aiden tortured me with his cock, his lips, and fingers. I was aroused beyond repair and still he hadn’t freed me, knowing exactly when I was on the verge and taking it away as soon as I was close. He’d slapped my hands hard every time I tried to touch myself.

  “You haven’t earned it!”

  Frustration rolled off me with every knowing smirk he gave. I would never ask Aiden to punish me again.

  We lay in his bed a tangled mess as he chuckled at me pouting into his chest. My face was on fire with heat and need, and I couldn’t stop moving. I tried my best to get away from him, but he knew exactly what I would do. I was a broken mess, turned on to the point of tears as he held me tightly to him. I looked up in anger as he continued his endless release of humor at my expense. When I caught his eyes, he was back. My Aiden was back and suddenly it didn’t matter what state I was in.

  “Hi,” I said, holding him tighter to me, kissing the underside of his tattoo, slowing my kiss at his nipple, biting it softly with my teeth.

  “Hi,” he said, catching on. I felt his forgiveness as he looked down at me. We spent the rest of the night talking as he kept me from leaving the bed until I fell asleep.

  I woke with my legs parted and Aiden’s tongue bathing me. I smiled down at him as his fiery eyes turned my greeting into begging.

  “Jesus, Aiden, please let me come.” I gripped his blonde hair in an attempt to keep his mouth where it was as he chuckled, slightly sucking on my folds before pulling away.

  “We’ll see.” I let out a loud frustrated groan as he licked and sipped on my swollen pussy until I was at that point and pulled away.

  “Fuck, fuck, no, Aiden, please. I’m begging you!”

  “And you will continue to until I see fit.” I slapped at his chest, my frustration getting the best of me as I wriggled beneath his huge muscled frame, the sight of him hard and ready only angering me further. He pinned me beneath him, sucking my nipples as he taunted me with his cock playing between my legs.

  “Stop, please. I can’t take it anymore.” Closing my eyes tightly, I tried to avoid what his coaxing touch was doing to me.

  “Open your eyes, Nina.” I kept them closed as he licked down my stomach. “Now,” he ordered in a sharp tone. I opened them reluctantly, only to be met with the sexiest version of him imaginable. I studied him, taking in his features and his taut muscled arms braced over me, the small amount of stubble growing on his chin.

  I had done so much begging I had no choice but to stop. I was defeated.

  I was punished.

  Aiden stopped his assault, as if he sensed the small break in me. He took my hand, pulling me to him and leading me to the bathroom. We showered together then went downstairs. I stayed silent over breakfast, my emotions still getting the best of me as I watched him eat.

  “Eat your breakfast, Nina,” he chided before taking a sip of his coffee.

  “I told you I wasn’t hungry.” Wow. Even I recognized the childish tantrum I was throwing. I waited a patient and respectable amount of time before excusing myself. “I have to get to work.” I couldn’t even pretend to be civil at that point. I was burning, every muscle in my body screaming for release.

  “Not so fast.” He stood, t
urning me away from him, wrapping his arms around me. “Today, I want you thinking of me filling you with this.” He pressed himself into my backside, and I realized how close I still was. So fucking close. “And when you finish your day,” he whispered into my ear, licking the shell and then pulling at my lobe, “choose the place and I’ll meet you there and give you the best orgasm of your life.”

  He turned me to him, pulling slowly at my lips until I relented, letting him taste me fully. He pulled back, closing our kiss, his eyes intent on mine. “No touching. Don’t do it and I promise you it will feel like your first one.”

  “Okay,” I agreed as he smiled warmly at me.

  “I’m trying, Nina.”

  “I know.” I wrapped my arms around his neck. “I think we should get away, you know. Just go somewhere. No past, no future, just the present.”

  “I couldn’t agree more.” I felt my heart flutter with excitement as I took his slightly larger lower lip into my mouth, sucking greedily.

  “Where are you thinking?” he asked, taking his lip back and tucking it in his mouth.

  “Hmm, how about I let you decide.”

  “I’ll think about it today.” He swatted my ass, dismissing me.

  Walking outside, I sighed happily with a greeting. “Good morning, Cedric.”

  He looked at me sideways as I greeted him. If he was expecting some sort of walk of shame, he would be sourly disappointed. I buried the guilt associated with Devin as we drove back to my house so I could shower and change. When I reached the office, I kept busy throughout the course of the day, my needy sex pulsing constantly as a reminder of what was to come. I’d never been so excited. I thought about the ways he’d taken me last night, as an assured lover whose skills were phenomenal, especially in the area of knowing my body well enough to keep me in this state. By midday, I was tapping my foot underneath my desk, trying horribly to cure the unrelenting ache. As if sensing my discomfort, Aiden texted me.