He walked me over to the table as I took in the beauty of everything.
“I thought lilies might be overdone,” he said, pulling the chair out for me.
“You have no idea,” I laughed, sitting down as a server came from behind.
Ayden took a seat across from me, his smile absolutely captivating.
“Sir,” the server gave a slight nod and began pouring champagne into the flutes.
Ayden’s eyes stayed on mine as the server left us alone.
“This is incredible,” I whispered.
He took a sip of champagne while I glanced around the room. I saw one of my bags in the corner and now realized what the rustle was in my bedroom this morning.
“You didn’t have to do all of this.”
“I thought we might like some privacy for dinner.”
“Just dinner?” I brought my attention back to his simmering gaze and smiled. His lips looked so inviting as I imagined my mouth running along them.
The server came up behind me, placing a spinach salad down for each of us, but my mind could no longer concentrate on the meal. I glanced down at my salad and back at Ayden as I bit my lip, wondering what I should do.
I reached for the flute as I felt Ayden’s eyes burning into me. In less than a second, he was up from his chair walking behind me. I heard murmuring and then watched as the server left the room. I took a couple sips of champagne and felt Ayden’s finger’s slowly slide along the back of my neck. My breath shuddered as his touch lingered, and he gently pulled my hair to the side. The prickle of his stubble against my flesh sent a wave of desire through me.
“I’ve waited so long for you, Lily,” he murmured, pulling out my chair.
I stood up, and he scooped me into his arms. His mouth crashed against mine as he carried me out of the dining room. My sensitivity to each kiss, each movement as he glided his mouth away from mine, sent a tidal wave of emotions through me.
He carried me down the hall and through another room until we hit a beautiful master bathroom. A large soaking tub overlooked the snowy, night sky. He placed me gently on the tiles edging the tub and turned on the water. I watched his careful movements as he poured soap into the water. He turned back toward me, and softly kissed my mouth once more before standing up.
“I’ll let you relax—”
“Please don’t leave,” I said, reaching for his waist.
“Are you sure?”
“More than anything.” I traced my fingers down his legs.
He smiled and let his gaze dip to my mouth. I parted my lips about to say something, beg for something, but he pulled me back into his arms, his hands gliding along the hem of my sweater. But he didn’t pull it off. Instead, his hands slipped under the material and gently slid along my flesh. His fingertips softly circled my back, sending chills along my body, but he wouldn’t kiss me. He only wanted to tease me. His hands explored one sensitive area after another, creating a hunger that was insatiable.
Ayden dropped his head slightly, bringing his mouth to my neck, slowly releasing kisses along my skin. My breath hitched as his tongue slid along my throat while his hands still ran along my spine.
I teased my fingers along the waistband of his jeans, but he gathered my hands and continued scattering kisses along my jaw. I never wanted to be kissed on the lips so desperately. I let out a whimper as his hands held mine. His breathing changed, but he didn’t bring his lips to mine. Instead, he took a step away from me, and turned the steaming bathwater off. Ayden’s eyes danced along my body, and I was still fully clothed. I couldn’t imagine what it would be like to be naked in his arms, but with every passing second, it was getting harder not to rip my clothes off and find out. This pace was torturous. No one had ever held this power over me. Ever.
Ayden bent over to check the temperature of the water, but the drive inside of me couldn’t handle it any longer. I grabbed his fingers and brought them to my mouth. Gently licking the tips, I looked up at him through my lashes and watched as his jaw tightened and his eyes closed. Placing two of his fingers in my mouth, I slowly twirled my tongue around before releasing his hand from mine.
“Two can play at that game,” I teased. His eyes opened and a wicked grin covered his lips as he came toward me.
“Yes, two can…”
I grabbed the hem of his sweater and raised it slowly as I began to place kisses along his hard stomach. His breath caught as my mouth worked its way up, my tongue gliding along his chest. I felt his hands take the sweater from me, tugging it over his head as I continued to work my mouth along his chest. But he stopped as he cupped my head in his hands and brought my lips to his. Ayden smelled insanely good, a mix of cologne and pure male, but the way he tasted was out of this world. With each stroke of his tongue my world spun into another reality, and I couldn’t imagine ever coming out.
“The water will get cold,” he whispered, as his hands slowly lifted my sweater over my head.
I took a step back, only wearing my red lace bra and jeans, and smiled. His breath caught as his gaze explored my body. The way his eyes consumed me sent a rush through me.
“You’ve seen me in a bikini before,” I said, suddenly feeling shy.
“Never when I thought I could have you as my own,” his words sent as many shivers through me as his gaze.
To be possessed so fully by Ayden was something I craved. I needed him, all of him. He took a step toward me, and his fingers rested on the waist of my jeans. I nodded as he began unbuttoning them. The sensation as his fingers softly brushed my stomach while he unzipped my pants sent my sensitivity soaring. I slowly slid my jeans down as he watched me, his gaze darkening.
I stepped out of my jeans, now standing in only my matching bra and panties. I motioned for him to take a step toward me and he complied. He brought his mouth to mine and as his kisses deepened, I snaked my fingers along his waist and unfastened his pants. Quickly sliding them down, I pressed my body against his, feeling the different temperatures of our flesh come together as his breathing turned more ragged. His hardness pressed into my abdomen as I reached down to feel him in my hands. I felt his muscles jump as my hand rested on top of the thin fabric separating us.
His hands ran along the curves of my body, and my heart rate continued to ascend with each new area he explored. His hands rested on the small of my back as he attempted to steady his breathing, his gaze focused on mine. I flashed him a smile and slowly began to slip my panties down. A devilish grin appeared on his lips as he realized what I was doing. Before stepping into the tub, I flipped my panties off and smiled sheepishly.
Ayden shook his head and slid his tongue over his lips. I don’t even think he realized what he was doing as he watched me.
“Absolutely beautiful,” he murmured, his gaze coming to meet mine again.
“Take it off,” I whispered.
He smiled and inched his knit boxers down. My heart almost stopped when I saw his beautiful body in front of me, so close. It was even more magnificent than I imagined. His shoulder muscles were taut, each cord defined as he began to step into the tub. His abdomen hard, his muscles etched like marble, led my eyes down to where only dreams were made of. He caught me watching him, and his laughter completely wrapped around me as he slid into the tub at the opposite end. Ayden read my mind and reached his arms out, pulling me toward him in the tub.
My body floated toward his in the water as he brought me into him. His lips crashed onto mine as I felt his hands slide up my back, releasing the clasp on my bra. I pushed my chest to his, as I shifted my body, and Ayden began pressing hot kisses along my jaw leading down my throat, to my chest. The flick of his tongue changed as he cupped my breasts in his hands, shooting a burst of awareness through me.
As his lips traced along my breasts, his warm breath clashed with the chill in the air, and the drying water droplets on my skin. Not able to contain myself any longer, I ran my fingers along the prickle of his jaw, leading his mouth back up to mine. His hands slid alo
ng my legs, teasing my emotions. His touch did such amazing things to me as I felt him flick his tongue along my mouth. The ache that was growing deep inside of me was almost unbearable as his kisses became more dominant. I savored every touch, every motion as his fingers worked along my thighs; my breathing shifting with each new movement. Ayden broke his lips from mine as my body heaved with desire.
“Lily, I want you to know that I love you. I’ve loved you for a very long time.”
I looked into Ayden’s scalding gaze and nodded. “I love you, Ayden Rhodes.”
And I did with every ounce of my being. I loved this man who made me stop doubting myself and my choices and made me understand that everything happened for a reason.
I pressed my hips into his hard body, unable to get close enough to Ayden as I felt his bare, wet skin against my abdomen and breasts.
Ayden’s expression turned brooding as I began to kiss him ever so softly along his jaw as my fingers combed through his hair. I skated one of my hands down his chest as his breath caught. Ayden slipped his fingers around my wrist and drew me into him. His expression darkening as I wriggled around in the water, begging for more. I needed more. The want in me was so strong, it almost hurt, and he wasn’t making it any easier as he explored each new place, slowly.
“Kiss me,” I begged.
“Is that all you want?” he asked, his tongue sweeping along my breast.
“No,” I said, shuddering as he brought his lips back to mine. With each deepening kiss, I lost myself in Ayden completely.
Savoring every movement, every moment, as his hands traveled down my stomach, my breathing quickened. His hands slid along my thighs, slowly working their way inside of me. My body quivered as he looked at me with hooded eyes, his fingers teasing me endlessly.
“Please,” I moaned, before his fingers slipped away, leaving me in complete devastation.
“Please what?” he asked, his lips sliding along my throat.
Before I could answer he moved my body ever so slightly as I felt the length of him finally break into me. The amount of pleasure that swelled inside, made my responsiveness to every touch, every breath, almost unbearable as it collided with the strength of his body. As his hands gripped my waist, our bodies moved into a slow rhythm of ecstasy that I’d never imagined possible. His mouth continued exploring parts of my body with a renewed sense of awareness as our bodies intertwined with one another.
My hands ran along his chest as my mouth followed the delicious taste of Ayden. His pelvis pushed into me harder as his mouth crashed onto mine with passionate kisses that only made me beg for more. When I thought I couldn’t take any more, his thumbs began stroking my breasts in the same rhythm as our bodies, and I knew he was the only one who had this kind of power over me.
I felt his body tense as mine filled with ecstasy, peaking into sensory overload as my body shook with every pulse he provided. It wasn’t until Ayden slowed his kisses, bringing me back to reality that I realized how absolutely mind-blowing love was meant to be. This was what I had been chasing.
It was only six hours until midnight, when a new year and a new beginning was about to ring in. But I had to admit I loved how the old one was winding down. I glanced at my friends as we all sat around the fire pit on the patio. Jason was holding Gabby, and Brandy was sitting on Aaron’s lap. Sammie had recovered from the hot dogs and was now working her way through cheese and crackers, while Mason was pleading his case for another round of Call of Duty. Snow was expected later this evening, but until then we were all bundled up enjoying the outdoors and roasting marshmallows on the patio. The only light was from the fire pit and one patio light.
I, of course, received an apologetic text from Austin, which made me laugh. There were certain characteristics about Austin that I really liked and many more that I couldn’t handle or understand. But I never would’ve found that out if my best friends hadn’t thought this trip up. Austin enjoyed his freedom, and while I might have been a temporary blip on his radar, he was more than happy with the steady stream of females the resort town brought in. I was absolutely positive of that.
“Do you have any New Year’s Resolutions?” Ayden murmured, as he held my hand. We were sitting on a long bench pulled as close to the fire as we could get it.
I looked into his eyes and smiled. “I guess I should set a resolution to find a job,” I laughed. “That’s probably a smart one to put out there. But that’s all I can think of. All of my other wishes have come true, and a few I didn’t even know I had dropped in my lap.”
Ayden brought me into him, and as I looked around, I couldn’t imagine anywhere I’d rather be. Surrounded with such love and kindness was the best gift of all and a magical way to start the New Year.
A delightful pulse ran through me as I leaned my head on Ayden’s shoulders. “Do you know what would make this moment perfect?” I asked.
“What’s that?”
“A marshmallow.”
Ayden started laughing and shifted so he could grab a marshmallow out of the bag to stick on the skewer.
“Your wish is my command.” He stuck the marshmallow in the fire and slowly turned it.
“So are we staying in or going out for midnight?” I asked the group.
“Let’s stay in,” Mason said.
“Second that,” Sammie said. “But I’d be game for anything.”
“I’d like to stay in,” Gabby said, nodding.
“Me too,” Brandy agreed.
“Well, that makes it easy.”
Ayden slid the marshmallow off the skewer and brought it to my lips. “Careful,” he said. Ignoring him, I took a bite of the melty goodness, and it burned my lips before it tumbled to my lap.
I picked it up, blew on it, and popped it back in my mouth. “I should probably rinse this out.” I glanced at the trail of sugar down my lap.
“Yeah, definitely should get on that,” Ayden teased, standing up. “Don’t want it to stain.”
I tried not to giggle as I followed him off the patio and into the kitchen where he grabbed my coat and pulled me to him.
My tongue found some more sugar on my lips, and I started to lick it off, but not before Ayden brought his lips to mine. The chill from his fingers skated across my cheeks as he ran his fingers through my hair.
Laughter from the patio made my heart race, and I slowly withdrew my lips from his.
“Do you want to help me with the mess I’ve made?” I asked, lacing my hand through his.
“Absolutely.” He grinned and pulled me out of the kitchen, down the hall, and into my bedroom.
I slipped off my jacket and tossed it on the chair as I heard the lock on the door click.
“Why would you need to do that?” I teased, his eyes fastening on mine as I slowly inched up my shirt.
“I want some of your last memories of the year to be some of your best.” His eyes darkened as his gaze traveled along my stomach.
“I would like that,” I agreed, as he finished pulling my shirt up for me, revealing my pale pink bra, but rather than continue to undress me, he picked me up and placed me on the bed.
My breath caught in my throat as his gaze darkened and his fingers began sliding along my stomach. I motioned for him to strip, and his smile deepened as he slid off his sweater.
“Now I don’t feel so vulnerable,” I teased, slipping my fingers along his waistband and pulling him onto me.
Gently, he brought my bottom lip in between his teeth, nipping and teasing as a tingling sensation shot through my veins. I sucked in an astonished breath as his mouth left mine, and his gaze intensified as he moved down my body.
He slowly worked my jeans off, and I shook my finger at him, commanding him to do the same. I wanted to feel his flesh against mine. I needed to feel his body next to me. As he removed his jeans, he began to place soft kisses along my leg. A bolt of electricity shot through my body as his lips worked along my thigh, his fingers teasing me through my panties.
A moan esca
ped my lips as I clutched onto his shoulders, leading him back up until his lips found mine. His hands drifted through my hair as he shifted his body to align with mine. As I fumbled with my panties, desire strummed through me at an unstoppable rate. Every part of my body hummed with a thirst that only he’d be able to quench. Ayden’s hands slipped down my sides as his mouth left mine, and he skated kisses along my neck. This was definitely the best New Year’s Eve ever. I guided him into me and felt the longing only grow. Ayden’s eyes met mine as I sucked in a deep breath as our bodies melded into one. He held me tightly as our bodies lost control and worlds collided.
“Happy New Year, indeed,” I breathed. My eyelids felt heavy with sleep so I tucked my body into his, and the warmth from his skin wrapped around me.
“This is probably one of those nights where they’d miss us,” Ayden said, his lips by my ear.
“You don’t think we could get away with staying in bed?” I flipped around to face him, and he brought his lips to mine, kissing me once more.
I let out a groan as his lips moved away from mine, and I sank deeper into the covers before I flipped them off both of us.
“I guess you’re right,” I said, slowly rolling out of bed.
I opened the closet and grabbed a dress with a cute cutout on the back. It had long sleeves, but skimmed my curves nicely. Slipping it over my head and adjusting the fabric I walked over to Ayden who was pulling on his jeans.
“You like?” I asked, wiggling in front of him. I had been in mostly jeans and sweaters all week so it was nice to get a little dressed up, even if it was just to play video games until midnight.
Ayden ran his fingers through his blonde hair and let out a whistle. “Amazing.”
I twirled around one last time and laughed as he pulled me in for one more kiss before leaving the bedroom.
The kitchen was bustling with Sammie and Gabby preparing all kinds of food as I heard Brandy and the guys yelling upstairs as they competed. I grabbed a piece of celery as Ayden headed toward the loft.
Beyond Reason (Beyond Love Series #3) Page 20
