by Tina Saxon
Chapter Thirty-four
Aiden
THANK GOD RYAN stopped us when he did. I’m not sure I would have had the willpower to stop on my own. Addison is going to ruin me. It’s hard to explain the feeling I have when she’s in my arms. I was truthful with her when I told her that I have never wanted something so badly in my life. Revenge has fueled most of my life’s path, but I could forget everything that has ever happened just to be with Addison.
I lift her head from my chest. “Okay… so maybe we should sit and talk.” I laugh out loud when she looks up, still blushing.
“Seriously. What were we thinking?” She’s shaking her head.
“Well… I know what I was thinking,” I say with a suggestive tone, waggling my eyebrows.
“Stop that!” She’s trying to sound serious as she sits on the blanket but the sparkle in those beautiful blue eyes tells me she’s not. I can tell exactly what she’s thinking and her thoughts are probably right on par with mine.
I sit down next to her and grab her hand, lacing our fingers together. I can’t be next to her without touching her. When the fuck did that happen? We talk for a couple hours. About her growing up in Texas, her aunt and best friend, Sydney, who is coming to town this week. Our conversation flows easy. It’s perfect. She’s perfect. I’ve never wanted to share my life with a woman before. My work has always been my priority in life. Addison is different though. My thoughts aren’t immediately about how we’re going to fuck tonight; I really want to get to know her. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve already had a taste of Addison and it’s addicting, so of course I’ve thought of all the ways I want her again.
I really need to ask her how she ended up at Travis’s house last summer. I’m not sure if this is the right time, but I don’t know if there will ever be a right time.
“How about you tell me how you ended up at Travis’s?”
“Talk about a mood killer,” quips Addison.
“It’s something we need to talk about.” I shrug. “Especially the part where you shot me.” I wink.
“Ugh. Can we forget about that part? I had no idea you were FBI. And come to think of it, what the hell! You’re FBI! I was being held against my will and you didn’t seem to be doing anything to change that.” She rolls to her side and playfully hits me.
I grab her fist and bring it to my mouth, kissing it softly. “Whoa. I made sure you were safe. I couldn’t blow my cover, but when Travis told me that you were staying indefinitely, I did do something about it.”
“Really? Did I miss something? I don’t recall you helping me escape. I wouldn’t have had to shoot you if you did!” She sits up and throws her hands up.
I laugh and shake my head, remembering the whole morning. “So the morning that you shot me and escaped, I actually had a plan in place for that night. A couple of FBI agents were going to come and help you escape. If you would have been a little patient…”
“What!” Her eyebrows furrow in frustration. “I needed to get out of there. How in the hell was I supposed to know that you were going to be my hero and get me out? You were one of the reasons I had to leave when I did.” She looks down.
I understand that and couldn’t have agreed more. Even if it stung like hell that she left, she didn’t belong there. I lift up her chin so she’s looking directly at me. “I get that, I do. I didn’t want you to leave, but there was no way you were staying.” I lean over and place a soft kiss on her lips. I have to force myself to back away or we’re going to end up in the same predicament we were in a couple hours ago.
“I still have no idea why you were there in the first place though. Travis was very secretive about the whole thing. And when you left, he was furious. He had me search for every Emily in Texas. Although, I was almost positive your name wasn’t Emily, so I knew it was a lost cause.” I raise an eyebrow, hoping she’ll explain.
“Aiden…” she pauses and starts to say something but stops again, sighing. Whatever she needs to say, it doesn’t sound good. “I wish I could tell you, I do.” She looks right at me. “But I can’t. Some things are better left alone.”
“Are you in trouble?” I’m worried about how this sounds. I would never let anything or anyone hurt Addison. Especially Travis. I wonder if she knows that he was extradited here. Or why? She’s never asked me but if she’s in danger, she might need to know. I just don’t know if I can tell her that she’s the reason Travis made a mistake. A mistake that allowed me to finally pin something on him. If Joe hadn’t tried to attack Addison, then Travis would have never ordered a hit on Joe. I still can’t believe on a drunken night that Bill sang like a canary, leading me straight to the body at the bottom of the Hudson. Fuck, if she doesn’t ask, I’m not telling her.
“No. Nothing like that. It’s hard to explain, but please don’t push this. I know why you were there and it has nothing to do with your case,” she explains as her eyes plead with me to stop.
“Addison, you know I’m FBI. It’s hard for me to not question things. You of all people should get that. But I’ll let it go.” For now. “So why don’t I tell you why I was there. You might think you know, but you really have no idea.” She tilts her head but remains quiet waiting for me to continue.
“You know I’m from North Carolina. Well, my dad used to work out of town a lot. He was never home and when I was younger I really had no idea what he did. I didn’t care. He was an asshole when he was in town. Drunk and always yelling. My mom was always there for Katie and me. Best. Mom. Ever. So involved with everything that it made it easier with my dad always gone. He wasn’t a good man, at least the man who I knew. Life was easier, calmer when he was out of town. My mom would tell me how they met and fell in love and when she talked about him, it definitely wasn’t the man I knew. Anyway, when I was fifteen my mom and dad were killed in a car accident.” I hear Addison suck in a breath.
“I’m so sorry, Aiden.” Her hand is on mine, and she rubs her thumb lightly across mine.
“The brakes had been cut and they went down a ravine and hit a tree. Died on impact. I guess I’m thankful that Katie wasn’t in the car with them.” I pause and see the compassion in Addison’s eyes. “They never figured out who cut the brakes so it went unsolved. We stayed in our house. My grandparents from my mom’s side came and lived with us. When I graduated high school they decided to move back to Florida where they had been living before the accident. Katie moved in with them. I got stuck with the job of packing up the house and selling it. While packing up the house, I found a journal of my dad’s hidden in the bottom of a drawer. Looking through it, I found out my dad was embezzling money from his employer. Hundreds of thousands of dollars. I was surprised because we definitely didn’t live like we had money—I’d actually say lower-middle class income. The dumbass actually had dates and amounts in the journal that he stole.” I laugh, thinking when I found it I couldn’t believe it. I shake my head and continue. “I did some digging around and found out that my dad was working for Travis Stein. I never found evidence that says he did it, but I’m pretty sure of it.” Addison’s whole body stiffens up, a look of fear flashes in her eyes. She recovers quickly, but I see it.
Chapter Thirty-five
THIS CAN’T BE happening.
I don’t know why I thought maybe, just maybe, Aiden and I could work. That he wouldn’t care that Travis was my father. Fate hates me. There is no way that bitch could let me be happy just once. Just one fucking time!
“One time what? Addison, are you okay?” Aiden looks at me concerned.
Shit! I didn’t mean to say that out loud.
“S-sorry,” I stutter. “I was thinking how fate took both our moms away from us too soon and I was yelling at her. She seems to hate me. I think I wronged the universe in my previous life.” I look down at the blanket where our hands are intertwined, hoping my outburst is easily explained. It’s hard to look into his eyes knowing what he just told me.
He pulls me into an embrace, holding me like our lives depend on i
t. He continues telling me that he went to school and then the academy for the exact same reasons I did: revenge. Our paths mirror each other’s, leading us to the same person. Although, the end of our stories are so very different. He found his parents murderer and I found my father.
I have to leave. Everything begins to blur and move in slow motion. I tell him I have to go. I push away from him. He tries to stop me, but I can’t. I tell him that I don’t feel well. It’s true. My heart is breaking. For him. For me. For us. He takes me home. Silence fills the air and it’s suffocating. As soon as we’re in front of my apartment, I jump out without saying goodbye. I rush into my apartment and close the door. How he got past the doorman so fast surprises me because he’s already outside my door calling my name, pleading for me to open the door.
“Addison, I’m not leaving until you open this door!” He bangs loudly on the door. I can hear the frustration in his voice. “Please, Addison,” he begs.
The pain I hear in his voice is killing me, so I open the door. My head is still in a fog. I’m holding back my tears but one escapes. He’s standing in front of me, kicking the door closed behind him. He catches my one tear and caresses my face with his thumb. I lean into his touch. My head tells me to turn around and never look back, but my body betrays me. His lips crash on mine. Our kiss is frantic, hard, and passionate. Our hands are all over. The physical need that we crave from each other takes over. My shirt and bra are discarded quickly and his hands pinch, tug, and caress my breasts. Aiden picks me up as my legs automatically wrap around his body. He flicks his tongue over one nipple. I let out a moan of ecstasy. He turns us around and slams me to the wall. I can feel his hardness. My own arousal throbs, needing more friction. I reach down and unbutton his jeans, pull out his cock, and stroke it between us. The velvety hard length has my mouth watering.
“Woman, keep doing that and I’ll finish before we start,” he growls. He puts me down and quickly takes off both our pants, and we’re back to the wall in seconds. He lifts one of my legs around his waist. His fingers making their way down to my sensitive nub. Demanding more friction, I grind my hips against his fingers. His lips are on my neck, nipping my ear. My head is tilted back and my body is on fire. It’s definitely not going to take me long to explode.
“Aiden,” I moan.
His spears two fingers into me.
“Damn, woman. You’re dripping wet for me.”
“Only you, Aiden,” I say, not recognizing my own voice.
“Only me, sweetheart,” he growls.
His fingers move rapidly while his thumb works its magic on my clit.
“Oh God, oh God, Aiden!” My orgasm rips through me as I contract around his fingers. He bites down on my nipple, prolonging my orgasm. Before I can come down from my high, he lifts me up and slams me down on his cock. I cry out. The immediate fullness that I feel is overwhelming. He pauses, looking into my eyes, silently asking me if I’m okay. I nod, biting my lip. His mouth comes down on mine, sucking my lip where I was biting it. He lifts me up, pulling his cock slowly out but before it comes out, he slams me back down.
“Addison, your pussy is so tight,” he roars. He starts a punishing rhythm, fast and hard. I squeeze my legs around his waist, begging to feel more of him. All of him. My fingernails score his muscular back, grabbing hold for the ride. His face is buried into my neck. I can feel the heat of his heavy breaths. “Stop. Running. Addison,” his raspy voice growls between each thrust. He grabs my hands and brings them over our heads. One of his large hands pins both of mine to the wall while his other reaches down to grab my ass. “If I have to handcuff you to a bed again to make you stop running from me, I fucking will,” he grates out. I close my eyes to try and avoid the determination in his eyes. I can feel my body tensing, getting close, as he pounds into me harder. I moan as my body quivers with each thrust.
The hand cupping my ass moves farther down. He rubs in between my cheeks. A finger toys with the pucker of my ass. “Aiden.” I suck in a breath at the foreign feeling, but he’s just rubbing, pressing, teasing. The sensation has me grinding my ass against his finger. I can’t believe I’m hoping he continues.
“Fuck, Addison. So responsive.” Shivers course through me as I can feel my release building. I scream, my whole body convulsing in pleasure, pulsing against his cock. Aiden’s control is shattered when he thrusts into me one more time. He roars through his orgasm. I can feel the heat of his release inside me. He leans up against me, resting his forehead against mine.
“Woman, you’re going to be the death of me,” he pants out. We’re both still breathing heavily when he lifts up and pulls out of me. I whimper at the loss. My legs shake as he puts me down. I have to lean against the wall to keep from collapsing. He walks to my kitchen and returns with a wet towel. I hadn’t even noticed that his release ran down my leg. My eyes go wide at the realization. “I’m so sorry, sweetheart,” he whispers as he softly cleans me. “I’ve never done it without a condom. And I’m clean. I was just checked after I got back.” His voice is rushed.
“It’s okay. I’m on the pill,” I quietly reply. I’m frustrated that I have no control over myself when I’m with Aiden. I didn’t even think about him not putting a condom on. I throw my head against the wall a couple times, muttering a curse under my breath. I open my eyes to beautiful emerald green eyes assessing me. Always assessing me.
“Aiden.” I blow out a long, shaky breath. “I think you need to go.” I twist my lips, waiting for his reaction. He nods his head slowly as he begins to put his clothes back on. I put on my panties and shirt, never taking my eyes off him. I’m so confused. I don’t know what the hell I want. One second I want him to get mad and leave, the next I’m scared to death that he’ll leave and never want to see me again.
When he’s dressed he walks over to where I’m leaning against the wall. He puts his hands on either side of me, leaning in. “Addison, I’m not a patient man. You need to figure your shit out so we can move on. I want more. I want more than just your sweet pussy,” he growls as he rubs his hand against my sensitive clit. I inhale sharply. My whole body trembles. He slowly drags his hands up my stomach, over my nipple, stopping at my heart. “I want this, too,” he whispers right before he places a soft kiss on my lips.
Aiden steps back, his intense eyes lingering on my body before he turns and walks out the door. I touch my lips, not ever wanting to forget how it feels when he kisses me.
“Oh, Aiden, you have my heart. Always have. I’m just afraid you’ll shatter it when you find out the truth,” I whisper to no one.
Only fate can bring two people together whose lives have been shaped by one determining factor, running parallel to each other the entire time. Paths paved by the same emotion, only to have them finally cross. Perfect for each other, but at the same time, they can never be together. Only fate knows the devastation that will come out of this union. Their paths are no longer parallel. No longer the same. Now they’re colliding. Crashing.
Chapter Thirty-six
I’M HOLDING A sign up that reads “Sydney’s ride” as a joke while I wait for her at baggage claim. I think the joke was on me though because I had a few guys, yes, a few, actually tell me they were Sydney and ready for their ride.
I hear her before I see her. “Addie!” she screams, barreling toward me, throwing her arms around my neck. I give her a huge hug. I’m so excited to see her. Even though we talk quite a bit, it’s not the same. I blink back my tears of joy. She’s actually here.
“Syd, I’m so happy you’re here.” I hug her tighter. When we finally release, we walk over to the baggage claim to pick up her bag. We talk about her flight and how my aunt is doing. I can tell she’s holding something back. She keeps looking at me like she’s about to say something but stops.
“Sydney? Spit it out. Whatever you’re wanting to say, say it.”
“Who the heck is the gorgeous man singing to you on the YouTube video!” She huffs. “And why didn’t I know about it!” She pun
ches me as she pouts. I roll my eyes and sigh. That damn video. I still can’t believe it’s gone viral.
“It just happened on Tuesday!” I wrap my arm around her and guide her to my car after we grab her bag. “There is a much bigger story behind that video that you’ll want to know. I’ll tell you all about it at my place.” I sigh.
“Please tell me you at least said yes! Because if not, you are one dumb woman,” she says with a huge grin.
“I said yes,” I answer, nodding my head.
* * *
Back at my apartment we’re settled in the living room with a bottle of wine. Sydney is impatiently waiting for me to tell her the story. She’s tapping her fingers on her wine glass and staring at me with expectant eyes.
“Have I told you, I love your hair?” I say, as I get comfortable on the couch. She’s grown her hair out to an A-line bob and it looks classy and very chic on her. She shakes her head, but smiles wide.
“Addie! Stop stalling and start talking!” she screams and throws a pillow at me.
“Okay. Okay. I’m sorry I haven’t talked to you about this before now. I’ve been confused and it’s been a crazy situation. But I’m so glad you’re here in person. I need help.” I glance at her with a resigned look.
“Addie, you know I’ll always be here for you,” she says concerned. “But you’ve lost me. If I had a guy who serenades me and looks like that, there would be no confusion. Whatsoever. I’d skip the date and go right to dessert.” She giggles.
“So… that guy, that’s Jett.” She immediately stops giggling and her mouth gapes open. “Yep. Meet my confusion.”
“Now I’m really confused. Start from the beginning, girlfriend.”
I tell her the story about the first time I saw him at his office and everything that has happened the last couple weeks up until last night. I sigh, getting ready to talk about last night.
