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Savage Instinct

Page 8

by Anwar, Celeste


  “Is it hot in here?” She fanned herself. “You must be boiling in that water,” she said. The steam in the room made her temperature rise—or maybe it was the sight of his masculine beauty and complete disregard for her presence. She was glad she’d had the forethought to buy a pack of t-shirts. It was like having a box of chocolates sitting on the counter when you’re on a diet—too much succulent man meat for the eyes was bad for her libido.

  “I was feeling better, and then your monster attacked me and nearly tore me to shreds giving me new sores and cuts. You should have that thing on a chain.” Aiden looked squarely at Nydia with a firmly set jaw.

  “I don’t seen any scratches on you.”

  “They’re on my legs,” he muttered with a dark undertone.

  She laughed. “You’ve got to be kidding.”

  Just about then the cat came walking into the room and glared at Aiden. Nydia reached down and picked up the cat, stroking her soft fur. Spot purred. “By monster do you mean Spot?’ she asked. The cat lovingly rubbed her head against her arm as she stroked her fur. “She’s nothing but a big old baby!”

  Aiden said, “Spot? Who on earth names their cat Spot? No wonder it thinks it’s a dog!!!” He bent his legs at the knee. “That thing hates me.”

  Nydia smiled. “Spot doesn’t have a mean bone in her body. She’s a little sweetheart. I’ve never seen her hurt anyone. If she attacked you, then it’s because you were someplace you weren’t supposed to be. Like my bedroom,” she said, looking at him pointedly.

  He avoided her eyes.

  Nydia raised one corner of her mouth and arched an eyebrow. “Yeah, that’s what I thought.”

  She couldn’t believe that Aiden couldn’t handle a cat. She found it very hard not to laugh out loud at the fact that he was whipped by a cat. She placed Spot on the floor. Spot walked past the tub and stopped to hiss at Aiden.

  Aiden glared at the cat as it walked by.

  Nydia snickered but couldn’t stop her eyes from having a mind of their own, daring to take peeks at him. She should leave, but couldn’t seem to command her feet to move forward or back.

  Nydia cleared her throat. “I went to the store and picked up a steak, some deli meat, and chops for you. I realized that it was wrong to deny you the foods you’re used to just because I don’t eat them.” She was busying herself with straightening things on the cabinet that didn’t need straightening.

  “I also got you some larger sweat pants and a tee shirt that I think will fit.” Nydia ran water in the basin to wash away some imaginary spot.

  “Thanks, Nydia. I’ll be out of here in a day or so. I’ll be sure to come and pay you back for everything you’ve spent. I’d rather be home, but my place is so secluded, I’d have a hard time getting back to town for anything I need. You know, this leg injury.”

  “If they hurt that bad, you should let me check them. I’ve heard some people can break their shins slightly and still walk with a limp.”

  He shook his head, scrubbing the washcloth over his chest and arms and leaving a trail of bubbles that popped enticingly. “I’m healing just fine. Promise. Just another day or two and I can walk out of here on my own. Maybe by then, I’ll remember my friend’s number and can get a ride.”

  “I could take you.”

  He stopped soaping his body and looked at her, capturing her eyes for a long moment. “That isn’t necessary. I don’t want to put you out any more than I already have.”

  Aiden rose from the tub. Nydia whirled around but caught his reflection in the mirror just as he grabbed a towel and wrapped it around his waist. She didn’t think to look for his bruises—all she could focus on was his cock jutting out of his groin like a heat seeking missile ready to launch.

  Good lord, she thought, feeling weak in the knees. She gripped the counter, feeling unsteady on her feet and thankful that he was quickly enrobed in the towel to spare her from making a fool of herself.

  The fact that he was sporting a semi-hard-on didn’t get past Nydia. That he seemed turned on by her presence in the room with him made that simmering heat return full force to her lower belly.

  When Aiden stood fully erect he lifted one leg as if to get out of the tub. He leaned forward and allowed his weight to carry him forward as if he were stumbling. Nydia turned quickly and ducked low to help him before he could slip and fall.

  Her face planted in the hard, wet rivulets of his stomach muscles.

  She breathed hotly against his stomach, felt it clench beneath the touch of her cheek. His hand wrapped in her hair, and for just a moment, she thought he would guide her through the covering of his towel to envelop his erection in her mouth. The thought of swallowing his cock made a spasm burst inside her pussy.

  Nydia bit her lip, pulling her face away from the temptation of his body and standing upright.

  Aiden was still too close for her comfort, when just the touch of his hand seemed to melt away her resistance, being in the confined space was too much.

  “You got it?” she asked, her voice breaking with passion.

  He made a little laugh. “I’ve never been so unsteady on my feet before. I think I stayed in the tub too long,” he said. His tan skin was reddened by the hot water, wet and inviting her to nibble.

  Nydia bit her lip, harder this time, reminding herself she couldn’t look, want, or taste anything of the sort. “Don’t lose your towel,” she muttered once she trusted her voice.

  “I won’t,” he said.

  Nydia watched Aiden’s face and thought for a moment that she saw a glimmer of a smile on his face. She was almost certain that the corners of his mouth lifted as she turned to catch him. She wasn’t altogether certain that he hadn’t faked the falling episode for her benefit.

  She was starting to feel anger build up at him for his behavior, and at her for not being able to resist being attracted to him. Nydia wanted nothing more than to be out of the room so she could avoid facing him and her own feelings.

  He sat on the edge of the tub. “Wait here and I will go get the clothing I bought for you and the tape and gauze. Don’t try to stand up until I get back.”

  Aiden smiled as she left. He was fairly certain that he had gotten to her and that she had to fight the urge to devour him at that very moment. He heard a hissing noise and realized that monster she had for a pet was standing in the bathroom door glaring at him.

  Aiden gave a low guttural growl and the cat spun around and headed out of sight.

  Nydia returned after just a few minutes and began to rub the towel over his body. Maybe it was her work from the spa that made her more inclined to take over when he could handle things himself, but it worked to his benefit to allow her the idea that he remained in need of her tender loving care.

  It still made him feel like a heel to deceive her.

  Clearly, she enjoyed helping others, or she wouldn’t be so quick to help him.

  Aiden thought that he would give her until forever to stop touching him. Even through the towel, he sensed the pressure of her fingers roaming over his body. Aiden clenched his jaw, willing his rampant cock to stand down. Much as he might want to pick a fight with her sweet little pussy to see who’d come out the winner, he had no business fucking a human.

  Matters weren’t helped by the t-shirt stretched across her ample breasts that jiggled and swayed against him as she moved.

  Aiden’s throat closed as all moisture and blood swelled in his groin. Fucking prick had a mind of its own.

  Aiden thumped his shaft as she moved around him. The move stung and put his cock back in line. Thought so.

  When she was satisfied that she had him dry, she helped him get his legs into the new sweats she had purchased for him.

  “I’ve got it from here,” he said, pulling the pants up beneath his towel as he stood. She nodded, but kept her eyes on him.

  “Do I need to check your wound?”

  He put his hand over the spot. “How about after lunch. I’m starved,” he said as he drew a shir
t over his head.

  He stretched the hem around his waist, liking the way her eyes seemed to devour his every move.

  “Let’s get back to the living room. I’ll make you a pork chop to go with the soup,” Nydia said, busy picking up the pants he’d been wearing when he came into the bathroom.

  Slipping an arm around his waist, she helped him navigate back to the couch.

  “Thanks. I didn’t realize blood loss had made me so weak. I’m just not used to this.”

  She stood up and shrugged. “No one would be. You’re lucky I can home when I did. Just remember that you’re a little unsteady right now and stay out of the tub when I’m not around.”

  Aiden lounged on the couch as she put the pork chop on to sear on the stovetop. The scent of pork fat frying made his stomach growl.

  Nydia flipped on the radio and hip hop filled the space with heavy beats.

  “I wouldn’t call that cooking music.”

  “Oh?” she said, looking at him from the kitchen. “I like this ‘cause it makes me want to move. Got to love a good beat and this is classic from the 90s. I was raised on this.”

  “So you’re a 90s brat?”

  “Yep and proud of it.”

  “I’m 80s. Born in the 70s,” he said.

  She gave him a once over and turned on the stove to reheat the soup. “I figured as much.”

  “Don’t you have any other stations? Some country or rock? Lynard Skynard?”

  Nydia made a face and stuck out her tongue. “You sound like an old man.”

  He laughed. “I take it that’s not your style? I think I’ve been insulted. No, I know I’ve just been insulted.”

  She chuckled and scooted back to the radio. “Nah. You’re just elegantly aged like a good Scotch whiskey. How about this?” she said, switching to a throwback station. Marvin Gaye came through, singing a soulful tune.

  “Better,” he said, leaning back on the arm of the couch and propping his head on his hands. “You can’t go wrong with Marvin. He always puts me in the mood.”

  “I bet he does.”

  “Watching you cook puts me in the mood too.”

  She laughed and eyed him. “For what?”

  “For eating delectable things,” he murmured, winking and rubbing his hands together.

  “Like chocolate?” she asked, a smile hovering at her lips as she flipped his pork chop. She sprinkled lemon pepper on it and turned on the hood exhaust to pull the air out.

  “Sure.”

  “Hot chocolate?” She glanced back at him and felt his eyes like a touch roam down her backside.

  “Even better.”

  “Too bad I don’t have any of that in the house then.”

  He laughed. “It’s a damn shame. I’m practically starving over here.”

  She turned and pinned him with her stare. “I want you to know I was most definitely not referring to myself when I made the offer.”

  He raised his hands, palms up. “Wouldn’t dream of that. I’m surprised you’d even suggest that I would think that. Besides, I don’t think there’s a person alive that doesn’t like chocolate.”

  Nydia chuckled. “This is almost done and then you can satisfy that hunger that’s been gnawing at you,” she said, scooping soup into two bowls to cool down. She pulled the pork chop out of the pan and placed it on a plate.

  “Not so sure it’s going to do the trick for all my hunger, but it’ll suffice for now.”

  She scurried about, setting the small white table that sat on the opposite side of her kitchen with forks, spoons, and a knife for him, and paper towels. She returned to the fridge and pulled out a pitcher of tea.

  He perked up from the couch, his eyebrows raised. “Is that sweet tea? Damn you know the way to a man’s heart, sugar!”

  “Mama always said you fill a man’s belly with good food and you’ll fill his heart.” She shooed at him and poured two cups, slanting her eyes towards him. “I forget Southern men are incorrigible flirts.”

  He grinned. “Part of the charm, ma’am. You still resisting me?”

  “Of course. Good girls don’t make nothing easy.”

  He arched a dark eyebrow. “You’re right about that,” he said with a laugh.

  Chapter Nine

  Nydia heard Aiden chuckling as she barricaded her door for the night.

  “You afraid I’m going to come in there and ravish you while you sleep?” he yelled from the living room.

  Obviously, he thought he was being amusing. “Shut up and go to sleep!” she yelled through the door.

  The man had plenty of gall.

  Nydia jerked with annoyance, dressing for bed and feeling her neck and back muscles tense with every move. So what if she didn’t quite trust him? What she did in her room and her house was her business.

  Crawling beneath the cool cotton sheets, she willed herself to relax. Her eyelids acted like loaded springs, refusing to shut. Was she imagining noises coming from beyond her bedroom door? And she’d never noticed the shapes and images scrawling across her ceiling before….

  Nydia growled, forcing her eyes to shut and her mind to go blank. Her determination to shut out Aiden’s nagging, amused voice only seemed to increase her inability to go to sleep.

  She flipped onto her stomach, covering her head with a pillow. Maybe she could just suffocate herself to sleep?

  He had to be on the mend, despite acting like a baby about being hurt. If he wasn’t ready to leave by Monday, she was going to grow a spine and force him off her couch. He’d already take up her extended weekend. Guilt and empathy could only allow this to go on for so long. Plus, she was tired from the stress of the past few days and all she wanted to do was give herself over to peaceful slumber.

  “Nydia?” Aiden called from behind her bathroom door.

  “Just a minute,” she said, feeling groggy and drunk and confused. Hadn’t she blockaded her door? She thought she remembered doing that before getting into bed.

  The room glowed blue with the light of her alarm clock. Through the slits of her blinds, the security lamp that stood sentinel over her house streamed lines of mellow light across the walls and carpet.

  “Nydia,” he called again, beckoning her to follow the sound of his voice.

  She stumbled out of her bed, wondering again when and how Aiden had gotten into her room when she thought she’d barricaded it. Light limned the door.

  Her legs felt heavy, almost immovable, as if sticky pads glued her feet to the floor. Walking as if through water, she reached the bathroom door.

  “What do you want Aiden?” she asked as she pushed the door open.

  Inside, Aiden lounged in the tub, puffs of steam rising around his chest and arms. His head swiveled towards her as she entered and a welcoming smile curled his lips. His skin glistened, accentuating his muscles. He extended his arm and crooked a finger, beckoning her forward.

  Nydia’s feet moved of their own volition, carrying her toward him. She slowly walked across the small room, hardly daring to breathe, let alone think.

  Her breath caught in her throat when she got close enough to the tub she could almost see his cock through the water. If the bubbles parted just the right way, everything she’d imagined would be revealed. Nydia felt lightheaded.

  “I’ve been waiting for you,” Aiden whispered, reaching to take her hand.

  Nydia allowed him to grab her wrist and pull her closer, he tugged her toward him, rising in the tub, angling his head to meet her mouth. She parted her lips on a breathy sigh, feeling her pulse race out of control.

  His breath tickled her lips. She could almost taste him, she was so close….

  The alarm went off.

  It took a few moments for Nydia to grasp what was happening. The dream dissipated in the clear light of morning.

  Nydia punched the pillow, groaning, feeling her body achy and wanting something more.

  Of course she’d been dreaming. Cracking her eyes open, she could see her dresser in front of the door, just a
s it had been the night before when she’d pushed it there.

  She groaned again, closing her eyes and willing the dream to return, but it wouldn’t. Why was it dreams ended right when they started getting good?

  Nydia sat up, feeling disgusted with herself. She wasn’t attracted to Aiden. He wasn’t her type at all. She’d always dated blondes, not scruffy looking brunettes. Plus, he was more than likely off his rocker with the crazy, unbelievable details of his story and how he’d been injured. How much of his psychosis had she enabled by encouraging him with tending his wound and allowing him to remain on her couch until he recuperated?

 

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