by Aliyah Burke
Feisty woman you are, my Aida. “I’ve not needed them.”
Flames of indignation rose in her gaze. “All the women you bed have them or don’t require you use them?”
He tugged lightly on her hair, pleased by her jealousy. “No. I don’t go around bedding women, Aida. The last time I was with one, I did use a condom but it was a long time ago, and I have no reason to carry them with me.” Dane watched her expression smooth out. “Now, tell me why you don’t have any protection. You are a beautiful woman.”
“We’ll get to me in a minute,” she said, brushing his question off. “Why won’t you get them if you have carried them before?”
“Because, Aida, when I slide my thick cock inside you, there will be nothing between us. I want your muscles and heat surrounding only me.” He pulled her close and snarled low against her lips, “When you allow me inside you, I will mark you for all time. This pussy will be mine, is mine, the only place my cock goes is in you, Aida. I will fill you full with my seed and get you pregnant. I told you before, Aida. We belong together, and I meant it. There is no reason for me to wear one.”
Her body trembled, and her breath escaped her in short pants. The air filled with the scent of her arousal, and Dane could feel his need wash over him. He struggled to keep it in check; his words were true but he wouldn’t take from her what she may not be ready to give. Aida didn’t back off; she held his gaze.
“You seem pretty sure of yourself there.” Her comment was dry.
“I am.” With his other hand, he slipped up under her short skirt and squeezed one cheek of her ass. “Now tell me why you aren’t on anything.”
“I have no need to be on anything.”
“What about Christopher? Or Kees?” he asked, fighting to contain his rage at either one of those men touching what was his.
“Seriously?” Aida moved away but he brought her back close.
“Deadly.”
She shook her head. “We’re just friends.”
“So you’ve never slept with them.”
“Really?” Her shock at his question was palpable. “It is possible for men to be friends with women and not sleep together. Don’t you have a woman who is nothing more to you than a friend?”
His mouth curved up as Zora’s image came to him. “Yes. I do.”
“She must mean a great deal to you. That is one of the gentlest expressions I have ever seen on your face.”
“She does. You remind me a lot of her.”
Aida’s face became deadpan. Before he knew what happened, she’d gotten off his lap and was striding to the house. “Great! I’m so fucking happy for you.” Her sharp words trailing behind each punctuated step. Dane could hear the jealousy in her tone, so sharp he almost tasted it.
Sitting up, he watched her disappear inside, the door slamming behind her. Dane shoved a hand through his hair and followed. He slipped silently in the house and saw her in the kitchen, putting food away. Her movements were jerky and stiff.
“Aida,” he said, moving toward her. Dane frowned when she froze before going back to what she was doing, all without looking at him. Without even acknowledging him.
Pinning her between him and the counter she was at, he lowered his head to her neck and licked along it. She turned and shoved him hard in his chest. Dane stared into eyes overflowing with anger and hurt.
“What did I do wrong, solnyshko moyo?”
Her gaze narrowed. The gold flecks within, hard and unforgiving. “Nothing. Every woman loves to hear what you said, about claiming them only to have you say in the next breath how much she reminds you of another woman.” She jerked back around, her hair nearly hitting him.
Dane sighed. Spinning her to him, he threw her over his shoulder before walking to her bedroom where he dropped her on the double bed. Hands on either side of her head, he straddled her.
“Get off me, Dane,” she snapped.
“No. We need to get this cleared up.” He held her gaze. “Zora is an amazing woman—no, Aida, don’t turn from me. You remind me of her in the way you care about others. She is a gentle soul like you. She is beautiful, yes. But that is where it ends. You, Aida…you make me so hard my dick wants to burst from my jeans. When I look at you all I can see is laying you down and enjoying every sexy inch of your body. You make me think a future is possible. You make me want to learn to be a better man. There is only one woman in this world for me, Aida Roberts, and that woman is you.”
Her expression softened and while still a bit wary, no longer so hostile. “So you don’t want her?”
He smiled gently. “Everything I want from Zora I have, her friendship. Okay?”
“Okay,” she muttered.
“That’s my girl,” he said before he kissed her.
Licking her bottom lip, he groaned when she opened and sucked his tongue in her mouth. Aida wrapped her arms around him and arched her back, pressing her breasts tighter against him.
Dane could feel his beast rising, trying to get out. He ended the kiss and pushed up from his position over her. In the depths of her eyes, he could see her frustration. Kissing her quickly, he got off the bed. “Come, Aida, before I forget now is not the time for me to show you what it will be like when we are one.” She left the room and made her way back to the kitchen and he followed.
He watched her hungrily while she put away the rest of the food. Dane knew she wanted him; the scent of arousal was driving him near crazy. His cock felt ready to explode as he stared at her dressed in that plaid mini skirt. He loved that she wore what he put out for her without question.
“When did you want to do this?” she asked, draping the dishrag over the sink.
Now. Right fucking now! “Do what?” he questioned in a graveled tone.
“Leave for Northern Cape.”
Slim. The thought of him cooled most of Dane’s desire for Aida. “How soon can you be ready?”
“We can head out tonight if you want. But first thing in the morning would be better.”
“Morning then.”
“I’ll start packing.” She put her hands on her hips and stared at him, her head cocked to the side. “Umm, I think you’ll be needing some more clothes.” Dane could see the thoughts racing through her mind. “Okay, let’s go.”
“Where?” he asked.
“Grab your shirt. We’re going to get you some more clothing.”
Dane grabbed the shirt and followed her and the dogs out to her 4x4. He jumped in, and within moments, they were driving away. “Where are we going?”
“Kees’ house.”
Dane frowned in the approaching darkness. I hate the thought of her going to him for anything. But he didn’t believe now was the appropriate time to tell her he could conjure clothing from thin air. Truthfully, it’d been so long since he had, perhaps he couldn’t any longer. He held on as she sped over the nonexistent road. When she slowed, he saw a large sprawling single story ranch house ahead. She skidded to a stop and jumped out, heading to the door.
He had just gotten out when the door opened and Kees stood there. The man wore some khaki pants and a light gray shirt, open showing his chest. Dane scowled slightly when they began talking in a language he couldn’t understand. He walked closer, and when he stopped beside Aida, she turned to him and said, “Let’s go inside.”
Everyone entered, dogs included. Kees looked at him and skimmed over his body. “I should have some clothes that fit him. This way.”
They stopped at a room, and Aida sat on a bed while Kees opened the large closet and pulled a few things out. Taking them, Dane stared at Aida while Kees said, “I’ll leave you alone to try them on.”
Aida got up and left with Kees. Alone in the room, Dane looked at the clothing. A few pairs of jeans and some cargo pants, in army green, camouflage and more. Then Kees had also pulled some shirts. It didn’t take Dane long, and he knew it would work. The shirts would be a bit snug but the pants fit well. Redressing in his clothes, he folded the rest and left the room, his e
ars immediately picking up on Aida’s voice.
She and Kees stood in the kitchen, leaning against the counter, laughing and talking together. Again, in a language he didn’t know.
“How’d they fit?” she asked him in English.
“Great. Thank you, Kees.”
The man looked at him and nodded. “Figured the pants would work for you, they were mine when I was heavier. You’re bigger than I am.”
“I appreciate it.” Dane did, despite not being a fan of the camaraderie between Kees and Aida.
“Anything for Aida,” Kees said, handing over a paper bag.
Dane shoved the clothes in and smiled despite his anger at the words Kees voiced. Even without heightened senses, Dane knew he could have picked up on the powerful emotions flowing through the man. While Adia may believe they were just friends, Kees was a man who held out hope for something more.
“We got to get going, Kees. I’ve got the dogs with me, but thanks for keeping an eye on everything for me.”
“No problem.”
Aida waved and jumped into her vehicle, the dogs following suit. Dane stepped toward it only to stop when Kees touched his arm. Facing the man, Dane waited for him to say something. He worked hard to contain his instinctive bristling he had at Kees’ touch on Aida.
“Keep her safe.”
“I will,” Dane said, staring him directly in the eyes.
“Okay.” Kees waved to Aida and walked inside.
On the road back to her place, Dane asked, “What language were the two of you speaking?”
“Tswana.” She shifted and asked the Scout for more speed.
“Oh. Is that your second language?”
“No…well…I mean I grew up speaking both it and English. So I think of them both as my first languages. I’d say Afrikaans and Dutch are my second.” In the low light, he could see her shrug.
“U spreekt Nederlands?” he asked, impressed.
“Ja. I didn’t know you spoke Dutch,” she said.
“I speak a few languages myself.”
“Figures. Handsome, strong, caring, and multilingual.”
He chuckled. “Is that a bad thing?”
“Not at all. That’s like a total package for me. Are you ever going to tell me what you’ve been calling me? I know it’s not Dutch.”
“Perhaps one day I will. And, Aida, it is all for you,” he murmured, watching her in the darkness, grateful for the chance to observe her privately. She licked her lips, and he shifted on the seat.
“I have to pack when we get back.”
He smirked at her deliberate attempt to keep the topic off anything personal. “What can I do?”
“In the shed, there is a tall gray cabinet. In that, there is a container I need put in the back here.” She slid to a stop before the house.
Dane got out slowly, watching her grab his new clothing and disappear inside. An arrogant smile filled his face. His woman was losing the control she had. One final stare back to the house, and he headed to the shed to grab what she’d said and take it to the back of her International. Standing in the back, he secured it into the side, making sure it wouldn’t slide around.
“Can you put these in there, too?” Her voice reached out of the dark and stroked him.
Dane looked at her, bathed in the light from the house, and nodded. The faint sound of a vehicle coming filled the air. “Expecting company?” he asked.
“Nope.” She grabbed his arm. “Get inside.”
“I’m not leaving you alone to face whoever is coming.”
“Get. Inside.” Aida tugged on him. “Look, Dane, this may be people looking for you. I’ll be fine, just get out of sight.”
He didn’t like it, but he did as she asked. Dane shut the door just as the headlights highlighted the yard. Positioning himself so he could see out the window and still remain hidden, Dane watched more than ready to do whatever was necessary to protect her. Aida worked on the container, and when the vehicle stopped, she looked up and brushed her hands off on her skirt.
“Can I help you?” Her voice flowed to him.
A low rumble rose up within him as he saw two uniformed men cross the headlight beams and stand before her. He felt better when Ruger and Kamau positioned themselves on either side of her. He could hear their low growls. Dane realized he must have made some good progress with her dogs for they no longer did so at him.
“We’re looking for someone.” She didn’t say a word. The men looked between one another. “Have you seen him?”
“I’m sorry. Umm, you’re going to have to be a bit more specific than that. ‘Someone’ is a very vague description.” Dane watched her face them confidently.
“He’d have been in handcuffs. Black hair and—”
“Nope.”
“Nope?”
She shook her head. “Nope. A handcuffed man I would remember. Sorry. Can’t help you. Now, if you don’t mind, I have a busy day of work ahead of me to prepare for.”
The men looked at her attire, and Dane wanted to smash their faces in for the leers that filled their gazes. “I see. Sorry to bother you, ma’am.”
“Good night.” She walked back to the door, turned, and waited for them to leave before she entered.
Dane gathered her close immediately. “Are you okay?”
“Why wouldn’t I be? They didn’t do anything, except stare at this damn skirt you picked out for me to wear.”
“I wanted to kill them for that,” he uttered.
“Okay, look, I’m exhausted. This has been a long day for me. And we should get an early start.” She patted his arm and stepped away from his touch. “Good night, Dane.”
He stayed out there for a few moments then walked to her bedroom door and knocked. “Aida,” he said softly.
She turned to look at him, now dressed in a cami and pale purple cotton shorts. Her mass of hair hung free around her, and he swallowed hard. So beautiful.
“Yes?”
Dane walked to her, stepping around the dogs lying on her floor. He touched her face gently, unable to say a word.
“Come on,” she said with a smile and a soft sigh. “But you have to behave and keep your briefs on at least.”
He stripped immediately to just the bare minimum and climbed onto her bed, slipping beneath the top two blankets. Dane gathered her close once the light was off and she’d slid into the bed as well. His cock stiffened even more when her softness brushed against him. But he ignored it, kissed her on the forehead, and whispered in the dark, “Good night, Aida.”
“Night, Dane.”
Dane burrowed his nose into her soft hair and fell into a peaceful sleep with the smell of soft apple, vanilla, and cinnamon surrounding him.
He woke alone. Refreshed, but alone.
The streams of early morning light touched him, and he sat slowly. The bedroom door remained closed and he looked around. Not even the dogs were with him. Listening, he could hear her talking softly to her beloved animals. Dane lay back down and buried his face into her pillow, loving the fragrance that seemed to float around him. Never had he wanted to linger in bed, but damn, if that wasn’t the thing on his mind. Go grab Aida and bring her back to bed, to his arms, where she belonged.
Her soft laughter drifted back to him, causing him to groan, and his erection grew harder. Throwing back the blankets, Dane got out of bed and headed for the bathroom, then to his room for some clothing. He wasn’t any less aroused when he padded into the main part of the house. Aida stood over a bag, dressed in dark gray cargo pants and a white t-shirt.
“How is it, Aida Roberts, you can slip out of bed without waking me?” he asked, moving across the floor to her position.
She glanced over her shoulder at him and winked. Once. Slowly. Enticingly. “You were snoring when I left.”
“I don’t snore,” he protested in a low voice.
“Whatever.” She winked again. “There’s food on the table. Eat up.” Aida tossed her head and turned her attention back to her
packing.
He didn’t listen. Instead, he moved to stand behind her. Reaching out, he placed his hands on her hips and drew her into his body. Dane lowered his head and inhaled the intoxicating fragrance of her skin. Slight tremors shook her but she didn’t pull away.
That’s right, Aida. Get used to being in my arms, for it is where you belong.
Skimming along her silhouette, Dane closed his eyes and allowed his touch to see for him. Her firm ass pressed against his stiff erection, the backs of her thighs rested upon his quads. The smoothness of her skin flamed his blood, and he could almost taste her on his tongue.
“Soon, Aida,” he groaned in her ear.
“We should get going,” she murmured, relaxing into him even more.
“Absolutely,” he replied. He bit the inside of his lip when she placed her hands on the outside of his legs, her head tilting to the side to allow him more unrestricted access to her neck. “The vehicle.”
“Right,” she whispered. “The vehicle.” Aida sighed heavily and stepped away from him so there was a minute distance there. “Go eat something, Dane.”
Raking his gaze up and down her body, he moved to the table, laden with breakfast. He stayed there and watched her leave and come back with the remaining clothes he’d gotten from Kees only to pack them away as well. The sound of the zipper broke the silence.
“Ready?” she asked as he polished off the last bite of fruit.
Dane felt the animal begin to pace at the knowledge there was a battle coming. “Ready,” he answered with an affirmative nod.
“Let’s do it then.” She lifted the bag, headed towards him, and tossed it at him. The weight of it surprised him. Brushing by him, she sashayed her ass right out the door, her dogs following right behind, leaving him to bring up the rear.
Dane secured the bag along the left bed wall and stared over to the front where Aida stood with her arms around Ruger who was in back. Kamau had already lain down. Her eyes were closed, and he could see the contentment on her face. Her love for those animals poured from her to him. Ruger’s tail moved slowly back and forth. The affection definitely returned from both canines.
Walking to the passenger seat, Dane hopped in easily. He met Ruger’s stare. The tail stopped wagging, and the dog turned his head. Not in a submissive way, more of a dismissal. Aida swung up and adjusted her pink fuzzy dice before turning over the powerful motor and shifting into gear.
