That Crazy Kind: of love

by Snow, Jenika

  I looked at her, really feeling the alcohol now. “You’ve been to these parties before?”

  She shook her head and looked at me. “No, but word spreads fast at school. Besides, if the cops are called, it’ll only draw attention to the fact that Braxton was having a party where illegal drinking, and most likely drug use, was going on.” She shook her head again. “No one will call; believe me.”

  I rested my head back on the seat and looked out the window once more. “What about your friend?”

  “Pixie?”

  I nodded but didn’t look at her. I was humiliated I hadn’t been able to control myself around her, but unashamed that I’d stood up for her.

  “She already texted me and said she’s heading out too.”

  I ran my hand over my jaw, feeling stubble along my palm. “I’m sorry,” I said softly, not sure she even heard me.

  “For what?” There was shock in her voice.

  I looked at her then. “For showing you who I really am, and for making a scene like that.”

  She shook her head and glanced at me. “Braxton deserved that. He deserves more than that. You did me a favor—hell, did every girl there a favor by beating his ass and putting him in his place.” She tightened her hands on the steering wheel. “I know Pixie is grateful she really saw who he is, the disgusting, vile piece of shit that is Braxton Franklin. Besides, come Monday, no one will even think about it, mainly because Braxton was the one who got his ass kicked and no one wants to have that memory lingering.”

  I didn’t care if people did talk about it, if I were being honest.

  “Braxton will claim his injuries are from roughhousing, maybe backyard football practice. He’ll go on acting like nothing happened.”

  I found myself reaching out and placing my hand over hers, wanting to do more but knowing right now, this was all I should be doing.

  I cared about Harlow, probably more than I should, more than I deserved, and tonight cemented that fact.

  There was no way I could walk away from her. No fucking way.

  Chapter Fifteen

  Aiden

  I’d taken Aiden to his place, not worrying about how I’d get home. I already told my parents I was staying with Pixie, which had been the original plan. I could call her and have her pick me up. Maybe I should’ve just had her follow us, but my main concern was getting Aiden home safely and helping him wash off the blood that covered him.

  I pulled to a stop in front of his home, cut the engine, and looked out the front windshield. His home was small, the yard mowed but with several areas where you could see the grass had died off. Outside of the property line, the grass was tall, the weeds trying to creep into the yard. The paint on the house was chipped, and I could see the living room window had a large crack that was haphazardly fixed with what appeared to be duct tape.

  I glanced at Aiden and saw he was watching me, his focus seeming clear in this moment.

  “Ready to run away yet?”

  I couldn’t help myself from reaching out and placing my hand over his. “Not on your life,” I whispered. “A fight, a little blood, and certainly not a house or money make a person who they are.” I stared into his eyes. “I see who you are, Aiden, who you really are.” I felt like it was the perfect time to kiss, to seal those words together between us. But instead, I pulled back, knowing he was tired, his knuckles probably sore, the blood on him needing cleaned off. Not to mention, he was probably drunk, or close to it.

  “Come on. Let’s get you inside.” I climbed out and walked around the front of the car, but he was already out and shutting the passenger side door by the time I reached him. “Is your mom up?” He shook his head then rolled it around his neck, his eyes closed and the exhaustion clear on his face. I looked down at his hands, saw how bloody and bruised his knuckles were, and although maybe I should have felt disgusted at the sight, all I noticed was what he’d done to protect me.

  “The medication she’s on makes her tired. She’ll be out cold until the morning,” he said low and deep, and we started walking toward the front door. He reached out and took my hand, and I slipped my fingers between his. “You didn’t have to walk me to the door. I should have been doing that for you, taking you to your place and making sure you got home okay.”

  I shook my head and stepped aside so he could open the front door. “I want to make sure you’re cleaned up and got home okay. I’ll have Pixie pick me up after. No problem.”

  Once inside, I noticed the scent of lemon and disinfectant filling my nose. I assumed the house was kept pretty clean and sanitized due to his mother’s condition, and that was made clear when I looked around. Nothing was out of place, no dishes, no trash lying around. Although the house itself was pretty outdated, it was immaculately cleaned.

  “Where’s your room?” I whispered, not wanting to wake his mother up, even though he said she’d be out until morning.

  “This way.” He led us down the hallway, and we found ourselves in his room.

  He sat on the edge of the bed, and I left this room to go to the bathroom I’d seen as we passed it on the way. I turned the light on, and the florescent bulb flickered before it turned on, and the room was washed in a muted yellow glow. I found a washcloth under the sink and ran the tap over it, soaking it in cold water before turning off the water and light, and headed back to his room. He was lying flat on his bed now, his arm thrown over his eyes, his legs hanging over the edge of his bed and his feet touching the floor.

  “I rarely drink anymore, and I think those three shots were a bad idea,” he muttered, clearly sensing me come in.

  I shut the door and walked over to him. “You’ll feel better in the morning.” I doubted that, but I lied to make him feel better. He dropped his arm to the mattress, and I started cleaning off Braxton’s blood, the droplets splattered along Aiden’s chest and neck mainly, but a few had made their way to his cheeks. He watched me the whole time, his gaze seeming sleepy.

  “Your shirt is ruined,” I said softly, the white material dirty from the fight. Before I knew what he was doing, Aiden sat up and reached behind him, pulling the material of his shirt up and over his head and tossing it aside. He immediately flopped back down, but I couldn’t help but stare at his chest, at the way his muscles contracted, and the sight of his six-pack, of all that raw, masculine power. His chest was clean since the shirt got all the blood, but I wiped off his neck and a couple spots on his arms. My hand was shaking as I did this, as I felt him watch me… as I wanted to do more than just sit here.

  And I found myself running the rag over his skin that was already clean, transfixed, mesmerized by the sight of his body flexing from my touch.

  I glanced up at him and saw the way he looked at me, his focus so intense that I stopped my washing motions, my heart jumping into my throat. The way he watched me was full of… primal need.

  “God, you’re so pretty,” he murmured, and I felt his hand on my arm, his fingers trailing lightly up my forearm. Every part of me was heightened, sensitive, so ready for him.

  I wanted to give myself over to Aiden. I wanted to give him my virginity. I’d never felt comfortable enough to want to give myself to someone, but I didn’t even hesitate about being intimate with Aiden.

  Keep it together.

  That thought moved through my head over and over again. I’d help him to bed and call Pixie to take me home. I didn’t need to cross lines right now.

  “Can I touch you?” he whispered, and I lifted my gaze to his face, nodding before I could even think about what he asked. But I heard him… and I wanted that.

  I licked my lips when I watched him rise, felt my heart race when I saw his hand lift, and then felt my heart drop to my belly when I felt the warm skin of his palm cover my cheek. I could barely breathe. I just wanted him to touch me. I’d also never done this before. I was a virgin, knowing nothing about what a guy liked or how to please him. Hell, trying to make myself feel good had taken some practice. A guy like Aiden no doubt knew
what he liked. What if I messed up, did everything wrong? What if I ruined what we could have, because I didn’t know what to do?

  “Aiden,” I whispered, unsure if what I wanted to say would actually come out of my mouth.

  His big body seemed to shake slightly, as if he were trying to control himself. “Tell me what you want, Harlow. Tell me and it’s yours,” he promised.

  The way he looked at me told me he wanted this, wanted me, but here we were, at this standstill, at this crossroad. So, instead of saying anything, because I didn’t trust my voice or my words not to make a fool out of me, I reached down and started loosening up his belt. The whole time, we stared into each other’s eyes. The whole time, I tried to not talk myself out of doing this. I was out of my comfort zone, had never been so free with my desires before. But I felt like I could with Aiden.

  My fingers shook as I took off his belt and then unzipped his jeans. His body practically vibrated, and this low sound left him. I recognized it as need. His pants were now unbuttoned and unzipped, but I didn’t do anything else. I was too nervous. And when I felt his fingers trail along my arm that rested on the bed, my breath hitched. He watched me intently, his gaze clear despite the fact that I knew he was buzzed.

  I couldn’t move, couldn’t breathe as he leaned in close. He smelled good, a mixture of the cologne he wore and the whiskey he drank. The two scents coalesced as one, heightening my arousal.

  And as I stared into his eyes, I felt something shift in the air. Maybe it was the alcohol, or maybe it was the heat that suddenly seemed to fill the room, but I felt myself leaning forward too. Our mouths were just inches apart, and I closed my eyes and moved that last inch that separated us. Everything inside me yearned for this.

  That first touch of my lips against his was like pouring gasoline on a fire. Sparks shot from my mouth, moved through my body, and settled right between my thighs. The sensations moving through me were intense and potent… consuming. Aiden took the lead, moving his lips on mine, slow and easy. He pushed himself up farther, cupped my nape, and tilted my head to the side to deepen the kiss. This was so much different than the kiss in the car. And I wanted more.

  “Kiss me more, Aiden,” I begged against his mouth, whimpering.

  And he gave me exactly what I wanted.

  His tongue slipped into my mouth, and as he stroked his along mine, his answering groan had wetness spilling from between my legs. I never felt myself get this wet before, didn’t even know it was possible to be this worked up, to want someone so badly.

  The taste of him was tangy from the whiskey and sweet from his passion. His hands moved from my face to grip my shoulders, pulling me roughly to him so our chests pressed against each other. God, he felt so hard and masculine against me.

  “Straddle me, Harlow.” His voice was gruff with need, and I did what he wanted.

  He had his back to the mattress and me on top of him. “Aiden—”

  “That’s it, Harlow. You feel so good on me,” he moaned. Aiden shifted so his back was to the wall.

  I swallowed the very thick lump in my throat as I watched his muscles contract from the small movement. God, he was so masculine. He wasn’t like the assholes at school. Aiden was mature, intelligent, and he made me feel wholly feminine. I lowered my gaze to stare at his chest, going lower still until I saw the very large, very pronounced bulge pressing against his jeans. Even in the darkened room, I could see how his erection strained against his fly, demanding to be free.

  God. He looks massive.

  The junction of my thighs became impossibly wetter, and I felt my nipples bead. “I’ve never done this,” I whispered honestly, lifting my gaze back to his face and staring into his eyes. “I’ve never done anything like this, Aiden.” Would he stop this, knowing I was a virgin?

  He cupped my cheek again and smoothed his thumb over my skin. “I know,” he groaned deeply. “I want to be your first, Harlow.” I saw his throat work as he swallowed. “I want to be the only guy to ever know how you feel.” He continued to stroke his thumb along the skin right below my cheek.

  “Maybe we should wait until you’re sober.” God, I didn’t want to wait. I wanted him now.

  He shook his head slowly. “I’m not drunk, Harlow. I know exactly what I’m doing. I know exactly who I’m with.” His chest rose and fell quickly after he said that. “I’ve wanted this with you, wanted to touch you, kiss you… give myself to you.” And then he had his mouth slanted on mine as he gave me a searing kiss.

  The groan that spilled from him was loud, and I greedily swallowed it. With my legs straddling him, I pressed fully down on him. My pussy was in direct contact with his raging hard-on, and even though we both wore jeans, I felt how big and hard he was. God was he so big and so hard. I felt my panties become uncomfortably soaked. We continued to kiss, and I shifted on top, both of us grinding against the other. His zipper pressed right on my clit, and I gasped, the pleasure and pressure almost too much.

  “Fuck, baby.” He dragged his lips across my jaw and licked and nipped at my flesh. I couldn’t help but let my head fell back as the air left me forcefully. I moved my hands to grip his wide shoulders and curved my nails into him. A hiss escaped him, but I swore I felt his dick grow impossibly harder beneath me.

  He continued kissing along my jaw and made his way down to my neck. The light feel of him sucking at my pulse point had me shifting on top of him again. Aiden groaned, and his hands landed on my ass to squeeze the mounds.

  “God, you’re fucking perfect.” He sounded out of breath as he said those words. He started moving me back and forth on his jean-clad erection, creating a delicious rocking motion that sent hard jolts of pleasure straight to the center of my body. “That’s it, Harlow.” He panted against my neck, and the fact that he was having just as hard a time as I was turned me on even more. “That is so it.” He lifted his hips, causing his erection to dig impossibly harder against my pussy. “I can feel you, can feel how hot and wet you are, even through our clothes.” His mouth was back on mine, his kisses so hard and demanding that I couldn’t keep up, but that was okay.

  I wanted him losing control. I wanted us both to just go with our passion and let it lead the way.

  The pleasurable sound that left me was a muffled moan against his mouth.

  “I’ve thought about being with you so many times. I’ve jerked off to images of you just like this more times than I even want to admit, Harlow.” He rocked me atop him harder and faster, creating a friction that had me trying to catch my breath.

  My clit swelled from his ministrations, and I knew my orgasm was only a few moments away. It was imminent, and I was greedy for it.

  “I’ve fantasized about what your sweet little pussy would feel like on my cock, what your tits would feel like in my mouth.”

  Yes. Oh, God, yes.

  His tongue speared into my mouth, and I felt like he touched every part of me.

  “Take your shirt off,” he groaned in this distorted voice.

  I didn’t hesitate when he stopped momentarily so I could do what he said… what I wanted to do. I grabbed the hem of the shirt and all but tore it off, feeling so frantic I could barely breathe. He grabbed the material from me once I had it off, brought it to his nose, and inhaled deeply. The low sound of desire that left him turned me on so much.

  “You smell so damn good.” He tossed the shirt aside, and I watched—felt—Aiden’s gaze as he raked it over my breasts. “The bra, Harlow, take off the fucking bra.” There was no anger in his voice, just a deep-seated need.

  Reaching behind me, I unsnapped the clasp on the bra, and before I slipped the straps down my shoulders, Aiden removed one of his hands from my ass and placed it in the center of my chest, stopping my movements. I looked into his eyes and saw the fierce pleasure reflected back at me. We didn’t speak for several long seconds, and I wondered if he was having second thoughts.

  “Do you want to stop?” I asked him, actually finding my voice. It was low, maybe too l
ow for him to hear, but I said them and now wished I could take them back. I didn’t want this to end.

  “Fuck no,” he said with so much clarity there was no doubt in my mind he meant it. Besides, his raging erection told me he was still right here with me. “I want this, Harlow baby, and I know you want this too.”

  I nodded instantly. After a second, he slid his hand along my chest and slipped the strap of my bra down my arm, did the same to the other side, and even though the bra was now off me and my breasts bared, he stared right at my face. Slowly, he let his gaze fall to my chest, and I felt my nipples bead up under his attention.

  The air left him in a hard rush. “God, Harlow. You’re beautiful. So fucking beautiful.” Before I could react to his words, he was leaning forward and latching his mouth onto my right nipple. He started sucking furiously. I found myself lifting my hands and spearing my fingers into his hair, grabbing chunks of the soft, short dark strands and holding his head to my chest. I couldn’t have stopped myself even if I wanted to. It was like my body was on fire and autopilot.

  “I knew you’d be like this, knew you’d taste this good.” His words were muffled against my breast. The suckling of his mouth, sweep of his tongue, and stinging nip of his teeth were almost my undoing.

  I was so desperate for his touch… for Aiden in general.

  His hips jacked up at the same time his teeth pulled at my nipple. The pleasure/pain combination was my undoing, and I felt myself going over the edge. This low sound filled the room, and I realized it came from me.

  Aiden grunted and sucked harder, alternating between my breasts now and prolonging my orgasm. I found myself grinding myself on his hardness, moving back and forth, rocking against him like a fiend.

  And before the pleasure dissipated, Aiden gripped my waist and shifted us so now I was on my back.

  I held my breath as he leaned back, his hands on the zipper and button of my jeans. But he didn’t move, as if he waited for me to give him permission. I licked my lips and nodded slowly, wanting this more than I wanted to breathe.