Bentley leaned back, sipping his coffee. “What if tomorrow Frank picks the girls up for school, and you drive us to the meeting? He can bring them back here after, and you won’t have to worry?”
“It’s the time in between I worry about.” Aiden scowled.
“Want to call in Joe or Simon?”
“No!” I exclaimed. “I’ll be surrounded by students. I’ll go in, go to class, do my presentation, then head to the cafeteria and wait for Emmy. I don’t even have to go outside. I will be fine.” I met Aiden’s gaze. “You can pick me up here after you’re done.” Hating the vacant look in his eyes, I added, “Or I can even bring my stuff here and stay until Dee comes home.”
The room stilled. Aiden sat straighter, his shoulders expanding as he inhaled. “If that’s what you want.”
I tried to lighten the tension by teasing him. “I thought maybe you were tired of me in your space and I’d give you a break.”
“It’s your decision,” he answered, his voice clipped.
I shrugged, noncommittal, unsure what to add or why I had even said it. It wasn’t as if I expected him to stand and declare his feelings for me.
Yet, a small part of me wished he would.
Bentley looked between us, setting down his coffee. “You’re always welcome here, Cami. I’ll leave that decision between the two of you. Whatever you feel is best is fine with Emmy and me.”
I could only nod, not trusting my voice.
“We should take Reid with us tomorrow,” Aiden announced out of the blue.
Bentley’s brow furrowed in confusion. “Oh?”
“Maddox usually makes notes and asks questions while I concentrate on the conversation. Then we discuss. Reid is a freaking typing whiz. He’d be able to transcribe the entire conversation on his tablet for us. It would come in handy. Since we’re meeting about specs and ideas, he would be in his element.”
“Does he have something decent to wear? I don’t want him walking in looking like we picked him up off the streets.”
Aiden shook his head. “I happen to know Sandy insisted he buy a suit. He’ll wear it if we tell him to. He’ll do a good job.”
“Okay. Call him.” Bentley laughed. “Sandy will have a great day. None of us there to bother her.”
Aiden stood. “Okay. I’ll call him when we get home and arrange it.” He bent down and kissed Emmy’s cheek. “Thanks for brunch, and congrats again.”
“Thanks, Tree Trunk.”
He shook Bentley’s hand. “All the best, bro. I mean it.”
Bentley slapped his shoulder. “I know.”
Aiden was quiet the rest of the day, not mentioning what had occurred at the table. He talked with Reid, walking to the far side of the loft, speaking low so I didn’t hear. I wasn’t an idiot, so I knew it had something to do with Louisa. He had some other calls and once disappeared into his room, shutting the door. When he emerged, he looked defeated, but he didn’t say anything. He was there in the loft with me, yet so far away it might as well have been the other side of the world.
I did some reading and checked my laptop, but I didn’t spend a lot of time on it. I did best when I didn’t cram for a test or overthink a presentation. I knew my facts; I had it all done and ready to go, and I would do a quick read-through in the morning once I got to school. I wouldn’t be able to concentrate now anyway. I was too tangled up in the knots of my own making. I never should have said anything about leaving, and I was too much of a coward to address it with Aiden, fearful of his reply.
Aiden worked out, and I couldn’t help but stare as he went through his routine. His muscles rippled and strained under his tight T-shirt as he hoisted weights. His calves bunched and sweat poured down his back as he pounded on the treadmill. I lost count of the number of push-ups he did. When he stopped, I was fascinated watching his Adam’s apple bob as he drank in long, heavy swallows.
Our eyes met, and my body heated at his intense gaze. Even across the room, I could feel his pull.
He tugged his T-shirt over his head and wiped his face. “I need to have a shower.”
I licked my lips and nodded.
“You done with your schoolwork?”
I could only nod again.
He held out his hand. “Come with me, Sunshine.”
Wordlessly, I stood and took his hand, letting him pull me with him. By the shower, he undressed me, his actions swift and certain. His fingers danced over my skin, caressing the spots he knew well. I pulled on the waistband of his shorts, pushing them over his firm ass. His cock jutted out, heavy and long, begging for my touch. I wrapped my hands around it, stroking the silky skin that belied the iron beneath it. His head fell back with a groan, and he yanked me to him, tugging us under the warm water. He crashed his mouth to mine, and I tasted the salt of his sweat and felt the desire race through his body. His kisses were desperate, almost bruising, and he left me breathless and yearning for him. He lifted me, and the cold tile pressed into my back. I gasped as he licked his way down my neck, biting at the juncture. I yanked his hair, moaning at the feel of his blunt tip nudging at my entrance.
How could someone break my heart, yet make me want them with just one look?
It was a power Aiden had over me—and one I was helpless to resist.
“Tell me you want me,” he demanded, his hands squeezing my ass. “Tell me.”
“Yes,” I gasped. “I want you.”
He pushed his cock in, teasing. “Tell me to fuck you.”
“Fuck me, Aiden. Please.”
“Hold tight, Sunshine.”
He slammed into me, and I cried out. Over and again, he thrust, his hips driving hard and fast. His mouth covered mine, muffling my noises, swallowing my cries. I clung to his shoulders, pinned between him and the wall, unable to move or stop him. Only to feel—his muscles straining, his tongue sliding on mine, his chest hairs rubbing my sensitive nipples, and his hands gripping me as though his life depended on it. My body tightened, and he dragged his lips to my ear.
“Yeah. That’s it baby. Give me what I want. Give it all to me.”
I shattered, crying out his name. He never relented, driving into me hard until he climaxed, and he dropped his head to my shoulder with a long groan.
The water poured over us, the air heavy with steam. He withdrew, setting me down on my feet. He cupped my face and kissed me. His mouth was gentle now, and I opened my eyes to meet his tormented gaze. Slowly he lowered his head and kissed me again.
I wasn’t sure if it was his tears or mine I could taste.
I sat in his bed, waiting, wondering if he would come into the room. I had the Kindle open where we had left off last night, but I wasn’t sure he would join me.
After he turned around in the shower and picked up the soap, I had slipped out. I’d dried off, and crawled under the covers, confused and weary.
He entered, toweling off his hair, naked. His body was glorious. There was no other way to describe it. Muscled and heavy. Powerful. Capable of inflicting pain, yet he always touched me with such gentleness it made me feel special.
For a moment, he hesitated, but I lifted his pillow to my lap, and he slid into the bed. Then, instead of laying his head down and facing away the way he did as I read to him, he curled up tight, wrapping his arms around my waist, facing me.
I ran my fingers through his damp hair. The utter dejection on his face broke my heart.
“Talk to me,” I whispered.
“There was a message from Louisa’s father. He said he and his ex-wife had talked, and she agreed she would come and take Louisa out of school.”
“So she’s gone.”
“It appears so.”
I drew in a shuddering breath and forced a smile. “It’s over. I can go home.”
“I don’t want you there alone.”
“Dee won’t be home for a while.”
“Maybe…” He swallowed, then continued in a resigned voice. “Maybe it would be best if you did go stay with Emmy until Dee got
home.”
I felt my heart shatter.
“Cami, I have nothing. I can’t—”
“Don’t,” I said, interrupting him. I knew what he was going to say, and I didn’t want to hear it. Once again, I had been fooling myself.
“It’s fine, Aiden. I’ll take my bag in the morning. It’s best that way.”
“Yes.” He took the Kindle, laid it on the nightstand, and shut off the light. He settled back on my stomach, his arms wrapped around me.
Neither of us spoke. I stared into the darkness, too sad even to cry.
Morning came too soon and was tense, each of us lost to our own heartbreak, and unable to share. As I packed my small bag, I watched him.
He scowled as he dragged on his pants and tucked a dark green shirt into the waistband, his movements jerky.
Desperate to hear his voice, I spoke.
“Are you upset over Bent and Emmy getting married?”
“Don’t be ridiculous. Why would I be upset my best friend is getting married? I’m happy for him. Emmy is his perfect match.”
“The news seemed to set you off. I was simply wondering.”
I wished he would just talk to me. Yell. Anything. Despite what he said, I knew Bentley’s engagement had spooked him, reminding him we were getting too close. What I saw as progress, he saw as unacceptable. He had been so good, looking after me, taking time off and spending it with me. We had amazing chemistry, and I loved talking with him, listening to his thought process. He was kind, generous, with a mischievous boyishness about him that made me laugh. However, he was damaged. He couldn’t see how much he loved or was loved. Every time the light flickered, he was quick to extinguish it, refusing to admit it was possible. He had so much to give, but he was too afraid to try.
Even for me.
He dragged a hand through his hair. “It was hardly news since I knew it was going to happen soon. I have a lot on my mind. It’s not all fun and games, Cami.”
“I am aware of that.”
“I have this meeting today. Maddox is sick. Bentley is worried about Reid, so I need to make sure he behaves. I’m still worried about you. Bent is nervous over Emmy because of this crazy chick, even though it seems to be over. It’s all on me.” He grabbed a belt, threading it through his waistband. “Don’t turn this into something about us.”
“I wasn’t doing that.”
He turned his back, the tension evident in the set of his shoulders. I felt terrible, knowing how much he was handling. I reached out, placing my hand on his shoulder. He froze, and I stepped behind him, leaning into his back. He didn’t move, and I carefully slid my arm around him. With a sigh, he wrapped his hand around mine and spoke quietly.
“I’m sorry, Cami. I can’t be what you need, and I know it hurts you.”
“You don’t have to worry about me, Aiden.” I swallowed, tamping down my emotions. “I’ll be fine.”
“Cami, it’s not… I can’t—”
I closed my eyes, dreading what he was about to say. “No, Aiden. You don’t have to say anything.” I withdrew my hand. “I have to finish packing.”
He didn’t turn around.
The car pulled up, and Aiden took my bag, sliding it into the trunk. Knowing it was the last moment alone with him, I grabbed his hand.
“Thank you, Aiden, for everything.” I squeezed his fingers. “We’re good, okay?”
His eyes were tormented. Without a word, he pulled me in for a hug, his massive arms caging me in. I felt safe there.
He stood back. “If you need something, call me. Day or night.”
“I will.”
I slid into the car, meeting Emmy’s sad gaze. I shook my head slightly. If she said anything, I was going to burst into tears. Instead, I turned to Reid who was standing outside with Bentley. “You clean up nice.”
He preened, tugging at his collar. “I know.”
Everyone chuckled, and I pulled the door shut. They all climbed into Aiden’s car and drove away. Frank pulled away from the curb smoothly and followed. My eyes stayed on Aiden’s car until they disappeared around the corner.
I needed the day to be over.
I frowned as I scanned through the strange files. I didn’t understand. Where was my presentation folder? I checked again, cursing under my breath.
“What is it?” Emmy asked.
“My stuff is missing.” I yanked out the USB drive, studying it. “Shit.”
“What?”
“This is the wrong drive. It’s one of Aiden’s. I must have left mine at his place.” I checked my watch. “Damn it, they’ll already be in their meeting.”
“Don’t you have a key?”
“No,” I said despondently. “I left it this morning.”
“Oh.”
“Do you have another copy?”
“Yes. At home.” I stood. “I have to go get it.”
“You can’t!”
“Why? I can grab a cab and be there in ten minutes, get the drive, and be back long before my class starts.”
She looked around, nervous. “But Louisa…”
“She’s gone,” I said impatiently. “One of the girls in our group told me this morning Louisa had even sent her files on the project and told her she was taking a break. It’s over. We can all move on,”
“Aiden wouldn’t like this, Cami.”
“He has no say in the matter.”
“I’m coming with you.”
“No. You have class in a few minutes. I’ll be back soon.”
“Cami—”
“I don’t have time to argue. I’m going.” I hurried to my locker and grabbed my coat. I dreaded going back to the apartment, but I had no choice, and I’d only be there for a few minutes. Outside, I hailed a cab and jumped in. Feeling guilty, I called Aiden, and his voice mail picked up. I hesitated, then left him a message, knowing, no matter what, he would be furious I had left the school grounds. Yet, if I didn’t tell him, it would make it worse. I forced myself to sound chipper.
“Hey, everything is fine, but I brought the wrong drive, and I have to go home and get another one. I am heading there now and going straight back to the school. Don’t worry. I just wanted you to know.”
At the apartment, I asked the cab driver to wait. He didn’t look happy, but I paid the fare, and he agreed to wait five minutes.
“If you’re not back, I am leaving,” he snapped rudely.
“I will be,” I assured him.
I hurried upstairs, letting myself into the apartment. Silence surrounded me, but I felt uneasy. I hesitated in the doorway, giving myself a pep talk. The door was double-locked. Louisa no longer had a key. The spare set for Dee was still hanging on the hook where Aiden had left them. Everything was okay.
“Get a grip,” I murmured.
I rushed down the hall, snapped on the light, and headed to the dresser, locating the drive in the small basket. I huffed out a sigh of relief, just as the scent hit me. Once again, the overpowering fragrance of my perfume was in the air.
I looked in the mirror, gasping in shock at the sight on my bed.
Louisa, wearing one of my hoodies and sweat pants, stared at me. In her hands, she held a knife.
Scattered around her were streaks of bright fabric. My favorite umbrella was in ribbons, cut into shreds and discarded. The bright colors were tangled and unrecognizable, the images destroyed by her blade.
My blood went cold.
Cami
Myriad emotions and thoughts flittered through my brain. Fear and dread settled into my chest. A paralyzing lethargy poured over my body, making escape impossible. The fact that I should have listened to Aiden or let Emmy come with me drifted into my mind. Minutes passed as we stared at each other, and with a sinking heart, I realized the cab driver would leave any second, and I would be stuck here, with Louisa.
Alone.
No one would know, until it was too late.
I thought of the self-defense moves Aiden had shown me. They had never included disarming
someone with a knife. I swallowed and cleared my dry throat.
“Louisa. We’ve been looking for you. We’ve all been worried.”
She tilted her head as if unable to comprehend my words. Her voice was robotic. “I’ve been here.”
“This-this whole time?”
“Your sister’s closet is very deep. It’s a great place to sit and wait behind her clothes. Her soup is good. Even cold.”
I wanted to weep. Aiden had looked in Dee’s room. So had the police. I hadn’t even thought to tell them how far back the closet went, and it wasn’t something easily noticed. All you saw were Dee’s clothes lined up, neat and in order and undisturbed.
“I thought you went home with your mom.”
She laughed, the sound brittle. “Like she cares. She left me a message and said she heard I was misbehaving again. She said I needed to stop it or she would cut off my monthly allowance and put me back in the hospital.” She shook her head. “You all are so anxious to get me to go away, so I decided to play your game. I told her I would come on my own, and I even called the school and pretended to be her, and Mr. Hob bought it.” She changed her voice. “Of course, I do a wicked imitation of my unfeeling mother.” Her eyes glittered. “I knew you had to come home soon.”
“What do you want?”
She moved, more ribbons of fabric falling from her lap. She ignored my question. “Take off your coat.” She stepped closer. “You aren’t leaving.”
I hesitated, and she jerked her arm, the knife flashing. “Now.”
I dropped my coat to the floor, knowing my phone was in my pocket. It was always on vibrate during the school day, and I felt it buzz against my feet. I wondered if it was Emmy checking on me and if she would call the police when I didn’t answer.
Vested Interest Box Set: Books 1-3 Page 41
