SIR

by R. J. Lewis

  My cheeks heat. “When have I ever been concerned about that? Just…this guy is different. He’s got a charm—”

  “You keep saying that.”

  “And you keep underestimating me.”

  Ana walks ahead of me with her purse slipping down her arm. She looks at me over her shoulder. “No one has that kind of power, Ivy. Not on me, anyway.”

  She has no idea how wrong she is.

  We’re in the middle of a conversation when we enter the apartment. Ana’s already throwing her purse down on the entrance table like she owns the place and ripping off her zip-up. I lead her into the kitchen, brushing past Alex who is sitting at the island, eating a bowl of healthy oatmeal. I think this oatmeal is from that business he’s going to invest in with Aidan, and I don’t want to know if he’s met the owner yet—

  “Going to introduce me, Ivy?” he cuts into my words, peering up at Ana.

  I roll my eyes as Ana steps into the kitchen, standing on the other side of the island. She looks at Alex briefly, running her eyes over him before ripping her gaze away. She doesn’t look the slightest bit ruffled by his presence, and for a second I think I’ve got it all wrong—she may actually be impervious to his charms.

  “Alex, this is my best friend Ana. Ana…Alex.”

  Alex smiles at Ana. “Hey there.”

  She gives him a friendly smile, but her face is still void of any charisma. “Hey there yourself.”

  “I was just telling Ana about the restaurant I ate at—”

  “You’re staying at the same hotel as me,” Alex cuts me off again, and I may as well not be here. “I can give you lifts anytime you’d like—”

  “Gaston’s already offered,” she cuts back, her smile forced. “But thanks for offering, Alek.” Oh, my God, she called him Alek. Then she glances at me, raising her brows. “Can I see the view, babe?”

  I nod carefully, eyeing Alex’s growing scowl, fighting my laugh. “Yeah, follow me.”

  I lead her to the living room and she moves to the window, peering out with arms crossed. She’s got a giddy smile on her face. “Wow, Ivy, just wow. This has to be better than that house.”

  I don’t immediately respond. “I loved that house.”

  “You loved being there despite everything?”

  “Yes.”

  “Damn, it must be pretty spectacular then, spiders and all.”

  Before I can respond, Aidan comes into view, stepping into the living room. She sees him straightaway and straightens, smiling brightly this time. “Hey, Aidan.”

  He smiles kindly in response. “Hi, Ana.”

  “You don’t remember, but we met—”

  “Ivy filled me in,” he assures her, turning his attention to me. “You ladies need anything?”

  I smile softly at him. He’s trying to be a gentleman. “We’re okay, I think.”

  He won’t tear his gaze from mine. “Okay. I’ll be in the office, beauty.”

  I begin to nod when he comes to me and lays a tender kiss on my mouth. My eyes flutter shut, savoring the kiss. He follows that kiss with another one just below my ear.

  “I want you tonight,” he whispers. “Need it. Understand?”

  I resist shivering. “I need it, too.”

  He eyes me for a moment, and then he nods. He waves a weak hand at Ana and leaves the room.

  Ana’s eyes are bulging. “Jesus, Ivy,” she says quietly. “Did you see the way he was looking at you?”

  My cheeks heat. “It’s nothing—”

  “I’d sell my left tit to be looked at like that.” Her face drops as she looks at me softly. “He wanted to devour you. Jesus, I need a smoke.”

  “You don’t smoke.”

  “Exactly.”

  I break out into a laugh and she follows.

  “I need the ladies room,” she then tells me.

  Ana uses the bathroom to freshen up. I assume she’s tired, but she proves me wrong when she steps out, bustling with energy.

  “Are we heading out tonight?” she asks. More like demands.

  I hesitate, surprised. “Tonight?”

  “Well, when did you expect we’d party? I’m only here a week. I want to make the most of it with you.”

  “I just thought you’d be tired.”

  She scoffs like I’m deranged. “I specifically flew in early so I can take a few hours to recalibrate. I figure I’ll nap for a couple hours, and then I’ll go to the hotel and you’ll come with me. We’ll wear some sexy outfits and hit that place you were eyeing.”

  “How strategic of you.”

  Her smile broadens. “I am a professional traveler.”

  “I believe you.”

  “So, let’s go out then! Invite your other half, and the brother too.”

  “You want Alek to come along?” I purposely use the name she called him, laughing.

  She shrugs dismissively, a smug smiling forming. “I couldn’t care less but…I think it would be fun to torture the guy.”

  “Then this shall be fun.”

  *

  Like planned, I go to the hotel with Ana and she naps for a while. I nap on the same bed as her, frequently checking my phone to see if Aidan has messaged me.

  He does.

  Aidan: I can’t believe you’re asking me to go to a club despite knowing my history.

  Ivy: If you don’t want to, that’s okay.

  Aidan: What will you be wearing?

  Ivy: A slutty red dress, probably.

  Aidan: Then I will have to go.

  Ivy: Why?

  Aidan: I would die a thousand deaths before I let you walk into a night club in a red dress without me on your arm, Miss Montcalm. I will come with you, end of story.

  Ivy: Oh, sir, you’re being very bossy again.

  Aidan: This is bossy? Bossy will be tearing that dress off and demanding you service me.

  Ivy: What if I demanded it back?

  Aidan: I would drop to my knees for you in a heartbeat.

  Aidan: Isn’t that obvious?

  Ivy: Perhaps I need more demonstrations.

  Aidan: Be careful what you wish for.

  I smile at the messages, a heat of nostalgia tearing through me. We used to text like this all the time. His messages used to see me through the days.

  This feels like it used to be, but with a twist.

  A twist that makes the blood run faster in my veins.

  That makes the pulse between my legs quicken.

  One could get used to this.

  *

  Gaston picks us up in front of the hotel. Ana and I are dressed to impress. I have a red bodycon dress Ana let me borrow from her closet, but it’s pretty much mine now and she knows it. She’s wearing a blue bodycon, much more daring than mine, with heaps more cleavage and back to show. She did my make-up, the signature smoky eyes I can never accomplish on my own, and red lipstick.

  We slide into the front.

  “Where’s Aidan?” I immediately ask, noticing the seats are bare.

  “He’s already at the club with Alex, waiting,” Gaston answers. “They made sure to let the attendant know you two are to be ushered straight in. No line-up. Much like the last time.”

  Ana squeals, excitedly. “This is going to be so much fun, Ivy. Are you freaking out? I am! I read the reviews to this place and it is off the charts hot. People get wild!”

  Gaston rolls his eyes, grumbling under his breath, “Oh, to be young again.”

  “What do you mean, Gaston?” she pipes up. “You’ve still got a spring in your step. Like a finely aged wine, you’ve got it going on.”

  Gaston’s ears are pink as he sheepishly looks ahead, saying nothing now, but he’s secretly overjoyed at the compliment. I love Ana for this reason. She has the uncanny ability to brighten anyone’s day. She’s just a down to earth sweetheart.

  We arrive to the nightclub a half hour later, and it’s packed. Like last time, Gaston leads us to the front door and whispers into the doorman’s ear. There’s a quick nod an
d we’re let in immediately. I get a strange feeling of déjà vu about it all.

  This place is nothing like the one in Ottawa. We walk up a staircase and into the club. It’s a bar and dance floor the second you walk in, the lights flashing, the music thumping. It’s crowded and wild. There’s a seating area, and we stand there, searching for Aidan at a table, but I don’t see him.

  Ana takes my hand. “Maybe he’s not here yet, and Gaston got it wrong.”

  I keep scanning the place, dizzy already from the lights. “Should I call him?”

  She tugs me to the dance floor. “After one song! Let’s unwind first!”

  I let her lead me into the crowded dance floor. Without some alcohol, it’s a little hard to fall into it. It’s been too damn long, and I’m a little shy. Ana, on the other hand, is glowing, her spirit coming alive as she sways her hips and gets lost in the music. She doesn’t let me get far, her hand holds onto me and pulls me close to her.

  She is a good dance partner. She purposely pulls goofy faces to make me comfortable, and I laugh in response, finally working my legs and hips like her. She gives me a smile of approval. The music vibrates through me, the lights flash and the darkness all around makes it easy to forget the world. I shut my eyes and move, already working a sweat.

  After the song ends, we leave the floor and hit up the bar. I’m catching my breath, laughing with Ana, when I see him.

  Aidan’s at the bar, standing on a stool, his body turned in our direction. His eyes are on mine, looking dangerously up and down my body.

  “Oh, my,” breathes Ana. “He looks delicious, Ivy.”

  He does.

  He’s not in a suit. He’s opted for casual wear, his button up is white and tight, and make his biceps bulge, his pants navy blue. His black hair is already growing longer than I know he likes it and it looks like he’s raked his fingers through it countless times.

  I approach him straight away, almost stumbling even though I’m sober as a nun. I practically fall into his arms, my mouth slamming into his. He wraps his arms around me, steadying me. He smells good. He’s got that delicious cologne I love. His tongue is minty, delicious, no hint of alcohol.

  “You’re sober,” I say, pulling back to look at him.

  “I want to be completely sober tonight,” he tells me, eyeing me deeply. “You look like a dream, Ivy.”

  I smile shyly. “You’re not too bad yourself.”

  He smiles softly. “I saw you dancing.”

  “And?”

  His eyes light up. “And I want to do that with you.”

  My heart beats quickly in my chest. “I would like that, too.”

  He runs his thumb along my cheek. He looks like he’s entranced by me, and heat spreads throughout my chest. I feel like a walking flame when he stares at me like this.

  Ana clears her throat beside us, grinning. “Where’s your smug brother gone?”

  It takes some effort for him to look at her. “He took a girl dancing.”

  Ana returns her focus to the dance floor, narrowing her eyes as she scans the room. “Hmm. I think I’m going to go look for him.”

  “For what reason?” I ask her warily.

  She gives me a teasing grin. “I think it will be a lot of fun to wind that man up. He acts like the world is at his feet. I want him to feel rejected—a person has to feel rejection every now and then to remind themselves they’re not the greatest thing to walk this earth.”

  “Ana,” I say in warning. “That sounds like a sadistic game.”

  “Oh, you have no idea,” she says heartily. “I will give you the tea in the morning, after I’ve rejected the ever-loving hell out of him.”

  My jaw drops as she orders a drink. Within minutes, a man is at her beck and fucking call, and like usual, Ana works her charm.

  I suddenly realize her and Alex are the exact same. They’re both undeniably charming people. Together, they’d be a fucking mess.

  “This might be entertaining,” I say to Aidan.

  He’s barely paying her attention. His eyes are still pinned on me. His hands are all over my body. His fingers are running down the backs of my legs. He drops his head to my chest, and groans torturedly. “Ivy, I want to be inside you so bad, temptress.”

  I smile at him, running my fingers through his hair. “You agreed to party with me.”

  He smirks devilishly. “I can do that. Just for you. Just for tonight.”

  He lets me smash a drink, and it works through me, already making my head swim in the most delicious way. Then he leads me to the dance floor. I wrap myself around him, kissing him two seconds into dancing. His hands grab at my curves, pulling me into his hard body. I feel every inch of him, and with his lips kissing whatever bare skin he can get to, I drop my head back, staring at the lights, feeling the room spin in technicolour.

  I’m blissfully happy.

  I want to be wrapped in his arms forever.

  I want to feel his lips suck and nip at every inch of me.

  I’m burning and needy and when his lips return to mine, kissing me languidly, I realize we aren’t dancing. We’re pressed against each other, my leg is around his hip, his hand is holding onto my thigh, keeping me pinned to him. We make-out, his kisses are eager, the strokes of his tongue against mine speak of his desperation.

  My heart races as he grabs at my ass possessively, as if to ward the world away, as if to say, ‘don’t interrupt us, we’re busy.’

  And just when I think he’s going to lead me into a dark corner and have his way with me, he pulls away and leads me back to the bar. By then, I see Alex at one of the tables, and he’s got a blonde by his side, but it’s not the blonde he’s giving his attention to. His eyes are following Ana on the dance floor. She’s dancing with another man and Alex looks a bit hard done by.

  I go to him for shits and giggles. “You okay?” I ask him, biting back my smile.

  “Your friend is a tease,” he says to me. “I can’t think of a more polar opposite of you, Ivy.”

  My brow quirks. “You don’t like Ana?”

  He knocks back a shot and practically yanks his side piece up. “I didn’t say that,” he tells me, and then he’s gone.

  “They will do this all night long,” Aidan tells me. “Wind each other up. Before sunrise, they’ll have fallen into the same bed.”

  I laugh. “As long as I’m in your bed tonight, I don’t care.”

  Aidan’s eyes burn into mine. “You will be in my bed, Ivy, and no one else’s. And that’s how it will always be.”

  *

  He opens the door and I all but fall in, but his arms are wrapped tight around me, keeping me upright. His mouth hasn’t left mine as we burst into the apartment. I’m unbuttoning his shirt and he’s pulling up my dress.

  “Been wanting to tear this thing off all night,” he growls, bunching it around my hips.

  Then he’s grabbing at my bare ass, squeezing me to him. He picks me up and I’m already unbuttoning his shirt, eagerly kissing him in between. He presses me against a nearby wall, his hand now roaming between my legs, rubbing at my core. I gasp, tearing my mouth from his as I suck air into my lungs. Pulses of pleasure fire up my body, warming my stomach, making me tingle everywhere.

  “God, Aidan,” I moan.

  He grunts, pulling away to look at me, his lips ravaged. “Fuck, I love when you call me that.”

  “Call you Aidan?”

  “It undoes me, Ivy. Don’t stop. No more of this Mr West bullshit. Not out of the office.”

  “Aidan,” I whisper, and his eyes shut briefly to savor it.

  I say it again and again. I moan it, I whisper it. I lick a path down his neck, repeating it. I bite his earlobe, branding him with his name with the sharp tug of my teeth. Aidan, Aidan, Aidan.

  We barely make it to the bedroom, and by now we’re almost completely naked. My bra falls to the floor, the dress is still bunched around my hips and my panties have vanished somewhere along the way to the bedroom. Aidan drops me into
the bed and tugs his briefs off. There’s no slow burn here. He spreads my legs wide and immediately thrusts into me, groaning aloud. It’s a pained groan, and it speaks of his hours of torture.

  He fucks me hard, his hands everywhere, grabbing at my breasts, at my hips. He moves into me, breathing into my mouth before dropping his head between my neck and shoulder. His tongue licks at my throat as his body moves faster now. He’s wild, unrelenting, and I arch my back, spreading my legs even further to welcome it.

  “You’re perfect,” he pants. “You feel perfect.”

  I run my hands down his back, digging my nails into the skin as he drives me closer to the edge. He looks up to watch me, his heavy eyes focused on my face as I come, lifting my head, mouth pressed against his as I ride through the wave of pleasure.

  Aidan comes straight after, kissing me back. A tender kiss as he stills, his eyes piercing into my own. It’s a pained expression, but there’s a tinge of hopefulness behind his gaze.

  He looks at me with such reverence, I know with certainty, I’m looking at the Aidan from before—the Aidan from the now—both have come together as One.

  Aidan

  Plane seats…

  Wanna-be rocker with a shit attitude…

  An elephant print bag…

  Red and black hair…

  I’m intrigued, ravenous…

  I want to taste her…

  I want to taste the foul-mouthed-stunner

  “You think I’m a stunner?”

  I open my eyes.

  I try desperately to cling to those fragments, eluding me always, hiding behind the corners of my brain. Always there, always just out of sight.

  I turn my body, my hand immediately searching for her. She’s sleeping too far from me. I won’t allow it. I drag her back to my side, nuzzling into her like she’s my lifeline.

  “Ivy, Ivy, Ivy,” I whisper, heart beating harder as I inhale her, flick my tongue out to taste her. I am hooked. “You belong to me, Ivy Montcalm. We belong together.”

  I feel her for so long, treasuring her, wondering how it must have felt like to have to watch her go. My chest constricts, and I feel…wretched for my former self. Absolutely devastated that he—that I—felt that pain.