by K E Osborn
I stand with him and find the courage to look at him. “I’m falling for you already.” I try to make a joke about my ineptitude.
Aiden’s face lights up, his lips parting and showing me his perfect teeth. It’s like the sun beams down and heaven itself is shining right in front of me, he’s that fucking magnificent. Swallowing a large lump down my throat, I dust myself off. “How embarrassing,” I mutter.
“Don’t be… here, let me help you,” he offers, gesturing to my clutch and its contents. I bend, picking it up along with the lip gloss while he reaches for my phone. He suddenly clears his throat as he collects a line of condoms from the deck.
Heat washes over me again in waves, rolling intensely over every inch of my body as my cheeks flush red hot. A smirk crosses his lips, and I begin to panic, my heart racing so fast it might actually give out.
“I didn’t put those in my bag. It must have been my best friend, Sarah. She thinks shit like this is funny when I go on dates...” I quickly shift my line of thought. “Not that I go on dates all the time or anything… I mean, not that I don’t go on dates. I date! Just… not often. And I definitely won’t be using those tonight. I mean this is our first date. What do you think I am? I’m not that kind of—”
“It’s fine, Jeni,” Aiden interjects with a giant smile on his face.
I suck in a deep breath, taking the phone and condoms from his fingers, and quickly push them in my clutch while making a mental note—Kill Sarah when you get home.
Aiden chuckles, placing his palm on my lower back. The feeling of his hand on me sends a spark all the way over my body as he leads me over to the railing at the edge of the deck—my entire body trembles in nerves. I haven’t done this in so long, and it’s already an utter disaster. I lean on the railing and look out to the magnificent waterfall cascading in the distance and focus my attention on it. “It’s so beautiful,” I mumble as he moves in gently, tucking a piece of hair behind my ear, the movement catching me off guard completely.
I’m so out of practice!
“Sure is.” He’s staring straight at me, making my thighs clench together in need at the intensity with which he’s watching me. My eyes shift from his to the pond, and I smile. “Shall we have a seat?” he asks.
I bob my head and turn around. Aiden ushers me over to the table, pulling out my chair, then pushes it back in when I sit. When he takes a seat, my butterflies start wreaking havoc again as I take a sip of my sparkling water. That helps.
“So, what’s for dinner?” I query.
“Whatever you want, the chef will cook for us.”
I look at him, surprised. “But isn’t there a set menu or something?”
“Not tonight. Tonight, it’s whatever you feel like. Pasta, steak, perhaps seafood?”
I look at him, wide-eyed. “Wow! You really do feel guilty,” I mutter under my breath. I look down at my hands in my lap.
He peers at me, scratching his temple. “Guilty?”
“For crashing into me,” I admit shyly.
“Is that what you think? That I feel guilty?” he asks furrowing his brows.
I reply with a shrug, “Maybe?”
He cranes his neck. “I don’t feel guilty for crashing into you. In fact, I think it might be one of the best things I’ve ever done.”
My mouth drops with the shock. “Crashing into someone is the best thing you’ve ever done?”
“No, crashing into you is the best thing I’ve ever done.”
“Huh? How can crashing into me be the best thing? I mean, what if I was hurt or something?”
He rubs the back of his neck. “Crashing into you is the best thing I’ve ever done because I got to meet you. But I’m grateful you weren’t hurt,” he quickly adds.
I sit back in my chair, contemplating what he’s said. “But you don’t even know me?”
“True, but I’d like to get to know you... if you’ll let me.” His smile is small, but it’s definitely there. I can’t help but smile back. He sighs and sits back in his chair, relaxing.
“Tell me more about your job,” I ask.
He hesitates, and I begin to think that talking about his business makes him uncomfortable. “I work with my father and sister, as you know… basically there’s not much else to say. I assist people with their investments and help strategize ideas for them to make more money in their businesses or portfolios.” I nod, pretending to know how all that works. “Do you like your job?” he asks.
“Yeah, love it! My bosses are great. They’re like my surrogate family.”
“Surrogate family? You don’t have a family?” He raises an eyebrow.
“I do. But it’s really just Mom and me.”
“You’re an only child?”
“Mm-hmm,” I state, matter-of-factly.
He nods along, seemingly interested. “Have you thought about what you might like for dinner?”
“I… ah… I don’t know.” I pause, thinking for a second. “How about gnocchi with rosé sauce?”
“Sounds good to me.” He pushes a little button that’s sitting on the table. I look at him curiously. “It lets the staff know we’re ready to order.”
I widen my eyes. “Fancy,” I tease.
“Yeah, I’m all about the high-tech gadgets,” he jokes.
We continue to talk openly, until a short time later a waitress steps down the path with an electronic device in her hands. Her blonde hair is pulled back neatly as she looks at Aiden with a smile.
“What would you like to order tonight, sir?” she asks, completely affected by his good looks. The way she’s angling her breasts toward him, the way she’s curling her hair around her finger and how her breathing is increased with each inhale, are all signs she is definitely lusting after Aiden. But his eyes are focused directly on me the entire time, not noticing the waitress swooning over him.
I have to admit, this little display playing out in front of me right now is definitely gaining him brownie points. Aiden repeats my order to the desperate waitress, adding some garlic bread as he smiles at me and winks.
I bite my bottom lip as the waitress adds it into the electronic device she’s carrying. She leans over, so she’s closer to Aiden, her breasts almost in his face. “Any drinks, sir?”
Aiden notices her advances with a smirk, shifting away from her obviously. She widens her eyes at his refusal and instantly backs off.
“Jeni?” he asks.
“I’ll have a Pink Moscato. Thank you.” I narrow my eyes at her, and she averts hers from mine suddenly seeming very ashamed of her actions.
“I’ll have a Macallan whisky.”
The waitress notes our drink orders, then scurries away like she can’t get out of here fast enough.
I lean in toward Aiden with a slight chuckle. “Awkward much?”
“Very true. Her actions were obvious,” he states.
“I think the next step was to actually sit on your lap.” I giggle. “I bet all the girls swoon over you.”
He raises an eyebrow and looks at me cheekily. “And why would they swoon over me, Miss Taylor?”
I’m sure he knows the answer, and he’s simply asking to make me fumble again. “Oh, I don’t know. Maybe because you’re really good-looking but don’t have a big head about that or anything.”
He licks his bottom lip and chuckles. “You’re adorable.” He grins, making me swallow a sudden lump that’s formed in my throat. “How about we go take in the waterfall before our food arrives?” Aiden glances over the deck to the water cascading magnificently down the cliff.
I nod in agreement as we stand, then Aiden reaches out, placing his hand on my lower back. A shiver trails down my spine as he moves me toward the edge of the deck. There’s a definite buzz sizzling through the air, and if one of us doesn’t say something soon, I might just burst. “Do you have any other siblings, or is it only you and your sister?” I ask as he watches me intently.
“No, I have a brother as well.”
“Whic
h child are you? Oldest, middle, or youngest?”
He smirks obviously at my attempt at small talk. “I’m the oldest, then my brother, Killian, and then my sister, Brielle.”
“They’re such great names.”
The same waitress sashays down the path with a serving of garlic flatbread and places it on the table.
“Here you go, sir,” the waitress announces, but Aiden’s eyes don’t leave mine. “Your dinner will arrive shortly.”
“Thank you.” Aiden sighs as she walks off.
Somehow I’d forgotten his hand was on my back. I turn around in his grasp, so I’m facing him.
Take what you want, Jeni. You’re a strong, confident woman. Remember?
Staring in his eyes, I find the courage to slide my arms around his neck. The close proximity sends shockwaves through my core and wakes every fiber of my being. He smells amazing, and his scent makes me want to rip his clothes off and take him right here on this very deck. His arms surround my waist, and we stand, our bodies touching ever so slightly. The chemistry’s electrifying as the butterflies surge back into motion.
It feels as though we’re staring at each other for the longest time, but it’s only moments. The energy pops and sizzles as we stare into each other’s eyes while the air around us transforms into a combustible explosion. It’s like everything is spinning, and we’re the only things standing still.
He tilts his head slightly.
This is it.
This is the moment.
He’s going to kiss me.
My heart skips a beat as I lean in a little closer. I feel his breath against my lips, just a hair’s breadth apart as I close my eyes, and… the waitress clears her throat.
My stomach falls through the deck as I open my eyes to see Aiden glaring at her.
“Sorry to interrupt, sir, but your meals are ready.” The evil glint in her eyes tells me she’s very happy she’s interrupted us.
Aiden looks at me apologetically as I pull my lip in by my teeth. “Thank you,” he replies politely. Though, I hear the frustration behind his tone.
She places the meals and drinks on the table as Aiden takes my hand, his touch igniting the energy against my skin as he leads me back to the table. His eyes meet mine as he picks up his glass to cheer. “Don’t worry, Jeni, we’ll get another chance.”
The promise lingers in the air.
Honestly, I can’t freaking wait. I pick up my wine glass and clink it with his. “To our impending first kiss,” I tell him which makes him smile so fucking wide, I’m sure he’s going to burst from happiness.
I pick up my fork to begin eating, and we sit in a comfortable silence.
“Have you liked your surprises?” Aiden asks, breaking the quiet surrounding us.
I look into his eyes, those gorgeous bright blue eyes, and feel myself becoming intoxicated by him. “Yeah, the pink Cadillac was amazing. And this garden is amazing, and the waterfall is amazing, and this food is amazing. It’s all so… well, amazing!”
“You’re amazing,” he murmurs under his breath, thinking I can’t hear him. “Glad you approve, but the night’s still young.”
I wonder what he means by that, but I don’t answer. I’m too busy eating this incredible tasting garlic bread.
We both pick up our glasses at the same time. He holds his out to meet mine. “To chance meetings.”
I smile and clink my glass to his again. “To chance meetings.”
The meal is far too much for me, and I can’t finish it. I take another sip of my wine and wipe my mouth with my napkin.
“That was delicious,” I compliment.
“Yes, it was a good choice.”
I tip my head. “I’m amazing, after all.” I wink at him. He smiles, now knowing I heard him earlier. He lets out a laugh, puts his napkin on the table, and stands.
“The sun’s about to set. Let’s watch it go down.” As the sun slips down behind the waterfall, he walks over to me and puts his hand out. I take it, and we walk hand in hand to the edge of the deck, then lean on the railing next to each other, our arms slightly touching. The heat emanating from the connection is electrifying as we watch the sun disappear in its glorious shades of ambers and purples. The energy in the air flows between us like an invisible force, bursting and sizzling like popping candy. I can’t explain it, I’ve never felt a pull like this before, an undeniable surge like everything around us is moving, but we’re standing still. It’s a beautiful chaos. He slowly puts his arm around me, and then he pulls me into his side. There’s a slight chill in the air, but it’s like every inch of me is on fire. I feel safe like this is where I’m meant to be.
The sun finally sets, sending the sky into a silver dusk, and little lanterns above us light up in various shades of pink, blue, green, and yellow—they’re beautiful. Aiden and I both look up at the same time as they turn on, making this feel like some kind of kismet. Like some kind of fate.
I turn to face him. He places his other arm around my waist and pulls me to him. We’re in the same position as before when our first-kiss attempt failed. My arms are tight around his neck as his smell floods my senses again, making me crazy with want. I look down, trying to hide the lust in my eyes. Aiden lifts my chin, and I’m lost in his gaze. The chemistry sizzles all around us like nothing I’ve ever experienced. His hand moves to my waist. He swallows, and I think he’s as nervous as I am. My world is spinning, but he’s the only thing in focus as he tilts his head, leaning in, and before I know what’s happening, his mouth is on mine.
My lips tingle and ignite, fireworks explode against my skin like popping candy, like TNT. He ignites every living cell inside of my body as I feel myself come alive at his touch. His kiss is so much more than I could have imagined—it’s soft, warm, and inviting. I give in and surrender to him completely, letting his tongue dance with mine.
This feels like one of my fantasies, only way, way better. He holds me tight as one hand moves from my waist to caress my cheek. My temperature skyrockets as he kisses me sensually and slowly, making every inch of me crave him more. My hands move to the back of his head, my fingers threading through his hair. He moans as he moves our bodies, so I’m pushed against the railing at the edge of the deck. He’s pressed hard against me, and I feel everything.
Absolutely everything.
Aiden moves his hand from my waist to hold onto the rail. Our kissing becomes feverishly eager, his tongue presses against mine, and they intertwine—we’re in perfect sync with each other. I’ve never been kissed like this before, and I only want ever to be kissed like this from now on. Our breathing becomes faster and erratic as our kissing becomes more intimate, and my heart pounds rapid and hard. He slides his hands down to my thigh, lifting it around him to bring him in closer as his other hand moves from my face to the back of my head, gripping into my hair tightly. A little more alpha from him, and I have to say, I like it.
Aiden breaks our kiss, his lips caressing down my neck, slowly and seductively. I let out a soft whimper as my head falls back in pleasure, causing me to breathe in a stuttering breath as my hand grips tightly onto his back.
My eyes flicker open in my lust-filled desire, only to see the waitress standing there, gawking at us. Fuck! My muscles stiffen, dropping my leg to the deck, letting Aiden go. He pulls back, narrowing his eyes on me to see why I’ve stopped.
My eyes shift toward the voyeur waitress. Aiden turns, looks at her, then slumps, letting out a disgruntled huff. He spins back to face me, slowly leaning in. “Now that’s a first kiss,” he whispers as he grabs my hand and leads me back over to the table.
I can’t help but smile at the kiss we’ve just shared because I never would normally let myself get that carried away with a complete stranger. But maybe, just maybe, I’m starting to like this newfound, stronger version of Jeni.
“Would you like dessert, sir?”
He looks at me, raising his eyebrows. “I think we’ve had enough for tonight. Please give my regards to Frankie and t
ell him I owe him one.” He smiles a special smile at her, and she gives one right back.
“Will do, thank you, sir.” She then disappears down the path.
Aiden, still holding my hand, turns to me and takes my other hand. “Feel like going for a drive?”
I look at him, puzzled. “Sure.” I wonder where we’re going as I grab my clutch from the table. He enfolds my arm in his, and we head back up toward the Cadillac. I hold on tightly and keep my eyes focused on the path as we walk. I really don’t want to trip again, nor do I want to look at his handsome face with that smile and those eyes. Those bright blue eyes which are captivating and alluring, and I fear that with one look, I won’t be able to restrain myself. Just thinking about kissing him is making my knees weak.
I exhale quite abruptly bringing me back into reality. “Thank you for dinner,” I declare quietly, still looking down at my unsteady feet.
“You’re most welcome.” He smiles, and my eyes lift to his lips.
Those lips that I dissolved into. God, I want to kiss him again…
Aiden pauses, turning my body, so I’m forced to look at him. He moves so his body is in line with mine. He winks and gives me a mischievous smile. Suddenly, he pushes me, so his entire body is trapping mine against the embankment. His hands grip my face as he kisses me feverishly. My arms wrap around his waist as I pull him closer, so his hips are against mine.
I’m breathless at his touch—it’s so powerful, so masculine, and so seductive.
His passion grows as does his hard cock against me. He moans as he bites my bottom lip. My head falls back, and he kisses up and down my neck. This is so intense, my knees begin to buckle. He pulls my leg up, holding it to his side, moving in so I can feel his hard cock pressing into my panties. I want to feel everything, I need to feel everything, so I…
“Jeni… Jeni?” I hear my name called as I’m pulled from my reverie. Aiden opens the car door for me. “Ladies first.”