by Evan Grace
He dragged me to the dark corner of the parking area until our bodies were hidden by the rows of cars. He pressed me against the hood of someone’s Audi as he wrapped his arms around my waist.
“What brought you here tonight?” he whispered. His face was suddenly so close that our noses were touching.
“Doesn’t matter anymore. Let me go or else―”
“Or else what?” he snickered. “You’ll scream? Go ahead, Lisa. Feel free to do it in this empty parking lot.”
As I looked around, I realized he wasn’t lying. The place was vacant.
That smug smile didn’t leave his face as he watched me writhe against his hold.
“Answer my question and I’ll let you go.”
“I don’t owe you anything,” I spat out.
“All right. If you don’t want to answer, then give me something else and I’ll let you leave.” His grip around my waist tightened.
“What do you mean?”
“Give me a kiss. Now,” he demanded, rather than asking like a gentleman. Why did his sudden dominance make my blood rush? Why did his demand make my heart flutter?
This was wrong.
He cupped my face with one hand, while his other hand remained around my waist.
“I deserve a kiss for winning, because I won that for you.”
I frowned in confusion. “Me? I never asked you to do that for me, you asshole.”
He chuckled under his breath. “Trust me, seeing that worry and affection turned me on so much. Your entire body was flushed, just like the way it is right now.”
He wasn’t wrong.
I swallowed the lump in my throat as I felt my breath getting shallow.
“Just like now, your breathing was shallow when I was on the other side of the slope. I could tell from your heaving chest.” His fingers raked down my neck as they caressed my pulse point.
“Your pulse was racing, wasn’t it? Everything you were feeling then, you are feeling now. Want to know how I know it?”
I couldn’t voice my answer, so I just nodded. “Because I felt the same way, like I’m feeling now. The moment I saw you, I felt all your emotions mirroring mine,” he whispered against my cheek as his breath caressed my skin. My eyes fluttered closed as his fingers snaked lower, while his lips worked their magic, placing feather-like kisses on my cheek…getting closer to my lips.
“I want a kiss now, and so do you, Lisa.”
His lips hovered over mine. So close and yet so far.
“Kiss me, beautiful. Kiss me now.”
His words were my undoing as I leaned forward and kissed him. His hands gripped the back of my hair tightly before his lips moved with mine. Plump and soft, his lips tasted like mint. So addictive…so sinful. My lips treasured his touch. His fingers sank deeper into my hair until he cradled the back of my neck. My mouth moved with his a little faster, with a little more passion. Surprisingly, he gave me his tongue. The chemistry between us was so volatile and natural that I felt pissed at myself for wasting my time on those useless past relationships back in my freshman year.
Aiden was a great kisser, no doubt about that. He kissed me like he had been waiting for this moment for a long time. But a sudden thought broke the moment for me as I remembered him kissing other girls this way. This would just be one of his many kisses, and for me it would all be a memory.
I ended the kiss abruptly and moved my face away from his.
“You’ve had your kiss. Now let me go,” I breathed.
Thankfully, he listened and moved away. Taking my chance, I moved sideways and started to walk away again. When I looked over my shoulder, he was still there with his hands inside his pockets as his eyes never left mine. But it was hard to miss the slight lick he gave to his lips as if he were cherishing my touch.
Turning away, I got to the main road and got in a cab. This could never happen again.
I wanted to be with the Aiden, who was a part of my heart. But this Aiden? I didn’t know him at all.
CHAPTER 3
Over the weekend, I spent my days locked in my room. I didn’t text, call, or go to Aiden’s house to check on him like I usually did. After the night at the arena, things started to take its turn.
Monica’s words kept repeating in my mind like a mantra.
Should I really move on? Should I not try to apologize to a man I didn’t know anymore?
I tossed and turned in my bed, as sleep was nowhere to be found. The clock on the wall showed it was 1:15 a.m. It was just me tonight; meanwhile Monica was at her parents’ place to spend the weekend. I wanted to visit my dad too, but with the emotions I was dealing with, I knew he would catch wind of it and start with his rapid-fire questions. Throwing back the covers with a huff, I tied my hair back in a ponytail and grabbed a book from my desk to read. I sat back against the headboard and opened my book when suddenly the sound of a roaring engine from outside caught my attention. I’d heard that sound so many times that I would recognize it even from a mile away.
And that meant only one person was here. No way.
My heart jumped as I dropped my book and pushed aside the curtains. As I anticipated, Aiden was outside my dorm, sitting on his motorbike, his face raised up looking at my window like he knew I was going to come out.
What the hell was he doing here? If anybody complained about it, I’d be in deep trouble. Twisting the knob, I slid open the window, popping my head out.
“What are you doing here?” I whisper shouted.
And that jerk, he twisted both handles, making more noise with his engine.
“Hush! Stop doing that.” I put a finger against my lips to make him understand how serious this was. But he didn’t give a damn and grinned wickedly, tapping on his ear while shaking his head, pretending he couldn’t hear what I was saying.
Groaning in frustration, I pleaded him with my eyes to stop his stupid stunt.
He finally got the message and shut off the engine.
My eyes closed in relief, but when I opened them, I still found him in his spot. He snapped his fingers and pointed at me to come down. Frowning, I shook my head in response.
No way in hell was I going out with him.
He quirked an eyebrow, faking a move to start the engine. It was enough sign for me to understand that he wouldn’t stop his bullshit until I came down. Rolling my eyes, I shut the window and grabbed my keys before making my way downstairs.
I tiptoed as quietly as possible, with anxiety rushing down my spine. Aiden was waiting for me on his bike with his arms crossed, along with his smug smile plastered on his face.
Oh, how I wished I could slap that smug smile away.
I strode toward him with anger radiating from my body. “Cute nightdress,” he muttered, gazing at me from head to toe with a pleased smile.
That’s when I realized I was in my pale pink t-shirt and shorts along with my flats. I shook my head, getting back to my point.
“What the hell are you doing here? And what are you, five years old for pulling such stupid stunt?”
He kept smiling as his eyes never left mine.
“You look so sexy when you’re pissed off. I like it.” He winked at me.
“Well, I don’t like it, so go away and leave me alone.”
I turned around to leave, but he abruptly grabbed my elbow, bringing me close to him as his hard chest collided with my back. His breath tickled my earlobe, making my skin prickle.
“The minute you get inside the building, I will rev my bike again, and this time I’ll make sure everyone wakes up,” he whispered against my ear, making my breath hitch.
“But if you come with me, then I will be a gentleman. I promise.”
Was he for real?
I looked over my shoulder, glaring at him. “Go to hell. I’m not going anywhere with you,” I hissed.
Suddenly, he twirled me around and wrapped his arm around me, engulfing me tightly against his body.
“Okay. We both can stay here and wake up your friends.” He de
livered his threat with an innocent tone.
Grinning, he opened his mouth like he was about to scream. On instinct, I put my hand on his mouth to stop him from being any dumber than he already was.
“Okay! Okay! I’ll go with you. Stop being such an asshole!” I hissed.
He kissed my palm, making me pull away immediately. He winked at me again and nodded to the back of the seat.
“Where are we going?” I asked.
He simply looked at me with no response. Rolling my eyes, I got on the seat and wrapped my hands around his waist, holding onto him for dear life.
I’d seen him riding his motorbike a lot of times, and I knew the speed he usually traveled. Plus, I had no interest in dying so soon. As if he could sense the worry within me, he muttered, “I won’t let anything happen to you. I will drive safely, don’t worry.”
Just his words made my body relax instantly. How did he do that? How could such simple words affect me so much?
Aiden rode off slowly down the driveway and out onto the street, and then he gunned it onto the highway.
The wind tossed my hair about, tearing my ponytail loose from the band’s grip. Not caring, I pulled off the hair band, letting my hair free even though I knew in the end it would turn into a bird’s nest. But I didn’t give a damn.
We drove down the highway with the bike’s headlight the only source of light as we hit the countryside. I had no idea where we were off to, and while the fact would have normally made me paranoid, at this moment as long as I was in Aiden’s presence, I didn’t care.
He may not be himself nowadays, but deep down I knew my Aiden would always be there somewhere to protect me. At this moment, I wanted to be free like the wind with him.
For an hour, we rode until he finally got off the highway, tramped down a country road, and stopped at a little barn with a lake on the opposite side. The moonlight glittered on the water like crystals.
Aiden got off the bike, and I followed suit, while combing my hair with my fingers. I didn’t need a mirror to see the bird’s nest on my head.
“Come on,” he said.
“Where?”
“You know you will get your answers when you follow me.”
I crossed my arms. “Or you could just tell me.”
“Where’s the fun in that? Now come on.”
I swallowed and followed him toward the wooden pier on the shore of the lake. I took a moment, taking in the dark yet beautiful sight around me. The chirping of the crickets and pitter patter of the water made the night even more peaceful. Even though the cold wind was soothing, it still made me shiver, urging me to rub my hands on either side of my arms. I heard the rustling of clothing from beside me and found Aiden taking off his jacket and wrapping it around me.
“Thanks.”
He nodded in acknowledgment. Meanwhile my eyes raked down his masculine physique, his tanned, muscular arms illuminated from the moonlight. Oh God.
My gaze went further up, seeing the bulge of his abs hugging his t-shirt. I’d witnessed this sight many times but seeing it closer made things more intense.
“Check me out all you want,” he muttered, even though he was facing the lake.
My cheeks heated. Shit.
“I wasn’t checking you out,” I said quickly, looking around.
He snorted before he sat on the edge of the pier with his legs dangling.
I joined him, pulling his jacket around me. There was silence for a few moments before I broke it.
“What are we doing here?” I asked him.
He shook his head with a sigh. “Wish I knew.”
“What does that mean?” I frowned.
“It means since the night we kissed, something just…changed. Here I was trying to ignore you, and the minute we kissed I couldn’t stop thinking about you.”
He ran a hand over his face before looking at me. “I vowed to myself I’d hate you, but that one single kiss is changing me. It’s urging me day and night to have more of you.”
“Well, you were the one who demanded it,” I protested.
“Yeah right, as if you were giving your all to fight me off. Don’t blame this all on me. You were there, too.”
“You forced me,” I hissed.
“As far as I remember, you enjoyed it. You were craving it as much as I was,” he retorted, knowing full well I had no answer for that one.
I rolled my eyes. “So, you brought me here for what? Another kiss? You did all of this just for another kiss?”
“Don’t flatter yourself. But even I don’t know why I brought you here. I was going to have a peaceful sleep in my garage, but no―”
“Wait, wait, wait. The garage? Is that where you live now?”
His jaw clenched, as if he didn’t want me to discover where he lived, while he rubbed his hands together.
“Aiden. You live in a garage now?” I asked again, placing my hand on his shoulder.
He nodded with his gaze fixed on the sparkling water.
“Why?” I barely whispered.
“I didn’t have a job, and I had funeral expenses and bills to pay after mom died. So, one of my friends hitched me with the motorbike race. It’s easy money, and I got to pay my bills. And I work part-time at the garage, which is owned by my friend’s dad. Luckily, he had a spare room. So, yeah, I technically live there now,” he explained. With each word, my heart tore apart bit by bit.
I squeezed his shoulder gently as consolation, scooting closer to him.
Surprisingly, he let me as he found solace with my touch.
All this time, I’d kept asking myself where he was living.
He didn’t tell anyone about it, but from the despair reflecting on his face, it was clear that it was the first time he’d opened up to someone. And that was the progress I was looking for.
I placed my other hand on his with my head resting on his shoulder. His body became still and rigid, but as I kept rubbing his hand, I felt his body relaxing eventually.
“Why do you risk your life in that arena?” I whispered.
He sighed before muttering his answer. “It’s not just the thrill and adrenaline that excites me, but the power I feel every time I control the moment. My mom’s death was out of my hands, and I felt weak and hopeless,” his voice broke a little as he cleared his throat, “but whenever I get in that arena, I control my life there. That’s when I feel powerful…I feel like I have a purpose in life.”
“But is this control really worth risking your life?”
He chuckled coldly. “It’s not like my sudden death would shatter someone.”
I pulled away instantly, feeling offended and hurt from his words.
“That’s not true. What about me?”
He narrowed his eyes, giving me a stern look. “What about you?”
“If something ever happened to you, I would be shattered. I won’t lose you, ever.”
His jaw ticked as I felt the rage brewing in his eyes. “Oh yeah? Where were you when my mom’s death shattered me?”
This was my chance. I could tell him now where I was and what happened. But the anger oozing from his tone made me shrink in fear. I knew if I told him now then he wouldn’t be able to process it well. The truth might hurt him, or worse, break him deep down, and I wasn’t ready to face either.
“I think we should head back,” I whispered as I made a move to get up, but I was abruptly pulled back as he made me sit on his lap, caging my body with his. His big hand cupped my jaw, keeping my gaze trained on him only.
“Not so fast. You better answer me or I will make you,” he warned.
I writhed and struggled in his hold, but he pressed me tighter against him.
“The more you move, the more you risk both of us falling in this freezing water. So, if you’re not interested in catching a fever, I suggest you stop moving,” he growled against my neck, sending shivers down my spine.
I looked over my shoulder to realize we both were at the very edge of the pier. I stopped immediately, fe
eling my skin burning from his scorching gaze.
“I can’t tell you…but I want you to know that I’m really sorry for what happened,” I murmured, meaning each and every word from the bottom of my heart.
Aiden leaned closer, running his nose along the pulse point of my neck, as I felt it pulsing faster and faster. He inhaled deeply, as if savoring my floral scent, before placing a tender kiss on the spot, making me arch back my neck.
“Tell me, Lisa. Otherwise I know how to get you spill out all the answers,” he breathed.
I shook my head, placing my hands on his shoulder for support. My fingers dug into his t-shirt as his kisses trailed up to my ear to my cheek. His teeth slightly grazed my cheek as I hissed with desire. I felt a tingle between my legs, urging me to be closer to him in a way I never imagined. I felt the bulge of his erection digging between my legs. The feeling was so dark and intense…it felt so wrong and yet so right.
As if on instinct, I pulled him closer to me, feeling him smile against my now sensitive skin.
“Please…” I barely whisper.
“Please, what?” he urged. “I need you to be more specific.”
My hips started to move on their own against his bulge as I heard him breathe heavily along with me. His hands dug into my thighs as he continued his torturous kisses along my pulse point. My blood rushed faster than ever.
“What do you want, Lisa? I need words,” he grunts.
“You. I need you,” I pleaded as my gaze met his lustful one. He licked his lips and urged me to move faster as he controlled the motion of my hips. The friction rubbed against my now wet center as I felt the tingling increasing with every movement of my hips.
“Fuck,” he breathed before his lips crashed with mine in a deep, passionate kiss. His lips were so soft and plump…just like last time. The kiss itself ignited my body on fire, making me moan against his lips.
His tongue traced my lips before they danced with mine. My hands moved to his hair, pulling his strands as I met his pace. I felt my shorts getting wetter as I kept rubbing against him.
Nothing mattered right now. All I could think about was him and me and our connection. It’s only us.