by Dede Craig
True to his word, Liam had texted his address and GPS coordinates.
She reached her white Lexus and punched in the details on the navigator. She selected the shortest route. It was only a couple of miles from the studio, similar to the one Liam’s driver had taken.
She inhaled deeply before starting the car, and was off.
* * * *
Gia reach the gates of his house and rolled down her window. She pressed the bell button on the small silver intercom and waited. A camera looked back at her from the top of the intercom and, glancing up, she noted there were two more focused on her car, perched on each side of the gates.
“Evening, Ms. Carelli, please come through.” She heard Anna’s voice crackling over the speaker just when the wrought iron gates slid aside, and she pulled in.
She didn’t see his limo or any others cars. Maybe it was in the garage, or he was still at his meeting.
Just when she stepped out of her car, her phone beeped.
Running late, make yourself at home L
She sighed softly. She had hoped he would be home but evidently was not. Her earlier anxiety of having been with her boss crept into her psyche, and she battled to brush it off.
Anna opened the door and ushered her inside with a warm smile. She obviously lived in, judging from the fluffy powder-blue nightgown she wore. Gia stepped through to the foyer, offering her a half-embarrassed smile while she waited for direction.
“Liam says you can either wait in his room or any of the living rooms to make yourself comfortable.”
Gia blushed, feeling her cheeks probably beet red from humiliation. The option of waiting in his room screamed booty call. “Thank you, Anna. Is there a library?” She might as well read something while she waited. Besides, she was curious to see the types of books he kept in his home.
“Yes, of course, this way.” Anna gestured before walking to the left of the foyer then turning right.
Gia followed through the hallway, her eyes taking a swift inventory of the paintings on the side walls. She was not exactly an art connoisseur, but they looked pretty impressive and expensive, housed in large, gold gilded frames.
Anna leaned and pushed open a large double oak door.
“There you go.” She waved inside the room while remaining at the door. “Can I offer you something to drink while you wait?”
Gia noted a decanter set on a large mahogany table in the library room and nodded toward it.
“It’s fine. Do you mind if I pour myself some of that—”
“Vodka, yes of course. I can pour it for you. Would you like some ice, tonic, or water with that?”
Liam sure lived the good life, or else Anna was just extremely hospitable. “No, it’s okay, thanks, Anna. I’ll take it straight.”
Anna smiled, and her eyes seemed to glisten with relief.
She did look pretty exhausted. Gia had no intention of drinking straight alcohol, but she could see Anna needed sleep.
“Have a pleasant evening. If you need anything, just dial nine on the phone, and it will come straight through to me.”
“Thank you. You have a good evening, I’ll just wait for Liam. Hopefully he won’t be too long?”
“He said he was on his way when I called to let him know you arrived. He wanted to know. Well, good night, Ms. Carelli.”
Anna walked out and closed the door behind her, leaving Gia to take in the expanse of the library.
It was impressive by anyone’s standards. The flooring matched the doors perfectly. Chocolate leather armchairs were scattered around the room, perched alongside curved floor-to-ceiling windows. There were no curtains, and she could see the infinity pool glimmering underneath the moonlight just a few yards away.
The room was designed for reading with floor standing adjustable lamps perched behind each armchair. In the center of the room was a large double leather couch, a similar color to the single antique armchairs. On each side of her were floor-to-ceiling shelves of books. She walked over to the left and raised her hand, gliding it across the book titles while she walked slowly.
“Lolita.” She read the title aloud and smiled, bemused. She removed the small book from the shelf and opened the cover. It had no dust jacket, the pages yellowed and crispy. A first edition, no doubt. She replaced it, not wanting it to disintegrate beneath her fingers. Her eyes widened when she glimpsed the next title. Jane Eyre. She carefully removed the book. The classic was one of her favorites and it had a glossy dust jacket and Borders price tag. This was a safer option, so she slowly walked to the double couch and sat down with the book.
The library was shadowy, except for a few of the lamps illuminating the armchairs. She opened the book, glancing at the first line, but none of the words registered. Her mind drifted instead to Liam.
How did she get to this point so fast? She was literally sitting and waiting for a man she had just met. A mind-numbing, smoking hot god, she reminded herself. She was sure he held the power to literally control her breathing. Just the thought of what they had did in this very house sent shivers of desire up her spine. She licked her lips and pushed her head backwards then rested it on the back of the couch.
She couldn’t wait for him to walk in and do things to her she didn’t know she wanted or needed. Her nipples hardened, and she adjusted herself on the couch. She could already feel the familiar and wet pulsation between her legs. She pulled out her phone and stared at the screen. Should she call him or just wait? She teetered silently between the options.
She had always thought lovemaking only came when actual love was involved. She had never dared having sex with someone she wasn’t dating and had more than a physical attraction to. Yet here she was. He was nice enough, and hot enough. Would she be able to be with him, in that way, and not fall for him?
Gia sighed and closed her eyes. To hell with all her preconceived notions of relationships. Her celibacy had gotten her nowhere. He was as great a guy as any to have a fling with, even if it was purely physical. She yawned softly. He had to get here soon as she had an early call time. The sooner he got here the better.
* * * *
Gia stirred. Her body was being rocked slowly back and forth.
“Gia, wake up,” she heard Liam say, and her eyes flew open.
She must have fallen asleep. Her mind slowly returned to her, and with it, delicious realization. Liam was indeed there, and she smiled in excitement.
He was standing at the other end of the couch, looking at her with an expression of awe, bemusement, and raw lust. His dark gaze focused on her face. In the dim light of the library, he looked even sexier. He had changed into a simple V-neck white tee shirt and dark blue jeans. The hard muscle of his arms was taut, bent at his elbows with his hands on his hips.
She was still on the couch, facing him, though she had somehow brought herself to a lying position, with one leg on the couch and the other on the floor. With a start, she realized that she was still panty-less and facing him. That explained the raw lust. She should have closed her legs. In any other circumstance she would have. But right now, with a glance at his erection bulging through his jeans, she couldn’t help the naughty thrill that coursed through her, knowing that she was turning him on.
She smiled seductively as she looked at him through her lowered lashes and raised her hips slightly, giving him a full view of her moist slit. “Hey, you’re finally here. I must have dozed off,” she whispered.
His chest rose as he swallowed a sharp breath and licked his lips. They curved slowly at the corners and his eyes narrowed. But still, he said nothing, just staring.
Why was he just standing there? Gia frowned and, forgetting the cheap thrill, she sat up and pushed her foot to the floor, closing her legs. “You okay? Is it too late? Should I go?”
Wasn’t he supposed to be happy that she was here? Then why did he look so utterly confused? Almost like he hadn’t believed she would actually be there.
“Gia Carelli,” he finally whispered, his voice s
trained and his expression calm and controlled.
Gia frowned then smiled. “You remember my name. I’m impressed.” Or had he forgotten their pseudo date? A flash of panic constricted her chest and she battled against the thought that maybe his offer was more in the moment and perhaps one he now regretted? Oh God. She sighed and chewed on her lower lip.
Liam walked forward and turned, facing her. From this close, she could see that his glistening hair was actually wet, as in just-showered wet. Had he been in the house all this time? She shifted in her seat, moving her hands to her lap. Perhaps this was all a mistake and she should just leave?
He raised his hand slowly, extending it toward her, and he smiled, that dazzling smile reaching his too sexy, thunderous eyes.
Gia raised her own hand thinking that he wanted to help her up, or maybe it was to help her out of his house? She was no longer sure what was happening. Even though he was smiling at her, something was different. Then it hit her. Stone-cold realization whipped through her senses just as he gently shook her hand.
Her eyes widened in shock and she froze in place, her hand limp in his. There were no moles or scars above his eyebrow. She swallowed a choked breath and felt her throat constrict. The rush of blood to her cheeks betrayed the hot humiliation that rocked her body. She had just splayed her soaked nakedness like a well-done chicken in all her glory to Liam’s brother.
“Oh my God,” she whispered, her gaze fixed on his. She rose slowly to her feet, her hand still in his.
“I’m flattered of course, but Aidan will do.” He smiled and winked, his hand gently cupped around hers.
Gia pulled her hand away from the intense heat of his and licked her lips. “I’m so sorry, I thought that, that—”
“It’s okay. We get that a lot. It’s a pleasure to finally meet you, Gia. You are gorgeous.”
Gia stared up at him, her gaze darting across his face. From this close, she was shocked at how exactly alike they looked. If it was not for the small telltale signs on Liam, the scar, the mole, she would have never been able to tell them apart. For all intents and purposes, it could just as well have been Liam standing in front of her.
“Have you been waiting long?” he purred, and even the tone of his voice was exactly like Liam’s, warm, honeyed, and sexy as hell.
She shook her head slowly then sat down, her eyes still on Aidan. She wasn’t sure if she should stay or leave. This was too weird. Even knowing that they were identical twins had not prepared her for this. She shook her head in disbelief.
“You did know we were twins, right?” He arched his brow.
She swallowed, battling to regain composure. As shocked as she was by their likeness, she could not shake the embarrassment of having flashed him only moments ago and now he was standing there as if nothing had happened. But that was not her fault, was it? Liam could have at least warned her that Aidan was around, that he might be here tonight.
And, oh Lord, she had to admit, Aidan was obviously just as hot as Liam, and though her mind knew the difference, her body was a throbbing question mark of clueless frisson. She found herself as inexplicably attracted to Aidan as she was to Liam. Even that smoky, seductive look in his eyes, eyes that ravished her earlier, that were ravishing her now. God, what was she thinking? This was his brother. She had no right to even go there. She cleared her throat before responding.
“Yes, I’m sorry, I knew you were twins. I’m just shocked at how alike you look. It’s mind-blowing.”
“In a good way?” He smirked.
She frowned. “Does it matter?”
He shook his head and smiled. “Not really. Would you like a drink?” He arched his head toward the decanter on the table.
She nodded slowly. She sure needed it. If anything, to quell the mixed emotions of humiliation, shock, and intense wanting that were suddenly whipping at her insides. How could her body betray her so easily? This was Liam’s brother, his twin on top of it. It was Liam she was attracted to, that she had made love to, that she wanted, not Aidan. The self-reminders flitted into empty space in her hazy mind then quickly disappeared.
Watching him as he walked, her eyes raked lazily across the tight muscles on his back and his arms. As he poured the clear drink into two empty glasses, his forearms rippled, and she rolled her lips. Shit, why did he have to be so hot?
He turned and cocked his head with one corner of his lip curled, holding the glasses in his hands before offering her one.
Gia grabbed the glass and gulped the single shot. She winced as the bitter spirit slammed against her throat, and she half gagged.
“Perhaps I should have watered it down for you.” He smiled. “Are you okay?”
“Yeah,” she said as she raised her finger and moved it along the rim of the now-empty glass, watching the motion. She was inexplicably aware of her hands and unsure what else to do with them. And just as aware of his gaze which was burning into her, beckoning for her to look up. Even though she knew that looking at him might just be her undoing, she did it anyway and immediately lost her breath.
He was standing in front of her, one hand on his glass and the other hanging at his side. His head was hunched down as he looked at her, his moist lips parted.
“So you’ve met Liam. How did it go?” he said, his voice so soft that she strained to hear it.
Gia blanched. How did it go? Fucking amazing, she thought. “Okay,” she said.
God, what was wrong with her? One look at Liam’s GQ-model brother and she was suddenly monosyllabic?
An unexpected, stormy shadow crossed Aidan’s face before he spoke. “Did you fuck him?”
With her jaw dropped, Gia glared at him. Seriously, she thought. “That is none of your business,” she stammered, sounding more breathless than annoyed. Why would he ask her that? And why was he looking at her as if she had somehow betrayed him?
He tilted his dark head back and the light from one of the lamps illuminated the tensed line of his jaw. “I can sense him on you, smell him on you. You did, didn’t you?” he whispered and licked his lips.
She frowned and looked down, unable to answer him and unable to repress the sudden rush of blood to her pussy, throbbing it back to life. And why did Aidan care? Of course she fucked his brother, and just the memory of it made her wet for more. She took a deep breath, willing her body to control itself. This was insane, certifiable.
She stood up to walk toward the table, and her arm brushed against Aidan’s.
As it did, a lightning jolt from his warm skin bolted through her, and she gasped from the shock.
Reaching the table, she placed her glass down before putting her hands on the edge of it, her back to Aidan. Just breathe, Gia. She tried to focus. The air was sticky with heat, yet she couldn’t help feeling a chill stretch across her spine, and small bumps raised across her skin. Slow footsteps made their way toward her.
From the heat at her back, she knew that Aidan was behind her. She turned around slowly, and there he was, his body mere inches away from hers, and she gulped. She stood frozen for what he was going to do. He was so close.
She watched the heavy muscles in his chest tense as he leaned over her and placed his glass on the table behind her.
His body was so close, but not close enough. Her breathing stopped, and she braced herself, unable to focus on anything but him. He smelled shower fresh with a tinge of vodka and mint.
Her lids drooped as the scent washed over her, intoxicating her senses. She followed his face as he straightened and stared into his eyes.
Aidan looked down at her through his lashes, the dark pools of his eyes glazed and half closed.
“You didn’t answer me,” he whispered.
His breath fluttered across her face, and she blinked, trying to focus on what he was asking, what he had asked. Her mouth watered, and she swallowed, unable to respond, rooted in place, unable to move an inch.
“Did you enjoy it, Gia?” He bent his head forward, and his lips were a hair away from hers, s
o that he was speaking almost into her parted lips.
She was panting, unable to control her racing breath in tandem with her pounding heart. She could feel the top of her dress pulsing in rhythm to her heart, hear it from where she stood, knowing that he could hear it, too.
He licked his mouth, and the tip of his tongue brushed over her lips.
The sensation was maddening, sending shivers of venomous lust coursing straight to her core. She could barely breathe, barely think. She watched his mouth as it moved, forming words that sounded so far away.
“Did your wet pussy enjoy his cock? Did you ride him, Gia? Did you scream his name?” He leaned forward, and licked her bottom lip
She gasped into his mouth. She moved her gaze to his eyes, staring at him, staring at her, both equally transfixed. Oh God, Aidan was just as breathtaking, just as dazzling, just as sexy. His eyes held the same pained hunger as Liam’s, as if she were the last drink that could quench his dying thirst.
Her heart was slamming against her rib cage, faster than the rush of blood racing to her head, locked in his stare. The air was charged with electricity, sizzling madly against her senses. What was she doing? He was Liam’s brother. She had to look away, positively had to tear herself away from him. But oh Lord, she just couldn’t.
She parted her mouth, then swept her tongue over her lips, and looked at him. His cupid’s bow was slightly moist, and just looking at it made her want to run her tongue across it.
What was wrong with her? How could she possibly entertain the thoughts that were on the brink of taking her to a danger zone she was not sure she was armed for?
With their eyes still locked into each other, she gasped as he moved his warm hand around to her lower back then slowly up along the length, under the waves of her hair, settling at her neck.
“Did you enjoy his big dick fucking your pussy?” he whispered, his eyes laced with rabid desire. He exhaled and lowered his eyes before continuing. “Would you like me to fuck you?”
No, her mind moaned, begged, screamed. But her cunt, oh God, her cunt screamed yes. But she couldn’t. This wasn’t right. But was it so wrong? her body argued. They weren’t a couple, she reminded herself. She had just met Liam. Now she was just meeting Aidan. Was that so wrong?