Again: A Second Chance Romance

by Nikki Chase

  “Don’t run away from me again, princess. Don’t even bother. Because I’ll find you. I’ll always find you.” Aiden plants a light kiss on my neck. “Promise me.”

  “I promise you, A. I won’t ever leave you again.” Emotions expand in my chest and rises up to my throat. Before I know it, tears spring up to my eyes and roll down my skin.

  Aiden takes his hand off my neck and wipes my tears away with his thumb. “Are you okay, princess? I wasn’t hurting you, was I?” he asks nervously.

  “No,” I say, my voice shaking. “I just . . .” I turn around to face him and bury myself in his broad chest. “I can’t imagine having to leave you again. I won’t be able to survive that.” More tears escape my eyes.

  “Oh, princess.” Aiden wraps his arms around me and strokes my hair. “Nothing’s going to keep us apart again. I promise you that. You trust me, don’t you?”

  “Yeah,” I say, sniffling.

  “I didn’t hurt you, did I?”

  “No.” I pause. “If anything, what you were doing . . . That was hot. I can’t believe I’m crying again. I’m so sorry.”

  “It’s okay. It’s been an emotional day.”

  “Yeah, no kidding.”

  I melt into Aiden’s warmth. I can’t help but smile as his musky scent fills my head. I feel so safe here, with his strong arms shielding me from the outside world.

  And then, Aiden’s phone rings.

  “Let me just switch it to silent,” Aiden says as he reaches into the back pocket of his jeans. When he looks at the screen, he frowns. “It’s Earl.”

  We look at each other. Should we take this call?

  “It could be important,” we both say, almost at the same time.

  We laugh.

  “Yeah, I’ll take the call,” Aiden says. He taps the screen and puts the phone up to his ear. “Hello,” he says into the phone. He looks at me. “Yeah, she’s here. Just a second.” To me, he mouths, “It’s Hannah.”

  I take the phone from Aiden. “Hi Hannah.”

  “Hey. Where’d you go?”

  “Oh, I’m at, um, Aiden’s hotel.”

  “Oh, so that’s why you were in such a rush you forgot your luggage.” Hannah says in a teasing voice. She adds, “And your sister. I thought you were still in the hallway until Marcus told me you’d left.”

  “Sorry.” I giggle.

  “So you’re doing this? You’re going up against Dad?” Hannah asks.

  “Yeah.” My heart beats faster.

  I’m worried my sister’s going to tell me that’s a bad idea. We both know how difficult Dad can be and how much he hates to lose. That’s why he pushes us to excel in our studies—because he sees our wins as his own, and our losses too.

  “Good for you,” Hannah says, to my surprise.

  “Really?” I blurt out.

  “Of course. I hate watching Dad bully you like this. I was hoping the two of you were going to stand up to him, but I knew it was going to be risky. Are you prepared for the consequences?”

  “Yes,” I say confidently.

  “Good.” Hannah hesitates before she asks, “So I take it Aiden may lose his job and get hit with the debt?”

  “Yeah.”

  “What about you? If Dad told the hospital you quit . . .”

  “I don’t know. I guess I’ll try to talk to the hospital and tell them it was a misunderstanding. But if they won’t take me back, I’m sure Dad’s going to hire me anyway. He’s just as invested in my medical career as I am.”

  “Listen, we can discuss the details later, but I’ve been thinking about staging an intervention. Dad’s controlling tendencies have gotten out of control.”

  “Sounds interesting,” I say, intrigued.

  “Yeah. I’m still reading up on it. Most of the articles I’ve found online, so far, address addiction, but I totally think Dad’s addicted to power. Like, power over your life . . . you know? I’m lucky that what I want and what Dad wants seem to overlap most of the time, but he’s trying to make you live a life that’s not yours, and that’s not okay.”

  “Yeah.”

  “So one of the things we should do, according to what I’ve read so far, is give Dad consequences for his actions.”

  “Like what?” I frown. If there’s any way I can get back at Dad, I’d love to find out. All my life, I’ve been powerless against him.

  “Okay, um . . . I feel like a bad mom for even thinking about this. But these articles say that consequences are important for an intervention to be successful. They motivate the addict to change his behavior.”

  “What is it?” Now I’m really curious.

  “This one article suggests not allowing the addict to see his children. I’m thinking if we band together . . . Dad can be a jerk, but he loves spending time with family . . .” Hannah’s voice trails off, as if she can’t bring herself to say exactly what she plans to do.

  “So you mean we’re going to cut contact with Dad?” I ask as I share a look with Aiden.

  “Yeah. I don’t know if you can do that, because you’ll potentially still work with Dad, right? And same goes for Earl, too,” Hannah says from the other end of the line. “But at the very least, I can tell Dad he’s not allowed to see Marcus until he agrees to apologize to you guys and leave you alone.”

  “Aww . . . Now I feel bad for Marcus.”

  “Yeah, he does like his granddad. But don’t worry; I have a feeling Dad’s going to give in right away. He’s not as tough as he used to be, now that he’s older, especially when it concerns Marcus.”

  “You really think so?”

  “Yeah. It’ll be a couple of weeks, max. Just watch,” Hannah says with confidence. “I’ll just tell Marcus that Granddad’s being mean to Aunt Bee, and we want Granddad to apologize to Aunt Bee. He’ll understand that.”

  “You know what? That actually sounds like it might work,” I say.

  “Right? I’m a genius.”

  I laugh. “Yeah, you are. But Hannah, don’t worry too much about it. Even if Dad doesn’t cooperate, Aiden and I will be okay.” I shoot Aiden a smile. I feel so much stronger now with him by my side.

  “Okay. I’ll read up on how to stage an intervention, and I’ll let you know how we’ll do this.”

  “Thank you so much for sticking up for me.”

  “Hey, you’re my sister. We stick together,” Hannah says. “I’ll call you tomorrow with the details.”

  “In moments like this, I love how organized you are. Thanks, Hannah. Say ‘hi’ to Marcus for me.”

  “I will. Bye,” Hannah says before the call ends.

  “Wow. This is unprecedented,” I say as I reluctantly hand the phone back to Aiden. Using his things gives me a mild thrill. It feels like he’s letting me get just a little bit closer, letting me know him just a little bit better.

  “What is?” Aiden says, his fingers brushing against mine as he takes the phone and puts it aside on a small wooden table nearby.

  “Hannah’s going to help us.” I tell Aiden all about Hannah’s plan. I have to admit, I’m proud of my sister for having come up with this diabolical plan. Our whole lives, she’s always been the sensible one. Her support vindicates me.

  “That sounds like a good plan,” Aiden says.

  “Right?”

  “Yeah. But princess, no matter what your dad says in the end, I think I’d rather not work at Oak Crest anymore. I don’t want us to ever have to worry about him pulling something like this again.”

  “But that wouldn’t be fair to you. You shouldn’t have to change jobs just because my dad’s a jerk.”

  “Life’s not fair,” Aiden shrugs casually.

  “I feel like you’re not taking this seriously enough.”

  “I am. I just . . . Well, maybe I don’t feel as strongly about becoming a doctor as you do. To me, as long as I can get a well-paying job with my degree, I’m happy. And if that job insulates me from problems related to your dad, then that’s a bonus.”

  “You mea
n that? You’re not just saying that to keep me from being too worried?”

  “Not at all. There are benefits to the corporate life. The hours are more predictable,” Aiden says. “I’m just being practical.”

  “If you say so.”

  “Princess, everything in my life can change. As long as I have you, I know I can be happy.”

  A smile spreads across my cheeks.

  Aiden watches me with gentle eyes, but there’s something else in there too. He pulls me back into his arms and kisses me. He whispers, “Now, I believe we were in the middle of something . . .”

  Aubrey

  Our clothes, wet and heavy from rain, lie on the white tiled floor of the en-suite bathroom, forgotten.

  The water in the tub is pleasantly warm, even though only my knees and hands are submerged. I let out another moan as the pressure from the tap teases my pussy lips. I arch my back so the pressure hits me at just the right angle. Sometimes, it presses down directly on my clit, and it feels like too much. But when it rushes over my lips and glides over the hood of my clit, it feels heavenly.

  “Do you like that?” Aiden asks, wickedness glinting in his eyes. His cock is already rock hard. I can see it throbbing as he runs his hungry gaze over my curves.

  I bite down on my bottom lip. This is kind of embarrassing. I’m on all fours with my ass in the air, and Aiden can see all of me clearly—including my asshole. To say that I feel exposed is an understatement. But I can’t deny that . . . “Yeah, I like it.”

  “I know you do. You’re all serious and independent on the outside, but deep inside, you’re a dirty girl who wants nothing more than to submit,” he says slowly in a low, seductive voice. “Aren't you?”

  My core clenches at his words, and I shudder with pleasure, sending ripples through the surface of the water. “Yes.”

  “Good,” he says as he tangles his fingers in my hair. He tilts my head up so he can stare straight into my eyes. Meeting his gaze, I bite my lip. When a moan escapes anyway, Aiden leans in and captures my mouth in a bruising kiss. “Come for me,” he says breathlessly as he pulls away from the kiss.

  I moan louder and louder as my arousal builds up from the constant flow of water over my lady bits. Heat and pressure grow in my center. My clit starts throbbing . . . and suddenly, a jolt of pleasure rips through my body. I lose control as my limbs shake of their own accord. Aiden watches my face intensely, his hand in my hair making sure he gets a good look at every little micro-expression on my face.

  As I come down from the peak, I feel something hot and spongy pressing against my lips. I open my eyes to see Aiden’s cock.

  “Open,” he says, his eyes dark and hungry.

  I part my lips for him, letting the head slide inside my mouth. I swirl my tongue over the entire head and tease the opening. Wetness leaks out of me as Aiden groans from pleasure. That’s the sexiest sound I’ve ever heard.

  I slide my lips up and down Aiden’s thick, hard shaft. There’s a vein popping and throbbing along the side of his cock, and I run my tongue along that vein. I feel his every pulse.

  “Fuck,” Aiden curses. “Get up and let me see you,” he orders.

  I stand up in the bathtub, water dripping down my knees and forearms. With his gaze, Aiden sears his desire into my flesh. My whole body feels warm, and my cheeks fill with heat.

  Aiden gestures for me to get out of the tub as he turns off the tap. He pulls me up and makes me stand in front of the vanity. The bathroom is quiet now that the tap is turned off. I can only hear the vent purring softly in the background and Aiden’s breathing.

  This is the second time I’m staring at myself in the mirror today and not recognizing myself.

  Earlier in Hannah’s home, it was because I looked so miserable.

  Now that I’m naked and in Aiden’s arms, I can’t believe how sensual I look. My hair is partially wet from the rain and from the bathtub. My eyes are heavy-lidded and filled with want.

  Is this what Aiden sees? Damn, no wonder he was so confident I was going to come back with him.

  “You look so sexy, princess,” Aiden says from over my shoulder. His eager eyes are fixated on my reflection. He wraps one hand around my neck as his other hand slides down to my pussy. “Stick your ass out,” he says.

  I do as he says, and feel his rock-hard cock pressing into my ass cheek.

  “Do you feel how hard you make me?” he rasps.

  I try to nod again, forgetting about his fingers around my neck. “Yeah,” I moan.

  “I’ve got to have you now.” Aiden finds my opening with his fingers, making me gasp at the contact. He pushes forward, sliding into me. I’m so slick he spears all the way inside me in one smooth thrust.

  I moan as Aiden stretches my pussy walls and fills me up.

  He slides his hand down my belly. It looks dark and dangerous over my creamy skin. He cups my mound as his fingers seek out my pussy lips. He stops thrusting but I’m impaled on his cock, unable to move with his hand around my neck. Aiden finds my clit and presses just over the hood, making me gasp.

  “That felt good, princess,” Aiden whispers in my ear. “You tighten up real nice when I play with your clit.”

  Aiden’s fingers continue to tease me as he starts sliding in and out of me again. He kisses my shoulder and stares at me through the mirror. “Look at yourself,” he orders.

  In the mirror, I see a woman in the throes of passion—helpless, vulnerable, and loving it.

  “Fuck me, A,” I beg. I want him to unleash his primal urges on me. “Fuck me hard.”

  “As you wish.”

  As Aiden tightens his grip on me, my breathing gets more ragged. I relax my muscles, going limp and trusting that Aiden will keep me safe from harm. I let go. I throw my head back and squeeze my eyes shut, giving myself completely to Aiden.

  He pounds into me, making me gasp with every thrust. With one last hard slam, he pulls me back against him and we explode together, me quivering as every muscle in Aiden’s body tenses. He grunts as he empties himself inside me.

  “You’re mine,” he growls as his arms wrap possessively around me. “Say it.”

  “I’m all yours, A. Always,” I whisper.

  Aubrey

  There’s something unsettling about the way cum leaks out bit by bit throughout the day, as if my own body is reminding me of what—or rather, who—I did this morning.

  This feeling gets magnified one-thousand-fold now that I’m sitting at the dining table at my parents’ house, where I grew up.

  I feel like I’ve done something wrong and I should hide it—which is ridiculous because I’m an adult who’s had consensual sex with a willing partner.

  On top of that, I feel like everyone can tell that I’ve had sex this morning. Hell, I had sex last night, too. And as soon as Aiden and I get some time to ourselves, I’m sure we’ll be tearing each other’s clothes off again.

  But now’s not the time to be thinking about that.

  Hannah has just told Dad that we're staging an intervention. He’s now staring at us with a deep frown on his reddening face.

  “What do I need an intervention for?” he demands.

  “This is not for you, Dad. This is for Aubrey,” Hannah says.

  My heart races. We may call this an intervention, but at this point, this is just a disagreement, and Dad’s not even outnumbered. Hannah said it has to be just the two of us because that’s the best way to minimize Dad’s negative feelings towards Earl and Aiden.

  As Hannah and I sit opposite our parents, gloom descends upon our old family dining table.

  “What does she need an intervention for?” Dad asks, glaring at me.

  “Really, Dad?” I ask incredulously, ignoring the ball of nerves in my stomach. “You’ve been trying to control my life for as long as I’ve lived. But I’m a grown-up now, and you need to stop that. Let me live my life.”

  “Honey,” Mom says, “we were just concerned that you were going down a path that wouldn’t end w
ell for you.”

  “Why? Because Aiden’s family isn’t rich or well-connected like Trey’s?” I ask.

  “No, I don’t care about that. Earl’s family wasn’t rich or well-connected. And it doesn’t have to be Trey,” Dad says. “But find yourself a respectable young man who can take good care of you.”

  “I don’t need anyone to take care of me. This is not the 1950s. Besides, should I need someone to take care of me, I’m sure Aiden is perfectly capable of that, too.”

  “You just wait until he starts wasting all your hard-earned money on gambling. I know guys like his dad. Their kids struggle to keep their lives together because they’re always at the casinos.”

  “Aiden’s not like that,” I say. “Listen, Dad, this is the problem. I know you don’t like Aiden—I don’t understand why, because he’s perfectly likeable—but it shouldn’t matter. Your opinion should have zero impact on my love life. You don’t get to tell me who to date.”

  “So, I’m just supposed to watch while you make the biggest mistake of your life?” Dad asks, his voice growing louder.

  “Yes!” I yell out. “If—and this is a huge if—if it turns out to be a mistake, then I’ll live with the consequences. That’s what being an adult is about.”

  “Look at you. You’re obviously still in your rebellious phase. You’re only with this boy because you know I don’t approve. The only reason you started seeing him in the first place was because your sister was away at college, and you were lonely.”

  “Wow. Thanks for the psychoanalysis, Dad,” I say sarcastically. “We didn’t think you were going to just agree, and we came prepared.” I turn to look at Hannah.

  “Dad, I understand you think you’re doing this for Aubrey’s own good,” Hannah says. “But Aubrey needs freedom to live her life on her own terms. I wish I didn’t have to do this . . .” Hannah pauses as the atmosphere grows tense. “Dad, until you apologize to Aubrey and Aiden, I can’t allow you to see Marcus.”

  Both our parents stare at us, dumbfounded. Their mouths are open and their eyes are bewildered. “You can’t do that,” Mom says.