by Sarah Bailey
“I didn’t think… I’m so sorry. You can’t tell her, you know she won’t understand why.”
“Hey, hey, it’s okay.”
He put a hand on her arm. She flinched. And when I tried to catch her eye, she refused to meet mine. Now I really was fucking concerned.
“Ave, it isn’t like you, but your parents died, I don’t blame you for needing space. I get it.”
Ave?
Knowing he had a nickname for her made my blood boil. Fuck. What the hell was this? Jealousy? Shit. I needed to get a grip. I had her already. There was no need to get worked up over her best friend knowing her better than I did. They’d grown up together. I took a breath. She’d share those things with me in time.
“I still feel shit about it. Worrying you guys unnecessarily. The media attention would’ve sucked.”
“Hounded day and night? Yeah, thanks for that.”
She smiled at him. Fuck. I hated it. I fucking hated it. The need to stake ownership, my fucking claim on her grew. Mine. Mine. Mine. My cock got harder thinking about how pliant she’d been last night. It also reminded me I hadn’t asked her what her nightmare had been about. Fuck. I’d been so wrapped up in fucking her.
“You’re used to it, twat.”
She nudged him with her shoulder and he smiled back. Immediately, the tension between the two of them evaporated.
“Dozy mare.”
I clamped my mouth shut on the instinct to tell him to take that back. Avery’s grin got wider.
“Such an arse.”
“Takes one to know one.”
She put her cereal bowl down and launched herself at him. I almost fucking choked on my shake. She laughed, he grumbled and tried to get her off as she tickled him relentlessly.
“Fuck, Avery, get off. Point made.”
She sat back, hands up, her smile radiant and her eyes glittering with amusement.
“Not sorry.”
“You’ll fucking get it next time.”
Gone was the polite boy I’d met at the door. The love and friendship between the two of them was clear. And I fucking hated it. I wanted her to be that free with me. Instead, we fought each other more often than not. Freedom was had when we touched each other. I saw it in her expression. She craved the connection between us. Craved me. Craved my control.
Fuck. I needed to bury my dick in her. The quick fuck against the wall wasn’t enough. No. I wanted to fuck her into next week. And I would as soon as he left.
Avery shifted closer to me, grabbing my arm off the back of the sofa and wrapping it around her.
“No, you won’t. Unless you want to fight Aiden.”
James blanched at the prospect.
“Hey, that is unfair.”
“I don’t play fair or did you forget the time Dante thought it was you who broke his Lego collection?”
“I still haven’t forgiven you for that.”
My hand curled around her stomach, holding her closer.
Dante? Why is that name familiar?
“Dante is James’ older brother,” Avery said, eying me with a smile.
Dante Benson. Eldest son of Zachary, the designer. Benson was a name you didn’t mess with. Never met them, but Chuck always said they were a bunch of stuck up cunts. I guess it’s why he tolerated James rather than sending him away.
“I remember,” I said.
“Fucking Dante can go to hell,” James mumbled.
“They don’t get along,” Avery said.
James stared at my arm around her. When Avery noticed, she sat up straighter and pushed me away.
What the fuck is she playing at?
She shot me an apologetic look before picking up her tea.
“So… It’s okay for me and James to stay in touch, right? Now he knows.”
“Yes.”
I didn’t see why not if he kept his mouth shut.
“Thank you.”
She put a hand on my knee. My cock jerked. This touching had to stop. Did she have any clue how fucking much I wanted to bend her over the sofa? I wouldn’t care if her friend saw.
“Um, Ave, where’s the bathroom?” James asked.
“Oh, the door opposite the kitchen.”
He got up and ambled off towards it. I took the mug out of Avery’s hands, placed it on the coffee table and gripped her face. Her eyes went wide.
“Aiden…?”
“Shut up.”
When I heard the bathroom door close, I kissed her. She mewed in protest, shoving against me, but I didn’t let go. Shoving my tongue in her mouth, I tasted her sweetness. Fuck. I wanted her so much. My other hand ran up her inner thigh, brushing against her clit through her jeans. She jerked in my hold. Then she bit my tongue. I grunted, pulling away.
“What the fuck?”
“I should be asking you the same thing,” she retorted, eyes wild. “What the hell is your problem? He doesn’t know. Unless you want him finding out the whole truth, I suggest you cut it out and act like we’re friends instead of trying to fuck me on the sofa whilst he’s in the bathroom.”
“You fucking say that again. I’m warning you. Do not test me.”
She flinched.
“He already accused you of taking advantage of my fragile state, so don’t start with me.”
“He what?”
She pulled away from me entirely.
“Did you forget he thinks I’ve been under emotional distress and you’ve been helping me? What other conclusion would you like him to draw?”
I sat back. She had a point. I didn’t like it. Fuck. Where the fuck was my control? Shot to pieces because of her. I had to reign it in. She was right. He couldn’t find out about us. Not yet anyway. We needed him to stay quiet.
She cupped my face. Her entire expression softened. It fucking killed me.
“I’m sorry I bit you. Does it hurt?”
“No.”
It stung a little, but she hadn’t hurt me.
“Aiden, please, don’t be angry with me.”
“I’m not.”
With her?
No.
With the whole situation?
Yes.
The bathroom door opened and she dropped her hand, looking away.
“Avery,” I whispered. “I’m just frustrated.”
She nodded.
James sat back down next to her, eying the two of us warily.
“Everything all right?” he asked.
“Yes,” she said. “All good.”
My phone started ringing in my pocket. I sighed, pulling it out and checking the caller ID.
“I have to take this and you two need to be quiet.”
I got up and walked over to the window before answering.
“Hello Chuck, to what do I owe this pleasure?”
“Did you get my message?”
I ran a hand through my hair.
“Yes, just wished you’d called. I was half asleep when he turned up at my door.”
“Yeah, sorry. Insistent little prick. Not as bad as the rest of his family though. Still, did you find out where she was yesterday?”
Time to weave some more lies.
“Not exactly. Couldn’t pinpoint her location, the number was blocked and even if I did, she’d be long gone by now unless she was stupid enough to stay put.”
Chuck sighed and I heard some banging in the background.
“Fuck. You’re right. Little bitch is clever.”
I almost fucking growled. He’d fucking pay for calling her that. No respect for his niece whatsoever.
“I wonder why she called him after all this time,” Chuck continued. “That little stunt she’s pulled with the media hasn’t helped either. She had to have help. According to Ethan, they haven’t been able to trace where the leak came from.”
“So you didn’t dispose of him?”
“No. He’s useful. Besides, there would be too many questions if a pig
disappeared. Don’t need any more shit right now.”
I turned back to James and Avery. The two of them were whispering to each other. I’d fucking pay to know what they were talking about, but I had to deal with Chuck.
“I’ll keep working on it.”
“Good man. I know I’ve not had much on for you recently, but when this blows over, I’m sure things will go back to normal.”
I didn’t much care about that. Gave me time to spend with Avery and work out my next move. I had enough to live on for life working for them so money wasn’t an issue. I wasn’t one to live in the lap of luxury.
“Don’t worry about it. Got stuff to keep me busy.”
“I’m sure. Right, better get back to the grind.”
He hung up without saying goodbye.
Avery looked up when I approached the sofa.
“James has to go, but is it okay if he comes over again soon?”
I nodded. The sooner he left, the sooner I could get some answers. And fuck her. There would be no getting out of it.
“Well, it was nice to meet you,” James said, standing up.
He didn’t move to shake my hand again. Probably a good move on his part as my patience was wearing thin. She got up and saw him to the door. I sat back on the sofa and waited for her. She wasn’t quick to come back to me, making a stop in the bathroom first.
When she finally walked in, her eyes were downcast and she looked tense.
“Aiden…”
“Come here. Now.”
She didn’t hesitate, walking over and standing before me. I grabbed her arm and tugged her down into my lap so she straddled me. I gripped her chin and forced her to look at me.
“What the fuck happened between the two of you in the kitchen? And do not lie to me, Avery. I’ll fucking know.”
“Aiden, please don’t.”
My grip got tighter. Her eyes flashed with pain.
“Tell. Me.”
“I told you already. He accused us of sleeping together and I denied it.”
“That is not all. I’m giving you one last chance to be honest with me.”
Her eyes flashed again. This time with fear.
“I just feel shit. He’s having a hard time with his dad again and I wasn’t there. He’s abusive, strict and a workaholic. I know my family’s track record is sick, but what Zach has done to his kids is all kinds of fucked up. James hasn’t told me everything, but I know enough.”
I released my hold on her immediately. I knew Zachary Benson was a piece of work, but abusing his own kids? That’s just fucked.
Tears welled in her eyes. Fuck. No wonder she’d been tense.
“It’s my fault you weren’t there.”
“No. I’m not placing blame on anyone here. Please, can we just not talk about him? He won’t tell anyone where I am. There’s things I can’t explain and I need you to trust me when I say it’s better left in the past.”
What the fuck would she have trouble explaining? A suspicion took hold and it wouldn’t fucking leave.
“Avery, if this is what I think it is…”
Her face fell.
“Aiden, please, please don’t.” She took hold of my face with both hands. “I’m begging you. Don’t. My life is an open book to you, but not my friendship with him. Okay? Please.”
I didn’t like it. Not at all. Her expression fucking killed me. Secrets only ended up hurting people. Was she doing this to protect me or him? Or was it both of us?
“Who are you protecting here?”
“It doesn’t matter. I’m asking for one thing. Can’t you do that for me? Please.”
She kissed me. Her lips gentle. Fuck. How on earth could I deny her?
“Please,” she whispered.
I cupped the back of her neck with one hand, deepening the kiss.
“Okay, I won’t ask you about it, for now,” I said as I pulled away.
“Thank you.”
“However, you are going to tell me what the fuck you were dreaming about last night and I won’t tolerate any excuses as to why not.”
She sighed, her hands falling on my chest.
“I never told you what I saw that time you locked me in the cell again. My parents asked me to avenge them and take away your life.”
“You saw both of them?”
They told her to kill me. What the actual fuck? All this shit had seriously fucked with her head. And who was responsible for that? Me.
“Yes. It was awful. I told them no. I wouldn’t… You know I can’t do that.”
She looked away, her eyes full of pain.
“You should’ve told me.”
“How could I? You forced me to watch those videos afterwards. You wouldn’t let me talk.”
Fuck. She was right. I’d been fucking terrible to her. Fuck. I was such a dick. This whole thing fucking broke me. Hurting her only made me feel worse. My fingers traced lines over the back of her neck.
“Would you believe me if I told you I’m sorry about those things?”
“Yes.”
“Fuck. I really don’t deserve you.”
She kissed me again. I’d never fucking get over how amazing her mouth felt against mine. I rarely ever kissed women. Too intimate. Too easy to fall into fantasies of happiness and love. Things I didn’t believe in. With her, it was fucking everything.
She leant her forehead against mine.
“It’s not a question of who deserves who. I’m yours no matter what you do.”
She really had no fucking clue what I planned. I wasn’t sure if I could even go through with it at this point. The thought of it killed me.
We were getting off track here.
“Your dream, Avery.”
“Nightmare more like. My whole family were there, taunting me. Telling me I’d betrayed them.”
She pulled away from me, her hands falling to her sides. Her eyes filled with tears.
“And you… they had you. I couldn’t fucking stand it. They put a knife in my hand and told me to end it. When I wouldn’t, hands grabbed me and then they forced me. Over and over. So much blood. It went everywhere. I fought against them, but it was useless. When it was over, they let go of me. The knife dropped and I screamed when I saw what they’d made me do.”
I tugged her against my chest, stroking her hair.
“I would never do that to you. Never. I can’t. I care about you, Aiden, so much.”
My heart. My fucking heart. That she even had to suffer through a dream like that made me feel sick. And I’d fucked her after that. How the hell could I do that to her when she’d just witnessed her family forcing her to kill me? Fuck. I should’ve fucking asked her first before I slept with her for the first time.
“You should’ve said something last night. You should’ve, Avery. I would’ve never—”
Her hand over my mouth silenced me.
“If you’re going to say you wouldn’t have had sex with me, then save it.”
She raised her head from my chest. The look in her eye made my head spin.
“I waited. I tried to be patient. I gave you time to come to terms with our attraction to each other. So don’t fucking take it back, Aiden. Don’t you fucking dare. I wanted it. I needed it. After what I saw, it was the best fucking thing to happen. Do not tell me you would change it. Don’t ruin it.”
That told me. Hell. I’d never seen her look so determined. And it was fucking hot. My cock throbbed. If she wanted me that much, then I’d show her just what it meant to be mine. I would go easy on her, but it’s time she learnt just how deep my need to make her obey ran.
I pointed at her hand over my mouth. She moved it away slowly. I reached up, running my thumb over her bottom lip.
“I want you to go into the bedroom, take your clothes off and lie on the bed for me.”
“What?”
“You heard me.”
Her eyes betrayed her confusion.
“I’m… not in trouble for what I said, am I?”
“No, but I suggest you do as I say if you want me to fuck you again.”
Chapter Twenty One
Avery
Heat flooded my body from his words. What did he have planned? The way he was looking at me sent shivers down my spine.
“Go, Avery, before I get impatient.”
I scrambled off him and made a beeline for the bedroom. I tore off my clothes in a hurry, making sure not to leave them lying all over the floor. I hopped on the bed and lay down to wait for him.
A minute later, he appeared in the doorway. His eyes roamed across me. He smiled, a wicked note to it. Goosebumps prickled all over my skin. He approached the bed.
“So compliant. Mmm, as long as you do as I say, I’ll make you feel good.”
“I will.”
“Good girl.”
He knelt down and pulled out the box under the bed. His box of toys. My breath caught in my throat. He’d promised to go easy on me last night, but I wondered if he meant it.
When he stood up, he had a few things in his hands. Two pairs of handcuffs, two lengths of silk and a blindfold. He kicked the box back under the bed.
“Now, you’ll tell me if any of it is too tight. I don’t want to hurt you.”
I nodded. After placing the items on the bed, he hopped on and crawled over me. He leant down and kissed me. It was soft. I wanted more, but he released me after only a moment.
“You and I need a safe word, Avery. If ever it gets too much.”
I didn’t know very much about bondage. It made me nervous. Why would we need a safe word?
“You’re not going to hurt me, are you?”
“No. Trust me, I have no desire to inflict physical pain. I want only to give you pleasure. Seeing you at my mercy and thinking about the ways I want to restrain you makes me so fucking hard. A safe word is necessary. It’s about trust. I need you to trust me not to hurt you and I need to trust you to tell me when it’s too much.”
I nodded. I understood. It wasn’t because he would do anything to harm me. I did trust him. I thought about it for a moment.
“Angel.”
He raised an eyebrow at me.
“Is that not okay?”
He smiled at me again.
“I should’ve known you’d pick that.”
“What? Why?”