But she needs to know everything.
“They separated Eden and me. If they had just kept us together, I know we could have made it through anything, but they had to split us up. My new foster father was a dick, hitting me with his belt every night when he would stumble home from the bars. But Eden’s was worse.
“She’d been taken in by a wealthy family, a rich doctor and his clueless, snooty wife in Northampton. She lived in a bright, beautiful mansion, and everything was perfect for a few years. But then one night, the father came into her room. She was able to fight him off, but she knew it would only be worse the next time. So, she ran away and found me.”
I can feel Aria’s tears sliding down her cheeks and splashing onto my arm. I wipe them away with my thumb before I continue.
“We knew he was rich and powerful, and would just pay them off if we went to the police. So, I paid him a little visit. The cops came just after I knocked that fucker out cold.”
“Oh, Max.”
“I was still a minor, but her foster father was powerful, like your father. I was charged as an adult, and they locked me up for three years. But I don’t regret it—I'd do it all again to keep him away from Eden. I developed a taste for fighting in prison, and spent most of my late teens and early twenties kicking people’s asses for money. Then my buddy Nate’s car broke down, and I fixed it so easily, it was almost comical. I realized I’d rather make a living fixing things than breaking them.”
She runs her finger over my injured hand, before discovering the scars that already exist on my skin. She hisses at the deformation of my knuckles from being smashed against the faces of my opponents.
“It breaks my heart that you’ve been dealt such a bad hand,” she says, her voice laced with sadness. “But you’ve overcome so much and it’s only made you stronger.”
“You’re not turned off by the fact that I’m a felon?”
She shakes her head, and peeks up at me with those beautiful topaz eyes. “Nope. You’re loving and loyal, and exactly who I thought you were, all along.” Her lips curl into a pout. “Are you turned off by the fact that my father’s insane and my mother’s in hiding?”
“Not a chance, Aria. You’re even stronger and more badass than I thought. And that’s pretty fucking badass.” I grin at her and she returns it, before settling back against my chest.
Eleven
Aria
“The storm is beautiful.” The lightning crashes over the sea while the waves rock gently against the shore.
“You’re beautiful, Aria. It may be raining, but I can honestly say there’s nowhere else I’d rather be right now, than stuck in a cave with you.”
“Mmm. I feel the same way,” I admit. His breath is warm and tickles my neck, heating up the droplets of rain that cling to my skin. A quiet gasp leaves my lips when his mouth moves down my neck. I lean back into him, enjoying the way his body feels pressed up against me. “You’re good at making me forget how chilly I am.”
“Am I?” His arm curls around my waist, toying with the hem of my shirt as he places lazy kisses along my shoulder. His fingers graze my lower belly as his beard tickles my neck, and I shiver in his arms. “’Cause you still feel a little too cold. Maybe I should turn up the heat.”
I peek at him over my shoulder, at his smoldering gaze that’s growing hotter by the moment. He’s so ruggedly handsome, so warm and protective, like my very own grizzly bear in this dark, damp cave. “Oh, you definitely should.”
He chuckles softly and spins me in his arms to face him, before connecting our lips in a fiery kiss. I push against his chest so he’s flat against the floor of the cave, and fall forward into him. Our lips never separate, as if they’re meant to be pressed together always. His tongue slides through my lips, the now-familiar taste of him setting off explosions inside of my chest.
Shifting my hips forward, I can feel him harden against me. When I rock gently against him, he groans.
“Okay, maybe we should stop,” he says, his breath coming out in short pants. “I don’t think you want your first time to be on the ground of a cave.”
“Are you kidding? At the beach, with the rain falling gently outside, finding shelter in your arms after we’ve just spilled our darkest secrets to one another? That’s the stuff romance novels are made of.” I grin, rolling my hips again to feel his thick cock where I need him the most. “Please, take me, Max. Right here, right now.”
His eyebrows jump and his cheeks turn an adorable shade of pink. “Well, since you asked so nicely...” He grabs my face in his massive hands and captures my lips with his. Our kisses are messy, passionate, and we’re overflowing with desire for one another. I grip his biceps in my hands and feel the muscles flex against my palms. He rolls me gently onto my back and looks down at me with equal parts lust and admiration.
“Lay back and relax, beautiful. Let me worship your body the way you deserve.”
I shiver at his strained voice, his tone even smokier and sexier than usual, and lean back on my elbows. He takes his time, kissing every inch of my exposed skin before wrapping his fingers around the edge of my top. I shift forward to help him slip it over my head, and his eyes widen when he realizes I’m not wearing a bra this time. “You are so gorgeous,” he murmurs, and I feel dizzy with happiness.
He dips his head to wrap his lips around my taut nipple before his hands find the button of my jeans. He works them open effortlessly, sliding them down my legs as his teeth graze my rosy peaks.
I’m soaking wet already, my arousal flowing constantly since he gave me a taste of this on our lunch date earlier. His fingers glide easily through my folds, and he groans at the feeling. He dips a finger inside my entrance with short, shallow thrusts, and my head falls back in pleasure.
“Hey. You’re wearing too many clothes,” I remind him in a breathy voice. “I want to see your body, too.”
He pulls back with a shy smile, and lifts his black t-shirt over his head. His muscles, damp with drops of rain, glisten in the moonlight, and I can see every dip and ridge of his abdomen.
I’ve been fantasizing about the body underneath his clothes, and I can safely say I am not at all disappointed. “Ooh. You’re looking a little scrawny, Max. Maybe you should think about hitting up the gym sometime,” I tease.
He smirks and shakes his head.
“I’ll get right on that. But first...” He spreads my thighs wide and settles between them. His skin is burning hot against mine, his large palms pressing me open so he can pepper warm kisses up the inside of my thighs. Heavy breath tickles my skin as I drag my fingers through his thick, dark hair. His tongue works quickly to clean the sticky arousal from the inside of my thighs, while slipping a finger back inside my core with a soft groan. He spreads my folds, his warm tongue connecting with my aching clit, and I sigh with contentment.
My hands move to my breasts, cupping them in my hands while he works his magic tongue between my thighs. A whimper escapes my lips as I pinch my nipples between my thumb and forefinger and my hips buck against his mouth. He groans against my core, the vibrations causing another rush of arousal to coat his waiting tongue as he expertly flicks and nibbles my drenched pussy.
I grab a fistful of his hair, gripping tightly as he uses his teeth to graze my sensitive clit, and when he adds another finger, I cry out at the incredible sensation. He pumps his fingers quickly as he takes my clit between his teeth, and I feel myself shatter. My thighs tremble around his face and my back arches off the ground as I coat his face in my sweet release.
I’m an incoherent mess as he brings me gently back down from the clouds, his tongue still lapping softly at my core. When I finally stop shaking, his fingers pull from my warmth and drop to his jeans.
“You’re sure about this, Aria?” I nod, and his fingers pause. “I need to hear you say it.”
“I’m sure, Max. Please.”
He nods, shedding his jeans before climbing back on top of me. His hands glide over the curves of my body befo
re he leans down to slide his tongue into my mouth. I can taste myself on his lips, but for some reason, that turns me on.
I’m desperate to be filled by him.
My fingers dip inside the waistband of his boxers to curl around his hard, heavy cock. The noises he makes in the back of his throat are unbelievably sexy to me, and I grip him harder, stroking him from root to tip until he begs me to stop. He shucks his boxers, and I run my eyes over his long, thick shaft.
It’s massive, just like the rest of him.
“Wow. Is that going to fit?”
He chuckles darkly. “It’ll fit, baby. And I promise I’ll go slow—I'd never hurt you.”
“I know you wouldn’t.” Still, I hold my breath when I feel his tip slide back and forth through my folds.
“Breathe, sweetheart... just relax for me.”
I’m already so soft and wet from his mouth that he shivers when he presses against my entrance, his dick thoroughly coated with my juices. He pushes inside a bit, so slowly and gently that I grow impatient. I can’t wait to feel him moving deep inside of me.
He sinks in a little deeper, pausing when he reaches the thin barrier inside. His eyes meet mine, and I nod. When he pushes through, I feel a little pinch, a burning sensation that passes once he’s fully seated inside me. The pain melts into pleasure, and we both cry out at the feeling of him buried so deep. He reaches down to lace his fingers with mine, pressing soft kisses to my temple before drawing his hips back. He rocks into me gently, whispering words of reassurance with each press of his hips.
He starts slow, but works his way up to a steady pace, each thrust building me up higher and higher. My fingers are gripping his so tightly they’ve gone numb, but I can’t bring myself to care.
“You’re so beautiful, Aria,” he says through clenched teeth. “So damn perfect I could stay inside of you forever.”
My heart flutters at his confession, the way he puts into words exactly what I’m feeling too, while still bringing me toe-curling pleasure. I’m an incoherent mess, too far gone to say anything in response, instead letting the roll of my hips and squeeze of my hand show him I feel the same way.
He nuzzles into my neck, sucking hard on the delicate flesh while driving so deep inside me I see stars. “Yes, Max, right there,” I whine, feeling the first waves of my orgasm washing over me.
“That’s it, baby. Let go for me.” He releases one of my hands to dip down between us, rolling my clit tenderly beneath his thumb. I fall apart, writhing against the cold ground as I call his name over and over like a holy prayer.
A moment later, his body goes rigid. He growls as he releases deep inside me, filling me up with everything he has as he bites down on the soft skin of my shoulder. “My God,” he breathes, thrusting slowly to draw out the heavenly feeling. He drops his forehead against mine, and I can feel the heavy pounding of his heart. My fingers trace the curves of his shoulder blades as we fight to catch our breath.
When he finally pulls out of my warmth, he rolls onto his back and draws me into his arms. “Are you alright?”
“More than alright.” I sigh, enjoying the way his warm body feels wrapped around mine. I press my cheek to his chest and we revel in each other’s presence for a while.
“I think the rain stopped.” Max murmurs quietly, while I’m lingering in that limbo between awake and dreaming.
I frown, not ready to leave the sanctuary we’ve found. “Just let me stay here, in your arms, a little while longer. Please?”
For some reason, the thought of leaving this cave has my stomach clenching. I lean up on my elbow and flutter my lashes at him. “I’ll make it worth your while.”
His laughter echoes throughout the quiet cave. “You’ve got yourself a deal.”
Twelve
Max
We are almost back at Eden’s when I come to the conclusion that Aria is too perfect to be real.
I’m fairly certain that she is just a figment of my imagination, conjured up by my lonely brain to convince me that there’s still good in this world. Every chance I get, I sneak glimpses of her, her radiant beauty pulling the breath from my lungs every time.
“Will you stay over? Snuggle with me in my bed instead of just the cold floor of the cave?” She flashes me a killer smile that steals away another piece of my heart.
“I would love to.” My old truck comes to a stop in front of the bungalow, and I hear Aria’s unmistakable gasp.
But instead of a gasp of pleasure, like I’ve pulled from her quite a few times this evening, it’s a gasp of disbelief. “What’s wrong, baby?”
Even under the dim glow of the streetlight, I can see the blood has drained from her face. She pushes open the door without a word and jumps down, before marching over to a dark Towncar parked at the end of the street.
“Aria, wait!” I hop out of the car to chase after her, but she doesn’t stop or even slow down.
Her knuckles rap against the glass, and the back window rolls down. “What are you doing here?”
“Now, now. Is that any way to greet your father?”
I freeze in place, the anger tearing through my chest.
That fucker is here, and he’s going to take her away from me.
“How did you even find me?” Aria asks, shaking her head. I can see her bottom lip quivering, and I hate It.
“Just because you turn your phone off, Aria, doesn’t mean I can’t still track you. Now get in this car immediately.”
My hands curl into fists at my side, and my vision turns red. I storm over to her and wrap my arms around her protectively. I want this man to see what he has to deal with if he even thinks about making her come home.
A distinguished-looking gentleman with white hair and a judgmental frown peeks his head out at me. “What the fuck is this, Aria? Your pitiful attempt at rebellion?” His eyes sweep over me with disdain, and I swallow back the protective growl that threatens to escape my lips.
“This is Max, my boyfriend.”
Her words have an unexpected effect on me. My heart is light. I want to grin, to sweep her into my arms and kiss her until we’re both delirious from the lack of oxygen.
But first, I have to deal with King Douche.
His face twists into an amused grin, like the patronizing face parents make when their children say they’re going to be rock stars or pro-ball players when they grow up.
“Max, is it?” He scoffs. “Why don’t you run along and steal a car or something, son? Aria’s little playdate has come to an end, and she has to go home now.” Then, to twist the knife, he adds: “Her fiancé is worried sick.”
Aria shakes her head. “No, Father, I’m not coming home this time. Threaten me all you want, but I’m not going back there with you. And I’m definitely not marrying River.”
“Yeah, I had a feeling you’d say that.” The window rolls up, and I hold my breath. The passenger side doors in both the front and back open, and two men twice my size step out.
“Ah, shit,” I groan, knowing this is not going to end well.
“Don’t do this. Please,” Aria says, her voice weak and pleading. But it falls on deaf ears.
One giant man wraps his arms around Aria, lifting her as if she weighs nothing at all. “Max! Help!”
“Aria!” I lurch forward, ready to decimate this guy for putting his arms on her. But the other guy sucker punches me from the side before I can reach them. The force of his punch knocks me to the ground, and a metallic taste floods my mouth. I’m dizzy and disoriented, and certain my nose is broken, but all I can think about is Aria.
I look up just in time to see the Towncar disappear with Aria inside.
Thirteen
Aria
I slam the door behind me with every remaining ounce of strength I possess. I’ve always hated my father, but the emotion swirling through my veins is stronger than hatred.
I am repulsed by him, by the way he’s chosen money over the love of his wife and daughter. Repulsed by the way he’s sacrif
iced my entire life just to make his bank account fatter. I’ve never thought he was a decent man, but he’s even more vile than I could have ever imagined.
With a frown, I lift up the picture of him from its spot on the wall. It was hung there by my father himself, a not-so-subtle reminder of who runs this home and everything in it. “You are a filthy piece of shit,” I tell his image. “Money can’t save you from the depths of hell where you’ll surely spend eternity.” I hurl the framed photo against the wall, listening to the glass shatter with a modicum of satisfaction.
I wish it was his face.
A whimper escapes my lips when I remember Max laying limply on the ground as the car drove away. All I want is to feel his arms around me, to hear him tell me it will all be alright. I always knew it couldn’t last, but I wanted more time pretending with him.
If I had the choice, I would give up everything, every dollar I have, to spend my life with Max in Rustic Ridge. There has to be some way to convince my father to let me go, some way to get through to him that he can keep his money and not worry about me doing anything to jeopardize his fortune.
Injecting myself with my nightly insulin has me recalling the way Fate had my blood sugar drop just as I passed the exit on the Interstate for a tiny town called Rustic Ridge. The warm, autumnal sound of the name had me lulled into a false sense of security, which dissipated as soon as I caught a glimpse of the graffiti lining the streets.
Still, it was the best decision I ever made.
I know my future is with Max, in Rustic Ridge or any other town in the entire world, as long as he’s by my side.
Curling up in my bed, I sigh, wondering if he’s alright. There’s no way to call and check, since my father took my phone, but I’m determined to get back to him.
I spend all night alternating between plotting and drifting off to an unfulfilling sleep, but I finally come up with a plan. By this time tomorrow, I could be back in Max’s arms.
Chasing Summer Page 5