“Shower quickly while I order us some pizza. We can talk some more once you’re done.”
I nod and watch him leave the bathroom before I open the taps again.
That didn’t go as bad as I thought it would. I let out a sigh of relief as I step under the water.
We were up half the night, but at least the assignment is done and submitted. I’ve made us some coffee, and as we sit on the couch, I say, “I only have one lecture today.”
“You sure about going?”
“Yes, I don’t want to miss it, in case I’m not better by Thursday when I have this class again.”
“I’ll bring you to school and back home. I’m not lettin’ you walk anywhere until the withdrawal is over with.”
“What about your classes?” I ask, not wanting him to fall behind because of me.
“Undercover,” he says, smiling down at me. “It’s all for show, Em.”
“I keep forgetting,” I mumble as I take the last sip of my coffee.
I wait for Aiden to finish before I carry both the cups to the kitchen and wash them up. As soon as I sit back down, Aiden pulls me to his side, tucking my head in under his chin. I curl up against him, relishing the feeling of having his arms around me.
I’ve been feeling out of sorts since eight am. I know it’s the withdrawals starting, seeing as I didn’t take any last night.
“I haven’t finished talkin’ yet. I first wanted to make sure the assignment was done,” Aiden says, drawing me out of my thoughts. “I saw somethin’ earlier, and it reminded me that your mom said she’s cuttin’ you off, and I can really kick myself for-”
“No, Aiden. I’m not talking to you about my finances,” I say, as I get up and walk to my room to get my bag so I can go to school.
“Emma, wait,” he calls after me.
I close the door behind me and look at my laptop. It’s showing my monthly expenses, not my paper.
“How could you, Aiden? You looked at my expenses?” I say, as humiliation courses through my veins.
“Emma, I said I’d help,” he says on the other side of the door. “I told you to come to me if you needed anythin’.”
I yank the door open, and my cheeks are flaming hot.
“You said it yourself, you’re not my dad. I don’t need another one. I’m not going to take anything from you. Oh my, God… this is wrong on so many levels.” I wave my hand up and down, and my cheeks keep getting hotter. It feels like I’ve swallowed a whole bloody furnace. “You’re not paying for a single thing. The second you pay for something, it makes me a whore. I feel bad enough. I gave you the only thing that was mine. You’re not bloody paying for it.”
“Emma,” Aiden snaps as he steps right up to me. For a moment fear flickers through me, but then my own temper wins out, and I lift my chin, ready to fight.
Aiden sucks in a calming breath, then says, “You’re my fuckin’ girlfriend. It’s normal for couples to share expenses, to help each other out. You’re makin’ this bigger than it needs to be.”
My anger fizzles away, and I start to feel unsure about my reaction. Is Aiden right?
“But…” I chew on my bottom lip as I process what he just told me. “I don’t want to be a burden, Aiden. I’ve fought so hard to get away from my mom. I want to be my own person and not owe anyone.”
“Angel, you can never be a burden,” he whispers as he pulls me to his chest. “Just because I might take care of you, doesn’t mean I’ll control you. That’s not how it works. I’m not going to help you and expect somethin’ back in return. I want to do it because I care about you.”
I search his face and seeing the truth in his eyes, I say, “It will take some getting used to for me.”
“I get that.” He presses a kiss to my forehead, then asks, “How are you feelin’?”
I let out a burst of laughter, “Ask me again this afternoon. I better get going, or I’ll be late for class.”
Aiden doesn’t step out of the way, but instead takes my hand and pulls me closer.
There’s a serious look on his face as he says, “I really care about you, Em.”
I stand on my toes and press a kiss to his lips, then say, “You mean a lot to me, Aiden.”
He smiles, and as he starts to turn around, I pull him back.
“Wait.” He glances back at me, and I quickly continue. “Thank you for being there for me since I got here. Thank you for letting me spill my guts, and for dealing with my mother, and for wanting to take care of me. I appreciate you, Aiden.”
He brings his hands to my face, and presses a soft kiss to my mouth, then says, “You’re welcome, Em.”
Walking out of the flat, I’m glad we talked about everything, and that our relationship isn’t ruined.
CHAPTER 18
EMMA
I didn’t feel too bad during class, but as I walk down the stairs, I feel dizzy with withdrawals. I’m nauseous and tired, and just bloody groggy.
When my tongue becomes one with the roof of my mouth, I drag myself to the nearest water fountain. I gulp some down and look at the bench nearby. There’s no point in sitting and waiting for it to get better. It will only get worse.
“Emma, honey, are you okay?” I hear a familiar drawl, and honestly, I don’t care if she’s Hitler’s second in command, I’m just glad to see someone I know.
“Katia. No, actually I feel quite horrid,” I admit. Getting to know her might help Aiden, too. “Have you seen Aiden?”
It feels like I’m fighting gravity to stay upright.
“Yeah, I saw him in the parkin’ area. Let me walk you there.” I don’t trust her sudden friendliness, but right now I’m not sure I’ll make it to Aiden without falling on my face.
Katia presses up against me, her arm circling my waist. “I’m so glad I ran into you. You’re hard to find,” she says, and I really just want to get to Aiden. “The girls are havin’ a little get-together tomorrow night. Without the men, of course. You have to come. Seein’ as you’re with Aiden,” she babbles non-bloody-stop only bringing on a headache.
I nod as I swallow the bile back. I shouldn’t have had the water.
“Sure.” I force the word out.
“Honey, you really do look sick,” she says as if I don’t know it.
Her arm tightens around me, and she takes most of my weight. Damn, she’s strong.
I lean my head on her shoulder and try to remember never to look for trouble with her.
“Oh, there are the guys,” she says. The sun is too bright, and I know if she lets go now, I’m going to fall. “So, if you’re up for it, I’ll see you tomorrow night?” she asks quickly.
I nod, as she starts to draw away from me.
“Katia,” I say to stop her and take hold of her arm to steady myself.
“Emma?” Aiden’s voice is sharp.
I squint in his direction, but the light is too bright. I close my eyes so all the spinning will stop.
“Hey, guys,” her voice rattles through my head.
I press my forehead to her shoulder to ease the throbbing. She rubs my back, and I swallow to keep the bile down as her touch makes my stomach lurch.
“She’s not well. I found her at the Old Well. Poor baby looks terrible.” And then I feel her stroking my hair, and my body jerks involuntarily.
“I’ll take her,” Aiden says. Strong hands take hold of my arms, and they pull me away from Katia, who’s keeping my head from splitting open, but making me feel sicker, all at once.
“Ouch.” The groan slips out, and I press my palm to my eyes as arms slip under my back and knees, and then the world capsizes on me.
“I have you, Em,” he whispers against my splitting head.
Even though I feel awful, his words settle deep inside me.
The ride home is a blur, and as Aiden places me on my bed, I lie still so the nausea will subside.
“Can I get you somethin’?” he asks.
“Could you close the curtains, please? The light hurts my eye
s.”
“You don’t look good. Please let me take you to the hospital?”
“No, it will pass. I’ll be fine. It’s just withdrawal symptoms.”
The bed moves as he sits down, and my stomach heaves.
I jump up, and it feels like my head’s going to split open as I run for the toilet. I make it just in time, lurching forward as my body begins to convulse.
“Is there nothin’ I can do?” he asks, as I sink back onto the floor.
I shake my head slowly, so I don’t make it worse. It feels like my stomach has settled a bit, and I slide back, lying down on the cold tiles. I just need to lie down.
Aiden’s phone rings. The sound echoes in my ears.
“Zac, what’s up?” he says as he kneels next to me, placing a hand on my forehead. “Emma’s sick. I’ll call you when I have some time.”
As he presses his hand to my cheek, it feels cool. “Can I take you back to bed?”
“I don’t want to move,” I mumble, but I reach for his hand and give it a weak squeeze. “Thank you for caring. I’ll make it up to you when I’m better.”
CHAPTER 19
AIDEN
Seeing Emma so pale and sick makes me hate her mom with a fucking passion. Hate is a strong emotion, one I’m getting to know really well because of that woman.
I watch Emma sleep after the long night she’s had, and I open her laptop. I click on her media player and select the first song, so her personalized album will start playing. We haven’t talked about simple stuff like music and movies yet.
I open the assignment we worked on and read the piece I wrote for her again.
From hate, revenge is born. From revenge, death is born. Hate creates devastation, and nothing can grow from it. Hatred consumes until there is nothing left but an empty shell of the former self. From there outrage and brutality are born.
Hate creates an act of violence whether it’s against another or yourself, because somehow, somewhere, something dies.
“What are you doing?” I hear her groggy voice next to me.
“Just readin’ over the paper.” I set the laptop aside and lean over her. Brushing some strands from her face, I ask, “How’re you feelin’?”
“Death warmed up,” she groans as she presses her face into the pillow. She curls into a ball, her arms clutching her stomach.
“What’s wrong?” I ask, wishing I could make her feel better.
“Muscle spasms,” she whispers, her voice drenched in pain.
It takes four days before Emma starts to get better, and I swear I’ve fucking aged a hundred years with worry. The only good thing about this past week is that my side has healed.
I’m up against Colton. I’ve watched him. He fights recklessly. He fights for Katia. Whoever wins will go through to the finals where the winners will face off against each other.
I haven’t told Emma, but they’ll be watching her. If I win, which I have to, they’ll go for her. Zac just better make sure nothing happens to her, or all hell will break loose.
I just need to get behind Colton. I have training and patience. I know I can beat him.
“You look so worried,” Emma whispers next to me where she’s curled up under a blanket.
Things have actually been great between Emma and me. We’ve been watching movies all day long. She made me eat candy with my popcorn, and I have to admit, it tasted damn weird.
“Just thinkin’ about the fight tomorrow.”
“I can take your mind off it,” she says, as she gets onto her knees giving me a seductive look.
“Em, you’re sick,” I say, even though she’s much better today.
“I’m better. The worst is over.” She trails her fingers down my chest, and I close my eyes so I can focus on her touch.
“Don’t worry,” she breathes against my neck. “Relax.”
She climbs on top of me, and I can’t help but smile as she straddles me. She’s wearing one of my shirts, and it pushes up her thighs, exposing her creamy skin to me.
Fuck, I love seeing her in my clothes.
Placing my hands on her legs, I push the shirt up until I can see her panties.
“What are you doing?” I ask, feigning ignorance.
“Paying my doctor’s fee,” she teases as she trails a finger from my temple to the day-old stubble on my jaw.
“You look your age when you don’t shave. You look really mean at the moment. All ink and broody.” Her voice is silky, making my cock harden.
I don’t want to think about tomorrow anymore, not with her on top of me. Slipping my hands to her ass, I yank her closer and push my cock hard against her pussy. Her breath rushes out over my collarbone as she drops her head against my chest.
“I want to be inside you, Em,” I whisper, as I bring one hand back to her thigh, brushing my finger lightly up the silky stretch of skin to her pussy. “I want you naked beneath me. I want to come inside of you.”
Her eyes flare with desire as the back of my fingers brush over her panties. Keeping my touch light, I love how wild it’s driving her.
“I want you inside me, too,” Emma admits.
That’s all I need to hear. Grabbing hold of her ass, I stand up and walk to my room. As I lie her down on my bed, I have no intention of stopping.
I shove my sweats down. “Spread your legs open for me, Em,” I say, as I place a knee on the mattress.
She does as I ask, and I move in between her knees. Tonight I’m going to take my time, and explore every part of her.
Sitting back, I grab her hips and yank her to me until she’s pressed against my cock.
As I push the shirt up, I say, “Take it off. I want to see all of you.”
She yanks the shirt off and falls back to the bed as I press a thumb to her clit. I start to massage her through her panties until the material is wet with her arousal.
I take hold of my cock and position myself at her entrance. Pushing against her panties, the ache to be inside her is almost unbearable.
I watch her face for any sign that she doesn’t want this. Her cheeks flush and her lips part.
“Touch your breasts, Em,” I demand, as I start to rub my cock over her clit.
She moves her hands from the covers to her toned stomach and slowly trails them upward until they cover her breasts.
“Push ‘em together,” I growl, and when she does what I ask, pre-cum spills from my cock at the sight of her cleavage between her fingers.
“That’s so fuckin’ sexy.”
Needing to be inside her, I move back and yank her panties down her legs. I grab a condom from the drawer next to my bed and roll it on in record time.
Emma starts to remove her hands from her breasts. “No, keep your hands there.”
I crawl over her body and lower my chest against her hands, watching her cleavage deepen.
Bringing my eyes up to her face, I lean down and press a kiss to her parted lips. She pulls her hands free from between us, and places them on my jaw, slipping her tongue inside my mouth. The second I taste Emma while feeling her naked body beneath mine, something snaps in my chest.
I thrust my tongue into her mouth and start to fall with no intention of ever getting back up. I want to stay like this forever, just Emma and me.
She moves her hands down my neck, to my shoulders and doesn’t stop until she reaches my biceps. Her fingers dig into my muscle as I devour her mouth.
I’m going to explode right here. Emma bites at my bottom lip, and then lifts her hips from the bed, rubbing her pussy against my lower abs.
Breathe, Aiden. You just need some blood and air in the rest of your body, or this will be over before it can get started.
Resting my body on one arm, I push myself up as I break the kiss. I trail my fingers down Emma’s warm skin, from her collarbone, over her nipple, and down her stomach.
When I reach her pussy, Emma’s breaths are coming fast, her eyes never leaving mine. Taking hold of my cock, and pressing against her entrance, I glan
ce down. I watch as I push only the head inside of her.
Resting both my arms on either side of her head, I look down at her as I start to slowly rock my hips, not going any deeper.
She wraps her arms around my waist, digging her nails into my back before dragging them up to my neck, and I almost slam into her.
“Fuck, that feels good,” I growl.
“More, Aiden,” she begs.
I push my right thigh under her leg and thrust a little deeper.
“I want to feel all of you,” she says, breathless with lust.
I bring my mouth to hers so I can feel each breath, as I push deeper. With Emma’s heat surrounding me, and her mouth on mine, it’s pure heaven.
Her whole body shudders when I’m buried deep inside of her.
“Fuck, you’re tight,” I hiss, lost in how amazing she feels.
Moving a hand down to her hip, I dig my fingers into her skin and start to build a rhythm.
Her fingers weave into my hair, and she grabs fistfuls. It’s so fucking hot, I’m struggling to not come.
“You feel incredible,” she groans, and her breath races over her parted lips, mingling with my own. Then, finally, those sweet moans start to fill my ears.
“Shit, Aiden.” She throws her head back and begins to meet me thrust for thrust.
“You’re so beautiful, Em,” I whisper, and seeing her body so fully displayed beneath me, I know I’ll never forget this moment.
Letting go of her hip, I bring my hand between us and finding her clit, I start to rub circles around it.
“Aiden,” she groans getting close to her release.
Picking up my pace, I drive my cock into her, deep and hard until I feel her inner walls clamp down around me.
Losing control, and needing to find my own release, I brace myself over her with one arm, then grab hold of her hip to hold her in place as I fuck her hard. The sound of our skin slapping only spurs me on.
“Fuck, Em,” I growl. My hips slam forward, and every muscle in my body coils tightly when tingles shoot down my spine.
“Ah,” the cry from Emma as she comes, along with her breasts bouncing with every thrust, sends me over the edge.
The Ocean Between Us (A Southern Heroes Novel Book 1) Page 13