Exposed Affections

by Rene Folsom

  “Now that introductions are over, let’s go home,” Ann instructed.

  “Actually, we need to do a little shopping if that’s okay with you,” Aiden suggested. I was already beginning to feel like a burden with the simple suggestion of shopping until Ann squealed excitedly.

  “Of course that’s okay! Perfect, actually, since we’re already in Asheville,” she said with a clap of her hands as she turned to lead the way out of the airport.

  Both Aiden and Coda reached for my hands, but I hesitated. Should I be holding both their hands in front of their mother?

  “Julia, it’s all right. C’mon,” Aiden persuaded. Ann looked back at us expectantly, waiting for us to follow her. Knowing I needed the boost in confidence, I grabbed the two hands that were offered to me and started making my way toward the stunned woman standing before us.

  Ann fell in line beside Coda and said, “Well, this is something new.”

  My entire body flushed with mortification. Attempting to break my hold on their hands just made their grips strengthen.

  “Yes, it’s very new,” Coda answered. “And it’s something we can talk about in a more private setting when the time is right.”

  “Nothing to talk about, Coda. The first thing that popped in my mind was, It’s about time,” she joked as we made our way out to the parking lot.

  We spent the rest of the evening shopping. Thankfully, I found a cute pair of dark jeans and an adorable sweater with a warm vest to protect me in the chilly weather. The matching boots definitely completed the outfit, also making me feel a bit more confident as we went to dinner.

  While the guys excused themselves to go to the bathroom, Ann leaned in and linked her arm with mine.

  “You have no idea how happy I am to see my boys,” she said softly with a giddy look on her face. “I miss them so much.”

  “I can imagine why,” I answered. “They truly are wonderful. I am still a bit stunned with how supportive and kind they’ve been to me.”

  “It’s in their nature, honey,” she said while patting my arm.

  “A kind-natured man is one thing, but your sons have known me for such a short time and yet they’ve bent over backwards to make sure I’m okay,” I said, feeling the emotions begin to surface and trying desperately to push them back down.

  “And yet you don’t feel okay,” she responded, reading my mind once again.

  “I don’t want them to think they have to buy me off. Their emotional support is one thing, but all these clothes and the flight here? I just don’t want them to assume this is necessary to me,” I said, and then thought about what she must think. “I also don’t want you to assume this is all I’m after.”

  “The boys were right, you do have a pure heart,” she said with an infectious smile. “Trust me, they will lavish you because they want to, not because they feel they have to. Plus, they only bought you necessities tonight. Those two boys probably don’t see it as extravagant or out of the ordinary.”

  “I see you two are getting along well,” Aiden said as he picked up the check and put a wad of cash in the billfold.

  “Aiden, you do realize I’m going to have to keep her, right?” Ann said, tightening her grip on my arm, causing my breath to hiss through my teeth with the aching sensation that shot through me.

  Ann noticed my discomfort and loosened her grip. She looked me up and down before asking, “How badly are you hurt?”

  Biting my lip nervously, I couldn’t think of how to answer that question. She was asking about the physical pain, but my brain started showing a merry-go-round of emotional turmoil as I thought back over the past week.

  “Mom, let’s just get her home. I’d love to show her the cabin,” Aiden said.

  “Of course. We’ll have plenty of time to catch up this week,” she mollified with a forced smile.

  My misery was infectious. She was bound to hate me by the end of the week.

  Ann insisted I sit up front with her and forced the guys to sit in the back. On the way home, the subject came up of how we all met and I wasn’t quite sure how I was allowed to answer that question. She already knew I was a troublemaker with all my drama. Did she really need to know I seduced my photography teacher and his twin brother as well?

  “She’s one of my students,” Aiden blurted out.

  “Aiden James! Do you realize how much trouble you could get in?” she scolded, confirming my hesitation to tell her.

  “Calm down, Mother. We’re trying to be very careful, especially since I still have that arrangement with Tanya,” he appeased.

  “Still, Aiden. If anyone sees you in public, you could cost Julia her degree,” Ann reproached.

  Just as Aiden was about to argue, my phone rang. Looking at the screen, I saw it was Sid and silently thanked her for saving the day once again.

  “Excuse me. I need to take this,” I said before picking up the phone. “Hello?”

  “What’s this about you going out of state with those two idols?” Sid screeched.

  “We just came up here for spring break and to get away from all the trouble I’ve caused. Lib didn’t want me working with the way I look right now anyway, so it was a perfect time to get the hell out of dodge,” I explained, even though I didn’t believe my own words at that that moment.

  “Well, I miss you. I’m on break right now and just wanted to tell you that your absence here is definitely noticed. So, hurry up and get better, okay?”

  “Yes ma’am,” I said as I rolled my eyes. “I’ll call you later, okay?”

  “Sure. Just remember how much I love my best friend,” she said with seriousness.

  “I love you too, Sidney,” I nearly whispered while playing with the hem of my shirt and begging myself not to cry. I missed my best friend more than words could express.

  “God, I miss her,” I sighed, hanging up the phone and laying my head back on the seat.

  “Is she staying with Sean?” Aiden asked with concern laced in his tone.

  “Yeah, I’m sure of it. She was staying with him most of the time before everything went to shit.” Just as the curse came out of my mouth, I covered it with my hands and gasped. “I’m sorry.”

  A chuckle came from the driver’s seat as Ann said, “Don’t worry about that. I’m no prude.”

  After a few silent, awkward moments passed, Ann spoke again. “Okay, I’m just going to blurt this out. So, both of you are seeing this adorable woman here, right?”

  Coda was the first to speak up and answered, “Yes, but I’m the one publicly dating the beautiful Juliana.”

  “Well, I just have to be honest. I’m surprised you two didn’t end up with the same girl sooner,” she deadpanned.

  “Why is that?” Aiden asked, winking at me with his obviously absurd question.

  “Please, Aiden. Don’t be dense. Other than your jobs, you two are inseparable. You’ve never had a female handle your relationship with each other—until now,” she said.

  Before the conversation continued further, we pulled off the main road and onto a small mountain road that wound up the side and climbed rapidly in elevation.

  Nestled at the top of the mountain and overlooking the valley was a beautiful A-frame cabin. I couldn’t help the smile that crept up on my face with the location.

  Chapter 30

  “The way Aiden looked up at me, adoration showing clear in his eyes, made all my problems disappear.”

  Walking into the cabin, I looked around in stunned silence. It was beautifully constructed with vaulted ceilings and windows covering the entire wall overlooking the valley. From what I could tell, there was the main level, an upper level, and possibly a basement by the looks of the outside. The warm glow of the inside lamps gave the entire great room a warm, inviting feeling.

  Coda walked over to the fireplace and flipped a switch, causing the fire to ignite immediately.

  The heat was on, making my sweater and vest suddenly too hot for comfort. While staring out amongst the glitter of stars
above the mountains on the other side of the valley, I slowly removed my vest and sweater, leaving me in a small tee and jeans.

  “Oh, my,” I heard a gasp from behind me. Turning abruptly, I noticed Ann staring at me in stunned silence. It was then I realized what caught her attention—my battered body.

  Crossing my arms over myself in defense, I tried to sound passive as I said, “Really, it looks worse than it feels.”

  “Honey, regardless of how it hurts physically… are you okay?” she asked as she approached me and looked into my eyes with sincerity.

  “I think so,” I said honestly. “I’m trying to be. I’m desperately trying to be strong and put all this behind me. My physical appearance makes that task a bit difficult.”

  “No,” Ann blurted out. “When I ask if you’re okay, I don’t mean your bruises. What I mean is, are you emotionally okay? Obviously, whoever did this to you is demented and cruel. I want to make sure…”

  “Mom, please stop pushing,” Coda interrupted.

  Putting my head down in shame, I could feel the tears prick my eyes as I said, “This isn’t the first time I’ve had to deal with the man who did this to me. I got through it the first time, and I’m sure I can do it again. Especially now that I have your sons to support me.”

  “Well, I can honestly say you’re in good hands. I better get going since I have to open the shoppe in the morning,” she said while giving me a tender hug, like I was going to break if she squeezed too tight. “Maybe I’ll see you tomorrow.”

  After giving Aiden and Coda hugs goodbye, Ann left.

  Staring out into the darkness of the night, the moon barely peeking over the mountains, I felt marginally better that I didn’t have to answer to anyone—at least for the night. Moments later, Aiden wrapped his arms around my waist and brought me close to his chest. Turning, I came face to face with my lover and wrapped my arms around his neck.

  “I’m sor—”

  “Don’t,” I said abruptly, cutting off his apology. “There’s nothing to apologize about. Your mother is a wonderful person. I would just rather not talk about any of that stuff for the rest of the night, okay?”

  “No talking. Got it,” he approved. Leaning down, Aiden pressed his lips gently to mine and gifted me with such a loving, devoted kiss I was sure my heart melted on the spot. Slowly, he snaked his arms beneath my ass and picked me up, allowing me to wrap my legs around his waist and deepen our kiss, which ignited a fire inside my core.

  Continuing to lavish me with his delicious mouth, he began to walk toward the staircase.

  “Aiden, I can walk up the stairs,” I said, growing progressively nervous with each step he took.

  “Why walk when I can just as easily carry you?” he asked with a grin.

  Closing my eyes tight, I hugged Aiden’s neck like a vice and waited for it to be over. He climbed each step slowly, making me increasingly uneasy with him bearing all my weight. Cracking an eye open, I saw Coda two steps below us, grinning as he followed us the whole way up.

  Once I saw Coda’s dazzling smile, I felt slightly better and smiled back. Before I knew it, Aiden climbed the steps up to the loft area and laid me down on a huge bed.

  With tenderness and care, my men removed my clothing one article at a time, starting with the new boots they bought for me. Once I was completely naked, they pulled back the covers and had me climb in.

  Without saying a word, they both stripped naked, shut off the lights, and snuggled on either side of me.

  After lying in their arms for several minutes, I said, “Aiden? Coda?”

  “Yes,” they responded in unison.

  “Make love to me,” I whispered.

  “You sure?” Aiden asked.

  “I’m more than sure,” I responded with all seriousness. “I need to feel you inside me.”

  “I think it’s too soon,” Coda said.

  The terrifying thought that they no longer wanted me because I was broken and violated crept into the forefront of my mind. I decided being honest with them was the only way I would make my point of how much I needed them.

  “I need to know that you still want me, Coda. I need to know that you both still find me desirable. I need this… I need you,” I said as silent tears began a light trickle down my cheek. I made sure to keep quiet. I didn’t want them to know I was crying over something like sex.

  “Fuck, Julia. Of course we still want you,” Coda grumbled. “I just worry about how much he really hurt you and the thought makes me so angry.”

  “Can you put your anger aside? Just for now?” I asked with a slight whimper to my voice. I really didn’t want to sound like a begging child, but I needed them to know how important their acceptance was to me. “Pretend I’m the same Julia you met over a week ago?”

  “You are the same Julia I met,” Coda whispered against my neck.

  “Then show me,” I demanded.

  In near pitch darkness, the moon’s glow the only illumination in the room, I felt Coda pull back the covers and climb on top of me. Aiden stayed pressed against my side while Coda started raining kisses all over my body.

  My mouth.

  My neck.

  My breasts.

  My stomach.

  He covered every inch of my skin with reverent caresses while Aiden lay there and watched.

  Inching back up to my head, his lips landed softly on mine in an explorative, loving kiss of passion. His hand grazed down my side, over my hip, and hooked gently beneath my leg, guiding me to open for him.

  Each brush of his fingers against my body felt like sparks licking my skin with intensity.

  Reaching between us, I used my fingers to guide him inside me—exquisitely slow.

  “Mmmm,” I moaned. The feeling of Coda inside me was so therapeutic and heavenly, I couldn’t help the sounds of ecstasy that escaped my mouth.

  As Coda began moving in and out of me with measured control, Aiden suddenly got up from the bed and turned on a dim lamp in the room. With the little bit of light, I was able to see Coda’s handsome face while he gently made love to me.

  Pressing his forehead to mine, he looked deep into my eyes and picked up the pace. Grabbing his bicep with one hand and the back of his neck with the other, I held him steady against me while we moved together with a tantalizing rhythm. I stared at him, watching him, while he made me feel like the most cherished girl in the world.

  “Oh God, Julia,” he whispered, a breathless plea.

  “Coda,” I gasped as my release suddenly brimmed to the surface. Keeping his forehead pressed to mine while he moved, I let go of all thought and exploded around him. Unable to keep my eyes open while my climax assaulted me, I threw my head back and writhed beneath him, trembling with each jolt of my release coursing through me.

  I have never been able to come while a man was inside me and yet, these beautiful men could both make me fall to pieces in their arms. The fact I spent days wishing they could touch me just once more made my orgasm assault me with a vengeance, impatient to be freed.

  With the last few shudders of my orgasm pouring through me, I opened my eyes to see his lust-filled stare boring into mine. Clawing at his face, I mouthed the words, I love you.

  Without taking his gaze off me, his face turned a bright red and a low grunt emanated through the air as he stilled inside me.

  Coda’s body tensed and jerked as he came, filling me with every last drop he had. I could feel each beat of his heart pulsating through his length inside my core. Before I had a chance to pull him in for a kiss, he climbed off and settled beside me, laying a reverent peck on my cheek in the process.

  Then came Aiden.

  “Julia?” he questioned, obviously asking if I wanted to make love to him as well.

  “Christ, yes,” I whimpered. “I want you, Aiden.”

  “Then you shall have me, Angel mine,” he said seductively, repeating one of the lines he said to me in the darkroom almost two weeks ago.

  Instead of sliding into me like
I expected, Aiden turned us both over with synchronized grace so I was straddling his hips.

  Completely forgetting my battered appearance, I felt confident and sexy as Aiden stared up at me with pure lust. His hands gently grazed my hips, causing a delicious barrage of chills to blanket my skin. Positioning him beneath me, I sank down slowly and sighed at the feeling of his length filling me.

  Using his muscular chest to brace myself, I held on as I rode him with smooth, unhurried movements. The way Aiden looked up at me, adoration showing clear in his eyes, made all my problems disappear.

  Chapter 31

  “How many licks does it take…?”

  Aiden’s phone blaring out a catchy tune startled me awake the next morning. With a masculine grumble, he reached over to the nightstand and slapped at the screen.

  “It’s ringing, Aiden. That’s not the alarm,” Coda explained to his groggy brother.

  “Well, fuck,” Aiden cursed, finally picking up the phone and looking at the screen. The phone went silent. “I just missed a call from Bri. Isn’t it like four in the morning in Cali?”

  Before either of us could answer, Coda’s phone started buzzing on the other side of the bed. I couldn’t help but giggle at his scowl while he turned over and reached for his phone.

  “Sup, buttercup?” he answered with a slur.

  “Coda Jace! Why didn’t you tell me you were going to be in town this week?” I heard her screech through the phone.

  “Mmm,” he grumbled, obviously not awake yet.

  “Wake up, asshat, and tell me why I’m always the last to know this shit?” Man, she was not happy.

  “Nice to talk to you too, sis,” he mumbled. “Why the hell are you calling me this early and yelling at me anyway?”

  “Because I have a layover in Atlanta, butt munch, and the Atlanta airport always makes me cranky. If you’re not awake enough to talk, put her on,” she demanded… loudly. My brows furrowed at the words, wondering if she meant she wanted him to put me on the phone. Did she know I was here with them?