Out Of The Dark

by Arlene Gonzales

  ***

  The sun shines through the sliding glass doors that lead out onto the beach. I blink my eyes a couple of times trying to adjust to the light. When I turn around, I find I am alone in bed. Then I hear the shower turn on. When I go in the en suite, I see Aiden in the shower. He doesn’t notice me at first, and I take that time to look at his godlike body: broad shoulders, defined chest, and those perfect pecs of his. His strong, firm muscles go all the way down to that V men have when they work out, and that oh-so-happy, happy trail leads to his big, beautiful cock. The muscles in his thighs are strong. I’m breathing hard and fast again. That is what this beautiful man does to me. This god of all men, the most perfect specimen I have ever laid eyes on, and here he is with me. Am I still in a dream? I mean, it has to be a dream, right? I lick my lips and squeeze my thighs together, but it’s no use. I’m already wet.

  I must have sighed too loud because he turns around to face me. His eyes meet mine and all I want is to have him in me, to fuck me and make me forget all about my life for a while, to make everything that is ugly go away. As if on cue, he puts his hand out to me. I take off my clothes slowly as his eyes run down my body and then travel back up to my face.

  “Voglio far l’amore con te.”

  I stand there not knowing what he has just said, but I don’t care. Whatever it is sounds so sexy. As if he’s reading my mind, he says, “Sei bellissima, Alexis. I said, ‘I want to make love to you.’”

  The water is warm when I step into the shower, but that’s not what is heating up my body. He takes my face in his hands and brings my chin up so I can meet his eyes.

  With a smile that makes me melt, he says, “Sei bellissima. You’re beautiful.”

  His mouth is on mine, gently at first. He licks my bottom lip, then just as gently bites it. I moan and open my mouth to him. His tongue strokes mine and we kiss with such sensuality, with heat and desire. He takes his time, making sure that I’m okay.

  Pulling back, he slowly opens his eyes and smiles, tilting his head slightly as if he is becoming aware of what is happening between us.

  “Baby, do you have any idea what you’re doing to me, how you are making me feel? This is such a new experience for me, and I’m afraid of how you might hurt or leave me. I am in uncharted territory here. You’re going to have to help me navigate it.”

  I look at him straight on. “Aiden, I am not going to hurt or leave you.” I stroke his face with my hands. “Why would you say something like that?”

  He closes his eyes and touches my forehead with his own. I feel his jaw tense, but before I can say another word, he wraps his arms around me with such force I can barely move, can barely breathe. Again, he starts to kiss me as if our lives depend on it. A low growl comes from deep in his chest and then he lifts my legs.

  “Wrap your legs around my waist.”

  I do as I am told. He steps forward and my back is up against the wall. The coldness of the tiles makes me shiver. He grinds his hips against me, and I can feel how hard he is. His right hand is at the back of my neck and his left is on my ass.

  “Take my cock and put it in your entrance.” I love not having to think about things as he takes control. “This is going to be hard and fast, Alexis. Then we can make love slowly and gently.”

  He is in me in an instant and makes me moan with so much pleasure. I meet his movements thrust for thrust.

  “Yes, Alexis, tell me you need me.”

  “Oh yes, Aiden, I need you. Yes, it feels so good. Fuck me! Oh yes, like that.”

  “Look at me, Alexis. Fuck, you feel so good. Oh fuck, baby, you are so tight.”

  Breathing hard, I throw my head back. “Aiden, I’m going to come.”

  “No, Alexis, we come together.” He moves faster. I’m barely holding on, and then as if on cue he orders, “Come with me now, Alexis.”

  He thrusts one more time and stills himself inside me. My world is a blur. I’m spiraling out of control. My limbs are so weak I’m thankful he’s holding me up. As my orgasm grips me I can feel his breath at the crook of my neck.

  He fills me and moans. “Oh, baby, you feel so good.”

  We are both panting hard. He lifts his head to look at me. For a moment I lean mine back on the wall with my eyes closed.

  “Look at me, baby, let me see those beautiful features of yours.”

  I bring my head forward and meet his deep dark blue stare. He smiles. I love the effect he has on me and can’t help but smile back. He slowly puts me down and we stare at each other without saying a word. Then he takes my face in his hands, and I lean into them. I tilt my head to the side and close my eyes, sighing. Right now I feel safe, like no one can touch me. That is what he does to me; I feel at home with him. It’s funny how, as bad as I was feeling yesterday and how bad I know I will feel again, this man can for a while at least make me forget the ugly things.

  He grabs two large towels and wraps them around us. We walk out of the shower and go into the bedroom, and as promised we make slow, beautiful love. He takes his time with me, assuring that I feel wanted and sexy. Then we just lie in each other’s arms and listen to the sounds of the waves hitting the beach.

  “Alexis, let’s get showered and dressed. We need to eat. We have a busy day ahead of us.”

  I start washing my hair while he dresses in the bedroom. When I’m done, I wrap a towel around me and walk over to where he is. I’m about to ask him if he needs to go to his room to get a fresh set of clothes, but I see he is wearing something different than yesterday already.

  “I went to get clean clothes while you were asleep. I just took your key card so I could get back in. I didn’t want to wake you. I ordered breakfast for us. I didn’t know what you would like, so I just ordered a little of everything.”

  There’s a knock on the door, and it’s our food.

  Looking at the cart, and everything there is to eat, I think to myself that this is our first official breakfast together. I glance at Aiden and inwardly smile. After everything I told him last night, he’s still here. I silently pray that this will work out for us.

  “It all smells so good.” I didn’t realize I was hungry. When we finish eating, I say, “Aiden, we need to be at the location of the shoot in an hour. I have a car coming to pick us up.”

  We get into the back and ride hand in hand to the area where they will be taking the pictures today. The driver parks. Aiden gets out and holds a hand out for me to take.

  ***

  There are models, makeup artists, photographer’s assistants as well as Aiden’s assistant, Brandy, and the photographer himself. We hired Brock Quincy. He is the best and can make a picture say it all.

  I stand back with Brandy. We’ve only talked on the phone and through emails. She is really beautiful. Early twenties, short black hair, chocolate eyes, and tan skin. We size each other up. Then she smiles a genuine smile, and I relax and smile back at her. We introduce ourselves and talk. She tells me she’s from Brazil. I tell her I have always wanted to go there.

  “Maybe we can go there one day, Alexis. You could meet my family. I really miss them. My mom is a great cook. She and Dad spoil me whenever I go visit them.”

  Listening to her, I get a lump in my throat. My eyes start to fill with tears, but I quickly dismiss them. No, I can’t do this right now. “I have to go check and see how the wardrobe and the models are coming along.”

  “Is everything all right, Alexis? You look a little pale.”

  “Yes, yes, I’m okay. I just have to make sure things are on schedule,” I lie.

  I am so far from okay, and I’m jealous of her and her family. I hate myself for feeling like that. I know I cannot keep running away from life, but right now, right fucking now, I have no choice if I’m going to get through this day. The models are all so beautiful, tall, and thin. I hate the idea that Aiden will be touching them and they’ll be touching him. Why am I feeling like this? I have no right to be jealous. It’s not like he’s with me. Yes, we had sex…god,
amazing sex. I have had orgasms like never before in my life. Then I think to myself, that’s because besides Aiden, you have only been with one other man. But I never had an orgasm with him, not one single time.

  Things are going well with the shoot. Aiden looks so sexy. The place is just breathtaking. The white sand beach, the bluest water you have ever seen, the trees all so green—everything is perfect. The models are all in swimwear. Aiden is wearing shorts. His muscles are toned and his eyes dance with life. He smiles and that dimple on his right cheek is so deep. He and the other models stand around talking while Brock speaks to one of his assistants. One of the girls puts her hand on his chest, and with her other hand touches his cheek. She whispers something in his ear. Aiden looks at her and smiles, but does not say anything back. I feel angry—angry with him for letting her touch him, angry with her for putting her hands on him, and angry with myself for feeling like this.

  Brock tells everyone that’s a wrap for today. They’ve taken at least a hundred pictures, it seems. All the models are on their way back to the tents they use as dressing areas. Aiden has his own. As I walk to his tent, I can hear a woman’s voice. She’s laughing. Without thinking, I walk in and see it is the same model who had her hands on him before.

  She stands there, with her hands on him again. Aiden turns and looks at me. His expression is priceless, like that of a deer caught in the headlights. I don’t know what to say.

  Chapter 9

  “Oh sorry, I thought you were alone. How stupid of me to think that.”

  “No, Alexis, please stay.”

  “Aiden, darling, if the girl has to go, let her. I’m sure she has to pack up the equipment or something.”

  I walk out in a hurry to the car that is waiting to take us back to the hotel. I get in and announce, “Mr. Steffan will be taking another car. Please drive.”

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  Soon I’m in my room sobbing and hating myself for feeling this way. Why would I think he only wanted me when he can have his choice of women? Everywhere he goes women stop and stare, give their biggest smiles, and bat their eyelashes. Why would I believe I’d ever be enough for someone like him? I was only fooling myself to think like that.

  My phone starts ringing. I look at it and see Aiden’s name on the caller ID. I hit reject. It starts to ring again and again.

  Then I get a text:

  Please let me explain. It is not what you think.

  I finally put my phone on silent. There is a knock on my door. I go to look through the peephole and it’s him. Oh shit! I don’t want to speak to him right now, so I stay as quiet as I can.

  “Alexis, I know you are in there. Open the door.”

  Knock, knock, knock.

  “Alexis, please open the door. Let me explain. It wasn’t what it looked like. If you just open the door, we can talk. Alexis, I am not leaving until you talk to me. I need you to let me explain.” Aiden’s voice is getting louder now. “Alexis, if you do not open the door, I will have no choice but to break it down.” Still looking through the peephole, I can see he has both of his hands in fists on the door.

  I’m not worried that he’ll break the door down, because I know he’s not Frank. I know he just wants to tell me his side of the story, but right now I don’t want to listen.

  “Please, Alexis, I know you need me as much as I need you. You said you would never leave or hurt me. Alexis, please.”

  He pounds on the door a few more times. Then my phone lights up again and it’s Aiden yet once more. I’m glad I switched it to silent. I go into the bedroom and close the curtains on the sliding doors, turn off the lights, get into bed, and cry. I get my phone and call the one person who is always there for me.

  “Hey, Lexie. What’s up? How’s it going? Did you have sex with Mr. Tall, Dark, and Handsome?”

  I’m silent for too long.

  “Lexie, what is it? Are you okay?”

  I sigh. “Oh, Shannon. It seems you ask me that a lot lately. You deserve a better friend than that.”

  “Alexis Moore, do not ever say that again. I love you and I would never want you to be any different than you are. Talk to me, Lexie. What happened to make you cry? Did that jerk hurt you?”

  “I don’t know how to put it into words. He just makes me feel so many things all at once. I know we just met, but I feel alive with him. I feel safe with him. But I also know he could have anyone he wants and how do I compete with that? He didn’t hurt me, but I guess I’m just overwhelmed by the models, and the fact that Aiden is so famous. He’s been linked to some really beautiful women. I came to my room and turned off the lights because I didn’t want to face him, I just couldn’t talk to him.”

  “Lexie, you really do not know how beautiful you are, do you? I’m going to tell you again and maybe this time you’ll believe me. You have beautiful, long, wavy blonde hair that shines like it is on fire. Your skin glows; it’s like you always have a light shining on you. Even when you don’t wear makeup, you have a natural beauty and everybody is always telling you that you have the most amazing emerald green eyes. When you do happen to smile or laugh, they dance and twinkle. Plus you have full, luscious lips, and you have great curves in all the right places…and I mean that in a non-sexual way.” We both start to laugh.

  “Plus you have a heart of gold, you are willing to help anyone that needs it. You are an honest, caring, compassionate woman. You are the kind of person that listens and never judges another individual. You think on your feet in order to solve problems. You are a smart person. And any man, including him, would be lucky to have you.”

  “The models are all so beautiful, Shannon, and there is this one…Carla something-or-other. I don’t know her last name, but she seems to know him really well. She was hanging all over him.”

  “Lexie, don’t overthink things. You do that a lot. Don’t let this model make you feel like that. I only saw you two that time he came in with you, but the way he was looking at you—any man that looks at a woman like that has got it bad for her. Maybe he is just as afraid of getting hurt as you are. Get some sleep, and things will be better in the morning.”

  “You are probably right, Shannon. I’m tired. It’s been a long day.”

  “Hey, Lexie, I love you all the way around the world and back again.”

  “Shannon, I love you all the way around the world and back again.”

  ***

  Light comes in through the corners of the curtains and there is a banging on the door. I look at the clock. Oh shit, it’s seven in the morning! I should have been up and out the door an hour ago. I jump up and rush to get it. When I open it, Brandy is standing there.

  “Alexis, we’ve been calling you. Aiden has been worried. Why haven’t you answered the phone or your text messages?”

  “I put the phone on silent last night when I got here, and I overslept. I am so sorry. Where is he?

  “He’s at the shoot and sent me here to come and get you. Are you okay?”

  I giggle. She gives me a strange look. “Everybody seems to be asking me that a lot lately.” She stands there staring at me, waiting for an answer. “I’m fine. Let me shower and dress and we can go.”

  “Alexis, I’m a good listener. If you ever need to talk…”

  I’m dressed and ready to go in twenty minutes. We get into the car.

  “Hey, Brandy, what can you tell me about the model named Carla?”

  “Oh my god, where do I start? She is quite the diva, always wanting to be the center of attention. Why do you want to know about her, anyway?”

  “It’s just that she and Aiden seemed to be kind of close yesterday.”

  “It’s not really my story to tell. I don’t want to get in trouble with anyone.”

  “I won’t say anything, Brandy, I promise. Are she and Aiden a couple?”

  “No…Okay, they used to date a long time ago, but like I said, that was ages ago. He has no interest in her anymore at all.”

  “How can you be so sure of tha
t?”

  “As I told you, they dated, but only for a short time. About six months and then it was over.”

  She takes a deep breath and rolls her eyes. As if getting ready to tell a very interesting story.

  “She just wanted the fame that came with going out with someone like Aiden. After all, being photographed with Aiden is good for any model’s career, and that is all she was after. Eventually he got fed up with it so he ended it. I shouldn’t be saying anything more than what I already have.” She looks at me and I give her a pouty face. “Okay, last night I was going to the restaurant in the lobby. I saw Aiden at the bar and he looked like he needed to talk. He also looked annoyed because there were a couple of women trying to get his attention. Most of the time, Aiden will be the charmer and is usually willing to always give the fans his cooperation, but I could tell he wasn’t in any kind of mood last night so I went to rescue him and we sat down at a table. At first he wouldn’t open up, kind of like you didn’t yesterday…”

  “I’m sorry, Brandy. It’s just that, well, I have a hard time talking to people.” I smile at her and she smiles back. “What did he say to you last night when he finally did talk?”

  “Well, you have to understand, Aiden is a very private person. He has to be on guard at all times because he’s in the public eye. Anything he does or whoever he’s with is newsworthy.”

  “I get that, but what did he tell you?” I try not to show it, but I’m getting irritated. I just want her to say it already. “What did he say?”

  “He really cares about you, Alexis, and last night he was really worried. He tried to call you several times and you would not pick up. He said he sent you text messages and you never responded. I have never seen him act like that in the four years I’ve worked for him. He is a good person, you just have to give him a chance and you will see it for yourself. Can I ask why you wouldn’t talk to him last night, Alexis?”