Shuttered Affections (Cornerstone #1)

by Folsom, Rene

  Suddenly, I heard him gasp. I was so wrapped up in my post-coital morning bliss, I forgot about my hidden secret that decorated my back. Now, in the bright daylight, there was no chance he didn’t see it.

  He went utterly quiet.

  Chapter 33

  “Our lips met, starting a heated fire that could melt metal.”

  Just as my worry increased with every silent second that passed, I felt his fingers trace the middle of my back, between my shoulder blades.

  “Angel,” he whispered.

  The tattoo that adorned the center of my back, only a few inches below my neckline, was a beautiful and very well done tattoo of an angel. Actually, it was a tattoo of me with a halo and wings. I sat, curled up in a ball, with my arms wrapped around my left knee while my right leg circled underneath and lay gracefully so my ankle rested near my left ass cheek. My head was bowed, buried into my arms, so my face was not visible. Huge wings, each one larger than my tiny body, spanned from my back equally on each side. A dainty halo floated gracefully above my bowed head.

  The wings of the angel covered my scars—scars from my past I wished no one would even care to ask about.

  Turning my gaze to look over my shoulder at him, I wanted to hide.

  As he pushed a few more errant curls over my shoulder, I noticed his expression was one of complete amazement.

  The silence was torture. I needed him to assure me he didn’t hate it.

  “Aiden…”

  “Angel. God, I can’t believe you didn’t tell me about this. It’s amazing. And so perfect. It looks like you.”

  I buried my face in the pillow and didn’t turn as I spoke and whispered, “It is me.”

  With that revelation, he touched my face, bringing me to look up at him beyond my shoulder.

  “What do you mean, it’s you?” he asked, with confusion across his brow.

  I bit my lip. I really didn’t want to bring up my previous relationship, but the fact he called me Angel and I never admitted to having the tattoo, I felt I owed him an explanation.

  “A few years ago, I still felt all the remnants of that awful relationship and the realization that I came so close to not getting out of the terrible situation. I began to collect angels. It’s as if they made me feel free. While Sid was looking at tattoos and contemplating whether to get one, I had an itch to get one myself,” I explained. “He left a few scars on me from one awful night and… I thought they looked like wings.”

  He didn’t say anything. He just sat staring at my back and tracing the design with his fingertips. So, I continued.

  “One of the tattoo artists asked me what my reservations were. I told him I wasn’t sure exactly what I wanted and, while keeping my story quite brief, I explained how I just escaped a devastating relationship and wanted to possibly cover the scars. I also told him if I were to get any ink, it would have to show my rapture of angels. A spacey, faraway look appeared on his face, like he was lost. Suddenly, he took me by the hand and led me to a room in the very back of his studio. I was a little afraid at first, but having Sid there helped calm my nerves. The artist hoisted me up onto a table that butted up against a wall. He positioned me just like the image you see and asked if I wanted my facial features to show or not. I told him I did not need my face anywhere on my body. The idea of it seemed tacky to me. He backed up and assessed me. Even though I felt self-conscious and had no idea what he was thinking, I trusted him,” I explained, pausing to take a breath.

  “He then looked at Sid and back at me, almost as if he were asking our approval for something. He then spoke up and asked if I would be comfortable enough to take off my jeans. He said it would help him get better acquainted with my form and curves. I thought of protesting, but then realized he was right. It would be much harder for him to draw me with the jeans on. Even though I had just started art school, I always had a love for art and knew what he was getting at. Trusting my friend to stay with me through the whole process, I decided to pose for him. Even if I didn’t get the tattoo, it felt right. So, I removed everything except for my panties. I figured it would be even easier for him without the baggy blouse and sandals I was wearing.”

  Aiden suddenly gripped my shoulder, as if he were uncomfortable with me being naked in front of a stranger, so I turned slightly to look into his eyes as I continued my story, hopefully to placate any discomfort he had over my experience.

  “He was a complete professional. I quickly got back into my pose and within ten minutes, he let me know I could move. I must have been lost in my thoughts, because it seemed he and Sid had been talking about me the whole time. He asked me to come over and help him finish the design and I knew then, Sid must have told him about my talents as an artist. I was so eager to see what he had accomplished so far, I didn’t even dress as I walked over to his easel. He had a big, beautiful charcoal sketch of me and it was perfect. I didn’t want to change a thing. He then asked me to draw the wings. As soon as he made the request, I saw what he envisioned—that the wings would cover my scars. This guy was very talented. The fact that he could see just what I wanted before I even knew myself proved he was damn good at his job,” I said with a reminiscing smile.

  “Now, I look back and get a little embarrassed at this, but at the time, I was so wrapped up in the moment, I stood naked at his easel and drew my wings. I made sure each wing was larger than myself because my wings help me to fly. They guide me and help me soar through life. My wings represent my freedom and also help cover my past.”

  With my confession, Aiden’s tense muscles relaxed and he brushed a tiny curl away from my face as I continued my story.

  “I was seeing a therapist at the time. My therapist said something to me that really hit home. She told me that I was innocent in the whole situation—everything that happened to me—I was the victim. She assured me just because he tried to take my individuality, he didn’t succeed. She helped me realize I was virtuous, and I was still… me. So, that sense of virtue is what the angel represents. No matter what I went through, I knew I was still innocent and free,” I said with a crack to my voice.

  “Oh, Julia,” he said with compassion laced in his voice.

  I didn’t need him to feel sorry for me. If anything, I wanted him to feel happy for me. So, I continued some more, slightly changing the subject.

  “The tattoo artist was so excited with our combined artwork, he framed the drawing. It still hangs in his studio to this day. Since then, he’s become a friend. Not a close friend, but I meet up with him occasionally, just to catch up. As a matter of fact, we had lunch together just a few weeks ago.”

  As I finished my story, I felt lighter. I felt like now Aiden had a better idea of just how fucked up I was and just how far I’d come in my journey.

  I emitted a soft gasp when his lips touched the center of my back, obviously right over my tattoo. It was such a soft and endearing sentiment, showing me his approval.

  “That is such an amazing story. No wonder you were so shocked at my nickname for you. When you first walked into the classroom, the golden sunlight shining through the window behind you made your entire frame glow. I thought for sure I had died and gone to heaven. I almost called you Angel out loud before I realized it would be entirely too inappropriate.”

  Dying to look directly at him, I turned my body completely so I now lay on my back and wrapped my arms around his neck. I pulled him down to me, close. So close our noses touched.

  “I love that you call me Angel,” I told him.

  “I love that you are my Angel,” he added with a smile.

  Our lips met, starting a heated fire that could melt metal. Kissing him was beyond breathtaking. I lost all sense of reality every time our lips met.

  He trailed kisses over my neck before he pulled away slightly and rested his head on my bare chest.

  I lazily petted the back of his head and neck as he laid his hand on my chest and propped his chin up to stare at me.

  “How did you sleep?” he asked.
I could tell he was marginally worried but tried not to show it.

  “I haven’t slept this well in years, Aiden,” I told him with all honesty. I then decided to continue being honest as I added, “As a matter of fact, I usually wake with the night terrors at least two or three times per night until I just can’t take it anymore and stay awake. But, amazingly, I only had the one.”

  “Have you seen a doctor about your nightmares?” he asked with concern etched in his voice.

  “Yes, I spoke to my therapist about them. Talking about them didn’t decrease their frequency or intensity, but I was able to handle myself better afterwards. They didn’t freak me out quite as much. I would have kept up with my therapy, but without insurance, I just couldn’t afford to.”

  “Hmm… I wonder what helped last night?” he said with a huge grin.

  “I was just thinking the same thing. Maybe we need to have sex every night. That just might be the antidote to my problems,” I said with a smile.

  He crawled his way up and kissed me tenderly, reverently.

  “That sounds like a perfect plan to me, Angel mine. Now, how about we spend some time together today, just you and me?” he asked with hopeful eyes.

  “I was hoping we could. There is no one I would rather be with right now,” I affirmed.

  “Good. First, let’s start with a shower. I want to get you a soapy and wet!”

  Just as he said the last few words, he flung the covers off, leapt out of bed, and pulled me by my ankles, causing me to squeal with surprise and giggle like an annoying school girl.

  Picking me up, he held me with ease and gestured for me to wrap my legs around his hips. He snaked one hand around my waist and the other tangled in my hair as he kissed me feverishly.

  Continuing to assault my lips, he slowly walked toward the bathroom while I stayed wrapped around his strong body. As we entered the dark space, I reached over and flicked on the light. As if instructed, we both turned our heads in the direction of my new mirror and looked at our forms entangled with each other.

  I gasped at the sight before us.

  Chapter 34

  “I felt a fire lighting deep inside me.”

  He held me there, my arms wrapped around his shoulders, his arms wrapped around my waist. My breasts lay on top of his chest, just mere inches above his sculpted pecks. My cheek rested against his temple, his hair tickling me as I smiled at our reflection. My legs wrapped around his hips, my ankles linked together just above the beautiful, firm cheeks of his ass. And my curves were positioned just above his now seemingly large erection.

  It was such a beautiful sight to look at in my new mirror.

  “Julia?” he asked, still looking at me through our reflection in the mirror.

  “Yes, Aiden,” I approved. I knew what he was asking. He wanted to watch… He wanted me to watch… as he submerged deep inside me.

  I tightened my grip on his shoulders and squeezed my legs together slightly to lift myself enough so he could gain access. He held me up with only one arm as he used the other to position himself at my entrance.

  We both watched as he eased me down over him. My body responded immediately, quivering at the feeling of him deep inside me.

  As much as I wanted to watch, I couldn’t help but close my eyes at the pure gratification caused by his hard cock sliding into my slick heat. My eyes rolled into the back of my head and fluttered shut as a sensual moan escaped my throat.

  “Open,” he commanded and I did as I was told, opening my eyes to the image of us deeply intertwined together.

  I relaxed my grip on his neck and brought my right arm, the one foremost in the mirror, down to his chest, and let it settle over his heart.

  “Oh, Angel,” he whispered as he began to thrust and devour my mouth, smothering my cries with his tongue.

  I turned my gaze back to the mirror and marveled at how his muscles tensed and flexed as he pulsed in and out, fucking me, taking me for a ride.

  “Ahh, Aiden. I love watching you fuck me,” I said with a bumpy sound to my voice as he continued with his tantalizing rhythm.

  “This, Angel. This is making love. You haven’t seen me fuck you yet,” he said with a hint of a warning, his words coming out slightly staccato as he sustained pulling me down to meet his thrusts.

  “Oh?” was all I could articulate at that moment.

  “Yes. Trust me. You’ll know the difference when I fuck you, Julia,” he warned with a breathless urgency. “But right now, I just want to watch you as I make love to you. God, you’re so beautiful, especially when you’re wrapped so tightly around my cock.”

  After a few more quick thrusts, he turned and pushed me up against the wall opposite to the mirror. I looked over his shoulder at our reflection.

  “Oh, God, yeah,” I said as I saw pure perfection reflecting back at me. His flawless ass muscles contracting as he ground into me against the wall was so breathtaking, I gasped.

  With me braced against the wall, he was able to pick up the pace and the force, causing my insides to clench and my pulse to quicken.

  “Fuck, Julia. You’re dripping all over me. Do I make you wet?” he asked with labored breath against my neck. As I tilted my head and gave him full access, he teasingly bit at the tendon along the side of my throat.

  “Ahh…” was all I could manage as a confirmation that, yes, he was the one that did this to me.

  Finally, I managed to breathe out what he wanted to hear, “Yes, you… you make me wet, Aiden. Oh, only you.”

  “Aww, hell yeah. Only me,” he growled in confirmation as he persisted to increase his tirade.

  I felt him tremble as he held my ass cheeks, the wall bracing my back and my arms clinging to his shoulders. Just as I thought he was about to come, he pulled out and tugged at the back of my knee to tell me I needed to stand.

  I wasn’t confident my legs would even function at this point in time, but I complied and prayed he would catch me if I stumbled.

  “Stand and turn to face the mirror, Julia. Place your hands on the counter and keep them there,” he sternly instructed.

  Shaking with every step, I walked over to the counter where the sink sat in front of my mirror. I braced my hands on the counter just like he commanded and was rewarded with a dazzling smile.

  “Good, just like that,” he praised as he grazed his fingers along my spine and down to the small of my back.

  Then he grabbed my hips and lightly pushed down on my shoulders, pulling me back and causing me to bend further.

  Oh, hell yeah.

  Just as I braced myself, he slammed into me from behind, causing me to cry out at the onslaught of pleasure splintering through my insides.

  “Look, Julia. Look up at me,” he hissed through his teeth as he kept up with his relentless rhythm.

  Tossing my hair out of my face, I glanced up into the mirror to the sight of him pressing into me. I could see his taut stomach, arms, and chest muscles undulate as he slammed home. Just the sight of him so turned on and animalistic was going to make me climax.

  My insides began to quiver and I felt the fire lighting deep inside me.

  “Ahhh, yeah…” I whimpered, drawing out my sounds. His thrusts were so powerful, it sounded like I was riding over a railroad track as disjointed moans escaped my mouth.

  Out of nowhere, I convulsed around him, embers sizzling through every inch of my body. Still locking my gaze with his, I came loudly, his name echoing off the bathroom walls. My orgasm took me by such surprise that I almost collapsed onto the floor with my knees shaking like leaves in a windstorm.

  Aiden held me steady and strong, knowing my legs were about to give under the sheer pleasure that emanated through every fiber of my body.

  Aiden followed with several sharp, erratic thrusts, and stilled, pouring himself into me as he found his release.

  He wrapped his arms around me and buried his scruffy face into the center of my back. We both stood there, panting and gaining our balance before we had to move.


  “Fuck, Julia,” he rumbled between labored breaths.

  Slowly, he pulled out of me and started the shower.

  I just stood there, my hands still on the counter, and stared at myself. I felt so good, so free. He made me feel this way and I wanted to take every opportunity I had to be with him. This euphoric feeling was like nothing I’d ever experienced. I realized then, I never wanted it to end.

  As I stood, staring at myself, he came up behind me and gathered my hair in his hands, pulling my head to the side and tilting upward slightly so his mouth was against my cheek.

  “Your eyes sparkle so bright after you come. It’s nothing short of breathtaking,” he admired.

  I turned to him, placed my hand on his cheek, and smiled. He was such a sweet man. Aiden placed a kiss on my palm, then grabbed my hand and led me to the shower.

  His shower was big and cavernous, yet the heat from the steam kept it warm. He had two showerheads adjacent to each other, which, in my opinion, could be the best invention known to man.

  We both took our time lathering each other up and enjoying the view as we rinsed off the suds.

  If I thought he couldn’t be more beautiful, I was wrong. He looked even sexier with suds running down the ripples of his muscles. Just the view was getting me excited all over again.

  After our shower, I quickly did my hair. Even though it was naturally curly, in order for it to stay put and not look like a troll doll, I had to use a few items to gain control. I didn’t need to spend more than a few minutes on it, but he still caught me as I was bent over and scrunching the strands with my fingers.

  “Now that’s a beautiful sight,” he said as he walked by and slapped me on my bare ass.

  I flipped my head up and smiled at him. I didn’t have a response. Then again, I probably didn’t even need one.

  He reached over, grabbed my chin, and placed a small peck on my lips.

  “Could you wear something that shows off your back?” he asked as I was digging through my bag for clothes. “I don’t want you to hide that beautiful work of art. I want to see it, admire it.”