Aiden's Betrayal

by CT Nicholson

  Stalking the young girl turned out to be a little annoying given the redhead took thirty-minutes to get to her run-down apartment a block away as she stumbled a few times, hit the pavement once, and threw up twice. She followed the redhead inside and turned the girl to look at her.

  “Go home, drink some orange juice and get some sleep. Nothing else.” The girl shook her head. “Nothing else. Nothing else.”

  Clearly Nicolas compelled the girl so it was up to her to interrupt those instructions. Fun. She looked forward to overriding another’s control. “Look at me. You want me to come to your apartment. We’re friends.”

  The redhead repeated the words slowly before speaking. “Welcome to my place. We’re friends.”

  She couldn’t help hide grin as her plan fell into place. She felt almost giddy as she thought about how she'd cut the human's throat first so she couldn't scream and attract attention. The kill unfortunately needed to be quick since Nicolas would be along soon. She could've masked her scent but it was fun to tease and she needed his scent at the crime scene for her plan to unfold.

  Chapter Six

  Aiden lowered his gaze to linger on her full breasts and the tiny nipples beneath her dress straining to be touched. The smell of her arousal forced his restraint to the limit. He tried to find a way to get her up against the wall to play out the images running through his head.

  He nearly lost his control when she said she was fat. Everything about her was perfect to him. He slept with many women before Luciana and all of them were slim and bony. Elle looked healthy and he couldn't get over how soft she felt against him.

  And then he had to deal with Jaxon trying to use his damn hypnotic tone to steal Elle away. Aiden didn't think he'd let Elle go even if it was her own choice. The things he wanted to do to Jaxon for even attempting to take Elle worried him.

  The raging need he felt for her wasn't going away anytime soon.

  “Where do you work?”

  He nearly missed her try at changing their serious conversation as he thought about how tight she’d feel wrapped around him. Or how warm and slick she’d be. Now she wanted to talk?

  “I’m sorry. I don’t do this often. Ever. I have no idea what to say.” Elle paused, nibbling her lip as a blush colored her cheeks. “I’m rambling.”

  Aiden thought her rambling was cute. Cute? When did he ever think anything was cute?

  “You’re doing great. I’m not used to this, either. As for what I do for a living, I’m a guardian.” Shit.

  “Law enforcement.” Sure, why not just tell her you’re also a vampire who chops off heads for a living.

  Her brows drew together and her blue eyes stared into his.

  He pushed a stray strand of hair from her face and his fingertips grazed her cheek causing the low hum in his body to become more prominent. He fought down the raging need to bury his dick inside of her. The pants he wore would never be worn again around Elle. His erection swelled to the limit and made the pants feel painfully tight.

  “What about you?”

  “I own a bed and breakfast. My grandma died three years ago and left it to me. I also paint.”

  “I'm sorry about your grandma.” Aided saw a hint of sadness in her eyes and changed the subject. “You’re a painter? Maybe I can see something of yours.” She lived in another world compared to his. Bed and breakfast versus throat ripping rogues. Painting versus guns and swords. Yes, this meeting was meant to be.

  “Oh no! I never show my work. I never even talk about it, not even with Anya.” Her eyes dropped to the floor.

  In the background the fast beat turned into a slower melody but it didn’t matter. He’d already been dancing slowly with her. He liked the feel of her in his arms.

  Leaning down, he murmured in her ear as he took in her sweet aroma. “Maybe I could change your mind.”

  ****

  “Maybe you can, but it’ll take some hard work.” The words leaked past her lips before her mind fully comprehended what she was saying. Oh yeah, she’d officially lost her damn mind.

  “Well, my love, I can work long and hard.” His warm breath sent a rush of sensation to her pussy.

  She knew then he could make her do anything he wanted. Have sex in the club with everyone crowded close? Okay. Screw against the brick wall out back? Holy shit, yes!

  She never threw herself at a man and definitely not one who looked like him.

  Idiot. He had to be thinking she did this kind of thing all the time. Like she was a... well like she was Anya. An easy target. Though he didn't look like the kind of man who'd have a hard time getting laid.

  Elle looked around and saw two scantily dressed women looking at him with their jaws dropped. If Elle was close enough she probably would've seen drool on their chins. Their gazes turned on her and she knew by the disgust on their faces what they were thinking. Elle didn't belong in his arms but she wasn't giving up her chance.

  His callused hand stroked her cheek before he forced her to look at him. Those silver eyes glowed as he searched her face. “I’m sorry to make you uncomfortable. I haven’t done this in a long time.”

  She opened her mouth to speak before slamming it closed. He had to be the sexiest man she’d ever seen. “You’re shitting me. There are women who can't take their eyes off of you.”

  His booming laughter made her smile and she loved that his eyes didn't wander to search for the women she spoke of. “No, I’m not, shitting you. My life revolves around work. I wasn't lying earlier when I said I haven't wanted a woman in years and I don't care who's watching as long as you stay in my arms.”

  Sincerity showed in his expression but Elle knew he probably spewed that same line every night. Maybe he even believed it himself. She didn’t care.

  “Work can be demanding.” She licked her lips.

  He followed her simple movement with intensity and his eyes stayed glued to her lips as he nodded. “I need to taste you. Now.”

  Breathing became difficult even as her mouth watered.

  His lips felt soft at first until she wrapped her arms around his shoulders and delved her hands into his soft hair. His groan filled her ears as his kiss turned demanding.

  Teeth collided as passion overwhelmed them. He devoured her lips with male hunger, teasing her mouth open with licks and nips. Then her back hit something hard and cold. The crowd around them faded until only they existed.

  His hands grabbed her ass and pulled her legs up to wrap around him. Her dress slid nearly to her waist. His erection ground against her and her sensitive folds dampened with excitement.

  If he kept going she'd have an orgasm without even removing clothes. She groaned when he pulled away but he didn't disappoint when his large hand cupped her mound. He rubbed the palm of his hand from side to side against her clit causing her hips to buck against him.

  His thick finger slipped inside of her panties before breaching her entrance. When a second joined the first Elle threw her head back. The brick wall was there to stop her head but she didn’t care about the pain as long as he didn't stop. He moved his hand until his thumb started to tease her clit with fast, steady movements.

  “Please don't stop.” Elle tried to keep her head against his neck as she begged but the pleasure was too much and she dropped her head back again, this time easier than before so she didn't end up with a concussion.

  ****

  The sweetest taste lingered on his tongue from the most passionate kiss he’d ever experienced. Her body reacted to his in such a way it surprised him. She put her heart into every move.

  The feel of her wrapped around his fingers nearly sent him over the edge. He couldn't let the night end without burying himself deep inside of her. She begged him to keep going with her husky voice and his dick hardened even more.

  How wild would her body go as he fucked her? She moaned aloud and he nearly exploded like an untrained boy. When she threw her head back again, he licked her rapidly beating pulse with leisure and the sweet aroma of her blo
od called to him on an altogether different level.

  Once again his fangs extended as he tugged her dress down just enough to get a better view of her generous tits. Just a little taste. The pleasure would be so intense she wouldn’t realize what was happening. He went a whole year without drinking straight from the source and even then it was only because of an emergency. Once they were able to get bagged blood, Aiden tried to stick with it but that wasn't possible as his need grew until it became unbearable. It wasn't the hunger of blood more than the uncontrollable need to taste Elle.

  Aiden almost bit into her beautiful flesh when a vibration ran down his leg. “Fuck.”

  What the hell was he doing? He couldn’t bite her like this and he shouldn’t be holding her pressed against the wall like some whore. He pulled his fingers from her, dropped her to the ground gently then pulled away reluctantly. Her disapproval showed in her closed eyes and tightened mouth. She didn't get the release she begged him for.

  “I'm sorry. This isn't over yet.” Far from over.

  He flipped open his phone. “What?”

  “No need to be an asshole. I have news on the rogue.” Ethan, their local tech geek, answered. “Where's Nicolas?”

  “He's not with me at the moment. Just tell me what's happening and I'll catch him up.” Aiden didn't have time for chitchat.

  Ethan cleared his throat. “You're not going to want to tell him this.”

  “Spit it out, Ethan. I've got other obligations at the moment.” Aiden grew even more annoyed by the second.

  “The victim was young and slaughtered like the others. She had red hair like all the others.”

  “But there was a male scent attached to her. The kill was still fresh.” Ethan grew quiet.

  Aiden knew when Ethan stayed quiet something was seriously wrong. “Did Collin recognize the scent?”

  “Yes, he did. It’s Nicolas, Aiden. The smell was all over her, along with bite marks on her neck.”

  Shock pounded into Aiden and the room seemed to spin. The back of his knees hit a chair before his ass did. Nicolas? No way his cousin had turned rogue. But then again, it wouldn’t be the first time one of their own turned rogue right under their noses. He looked at the phone to see that he had been with Elle for four hours and long enough for Nicolas to do what Ethan said.

  Aiden glanced around the room for Nicolas and didn't see him. “You've got to be wrong. He would've been smarter than that.”

  If Nicolas turned rogue he would've been able to keep them fooled for as long as he wanted.

  “There’s more.” Ethan paused. “There was something interesting this time. Kind of creepy in fact.”

  What else could go wrong? “Just spit it out.”

  “There was a letter written in the human's blood left on the mutilated body. Are you still with the brunette in a red dress?”

  Aiden snapped his phone closed and looked at Elle wearing her little red dress. She was now the woman he’d put in danger. His fun had done a complete one eighty and turned into a nightmare.

  Chapter Seven

  His body stiffened as Elle watched his face change from a look of aggravation to one of horror. The grip he held on her hips tightened and became painful and he freed her somewhat when she winced. The caller clearly shared bad news.

  “Everything okay?” She grabbed his hands wishing she could comfort him, wishing she could smooth out the worry lines creasing his forehead.

  He finally looked into her eyes and spoke after what seemed like forever. “I’m sorry, Elle. I should've known better than to get involved.”

  Of course. “I understand your work comes first. You save lives. There’s no reason to apologize for that.”

  His gazed darted away before he looked at her with regret. “That’s not why I’m sorry. I’ve put you in danger with my carelessness.”

  She attempted to swallow the large lump in her throat. When Anya told her she needed adventure, danger never came to mind.

  “What do you mean by danger?” Maybe he lied about being a cop. After all, Elle had never seen a cop who looked as sexy as him and surely not one who showed interest in a boring, overweight girl.

  More than one scenario fluttered through her head and she started to shake. What if the criminal he was supposedly searching for was really him? She should've stayed home.

  Aiden held his hands up. “I’m not going to hurt you, Elle. You’re in danger because I’ve been tracking a murderer who it seems is also tracking me. I was supposed to be working tonight and I fucked up.” Grabbing her hands, his gaze seemed to look straight through her. “He saw me tonight. With you. I’m afraid you could be his next target.”

  Murderer. His next target? Her throat closed. Shaking her head, she stepped back only to bump into someone else. She jumped and nearly ended up back in Aiden’s arms. Her parents were murdered. Elle couldn't handle knowing someone was after her.

  Moving through the crowd, she searched for Anya as the crowded club closed around her. Suddenly she couldn’t move without touching someone. What if the murderer was still watching them? What if he was waiting for her to bump into him? The door! She ran for the door at full speed. Outside, she took a deep breath.

  Aiden stepped in front of her and she went into his open arms. “I’ll keep you safe, Elle. Nothing and no one will harm you.”

  The warmth of him and his words seeped in to rid the cloud of fear choking her. She needed her best friend. “Please find Anya. I can’t go back in there.”

  “I didn’t see her but I’m calling Nicolas now.” Aiden didn’t sound happy.

  “No answer.” He gripped her hand and pulled her toward his black SUV.

  Elle looked at her phone and saw a text from Anya. “She text me that she was home. Alone.”

  “Good. We have to go now.” His worried voice hit her hard.

  This couldn't happen to her.

  His lips met hers before he reached across her lap to buckle her seat belt. “I'll protect you. Calm down.”

  His words sent a wave of relief through her body and she took a deep breath. It surprised her at how calm she felt and how much she trusted him to protect her.

  ****

  Nicolas didn't miss a call because Aiden didn't call him. While Aiden hated to deceive Elle, sex had never been a suitable excuse when competing against their job. If Nicolas has gone rogue, it was reason enough. Not that Aiden would chance communicating to his cousin with Elle at his side.

  At least he knew that her friend was safe. Not only did she text Elle but she wasn't redheaded like the victim.

  Elle had no way of knowing how much danger Aiden put her in. A vampire turned rogue hunting her? An animal that cared for nothing but the kill? It would be unfathomable.

  Could Nicolas really be the rogue?

  Protecting Elle became Aiden’s new goal. So the attraction he felt for her had to stay just that. An attraction. Aiden hadn't felt anything for a female in a long time. Maybe their attraction was merely about getting laid. Sex was fun but a relationship with a human couldn’t work.

  Aiden kept telling himself that.

  The ride to Elle's home was too quiet. He tightened his grip on the wheel until his knuckles turned white. Her arousal filled the confined space and had him itching to pull over and take her right there. But he had to stay focused.

  “I think it’s best if you pack some things. We'll find a place to stay until this blows over.

  “I want to stay home. I have to work. And I guess I’ll need to cancel reservations.” Elle’s face dropped.

  Looking at her eyes on the verge of tears and her lip poked out in a slight pout, how could Aiden tell her no? “Okay, we’ll stay here. Stay in the car until I check the area,” he said as he pulled into her driveway.

  He moved out of the vehicle and glanced at her one last time.

  Locking the doors, Aiden walked around the outside. Sniffing the air, he caught no scent of a rogue. He hurried back to get Elle inside the house.

  W
hen he stepped through the door, a shaggy black dog came running up to him, barking and growling. The dog would be an inconvenience.

  “Princess!” Elle bent down to grab the dog’s collar. “What’s wrong with you?” She turned back to Aiden. “I’m sorry, I don’t know what’s wrong with her. It’s unlike her to act that way. I’ll take her upstairs.”

  Don’t worry. She’s only barking because I’m a vampire. No problem. Aiden watched Elle's perfect ass bounce and wiggle as she tried to get the dog up the stairs. Clearly there would be no chance of the dog trusting Aiden. Dogs usually didn’t care for his kind.

  “I’ll be just a minute!” Elle yelled from up the stairs.

  Damn. He thought about her dress slipping off her shoulders to be discarded on the floor. No, that didn’t seem like Elle. Slowly, she’d slip the dress off and lay the silky fabric neatly on the bed.

  The shower came on. His mind over flowed with her dripping wet body. He wanted so badly to be the water flowing over her soft skin. His cock tightened and he tried to refocus his thoughts.

  It didn’t help matters ten minutes later when she sauntered down the steps barefoot in lounge pants and a midriff t-shirt. Fuck him. If he thought she looked sexy in the red dress, her simple clothes beat that by a long shot. He spied her creamy skin as she clipped her hair up.

  He stood frozen, unable to take his eyes off her. Before he could think or stop himself, his arms wrapped around her, their lips connected and he lost it. Her tongue invaded his mouth and he tossed his self-control out the window.

  For the second time tonight, he had her backed against the wall with her legs wrapped around his waist. He growled when his cock stroked against her.

  Her hands slid under his shirt, stroking his back as if taming a lion.

  He pressed his forehead against hers, their breaths mingling together. “We shouldn’t be doing this.” No matter how damn bad he needed her.