“That’s what I don’t understand. Unless he’s been planning this for a while, and kept me in the dark on purpose just to be an asshole.” Aiden dropped his uneaten sandwich and pushed his plate away. “Do you have any idea how we’re gonna get out of here?”
Angel pushed the hair off her face with a sharp exhale. “Well, I know one thing. We’re going to have to sneak out of here under the cover of darkness. Every person with eyes will be looking for us.”
“Shit. Angel, I’m so sorry to put you through this.”
“Hush. It’s not your fault at all. I’m truly sorry that your father is such an ass.”
Aiden’s eyebrows shot up. “Did you just cuss?”
“Sure did. I think the situation warrants it.”
“That means you owe me a kiss.” His hand made a come-hither gesture. “Pay up.”
Shoving her chair back, Angel stood in front of his chair, and placed her hands on his shoulders, leaning down for a quick peck on the lips. As she straightened, Aiden took her hand in his, entwining their fingers. The humor leeched out of his light brown eyes, replaced by despair.
Angel’s legs suddenly felt boneless and she twisted sideways to sit on his lap, wrapping her arms around his shoulders, and burying her face in his chest as tears flooded her eyes.
“Hey.” He smoothed a hand down her spine. “Hey, hey. We’re going to get through this.”
“This is our goodbye… You know it.” She swiped at her cheeks a little too forcefully.
“No, don’t say that. There’s hope. Isn’t there? There’s got to be hope for us.”
“Aiden—”
“No. Don’t. I can’t—” Intense pain shaded his eyes before his mouth dropped to cover hers in a desperate kiss. “Don’t.”
He framed her face with his hands, eyes darting over all her features. She must look a fright, but he watched her with a reverence… like she really had descended from heaven. Like he wanted to drink in this moment before it drained away.
She did the same, taking in every inch of his skin. The soft stubble he’d only started shaving a year and a half ago. His strong, honey-blonde brows drawn low over tawny eyes. The tension in his shoulders, layered with more muscle now that he was nearly a man. She’d never get to see him fully grown, but she knew he’d be so gorgeous. On top of his beautiful soul, the combination would be addictive to females. Another woman would undoubtedly snap him up.
She tried to swallow against the panic gripping her throat. Blinking up at him through wet lashes, she bit her lips. There was one thing she could give him. It was always meant to be his, and he could give her the same in return. She licked her lips, mouth suddenly dry with nerves.
They could be each other’s first.
“Aiden. Make love to me.”
His eyes popped wide, his hands twitching on her face. “What?”
“You heard me. I need you.”
“Angel, you’re… It’s only because of the situation, you wouldn’t be ready otherwise. I don’t want to rush things because we’re scared or desperate, or whatever.”
“God, Aiden! If they find us and I never get to show you what you mean to me, I swear I’ll never forgive you.”
“But.”
“Nope.” She leaned back and ripped off her T-shirt.
His sharp exhale washed across her chest. “Oh, my God.” Aiden’s hands gripped her thighs, and the wooden chair creaked as he pushed back to get a better view.
Angel should have been self-conscious. She wasn’t. She was triumphant at the heavy-lidded look he was giving her, and the hardness growing under her thigh. Reaching down, she took hold of the hem of his shirt and tugged up. He shook his head, snapping himself out of his daze, before his arms jerked it off and a smile broke out on his face.
“God, you’re so beautiful.” Aiden raised a hand, hovering over her skin as his eyes shot back to hers. “Can I… can I touch you?”
“Please,” she breathed.
Smoothing his palm over her collar bone, he ran it softly over her cotton covered breast. Her nipples peaked in welcome at the tingly sensation, as his other palm gave equal attention to the other side. Encasing her ribcage in his grip, he tugged her forward so he could take her lips again. Each stroke drew them closer, merging their hearts as one even as the clock ticked in the background, signaling the countdown to the end. She wanted to scream at the injustice of it all, and melt at the sensations he was inducing at the same time. The emotional clash had her trembling, and hauling in the heady air between them. One thing was for sure… this felt right. She was ready for this. They’d known each other for most of their lives. Were entrenched in each other’s heart and soul. This was right.
Aiden stood, maneuvering her legs so they circled his waist, and carried her to the sofa. Leaning down, he laid her on the soft cushion, before the weight of him nestled in the cradle of her legs. Wrapping his arms under her back, he continued to drug her with his kiss, his tongue venturing out to taste and take more with each thrust. Angel squirmed under him, trying to get closer and ease the ache growing in her center.
His head jerked up and she took a moment to focus on the fierce look on his face.
Pulling his arms out from under her, he sat back. “I want to see you.” He fiddled with the frayed edge of her shorts. “All of you.”
She looked down her body, watching her fingers fumble with the button and zipper as her chest heaved for breath. Aiden helped her out by smoothing his hands down her torso and legs, taking the shorts with him. She heard the heavy fabric hit the shag pile, before his hands returned, caressing their way back up to her hips. She lifted her hips, giving him the okay to take off her panties. His groan vibrated through her belly where he dropped a kiss, spurring her blood to race impossibly faster.
“Now you,” she panted as she ditched her bra.
He nearly lost balance as he pushed himself to stand, eager to shuck the nuisance fabric.
The shorts dropped, leaving him in his boxers, his erection straining behind the fabric and peeking out the top. A mix of thrill and fear buzzed under her skin and in her stomach. That thing was bigger than she expected. How the heck was this going to work?
“You look a little scared.” His face was pained and unsure. “I don’t want to scare you. I’ll leave my shorts on.” He bent down to pick them up.
“No. I want to see you, too.”
“Are you sure? I won’t do anything you don’t want me to. We don’t have to do this at all.”
He was killing her with his determination to be sweet and considerate. She looked away to gather some patience, spotting the shiny red apple keyring on the kitchen counter. She was going to have to channel her inner Eve if she was going to tempt him with her fruit.
“Sweet Jesus, Aiden, ditch the underwear.”
He snorted and ripped them down like his life depended on it. She watched his shaft bounce free, certain that thing wouldn’t fit in her. Her fingers itched to touch. Sitting up, she watched his mouth drop open as she reached out a hand. His stomach muscles jerked when she made contact with soft skin over hard flesh. With her fingers wrapped around his girth, she enjoyed the feel of him and the way he panted in excitement. Her core tightened in response.
Aiden dropped to his knees on the carpet, placing his palm on her belly and his lips on her hip. She leaned back on her hands, unsure of what he was up to, but willing to wait and see. Her thighs slid together, moistened by her arousal. Heat rose from her chest to her cheeks at her predicament, and she prayed that she wasn’t ruining the sofa cushion. Aiden’s fingers started to move south, through trimmed dark curls to where she needed him.
“Holy shit…” His gaze shot to hers, sending her a rueful smile. “Sorry. It’s just, you’re—”
His thumb slicked down through her wetness, and his voice broke on a strangled groan. His other hand urged her to part her legs, to give him more room. To trust him with the most private part of her. She obliged, relaxing her muscles and letting her
knees fall apart. There was no room for shame under the protection of his love. His touch sent shivers of heat over her skin and sent her blood pulsing. Her center grew greedy for the feel of him. She started to rock her hips to his rhythm. When he leaned down to suck a nipple into his mouth, she fell back on her elbows, pushing her chest out to give herself to him.
Aiden’s hand encircled her breast, pushing it up into his mouth so he could take more.
“Ow, not so hard.”
“Shit. Sorry.” He pulled his arm back. “I’m new at this.”
“Yeah. I know. Just go gentle to start with, okay?”
“Okay.”
He leaned down again and kissed her breast, before burying his face in her stomach and inhaling.
“Can I hold you?” The words rasped out of his throat.
Angel scooted against the backrest to make room. “That would be nice.”
Aiden stretched out beside her, tucking her into his chest. His fingers danced along her spine, her hip, and back up her stomach. Sparks shot along in their wake, as his tongue tangled with hers. She let her hands roam, too. Memorizing the planes and dips of smooth skin and taut muscle. Angel’s breath hitched when his fingers found her center again. She hooked a leg over his hip and anchored her hands flat on his chest, as he took her on a journey she’d never been on. Her brain switched off. She became a mass of sensations, and everything tightened and pulsed, building to something new and amazing. The mewling sounds escaping her throat surely couldn’t have been her, but there was no way of stopping them. She needed more.
Looking him in the eye, she pleaded, “Aiden. I need…”
His hand responded by pressing harder and picking up speed.
Eyelids dropping closed, she practically purred. “Mm.”
“Ah, God, Angel.”
Her butt cheek was caught in a deliciously rough grasp, as his mouth dipped to suck on her chest. His fingers didn’t stop and the sparks of sensation built to a massive wave of pleasure, breaking out from her core. She bucked and shook, crying out in ecstasy. Angel had to grip his wrist to get him to stop. It was too much. she couldn’t take anymore.
She tried to catch her breath, falling limp and unclenching her jaw. Her eyes opened to find Aiden’s triumphant grin.
“Wow. I made you come.”
“Come?”
“You know. Orgasm.”
“Yeah. You did.” She patted a hand over his heart, feeling cheated that she’d never get to experience that with him again.
“I want to do that again.”
“I want to give you the same.”
His hips bucked forward so his erection slid through her folds, drawing out a shudder from her still sensitive body. Her eyes rolled back before her lids sank down. She hooked her leg a bit higher and wrapped an arm around his back, reveling in the rasp of her nipples against his chest.
“I want to be inside you.”
“Yes. Please.”
“Yes?”
“Mm hm.” She nodded, watching his expression flare with heat.
Her body roared to life with the thundering in her veins, anticipation tightening every muscle. He pushed up on one arm, and gave her hip a nudge to lie flat. She positioned herself, making room for him between her legs. Reaching for him, she dragged her hands down his back as he pressed his weight down, lining himself up with her entrance. He pushed down, fumbling to get the angle right as he figured out her body. She arched her back to help him out.
Angel willed herself to relax, and tried to even out her breathing. But, she remembered some overheard conversation in the girl’s restroom, about how it would hurt the first time, and her lungs wouldn’t obey. They pumped air like a bellows.
His hardness stretched her tender tissue and she tilted her chin up, fixing her eyes on the pleasure playing across Aiden’s features to forget her discomfort. She wanted this with him. Wanted to be his, always.
Aiden’s pupils threatened to engulf the whiskey color of his eyes, and his lips parted on a moan. She hooked her legs around his waist, and her belly turned liquid as he pushed further.
Feeling the pinch inside her, she dug her fingers into his back with a gasp, and pushed her face into his shoulder.
Aiden froze. “Are you okay?”
She bobbed her head, keeping her face firmly planted in his skin so she could take in his smell, and hide her reaction. “Mm. Just give me a second.”
He started to pull back, but she locked her ankles, making him stay put.
“You’re not okay.”
“I will be. Please don’t stop. I want to give you this.”
“Okay.” He didn’t sound so sure.
His hand came up to stroke her hair and she felt the press of his lips on the crown of her head. On a long exhale, Angel rested back on the cushion and pulled back her nails, stroking his back to soothe both their pain. Leaning on an elbow, Aiden smiled down at her and feathered kisses over her face. His hand roamed up and down her body, lingering over her breasts and hips, stoking the flame of desire back to life.
She moaned and squeezed her legs, lifting her hips to get closer. The pain receded to a dull throb that whispered of pleasure. Aiden inched forward, obviously still unsure, but maybe needing to be closer, too.
The slide of his flesh against her inner walls was so new and overwhelming, and yet so addictive it had her panting for more. Their hips bucked and slapped together, gaining momentum quickly, as another wave of sensation slowly built.
She whimpered as the rhythm of Aiden’s movements quickened, and his face twisted in exquisite agony. He jerked one last time, arching his back with one long, low groan, before he collapsed on top of her. His pulsing shaft tugged at her core, bringing her down before she fell off the ledge. She didn’t care. Angel wrapped her limbs around him to enjoy their connection for as long as she could. Being able to bring him pleasure was the greatest high.
He lifted his head. “Sorry, I couldn’t hold off any longer. You felt too good.”
“So did you.”
“Am I squashing you?”
She pulled him closer. “No. I like feeling your weight on me.”
A dazzling smile cracked his face wide open, before he pressed his lips to hers, tasting the truth of her words.
“I love you. So much.”
He didn’t have to say it. She felt it deep in her soul, but it was nice to hear it anyways.
“I love you, too. Have since the beginning.”
“Since the beginning.” He nodded and sat up. “Let’s get cleaned up and fold out the bed. We need to rest if we’re gonna get up before the sun.”
She didn’t think they’d make it that far, but she wanted to enjoy sleeping, snuggled in his arms, just this once. If that was all she was going to get, she’d take it. She wasn’t going to think about the future, because if she did, she’d crumble into a million pieces.
Now, she had some clue to the depths of pain her father had suffered when her mama passed away. She couldn’t believe it was happening to her at the age of sixteen.
How would she live without him?
Chapter 6
Pounding. There was a pounding in her head.
Cool air rushed over her body as the warm blanket of Aiden’s body left, as he bolted off the mattress. She shook her head and swung her legs to the side to sit up.
“Hold your dang horses, Thomas. Move outta the way so I can unlock the door before ya break it.”
That’s Mr. Saunders. Well, shit.
She aimed her fuzzy vision on the glowing hands of the clock above the table. 2:15 a.m., or close enough. Aiden faced the door, his body grim and stretched taut like the zombie apocalypse waited on the other side. In reality, what they were about to face was just as scary.
The door sprang open, dang near ripped off its hinges, as Aiden’s father hurled himself into the room.
Raising an accusing finger, his fierce eyes shot daggers at Aiden. “Boy, you won’t be able to breathe by the time I’m done with
you. I hope you enjoyed your fun. Party’s over, you’re coming with me.”
“No,” Aiden gritted out.
Watching the face off through a deluge of tears, Angel sucked cool air between her teeth and gripped the edge of the bed to control her trembling. This was really happening. Now, she wanted to pinch herself awake. Her worst nightmare was happening before her eyes.
Mr. Thomas coughed out a humorless laugh. “I could have sworn you just disobeyed me, but my boy knows not to do that, or I’ll beat the ever-loving shit out of him.” He took a menacing step forward. “Why don’t you try that again?”
“Brent. Back off. They’re just kids.”
Angel hugged herself at the sound of her daddy’s voice. Leaning forward, she saw the glow of his blue eyes in the shadows of the stairwell. She knew he wasn’t happy at finding them there, but concern seemed to outweigh the anger in his features.
“Stay out of this, Murphy. If it wasn’t for your little whore, we wouldn’t be in this situation.”
“She’s not a whore!” Aiden spat at his father.
Her daddy’s heavy boot thumped on the shag pile as his rage spilled into the room. “How dare you. I understand you’re mad, but watch your mouth, or I’ll rearrange it for you.”
“And I’ll have you up on assault charges quicker than you can blink.”
Two fists furled at her daddy’s sides just waiting to hit their target. “You’re a maggot. Praise the Lord that you’re leaving town. You should leave Aiden here. This is where he belongs. He sure as hell doesn’t belong with you.”
“He’s my son! Mine. He’ll follow in my footsteps, not some grease monkey’s. You’re not taking him from me.” Mr. Thomas rounded on Aiden, locking a hand around his bicep. “Come. Now.”
“No. I’m not going.”
She sat, a frozen block of ice, watching Aiden fight a tug of war between his heart and his duty. He seemed so much like the five-year-old boy she’d coaxed out of hiding on the day they met. Her heart wanted to break out of her chest and beat at his feet, so that he knew it would always be his.
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