Hate at First Sight

by Diana Nixon

  I took a deep breath, before I opened the door.

  “What happened? Why did you leave?”

  “I needed some space.”

  “What for?”

  I ignored his question. “Why are you here, Aiden?”

  He looked like he was evaluating something, his jaw was tightened and the usual brightness of his eyes was gone. Was he angry at me?

  “I’m ready to give up,” he finally said, making a helpless gesture.

  “You what?” I didn’t immediately understand what he was talking about.

  “I lost the bet, Megan. I thought I would be able to leave when everything’s over, but I can’t.” He took a step closer and cupped my face, closing his eyes. “I thought I was wrong about my feelings for you, but … I love you, Megan,” he said, looking at me. “More than anything in the world.”

  Oh, no … no, no, no! I cried mentally.

  “Why … why are you telling me this?”

  “Because I want you to know that now you have a reason to stay.”

  “You must be out of your mind, Aiden.” I chuckled nervously, turning away from him. “I can’t stay. London is my life. I can’t forget about my dreams just because of a few romantic words.”

  “What about this?” Aiden asked softly, wrapping his arms around my waist. “Don’t you feel the electricity?”

  “Don’t do this,” I said, swallowing hard. Of course I felt it. It was impossible not to feel it when Aiden and I were so close to each other.

  “Don’t go, Megan,” he said, touching my ear with his lips. “Stay with me.”

  I turned to face him, trying really hard to stop the tears burning my eyes. “I can’t.”

  “Yes, you can,” he whispered inches from my lips. “And I’ll do anything to make you stay,” he added, before his lips found mine.

  Oh, my God … how could I think about running away when everything I wanted was Aiden? And now he was kissing me so fiercely and desperately, that I couldn’t do anything, but respond.

  I wrapped my arms around his neck and leaned closer, enjoying the sensual dance of our tongues mingling. His palms slid down my back, and I didn’t even notice the moment when my dress fell to the floor, revealing my black lingerie.

  “Don’t take off the heels,” Aiden said, breathless. Then he swept me in his arms and put me on the bed leaning over me, with his eyes burning passionately.

  I didn’t know what happened to my rational thinking, but when I saw Aiden unbuttoning his shirt and exposing his perfect chest and tanned skin, I stopped breathing. He was so gorgeous, like a statue I was too afraid to touch, so as not to ruin the beautiful lines. He took off his trousers and joined me on the sheets, covering his body with mine.

  “You are one of those women that make angels fall,” he said, kissing me softly and sweetly. His hands brushed down my body, over my stomach and up to my breasts that he kissed through the lace.

  Looking down at me, he whispered, “Be mine.”

  His deep gray-blue eyes softened the moment I said, “I’m already yours.” Did he actually think I would say no?

  Aiden’s lips curled into a satisfied smile, and I squeezed his shoulders trying to pull him closer. His palm slid to my back, and he unfastened the bra. He took it off with his teeth, and I gasped quietly when his lips touched the soft skin of my breast; Aiden’s muscles tensed the moment his lower body pressed to mine.

  “I would sell my soul to the devil for just one chance to feel you like this again,” he said, trailing kisses up to my collarbone, and then to my neck, chin and lips. His hand rested on my breast, and then traced down to my side and hip.

  “Wrap your legs around me,” he said, kissing my earlobe. “Uh, I always wanted to feel these heels of yours scratching me.”

  I did what he said, tightening the embrace around his hips. “Like this?”

  “Oh, yes, Baby. You know exactly what I want.”

  Every part of me ached, feeling Aiden’s lips all over my upper body. Every second with him was filled with passion. But he wasn’t rough. His every touch was so tender and sensual, I thought I would die right then and there. A moan escaped his throat, and I raised my hips, meeting his identical move.

  “I want to kiss you … there.” I gasped when Aiden’s palm slid to my thong. I didn’t think I was ready to let him do that, but he didn’t give me a chance to stop him. He caressed my thighs, brushing his lips over my belly, and I closed my eyes waiting for his lips to touch more of me.

  He took off my thong and smiled, looking at my high- heeled shoes — the only thing I was still wearing. “Now, that’s exactly what I wanted you to look like in my bed.”

  “Technically, it’s my bed,” I said, returning the smile.

  “Who cares?” He bowed his head, and his lips touched my thighs. I dug my fingers into his shoulders, almost ready to beg him to stop the torture.

  “Mmm … so sweet … everywhere,” he growled, stroking my hips.

  I think I cried out his name, because Aiden stopped teasing me, and leaned over me, asking, “What do you want me to do, Megan?”

  I hesitated for a second. “I want to feel you inside me.”

  “I’ll do that with pleasure.”

  “Don’t worry, I’m on the pill,” I said, as he reached for his trousers.

  With his lips kissing me hungrily, his palms holding my hips and our breasts rubbing, Aiden entered me in one fast thrust, making me groan loudly. He shut his eyes for a second, and then started moving, speeding up and slowing down, as if his previous tortures were not enough to drive me totally crazy.

  I was aware of every pulsation running under my skin. My hips rocked and rose to catch up with his movements, and when I thought I would explode, Aiden stopped abruptly, breathing heavily.

  “What are you doing?” I asked, looking up at him.

  “I can barely control myself with you.”

  I smiled, touching his cheek. “Don’t worry about that. Stop controlling yourself.”

  “I’m losing my mind when I’m with you,” he breathed into my lips.

  “I love you, Aiden,” I said, feeling him moving slowly inside me. I couldn’t hold it back any longer. I wanted him to know that our feelings were mutual.

  “What did you say?” He stared at me, as if he was shocked to hear my word.

  “You heard me. I love you,” I repeated, watching the waterfalls of emotions crossing his face.

  “I thought I would never hear it from you,” he said, kissing me again.

  And this new kiss was nothing, but pure love. If only I could find the words to describe what I felt at the moment. My hips rose upwards, and Aiden’s movements quickened until we both let out one final groan, taking each other to the heaven of our love.

  Aiden kept whispering my name, caressing my sides, arms and belly, until we fell asleep, both exhausted, but happy.

  The sounds of running water woke me up. I turned on my left side, looking for Aiden, but he was nowhere around. Then I got up and went to the bathroom. And there he was, standing under the shower in his full glory. The water drops mixed with the shampoo, were running down his body, making every inch of my own body scream.

  “Wanna join me, Beautiful?”

  I looked up at him, only now realizing that my attention had been focused not on his face. Smiling, I stepped into the shower and flinched at how hot the water felt against my skin.

  Aiden laughed quietly. “You are freezing.”

  “Maybe you shouldn’t have left me alone in the bed?”

  “My mistake,” he said, kissing my lips. “I will never let it happen again.”

  We took a shower that I was sure lasted no less than an hour, and then we went back to the bed, where I curled up in his warm embrace, enjoying every breath I took next to him.

  “Remember the day when you said you would never make love to me in this house?” Only now I realized that he broke his own promise.

  “No, I didn’t say that. I said I thought making
love with you couldn’t be a quiet moment.”

  “So you are not afraid of my father kicking you out of the house anymore?”

  “I think he will understand my motives.”

  “You’d better be right, because I don’t want Owen’s wedding to become another family fight.”

  “Don’t worry, Sweetheart; your dad is a very wise man.”

  “I know. But we still have another problem to solve?”

  “What problem?”

  “My job. I can’t quit it. I need to work there for at least six more months before they let me go.”

  “I’m sure we will think of something. And now … how about a rest?”

  “A rest? I thought you had something more interesting on your mind.”

  “Just tell me what to do, and I’ll obey.”

  I smiled, running my fingertips over his lower lip. “Surprise me.”

  Chapter 20

  Aiden

  I leaned on one elbow, watching Megan. She was sound asleep and I didn’t want to wake her — we had a long day to live through.

  The memories of the last night flashed in my head, and I smiled to myself, delighted. I was right about making love with Megan: it was something very special, beyond understanding. I liked being kissed, held and touched by her. All I wanted at the moment was to live and breathe in her, near the beating of her heart, where her senses mixed with mine, where her skin burned mine, where her body danced with mine; where I loved her, and she loved me….

  Who would have thought that one day saying the words of love would sound good and so natural? I doubted there was any other woman, besides Megan, able to make me say them.

  Something was different about her. Even when she wasn’t doing anything extraordinary, the world still seemed to be spinning around her, obeying her every word. And I was a part of that world too. Her every wish was sacred to me, and I was ready to do anything for her.

  My eyes traveled down the lines of her back, and I reached my hand to touch her skin. She turned onto her back, and a soft smile touched her lips, and I wondered what she was dreaming about. I felt the need to kiss her, to move closer, so I could draw in her life, her laughter and her words.

  I moved closer and put one arm around her. Slowly she rolled on her left side, facing me. Drawing barely tangible lines on her back, I brushed her lips with mine. They were so inviting, I couldn’t resist my instincts.

  “Morning,” I said quietly.

  “I thought I would have to wait forever for your kiss,” she replied, embracing me.

  “I didn’t want to ruin your dream.”

  “You wouldn’t ruin it, as my dream was about you. But ...” She stopped for a few seconds to kiss my lips. “The reality is so much better than any dream.”

  I couldn’t agree with her more. I slid my hand down her leg, intending to wrap it around my hip, but Megan grabbed my hand, smiling. “We don’t have time for that.”

  “What if we set a new time record?”

  She giggled, smacking my chest. “No way. Someone may hear us.”

  “You didn’t care about that last night.”

  “Last night the house was empty, and I was sure we were free to do anything we wanted.”

  I sighed, disappointed. “What about one more kiss? A quick one?”

  In the blink of an eye, Megan turned me on my back, and leaned over me.

  “You know how much I like you being on top of me.” I smiled up at her.

  “Really?” She paused, watching me mischievously. “I will remember that.” She moved closer, teasing my lips with the edge of her tongue. When it slid into my mouth, the world around me exploded. Everything she did had that effect on me.

  I locked her in my embrace, enjoying the kiss, and the way my body reacted to it. Even though I knew it wouldn’t be followed by anything else, I savored the moment, drinking in the sweetness of Megan’s lips, moving smoothly over mine.

  “We need to get dressed,” she said in a whisper. “Otherwise you will have to face the full force of my brother’s anger.” And before I could say anything in response, she jumped from the bed and went to the bathroom. “Your clothes are in your room, Aiden.”

  “You are kicking me out, right?”

  “Well, I could suggest something for you from my wardrobe, but I doubt Owen would approve of your outfit.”

  I smirked at her comment and dragged myself out of the bed, where I would gladly stay for the rest of the day.

  Half an hour later I was standing in front of a mirror, trying to win the battle with the black tie. I hated the thing, and apparently the feeling was mutual. Finally I looked one last time at my reflection, and went to see my best friend.

  Owen looked nervous. He fastened the cuff links and took another sip of what looked like a whiskey.

  “Hey, I thought you of all people wouldn’t be nervous today,” I said, pouring some water for myself.

  “And I thought you of all people should know how hard it is to bind yourself with obligations.”

  “You and I treat obligations differently.”

  “I hope you are not talking about my sister, whose bedroom you left not so long ago.”

  Crap…

  “I think I need to explain things.”

  “You could try at least.”

  Owen didn’t sound happy, and I wasn’t sure what to start my explanations with. But there is nothing better than the truth.

  “I love her,” I said.

  Owen stared at me, speechless.

  “And she says she loves me too.”

  “Wow … you guys don’t waste any time. Does it mean that she’s moving back here?”

  “We didn’t have much time to talk about that.”

  “Okay, I don’t want to hear what the two of you were busy doing. But, Aiden … are you sure this is what you both want?”

  “Trust me, Owen, she’s the first woman I ever wanted to spend the rest of my life with.”

  “Then you have my blessing for everything that makes her happy.”

  I smiled, patting his shoulder. “Thanks.”

  “But only for what makes her happy, and not breaks her heart.”

  “I got it.”

  “Good.” Owen took a deep breath. “Now, it’s time to get married.”

  “Don’t lose courage, my friend,” I said, following him to the door.

  The wedding ceremony was supposed to be held at St. Joseph and Teresa Church in Wells. The guests had already arrived, and everyone was waiting for the bride.

  “You sure she hasn’t changed her mind?” I asked Owen, jokingly.

  “She hasn’t. We’ve been dreaming about this day for what feels life forever.”

  I knew Mary loved my friend too much to hurt him, and I was sure they would make a great couple.

  When the first sounds of the organ filled the church, all eyes turned to the doors. Two girls in pale-pink dresses entered the church, scattering the petals of roses all the way to the altar. Then there were the bridesmaids. They walked along the carpet of flowers, and stopped at the opposite side of the altar. I was surprised not to see Megan among them, but then I looked at the entrance again, and there she was … wearing the very turquoise dress we bought yesterday, holding a small bouquet in her hands, with a smile playing on her lips.

  I froze, fascinated. Our eyes met, and I smiled back, nodding approvingly.

  “Breathe, man,” Owen said quietly. “I don’t want you to faint right in the middle of the church.”

  “Shut up,” I said, still smiling.

  Megan stopped next to the other bridesmaids, gave me one last glance and switched her attention to the door, where the bride and her father were standing.

  When the vows were said, and the guests applauded the newly wedded couple, we all went back to Axbridge, to enjoy the rest of the wedding day. The reception was organized in one of the local restaurants that had a huge terrace opening to the ocean.

  Finally Megan and I got a chance to say a few words to
each other.

  “You were right about the dress,” I said. “It looks much better than the one chosen by Mary. What did she say about it?”

  “She said she knew I would never wear that awful dress.”

  “Do you know what the best part of this one is?” I asked, looking at the vent that made the fantasies in my head go wild. “I can already imagine you taking this dress off.”

  “Leave your dreams for later, Aiden. There are about eight hundred guests that we need to entertain for the next six hours.”

  “Six hours … God, help me.” I sighed, watching Megan go to her parents’ table.

  The rest of the reception was surprisingly good. People danced and laughed, sending their compliments to Owen and Mary. Even Megan and I got a chance to share a dance. It was nothing like tango or salsa, but the feeling of holding her in my arms was still good. When I was about to lead Megan back to our table, I saw someone whom I never expected to see that day.

  “What the hell is he doing here?” I asked, pointing to her old friend.

  Megan’s eyes followed my hand, and her smile vanished. “Jeff’s mother baked cakes for the wedding,” she said uneasily.

  My jaw tightened. “Would you like a glass of champagne?” I asked, hoping the drink would help me calm down.

  “Sure.”

  I nodded and went to the bar.

  When I returned a few minutes later, Megan was nowhere around. Her father said one of the guests had spilled his drink on her dress, and she went home to get changed.

  “Great,” I muttered, leaving champagne on the nearest table. What was supposed to be a perfect day was getting worse and worse, with every passing second.

  I reached for my cell phone and called Megan.

  “Aiden, sorry I had to leave.”

  “Yeah, I know. Don’t be upset about the dress, we will….”

  “Megan!” a man’s voice said at the other end of the line.

  “I need to go, I’ll be back soon,” she said to me.

  What the hell? I cursed mentally. Was it Jeff talking to her? I needed to get the answer to that question right away, so I found a taxi and went to Owen’s.