Love Divide

by Cary Hart

  “I’m not going to lie, Niki. I thought that photo was an invitation. One that had me clearing my schedule to spend time with you while we are here.”

  “Really?”

  “Niki, my desire for you is undeniable. There is no question about that, but I’m not in a position to carry anything out.”

  “I got the wax for you,” I confess.

  “Then own it. You did something for me that I very much enjoyed.” He bends to look me in the eyes. “But we can’t happen. At least, not right now…not the way you deserve.”

  What does that even mean? Not right now?

  “How about we get one thing clear, Mr. Alexander. Just because I find you attractive, doesn’t mean I want us to happen. It simply means you are easy on the eyes, and sometimes you may star in my fantasies, but being with you? Not on my radar.” I push past him, turning at the doorway. “But what I do want from you is some Benadryl and antibiotic ointment. You think you can do that?” I turn on my heel and go and plop myself down on the bed.

  “I’m going to ignore that.” He sits on the end of the bed.

  “Please, tell me you aren’t talking about the meds because I very much want you to act on it, now.” I slide in under the covers, kicking my feet to try and loosen the sheets. I hate feeling confined.

  Crawling up the bed, he lies down facing me, reminding me of the other night when I had one too many. “Don’t deny the attraction.”

  “I wish I could.”

  “Don’t.” He touches my face with such tenderness. “Something about you is different. It’s not just attraction.” Closing his eyes, he pauses briefly. “You bring something to my world that I didn’t know I needed, but at this point in time, I can’t have it. I wish I could elaborate more, but this is all I have.”

  Resting my forehead against his, I say, “Thank you.”

  “For what?”

  “For being honest.”

  “How about I call down to Charlie and have him pick us up a few things. Instead of going out, like I had planned, we can get pizza and do that Netflix thing you were talking about.”

  “Perfect, but how about we just veg out up here?”

  “Eat in bed?” His face scrunches up.

  I roll my eyes. “I’m the one with the swollen va-ja-ja. Imagine if it were your balls?”

  “Bed it is.” He laughs.

  “Not funny, Alexander, but have Charlie bring up a table cloth, and we can spread it out over the bed while we binge watch a show.” I give him a once over, trying to decide if I want to give him total control or not.

  “What’s that pretty little brain of yours thinking?”

  “I was contemplating about letting you pick the show.”

  “You may regret that.” He pats my leg as he gets up. “Settle in for the night, and I’ll be up in a few.”

  “Sounds wonderful.”

  Rolling over, I grab my phone and notice it lighting up. Crap! I must have left it on silent when I was trying to rest earlier.

  8 missed messages, 2 missed calls

  Unlocking it, I notice I have one missed call and text from Aubrey, and the rest are from Gavin.

  I debate whether or not I want to call him back. The past couple of days, he has been spending time with Kara and ignoring my texts. A part of me wants to do the same to him, but pulling up my big girl panties, I bring my phone to life to see what he has to say.

  Gavin: You still alive?

  Gavin: You can’t just leave town and not touch base.

  Gavin: Where are you? I tried to call.

  Gavin: I went to check on your apartment. AC out.

  No! Just another thing that is eating up my earnings.

  Gavin: OK, now I’m worried. I said, AC IS OUT!

  I’ll have to stay with Gavin when I get back or until it gets fixed. There is no way I can sleep in a hot bedroom.

  Gavin: You’re dead! Bad timing. It’s a busy week. I really don’t have time to plan a eulogy.

  Gavin: Seriously…Call me when you get this. I’m going out with Kara later, but I need to talk to you.

  I wonder what’s up besides my apartment melting.

  I hit redial, and the phone barely rings before he answers. “Holy hell! Niki Sanders has risen from the grave.”

  He must be at the club. I can hear bottles clinking and people shouting.

  “Shut it, Shaw. What’s going on?”

  “Well, for one, your AC went out, but I finally got your landlord’s cell number from your neighbor. He’s sending someone out in a couple days. Should be fixed before you get back.” I hear the noise fade and a door shut.

  “Thanks for taking care of that. You at work?

  “Nah, went out. So, how’s New York treating you?”

  “It’s actually kind of boring when you are watching your funds. Where are you?” I counter. He’s up to something if he’s not divulging any information. Looks like I’ll have to pry it out of him.

  “A small pub down the road from Kara’s. Where’s boss bitch?”

  Deflecting. Interesting.

  “He’s downstairs ordering me some medicine. On a date?”

  I added the last one for purely selfish reasons.

  “No date. Are you okay? Do you want me to send you a ticket home? ’Cause I will.”

  “I came into contact with latex. I’m fine…”

  “Babe, you ready to go? I’m not feeling this.” Kara’s high-pitched voice interrupts. “I’d rather have a little couch cuddle time.”

  Couch cuddle? That’s our thing.

  Even though he covers the phone, I can hear Gavin tell her to get the car and he will be out shortly.

  “It’s not what you think.” His guilt is evident.

  Guilt? Why should he feel guilty? We’re just friends.

  “It’s fine. Seriously, I’m not mad.”

  Hurt.

  “Kara and I aren’t dating; it’s just…you’re gone. I’m lonely, and—”

  “You don’t have to explain to me. I’m not your girlfriend. I’m just your friend who happens to be a girl.”

  “Come on, Niki; let’s finally be honest. You’re more than that.”

  “You’re right. I’m sorry.” The green monster is rearing its ugly head. “We are Best! Friends! Forever!”

  “Damn it, Niki.” I hear him kick something. Maybe a trash can.

  “You ready for a rubdown?” Aiden appears at the wrong time with a tray of supplies and a joke that Gavin won’t think is funny.

  “Seriously, Nik? What type of trip is this?”

  Gavin is pissed, and Aiden is setting up a care unit next to me.

  “Thank you,” I mouth to Aiden.

  “You know what? I’m going to let you go. Enjoy your cuddle time, and I’ll call you tomorrow.”

  “Bye.” He replies, waiting.

  “Bye.”

  End call.

  That whole conversation went to shit, and I have no one to blame but myself. I did this.

  “Everything okay?” Aiden sits down on the bed, taking my cell and placing it on the nightstand.

  “Honestly? No.”

  “I’m not good with feelings. So, I’m going to do what you asked.” He opens up the box, handing me a Benadryl and bottled water.

  “Thanks.”

  “Now, how about that rubdown?”

  “As sexy as you make that sound, I’m going to have to pass.” I grab the tub off the tray and head for the bathroom.

  “It could have been good!” he hollers after me.

  I have no doubt about that.

  “Aiden? Psst, you awake?” I turn over in his arms. “Aiden?”

  “Hmmm?” He places his hands on my ass, bringing me in closer, throwing a leg over both of mine. Trapping me.

  “Aiden? Did you hear that noise?” I whisper, trying not to startle him awake. I would come up swinging if someone did that to me.

  “Mmm-hmm.” I feel a jerk inside his shorts.

  Yes! Come to momma!

 
“I’m scared,” I confess. I heard something fall to the floor, and I’m unsure of what it could be.

  “Don’t be,” he mumbles. He pulls me even closer, this time moving his hips, rocking in a steady motion, increasing the pressure that’s building.

  “You’re awake aren’t you?”

  Opening his eyes to a squint, he watches me. “You feel so good, Niki.” His eyes never leave mine.

  Oh God! Please don’t stop.

  Forgetting all about the noise, I free my leg, throwing it over his. The urge to get closer grows stronger.

  “Niki, I need you to kiss me,” he pleads.

  Something about this moment cautions me to slow down, but the memories come flooding back. The seduction and power in one single kiss demands more. Slamming my mouth to his, teeth clash, tongues swirl…I’m in so deep.

  In this moment, I want nothing but him.

  Hearts pounding, bodies tangled, Aiden breaks the kiss, breathless. “You better?”

  Nodding my head rapidly, wanting him to continue, I let him know it’s okay.

  Rolling me onto my back, he asks, “Let’s make sure, shall we?”

  His eyes never leave mine, gauging my reaction.

  His hands brush, fingers explore, and I’m about to explode from the anticipation.

  “Touch me.”

  His gaze leaves mine to follow his finger trail. He dips a finger along my waist band, teasing. Then another.

  Screw this!

  Lifting my ass, I reach down and push my yoga pants down as far as they’ll go. Boldly kicking them off, I leave myself bare for him to see, the cool air causing a tingling feeling from the contrast of the heat I feel inside.

  “A little greedy are we?” He chuckles, bringing his palm up over my pussy, and I buck my hips in response to his question.

  My head rolls back as I relish the feel of his hands finally on me. His patience tortures me. I squeeze my eyes closed, desperate for his touch.

  “Never look away,” he orders, and I open my eyes to find his eyes searching mine.

  I manage a nod, knowing how much he likes to be in control outside of the bedroom. I should have known he would also dominate in the bedroom. His tongue darts out, wetting his lips as his fingers trail up the inside of my thigh. The combination draws a moan from my lips. “Please, kiss me,” I plead, holding his gaze. Fingers stroking higher, his teasing continues. I part my legs, wanting more. “Please, Aiden,” I beg for more than he’s giving. I want him…I want this.

  Running my hands up his back and into his hair, I bring his lips down to mine, hungry for his taste. Kissing me back with fury, he stops teasing, easing his finger inside me and drawing out the moisture, spreading it up and down my opening. I hear myself moan in his mouth, and his kiss holds me in place as he adds another finger, curling them. Rubbing just where I need him, sending bursts of electricity to every cell in my body, awakening every nerve.

  My hips rock into his hand, which is conveniently pressing my clit. Twisting, rubbing, the friction of his hands work me into a frenzy.

  My hands let go of him to grip the sheets, grabbing the silky white fabric, chasing my orgasm. It’s too much, yet not enough. I feel like I’m possessed with the way I’m thrashing around on this bed.

  “Let go, baby…give me what I want.” A whispered command.

  Blood rushing, body vibrating, the orgasm, too strong to control, builds. Hearing his voice, his words while his hands are on me is my undoing. Voice and fingers work together, sending me spiraling over the edge.

  “Come here.” His fingers leave, but his touch lingers as he pulls me on top of him. “I’ve been wanting to do that since the moment I pinned you in the corner at the club.

  “Well, I’ve been wanting to do this…” I lift his shirt over his head, kissing my way down, following his trail to where his shorts dip low.

  Niki

  “You mean, it’s your last night in New York, and you haven’t even seen a Broadway musical? Niki, the other day, that is all you could talk about. What changed?”

  “Aubrey, I-I don’t know,” I confess. Truth be told, I was holding out for Aiden to take me, but after the other night, he hasn’t so much as looked at me.

  “Niki, something’s up…talk to me. You can’t keep holding everything in.”

  “Listen here, skank, I’m good. You have too much on your hands to worry about my drama.”

  Which is sort of true. Aubrey has her hands full, balancing being a newly single mom plus renovating the B&B and a budding romance with Drew Williams, the owner of WilliamSon Construction, the company in charge of the project.

  “Hey, whore! Don’t call me a skank.”

  “Did you just roll your eyes when you said that?” I laugh.

  “Maaaaybe.” She jokes. “But seriously, Niki. You can’t hold this shit in. Talk to me or even talk to Gavin.” She sighs. “You know, he has messaged me a few times about you.”

  “We sort of had a fight…well…it wasn’t really a fight, but I kind of got pissed he was having cuddle time with someone else, and then he got pissed that Aiden came into my room and offered to rub me down.”

  “So I heard,” Aubrey admits.

  “He wasn’t offering to rub me down…well, not right then…”

  “Niki Marie Sanders! Did you bonk your boss?” Her question is more of an accusation.

  “Not really…” I was trying to avoid telling her about fingergate, but honestly, it’s bothering the fuck out of me.

  “Miss Sanders?” Charlie, our designated hotel manager, comes walking out of the elevator with a tower of wrapped boxes.

  “Niki? Who’s there?”

  “Aubrey, our hotel manager just popped in. I’ll message you later.”

  “Sounds good. Love ya.”

  “Hi-ya, Charlie. Let me take those from you.” I rush over, grabbing the boxes and setting them on the floor.

  “Mr. Alexander had those sent over for you and asked for me to give you this.” He hands me an envelope, then turns to leave.

  “Thanks Charlie!” I call after him.

  Throwing the letter aside, I rip open all the packages and find the most beautiful St. Laurent, emerald green, strapless mini-dress with a raw edge, pleated to perfection, and two shoe boxes with the most beautiful strappy sandals.

  Holy shit are those…They are!

  Holding up the dress, I look at the two shoe boxes sitting in front of me. Tapping my newly manicured nail on my lip, I study my choices.

  Delicate, glittery silver straps, with a red sole, of course.

  Is this really my life?

  Or a more vixen look with crisscross black leather straps…Choo’s?

  Hmmm, vixen it is!

  The only thing missing is the jewelry.

  What in the world. What could this mean?

  Gathering the gifts, I head to the bedroom to get ready, only stopping to make a quick call to the spa. This time, I protect the goods and just go in for hair and makeup.

  These gifts could only mean one thing…more.

  Sharp, contrasting angles of the pleated fabric cover me from breast to mid-thigh, a fusion of greens. Aubrey would give me so much shit about the length — or lack thereof. Well, the back is a tad longer…so there will be no flashing of the lady bits tonight.

  YOLO, right? I admire myself in a mirror in the lobby while waiting on Aiden. Turning this way and that, I study the unique cut of the couture gown that hugs my body tightly. Like all the clothes Aiden gets me, it fits like it was made for me.

  “You ready?” I hear Aiden behind me.

  I see him in the mirror and stop to appreciate the fine specimen that is Aiden in his fitted suit, hands in pockets, standing there, talking to the hotel driver. I take one last look at myself; I can’t stop smiling. It’s huge…actually, I don’t think I’ve smiled this big since I got my braces off sophomore year.

  “When you are,” I say, turning around.

  He inhales sharply. “My God, you are so stunni
ng.” He takes a couple steps toward me to close the gap.

  “Thank you.” I suddenly feel naked in front of this man, as if he is seeing me for the first time. Vulnerable.

  “Your hair, it’s different.”

  “We decided to leave it with a little of my natural wave, but slick it back and away. I wasn’t sure at first, thinking it was a little too Kardashian, but I think I’m rockin’ it.” Nodding in agreement, he scans the room. His eyes settle back on mine. “Aiden, you look gorgeous.” His hair is gelled back, making the light brown appear darker than normal and hiding the specks of grey that pop in the daylight. His day old scruff, not so lucky.

  “This is exciting. Where are we going?” I wait for him to hold out his arm to walk me to the car, but instead, he places his hand on the small of my back, guiding me through the foyer.

  “It’s a surprise.” He pushes through the door, eyes scanning, once again, as the driver opens the car door. I climb in, and Aiden scoots in after me.

  “Is it touristy?” I ask.

  “Huh?”

  “The surprise.”

  “You will see. Now, buckle up.”

  “Okay.” I wonder at his change in attitude.

  Reaching into his pocket, he pulls out a little blue box. Setting it on the seat, he slides it over, pushing it with his finger.

  “What’s this?” I pick up the box, mentally doing a few fist pumps in the air.

  “Just a little something I picked up today.”

  Slipping the ribbon off, I flip off the lid, unable to wait. Aiden takes me by surprise by laughing at me.

  Holy crapola!

  “Aiden, this is way too much.” I hold up the Bulgari serpenti white gold bracelet paved in diamonds. This had to have cost more than my car. Okay, maybe not more than my car but more than some used ones.

  “Take it. I’ve put you through hell the past couple of weeks, and this is my apology.” He turns to me. “Forgive me?”

  “Yes, I forgive you.” I hold out my wrist in front of me. The demons rear their ugly little heads. “Aiden, you don’t have to buy me things. I don’t need them.”

  “I know I don’t have to, but I want to.” He reaches over, taking my hand into his. He rubs tiny circles with his thumb, thinking. “But, I am afraid this comes with a warning as well.”