by Cara North
“She’s still a virgin.”
“Thank God.” Evelyn sighed in relief. “You know his grandfather married us. I couldn’t look that man in the eye and lie to him.”
“Neither can Malcolm.” Ayden kissed her on the cheek and walked out to the sidewalk. He wouldn’t walk her home because she would take it as an insult, but he would stand there and watch till she got back into her own house.
“You don’t have to watch me walk home.” Evelyn shook her head.
“I could walk you.” Ayden crossed his arms.
“You know damn good and well I’m the most dangerous person out here tonight.” Evelyn propped one hand on her hip looking up at him seriously.
“No, I think he is.” Ayden waved to Joshua who stood on the porch in his underwear fuming. “Night.”
* * *
Ayden laughed and headed back inside. Evelyn could be heard dragging the sandals down the sidewalk back toward her house. Joshua had obviously just woken up and realized she had been gone too long. Ayden locked the door and went back upstairs. He paused at Charlie’s door. He didn’t have a good reason to go in.
He pressed his ear to the door just to see if he could hear her breathing maybe.
“Hear anything?” Charlie asked.
Ayden practically jumped out of his skin. It had been a great many years since anyone had snuck up on him.
“God woman.” Ayden tried to regain his composure.
“I was thirsty.” Charlie shrugged and held out the glass of water. “What’s your excuse?”
“I just. I… never mind.” Ayden opened his door and went in. Charlie followed behind him setting the glass on his dresser.
“Are you spying on me, Ayden?” Charlie crossed her arms and looked down at him.
“No. I…” Ayden didn’t know what he was doing, but he was slipping up. He knew that for sure.
“Then why are you listening to my door at three in the morning?” Charlie really wanted to know. If he was going to spy on her, she would definitely have to get another place. He had to trust her.
Ayden looked up at her, and he felt his face burn hot with embarrassment. He cleared his throat, looked down, then up at her towering over him while he sat on the foot of his bed. He wasn’t about to get all sappy and tell her the truth—he missed her. He wanted to hold her and hear her breathe.
“I was feeling a little, you know. So I thought I would see if you were awake.” Ayden pulled out his best macho tough guy attitude and made no apologies. He knew a way out of this, one she would appreciate.
“I thought you didn’t want to have sex with me.” Charlie threw her arms up. The man was a puzzle. Hot one minute cold the next. If she didn’t love him, she’d kick his ass.
Shit. She had him there, but he did make a promise.
“I don’t,” Ayden said smoothly. “I wanted something else from you.”
“Ayden?” Charlie could see that look even through the darkness. The moonlight accented his gaze. His eyes were flaming. All the heat from his face was gone, and he was indeed the big bad Wolf, and she was about to be eaten. His hands reached out and grabbed her hips.
“I promised you, remember?” Ayden pulled her closer. “I always keep my promises.”
“I… I… I uh.” Charlie was stammering for words quickly losing her senses as his hands slid around and cupped her bottom.
“You want to destroy my good name?” Ayden asked and kissed her silk covered belly.
“No, I…”
“Good.” Ayden tapped her on the bottom and hooked the panties pulling them down to her knees. He slowly slid his hands over her thighs and felt her hands on his shoulders. “Do you want me to taste you, Charlie?”
“Yes.” Charlie was already breathless. This had taken her completely off guard.
Ayden slid the silk fabric up just enough to expose her. He didn’t wait and he didn’t touch. He immediately licked.
All she could do was gasp for air as his tongue plunged into her. It was so savage, and he continued to ravage her. The panties had her legs trapped. She couldn’t spread them wider though she desperately wanted to. Ayden let the silk gown fall over his head, and he grabbed her ass pulling her closer.
“Ayden.” Charlie grabbed his shoulders tightly. This was torture and he knew it.
“Oh, your foot.” Ayden had wanted to really wind her up before letting her lay back and enjoy it. Just like, she had done to him, but she did have stitches, and he didn’t want her in any discomfort. “I’m sorry, darlin’. I forgot.”
“It’s okay, just…”
Ayden stood and spun her around so that she was now the one next to the bed.
“I can…”
Ayden silenced her with a kiss. A hot, hungry kiss that shot through her like a bullet, ripping her nerves and making them tingle all over in such a fury she felt faint. He pressed her back onto the bed and moved down her neck with eager kisses. His scent filled her head, and his body overwhelmed her.
Charlie tasted so good everywhere. He wanted to eat her alive. If he got too wrapped up in kissing her breasts, he may forget his goal and just push inside her. He drew on the nipple through the silk gown once more as her hands urged him to stay and her legs still bound together by the panties struggled to separate.
Ayden slid down her stomach leaving the gown on. Charlie wanted to take it off, have no barrier between them, but he pulled it back down when she tried to lift it up. Frustration was not something she was used to dealing with. Ayden had her pent up like a lamb, shivering and ready to fight for survival. She wanted to guide him, make him do what she wanted, but he nixed that plan by holding her hands together in one of his while he lazily licked her thighs.
Charlie was becoming violent with need. She tried to guide him, and she wiggled herself into position over and over. He enjoyed her frustration. It was exactly how he felt when she sat him in that chair.
“Ayden, damn it, are you going to do this or are you going to torture me all night?” Charlie couldn’t believe her own ears, but she was indeed barking demands at the Wolf.
“You call this torture?” Ayden smiled and nipped her inner thigh gently with his teeth. “I call it foreplay.”
“Are you a sadist?”
“Are you?” He lay to the side of her, still holding her hands together with one of his own. With his free hand, he traced her sex gently with his fingertip. There was no hair to play with. She was smooth and silky. “I mean really, Charlie, you didn’t see any problem in torturing me the other night.”
“But I didn’t waste any time in taking care of you the next morning.” She sighed a heavy defeated breath. He was really making her crazy with need, and she would only get satisfaction when he felt like giving it to her. She should have taken care of him that night.
“That’s right, but you didn’t give me any options then either.” Ayden let go of her hands and pulled the panties free. “But you did give me directions.” “Ayden.” Charlie’s breath hitched as she felt his hands pulling her legs apart. “What was it again? One finger or two, darlin’? I can’t remember.” Ayden slid his thumbs over her and opened her swollen sex. Charlie was so ready he could easily suckle her clit and make her come, but he wanted it to last and last.
“One,” she whispered.
Ayden held her open with one hand appreciating the swollen pink folds that were glistening wet. He slowly teased the tip of his middle finger in and out. She wasn’t lying; she was tight, maybe too tight. Good thing he wasn’t going to take her tonight. Instead, he would see what he needed to do to loosen her up enough that he could fit.
“Please, Ayden.” Charlie slid her own hands down and held herself open to him. “Please.”
On a growl, he pushed the finger deep and heard her moans of pleasure. “You’re so tight, Charlie.”
“I told you…” She gasped as he plunged into her again. “I’ve been waiting for you.”
“I’d probably hurt, honey.” Ayden wasn’t bragging; he knew ho
w big he was. It had been a problem in the past. He also knew that Jessica had obsessed over his size. He decided later that she loved his cock, not him.
“I’m a big girl.” Charlie hoped he was ready to crawl up and take her, but she couldn’t be sure with Ayden what he was up to.
Ayden pressed two fingers into her, stretching her.
“See, I want you, Ayden. I want all of you.” Charlie was confessing, and she needed to stop before she really told him something.
Ayden licked over her clit and her legs jumped. Charlie was leading him down the wrong path, tempting him to take her before he had a good grip on his feelings. No. He couldn’t do it. If he loved her he would, but he wasn’t sure she could handle ever after with him. Until he knew for sure he wouldn’t.
“More,” Charlie pleaded. She lifted into him as he stretched her with a third finger.
Charlie bit her nails into his neck and shoulder as she climaxed. He barely drew on her, and she toppled right over the edge calling his name and crushing him in her thighs. She clamped down on him from inside, and Ayden felt every last pulse. That almost did him in. Once she settled, he slowly removed his fingers and licked over her completely once more. She shivered and her legs twitched.
As her breathing slowed, she tried to pull him back up, but he remained resting between her legs, waiting. She wasn’t sure what he was up to.
“Ayden?” Charlie whispered.
“You ready?” Ayden looked up at her. Charlie was ready for sleep, he could tell. She was satisfied; her eyes half closed, her lips parted, and her breaths were slow and heavy.
“For what?” Charlie hummed.
“This.” Ayden closed a hot mouth over her and pushed two fingers back inside. “Oh God.” Charlie wasn’t ready at all, but she was getting there in rapid fashion. Ayden sucked on her and circled her clit with his tongue hard and fast, pumping two fingers deep over and over until she was grinding out her release in a full scream. That was what he wanted, for her to let go completely. He let go himself and pressed into the mattress as his own orgasm escaped.
Charlie felt the room spin as she came in a wild fashion. Ayden had taken her totally by surprise, pulled her right back into bliss. Her heart strummed fast, and she could barely catch her breath.
“Better?” Ayden asked, breathless himself.
“Mmmm.” Charlie was on cloud nine. “What about you?”
“I handled it, darlin’.” He climbed up next to her, removed his boxers and wiped off his mess. “Do you want to stay with me tonight?”
It was a soft whisper. Charlie could have sworn it was borderline insecure, but Ayden wasn’t unsure of anything. She was spent, couldn’t walk if she tried.
“Can I?” She closed her eyes.
“No need to cross the hall for four hours of sleep.” Ayden pulled the blankets down then back over them. “Do you want a pillow for your foot, angel?”
Charlie’s eyes snapped open, and her heart jumped. He called her angel, something other than darlin’. What did that mean?
“No.” Charlie turned to face him. “Will you hold me, Ayden? Like this morning?”
“Of course, angel, come here.” This plan had worked out well. He could get a solid four hours of sleep with Charlie in his arms. He would worry about how to get her in bed tomorrow night, later.
* * *
Down the hall, Noel and Tom lay in bed awake now.
“I guess they are more than friends after all.” Noel blinked into the darkness.
“You never know, he could be killing her as we speak.” Tom nudged his wife.
“We should all be so lucky to die that way.” Noel laughed. “It’s so weird. He’s different around her. Did you see them in the water?”
“Honey, Charlie loves your brother. And whether you, Evelyn, or Ayden are ready to accept it or not, Ayden loves Charlie.” Tom snickered. “He always has. He’s just too damn blind to see it.”
“How do you know that?” Noel turned to face him though it was pitch black.
“When I went to Vegas to visit, I was the only other person who knew where she was. One of the other agents saw a picture and made a comment. Ayden broke his nose. If she was just another woman he was helping out, he wouldn’t have cared.” Tom reached out through the darkness and placed his hand on her belly. “You know the only reason I was allowed to date you is because he’s known me forever. You know how protective he is of his family. You also know that he can be a cold-hearted bastard, unless he loves you.”
“She could have stayed somewhere else then?” Noel asked.
“Honey, we have safe houses all over the place. Ayden locked her in his apartment, and that woman didn’t see the light of day for six months. But he went home every night.” Tom yawned. “When I saw them together, he smiled. I mean he smiled at her. You remember when he didn’t smile. She teased him; he laughed. That little bit of joy she gave him brought balance to his miserable life. Just like you balanced mine.”
“I love you, Tom.” Noel stroked his face with her hand.
“I love you, too.”
Noel vowed then to accept Charlie as one of the family. The woman had her work cut out for her just wooing Ayden. The man could be such a bear.
Chapter 14
Ethan stretched and growled in the kitchen. Chase carried luggage out the door, and Malcolm ate cereal with the two boys.
“So what do you guys think?” Malcolm asked the two monsters who gave him very serious and grown expressions.
“Why do you want to get married?” Chase Jr. asked him.
“You have to kiss her every day if you do that,” Gray informed him.
“I’m aware of the repercussions of my actions. Do you guys want to carry the rings or not?” Malcolm was forever amazed at the wisdom of children.
“Do I have to kiss her?” Chase Jr. looked at him seriously.
“No,” Malcolm reassured him.
“Can I wear a Spiderman costume?” Gray raised his brows in thought.
“Yeah, I could be Batman.” Chase Jr. nodded
“I’m thinking you’ll have to wear a suit. But, if you wear a suit for the wedding, I will take you both, trick or treating on Halloween, and then you can be whoever you want,” Malcolm negotiated.
“Who will you be?” Gray asked.
“A fireman?” Malcolm tried.
“The Hulk.” Chase Jr. nodded.
“Yeah, the Hulk!” Gray agreed.
“What are they talking about?” Stephanie asked Ethan as she poured a glass of orange juice.
“Negotiations for ring bearers. Apparently they will carry your rings if Malcolm dresses like the Hulk and takes them out on Halloween.” Ethan sipped his coffee.
“I thought Grace and Megan already told them they were doing it.” Stephanie looked at Malcolm.
“Why do you think they’re negotiating?” Ethan smiled. “You didn’t tell him?”
“Hey, I’m not dressing like Hulk now.” Ethan patted her on the back and headed upstairs to get his own family’s gear.
Stephanie finished her juice and headed to Ayden’s house. She wanted to talk to Charlie again before they left. In such a short time, they had become close friends. Charlie didn’t treat her like a kid. Charlie had supported her decisions and made Stephanie feel better when the whole marriage thing fell apart.
* * *
At Ayden’s house…
Charlie woke up with her face in Ayden’s neck, her right leg over his hip, and her right arm around him. Her left hand pressed into his chest, and his left thigh was again between her legs. Ayden’s hand held her at the small of her back while his other arm was tucked under both of their heads. She was so close to him. His chest felt warm and his back smooth to the touch. She didn’t want to wake up. She wanted to lay there in his arms like that forever.
Ayden felt the hand tickling along his spine and smiled. He didn’t open his eyes in case it was just a dream. As he pulled her closer still crushing her against him, he knew she was
awake. He inhaled deeply, allowing the warm scent of vanilla and Charlie to fill his lungs.
“Morning, angel.” Ayden grumbled over her head. She was tucked into his neck, and he could feel her warm breath and soft lips against his skin. “Good morning.” Charlie nuzzled into his neck. She would crawl right under his skin if he could let her.
“How’s your foot?” Ayden still made no effort to move.
“All right.” Charlie wiggled it, and aside from where the stitches were, it just felt stiff. She couldn’t resist the urge, so she gently kissed his neck. Ayden made a low sound and spread his fingers apart on her back.
“You hungry?” he mumbled.
“For you.” Charlie kissed his neck again opening her lips and licking his neck with her tongue.
“Not this morning, sweetheart, we have guests to get rid of.” Ayden patted her behind and rolled to his back. Charlie didn’t let him loose though. Now her thigh was over his morning erection and her hand was on his chest.
“You want me to take care of that for you?” Charlie circled her fingers in the light patch of chest hair.
Yes! “No, honey, he’s awake every morning.” He laughed. A man could die of over satisfaction if he woke up every morning to a blow-job.
“I wouldn’t mind taking care of you every morning.” Charlie began sliding her fingers down his chest toward his abs.
Ayden gulped.
“Then how about fixing me breakfast?” Ayden stopped her hand before she went too far and he wouldn’t be able to refuse her.
“Really?” Charlie gave him a quizzical look. Ayden didn’t eat breakfast; he just drank coffee.
“You said you wanted to take care of me. I’m hungry.” He pulled her hand to his mouth and nipped gently at her fingers. “Unless you want me to eat you.”
Uh oh. “No, no. I think eggs and bacon and biscuits sound good.” Charlie pushed up and got out of the bed. No way was she going to let him seduce her. That was her tactic, and he wasn’t playing fair anymore. Now that he wanted her, she would slam on the brakes and make him want her even more. “Do you have any of that stuff?”
“Yeah. I eat breakfast for dinner sometimes.” Ayden sat up and scrubbed his face with his hands. “Come here a minute.”