Devastated (Aiden & Olivia Book 3)

by Stephanie Julian

  My brain spins, like it can’t quite grasp what he’s saying. Yet some part of me knows the reason I haven’t left yet is because, in some twisted way, I want to be here.

  And if that isn’t fucked up enough, I want to crawl onto Aiden’s lap and kiss him.

  “I’m a damn good thief.”

  His brows rise but he stays silent, waiting for me to continue.

  “I get in and get out and no one ever knows I’m there. I don’t take chances.” Well, not anymore. I’ve outgrown my reckless phase. Although, maybe I haven’t, after all, because here I am. “How did you know I was here Tuesday night? How do you know my name?”

  “You want to play another game of Tit for Tat?” He leans back in the chair, lifting one leg to put an ankle on the opposite knee. “Yes, I knew you were here. I knew you’d been watching the house for the past two weeks.”

  “How?”

  “Tell me what the man who tried to grab you looked like.”

  I want to scream at him but I’ve learned in the short time we’ve spent together that he’s just as stubborn as I am.

  “Tall but not as tall as you. Light hair. Short but not buzz-cut. His eyes were light, too, but I couldn’t tell if they were blue or gray or green.” I thought for a second. “He kind of looked like that actor from The Walking Dead, the sheriff, but blond.”

  Aiden gets a look on his face that I’d be frightened of if I didn’t know it wasn’t directed at me.

  “Do you know who he is?”

  He looks like he wants to shake his head and his jaw clenches before he answers. “I’m not sure.”

  “Bullshit. You want me to tell you the truth? Then nut up and spill your own.”

  His lips quirk and the hardness in his eyes softens the tiniest bit. It makes him even more handsome, if that’s humanly possible.

  At some point, I’m going to have to figure out how to stop looking at him like he’s just another guy and force myself to see him as he truly is—a ruthless bastard who takes what he wants and doesn’t give a shit about the consequences.

  And I’m going to have to walk away. Get away while I still have enough sense to realize nothing good can come from this attraction between us.

  I still don’t know who he is, not really. I don’t even know if the name he gave me is real.

  And I’m sick of feeling like I’ve been playing a game I don’t know the rules to.

  I stand and he’s on his feet immediately, towering over me so I have to look up to meet his gaze.

  “I’m leaving. Now. I need to talk to my dad. I need to find out what the hell’s going on. And I need to get the hell away from you.”

  “No. If I’m right about who these people are, they’ll try for you again. You’re safer here.”

  “I’ll be safer with my brothers.”

  There goes that muscle in his jaw again. It’s his only tell that I’ve been able to identify but so far I haven’t needed any others.

  “Do you want to put them in danger?”

  “My brothers are the meanest badasses in Philly. No one fucks with them and, if they do, they find out how big a mistake they’ve made pretty quickly.”

  “But do you really want to put them in danger? And what about Maylyn? You don’t want to be anywhere near her, do you? What if she gets caught in the middle of something?”

  He’s not wrong and that just pisses me off even more than I am already.

  “I’m not staying here.” The words barely make it through my clenched jaw. “I’ll be fine on my own now that I know someone’s out there.”

  “And what if you don’t see them coming next time? What if they just aim for your head?”

  I cross my arms over my chest but his gaze stays locked with mine.

  “Fine, I’ll stay…long enough for you to tell me what the fuck is going on. And I don’t just mean parts of the story. I mean the whole damn thing. I want to know what’s in that damn file and I want to know why my dad needs it to save his life. And I want to know why you’re the wizard behind the damn curtain.”

  Chapter Five

  Aiden

  I hadn’t planned on telling her the truth. At least, not all of it.

  I still don’t.

  I was saving that to throw in Maloney’s face just before the end. I want to be there when he takes the file to Vincenzo so I could see his expression when I tell him exactly what I’d done with his daughter and why. I want him to come after me, to grab a gun and try to shoot me so the shot that takes him out is justified.

  A life for a life, right?

  But if I’m right, and Granddad has decided to do something to hasten along my plans…

  I wouldn’t put it past him. As a matter of fact, I’m almost a hundred percent positive that Granddad is behind Olivia’s attempted kidnapping. I need to confront him, find out what the hell he’s done.

  But I need to make sure Olivia stays here where she won’t be in danger. And that she doesn’t talk to her father.

  “I told you my name. It’s Aiden Knight.”

  She frowns. “You say that like it’s supposed to mean something to me. I don’t know who the hell you are except that you know a hell of a lot about my dad and my family.”

  “I’m a businessman. It’s my job to know a lot about everything.”

  “But what the fuck does your business have to do with my family?”

  I hear anger in her voice, see frustration in her expression, and know that if I keep pushing, she’s going to leave. And short of putting her under lock and key, I won’t stop her.

  I also know that if I play on this building heat between us, it could backfire on me. But right now, I’m willing to take the chance.

  I see her realization of what I’m about to do but she’s not fast enough. I have my hand wrapped around her nape before she can move and I’m lifting her to my mouth a split second later.

  Her hands slam into my chest but not in fists. And when my lips meet hers, the heat in my gut blazes through my body and blood rushes to my cock. I want to devour her.

  Instead, I try to seduce her into kissing me back. I gentle the hand at her nape and massage the tight muscles as my lips move over hers, nipping and teasing.

  She refuses to respond and her lips remain unmoving below mine.

  So I kiss her the way I’ve been dying to since she walked back into my house.

  She stops trying to push me away but her nails bury themselves in my pecs. I’m wearing a t-shirt so she doesn’t hurt me. Hell, she just makes me want more.

  I wrap my right arm around her shoulders and bring her close. Her arms stiffen but she stops trying to get away.

  I allow her to hold me at arms’ length but I refuse to let her get any farther away.

  Then I demand she open to me. I slide my tongue between her lips and tangle with hers, sucking the sweetness and the sass out of her and into my mouth. Her taste makes my head spin and drugs me into wanting so much more.

  With my hand at her nape, I tilt her head to deepen the kiss, coaxing a response. She fights the need to give back, but I feel her weakening resolve in the slight tremble of her lips against mine.

  Then her fingers curl, her nails sinking a little deeper, and I know she’s mine.

  Whatever this is between us, it’s potent. And dangerous. And definitely unstable.

  Moving my hands to her ribs, I lift her off the floor so I don’t have to bend as far. She wraps her legs around my waist without any urging from me and instinct takes over.

  I’m halfway to the bench in the window alcove before I realize that’s where I’m headed. It’s wide, padded, and close. Otherwise, her back would be against a wall and I’d be pounding her into it.

  As it is, we almost don’t make it. She reaches one hand between us to grab my already aching dick and a massive wave of lust roars through me, threatening to snap the remaining threads of my control.

  I was already close to my limit when she told me what happened. I wasn’t kidding when I told her no o
ne else was allowed to touch her. She’s mine and I won’t allow anyone to hurt her.

  The fact that I’m probably the person who put her in danger just enrages me further.

  I kiss her harder, wanting more from her than she probably wants to give. So I’m surprised when she wraps one hand in my hair to hold me steady so she can kiss me.

  Her mouth now demands and I’m only too willing to give her what she wants. One thing I’ve learned about Olivia is that if she wants something, she goes after it. And right now, she wants me.

  She shoves her hand into my jeans, her fingers curling around my hard shaft. Groaning into her mouth, I stop in front of the window and let her stroke me. Her hand is just as demanding as her mouth and if I let her continue, I’m going to come all over my stomach.

  But the sensation is too good for me to give up just yet. Her fingers tighten around my cock until it’s almost painful. Which just makes me want her to stroke me harder.

  I’m kissing her with even more fury, our bodies slammed together with barely enough room for her to maneuver her hand.

  And now she grinds her hips closer and the pressure of her hand and her hips makes it imperative for me to get inside her. Soon.

  I just need to hold out a little longer.

  Turning so my back is to the window, I drop onto the window seat, forcing Olivia to pull her hand out of my pants. In the next second, she yanks away and I reach for her, practically growling like a dog whose favorite toy is being taken away.

  But she’s already got her hands on my jeans, tearing open the zipper before reaching for her own. I’m not stupid. I shove my jeans below my hips, baring my cock, which stands straight against my abs, I’m so fucking turned on.

  I remember at the last second to grab the condom I’d stashed in my pocket earlier. She doesn’t notice because she’s shimmying out of her own jeans. My gaze catches on the bloody scratch on her leg and anger mixes with the lust.

  Whoever caused that mar on her beautiful skin will pay. And it’s going to be a high price.

  Then my gaze lifts and I stare at her mound, the dark hair trimmed. She straightens, and in the next second, my hand lies flat against her stomach, under her t-shirt, my thumb brushing against that silky soft patch.

  Watching with laser focus, I slide my hand down until my thumb brushes against her clit. I hear her suck in a sharp gasp, see her hands tighten into fists at her sides and her stomach contract. My free hand grips the soft cotton of her t-shirt and pulls it up so I have an unrestricted view.

  I can smell her arousal, and when my thumb finally curls over her clit and presses, she moans. Her hands reach for my shoulders, as if she can’t stay on her feet without help. Now I’m determined to make her surrender completely.

  Playing with her clit, I focus all my attention on her every move. She’s so damn responsive, I merely have to brush the pad of my thumb over the tip of her clit to make her shake. I want her to completely come apart.

  For several minutes, I work her clit, my other hand drawing her shirt farther up her body. Pressing my thumb against her clit and holding it there, I look up to find her blinking, her lips parted.

  “Take this off and spread your legs farther apart.”

  She responds immediately, sliding her feet a few more inches away from each other and ripping the shirt over her head.

  Goddamn, she’s the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen.

  Sleek, firm, perfect.

  She’s close enough that I only have lean forward a few inches to put my mouth on her breasts. I suck one tight nipple into my mouth and rub my tongue along the tip as I continue to torment her clit. Her hands tug at my hair until my scalp burns but I don’t want her to release me.

  I want her totally pliant, and I want her to be coming when I shove my cock into her.

  I could suck at her tits all day, feel them plump as I lick and bite. My hand between her legs now slides between her slick folds while my thumb ruthlessly works her clit until she’s breathing so hard, she’s gasping for air.

  Still not enough.

  Pulling my mouth away from her breasts, I slide two fingers into her body. She’s so wet, it’s easy to go deep that first time. I stay high inside, stroking her inner walls until she’s rocking her hips, mimicking exactly what I want to do to her.

  Her expression makes my cock throb with anticipation. Her gaze burns into mine, as if she’s begging for more.

  At this moment, I’ll give her whatever she wants. Anything she wants.

  But first, I want her to come.

  I circle my thumb on her clit, pulling my fingers out of her tight sheath only to thrust them back in hard. Her eyelids flutter down and she braces her hands on my shoulders, rolling her hips in time to my thrusts.

  I realize she’s close on the next thrust. Her pussy clenches around my fingers and she gasps. Deliberately twisting my fingers, I press inside on the inner wall of her pussy and watch her fall apart.

  Her channel clamps down on my fingers then ripples around them, trying to suck them deeper. I corkscrew them again and she moans, leaning closer to me, her forehead resting against mine as she shudders.

  Pulling my fingers from her body takes real effort because I want to keep pushing her, need to keep pushing her. Need burns through my blood, clouding my brain to anything that’s not Olivia.

  My other hand still cups her left breast but now I slide it around to her back, urging her forward. Instead of coming closer, she takes a step back. She’s breathing heavily, her naked body pure temptation. I want her now and I’m not waiting.

  I lean forward, grab her by the hips, and lift her, bringing her over my lap. Her knees settle onto the cushioned bench on either side of my thighs, but her hands land on my shoulders and push me away when I would have brought her closer.

  “Condom. Now.”

  Her voice holds a tone of command that makes my balls tighten. I’ve never had a woman talk to me like this while she’s naked and poised over my dick.

  I’m more than willing to let her have this because I’m too far gone to care who’s in charge right now. All I want is to get inside her and fuck her until we both pass out.

  It’s nothing I’ve ever wanted to do with another woman and I know it’s not healthy. And I don’t give a shit.

  I obey her command as she watches, her fingers flexing on my shoulders, digging into the muscle with delicate force. I’m too fucking horny to make a show out of it so I rip open the packet and roll it down then grab her hips and bring her down.

  My control only goes so far.

  She gasps as I enter her, and I freeze, wondering if I’ve hurt her. Adjusting her body, she sinks onto me with a moan and drapes herself around me like a blanket. And that fast, I’m in control again.

  “Come on, Liv. Move.”

  She sucks in a sharp breath and buries her face in my neck. Her warm breath brushes my skin, causing every hair on my body to stand on end. My cock throbs inside her and I wish like hell I’d thought to take off my shirt. I want to feel her breasts against my chest.

  When I finish with her here, I’m taking her to my bed on the second floor and getting completely naked and then I’m going to gorge on her all night.

  I hadn’t thought I’d have her again until Saturday so the rest of tonight will be a bonus. And I’m going to enjoy every fucking minute.

  But first, she has to move. I’m ready to rock her on my cock when she shifts her hips forward and then back, creating friction that sears through my blood.

  Her languid pace is at odds with her hurried breathing, and I groan at the effort it takes to remain still. Her fingers curl into my hair again and tug. I raise my head and she tilts hers back to stare into my eyes.

  The balance of power has shifted because, at this moment, I’ll do anything she wants.

  She doesn’t say anything, just holds my gaze as she rises onto her knees, lifting off my shaft, then sliding back down.

  A connection clicks into place, something I’v
e never felt with another person. Something I can’t explain and I’m not sure I want to examine too closely.

  And definitely not now.

  Not while she’s rocking her body along my cock, making me so damn hot I swear I’m going to combust.

  I wrestle with my control but it’s fading fast. Especially when she clenches around my cock as she bottoms out. Her almost leisurely rhythm makes it impossible for me to stay still and I thrust up.

  Her gasp and the look of sheer pleasure on her face make me bare my teeth in triumph. All bets are off now.

  We’re in sync, perfectly in rhythm. Our gazes locked, we move like two pieces of the same machine. We have the same goal…to make the other break first. I’m not sure I can win this battle, not sure I want to.

  What I do know I want is more than we have. I want her in my bed because she wants to be there, not because I’m blackmailing her. I want her to be someone she’s not. I want her to be mine.

  My release hits me like a freight train. A shock to the system that makes me yank her down as I thrust hard into her.

  Tilting her pelvis forward, she rocks once, twice and I feel her contract around my cock, milking me as she comes.

  Seconds later, her body still spasming, she goes limp against me, her body shaking, her breath a hot rush against my chest. Her head is tucked under my chin and my arms wrap around her body, crushing her even closer.

  “You’re staying here tonight.”

  She tenses, which is exactly what I didn’t want to happen. But she has to know I’m not letting her go home tonight.

  “I’m not staying.”

  Her voice holds no conviction and, for the first time, I hear it waver. This woman who never appears to have a weak bone in her body is now afraid. Delayed reaction to the kidnapping attempt?

  I hope to hell she’s not afraid of me. She hasn’t shown any fear in all the time we’ve been together. Which hasn’t been more than a few hours. I guess it feels like more because of how long I’ve been watching her.

  It’s been months since the investigator I hired began to send me photos of Maloney and his family. Months since I began to focus almost entirely on her.