The Rebel

by Alice Ward

  The drive to the airport was filled with stories about Aiden’s restaurants, mainly the newest one that he boasted so proudly of during our forty-minute trip. He never asked about my life, my goals, or my past with Asher and Lauren. I was somewhat relieved not to have to talk, but with not even a single question about my life, the conversation felt very one-sided.

  I was somewhat relieved when we arrived at the airport, and I found my seat was next to Elle, not Aiden. I had enough of him today. He had teased me, bored me, ignored me, and left me confused and full of sexual tension.

  The tickets were certainly not first class as I boarded the small plane. The aisles were so narrow that my carry-on smacked the seats as I passed them. Elle took the window seat without offering to swap. I knew she had seen the world already, and I hadn’t but didn’t have the balls to ask her to trade.

  She immediately started asking about Aiden, and what we’d done in the camper for those ninety minutes.

  “Talked mainly,” I replied and added with a slight snap in my voice, “About him.”

  She rolled her eyes. “Yeah, sounds like Aiden.”

  I turned to look at her and catch some reaction to what she just said, but she was already staring out the window of the plane as we began to roll from the gate. She’d told me she didn’t know Aiden, so how did she know that he liked to talk about himself so much?

  I shook my head, trying to clear it. Everyone was on my radar at this point.

  Shep, the man I thought sweet and down to earth now looked like a player and might be a drunk. Elle, the one I decided to confide in seemed selfish and was possibly hiding information about Aiden.

  And Aiden? Well, he was full of himself, that was true, but I still found him exciting and extremely attractive.

  Where was Kennedy when I needed her? As a lawyer, she was spot-on when it came to judging people’s characters. She could tell me what was real and what wasn’t, who to trust, and who not to.

  I leaned back and decided just to sleep on the way to Tennessee. I wasn’t sure what to expect once we landed. A homestead community was like a foreign country to me, but I was ready to experience it all.

  Eye on the prize, Claire! Eye on the prize!

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  The shuttles pulled down a long dirt path lined with weeping willow trees. It was beautiful, but a little creepy as it seemed to be out in the middle of nowhere. Elle pressed her face against the window to watch the road open up and let out a gasp as we finally reached the homestead community.

  Rustic style homes sat on the property, several barns, large outbuildings, and a large pond sat in the center of it all.

  “Wow,” Elle breathed.

  I was looking over her shoulder, trying to get a better glimpse of the place we would call home for the next week when the bus stopped quickly, knocking me forward then backwards in my seat.

  “Sorry about that, we have a goat crossing,” the driver said, a mix of surprise and humor in his voice.

  Finally, the goats made their way across the road, and the shuttles pulled up closer to the homestead. We parked in front of a large two-story house made of brick. It had a small concrete porch and a beautiful wooden swing hanging from metal chains.

  “This is your new home,” Gretchen announced as she opened the doors to start unloading the contestants.

  “Together?” I whispered to Elle.

  Elle turned back and smiled at me. “You worried about being under the same roof with Aiden?” she asked quietly. “Or Shep?”

  I rolled my eyes and refrained from answering her question. The truth was, I was afraid of staying under the same roof with either man, especially when I was supposed to be focused on winning and not hooking up. Close proximity could be dangerous.

  “There are four bedrooms; two beds in three of them and three beds in the other,” Gretchen instructed.

  Elle ran up the stairs and into the house. “Claire, I have your spot saved,” she yelled out. I followed her voice and found her lying on one of the twin beds wearing a wide smile. “Unless you want to bunk up with Aiden,” she said smugly.

  I shook my head and plopped my bag beside the open bed near the window. I was surprised that Elle hadn’t claimed it for herself after having claimed every other window seat that day.

  “A welcome dinner is scheduled in an hour,” Gretchen called into the house.

  “I wonder who decides to live like this?” Elle asked with a touch of sarcasm in her voice.

  “I don’t know; I think it’s kinda cool,” I admitted as she rolled her eyes at me.

  “Well, if you win the competition and have all that cash, you can buy a chunk of land and start your own homestead,” she said. “I’m spending my time on a private island tanning my body.” Her hands caressed her hourglass shape as she spoke, and her lips puckered up as if she were kissing an imaginary sun.

  “Hey, ladies, I’m just across the hall if you need anything,” Aiden said, poking his head into our bedroom.

  “Anything?” Elle asked in her overly-exaggerated tone.

  “Absolutely anything,” Aiden agreed, his eyes not leaving mine.

  “Did you hear that, Claire? Aiden is right across the hall if you need anything,” Elle laughed.

  My eyes stayed locked with Aiden’s, and for a moment, I let my mind race about what anything could mean. “Damn, girl, snap out of it!” Elle teased.

  I hadn’t realized that my moment had lasted so long. As I let my mind wander to the heat of Aiden’s breath on my thighs, his deep blue eyes looking up at me, I was wishing I’d made that move.

  Aiden laughed and winked at me before he left the room. Elle started unpacking, stuffing her clothes into a tall wooden dresser and then hanging some of her sundresses in the closet.

  “I didn’t bring anything dressy,” I admitted.

  “Wear one of mine,” Elle said, tossing a cute blue sundress towards me. “This will make your eyes pop, and your legs will look fabulous.”

  I took the bathroom first, running what seemed to be only cold water into the tub. I shivered as I undressed and dipped my toe into the water. Washcloths and towels were stacked neatly on the metal shelf. They weren’t the fancy soft ones you would find in a hotel. Instead, they were tattered, somewhat stained and mismatched thin cloths that were probably torn from other items to make the linens.

  Even though it was cold, the water was refreshing. My hand slid between my legs, cooling the heated skin. I slipped a finger inside, keeping pressure on my clitoris, imagining it was Aiden touching me while he sucked a nipple into his mouth.

  Biting my lower lip to keep from crying out, I added a second finger, wishing it was Aiden’s cock spreading me wide. I’d seen his erection through his jeans and knew he would stretch me, make me feel everything.

  My hand picked up speed, pushing me toward a climax as I imagined hearing the music of our bodies grinding together. I wanted to feel his weight on me, his skin slick with sweat as he pushed us toward the edge.

  When I came, I nearly screamed Aiden’s name and pressed my hand against my mouth. When I opened my eyes, I mourned the fact that I was alone. The fantasy had been so vivid. The sights. The sounds. The magic of his touch.

  It wasn’t real.

  Slowly, I ran the cloth over my skin, knowing I should hurry but taking my time. I needed to get him out of my head. What was the best way to do that? Indulge in a night with him or continue to fight my attraction?

  I wasn’t sure.

  What I knew for sure was that my infatuation with him was going to cost me this competition if I didn’t get my head out of my ass.

  Suddenly angry at myself, I stepped out of the tub and dried myself off with the coarse towel that reddened my skin.

  Slipping the borrowed sundress over my head, I vowed to focus on the reason I was there, but that vow broke the moment I entered the large gathering room.

  I immediately felt eyes on me, both Shep and Aiden taking me in. I avoided both of them by sitting
close to Elle and listened intently as members of the community explained their way of life. They were extremely resourceful, making nearly everything they used onsite from materials they either produced or traded for with their harvest.

  Fresh honey on biscuits made me worry that I would end up in a bee hive at some point during this week, but once the homemade wine was offered, I forgot all about the work ahead.

  When the cameras finally shut off and were put away for a while, I felt myself relax. I was feeling light headed and a little giddy as I sipped the wine from an old mason jar. Elle nudged me, motioned towards Aiden, who was eyeing me from across the long wooden table. Shep was busy conversing with Janine, another contestant with long blonde hair and large breasts that she freely allowed to fall from her loose top. I couldn’t hear what they were saying, but he seemed interested, at least interested enough to not notice Aiden ogling me.

  I watched Aiden lean over and say something to one of the cameramen. They whispered, then laughed, and then his eyes were back to me. I was staring, that was obvious, but at this point, I didn’t care. I needed to make a move. I needed to put out this fire burning between us.

  I winked at Elle and stood from the table, walking towards Aiden. I rested my hand on his shoulder as I leaned down to whisper in his ear. “Wanna check this place out?”

  “Absolutely,” he agreed eagerly and stood from the table to join me. We walked away from the group, and I noticed Shep finding an interest in me once again, but it was too late. I was focused on Aiden.

  He took my hand and gently guided me towards the large buildings on-site. He seemed extremely knowledgeable about the homestead and the community as he explained what happened in each building. Grinding flour, churning butter, canning, metal works, wood works, and of course, the bee hives were all included in his tour.

  The moon glistened over the calm water in the pond and my body melted into Aiden’s as we stood there watching it ripple across the darkness. “I really like you, Claire,” he said softly and squeezed my hand. My heart fluttered, and I instantly felt the heat burning between my legs.

  “I wish we could have more privacy,” I admitted as I looked over my shoulder towards the group still congregating around the table, sharing wine and stories.

  Aiden tightened his grip on my hand. He turned and looked at me, his eyes almost glowing against the light of the moon. “We can,” he whispered and motioned towards the communal barn where a row of campers had been set up for the production crew. “Lance gave me his key.”

  “Lance?” I asked, trying to place him. “The cameraman?”

  Aiden nodded, and my heart felt tight in my chest as my palms started to sweat. I thought I had made the first move, but in reality, Aiden already had everything planned out. He knew I would come to him, knew I would want him, so he had it all set up for our rendezvous spot. My mind tremored with anxiety and slight anger at his presumptuousness.

  “I wasn’t expecting anything more than just to get you alone and get to know you better,” he quickly interjected as I stood there confused as to whether to be grateful or pissed off.

  “Of course,” I murmured, unsure whether to believe him.

  “We can go if you’d like,” he whispered, his mouth close to my ear. “No one will find us, and Lance already made plans to sleep with Carla in her camper.”

  Wow, he really had this all figured out, didn’t he?

  I should probably walk away, but my nipples ached as they pushed against the thin material of the sundress and I pressed my legs together as my pussy clenched at the thought of not getting the attention it so desperately craved.

  Go or don’t go?

  The choice was mine.

  One night with a man I was attracted to. One night to put out the fire burning inside me.

  What if I stopped thinking and simply enjoyed the fact that Aiden had prepared for our night together and just let go?

  Me. Letting go for just a little while.

  “Yes, I would love that,” I finally said, the words breathless.

  We managed to slip away from the group and Aiden used his key to enter the trailer. It was nice inside, cool with the air conditioner blowing from the generator buzzing outside its window. A bed was folded out from what I assumed to be a couch.

  “Can I offer you a drink?” Aiden asked, pulling several small bottles of Jack Daniels from his pockets. “Compliments of the plane ride,” he said smugly. “I learned from the best.”

  I couldn’t help but laugh as he handed me one of the small bottles. I twisted open the cap and took a long swig. The liquor instantly heated my throat, making me cough. Aiden laughed as my eyes began to water. I felt pale and ready to throw up.

  “Okay, so Jack isn’t your thing,” he said, then his voice lowered as he stepped closer to me. “Maybe you’ll like Aiden better.”

  His hands reached for my waist, his thumbs resting on my hips as he squeezed and pulled me into him. The tightness of his hard chest pressed against my erect nipples, and he smiled just before leaning in for that first kiss.

  His lips were soft, softer than I expected, and his tongue hard and wet as it pushed my lips apart and entered my mouth. I was surprised at how eager I was to have him like this, my tongue twisting and entangled around his with soft, smooth motions. It was like riding a bike, just like Lauren had said. Just because it wasn’t Royce didn’t mean I would be lost as to how to kiss another man. The newness actually seemed to awaken a hunger in me that I never knew existed.

  I didn’t stop him when Aiden’s hands lowered to my ass, and I let out a moan when they squeezed my soft flesh. As he worked his hands back to my waist, he gripped the material of the dress, pulling it up to expose my silk panties.

  “Can we get rid of these?” he asked hungrily.

  I moaned, my body arched into his, and I pressed my nipples against his hard chest as I answered, “Yes,” with a gasp.

  His thumbs hooked into the waistband of my panties, and as he lowered them, his body went with them, his mouth tracing my breasts, my belly, and then my thighs.

  “Oh, fuck, darlin’, you’re beautiful,” he murmured.

  I squirmed as he looked at me, his eyes fixated on my clean shaven mound. My panties were around my ankles, and as I lifted my leg to step out of them, he let out a deep sigh as I fully exposed myself to him.

  “I want to taste you,” he murmured, his eyes blazing up into mine.

  I held my breath, the anticipation of that first touch thrumming through me as his face moved closer. Then he was there, working his tongue between my folds, spreading me open. I moaned, not caring if anyone heard from outside our tin box as he finally dipped his tongue deep between my legs.

  My head fell back and my eyes closed as he worked me into a fever. My body shook as his finger entered me alongside his tongue. I spread my legs to allow him more access, and he took advantage, slipping another finger inside, twisting them, his knuckles stroking my inner walls.

  Looking down, our eyes met as he licked and sucked, his fingers doing wonderful things inside me. The sensations built, my body tightening as he pushed me to pleasure’s edge.

  “So sensitive,” he murmured as I came, his fingers continuing to work inside me, his tongue stroking and circling my throbbing clit. He didn’t stop until I came again, his name forcing its way out of my throat.

  A tight grip around my waist pulled me out of my orgasm trance, and as my feet lifted from the floor, I realized he held me in his arms. His mouth pressed against mine hard as he gently laid me on the bed. His hands pushed my legs apart wide, leaving me open and vulnerable as he took in another long view of my exposed flesh.

  I watched as he pulled his t-shirt from his chest and the tattoos I’d longed to see were revealed. A skeleton wearing an apron and holding a metal tray was on his right shoulder, just above his large pec. It flexed as I stared at it. I wondered if that was involuntary, or if he was showing off his fabulous build.

  His hands reached for his b
elt, tearing it open slowly, taking his time. My eyes followed the denim and the boxer briefs as they were lowered and his cock popped free, hard and thick and ready. Pointed directly at me.

  I wanted to touch it, to taste it, to take it in my mouth, but Aiden had other plans. Plans that obviously couldn’t wait.

  He reached down and pulled his wallet from the pocket of his jeans, then a condom from inside. I was mesmerized as his large fingers rolled it down his length.

  He climbed up my body, and I gladly accepted his weight as he pressed his mouth against mine once again. His heart beat hard in his chest, vibrating through me, and his manly scent filled my senses.

  I wanted this. Oh my God, how I wanted this!

  “Are you ready, darlin’?” he asked, his breath warm against my lips.

  “Yes,” I told him, and I was.

  His cock rested against my soft flesh, and he reached down, gripping it and placing it at my entrance. I was dripping wet, slick with need as the head of his cock stretched me open. His eyes locked onto mine, so blue and seductive as his lips curled into that crooked smile I adored.

  I moaned as he filled every part of me. Crying out his name, I arched beneath him, needing more. He was much larger than Royce and filled me with a satisfaction I never imagined. I was breathing so heavily, feeling overwhelmed as he slid inch by inch inside my tight opening. He paused, his cock throbbing inside of me, and stared at me with the softest blue eyes I’d ever seen.

  “You’re much more than I expected,” I admitted.

  “Oh, darlin’, you’re more than I could have dreamed.”

  He took my mouth as he began to move, long, slow strokes that found the end of me. I wrapped myself around him, holding him tight, giving and taking. I moaned with each stroke, my body shaking as another orgasm built when he picked up the pace.

  “So good,” he murmured against my lips as our bodies slammed together. He thickened and pulsed, and I knew he was close. So was I.

  I came, rocked again with an intensity of sensations I’d never known. He followed, his entire body stiffening as a low growl echoed around me.