There was a tapping at my window.
“Fuck!” I screamed, and was nearly halfway into the passenger seat before I saw who it was.
Aiden. What the hell?
He smiled, but he also looked slightly pissed. “Such dirty language for such a nice girl. What’s the problem?”
He didn’t give me much room to move when I opened the door and got out. Rather than stepping back, he put both hands on the car on either side of me when I tried to inch by him. He was so close I could smell his cologne. My fingers were twitching in curiosity about what the stubble along his jaw might feel like, so I planted my palms against the car on either side of me.
I was effectively caged between his two large arms.
In a parking garage.
With an evident stalker.
Probably a serial killer.
And I needed my cell phone back. Hell!
I opened my mouth to talk as I was eyeing a way to sidestep him. He put a finger over my lips to stop me.
He aimed an intense look at me before speaking. “I’ve chased you down twice today. You ran. Again. Stop shaking your head about running.”
I stopped shaking my head.
“I would like to help you. I would also like to give you your phone back, especially since you said please. And I would have really liked eating with you in the bar or under a tree, even in the middle of a fucking downpour.”
He scowled at me while shaking his head when I opened my mouth to speak.
“I just spent the last thirty minutes trying to find you. Again. Now, answer my question. What’s wrong and stop trying to find the nearest fire exit or stairwell.”
My eyes narrowed at him. “I need my phone back. I need to call a tow in. My car won’t start again and it’s clicking. I’ve had a really bad day. Well, not that bad, just a really long, weird day and I just want to go home.”
“Clicking? Might be the alternator, but who knows. I’ll call someone who can come look at it for you.”
I started to protest but he was already on the phone.
“Yeah we’re on Main and 20th. The car garage, third floor, silver sedan. Has a sticker on the bumper that says, “Book You!” He gave me a funny look. “Check it out and get back to me. And Brock, let’s do a full service on this one.”
He ended the call and looked in my backseat. “Anything you need out of there right now?”
“Uhm, my satchel, otherwise no.”
He reached in and grabbed my satchel out of the passenger seat, giving me a good view of his ass.
I stared. Oh, how I stared. I wasn’t usually an ass girl but there were moments.
I bit my lip.
He stood back up and I made sure to avert my eyes back to his face. “Good, if that’s everything, we’re going to do this my way now. Come with me.”
He maneuvered me by putting a hand to my hip and turning me to a black Bentley I had completely missed seeing behind my car. A driver got out and opened the back door for us. I was so shocked that I numbly crawled in and slid across the black leather seat.
Aiden spoke to the driver then slid in and handed me the satchel. The room in the backseat shrank by half with hot and bossy taking up most of the room.
How did one man get that many muscles?
He looked at me suddenly with something undefinably heated in his eyes, and I heard the doors automatically lock.
“Now that you’re trapped Olivia, let’s see if we can’t just have a pleasant conversation.”
The car started moving and my eyebrows shot up at the use of my full name.
Well, if I was going to be killed by a stalker or serial killer, why not in a Bentley?
Chapter Three
I scowled at him. “How do you know my name?”
When he didn’t answer, I gave him my most serious look and said, “I’m pretty sure I told you my name was Liv. L. I. V. Don’t lie because I’m about to start screaming and have no problems with jumping out of a moving vehicle if you start going all murderer on me.”
He laughed and leaned back in his seat. He took some time loosening his tie before he answered.
“Your mother told me.”
My mouth fell open. “My WHAT?”
He laughed again and looked through the side window before turning back around. “I told you I was going to hack into your phone, download those dirty pictures and then try to get a hold of you.”
I just sat there stunned.
“I was going to be the nice guy and give it back but you sprinted off down the street and left it with me. What did you expect me to do?”
He said this like it was actually a question. He wasn’t serious, was he?
“I don’t know! Be the nice guy that throws it in the trash or leaves it with the manager and doesn’t go snooping?”
Aiden lips twitched. “I could have done that but I’m not generally a nice guy and I really wanted to see those pictures.”
“I don’t have any pictures!”
“That’s not entirely true.”
“What? The dress picture? Is that what you found?”
He pulled out my phone and pushed in a code for the screen lock. “You have a new password by the way. And your mom called. She wants you to call her back.”
“No shit.”
“Language princess.”
I growled and he looked over at me, but his eyes slid down to my mouth. I unconsciously licked my bottom lip and looked away.
He finally held up the phone with that specific picture staring back at me. “I like this one, but was it for your boyfriend?”
“No, it was for my roommate,” I said with a sigh. “She was helping me pick out a summer dress, but she got sick and had to cancel on our plans. And whatever. I sent it to her to help me because I was having a hard time trying to figure out what to buy. I hate shopping. It was two weeks ago.”
“So, your boyfriend gets all the pictures that aren’t on here?”
I tilted my head and looked at him. What game was he playing at? “I don’t have a boyfriend.”
“Your mother mentioned a Brandon.”
“Wait. Exactly how much time did you spend on the phone with my mother? Brandon is my ex-boyfriend. Wait, wait, wait – before you answer that, where the hell are we going?”
He looked around through the windows and said, “Well I’m assuming my driver is on his way to your apartment or house. I gave him the information your mother gave to me earlier.”
“What the fuck?!”
Aiden’s face was suddenly inches from mine, and those arms were again boxing me in as his entire body shifted into my personal space in a matter of seconds.
I was surprised by the sudden proximity and let out a small squeal. His face was close enough to mine, that I could feel his warm breath as he exhaled. He smelled like mint, and it was warm against my face. My mouth clamped shut and I looked up at him, not sure what to expect. Those blue eyes were pinning me to the seat.
“Olivia,” he said with a growl. He shook his head.
When he spoke again, his voice was pitched so low, that only I could hear it. “If you don’t start watching your language, I’ll have to bend you over my knee. And that word, coming from your mouth, should be used in a more colorful setting. When the situation calls for it. Don’t you think?”
“Uhm. Wha-”
That was the only response I could think of with his blue eyes giving me the once over. The tingles had moved from my neck all the way down my body in such a slow fashion that I was nearly shivering from the experience.
Did he say over his knee?
“Would you like examples of what those colorful settings might look like? Or a description of the effects?”
He was baiting me.
I could tell by the slight glint in his eye that he would love nothing more than to describe where that word might be used to its most effectiveness. My body may have been betraying me with the thought of what he might describe, but I wasn’t stupid. I knew exactly wh
ere he was going.
Two could play at this game.
I arched my brow at him. “So, what your saying is that if I was to use that word a little more appropriately, say, when I taste something really good and groan it out then that would be better? Then it would sound more like a passionate interjection. Although, the intended use of it a minute ago, was to denote disdain, which would fit within the normal parameters of modern slang.”
His face pulled back slightly and he chuckled. “Princess, you’re very cute when you try to justify cussing. But I’m still going to spank you if you can’t put that beautiful mouth of yours to better use. You can say the words “groan” and “passionate” as much as you like though.”
I glanced nervously to the front seat where the driver was. He had probably heard our entire conversation.
Aiden looked down at me with an amused smirk. “He doesn’t hear a thing. He’s paid very well not to hear anything. Are you embarrassed easily?”
“Stop calling me princess.” I scowled at him and tried to push at his chest. The feel of his suit jacket was smooth under my hands. He didn’t budge.
“But your mother said you were her little princess and she’d be more than happy to help a nice guy return your phone.”
“Yes, but that’s my mother’s word. And you’ve already established that you were not a nice guy.”
“So I did. I’m sure I can come up with another name,” he said with a smirk.
My hands were still on his chest. I could feel the heat of him through his jacket. He was solidly built and I wondered what he might look like underneath the layers of clothing. Whatever ancestral genes or miracle workout that made this solid machine, had my eternal thanks and likely the thanks of anyone who looked at him.
A small hint of cologne or scent of body wash came rolling off him, and was so distinctive that it made my nostrils flare. I took a long inhale of it. It made me want to bury my nose in his shirt. My hormones wanted to be smothered in it. Thoroughly smothered.
I needed to get home. My body needed a bath, some alcohol, and possibly my vibrator, but not necessarily in that order.
His body stiffened for a moment as his eyes wandered around my face and down my neck. His nostrils flared in return and he shifted slightly closer. His lips were nearly touching mine and I could feel his breath against my mouth. Something inside of me really wanted him to kiss me.
A look of irritation passed over his face. “Good thing I found your phone before some other man did. Your mother might have sent someone very ugly to your house.”
He pulled back into his seat and settled himself, smoothing out the front of his jacket. His face slipped into the same business mask he had worn at the bar in front of his associates.
I curled out of the seat slowly.
His face was closed off, showing no emotion as he looked through the window. Maybe that mask played well into his business life. He was one of those men that exuded power when he spoke or looked at someone. I’d seen a little of that today up close. For some reason my instincts told me that it was unusual for this man to relax.
Hmm. Where did I leave off in yelling at him?
“So, other than my mother encouraging a possible serial killer and would-be kidnapper to my door by giving you my home address, what else did she tell you? It sounds like it was a very long and interesting conversation.”
He smirked in that way that indicated he had talked quite a bit about things with my overly talkative mother. “She mentioned Brandon being a problem, your list of college accolades, your favorite foods, and that was about it. If I didn’t know any better I would think she was trying to get you a job. Although I could gather from the email Brandon sent you, that he’s a problem. By the way I erased all of his emails.”
“You what? That was private! Who reads other people’s emails?”
“I needed to know something. You hadn’t read the newest one, which was sent a week ago. Which tells me you didn’t plan to read it, or you wanted to, and just didn’t. Either way it’s gone. You don’t use your email much, do you?”
Ignoring his question, I said, “I deal with it my own way, thank you.”
“Olivia, is he going to be a problem in the future?”
I frowned at him, slightly puzzled. He seemed like the kind of person that, up to this point, chose his words carefully.
Future?
“Well,” I rolled my answer around in my head, “no, I doubt he’ll be a problem for me at all. I left, it’s over, that’s it. He just won’t get the hint. He’s not your problem. I’m not talking to him and he’ll eventually get it.”
“Hmm,” was the only answer he gave.
I wasn’t sure what to think of that. Or any of this. My strange day needed to end in sleep soon. I was positive when I woke up in the morning this, all of this, would just be a complete fantasy due to my lack of rest.
The car started passing familiar places as it came closer to my apartment. Aiden was looking around at the street and buildings.
“Here’s your phone Olivia,” he said with a wink and handed it back to me.
I looked at the screen with the password lock. What was the stupid number?
“I need my new passcode please.”
He smiled but there was a look of mischief in his eyes. “Well since you said please this time. It’s going to cost you though.”
My eyebrows shot up. “Cost me what?”
Aiden flicked his eyes down my body causing me to blush slightly.
“The price is a kiss.”
I could see my place through the window as the car pulled to a stop. It was still sprinkling slightly outside. My wet front porch was ten feet away. I was contemplating making a sprint for it but the car doors were still locked. Even if they were not locked, I doubted I would get the front door unlocked before he caught up with me. I suspected that sprinting to the door would just feed his annoyance.
I might be fast enough though. Hmm.
The look I gave him was through narrowed eyes. “One. And then I need my passcode and I’d like to have the doors unlocked.”
Aiden leaned forward and tapped the driver on the shoulder. The doors automatically came unlocked at that silent command.
“Unlocked, sweetheart.”
He didn’t move to pounce although I was positive his inner power-hungry nature was probably urging him to. He seemed like that kind of guy. He didn’t have a problem exerting his physical dominance obviously, but he was grinning and remaining still now.
Crap. He was making me do this.
“Thank you,” I said as I picked up my satchel and eyed the apartment building again. There was no way I was going to just hop into Aiden’s lap and start kissing him if that’s what he expected. His arrogance was kind of attractive and utterly annoying at the same time. And the driver may be paid not to hear anything but he would damn well see it.
His eyes immediately narrowed. “Olivia.”
“My name is Liv. Just Liv.”
“Liv is a nickname, Olivia.”
I stared at him. “Has anyone ever told you that you’re a little frustrating, overbearing and annoying Aiden?”
The driver chuckled.
Aiden scowled. “Dylan.”
I glanced at Dylan’s profile. There was the proof that he actually did hear things despite what Aiden said.
He sighed. “Yes, a few people have told me that. You promised a kiss. I’ll take another two or three tomorrow when you apologize for making me wait.”
Apologize. Really?
My chin titled up and I rolled my eyes. “And I can get my code cracked if that’s the price. The cost is way too steep for me.”
I scrambled out of the car and jogged around the front, trying to avoid puddles. I didn’t bother shutting the door. I was at my door, reaching for the handle, when two arms lifted me into the air.
I squealed, dropped my keys and nearly lost my phone. “Are you insane?! Put me down!”
His arms tightened aro
und me in a death grip and his lips were against the sensitive skin of my neck.
“Olivia, you’re very lucky that I have some things to do today otherwise I would put you back in that car, and spank you so hard you wouldn’t be able to walk.”
I could feel his rough breathing and the expanse of his chest against my back. Those tingles were back in full bloom, shooting down to my most sensitive areas as I squirmed against him.
“I’m not a child Aiden!”
He growled. “I’m very aware. If you keep wiggling Olivia, you may get more than just a kiss on your front porch. I have no problem letting the neighbors watch me drag you inside.”
I stopped wiggling immediately. He pressed his hard groin against my ass and then slid me against him until my feet touched the ground again. The sensation made my mouth go dry.
His voice came out in an annoyed grumble. “I’m collecting on that kiss now for making me chase you. Again. I’m going to start making a list of kisses owed to me.”
I shivered. “Why?”
He turned me around so fast that I fell into him, my hands going to his chest. He looked annoyed as his eyes roamed my face, finally settling on my lips. Small wet droplets were starting to collect in his short hair and I could feel them wet against my face.
He didn’t give me an answer. Instead, his hands slid up my back and into my hair, tugging on the ponytail slightly
He dipped low and took advantage of my slightly open mouth. The stubble on his chin tickled against my skin. I felt his tongue gently slide in as he tilted my head back. His lips were warm and soft against mine. I could taste the rain on his tongue. I whimpered as he deepened the kiss. It was a gentle exploration and my body responded by melting into him.
He growled against my lips. “So sweet.”
He pressed me closer as he became a little rougher. His tongue teased my lips and the inside of my mouth, dipping in an out as he pulled slightly at my hair. His other hand was in the middle of my back and slid lower to gently cup my ass.
I could feel the hard evidence of his arousal against my stomach as he continued to kiss me. I had been kissed by other men in my life but nothing compared to this. My senses were overloaded, I was light headed and I felt completely enveloped in his arms. It felt like he was branding me with his own possessiveness as he squeezed me, pressed me to him and took from me what he wanted.
Run (Lakefield Book 1) Page 3