by Paige Hill
He stares at my legs for a long moment before snapping out of whatever trance he seems to be in. He’s attracted to me but doesn’t want to be. That would explain his grumpy ass attitude. Glancing at his crotch, I have visual confirmation.
Gotcha, sucker.
Now this, I can use to my advantage. I haven’t gotten laid in… A while. Aiden’s hot as hell; why not have some fun while I’m here? A smile that would make the Cheshire cat envious, paints my face as the possibilities surface.
This is going to be fun.
Silently, Aiden distances himself, taking the stairs two at a time, leaving me alone with his lingering masculine scent, as I gather my wits.
Climbing the stairs, albeit at a slower pace, I weigh the pros and cons of this little idea. On one hand, he’s a complete asshole, on the other, that ass. Life is all about balance, right?
The more I think about it, the more it starts to make sense.
Among other feelings.
Mumbling to myself as I ascend the stairs, I count each point on my fingers.
It’s been a good year since anyone has seen my naughty bits. What’s the point in weeding the garden if no one sees the pretty flowers?
After this is all over, I’ll probably never see him again.
Have you seen him?
Just sex. Beautifully uncomplicated sex.
Swinging the apartment door open dramatically, I kick it shut behind me. I’m a woman on a mission.
Aiden emerges from his bedroom in fresh shorts and a gloriously bare chest, and heads toward the kitchen. Squaring my shoulders for confidence, I realize I have never actually pursued a purely sexual relationship. Men do this all the time, why can’t I? Butterflies snap their glow sticks and start a rave in my stomach. I don’t think I’m nervous. Excited maybe? Either way, I’m putting myself out there.
I kick off my shoes and force one foot in front of the other.
How am I supposed to approach this?
Hey man, wanna fuck?
Ugh. Classy, Celeste.
I find him bent slightly at the waist, digging for something in the refrigerator. The taught muscles in his back flex with every movement.
Might as well go for broke.
“Hey, you left something downstairs.” I claim, getting his attention.
“Huh?” he mumbles, turning my direction.
Not allowing him time to assess my statement, I stretch on my tippy toes and press my soft lips firmly on his.
My utter lack of subtlety stuns him only momentarily before his tongue snakes out, claiming mine with virility. Thick arms wrap around my lower back, pulling my soft body against his hard one with urgency. He tastes like beer and sex; the combination is inebriating. That nagging voice in the back of my head tells me it could never be just a taste with him. I will be left wanting the whole damn bottle. But I need this, and alcoholism is a problem for future Celeste.
One hand travels to my ass, the other gets lost in the silky stands of my hair. His grip on me is so tight, it’s hard to breathe, but I don’t care.
Lifting my leg to wrap around his hip, I thrust, craving the sweet friction. I continue to grind myself against his erection, as best I can given our difference in height. He moves the hand at my ass over my hip and down my thigh, holding it tightly, offering support as his wet, hot mouth breaks away and moves down my neck. Sucking lightly at my collarbone, he thrusts his hips to meet mine, eliciting a devastatingly lust filled moan.
“Aiden,” I cry out, desperate for more.
Without preamble, he goes stock still. Time ticks by, and what feels like minutes are only seconds.
Angrily, he untangles us and pushes past me, unable to be in my presence. I’m left standing here, confused and sexually frustrated.
What just happened?
“What’s with the sudden frostbite?” I snap as I follow him into the bedroom feeling rejected.
He throws a t-shirt my direction before he says the only words that have the power to hurt me.
“Put on some goddamn clothes and pick up what’s left of your dignity.”
“Fuck you!” I scream pointing a finger directly into his chest. It heaves with every breath, giving the illusion that he just ran a marathon, instead of feeling me up and leaving me out to dry.
“From what I hear, you’ll fuck anyone in Miami if the price is right.” His voice drips venom, but his eyes never meet mine.
His insinuation is clear.
When is that night going to stop ruining my life?
In one night, I lost almost everything I fought so hard for. My relationship, my house, and my reputation. I held onto my business like my life depended on it, and it kind of did. I sacrificed everything I had just to start over. That night is still on my record regardless of how many times I’ve fought or how much money I’ve spent to have it expunged. That night redefined my life; both the good and the bad.
“How do you know about that?” My voice cracks at the end as I fight back burning tears.
“I’m a government agent, Celeste.”
I could set him straight, share what really happened that night. But it’s not going to make a damn bit of difference. He’s already made up his mind about me.
Chapter Eight
Aiden
Aiden.
One word. It’s just a name. Fuck, it’s my name. But on her lips, with that breathless tone—it’s too much. I could feel the ice freeze in my veins with every syllable. Only one other woman has ever called me by that name in the heat of the moment. And she isn’t welcome in my thoughts. Damn sure not my bedroom. Every other woman that’s warmed my bed knows me as Briggs.
The look on her face guts me. This is about me, not her. But making her hate me is the only way.
“You know nothing,” she spits, her face tense, hard as stone.
That’s where you’re wrong, Sweetheart.
I know the truth. She did nothing wrong the night she was arrested. But to protect ourselves, sometimes we have to make tough choices and it’s the only artillery I have. In this case, there is going to be collateral damage.
Tears well in her vivid green eyes as she fights to maintain her composure. I watch her closely from the corner of my eye pretending I don’t care. In all reality, I shouldn’t be bothered by the hurt in her eyes. I have no reason to give a shit, but it’s just not in my nature to hurt a woman simply because I can.
Maybe I went too far.
Brushing past her, I pad back to the kitchen, trying to look unaffected. I need space before I do something monumentally stupid, like apologize.
I’m not even remotely hungry, but I snag an apple from the bowl on the counter—something to keep my hands busy and my mouth full.
I can feel her anger hot against my back. Her presence tightens my stomach as I turn to face the guillotine. A stray tear wets her cheek and I grip the apple tighter, fighting the urge to wipe it away.
Forcing myself to make eye contact for the first time since I openly accused her of being a prostitute, I shove the apple into my mouth to stop myself from saying the words I know she needs to hear.
“You don’t know a damn thing about me, Aiden.” Her voice wavers, but she holds her head high, “And more importantly, you know nothing about that night. Next time, do yourself a favor and read the damn report.”
She turns to walk away, but she stops with her back facing me. Long raven hair flows from her shoulders, and now that I know how soft the shiny strands are, my fingers itch to wrap around them.
Turning her head just slightly, she speaks.
“I’ll be gone by morning.”
Panic rises in my chest, the sensation both foreign and rusty. I start to object as the inexplicable need for her to stay builds. They haven’t found that sick fuck yet, but I can’t force her to stay.
Why am I not thrilled about her leaving?
The realization of my thoughts settles like a sunken ship in the pit of my stomach.
This is the shit I don’t need. I
remind myself that this is nothing more than an overdeveloped hero complex.
I need her out of sight, out of mind.
My cell blares from the night stand to my right. I’ve been lying here for hours trying to sleep, but all I’ve accomplished is a pissy ass mood and wrinkled bed sheets.
Why does she bother me so damn much?
Glaring at the offending electronic, I let out an exhausted sigh. Talking about this shit storm of a case is the last thing I want to do right now.
“This better be good.” I grumble not bothering to hide my irritation. Glancing at the glowing blue numbers on the alarm clock, the hair on the back of my neck prickles. O’Connor wouldn’t call this late just to shoot the shit.
Somethings wrong.
“He fucking got her. She’s fucking gone, man.”
Instantly the adrenaline chases away any hint of exhaustion.
“Shit. Meet me at the office in ten. And Declan, we need to tell Ramos.”
I’m not thrilled to explain this situation to his grumpy ass, but this is more than the two of us can handle alone. We need backup.
“My cover is probably blown to shit. He’s going to have my ass. If I don’t end up in prison when this is all over.”
“I think you underestimate him, man.”
He ends the call, spurring me into action.
Throwing on whatever discarded clothing I find, I groan realizing I need to wake one very pissed off Sleeping Beauty.
Knocking lightly on the guestroom door, I push it open. Celeste has her back to the door and her hair is piled high on her head, leaving her neck exposed. Her spine stiffens, the only indication she’s awake.
“Get dressed. We need to leave. Now.”
The top half of her body raises, almost violently, from the bed. Her eyes are wide, and alert, but rimmed red. Knowing I’m the reason for her tears guts me.
A chunk of hair escapes her hair tie, falling over her delicate features.
“What’s wrong?” she asks, but her tone is laced with fear.
“He took her.”
Chapter Nine
Celeste
“I guess they put you on babysitting duty?” I smile at the pretty blonde that introduced herself as Erin.
“Nah, I never get to leave this place. It’s nice to have someone to talk to other than my computer screen.” She chuckles.
“Sounds like it can get kind of lonely.”
She shrugs her shoulders, “It can. But I don’t mind it that much. I’m not real great with social interaction anyway.”
Nodding my head, unsure of what I should say, I change the subject. “So what kind of work do you do here?”
“Officially, I’m head of the Intelligence Department, but it’s really just a fancy name for IT tech and office mom.” She arches a perfectly sculpted eyebrow “You should see how these grown men act. I’m constantly yelling at them to clean up after themselves, mediating fights, or feeding them. That alone is a full-time job.”
Her confession has me belly laughing, the mental image of her tall thin frame bossing giant men around like little boys. “I can imagine.”
My laughter is cut short as I am reminded why I’m here. I haven’t known Teagan long, but we’ve bonded, building a little sisterhood.
Please let Declan and Aiden find her in time.
Tomorrow’s news is going to make history in Florida. I cringe thinking about the internal investigations our state government are about to go through. When the governor who spent his entire campaign preaching about getting drugs off Florida streets turns out to be the leader of the largest drug smuggling ring in the state… things get interesting. Don’t forget the cherry on top of this shit Sunday—The DA, and the governor’s coked-out son, loses it, stalks his own wife, then kidnaps her.
Is this real life?
Why does all the weird shit happen in Florida?
“Do you think they will find her?” I ask, terrified of her response.
“I guarantee it,” she smiles, but it doesn’t quite reach her blue eyes. I know she’s only this positive for my benefit, but it helps to calm my nagging fear. “Want to see something cool? But you have to swear not to tell the guys I showed you.” Her lips quirk and mischief shines in her eye.
I nod my head reassuringly and hold fingers to my forehead. “Scouts honor.”
Chuckling under her breath, Erin gets to work. Her fingers fly across the keyboard with impressive accuracy and speed, her eyes bouncing back and forth between the four monitors mounted on the wall before us.
“Behold.” Erin holds her arms out as if she were a God showing off her creation.
“Uh, what am I looking at?”
“Do you see that text in the top right-hand corner? That tells me this is Briggs’ body cam. It’s a live feed.”
We watch intently for several moments. The guys are still in the truck barreling toward the warehouse they believe to be where Teagan was taken. I’m several miles away and can still feel the tension and tightly wound energy in the cab of the truck. Every one of them looks to be one wrong word away from becoming completely unhinged.
My eyes are glued to the monitors as a myriad of thoughts invade my brain. What if they don’t find her? What if she’s hurt? What if they get hurt, or worse? I simply do not have the mental capacity to analyze why I even give a shit about Aiden after last night.
“Don’t hurt him.”
Erin’s voice cuts through, further confusing me. Her bright cerulean eyes glisten slightly never breaking contact with mine.
“What? Hurt who?” I question with lines drawn between my brows.
She breaks the stare, turning her attention back to the men. “Briggs. He’s been through enough.”
“Uh, I think you misread this situation. I’m only here because of Teagan. I have no interest in getting close enough to learn what might or might not hurt him. Besides, he’s an ass who doesn’t deserve my time.”
Her mouth forms a firm line and her eyes turn into little slits as she glares at me. “What did he do?” she demands, her tone every bit as pissed as I feel.
“It’s not important now, it’s over.”
“Like hell it is. Having a rough go of things does not entitle him to be a dick.”
“Maybe not, but like I said, it’s over now.”
Suddenly, an irritated, slightly accented male voice cuts off our conversation, startling me to the point that my chair teeters.
“Damn it Erin, we’ve talked about this. Turn off the camera feed.”
What the hell? Eyes wide, I press my hand to my chest attempting to calm my racing heart before it decides to gallop away and join the Kentucky Derby. Erin angrily snatches a radio off the shelf above my head. Her face flushes red and annoyance permeates the room like an overpriced perfume.
“And I told you I’m not a child anymore. I’m twenty-five for crying out loud! When are you going to see that, Enrique?”
The other line gets silent for a moment before the radio crackles.
“Erin, I’m not doing this with you right now. Just turn the damn feed off. And you will address me as Sergeant Ramos.”
“Ugh!” she screams, chucking the radio across the room. Unshed tears glisten under the dim lighting of her office, adding to the vulnerable effect.
“Why are men such assholes?”
“Ahh, I assume we could have figured this out thousands of years ago, but let’s face it, all the great philosophers were men.” I wink, trying to lighten the mood.
“Come on,” she says, “I need ice cream.”
I follow her down the hall to the breakroom, thinking she looks like Keira Knightly in that movie Domino. Just with blonder hair. Maybe it’s the way she carries herself, I’m not sure, but she seems tough as nails. Like strength seeps from her pores.
“Want some?”
“Nah, I’m good.” My stomach is too knotted to think about food.
“Suit yourself,” she says with a mouth full of chocolaty goodness.
/> I start to ask her what the deal is with the guy on the radio when it crackles to life, echoing down the hall.
“We have her!” The same voice shouts as we run back down the hall. “Medical ETA seven minutes. Agent down, I repeat agent down.”
Panic ceases me as the unknown throws horrific images into the forefront of my mind.
It’s going to be okay.
Minutes feel like hours as time ticks by with no word from anyone.
“It’s going to be alright,” Erin tries to calm me. She steps in to hug me, but her whole body is stiff, and I can tell she’s uncomfortable.
Taking mercy on her, I step back. “How can you say that? Someone is shot and no one will tell us anything!” I’m trying not to freak out, but I’m losing the battle.
“Because I have faith in the boys. They need to focus on their jobs before explaining. This is what they do, Celeste,” She gives me a confident look that nearly calms my racing heart.
Pacing the hallway outside of Erin’s office, I run through every possible scenario for the thousandth time.
“You want some coffee or tea or anything?” She asks looking concerned.
“No, thank you.”
“I’m sorry I’m not better at this consolation stuff, but I have full faith in those men.” She looks sincere.
“There are so many things that could go wrong. How are you so confident?” I don’t understand.
“Because I’ve seen them on hundreds of missions just like this one. Babe,” she pauses to gather herself, “Some of them were there to drag me out of hell.”
Pain lines her eyes as she looks away. I want to ask what she means, but I couldn’t bear to see her relive whatever hell she came from.
I start to reach for her but recall how uncomfortable she was touching me. She tries to busy her hands and I realize the decision to talk about it isn’t mine, it’s hers. Maybe she needs to talk about the darkness?
My chance to ask her disappears as Aiden barges through the door, throwing his tactical gear across the room with a growl. He stalks across the large area littered with desks and my mouth dries up. It’s one of the scariest things I’ve ever seen, but my heart starts to race for a whole other reason. It’s also the hottest fucking thing I’ve witnessed.