Fall (Fate Series Book 2)

by Paige Hill

  He deepens the kiss and rocks into my center. I can feel him everywhere and he hasn’t even touched me yet.

  He pulls at the delicate material covering my breasts and exposes my taunt nipples. The air is chilled, giving my sensitive skin a tingle.

  He palms one, pinching a nipple between his fingers, while he places his hot, wet mouth on the other. I moan at the differing sensations as raw need pools between my thighs.

  He pulls back before running a hand up the outer portion of my leg. “I don’t want to do this here. Come on.” He stands, reaching to assist me.

  I follow him to the bedroom, and my body flushes in anticipation.

  He stops at the bed, reaching behind his neck to tug his shirt over his head. I take in his solid chest and my mouth waters. I’ve never been with a man built like Aiden. His body radiates strength and control.

  My perusal follows over his abs that flex as he moves, and land on the puckered scar that mars the otherwise flawless skin at his hip. A reminder of the night we met. A primal desire to taste him takes over and I drop to my knees in front of him. I’ve never hated giving blow jobs, but the desire I have now is unmatched. My hands work the expanse of his abdomen as my mouth leaves a white-hot trail to his zipper.

  I reach for the button, ready to feel his weight in my hands, but he stops me with a hand on mine.

  “Please,” I beg under the shade of my lashes.

  “Christ,” he relents. “I don’t know if I have that kind of control right now.”

  “Only one way to find out,” I’m breathless.

  I release the button and zipper on his jeans, letting the denim fall in a heap at his feet. He kicks them away, along with his boxer briefs.

  Gripping the shaft with my palm, I close my lips around the head and moan.

  “Fuck,” he grits, and I feel him flex.

  I grip his ass with my free hand for traction and start to work my mouth up and down his length.

  My own arousal soaks my panties and I squeeze my legs together, seeking relief.

  “My turn,” Aiden growls, pulling me to my feet.

  He tugs at the string fastened around the nape of my neck, allowing the light, gauzy dress to pool on the floor around me. I’m left in nothing but a white thong.

  He works himself while his eyes devour me. The way he looks at me makes me feel powerful.

  “You are so fucking beautiful,” he eats the distance between us, taking my mouth as he grips my bare ass.

  He lifts me and I wrap my legs around him as he walks to the bed. He lowers us with a knee on the mattress and scoots me to the center.

  His mouth moves from mine, down my neck, collarbone, and over my erect nipples. He marks my skin with invisible imprints as he makes his way to the apex of my thighs, taking my soaked panties with him.

  He runs a tentative hand over my bare pussy, teasing me. Playing with his dinner. He wastes no time sucking my clit between his teeth. He lets out a low rumble from deep in his chest and I feel it vibrate through my entire body.

  His tongue licks and his lips suck as he laps up every drop I give. I’m so close, I grip the sheets in an effort not to crawl away. He moves his arms under my legs and around my hips, holding me in place. He moves his mouth to my opening and starts to fuck me with his tongue. My orgasm rips through me and I cry out his name.

  He drops himself over my now limp body and smirks.

  “That was fucking incredible,” he says with awe written on his face. He leans over to pull a condom out of the bedside table and looks at me. Silence stretches through time and space as I try to decipher the look in his features.

  “I really want to give this a chance,” he states, hopeful. He slips on the condom and positions himself. “I don’t share, Celeste. We do this and you’re mine until you tell me otherwise.”

  I nod, aching for him to touch me.

  He watches my eyes as he enters, the delicious stretch tries to force my eyes shut, but I don’t allow them to. I can’t.

  He pushes in dreadfully slow, savoring every inch. When he’s fully seated, he sits there, perfectly still. My inner walls contract without consent and he rolls his eyes closed on a curse.

  When he starts to move, it takes us a second to find our rhythm—to learn each other.

  He’s hitting a part of me that’s all new. Seemingly undiscovered. I feel the sensation all the way to my chest. I’m panting and a light layer of sweat has kissed my skin. He buries his face in my neck and scrapes his teeth over the sensitive skin. My walls contract again, and I feel his victorious grin against my skin.

  Without preamble, he pulls out and turns to sit with his back against the headboard.

  “Ride me,” he states, his voice low. It’s both an order and a request.

  I orient myself and do as I’m asked, each leg straddling his hips. I lower myself onto his rigid cock, and immediately begin to move. I thrust myself against him shamelessly. He buries his face in my chest, nipping and sucking. His right-hand slips between our bodies, and flicks over my clit. The barely contained grip I had over my orgasm snaps and I come.

  He rides out my orgasm with me, his crashing into us not long after.

  My boneless body drapes over his as we struggle to catch our breath. We stay like this for several minutes, both of us unwilling to break the magic on the moment.

  He reaches a hand up and wipes the sweat soaked hair from my face as he leans into my ear.

  “Thank you,” he says so quietly, I almost miss it.

  AIDEN

  Taking a sip of my now cold coffee, I watch the numerous activities happening around the park.

  I’ve been sitting here for hours and my legs are starting to fall asleep. Resting my head against the seat of my car. I let my thoughts drift.

  Waking up with Celeste curled into me is one of the greatest things I’ve ever experienced. Holding her brought back a primal desire to protect her. A side of me I didn’t realize had been stolen. I watched her sleep for several long minutes before she caught me.

  Some part of me expected the spell from last night to have faded and she would run away the moment the sun rose. She didn’t. She snuggled tighter and told me if I didn’t stop staring at her like a creep, she’d tell the whole department I cry when I come.

  A ridiculous smile tugs at my lips behind the rim of my coffee mug. My little arsonist didn’t lose her fire.

  I wanted to stay perched on my bed, spending the day getting to know every gorgeous inch of her curvy body. Unfortunately, we both have jobs and she needed to feed Furb. Tonight is Friday night. I’m going to make sure her ass packs a shag rug with feet, because she’s not getting away from me all weekend. I’ve wasted enough time denying us what we both need.

  Movement to my left draws my attention back to the task at hand. I picked the drop location Alex said was most active to stakeout. So far, I haven’t gotten much, but I have been able to pinpoint the subjects. Something moves again and a thin blonde woman steps out of a white BMW. She slips her hair over one shoulder, before slipping a ridiculously expensive purse in its place.

  What the hell is she doing here? I swear I’m going to bury her if she’s stalking me again.

  She makes her way across the park and sits at a stone picnic table. She checks her watch uncomfortably before glancing around, searching for something. Or someone.

  Within minutes the goons I’ve been watching descend on the table. Sitting directly across from her, they say a few words I can’t make out before she places her hand strategically over his.

  Shit! Alarms blare in my ears and I see red.

  She just fucking bought drugs, again. After everything!

  My blood feels like hot tar as it moves through my veins. My heart works overtime, pushing the dense sludge through my system.

  My fingers itch to call this in. To have her thrown in jail. It’s too big a risk. I can’t afford to let them know we are onto them, and she’d be out in a matter of hours. Women like her have never been mad
e to face consequences.

  My hands flex and my knee bounces in the confined space, trying to calm the adrenaline making me antsy.

  There is too much at stake, I remind myself.

  I watch as anger builds, stiffening my tired muscles. She struts back across the street. Her confidence and the damn smirks she wears, snaps my logic in half.

  Climbing out of the car, I take long strides until I’ve caught up with her.

  The car door swings, but I grab it, holding it in place before it latches.

  She lets out a yelp, no doubt about to scream for help. Before this life is over, she will get what’s coming to her and there will be no one there to hear her scream.

  “Aiden,” she pants, placing a hand over her heart. “Baby, what are you doing here?”

  “Cut the shit,” I seethe. “After everything you put us through, you’re still doing that shit?”

  “What are you talking about?” she asks, deceitfully. She knows I know and still won’t admit it.

  “Get the fuck out of Miami and don’t come back. Next time, you won’t get a warning.”

  “Don’t say things you can’t take back, sugar. Soon the fat bitch will be gone, and I’ll be the one left to hold you.” She puts the car in gear and jerks on the door. I release my grip, trying to find her angle. This bitch is psychotic and the skin prickles on the back of my neck.

  “What the hell is that supposed to mean?” I glare.

  She answers me with a cocky smile as she backs out of the space, leaving to me to mutter curses under my breath.

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  Celeste

  Aiden: How was your day?

  Celeste: Are you getting soft on me now?

  Aiden: Never. *wink, wink*

  If you had told me six months ago that I’d be this damn giddy to flirt with Aiden Briggs, I’d have stabbed you with my shears. Last night wasn’t just amazing because of the sex. It was raw and emotional. My heart hurts for all the pain this man has endured. It means the world to me that he felt comfortable to let me see that part of him. It’s a gift I can never reciprocate.

  Aiden: Pack your mountain lion tonight. I want you in my bed all weekend.

  Celeste: Is that a euphemism?

  Aiden: Damn it, woman! I’m trying to work here. Pack Furb a suitcase.

  Aiden: And a lint roller.

  Today is just one of those days that makes you appreciate life. The weather is perfect, I get to work with my best friends, spend time with my niece, and end the day in Aiden’s bed.

  Is this what it’s like to be high on dick? I mean, it has been a while. If it’s this euphoric, I’m chaining his ass to the mattress.

  “If you smile at the phone any harder, it’s going to think you’re in love with it,” Teagan smirks, raising a challenging eyebrow.

  “Ha, ha,” I deadpan.

  “So, I guess you guys worked it out last night?”

  “Yeah, I think so. We cleared the air and he told me he wants to try to have a relationship. Something neither of us are good at, so we will see,” I shrug, feigning nonchalance when really, I’m anxious as hell.

  “I’m happy for you both,” she smiles warmly and shuffles Allie from one arm to the next, the baby’s flawless skin a stark contrast to the tattoos that snake up Teagan’s upper arm.

  Teagan and I decided to take Allie out for a bit after work. Poor Emily hasn’t been able to sleep more than an hour or two at a time and she was starting to look like a zombie with spit up on her shirt.

  “Thanks. I think we just need to take it slow.”

  “Have you heard anything from Alex?” Teagan asks, hopeful.

  “Not since Allie was born. Emily acts like it’s not bothering her, but I know it is. I can’t stand just sitting around wondering where he’s at or if he’s alive. Wish he’d let someone help him. Hell, I wish I knew how to help.”

  “Have you thought about asking Aiden or Declan?” Her expression reflects mine. As much as we want to, there are some things we can’t ask them to be a part of. It would jeopardize a lot.

  “No, you know that would almost make things worse. I’m afraid they will just arrest him. I mean, the guys have helped us out, but there is a line they can’t cross, and I can’t expect them not to do their jobs.”

  She doesn’t respond, but I know she understands. I can’t ask them to go against the pledge they made and putting Alex in jail would make it even easier for the cartel to get to him. I watch crime documentaries… it happens.

  Taking a bite of my cheese fries, I let my eyes scan the foot court. We brought Allie with us to do some shopping. I’m about to take another bite of the gooey potato-y goodness when my sight jerks back to the shadowy figure by the fountain.

  What is this guy’s deal?

  “You got her? I’ll be right back,” I tell Teagan, knowing what I’m about to do is monumentally stupid, but I’ve had enough.

  “Where are you going?” She asks, but I ignore her as I’m halfway to my destination.

  My eyes stay trained on him as I march over to find out what his problem is. When he notices I’m closing in on him, he drags his eyes to something over my shoulder. Curious what he’s looking at, I turn too, but see nothing out of the ordinary. When I turn back to face him, he’s gone. Poof. Just like that.

  “What the hell?” I ask no one in particular.

  “What was that about?” Teagan asks when I get back to the table.

  “Nothing, I just thought I saw someone I knew,” I lie. “Come here, cuteness,” I say, reaching for Allie. “It’s getting late and I still have to stop at the grocery store. You ready?”

  “Yeah, this pregnancy is exhausting,” she teases.

  The tiny human and I take our time perusing the aisles and getting the essentials. As excited as I am to spend time with Aiden tonight, I really want to let Emily rest. Allie is showing no mercy to that poor mamá of hers.

  She’s been a surprisingly content baby during our excursion and I’m hoping it tires her out so mamá can still rest after she’s fed. I’m feeling pretty confident with my maternal instincts. I’ve managed to not drop her, grocery shop, visit with a friend, load the car with no major meltdowns, and everyone remains unharmed.

  Go me!

  Pulling into the drive, I notice every light in the house is off, even though the sun set a while ago and Emily knows exactly how I feel about the dark. Shaking off the forlorn feeling, I unsnap Allie’s carrier and carry her up the steps. When I reach to turn the knob, I notice the door is already ajar. Fear tingles deep in my stomach as I slowly push the door open.

  “Hello?” I ask the darkness.

  I don’t know if I’m terrified or relieved when nothing answers. I try to flip on the light, but nothing happens and what little courage I was holding on to goes up in flames. I breathe through the increasing panic as I set the carrier at my feet and enable the flashlight on my phone. My legs don’t dare move as I use the light to inspect the rooms. Nothing seems to be missing, or out of place.

  Did I forget to pay the utility bill?

  I’m overreacting, I tell myself as I calm down. A few beats pass and a low meow trickles down the hallway from the bathroom.

  Picking up the carrier, I check on the princess and am relieved to find her sleeping. I put one shaky foot in front of the other until I open the bathroom door to find a locked-in Furb. He whines, rubbing his fluffy coat against my legs as we make our way down the hall in search of Emily. I knock on her bedroom door, but I’m greeted with silence.

  “Em, we’re back,” I announce as I push the door open.

  I clinch the carrier to my chest as bile rises in my throat. Emily’s lamp is smashed on the floor, and the contents of her drawers are strewn about the room. All of it paints a horrific scene, but what gets me most is the bed. The dark red that soaks into the mattress is what robs me of air, threatening to take me under as white spots dance in my vision.

  Allie stirs, forcing some of the blinding panic to rec
ede. Right now, she is my number one priority.

  My pulse races and my fingers grow numb as I run through the house.

  I need to get out of here.

  I need to get help.

  I need Aiden.

  Stumbling out of the open door, I tug it shut behind me so Furb doesn’t get out. I want to run back and grab him, but there’s no time. I need to find Emily.

  As I turn from the door, something catches my eye and I back track. I let out a high-pitched scream before slapping a hand over my own mouth. My breath comes out in rapid pants and my skin is coated in a cold sweat. The shadowy man that seems to be everywhere is lying on my porch. His cold, lifeless eyes bare into me. Blood oozes from his chest, forming a large circle on the ground around him. It’s not until then that I notice I’ve been stepping in it.

  My stomach wrenches and I leap for the railing, emptying the cheese fries I’d previously inhaled.

  Wiping my mouth with my shirt, my arms burn from holding the baby carrier and I remind myself what I must do.

  Get out.

  Get help.

  Get Aiden.

  Aiden will know what to do. I race back to my car and snap her in in record time. My hands shake uncontrollably as I fight to get the key in the ignition. The engine blares to life and I gun it out of the driveway. I have no idea where I’m going but anywhere is better than here.

  I try to dial as I drive but my hands are too unsteady. I pull off into a well-lit shopping center parking lot and focus all I have on dialing.

  The phone comes to life in my hand, startling me. I drop the phone to the floorboard under my legs as I breathe through what feels like an impending heart attack. The tone continues to fill the cab as my numb fingers wrap around the phone.

  Unknown Number flashes on the screen.

  “Hel-lo?” I stutter through breaths.

  “Ms. Martinez,” a smooth accented male voice filters through the line and makes my skin crawl.

  “Yes,” I question, terrified where the conversation is going.

  “I have a proposition for you. And before you jump to cut me off, I encourage you to contemplate the consequences,” he warns.