Ayden's Secret (15 page)

Ayden pressed two fingers into her, stretching her.

“See, I want you, Ayden. I want all of you.” Charlie was confessing, and she needed to stop before she really told him something.

Ayden licked over her clit and her legs jumped. Charlie was leading him down the wrong path, tempting him to take her before he had a good grip on his feelings. No. He couldn’t do it. If he loved her he would, but he wasn’t sure she could handle ever after with him. Until he knew for sure he wouldn’t.

“More,” Charlie pleaded. She lifted into him as he stretched her with a third finger.

Charlie bit her nails into his neck and shoulder as she climaxed. He barely drew on her, and she toppled right over the edge calling his name and crushing him in her thighs. She clamped down on him from inside, and Ayden felt every last pulse. That almost did him in. Once she settled, he slowly removed his fingers and licked over her completely once more. She shivered and her legs twitched.

As her breathing slowed, she tried to pull him back up, but he remained resting between her legs, waiting. She wasn’t sure what he was up to.

“Ayden?” Charlie whispered.

“You ready?” Ayden looked up at her. Charlie was ready for sleep, he could tell. She was satisfied; her eyes half closed, her lips parted, and her breaths were slow and heavy.

“For what?” Charlie hummed.

“This.” Ayden closed a hot mouth over her and pushed two fingers back inside.

“Oh God.” Charlie wasn’t ready at all, but she was getting there in rapid fashion.

Ayden sucked on her and circled her clit with his tongue hard and fast, pumping two fingers deep over and over until she was grinding out her release in a full scream. That was what he wanted, for her to let go completely. He let go himself and pressed into the mattress as his own orgasm escaped.

Charlie felt the room spin as she came in a wild fashion. Ayden had taken her totally by surprise, pulled her right back into bliss. Her heart strummed fast, and she could barely catch her breath.

“Better?” Ayden asked, breathless himself.

“Mmmm.” Charlie was on cloud nine. “What about you?”

“I handled it, darlin’.” He climbed up next to her, removed his boxers and wiped off his mess. “Do you want to stay with me tonight?”

It was a soft whisper. Charlie could have sworn it was borderline insecure, but Ayden wasn’t unsure of anything. She was spent, couldn’t walk if she tried.

“Can I?” She closed her eyes.

“No need to cross the hall for four hours of sleep.” Ayden pulled the blankets down then back over them. “Do you want a pillow for your foot, angel?”

Charlie’s eyes snapped open, and her heart jumped. He called her angel, something other than darlin’. What did that mean?

“No.” Charlie turned to face him. “Will you hold me, Ayden? Like this morning?”

“Of course, angel, come here.” This plan had worked out well. He could get a solid four hours of sleep with Charlie in his arms. He would worry about how to get her in bed tomorrow night, later.

***

Down the hall, Noel and Tom lay in bed awake now.

“I guess they are more than friends after all.” Noel blinked into the darkness.

“You never know, he could be killing her as we speak.” Tom nudged his wife.

“We should all be so lucky to die that way.” Noel laughed. “It’s so weird. He’s different around her. Did you see them in the water?”

“Honey, Charlie loves your brother. And whether you, Evelyn, or Ayden are ready to accept it or not, Ayden loves Charlie.” Tom snickered. “He always has. He’s just too damn blind to see it.”

“How do you know that?” Noel turned to face him though it was pitch black.

“When I went to Vegas to visit, I was the only other person who knew where she was. One of the other agents saw a picture and made a comment. Ayden broke his nose. If she was just another woman he was helping out, he wouldn’t have cared.” Tom reached out through the darkness and placed his hand on her belly. “You know the only reason I was allowed to date you is because he’s known me forever. You know how protective he is of his family. You also know that he can be a coldhearted bastard, unless he loves you.”

“She could have stayed somewhere else then?” Noel asked.

“Honey, we have safe houses all over the place. Ayden locked her in his apartment, and that woman didn’t see the light of day for six months. But he went home every night.” Tom yawned. “When I saw them together, he smiled. I mean he smiled at her. You remember when he didn’t smile. She teased him; he laughed. That little bit of joy she gave him brought balance to his miserable life. Just like you balanced mine.”

“I love you, Tom.” Noel stroked his face with her hand.

“I love you, too.”

Noel vowed then to accept Charlie as one of the family. The woman had her work cut out for her just wooing Ayden. The man could be such a bear.

“So what do you guys think?” Malcolm asked the two monsters who gave him very serious and grown expressions.

“Why do you want to get married?” Chase Jr. asked him.

“You have to kiss her every day if you do that,” Gray informed him.

“I’m aware of the repercussions of my actions. Do you guys want to carry the rings or not?” Malcolm was forever amazed at the wisdom of children.

“Do I have to kiss her?” Chase Jr. looked at him seriously.

“No,” Malcolm reassured him.

“Can I wear a Spiderman costume?” Gray raised his brows in thought.

“Yeah, I could be Batman.” Chase Jr. nodded

“I’m thinking you’ll have to wear a suit. But, if you wear a suit for the wedding, I will take you both, trick or treating on Halloween, and then you can be whoever you want,” Malcolm negotiated.

“Who will you be?” Gray asked.

“A fireman?” Malcolm tried.

“The Hulk.” Chase Jr. nodded.

“Yeah, the Hulk!” Gray agreed.

“What are they talking about?” Stephanie asked Ethan as she poured a glass of orange juice.

“Negotiations for ring bearers. Apparently they will carry your rings if Malcolm dresses like the Hulk and takes them out on Halloween.” Ethan sipped his coffee.

“I thought Grace and Megan already told them they were doing it.” Stephanie looked at Malcolm.

“Why do you think they’re negotiating?” Ethan smiled.

“You didn’t tell him?”

“Hey, I’m not dressing like Hulk now.” Ethan patted her on the back and headed upstairs to get his own family’s gear.

Stephanie finished her juice and headed to Ayden’s house. She wanted to talk to Charlie again before they left. In such a short time, they had become close friends. Charlie didn’t treat her like a kid. Charlie had supported her decisions and made Stephanie feel better when the whole marriage thing fell apart.

***

At Ayden’s house…

Charlie woke up with her face in Ayden’s neck, her right leg over his hip, and her right arm around him. Her left hand pressed into his chest, and his left thigh was again between her legs. Ayden’s hand held her at the small of her back while his other arm was tucked under both of their heads. She was so close to him. His chest felt warm and his back smooth to the touch. She didn’t want to wake up. She wanted to lay there in his arms like that forever.

Ayden felt the hand tickling along his spine and smiled. He didn’t open his eyes in case it was just a dream. As he pulled her closer still crushing her against him, he knew she was awake. He inhaled deeply, allowing the warm scent of vanilla and Charlie to fill his lungs.

“Morning, angel.” Ayden grumbled over her head. She was tucked into his neck, and he could feel her warm breath and soft lips against his skin.

“Good morning.” Charlie nuzzled into his neck. She would crawl right under his skin if he could let her.

“How’s your foot?” Ayden still made no effort to move.

“All right.” Charlie wiggled it, and aside from where the stitches were, it just felt stiff. She couldn’t resist the urge, so she gently kissed his neck. Ayden made a low sound and spread his fingers apart on her back.

“You hungry?” he mumbled.

“For you.” Charlie kissed his neck again opening her lips and licking his neck with her tongue.

“Not this morning, sweetheart, we have guests to get rid of.” Ayden patted her behind and rolled to his back. Charlie didn’t let him loose though. Now her thigh was over his morning erection and her hand was on his chest.

“You want me to take care of that for you?” Charlie circled her fingers in the light patch of chest hair.

Yes! “No, honey, he’s awake every morning.” He laughed. A man could die of over satisfaction if he woke up every morning to a blowjob.

“I wouldn’t mind taking care of you every morning.” Charlie began sliding her fingers down his chest toward his abs.

Ayden gulped.

“Then how about fixing me breakfast?” Ayden stopped her hand before she went too far and he wouldn’t be able to refuse her.

“Really?” Charlie gave him a quizzical look. Ayden didn’t eat breakfast; he just drank coffee.

“You said you wanted to take care of me. I’m hungry.” He pulled her hand to his mouth and nipped gently at her fingers. “Unless you want me to eat you.”

Uh oh. “No, no. I think eggs and bacon and biscuits sound good.” Charlie pushed up and got out of the bed. No way was she going to let him seduce her. That was her tactic, and he wasn’t playing fair anymore. Now that he wanted her, she would slam on the brakes and make him want her even more. “Do you have any of that stuff?”

“Yeah. I eat breakfast for dinner sometimes.” Ayden sat up and scrubbed his face with his hands. “Come here a minute.”

“I have to shower and change.” Charlie had to stay out of his reach until she had clothes on.

“So do I. Come here.” Ayden pointed at the space in front of him. “I won’t bite.”

Charlie walked around the foot of the bed and stood in front of him. She felt his eyes all over her. Impatient she called. “Ayden?”

“You’re beautiful, Charlie.” Ayden grabbed the back of her thighs and rubbed up and down.

“You are being very bad.” Charlie stepped back. Well, he woke up in a mood this morning.

“Because I said you’re beautiful?” Ayden stood and looked down at her. He slipped his arms around her then nuzzled into her neck. “If I were being bad, I’d have told you how much I enjoyed eating you last night.”

Charlie made a weak sound of protest as he nipped her neck gently. Damn it. She pushed back and stumbled for a step. He reached out to grab her, but she blocked his touch. Now she understood why they called him the Wolf. It wasn’t just his last name. He was a vicious predator, and she was his prey. It was supposed to be the other way around. Maybe once he got some food in his stomach he would settle down and remember his lecture about taking it slow. She sure did. Now she figured he wanted to run things at his own leisure, no way. Wanting to spend the rest of her life with a man and wanting to live life on his terms with no compromise were two entirely different things.

“Well you can tell me how much you enjoy eating breakfast this morning.” Charlie straightened her nightgown and held her head high.

“Why can’t I do both?” Ayden pulled on boxers as he followed her across the hall to her bedroom. He closed the door behind them. Stepping behind Charlie, he pulled her hair to the side with one hand and kissed her neck while reaching around to hug her with the other. He felt ravenous, and the more she ran the more he wanted to chase her. “I can’t help it. You’re so damn sexy in these barely there pajamas you wear. I wanted to call out of work and enjoy you for hours the other day.”

“And I would like to enjoy a nice breakfast with your family before they leave today.” Charlie used every bit of strength she could muster to pull away from him. Ayden was quickly convincing her to move at his pace, since his pace meant a lot of touching and tasting apparently.

The doorbell rang.

“Saved by the bell, my little lamb.” Ayden nipped her shoulder and kissed her cheek.

“Are you trying to figure out what to call me?” Charlie crossed her arms and turned to face him. That was it. She had gone from darlin’ to angel then sweetheart, and now little lamb. In over ten years he had only called her darlin’.

“Huh?” Ayden had no idea what she was talking about.

“You know, darlin’, angel, sweetheart, now little lamb.” Charlie waited.

“I made that last comment as a joke, darlin’. When did I call you angel or sweetheart?” Ayden felt a little confused. Was he calling her by other cutesy names?

“Last night.” Charlie looked down. He hadn’t realized. “Do you call other women those names after sex?”

“No, baby.” Ayden stopped short. Shit! “I mean, Charlie. It must be from all the people here, different words…they all mean you.”

That was really not something he wanted to face or admit, yet he had blurted it out. Ayden felt a little weird this morning. He was a little too comfortable and a little too free for his own good. Here he had called her several names, all names he knew the men down the street and the one downstairs in his kitchen used to address their wives. That was enough to cool the fire for now.

“Oh. Well, all right then.” That cooled her heels. She didn’t care what he called her as long as he didn’t call any other woman the same thing. He called his sisters darlin’. She knew that. He only called women he cared about darlin’. That’s why she loved it.

The knock sounded on Charlie’s door.

“Charlie, it’s Stephanie. Can I come in?” Stephanie was surprised the door was locked.

“You locked the door?” Charlie smiled. He had really planed to seduce her this morning.

“I…well.” He cleared his throat. “I need to hit the shower.”

“I’ll see you downstairs in a few.” Charlie opened the door and let Ayden out and Stephanie in.

“Good morning, Ayden.” Stephanie put a lot of suggestion in that statement.

Her eyebrows wiggled at him. Oh hell, he felt the flush rising, and so he moved quicker across the hall not saying anything to Stephanie. Great, now he was blushing. Once he got to his bathroom, he looked at his reflection in the mirror. Same face, except the smile and the pink tint on his cheeks. His brows drew down into a scorn. “Get your shit together. You’re acting like a teenager, not a grown man.”

***

Across the hall, Charlie convinced Stephanie to wait five minutes while she showered. Stephanie browsed through her closet, the most exciting part about waiting. Charlie had the coolest clothes. She picked out two tops to borrow and sat on the bed waiting. Charlie came back with her hair in a towel.

“Take them and keep them.” Charlie searched through the closet. “I need to go shopping.”

“You have the coolest clothes ever.” Stephanie frowned. “Why would you give these up?”

“They’re just shirts. Besides, I need to cover myself up more. Wear looser clothes.” Charlie found a peasant skirt but wanted a bigger shirt.

“Why? Your body is amazing.” Stephanie watched her intently. If Ayden had told her anything other than that, she would kick his ass. “Has he said something about your body?”

“Yes. That I’m making him crazy.” Charlie knew where to find a nice large shirt— in his closet.

“I thought that was the plan.” Stephanie was confused now.

“It was, but now it’s his plan. I love him, but he’s not running the show. It has to be mutual. Ayden wants me to go slow, but he wants to move ahead at his own pace when he feels like it.” Charlie pulled the skirt on. “So if I hide a little, then he won’t be tempted, and maybe I won’t either. He was right. I hate to admit it, but he was. If it’s just about sex, then I will never know if he truly loves me.”

“So you’ve had sex,” Stephanie clarified.

“No.” Charlie held up a finger and slipped across the hall into Ayden’s room. She pulled a Navy logo Tshirt out and crossed back to her room. Ayden was still in the shower. She dropped the robe and pulled the Tshirt on. “How do I look?”

“Actually it looks cute.” Stephanie nodded. The blue shirt had a Navy logo across the bustline, and the white skirt skimmed her calves. Charlie was covered, but she couldn’t hide that body completely. Stephanie imagined she could make a paper bag look good if she wore it. “But you are definitely covered.”

“Good. I don’t want to look bad. I just want to look normal. Does that even make sense?” Charlie sat next to her on the bed.

“Yeah, it does,” Stephanie reassured her. “Tom’s making breakfast downstairs. I didn’t eat at Joshua’s.”

“Shit. I was supposed to make breakfast.” Charlie stood and headed downstairs.

In the kitchen, Tom had just finished the bacon when Charlie accosted him. She took the spatula out of his hand and shooed him away from the stove. Biscuits were in the oven and plates on the countertop. The man had made breakfast leaving Charlie with nothing left to cook but the eggs.

“Charlie, are you all right?” Noel laughed at the woman and took a seat at the table across from Stephanie.

“Yeah, I just hate that Tom was cooking. You two should be enjoying breakfast not making it.” Charlie turned the stove off and pulled the biscuits from the oven.

“Mmmm. Smells good down here.” Ayden stepped into the kitchen, took one look at Charlie, and stopped. She was dressed funny today. All covered up. It still looked good, casual. It just looked different for Charlie. “Is that my shirt?”

“I hope you don’t mind.” Charlie could care less. She went about putting food on the plates, and Stephanie carried them to the table.

Ayden studied her for a few more minutes and then grabbed his plate and sat at the table. They had a long leisurely breakfast chatting and passing Page around. Charlie held on to the little girl and enjoyed Ayden leaning over her shoulder to talk to the child. He really enjoyed children. She felt a whole new surge of emotions. When she originally set out to find Ayden, she just prayed he would accept her and love her. Now she craved a real future with him, marriage, and children.