Ayden's Secret (6 page)

“I’m going to head back up to the house and change.” Ayden announced to no one in particular, but Charlie stood and followed him.

“He got you pretty good, huh?” Charlie was ready to get him alone. One second, one good, opportunity. That was all she needed.

“Yeah. I knew better though.” Ayden pulled his shirt over his head as they entered the house. “I need to clean this up.”

Charlie went to the sink and wet a washcloth from the drawer.

When he came out of the laundry room, she was there, in the hall waiting for him. Ayden stood frozen for a moment. The woman had a definite look in her eye. Not one he could recall seeing before. She placed the warm cloth on his shoulder and began to gently wipe.

“Charlie?” Ayden felt his breath catch and his pants tighten.

“You’re very tense, Ayden. You should let me take care of that for you.” Charlie didn’t look him in the eye, didn’t look at his face at all. She focused on the washcloth and his chest beneath it.

“What did you have in mind, darlin’?” Okay, this is it. She’s making a move.

“I don’t know. A massage maybe?” Charlie pressed a little harder into his chest as she said it.

“I could go for that.” Ayden tipped her head up to look at him, with his fingers under her chin. God he wanted to kiss her. A massage would do for now. If this was her game, he was decidedly happy to let her play it, now curious as to how far she was willing to go.

Charlie expected more resistance, but since he said yes, she knew she had to act fast or he would change his mind and start thinking of her as a woman to protect and serve again. Hmm, that last part wasn’t so bad. She could go for Ayden playing her servant. Not that he would.

“Do you want to lie on the bed or on the floor?” She was trapped in those eyes. Her heart was beating so fast just because he was going to let her touch him. Not just hug him, no. She wanted him naked and ready. She would show him what he had been missing. Let him know exactly what he would miss out on if she had to leave.

“Floor?” Bed, good grief she wasn’t cutting any corners. He wasn’t going to be that easy.

“Okay. You lock the door. I’ll be right back.” Charlie wanted to steal a kiss, but she held back. She didn’t want to push it too fast.

***

Ayden was pacing the living room floor when she returned with the little bottle in her hand, two sheets, and a small pillow.

“Ready?”

“Guess so.” Ayden shrugged. “What do you want me to do, sit here?”

“No.” Charlie spread out the first sheet between the couch and the entertainment center. She pushed the couch back a bit and handed Ayden the other sheet. “Take your clothes off and lie down.”

“Take my clothes off?” he strangled on the words.

“Yes. That’s what the sheet is for.” Charlie put a slow jazz CD in and turned the volume low. “You act like you’ve never had a massage before.”

“I haven’t.” Ayden felt a little nervous now. Hell it had been a long time since he was naked in front of a woman, and now Charlie wanted him stripped down and on the floor so she could touch him at her leisure. His eyes drifted over her standing at the surround sound system adjusting the music. What the hell.

Charlie heard him unzip his shorts, and that sound zipped right up her back like a lick. She had to maintain control. She couldn’t just sleep with Ayden. She loved him too much for that. She had to seduce him. Make him want her. She had to make him realize he could love her if he just gave it a chance. With a deep breath, she turned to face him.

He was sitting on the floor with the sheet across his lap only. “Front or back, darlin’?”

“Back” Charlie moved to where his head was and lifted it to her lap. “Close your eyes and relax.”

“I make no promises.” Ayden couldn’t relax. His head was now in her lap, and her fingers were slowly circling over his scalp. She smelled like cookies. He wanted to taste her and see if she tasted like cookies, too.

His eyes were closed, and she knew she was affecting him because his sheet was moving, rising. Charlie had to stay focused on his body though. Once her hands moved to his chest, she used a little of the vanilla scented oil to smooth the way. It was difficult to keep her eyes open and her breaths even. He felt so good to the touch.

She had been massaged several times, twice a month actually, so she knew how it felt to receive one. She was sure her massage therapist, an older Asian woman, didn’t get turned on from the job. Ayden was like warm steel. His muscles felt tight and hard as if they had never relaxed a day in his life. His body was getting hotter with every touch, but then so was hers.

Charlie rested his head on the pillow and moved to his side. Starting at his shoulder, she took her time. Each callused finger got her full attention and was pulled and stroked into submission. Ayden was dizzy from it all. He couldn’t open his eyes if he wanted to. She moved to his thighs and seemed to pay no notice to the fact that he was pitching quite a tent with the sheet. That left him to wonder what her intentions were really about.

Did she want to seduce him, or really just treat him to some relaxation? Either way she was doing a good job at both. Tennessee farm boys didn’t do yoga, and they didn’t get massages. Charlie had him reevaluating both.

His thighs were impossible to penetrate. She worked them as much as she could, but they were like rocks. His calves weren’t much better to loosen up. Once she was done with the other shoulder and arm, she took great pleasure in his expression, a lazy smile.

“Turn over,” she whispered in his ear.

Ayden moaned. He actually moaned. He felt so relaxed, so good. He felt intoxicated by the vanilla, the music and Charlie’s hands. Her breath was warm and tickling on his ear. He wanted to pull her right down on top of him and kiss her, but she said turn over, so he mustered enough strength to do just that.

Charlie repositioned herself at his head. Her knees were touching the tips of his shoulders. His head was face down on the pillow between her legs. She tightened her thighs and tried not to focus on the fact that he was that close to her.

It was too late. Her breath shuddered as she pressed her hands down his back. Her eyes closed, and she imagined the scene quite differently. Her hands moved in a rhythm, from his shoulders to his tailbone stroking, kneading, and gripping all the way. Charlie imagined he was kissing her thighs, slowly working up to her apex and dipping his tongue in.

Ayden was right between her thighs, and suddenly he could feel the heat from them, from her. He inhaled deeply and caught her scent. He could hear her breathing and felt the cool drop of something hit his back. Was she sweating? Was she turned on? God he was dizzy. The smell of cookies and Charlie combined to make him crazy. He wanted to just push her back and plant his face…

“Charlie?” Ayden’s voice was muffled and strained.

“Yes?” It was more a gasp than a response.

“You okay up there, darlin’?” He had to smile. She was turned on and moving quickly away now that she was caught. His back was like mush, she had worked it so well.

“Fine,” she said breathless. Charlie moved and couldn’t help herself. She straddled him, sat right on his tight butt, and then began working the back of his thighs.

Yep. She was hot all right. And she just lit his ass on fire. Ayden wanted desperately to roll over and have her sit proper, but he knew that’s what she was after. She wanted him to lose control. He wouldn’t do it.

Charlie took less time on his legs and finally got control of herself. She wanted him to react to her, but she was near climax just touching him. He didn’t take the bait and roll over, so she had to calm down. She was so wound up every part of his body seemed sensual. Now at his feet, she wanted to see his face again. “Turn over.”

Ayden took a deep breath and rolled. He wasn’t sure what to expect. If she moved on top of him, he’d give in. Hell he was ready to bust as it was.

Charlie watched him turn and his erection remained. He put his big hand over it pushing it down. Good thing because she couldn’t take it much longer. She took one big foot in her hand and treated it to slow sensual circles from her thumbs. Ayden groaned.

“God, woman, where did you learn this?” He had to speak. Tell her how good he felt. No one had ever treated him to such pleasures in his life. When she said massage, he envisioned getting his shoulders rubbed. That in itself would have been a treat. Maybe she would let him return the favor. Soon.

“I get it done twice a month. Well I used to anyways.” Charlie watched him lick his lips. She wanted to crawl right up and kiss them.

“Must be nice.”

“It was nice. Did you like it?” Charlie pressed a little deeper in his foot with that question.

“Too much.” Ayden was in a fog. A nice relaxing fog.

“Good.” Charlie let out a long breath and stood. “All done, cowboy.”

“No happy ending, huh?” Ayden wanted to stop the words, but he was too relaxed and his lips were loose.

“Not this time. We need to get back for dinner. I promised to make mashed potatoes tonight.” Charlie began gathering her pillow and the bottle of oil. Happy ending? Yes, she wanted to give him a happy ending, the fairy tale kind, with marriage and kids. The fact that he was obviously not immune to her sexually gave her a new edge. One she planned to use to her full advantage. “I’m going to clean up. Be right back.”

Ayden sat up and the room spun. He really was drunk. At least he felt drunk. He staggered on his own feet and pulled his shorts on. He headed upstairs to get another shirt. Charlie was coming out of her room at the same time he was coming out of his. Ayden couldn’t help himself. He was still in her haze. He stepped up to her and kissed her on the cheek.

“Thank you,” he whispered.

Charlie was flustered. If he hadn’t taken her so off guard with that, she could have reacted. Instead she almost fell.

“Whoa, careful.” Ayden grabbed her arm. “It amazes me how you managed to dance around on a slick stage in crazy high heels, yet you’re always tripping up in regular shoes.”

“Not always.” Charlie caught her balance. Just around you.

Ayden headed back downstairs. They had scheduled a flag football game this afternoon, and now he wasn’t sure he was up for it. All he could think about was Charlie, her hands pushing down his back and across his chest. Hell, even his legs and feet. He had no idea his feet were such a hot spot for erotic pleasure, but each stroke of her thumb across the sole sure ended in his groin.

“Oh.” Ayden wasn’t into it. The touch football game was just getting him all tensed up again. His belly was full from dinner, and he could still smell Charlie all over him.

“Time out,” Grace called.

It was the boys against the girls.

Evelyn let Grace play while she and Joshua took care of Logan and kept the threeyearolds occupied.

In the men’s huddle, everyone was looking at Ayden.

“What the hell is wrong with you?” Ethan asked.

“What?” Ayden barked.

“Dude, you are letting them right by. You don’t have to tackle them but damn, grab a flag.” Chase was in agreement with Ethan. The women were up by two touchdowns, and that sucked since they all used to play football in high school.

“I say we call in the Big Dog.” Malcolm nodded.

“Did you get laid this afternoon?” Ethan had been eyeballing Ayden, and Ayden was still dazed. He kept looking at the women’s huddle.

“Humm?” Ayden jerked his head back to their attention.

“Did you get laid this afternoon? You were gone forever, and now look at you. You’re the Wolf, cold, calculating. You’re known for striking fear into the hearts of men. I have to tell you my image of you is crashing.” Ethan laughed. Man, this guy had it bad, and he smelled like cookies, though they didn’t bring any cookies back.

“Not that it is any of your business but, no, I didn’t get laid.” Ayden snapped at him.

“A blow job then? Yeah, I get a little mellow, too,” Chase agreed.

“No. Shit.” He didn’t want them picturing Charlie in the act of anything. That was for his imagination only. “I took a nap. God, I couldn’t sleep last night, and I feel like hell now. You know what. I’m out.”

Ayden stalked away from them.

“Ayden, come back. We’re sorry,” Ethan called laughing. Damn they hit a nerve.

“I’m up!” Joshua jumped eagerly. He hated being on the sidelines. “You want to take Charlie out, baby, and play?”

“No, you guys go ahead. I think Logan’s almost asleep now.” Evelyn kissed him, and as Joshua headed out, she grabbed Ayden who was on the way in. “Hey, come talk to me.”

“You want to know where I was all afternoon, too?” Ayden snapped.

“You went home, probably took a nap, apparently not long enough though.” Evelyn drew her brows down and scowled at him.

“Sorry, the guys have been riding my ass over Charlie.” Ayden hugged her.

“No wonder.” Evelyn shook her head.

“No wonder what?”

“Ayden, are you aware that you smell like cookies?” Evelyn snickered.

“Shit.” Ayden didn’t shower. He just threw a shirt on. He couldn’t really smell the vanilla anymore, but he could still smell Charlie. Now he knew why.

“Come on.” Evelyn walked inside the house. Logan had finally drifted into a sound sleep. She placed him in the playpen, hovering over him, stroking his hair.

“You look comfortable like that, E.” Ayden sat on the couch. He was exhausted, and he didn’t know why. He hadn’t really done anything today. Except, think about Charlie.

“I don’t know. Do you think I will be a good mom, Ayden?” Evelyn sat next to her brother. Ayden knew her better than anyone other than Joshua. Though she’d only known he was her brother this past year. He had always been there in her life, in the shadows. He had saved her on more than one occasion. When she was a bounty hunter, having a family seemed surreal. It was a fantasy. Now she had plenty of family. Could she handle a family of her own?

“Of course you will. You’re smart, and you know the difference between hard work and hand outs. A kid would be lucky to have you.” Ayden pulled her in for a hug. “Joshua, on the other hand, let’s just say I hope you have sons.”

“I don’t know. I hope it’s a little girl.” Evelyn sighed. “Do you want kids, Ayden?”

“I do.”

“Do you like Charlie?” Evelyn liked her. Especially now that she knew how much she adored Ayden.

“Yeah, she’s a good kid.”

“No, Ayden. She is not a kid. Do you like her?” Evelyn sat up and looked at him pointedly.

“I don’t really know her. She doesn’t really know me.” Ayden shrugged. “Relationships take time.”

“Ten years?” Evelyn shook her head at him.

“That’s different. She was a case, Evelyn. I couldn’t get involved with her then. I’m not sure I can now.” Ayden heard the screen door open and knew the football game had ended. “Something is still a little off about her being here. Keep that to yourself please.”

Ayden pushed up and headed out the front door. He didn’t want to deal with anymore questions about Charlie tonight. He had to work in the morning.

Evelyn drew her brows together. That raised her instincts to a whole, new level. Ayden was worried about the woman, but he hadn’t contacted anyone to find out if something was going on. Not a problem. She would find out.

The crowd bustled into the kitchen and living room. Joshua sat his large body hot and sweaty, on Evelyn’s lap.

“Where’d the Wolf go?”

“Home. He’s tired and cranky. Besides he has class in the morning, remember?” Evelyn swatted him making him get up.

“Maybe you should go with him.” Joshua bit her nose and stood. Evelyn had been unusually moody the past few weeks. He hadn’t seen her this moody since they first met.

“Are you trying to hurt my feelings?” Evelyn felt a surge of emotions and a tear.

“No, baby, damn.” Joshua wasn’t expecting that. To avoid a scene, that would likely get his butt chewed by her later, he pulled her up and went to the porch. He hated having all these people in his house. No privacy. “What’s wrong, honey?”

“Nothing.” Evelyn sobbed on the porch. “I’m just tired.”

Frustrated beyond belief he sat in the rocker, pulled her in his lap, and held her. If he didn’t know any better, he would think she could be pregnant. They said it could take a year for the birth control shot to wear off. They were hoping to start trying next year. Evelyn wanted to get the studio up and running. Maybe she was just overwhelmed by the new business and all the guests.

Or maybe she was just tired since she was snoring in his lap now. She had been getting up in the middle of the night all week. He didn’t mind because she woke him up in various ways, but tonight he would ensure she went back to sleep instead.

Malcolm and Stephanie headed out with a blanket in hand.

“Where are you guys headed?” Joshua gave them a curious glance.

“To the beach, we can still catch the sunset.” Stephanie smiled and tugged Malcolm along.

“Be safe.” Joshua shook his head, poor guy.

The door opened again and Charlie stepped out.

“Is she okay?” Charlie looked at a sleeping Evelyn in his arms.

“Yeah, little cranky. Runs in the family.” Joshua lifted Evelyn. “Hold that door for me?”

“Where’s Ayden?”

“Went home, he has to work tomorrow. He didn’t tell you?” Joshua paused in the doorway. Charlie shook her head. “See, runs in the family.”

***

Charlie closed the door behind him.

She felt alone and awkward walking up the street to Ayden’s house. Why didn’t he tell her he was leaving? She opened the door and locked it behind her. The large house was quiet. Too quiet, it needed more life inside it in her opinion. Maybe a couple kids running around like they were at Evelyn’s. Yes, she decided, that is what was missing. But did Ayden want a family? Would he want one with her?

She headed up the stairs and peaked in his room. He was asleep. Face down in the center of the bed butt naked. Snoring. He must have been tired. Or maybe he was leaving her an opportunity open?

Charlie stepped into the room and moved closer. God he looked good in the buff. He had a dimple on his right butt cheek. From his waist to mid thigh looked pale white and the rest of his body a golden tan. Smooth and sleek. His brown hair was wet leaving a water halo above it. He was definitely asleep.

Charlie pulled the blanket over him from both sides wrapping him like a burrito. Ayden felt her tuck him in and then kiss his cheek. He was asleep until he heard the door open, but he realized he was butt ass naked and was curious what she would do. It was a doubleedged sword. He felt relief that she didn’t try to handle him in his sleep and disappointment because she didn’t try to handle him in his sleep. Shit. He needed to figure out what he wanted and soon.

Charlie headed to the shower and took a nice long cold one. Ayden was making her crazy. Too much of his body exposed in one day. She needed relief. He needed relief, but he wasn’t ready to have sex with her. He wouldn’t unless he really cared about her. She couldn’t unless she was prepared to deal with the rejection that followed if she pushed him into it too soon. There had to be a way. Yes. There was a way. She turned the warm water on and relaxed. She could modify Stephanie’s plan.