She couldn't feel her toes or her fingers, but she didn't care. She wrapped her arms around him and they held each other until their breathing slowed. When he rolled to his side, taking her with him, he stayed inside her. They laid there staring at one another, his fingers trailing over her face and tangling in her hair.

  "This is it, Aiden." His husky voice sent a shiver over her skin. "I'm not letting you go. Not ever."

  She kissed him softly and burrowed into his chest. "I'm not going anywhere," she replied.

  He held her close as they both drifted to sleep and Aiden never once thought of the possibility that she was wrong.

  ***

  Aiden opened her eyes to darkness. Her body felt deliciously sore and a smile immediately stretched over her face. It fell when she turned over to find an empty bed. She could smell Gus all over her so she knew it hadn't been a dream and the sheets were still slightly warm.

  Sliding out of the bed, she quickly found his discarded shirt on the floor and slipped it over her head. Her hair was a mess, but she didn't care. Gus loved her, messy and all. Of that, she had no doubt. Not after the things he had told her so earnestly.

  A light from the living room drew her gaze to Gus' large frame sitting in the middle of her couch. He was wearing only his underwear and the sight of his strong, capable body made her knees weak. He was a beautiful man and he was all hers.

  Then she registered his position and her stomach pitched. His shoulders were slumped forward and his head was in his hands. Did he think this was a mistake? Had he changed his mind so quickly?

  No. She knew he hadn't. She knew him and there was no way he would have let her give herself to him if he hadn't been completely sure she was who he wanted.

  "Babe?" she called and his head snapped up and turned to look at her.

  His worried expression made her feet move forward so she could comfort him. If he needed her, she would be there for him.

  She didn't hesitate to climb onto his lap and straddle him and he didn't try to stop her. His strong arms wrapped around her waist and held her against him, almost clinging to her as if she would disappear. It made the worry expand in her chest.

  He laid his head back on the couch and gazed up at her, the worry still present but a certain heat shadowing it. "I like that you called me Babe."

  She grinned, but didn't let herself be distracted. "What's wrong? Can't you sleep?"

  He shook his head. "I slept, but…"

  She kissed him tenderly then cupped his jaw in her hand, the light scruff there scraping her palm pleasantly. "Tell me."

  After a heavy sigh, he spoke. "Is this what you really want? I know you're worried about the type of job I have and you need stability. I'll do my best to give you that no matter the cost, but I don't want you to have any regrets."

  Warmth flooded her heart and the love she felt for him only grew. His concern for her and the things she wanted in life made her feel cherished and she knew he would sacrifice whatever he had to in order to keep her. But she didn't want him to sacrifice the job he loved and worked so hard for no matter how much she worried about him. She was so damn proud of him and for the sacrifice he made every day for people he didn't even know.

  "I'm not the strongest person in this world, Gus, but I'll try to be the strongest woman you could ever hope for. I'll worry and I'll probably cry over the risks you take with your job, but I'll never regret loving you. I'll help carry the weight on your shoulders when it gets rough and I'll always listen. It will take time to adapt, but I've already had a head start."

  His brow raised in question.

  She smiled. "I knew I loved you the moment I laid eyes on you in that restaurant. I've worried over you every day since and I've seen how good you are at your job. I'm proud of you, babe," she emphasized, now knowing he liked the endearment. "And I know you'll be safe. I know you'll protect me and do everything in your power to come back to me every day."

  He kissed her hard, passionately, and she could practically feel his troubles seep away.

  "Plus," she added breathlessly. "You're damn sexy with that badge on and I've developed several fantasies that I have no doubt you can fulfill."

  He laughed and nuzzled his nose in her neck. "I love you, Aiden."

  "I know."

  "Holy shit!"

  His outburst startled her and she pulled back to see what was wrong. He was staring down at her body in awe.

  "What is it?"

  "I just realized that you're wearing my shirt."

  She relaxed. "And?"

  "And I think I'll die of a heart attack before anything else if this is going to be a regular thing. You look fucking sexy, Red." His hands slid up her back and around to her front, cupping her breasts firmly.

  She threw her head back and moaned. "I'll go change if you want."

  "Don't you dare. From now on, you wear my shirts when you're home or at the studio. Throw that other one away."

  "What other one?"

  He kissed her neck and ran his palms down her sides to her thighs, slowly lifting the shirt. "That button up one. You look amazing in it, but it's not mine."

  "I bought that specifically for painting," she giggled and shifted on his lap when his hands cupped her bare ass.

  "Don't care. You only wear mine from now on. Deal?" He rolled his hips up and pressed his growing erection against her.

  She was already soaked and not even sure what they were talking about anymore, but she wasn't about to argue. "Deal."

  In the next second, the shirt was yanked over her head and thrown across the room. Gus lifted her enough so he could push his underwear down his thighs, then positioned himself at her entrance and pulled her down over him.

  He groaned and buried his face in her chest as he filled her. "I knew it."

  "Knew what?" she gasped.

  He thrust up into her, making her body tremble and clench around him. "That it would only get better and better each time."

  "Yes," she hissed and rolled her hips.

  "You are what has been missing from my life, Aiden. You're the missing piece to my soul."

  Tears filled her eyes at his whispered words, but he didn't need a response from her. He made love to her slowly, letting her take control when she wanted it and taking it back when he needed it.

  When they both found release, he stood with her still wrapped around him and carried her back to the bedroom whispering sweet things to her and loving her so fully, she prayed to God it lasted forever.

  Chapter 12

  Gus

  Waking up with Aiden in my arms trumps everything. There is nothing I could ever want more than her beside me. After the things she said last night about being proud of me and wanting to be strong for me… well, I realize now why nothing could stop Luke from having Ash, not even with me and Con in the way, and Con would never give up Emily, even if it was going to kill him.

  Aiden was it for me.

  Her back was pressed against my chest with her sexy ass tucked against my hips. She held my arm between her soft breasts with her tiny hands. God, that body. I knew she was sexy, but I wasn't prepared for that. Her creamy white skin made my mouth water and the way her breasts felt in my hands, a perfect fit. With elegant curves that were so damn tempting, I could just watch her move around all day and never get bored.

  I kissed her shoulder and buried my nose in her bright red hair. She always smelled so sweet, but this morning that sweetness was mixed with me and it made my possessiveness rear its head. I wanted her to smell like me all the time, so everyone would know she was mine.

  I pulled my arm away from her grasp and ran my palm along the dip of her waist and up the curve of her hip. She shifted in her sleep and hummed a pleasant sigh.

  I'd worn her out, but I wasn't sorry.

  After glancing at the clock on the nightstand, my chest deflated. I only had a couple hours before I absolutely had to be at the station today, but all I wanted to do was stay in bed with her. Rolling out of the blankets, I pulled on my jeans, reluctant to leave her, but hungry and knowing it would be up to me to make something good for breakfast. A smile streaked across my face. Life with her was never going to be boring.

  It wasn't long before I had the pancakes and bacon staying warm in the oven and eggs cooking in a pan. A shuffle in the hallway caught my attention and I turned to see a sleepy Aiden, wearing tiny shorts and a tight tank top, slowly dragging toward the kitchen. Her hair was a bright red mess and her freshly washed face was clean of makeup. She looked sexy as hell and it was only a few seconds before my arousal pressed hard against the zipper of my jeans.

  "Good morning, Red."

  She smiled and curiously glanced over at the stove, licking her lips.

  "You hungry, baby?"

  "Yes," she groaned. "I only had like three bites of chicken last night before I busted out of there."

  "That bad?" I laughed.

  "You have no idea. I don't know why I ever agreed to go out with him. He was weird and asked so many questions that I didn't feel comfortable answering."

  "Well, I'm glad you came home when you did. I didn't like how shifty the guy was."

  "Shifty?"

  "Yeah."

  "I thought he was just a douche bag."

  "Well, that is his name," I smirked.

  She laughed and sat her cute ass down on top of the counter. I dished out the eggs and pulled the pancakes and bacon out of the oven.

  "This looks delicious, Gus."

  Before she could grab her plate, I stood in front of her and spread her legs so I could fit between them. "I need a kiss before I allow you to eat all my hard work."

  She giggled and pressed her lips to mine, opening up for me when I slid my tongue over her plump lips. "Mmm, that's better."

  "I feel awful," she pouted. "I should be the one making you breakfast, but it would just end up burned to a crisp."

  I trailed my fingers up and down the tops of her bare thighs and kissed the spot under her jaw that made her shiver. "Oh, don't you worry. This is just the first course for me."

  "What? This is a lot of food, Gus."

  I nipped at her neck, soothing the skin with my tongue and trying to decide how to let her know that she was going to be feeding me breakfast and all she had to do was lay back to provide it. "I promised you my mouth and I keep my promises."

  She drew in a sharp breath and goose bumps covered her skin. I had no doubt that she wanted it. Badly.

  "Oh God," she breathed when I rolled my hips into her.

  "My name is Gus, love. Remember it because that's what I want to hear when you come with my mouth between these sexy legs." Her eyes closed and I felt only a tiny amount of remorse for teasing her. "Let's eat this before it gets cold."

  She slapped my shoulder, but her smile was wide and bright. I loved how I could make that smile appear so easily.

  We filled our plates and sat at the counter to eat. She told me about her reasoning behind going out with Douchey and I clarified the situation with Cindy. She apologized for what she said the afternoon before.

  "Babe, it doesn't matter. I shouldn't have left without explaining, but you were just so upset and I was seeing red after finding out you had a date. But it all worked out so let's not think about it anymore."

  She nodded and cleaned up her plate while I watched. "That was delicious, Gus."

  "You want any more?"

  She shook her head with a wicked smile.

  "Good."

  I stood and yanked her out of her chair. She crashed against my chest, laughing, and the sexy sound did crazy things to my self control. I kissed her ravenously, the sugary taste of syrup still lingering in her mouth, and walked her back towards the living room. She clutched my arms when her back hit the arm of the couch.

  "Get naked."

  She didn't hesitate. Christ, she was perfect.

  There was no slow, erotic tease as she stripped. No, she hurriedly tore off her clothes in absolute Red fashion. When she was completely bare and her clothes were scattered on the floor, she eyed me curiously. "Aren't you going to get naked, too?"

  I shook my head and grasped her waist, kissing her neck and shoulder as I guided her to turn around so her back was facing me. She rolled her neck to the side, giving me more skin to devour and I did. I moved her hair over the front of her shoulder and kissed the top of her spine. Her body trembled and I couldn't hold back the pleased groan at her responsiveness. She was made for me.

  I kissed a path down her spine and dropped to my knees. It was when I pressed my hand to the center of her back and made her bend over the arm of the couch that she realized what was going to happen.

  "Gus!"

  "Shhh, let me make you feel good, Aiden. I want a taste of you and this is how I'm going to take it."

  When her torso hit the cushions of the couch, her hips over the arm and her perfect ass in the air, I didn't think I would be able to last long. I smoothed my hands over her soft flesh, squeezing gently and making her squirm. She froze when my hands moved down between her legs and spread them open.

  "Oh!"

  "Oh, is right. You're beautiful, baby."

  I positioned her just right and shifted one of her legs until it was bent and kneeling on the arm of the couch opening her up to me completely. It probably wasn't the most comfortable position for her, but she didn't protest. In fact, her panting sounded like she would hyperventilate before I had the chance to taste her. She was nervous, but I could see how turned on she was.

  "Shhh," I soothed and caressed her lower back.

  "Um, are you going to…"

  "No. I won't go there."

  She sighed and her muscles relaxed instantly.

  "I want you to feel this, Aiden. Every single second of it. If you want me to stop, just say the word. But you don't have to be nervous. I'm going to make you feel so good, the future won't matter anymore. All that will matter is right now."

  I didn't hear a clear response, but the sensual little roll of her hips told me what I wanted to know. With one long, slow lick, I tasted her and she shouted my name. My own painful arousal begged me to just slam into her while she was splayed out for me like this, but after that first taste, I couldn't get enough.

  I found that swollen little bud and flicked it with my tongue, only once, and she gasped. Her hips rolled again, pressing her center harder against my mouth and I gave her what she wanted.

  When she was writhing and moaning, I found that sensitive bead once more and pulled it into my mouth. It was only seconds before she was screaming my name with her release. As she came back down, I battled with the decision to continue or sink inside her just like this.

  The pain behind my zipper made the decision for me and I shoved my jeans down to my knees and gripped her slender hips in my hands. "Hold on, love."

  I slid inside her with one hard thrust, my knees nearly buckling with the feel of her tight heat around me. She slid her propped leg down until both of her feet were touching the floor and the move made her grip around me tighten. "Fuuuuck."

  "Please," she growled and pressed back.

  The snap of my control was swift and I started to move fast and hard.

  "Heaven… this is heaven," I groaned.

  It wasn't long before we were both gasping for air from the force of our shared release. Her inner muscles pulsing around me nearly made me go blind with pleasure and I came harder than I ever have before. I kissed her shoulder and stay connected to her until she chuckled and started to shift her hips.

  "I need to move, baby," she said.

  I couldn't even begin to explain how good it felt to hear her call me that. I moved off of her, helping her lift off the couch and kissed her once more. She hummed against my lips and melted against me.

  "Thank you."

  I entangled our fingers and winked, "Thank you. We'll have to make that a regular routine every single morning, like an after breakfast dessert. Mmm, yeah, that sounds perfect."

  She chuckled as we walked hand in hand to get cleaned up.

  "I've got to go back to my apartment and get ready for work," I grumbled when she walked into the bedroom after taking care of business. I dressed in my clothes from the night before and pulled her into my arms, kissing that spot at the base of her throat that caused her to moan. "I hate to leave, but…"

  "It's okay, Gus. It's your job. I'll be here when you get back. Whenever that is. Plus, I'm watching Aidy for a couple hours after she gets out of preschool until Lily gets off work. I'm going to pick her up."

  "Okay, just be careful, and call me if you need anything."

  She nodded and I kissed her hungrily, but pulled away when I felt the urgent need to take her again. I couldn't get enough. "I'll call you soon, okay?"

  She smiled. "Okay."

  After a few more brief kisses and a swat to her still naked ass, I hurried over to my apartment and jumped into the shower. It only took me a few minutes to get ready and every second was spent replaying our night and morning together.

  I never thought the peace that surrounded me would be ripped away in a heartbeat.

  ***

  Thunder rumbled outside and shook the windows. The rattle of glass and the heavy splatter of rain drowned out everything around me. Phones were ringing, people were talking, but I couldn't focus. Yes, I was thinking about Aiden and how far we had come. I was thinking about the way she clung to me as I drove into her again and again and the way her eyes burned when I told her how much she meant to me.

  I was thinking about all of it.

  But there was something else.

  The storm outside was causing a storm in me and I couldn't figure out what it was that had caused my mind to jumble. A foreboding. A worry that something wasn't right. The peace we had experienced was almost too peaceful. Like the steady, quiet calm before a storm.

  I read the same paragraph on my report a third time, hoping I could shake off this feeling with a menial task. In the back of my mind, I registered the sound of a door banging open letting in the loud clap of thunder and a woman shouting.

 

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