All this time, I’d kept asking myself where he was living.
He didn’t tell anyone about it, but from the despair reflecting on his face, it was clear that it was the first time he’d opened up to someone. And that was the progress I was looking for.
I placed my other hand on his with my head resting on his shoulder. His body became still and rigid, but as I kept rubbing his hand, I felt his body relaxing eventually.
“Why do you risk your life in that arena?” I whispered.
He sighed before muttering his answer. “It’s not just the thrill and adrenaline that excites me, but the power I feel every time I control the moment. My mom’s death was out of my hands, and I felt weak and hopeless,” his voice broke a little as he cleared his throat, “but whenever I get in that arena, I control my life there. That’s when I feel powerful…I feel like I have a purpose in life.”
“But is this control really worth risking your life?”
He chuckled coldly. “It’s not like my sudden death would shatter someone.”
I pulled away instantly, feeling offended and hurt from his words.
“That’s not true. What about me?”
He narrowed his eyes, giving me a stern look. “What about you?”
“If something ever happened to you, I would be shattered. I won’t lose you, ever.”
His jaw ticked as I felt the rage brewing in his eyes. “Oh yeah? Where were you when my mom’s death shattered me?”
This was my chance. I could tell him now where I was and what happened. But the anger oozing from his tone made me shrink in fear. I knew if I told him now then he wouldn’t be able to process it well. The truth might hurt him, or worse, break him deep down, and I wasn’t ready to face either.
“I think we should head back,” I whispered as I made a move to get up, but I was abruptly pulled back as he made me sit on his lap, caging my body with his. His big hand cupped my jaw, keeping my gaze trained on him only.
“Not so fast. You better answer me or I will make you,” he warned.
I writhed and struggled in his hold, but he pressed me tighter against him.
“The more you move, the more you risk both of us falling in this freezing water. So, if you’re not interested in catching a fever, I suggest you stop moving,” he growled against my neck, sending shivers down my spine.
I looked over my shoulder to realize we both were at the very edge of the pier. I stopped immediately, feeling my skin burning from his scorching gaze.
“I can’t tell you…but I want you to know that I’m really sorry for what happened,” I murmured, meaning each and every word from the bottom of my heart.
Aiden leaned closer, running his nose along the pulse point of my neck, as I felt it pulsing faster and faster. He inhaled deeply, as if savoring my floral scent, before placing a tender kiss on the spot, making me arch back my neck.
“Tell me, Lisa. Otherwise I know how to get you spill out all the answers,” he breathed.
I shook my head, placing my hands on his shoulder for support. My fingers dug into his t-shirt as his kisses trailed up to my ear to my cheek. His teeth slightly grazed my cheek as I hissed with desire. I felt a tingle between my legs, urging me to be closer to him in a way I never imagined. I felt the bulge of his erection digging between my legs. The feeling was so dark and intense…it felt so wrong and yet so right.
As if on instinct, I pulled him closer to me, feeling him smile against my now sensitive skin.
“Please…” I barely whisper.
“Please, what?” he urged. “I need you to be more specific.”
My hips started to move on their own against his bulge as I heard him breathe heavily along with me. His hands dug into my thighs as he continued his torturous kisses along my pulse point. My blood rushed faster than ever.
“What do you want, Lisa? I need words,” he grunts.
“You. I need you,” I pleaded as my gaze met his lustful one. He licked his lips and urged me to move faster as he controlled the motion of my hips. The friction rubbed against my now wet center as I felt the tingling increasing with every movement of my hips.
“Fuck,” he breathed before his lips crashed with mine in a deep, passionate kiss. His lips were so soft and plump…just like last time. The kiss itself ignited my body on fire, making me moan against his lips.
His tongue traced my lips before they danced with mine. My hands moved to his hair, pulling his strands as I met his pace. I felt my shorts getting wetter as I kept rubbing against him.
Nothing mattered right now. All I could think about was him and me and our connection. It’s only us.
“Please, Aiden,” I whimpered, moving faster.
He nibbled my bottom lip as he grunted like a hungry predator after his prey.
“I can feel every inch of you. I can feel your nerves quaking. You are about to come, aren’t you?” he growled.
I nodded my answer. I did feel it, the pleasure building inside me. My muscles were dancing on the edge, and I knew that I was going to come anytime now.
Oh God.
“Come for me now, so that I can come for you.”
I threw my head back as I was on the very edge.
“Come now, Lisa.”
“Oh God! Aiden!” I moaned.
His words triggered my body as the orgasm exploded through me with an intensity I never imagined before. His kisses captured my moans and cries. I saw white for a second, completely overtaken by an immense amount of pleasure. I heard him let out an animalistic grunt as he rested his forehead against my neck, breathing heavily. His eyes shut as his face constricted.
It was a sight so beautiful that it would always be stained in my memory.
“Fuck. Fuck…fuck, Lisa,” he whispered while we both caught our breath. The crickets chirped around us, and the cold, airy Georgia night draped us in the damp heat of our connection.
But when sanity returned, the tension between us built up again.
His dark gaze met mine as he cupped my face. “You got what you wanted. Now it’s your turn to give me the answers I need, Lisa.”
My body immediately became still as my head cast down. I shook my head while swallowing the lump in my throat. The tears threatened to spill out, but I blinked them away.
“This is the only time I will let you say what you want. After tonight, I won’t bother even thinking about you,” he warned.
My heart sank from his words, but I did my best to stay strong.
“I can’t, Aiden. Not now…I just need some time.”
He was quiet for a moment, making me more nervous than I already was.
When I looked at him, I was presented with his glare and pain.
He narrowed his eyes as if trying to figure me out but was having a hard time. “How long?”
“I don’t know. A few days?” I suggested.
Tonight was not the right time. I wanted him to have an open mind when I revealed my truth. He wouldn’t be able to handle it well as he simmered with anger.
“You have till Tuesday.” That was the day after tomorrow.
“On Tuesday, you better tell me because I’m finally giving us a chance. Take it or leave it.”
I knew this was the best I would getting from him, so I didn’t protest.
I nodded. “Tuesday,” I agreed.
He let out a heavy sigh as he finally relaxed, with his gaze softening at last. For the next few hours, we sat there in each other’s arms while we relished the peaceful silence.