Ayden's Secret (14 page)

“I know.” Stephanie shrugged. “I guess Ayden’s the same. He didn’t say he didn’t want you, right? He just wants you to know that it’s not just sex he’s after. That’s a good thing, right?”

“When you put it that way, I guess it is.” Charlie laughed. “I’m so used to being naked, or almost naked, around guys who are always wanting more. Being in that environment for so long I forget he’s different in that way. Maybe because I have wanted him for so long I just turned into one of those groping guys that the waitresses at the casino always complain about.”

“Me too. We’re pigs, Charlie, shameless horn dogs. If we were men, we’d be appalled by our actions. I’m practically forcing a man to have sex with me.” Stephanie laughed. “It seems absurd, but it’s true.”

“You’re right. I mean if he took all his clothes off and masturbated in front of me, I would have thought he was a pervert.” Charlie was laughing harder now.

“Poor Malcolm, he’s afraid to be in a room alone with me because I constantly try to corner him.” Stephanie wiped the tears now breaking through the laughs.

“Look at us!” Charlie laughed.

The women continued to laugh and talk upstairs. Downstairs Ayden found Malcolm on the back porch. He had a pack of cigarettes stashed for emergencies, and Charlie had him in the frame of mind to smoke. One minute they were laughing and playing, the next she was sleeping alone. His gut was tearing in half over it. He knew they needed to take things slow, but at the same time, he really wanted to be with her because she felt so comfortable.

***

Malcolm jumped when Ayden landed a hand on his shoulder.

“You all right?” Ayden asked.

“Yeah.” He bobbed his head looking around toward the door. “Stephanie has me a little jumpy right now.”

“I feel your pain.” Ayden sat on the steps instead of in a chair.

“No, believe me. This is my personal hell.” Malcolm opened the screen and shut the back door completely sealing him and Ayden off from the family inside. “Can you keep a secret?”

“I’ve been known to.” Ayden smiled.

“I know, but I mean a family secret.” Malcolm considered it then blurted. “We’re married. Stephanie tricked me. She got me all worked up and then at a moment I couldn’t say no…Bam.” Malcolm hit his fist to his hand for emphasis.

“So what’s the problem?” Ayden relaxed, a little squabble with Charlie was nothing compared to the kid’s problem. At least Charlie wasn’t chasing him down the aisle.

“I can’t…you know.” Malcolm was looking at the door again. “You know.”

“Oh. I see. Nerves?” Ayden asked seriously.

“No, I mean look…I’ve never, and she’s never. I want to make sure she doesn’t regret it. If we go home and get married in the church like she has planned since she was a little girl, no problem. Now, if we do this, I have to lie to my grandfather, the minister, and so will she.” Malcolm paced the porch. “I must seem like a prude, a wimp, an idiot…”

“No, you seem like a man of character. Not a lot of us around.” Ayden leaned against the rail. “Want me to put you out of your misery?”

“How?” Malcolm stopped and faced him.

“Your marriage isn’t legal. Charlie told me and I made a call. That guy’s not a minister or a justice of the peace, so you’re not married. This is North Carolina not Las Vegas. Tell her you called about picking up the license, and they explained the scam.” Ayden watched as Malcolm’s whole body relaxed. The kid had stuck to his convictions and good thing too as, they would have regretted it. “How much were you out?”

“Two hundred.” Malcolm sat in the chair on the porch. “Why would someone do that?”

“Military town, easy money, once enough people show up to pick up a license and don’t get one, he’ll move on.” Ayden nodded. “Women are ferocious when they want something.”

“Yeah, Stephanie seemed so meek and mild, a little on the diva side when it comes to maintenance, but always a lady. Now, I have to watch my ass, seriously.” Malcolm shook his head.

“Well, don’t piss her off or you’ll go from burning hot passion to ice cold showers in no time.” Ayden spoke from recent experience. “Good luck, kid.”

Malcolm thanked Ayden and headed back in the house. He felt safer now that he wasn’t married. He could look Joshua in the eye again, and once Stephanie knew the truth about her nuptials, she was sure to cool off.

Ayden enjoyed the breeze that kicked up and the rustling of people in his home. It wasn’t so bad having family around, especially the kind that was headed out the door after him now.

“Ayden, Ayden!” Gray and Chase Jr. stopped in front of him. “We saw the fireworks.”

The toddlers were awake well past bedtime and it showed. He talked to them and listened to the play by play of the entire firework display. Once Ethan came to retrieve them, he said his goodnights and farewells to everyone. Noel and Tom climbed the stairs with Page already sound asleep and turned in for the night.

***

Ayden locked all the doors and checked the windows. He was tired, but he didn’t want to go to bed. He at least wanted to make sure Charlie didn’t need anything.

Outside her door, he tapped lightly. Maybe she was asleep and he could just go to bed and not have to deal with it tonight.

“Come in.” Charlie was wide awake and reading. Noel and Tom had said goodnight, and Noel put a butterfly stitch where the other had popped out. It might make a wider scar, but it was so small already Charlie didn’t care. Who would be looking at her feet anyways?

“I brought you a glass of water.” Ayden made the peace offering. “How’s your foot?”

“Thank you.” Charlie took the glass and sat it on the nightstand. Ayden was reaching for her foot when she pulled it back not wanting him to see. He caught the foot and lifted it for inspection. “Fine.”

“What happened?”

“Apparently you shouldn’t throw a temper tantrum with stitches in your foot.” Charlie pulled her foot away from his scrutiny.

“Hmmm.” Ayden crossed his arms and looked down at her. She was wearing some little green silk nightgown looking so feminine and tasty. “I’m not sure what happened earlier. I’m sorry if I said anything that…well, I don’t want you to be mad.”

“I’m not.” Charlie was over it.

“Good.” Ayden was out of reasons to be in her room. Charlie made no move to coerce him into bed like he’d hoped she would. He began to wonder if she was lying about not being mad. He wanted to sleep with her tonight. Last night he had the most restful sleep he could remember. No nightmares, no dreams at all, just a peaceful solid sleep. He cleared his throat. “Well, I guess that’s goodnight then.”

“Goodnight, Ayden.” Charlie wasn’t about to ask him to sleep with her. Of course, she wanted him to. She desperately wanted to curl up on his chest and put an end to a long day. Maybe she needed to look for an apartment because it wouldn’t be easy to take things slow when they shared the same living space.

“Goodnight, darlin’.” Ayden leaned over her and kissed her forehead. He pulled himself away and walked out her door. It took all of his effort to push his body out of her space. Once in his room he plopped onto the bed and prepared for a restless night. He was already thinking of reasons to go back to her room.

Ayden was only half asleep when the doorbell rang. He looked at the clock and realized it was two in the morning. Alert and alarmed he was on his feet and down the stairs. At the door, he greeted Evelyn.

“Is everything all right?” Ayden looked her over and then past her to the quiet street.

“No.” Evelyn felt like a maniac, completely consumed with her thoughts. “I know it’s two in the morning, but I need cookies.”

“Cookies? What the hell are you talking about, darlin’?” Ayden stepped back and watched her tromp inside.

Evelyn went to his counter and searched for the cookies Noel had sent him. They were in the cookie jar. Thank God. She picked up the whole jar and took one out. “I feel crazy. It’s like I have to have them.”

“Well, I have to admit you do look kinda crazy.” Ayden laughed. Evelyn was in her pajamas, her hair was half out of the braid she wore, and she had on Joshua’s sandals. “What happened to your stash?”

“I ate them all. I had one left last night. Tonight I kept telling myself that I didn’t really want them, but I did.” Evelyn clung to the cookie jar. “I’m sorry. I feel like a fool, but I knew you had some.”

“It’s all right. Noel made Tom go out about two hours ago to pick up tacos.” Ayden sat at the kitchen table. This was why he was here. Moments like this, when he could actually be a big brother to Evelyn. The woman had been a survivor all her life. She didn’t trust men until she met Joshua, and she had been very selective since then. “You can take ‘em all.”

“Oh I planned to.” Evelyn laughed. “Joshua is going to kill me for sneaking down here in the middle of the night.”

“I’m glad you did.” Ayden tapped his fingers on the table. “So you gave Charlie a job?’

“Yeah, I probably should have talked to you about that first.” Evelyn put the lid back on the cookie jar and held it in her lap. She wasn’t used to asking anyone for permission. The last year had been quite an adjustment. Marrying Joshua was a huge change, then having Ayden determined to be in her life. For a woman who spent years pushing men away she was effectively drawing them in now.

“No, it’s your shop. What will she be doing?” Ayden really wanted to know what Evelyn thought of her, but he was working into that.

“Cut the shit, Wolf.” Evelyn looked at him directly and smiled.

“How do you do that?” Ayden leaned forward and crossed his arms on the table.

“Ayden.” Evelyn was getting sleepy again, and everyone was leaving tomorrow. Ayden had a lot on his mind, and he never beat around the bush, until now. Charlie really had an effect on him.

“All right, damn woman.” Ayden put his head face down and muffled his words. “I like her.”

“I know.” Evelyn understood Ayden completely. He had been a loner for so long. Loving family was safe. Loving someone else was dangerous.

“I promised Michael that I would look after her, I would keep her safe.” Ayden felt the tension in his chest. “I can’t risk it.”

“No, you won’t risk it. There’s a difference.” Evelyn touched the top of his head. It was a real honor to be privy to Ayden’s trust. “I like her Ayden, a lot. She’s honest and sweet, most of all she adores you. Insufferable ogre that you are.”

“So what happens when I’m not perfect anymore?” Ayden grumbled.

“You’ll always be perfect to her. Just like Joshua will always be perfect to me. He has flaws. He snores, he’s over protective, and even though he knows I can take care of myself he still insists on doing so many things.” Evelyn patted his head. “Let her take care of you, Ayden. You deserve that.”

He lifted his head. “How did you know she was trying to take care of me?”

“She told me the first night. She told us all that she was here to take care of you for as long as you’d let her. If you didn’t let her in, she was going back to Sweden or Switzerland?” Evelyn waved her hand in the air. Was Ayden really this blind?

“She didn’t tell me that.” Ayden felt a new sense of alarm. Charlie was so drastic in her plans, and he didn’t want to think of her leaving him.

“Well I have to admit it sent up a stalker flag for me, so I had her checked out.” Evelyn confessed. “She’s clean, Ayden. There was no reason for her to leave Vegas, except you. Once she told us about the meeting each year and your snazzy hairdos I knew she wasn’t a threat to you.”

“I’ve been tempted to run the check, but I couldn’t bring myself to do it.” Ayden put his head back down. “I’m glad you like her.”

“I need to get home before Joshua comes looking for me in his underwear.” Evelyn stood holding onto the cookie jar. Watching Ayden made her miss Joshua. She needed to run home and tell him how much she loved him. “I’m glad you straightened that whole Malcolm and Stephanie thing out. I really didn’t want to get involved.”

“Do you know everything?” Ayden looked at her with total appreciation.

“I know what I have to know to keep Malcolm alive on this vacation.” Evelyn nodded and then rolled a shoulder admitting the truth. “I overheard Stephanie talking to the guy on the phone by accident. When I went to check to see if they were actually married, they told me about the scam and that they were closing in on the guy.”

“She’s still a virgin.”

“Thank God.” Evelyn sighed in relief. “You know his grandfather married us. I couldn’t look that man in the eye and lie to him.”

“Neither can Malcolm.” Ayden kissed her on the cheek and walked out to the sidewalk. He wouldn’t walk her home because she would take it as an insult, but he would stand there and watch till she got back into her own house.

“You don’t have to watch me walk home.” Evelyn shook her head.

“I could walk you.” Ayden crossed his arms.

“You know damn good and well I’m the most dangerous person out here tonight.” Evelyn propped one hand on her hip looking up at him seriously.

“No, I think he is.” Ayden waved to Joshua who stood on the porch in his underwear fuming. “Night.”

***

Ayden laughed and headed back inside. Evelyn could be heard dragging the sandals down the sidewalk back toward her house. Joshua had obviously just woken up and realized she had been gone too long. Ayden locked the door and went back upstairs. He paused at Charlie’s door. He didn’t have a good reason to go in.

He pressed his ear to the door just to see if he could hear her breathing maybe.

“Hear anything?” Charlie asked.

Ayden practically jumped out of his skin. It had been a great many years since anyone had snuck up on him.

“God woman.” Ayden tried to regain his composure.

“I was thirsty.” Charlie shrugged and held out the glass of water. “What’s your excuse?”

“I just. I…never mind.” Ayden opened his door and went in. Charlie followed behind him setting the glass on his dresser.

“Are you spying on me, Ayden?” Charlie crossed her arms and looked down at him.

“No. I…” Ayden didn’t know what he was doing, but he was slipping up. He knew that for sure.

“Then why are you listening to my door at three in the morning?” Charlie really wanted to know. If he was going to spy on her, she would definitely have to get another place. He had to trust her.

Ayden looked up at her, and he felt his face burn hot with embarrassment. He cleared his throat, looked down, then up at her towering over him while he sat on the foot of his bed. He wasn’t about to get all sappy and tell her the truth—he missed her. He wanted to hold her and hear her breathe.

“I was feeling a little, you know. So I thought I would see if you were awake.” Ayden pulled out his best macho tough guy attitude and made no apologies. He knew a way out of this, one she would appreciate.

“I thought you didn’t want to have sex with me.” Charlie threw her arms up. The man was a puzzle. Hot one minute cold the next. If she didn’t love him, she’d kick his ass.

Shit. She had him there, but he did make a promise.

“I don’t,” Ayden said smoothly. “I wanted something else from you.”

“Ayden?” Charlie could see that look even through the darkness. The moonlight accented his gaze. His eyes were flaming. All the heat from his face was gone, and he was indeed the big bad Wolf, and she was about to be eaten. His hands reached out and grabbed her hips.

“I promised you, remember?” Ayden pulled her closer. “I always keep my promises.”

“I…I…I uh.” Charlie was stammering for words quickly losing her senses as his hands slid around and cupped her bottom.

“You want to destroy my good name?” Ayden asked and kissed her silk covered belly.

“No, I…”

“Good.” Ayden tapped her on the bottom and hooked the panties pulling them

down to her knees. He slowly slid his hands over her thighs and felt her hands on his shoulders. “Do you want me to taste you, Charlie?” “Yes.” Charlie was already breathless. This had taken her completely off guard. Ayden slid the silk fabric up just enough to expose her. He didn’t wait and he didn’t touch. He immediately licked.

All she could do was gasp for air as his tongue plunged into her. It was so savage, and he continued to ravage her. The panties had her legs trapped. She couldn’t spread them wider though she desperately wanted to. Ayden let the silk gown fall over his head, and he grabbed her ass pulling her closer.

“Ayden.” Charlie grabbed his shoulders tightly. This was torture and he knew it.

“Oh, your foot.” Ayden had wanted to really wind her up before letting her lay back and enjoy it. Just like, she had done to him, but she did have stitches, and he didn’t want her in any discomfort. “I’m sorry, darlin’. I forgot.”

“It’s okay, just…”

Ayden stood and spun her around so that she was now the one next to the bed.

“I can…”

Ayden silenced her with a kiss. A hot, hungry kiss that shot through her like a bullet, ripping her nerves and making them tingle all over in such a fury she felt faint. He pressed her back onto the bed and moved down her neck with eager kisses. His scent filled her head, and his body overwhelmed her.

Charlie tasted so good everywhere. He wanted to eat her alive. If he got too wrapped up in kissing her breasts, he may forget his goal and just push inside her. He drew on the nipple through the silk gown once more as her hands urged him to stay and her legs still bound together by the panties struggled to separate.

Ayden slid down her stomach leaving the gown on. Charlie wanted to take it off, have no barrier between them, but he pulled it back down when she tried to lift it up. Frustration was not something she was used to dealing with. Ayden had her pent up like a lamb, shivering and ready to fight for survival. She wanted to guide him, make him do what she wanted, but he nixed that plan by holding her hands together in one of his while he lazily licked her thighs.

Charlie was becoming violent with need. She tried to guide him, and she wiggled herself into position over and over. He enjoyed her frustration. It was exactly how he felt when she sat him in that chair.

“Ayden, damn it, are you going to do this or are you going to torture me all night?” Charlie couldn’t believe her own ears, but she was indeed barking demands at the Wolf.

“You call this torture?” Ayden smiled and nipped her inner thigh gently with his teeth. “I call it foreplay.”

“Are you a sadist?”

“Are you?” He lay to the side of her, still holding her hands together with one of his own. With his free hand, he traced her sex gently with his fingertip. There was no hair to play with. She was smooth and silky. “I mean really, Charlie, you didn’t see any problem in torturing me the other night.”

“But I didn’t waste any time in taking care of you the next morning.” She sighed a heavy defeated breath. He was really making her crazy with need, and she would only get satisfaction when he felt like giving it to her. She should have taken care of him that night.

“That’s right, but you didn’t give me any options then either.” Ayden let go of her hands and pulled the panties free. “But you did give me directions.”

“Ayden.” Charlie’s breath hitched as she felt his hands pulling her legs apart.

“What was it again? One finger or two, darlin’? I can’t remember.” Ayden slid his thumbs over her and opened her swollen sex. Charlie was so ready he could easily suckle her clit and make her come, but he wanted it to last and last.

“One,” she whispered.

Ayden held her open with one hand appreciating the swollen pink folds that were glistening wet. He slowly teased the tip of his middle finger in and out. She wasn’t lying; she was tight, maybe too tight. Good thing he wasn’t going to take her tonight. Instead, he would see what he needed to do to loosen her up enough that he could fit.

“Please, Ayden.” Charlie slid her own hands down and held herself open to him. “Please.”

On a growl, he pushed the finger deep and heard her moans of pleasure. “You’re so tight, Charlie.”

“I told you…” She gasped as he plunged into her again. “I’ve been waiting for you.”

“I’d probably hurt, honey.” Ayden wasn’t bragging; he knew how big he was. It had been a problem in the past. He also knew that Jessica had obsessed over his size. He decided later that she loved his cock, not him.

“I’m a big girl.” Charlie hoped he was ready to crawl up and take her, but she couldn’t be sure with Ayden what he was up to.