Spark (26 page)

Cassie has been teasing me any chance she can get, quietly calling me ‘cherry’ or ‘little rabbit’. Well, I guess she does know everything. Thankfully she manages to do this away from my family.
That
would be difficult to explain. I never had the ‘birds and the bees’ talk with my parents, that was covered in school, so I would be devastated to have to talk to Mum about it.
I wonder if she thinks I’ve done it already?

The person I want here most of all is absent, noticeably so. I miss him. All of him. Those strong commanding arms, and the way his rough hands hold me, squeeze me, and the way he has my body singing …

Sigh.

I can’t help it. It’s like a part of me is missing. I haven’t heard from him for a couple of days, when he sent me a late text. I know he’s been busy, and how important this weekend is to his future. But the more time passes, the more my thoughts darken. If things are starting to cool off between us, if things aren’t going to get serious, then I need to know. I need to be prepared for the hurt. I don’t have to be psychic to know that he already has the capability of hurting me, more than anyone else. Aidan now owns a piece of me, and has wiggled his way into my heart. I dread to think of the damage it would do if he decided he wanted out. He’s said he’ll come and see me tomorrow when he gets home, depending on how late it is. If he does manage to make time for me, I guess I’ll find out then.

At 10.30pm I send him a text. I don’t want to seem too needy, so I try to keep it light.

Hope you had a good day babe.
Can’t wait to see you and your cute butt tomorrow x

I check my phone on and off for the next half hour, but no reply. I guess, if he’s had a big day, he might already be asleep. To think anything else of it won’t be helpful, particularly when I’m here to celebrate my birthday. Today is supposed to be a fun day. Good times, and all that.

Crystal notices me watching my phone, and re-assures me that tomorrow will be here before I know it. She drags me over to the crowded bar, and orders us a cocktail … a caprioska.
The first drink he bought me
. Clearly Aidan is not going to escape my thoughts anytime soon.

As we enjoy our drinks, a hand runs over the small of my back, over my arse and squeezes hard.

I turn swiftly, ready to knock out the son-of-a-bitch who thinks he can touch me like that. “What do you think you’re doin’?” I growl, pushing against a firm chest. My eyes dart upward. A set of familiar eyes meet mine.

I instantly melt.

I throw my arms around his neck, and plant a loud kiss on his lips.

“Geez, you looked ready to take a swing at me,” Aidan says, dazzling me with his panty-dropping smile.
The smile that’s mine … reserved just for me.

I laugh out loud, and playfully punch him in the arm. “How come you’re here? I thought …”

“I managed to squeeze commitments in yesterday and today so I could make it. I wouldn’t have missed it for anything.”

Wow, he went to all that trouble.

My heart squeezes tight in my chest, knowing he wanted to be here … for me.

Excitement seeps through every pore. He’s here. And I can’t wait to show him off. He’s as gorgeous as ever in a fitted black T-shirt and jeans.
Suitably delicious
.

“I hope you’ll forgive me, babe, but I don’t have your birthday present with me. It’s, ah … a little difficult to wrap.” Aidan’s eyebrows jut up and down.
It must be good
. He certainly seems excited about it.

“You didn’t have to get me anything,” I say, “you being here is more than enough.”

“What do you mean I didn’t have to get you anything? Why wouldn’t I get somethin’ special for my girl’s birthday?”

He said
‘
my’
. Wow. I’m yours, Aidan, any way you want me.

“So, what do you mean by
it’s difficult to wrap
?”

“I thought I would give you somethin’ unique, you know … somethin’ that no one else would think of.” Aidan sports a very wicked grin.

“Are you planning on giving me any clues?”
I need details.

“Come ’ere.” Aidan takes my hand and leads me to the back of the bar into a dark corridor, and leans me up against the wall. I hold his face between my hands and kiss him hard, pulling at his bottom lip. He returns my kiss with equal passion.

“God, it’s been a long ten days.” I exhale, in between kisses, savouring the familiar feel of his stubble and those lips.

“You’re telling me,” he groans into my mouth, “I’ve been hard as a rock. Can’t wait to be buried inside you.
Fuck
.”

I giggle as he presses his hardness against me. I can’t wait to get him into bed, but I can’t leave now. All my friends will expect to me to party for at least another couple of hours. This is going to be a
long
night. I clear my throat before I pump him for more information.

“So, come on, clues?” I prompt, running my hands over his firm chest. I want to rip his shirt off right this second.
Patience, Eevie
.

“Okay, well I suppose I could just tell you,” Aidan says in resignation, his devilish grin returning.

“Please.” You would think it was Christmas Day, I’m that excited. I resist the urge to jump up and down on the spot.

He leans his body firmly against me, his lips to my ear. He smells divine, no doubt fresh from a shower to here.

“I am going to kiss, suck and lick
every
inch of your beautiful body.” Aidan’s voice is deeper than normal, his words deliberately slow. I take in every … single … word. Like a wildfire spreading in the heat of summer, desire pools inside me. My heads swirls in anticipation, my heart pumping harder in my chest.

I’ve emerged from a long winter of hibernation, and Aidan is the sun. I’m sure I read something like that somewhere, but now I totally get it. This man has ignited something within me.
Was it there all along? Did it just take the right person to bring it to life?
As I bask in his presence, it’s like glorious rays of sunlight penetrate me, and enliven every part of my soul.

I put my hands in the back pockets of his jeans, squeezing his arse and pulling him against me. I will myself to contain my growing need for him, which is becoming more urgent by the second. I curl my leg around his, grinding my hip into him. I’ve got a short skirt on. Maybe we could sneak off somewhere.

Aidan nibbles at my ear, an involuntary moan escaping me. He must know by now what it does to me when he does that.

“And when you’re on the brink, I promise you, I’m going to fill you slowly. Inch, by inch, until you c…”

“Eevie, there you are,” Cassie interrupts, just when he was about to get to the good part.
Dammit!

I’m gasping for air like an asthmatic purely from his words, and I’m ready to drag him to the nearest dark corner and have my wicked way with him. It takes me a moment to divert my attention from his scorching gaze and my naughty thoughts to introduce Cassie to
my
Aidan.

Sporting a crooked smile, Aidan is no doubt taking pleasure in the state he’s got me in. I clear my throat as Aidan takes a step back.

“Cassie, this is Aidan. Aidan, this is my good friend, Cassie.”

“Nice to meet you, Cassie. Eevie’s told me a lot about you.” Aidan says, extending his hand.

“You too, Aidan.” Cassie shakes his hand, failing in her attempt to subtly check him out. “So
you’re
the reason Eevie hasn’t stopped smiling.”

You got that right.
I lean back against the wall, giddy and eager for this gift.
Trust Cassie to spring us
.

“I think she’s had the same effect on me,” Aidan says, and smirks in my direction.

“You just make sure you keep that smile there, otherwise you’ll have me to answer to,” Cassie says, finishing with a little chuckle, but her eyes narrow ever so slightly.
Aw
. I love that she’s got my back.

“I promise you, Cassie, I’ll work tirelessly to keep it on.”

Details, Aidan. I want specifics of how you propose to do just that
. Unable to hide my stupid grin, I slide my hand into Aidan’s back pocket and squeeze his arse.

“Good. I’m glad we understand each other. Now, you guys can skulk around later. Come on
little rabbit,
it’s time to dance.” Cassie tugs at my arm, and pulls me towards the dance floor. Aidan gives me a quizzical look, and joins Rob at the bar. I guess I’ll have to explain the nickname later, although I’m sure he gets it. Rob shakes his hand, and gives Aidan an awkward man hug. He used to have a man-crush, but now you’d swear he’s head over heels in love with Aidan, now that his career is taking off.

****

Finally, Cassie and Crystal give me permission to go home. I’m glad Crystal decided to spend the night at Rob’s place, because I know once Aidan is in my bed, I won’t be able keep quiet. The ride in the cab with Aidan was eventful the say the least. It was hands-down the best cab ride
ever.
I had to ask the driver to turn up the music so he wouldn’t hear me. Trying to keep quiet as Aidan took me to the brink and beyond was a lot more challenging than I’d thought it would be. Aidan, of course, was cool and composed, casually asking me about the weather as his hands were busy elsewhere.
There’s that sense of humour
.

When we arrive back at my place, we leave a trail of destruction from the front door to the bedroom as we desperately shed our clothes. It’s like my skin needs to breathe … to get back to the freedom of the last time we were together.

Aidan lifts me onto the bed, his strong selfish hands needing to touch every part of me and hold me all at the same time. His greedy tongue tastes the inside of my mouth as he rolls on a condom. When his hands are free, I squirm beneath him, wrapping my legs around him, so desperate to have him inside. He teases me by only pushing the tip in, and back out, making me cry out in frustration.
God I’ve missed him; missed this.

He takes my nipple in his mouth, drawing it to a hard peak. When he takes the other one in his mouth, his hot erection slides between my damp legs, but this time I push my hips up to meet him. He drives in deep, expelling the air from my lungs.

In one swift move, Aidan lifts my legs, resting them against his shoulders. I groan loudly as he fills me deeper than before, and grip behind his knees for support. He skilfully massages his thumb over the swollen ache between my legs as he drives into me over and over. In strong bursts, the build-up within me explodes into rushing waves of pleasure. I push my legs against his shoulders, and my eyes roll as far back in my head as is physically possible. Aidan’s thrusts pick up the pace, and moments later he pulses deep inside me, mumbling something under his breath.

Hot, sweaty, and breathless, we lie entangled in a crumpled heap as we come back down to earth.

I’m back on Aidan-time.

****

A mess of brown hair rests on my shoulder, the warmth of his body against me a reminder that I’m no longer alone.

Best way to wake up on my birthday.
Ever.

I don’t want to waste another minute. It’s been the longest ten days of my life, and last night, the amazing blur that it was, went far too quickly before we found sleep.

Enough sleep already.

I squirm beside him, his head falling back on the pillow. I swiftly move my lips to his before he comes out of his slumber. Craving to taste him, I kiss him desperately. His strong arms wrestle me, and pull me on top. Eyes shut, he inhales as we kiss, and then gives back my kiss two-fold—just as I’d hoped.

When my heart threatens to jump out of my chest, I break away to catch my breath.

Damn, so good.
I’ll definitely be waking him up like this again.
Perhaps even in other ways with my mouth …

Long lashes flutter open, and a wide grin spreads across his face. “Mmm. I thought I was still dreamin’,” he says, his voice hoarse.

“I’m afraid sleep time is over.”

“How come?” he says, rubbing his sleepy eyes.

Is he pretending he doesn’t know it’s my birthday?
I kneel beside him, and stab him in the ribs with my index finger. He winces, and clutches my wrists.

“No time for sleep when there are so many
other
ways I would rather spend today.”

He shakes his head, and chuckles. “You know, everyone thinks you’re this sweet innocent thing, but
I
know the truth.”

“The truth?” I frown.

“I know you think dirty thoughts.”

I laugh out loud. “It’s your fault … you started it. Oh, and just so you know, ten days apart is my limit. Last night, a look from you had me dripping wet.”

A sexy grin tilts the corner of his mouth. “Yeah, you
were
wet. Don’t think it was easy for me …”

“So, what’s on today huh?” I raise my eyebrows.
Hello … birthday!

“I’ve got somethin’ in mind. Actually I’ve got a few things. Why don’t you go have a shower, and I’ll meet you back in bed in fifteen minutes … and not before,” he warns.

“You mean you’re not having one with me?” I raise an eyebrow, curious that he’d pass on the opportunity.

“I don’t think we’d get anything done today if I did. Off you go.” He shuffles me off the bed, and I begrudgingly wrap my floral satin robe around me and meander to the bathroom. I grin as I follow the trail of clothes strewn all over the floor, grateful that Crystal slept at Rob’s place last night. I’m glad we had the place to ourselves. Frankly, I wonder sometimes why she pays rent—lately she seems to be spending more time at Rob’s place than here.

I take my time in the shower, using up the fifteen minutes. When I open the door, the kitchen smells like a bakery … filled with sweet sugary goodness, fresh bread and coffee. Like a trail of breadcrumbs, little red love-heart-shaped chocolates are sprinkled down the hallway. One by one, I gather them up, until I reach my room.

Wearing a knockout smile and boxers, hair messy as ever, Aidan lies next to a tray.