Lust & Lies Box Set-Sexual Awakenings, Excess, Predator & Prey

I was, after all, a closer.

“In reverent pauses, when we slow down and think about the gift of life, we may briefly touch humility.”

? Bryant McGill

§§

Nina

Aiden: Dinner?

Nina: I’m all yours.

Aiden: I’ll make sure of it.

He gave me an address, and I looked it up. It was a private country club close to my home. Standing in my closet in a daze, I realized I didn’t know how to continue the budding relationship between us without being deceitful. I’d given Taylor the info on the two men and was assured I would know something before the night’s end. I would have to tread carefully until I knew more. I picked a sleeveless tan and teal silk dress whose name brand I didn’t give a shit about. I was sure it was expensive, but with Aiden, I didn’t have to worry about appearances or wearing last year’s fashions.

With him, I could be anyone I wanted. This was new. We were new. I smiled as I dusted my face with powder, seeing the blue in my eyes pop out to match the dress. On any given day, my eyes changed color, going from an extreme stormy gray to blue. Even my eye color cooperated with me on my new agenda.

Do better, be better, and make better choices.

I wasn’t sure if I would ever fit in with my new peers, but I was a far cry from the hopeful housewife who waited patiently for her husband to come home to have something to look forward to. I had let people ruin my first few years of success, and I was determined not to let their opinion control my happiness any longer. My new identity wouldn’t have anything to do with the status quo. I had caught myself in time to keep from truly selling out. I had a delicious distraction who was now showing me just how beneficial it was to be real. And, just maybe, this time I would find myself in a real relationship.

Aiden.

I felt the ache growing between my thighs at thoughts of being filled by him. I was still deliciously sore from last night and embraced the fire spreading through my veins. I’d told him I wanted him to be the good guy, but his torturous fucking told me he was anything but. His dazzling smile and sincerity contradicted that point.

Carson drove me to the club, and I was greeted by a smiling valet as he tried to avoid my subtle cleavage, but failed miserably.

It was a beautiful night and the day’s heat was fading quickly. I was led through a large dining hall draped in fabric and chandeliers to a private dining room that could cater to hundreds. Off it was a balcony surrounded by palms and small, intimate, rock-filled fires, comfortable couch seating, and…Aiden.

He was dressed impeccably in a suit and tie that looked just as natural as his jeans and t-shirt. He was looking out at the ocean with his hands in his pockets. His golden blond hair was combed back neatly as if he’d been styling it that way for years. He looked up as the hostess and I entered. Next to him stood an intimate table for two dressed to the nines in glassware, candles, and fresh pink peonies.

“We will have your server to you soon, Mr. McIntyre,” the hostess piped with a knowing smile for us both. I held in my cringe at the announcement of his name and thanked her, turning back to Aiden, who now fully faced me, taking my breath away. He looked like a Wall-Street mogul. He was so tall, broad, and lethal in a suit. He smiled and held out a hand, not leaving his spot as he stood next to an open glass door.

I walked toward him, drinking him in.

“You look surprised,” he mused.

“I am a little. You clean up nice.” Pulling me to him, he planted a slow kiss on my mouth and then wrapped his arms around me, placing another kiss underneath my ear as he hugged me.

“I had a meeting today. I thought I might take advantage of the monkey suit and show my girl a good time.”

I looked around me and shrugged. “This is beautiful, Aiden, but you didn’t have to go through all this trouble. I would be happy anywhere.” I suddenly felt guilty. It must have cost him a fortune to reserve the room. Once again, the guilt of my wealth threatened to ruin my evening. Dismissing it, I looked around, noting the spectacular view. I watched a cruise ship sail by and looked back to Aiden, whose amber eyes glowed with amusement.

“I didn’t go through anything,” he said simply. “Come on, let’s sit.” He pulled out the chair for me, and I took a seat, feathering my fingers through the delicate flowers. “You deserve to be dined properly, Nina.”

“That’s not important, and unnecessary.” Placing my napkin in my lap, I looked up to see Aiden frown.

“I disagree.” Seconds later, he was testing a bottle of wine it seemed he previously ordered and nodded once at our waiter after he took a sip.

The white wine was smooth, crisp, and delicious. The formality, the way he presented himself, it all seemed so out of character for him. I suddenly mourned my sandal-clad surfer with a dirty mouth.

“Now you look disappointed.”

Taking a long sip of wine, he put his glass down.

“Come here.”