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

Aiden’s scent drifted over to me, and I felt the longing to be near him. I’d missed him, and I told him as much because it was the truth.

He grabbed my hand, and I whimpered at his touch before pulling my hand away. “Please don’t.”

“Okay.” He stayed quiet for a few moments and sat in the sand, looking out at the water.

I joined him as he stared straight at the calm sea.

“Devin and I grew up together. We have a long history. We are cousins but were raised like brothers. We were pretty close until high school, and then sibling rivalry reached a whole new level.” I nodded, urging him on.

“I guess the breaking point would have been a few years ago. We had a serious argument over something trivial that blew up into something entirely different, and we haven’t spoken since.”

“You two, the way you looked at each other, it scared the hell out of me.”

“We can be pretty intense.” I’d seen fighting like that my whole life. Some people just don’t mesh. Case and point, my mother and father.

“Believe it or not, I get it. But, Aiden, if he’s not in your life, why would you end it with me?”

He looked at me suddenly, anger covering his features.

“I was pissed, Nina. I was pissed I’d comforted you over a man you told me you were in love with. He was that man. I handled it poorly. But I’m still angry with you.” His next words were spoken low. “And I’m even more pissed that I still fucking want you.”

His amber eyes blazed with emotion and need. He was dressed in his usual cargo shorts and a light blue t-shirt that read Green Day. He looked even more sun-kissed than the last time I saw him, his beautiful, silvery blond hair tousled by the wind.

“I still want you, too, even though I don’t have the right. I wasn’t sure if you were connected, and I didn’t want to chance losing you, but I did anyway.”

I looked behind me to see Cedric watching us closely and gave him a wink. He was somewhat far away, so I wasn’t sure if he saw my gesture.

“Is there a reason you are winking at the man behind us after you just told me you wanted me?” His voice was dangerous, but I saw the humorous tug on the sides of his mouth.

“Yes.”

He leaned in with a chuckle, coming close to my lips. “And that reason is?”

“He’s my bodyguard. I didn’t want him tackling you into the sand in case you tried to kiss me.”

He leaned in, placing his hands on the sand. “And what makes you think I want to kiss you, naughty Nina?”

That one line had my heart soaring, and it quickly took a nosedive with my next confession.

Today is Monday.

“I slept with him, Aiden…since.” It was if I had burned him. He jolted back, standing up to glare down at me. I jumped to my feet to join him. Completely clueless as to what to say, I made a worthless plea. “You left me alone on that beach and told me we were done.”

“We are,” he said, turning, making his way to the large sand dune that led to the parking lot.

“Aiden, damn it.” I stood, watching him leave and tugged at the ends of my hair, emotion choking me. I walked the opposite direction, refusing to watch him walk away from me again.

“Today is Monday. Today is Monday,” I repeated over and over.

Being honest had its downfalls, too. At least when I was corrupt, I felt justified in my manipulation. Maybe today was finally my Monday. And I hated the fucking day.

I could be in Aiden’s arms right now, kissing his mouth, feeling his warmth if I’d only lied.

And then suddenly I was. He caught up with me and turned me to him, his mouth coming down hard. I moaned as he thrust his velvety tongue inside, tasting me endlessly, sliding it over mine in a deep, sensuous kiss. I melted into him as he gripped me hard, stroking my face and neck with his fingertips, torturing my senses. When he pulled away, I saw anger.

“Why the fuck can’t you stay away from him!?”

I looked at him with another honest answer. “I told you why.”