“So, what do you do?” The question seemed innocent enough, but it had him frowning. “I’m sorry.”
“No, it’s okay. Honestly, my life’s been on hold, I guess.” He downed the last of his wine and then poured another glass.
“We all grieve in different ways. Sometimes it takes longer for some people.”
He shook his head and then took another sip. “I finished up law school like my father wanted, but I never took the job he had waiting for me. It was my father’s dream, not mine. I only did it because he pushed me. He was an arrogant ass at times. I had worked myself to death in school and wanted to take some time for myself. I wanted to be a pilot.”
My heart stopped beating in my chest. “So, you were learning to fly?”
“Not as a career, but I had a few classes, like my dad. He lost interest after the newness of owning a private plane wore off and was content to hire a pilot. It was a new dream for me and something I decided on a whim. I had only told my dad about a few weeks before the accident. I felt like I’d finally found something I enjoyed, something I could be excited about, and that made me happy.
“But he thought it was a waste of my time. I think he was afraid I’d be good at it when he wasn’t. He’d said it was nothing more than a hobby and that I had better take the job at the firm instead before he gave it to someone else.”
“So, you missed out on the opportunity?”
“No, it’s still there. As a matter of fact, the entire company is mine. My father owned the entire business. His partner got himself into some gambling debt, and though my father saved his ass, he let him keep his name on the door.” He leaned back in his chair. “No, I had no interest in working for my father and having to do things his way. I had enough of that growing up.”
“Don’t take this the wrong way, Aiden, but your father’s gone. If the business is yours and you obviously have the qualifications, why not take it and make it your own? There’s nothing holding you back now.” I hoped I hadn’t overstepped my boundaries by making such a point that his father was dead, but instead, a strange smile played around his mouth.
“You get it, don’t you? The problem is I should feel guilty for wanting to take it and make it mine, but I don’t. So, I’ve stayed away. I’ve lost three people in my life, and each one I’ve grieved so different from the next. But with my father, and the way he always treated me, with all the pressure and expectations — it’s been liberating.” He folded his hands behind his head and seemed more relaxed than I’d ever seen him. “Is that bad?”
“No. I mean, I can see why other people might think so, but you’re right. I do get it.” I couldn’t tell him there was a strange part of me that had hoped with my brother gone, I’d stop living in his shadow and how the guilt of that was being punished now with me being invisible to my parents. Even though I had been a daddy’s girl, Shawn had a
lways been the family pride.
“I think by not taking it, I’m still rebelling against him. Of course, I have taken it to new levels with my drinking, the awesome beard, and wrecking on a DUI. I’d never have done something so stupid and reckless with my dad around.”
“I wish you’d been more careful.” I reached over and placed my hand on his knee. It was a friendly gesture, but his eyes met mine with a desire so strong, I warmed in the depths of my core.
He leaned forward, placing his hand upon mine. “I’m glad I wasn’t. I got to have the sexiest nurse. You were so worth the risk.” My face burned with a blush as he stroked my wrist with his thumb and leaned closer. “Have you ever done anything reckless?”
I couldn’t think of anything more reckless than what I was doing with him already, but something inside urged me on, hungry for more. I took his face in my hands and pulled us together, my lips crushing hard against his. His arms came around me, and his chair slid back as he pulled me closer. I shifted into his lap.
His hands searched my body, gripping with a hunger as his lips devoured me. He pulled back and searched my eyes as his hand slipped under my shirt and cupped my breast. “Do you want this?”
“Yes.” I reached for his belt and tugged it to assure him. His next move was to clear the table with a sweep of his muscular arms. His mother’s precious dishes, my wine, his empty glass, and the corked bottle ended up pushed to the center of the long table in a pile. A fork clanked to the tile at his feet as he lifted me up and laid me out like dessert.
“Wonder if you taste as good as you look.” He pushed my skirt up to my waist and then his eyes flashed with a feral burn that sent a lick of heat to my aching core. “Looks like I’m going to have to repay a favor.”
I writhed beneath him, hoping he’d make it quick. I inched forward in anticipation as he grabbed the knife we’d use for dinner. My eyes widened, but I knew what he was up to. “I hope those aren’t your favorite panties.”
I shook my head then glanced down as he slipped the blade between my skin and the strip of lace at my hip. He jerked his hand upward, and the lace broke free. The air hit me down below as he peeled my panties away from my mound and flattened his palm against me. He placed the knife on the table and then lowered himself to my sex to plant a tender kiss. His eyes met mine for a moment, and I lifted my hips to him, wanting more.
“Greedy girl… I like that.” A chill shuddered through me as he leaned down and his beard tickled my thighs. Then his tongue parted my folds, slipping inside until it hit the apex. I shuddered and gripped him with my legs, urging him closer.
I wanted to feel him inside me, I needed something to fill me, and as if he read my mind, two fingers found my mouth. I sucked them until they were supple and slick, and then he wasted no time pushing them deep into me. He worked my clit and stroked me fast, his fingers curling up against my most tender spot, quenching the need that had built in me like a fire.
“Come for me,” he whispered against my mound. As if his command meant everything to me, I obliged. My toes curled, and I realized I’d somewhere in the act I’d kicked off my shoes and what was left of my panties. The wave of pleasure rolled through me, and he didn’t relent; he worked me straight through it, quickening his pace and lapping at me as I fell apart around him.
He gave a soft chuckle, and then his lips and fingers were gone. I opened my eyes as he stood upright and then held out his hand. I wasn’t sure where we were going, but I hoped it wasn’t far.
I glanced to his thick erection and another wave of need shot through me. I wanted on it. I felt an ache in my center at his absence and wobbled on weak knees as he led me out of the dining room and upstairs. I stopped halfway, my knees buckling like a fawn. It had been a while since I’d had such a powerful orgasm, and the anticipation for his cock was so much greater than I’d expected.
“Am I going to have to carry you?” He slipped his arm around me to hold me up, and when we reached the top, he scooped me into his arms.
I squeaked as my feet left the floor, and he stopped in his tracks to kiss me. My hand snaked down to grip his cock, and his breath hitched. Then he hurried to his bed where he dumped me onto his white cotton duvet, and we stripped off what was left of our clothes.
He reached into the side table and pulled out a small foil packet and tossed it on my tummy. Then he crawled up on his knees and waited. “You want to do the honors?” He stroked his cock, and as I watched it weep a pearly tear, my mouth watered.