Chapter 20
Chapter Twenty
O ne of the dogs howls as we drive into Hazelwell, the sound echoing from the tree line, eerie in the moonlight.
I park up and watch as Aidan gets out and walks towards the door.
All of them run towards him, a couple from the woods, one from the shelter, and Juno from the house.
They swirl around him, tails wagging, shoving their magnificent heads under his hands.
I take my Morticia wig off and fluff up my real hair, glad of the cool night air against my skin as I quietly get out of the car.
Juno runs straight over to me for love, and Argent follows a little later.
The other two, Frost and Mabel, look up at me with twitching noses.
I always feel a bit sorry for Mabel, because the others have such cool names.
But as she’s a dog, I don’t suppose she’s bothered.
I walk slowly over towards them, and neither of them runs away back into the woods.
This is a victory, and Aidan looks thrilled– even more so when all of the dogs follow us inside.
This is the first time the whole pack has come into the house while I’ve been here, and I am also delighted.
Maybe we’re all making progress in our own ways.
We spend a little time with the dogs, and Aidan puts on some music and pours me a glass of wine.
He throws some logs on the fire, and basically lets me relax.
I am, of course, nervous, but I allow myself that.
This is a situation where nerves are entirely appropriate, and in their own way luscious– the tingling feeling in my tummy, the jittery dash of energy when our hands brush, the sense of anticipation.
After the dogs have fully settled, safe in the knowledge that their alpha is home, he stands up and holds out his hands. I place mine in his, and he pulls me effortlessly to my feet. I’ve shed my heels and slide comfortably into his embrace.
He puts his thumb beneath my chin and gently turns my face upwards to look into his eyes.
‘You’re trembling,’ he says softly, his other hand on my neck beneath my hair. ‘Are you scared?’
‘Yes,’ I murmur, leaning into him.
‘Don’t be. Nothing is going to happen here that you don’t want to happen.’
I nod and tentatively run my hands over his back. His jacket has been thrown on the couch, a plain white shirt beneath. ‘I know. But… if you leave this up to me, then nothing will happen. And I want it to, Aidan, I do. I’m just… unsure. It’s been a while.’
I expect a flippant comment, something along the lines of ‘Well it still works the same as ever’.
But he just nods, and caresses my cheek with his palm.
It’s not just that it’s been a while. It’s also that I’ve never, ever felt this way around a man before, and it is unravelling me in all kinds of ways.
It feels dangerous and delicious all at the same time.
He takes my face between his hands and leans down to kiss me. It begins gently, slowly, almost delicately. Like he is giving me the chance to change my mind. When I don’t– when my fingers tug his shirt loose and slide onto his bare back– everything changes.
The kiss deepens, our lips dancing together in a way that starts a fire inside me.
My hands explore his body, running over the soft skin and the steel muscle that lies beneath it.
He twines his fingers into my hair, pulling me closer, kissing me with even more passion.
I’m crushed against him, our bodies flush against each other, and I feel the hardness of him pressing against me.
If I’d ever doubted that he wanted me, I no longer can.
I push my hands between us, fighting for enough space to undo the buttons of his shirt, desperate to see him and touch him. He shrugs it off, breaking our kiss long enough for us both to take a breath.
He smooths my hair back from my face and runs his hands over my back. He finds the zip of my dress, and pulls it down, pushing it from my shoulders. His eyes roam over me hungrily, and his expression makes me weak at the knees.
‘God, you’re so damn beautiful…’ he mutters, unhooking my bra and gently stroking my breasts. I suck in a shocked gulp of pleasure as he runs his thumbs over my nipples, his pupils huge, his face as serious as I’ve ever seen it.
He slides my dress down over my hips, and it puddles on the floor around me. I have a second where I feel exposed and vulnerable, and then his hands are on me again and I forget all of that. I forget everything apart from this man, and the way I feel beneath his touch.
He swoops me up into his arms, cradling me against his chest, and I don’t even feel threatened by that. He is big enough and strong enough to make me feel safe and small and so, so eager.
‘I’m taking you upstairs,’ he says, nuzzling into my neck, kissing the tender flesh and sending spikes of excitement running through me. ‘The dogs are looking a little too interested…’
I glance down, see that he’s right. All four of them are watching us with curiosity, heads tilted and ears pricked. Juno’s tail thuds slowly against the floor.
‘Good idea,’ I say. ‘I love the dogs, but some things should remain private.’
‘They should. Now, hold on tight…’
He gallops up the stairs with me held against him, and I squeal like a little girl the whole way.
He’s laughing by the time he pushes open his bedroom door and lays me gently on the bed.
I glance around, see a masculine but comfortable room painted in shades of blue, stacks of books on the floor, colourful artwork on the walls.
The sheets are cool and soft against my skin, and I stretch out against them.
All of my nerves have disappeared. All of the embarrassment I usually feel at being almost naked with a man has gone.
Something about Aidan does not allow those feelings to show themselves.
Instead I am suddenly confident and playful. Teasing, even.
His eyes follow every move I make, a small smile dancing on his lips.
‘I knew there was a sex kitten in there somewhere,’ he says, tugging off his belt and his trousers.
I stare at his magnificent form, hardly able to believe that this is happening.
That the melting feeling in my tummy is real.
That the need flooding my body is going to be fulfilled.
That after a month of foreplay, I am finally ready.
He climbs onto the bed, and straddles me, trapping me beneath him. He plants a palm either side of my head and pins me down with his intense green eyes.
‘I want you more than I’ve ever wanted a woman in my life,’ he says, his voice a low growl. I rub myself against him shamelessly.
‘Well, here I am,’ I murmur, running my hand over his perfect backside. ‘Yours for the taking…’