17. Blakely
Waking up,I’m cocooned in warmth and aware of a hard object pressing into my back. As I try to break free, strong arms tighten around me. The scent of sandalwood and mint fills the air. The heavy curtains prevent any light from filtering into the room, making it impossible to tell what time it is. I can feel Aidan’s warm breath on my neck, making me shiver.
The events from yesterday come back to my mind. I should have known he wouldn’t let me sleep alone. Typical.
I’m still mad and hurt. I tried to see it from his point of view and why he thought that lying to me would be the best thing to do. The reality is that I would have done the same thing if I were in his shoes. I haven’t forgiven him. Yet. But having seen evidence of people trying to kill him and my brother, I understand his need to protect me. And he was right. Telling me that he didn’t love me anymore wouldn’t have worked on me. I’m an overthinker, and I know him. I would have seen straight through his lies.
“Go back to sleep, Tink. It’s too early.” His deep morning voice cuts into my thoughts.
“Why are you in my bed?” I ask him, trying to break free from his grip, making him tighten it more.
“I’m sleeping,” he says like it was a silly question to ask.
“Okay, but why in my bed? Don’t you have your own?”
“This is my bed. Now that we have established that, go back to sleep.” I can feel his nose touching the crook of my neck.
“Not the time to be a smartass. Could you remove your hands from me? I need to use the loo.”
He releases me, grunting as he rolls over onto his own side of the bed. Before I even have time to remove the covers from me, he turns on the small light on his side of the bed and gets up to walk towards me.
“What are you doing?” I ask as I try to slip out from under the covers. “Did you undress me?” My clothes from yesterday are gone, as well as my bra, replaced by my pyjama shorts and a large T-shirt that is not mine.
“That’s a lot of questions for 5 a.m.,” he says as he looks at the clock beside me.
He is shirtless, which should be illegal. By the light of the small lamp, I can see the V that goes down to his briefs and the details of his tattoos covering most of his chest and arms. Yup, because he’s wearing nothing except his briefs. Why do I feel like a horny teenager right now? With everything that happened yesterday and the medication I’m taking, I shouldn’t be turned on.
“Like the view?” Damn him with his deep voice and those damn abs.
I say nothing and try to get up from the bed. I learned these past few weeks that it is pointless to fight with him. He doesn’t want me to leave the bed or walk by myself. Which is ridiculous. I’ve been walking by myself for 26 years. Well, 25 and something. I know how to walk. The pain is mild today, and Bailey said that the wound is healing nicely. Just a matter of days before I can leave this place. If he ever lets me leave.
Helping me walk towards the en suite bathroom, I turn to face him. “I’ve got it from here.” I can sense he is itching to argue, but I shut the door and exhale a sigh of relief, cutting him off before he can say anything more.
My bare feet are cold against the hardwood floors. I run my hand over the goosebumps on my arms and shiver as I go. Inside the bathroom, I flip on the light and stare at my reflection in the mirror. My curly hair is a tangled mess, and dark circles ring my eyes. I look like a woman who hasn”t slept in weeks, not just one night. In a moment of weakness, I lift his T-shirt to my nose and inhale his scent.
I am completely fucked.
I shake my head and do my business as quickly as possible, not wanting to spend any more time than necessary in the cold room. I can hear him stirring in the bedroom, muttering something under his breath. When I”m done, I wash my hands and splash some water on my face, hoping it will wake me up a little.
When I emerge from the bathroom, he”s sitting up in bed, his eyes fixed on me. He has put on his joggers, but he didn’t bother with a shirt. Okay, I see what he is doing here. I shake my head to signal that I can walk back to the bed, and as I see him move, I notice his jaw ticking. Sitting on the bed, I bore my eyes into his. I won’t be able to go back to sleep, so I start to speak.
“Why? Why did you wait this long to tell me the truth?”
“I don’t know. Why didn’t you tell me you were working with my da’?” Touché.
“I didn’t feel like I owed you anything. That was between your da’ and me.” Rising to his feet, he begins to pace back and forth, his hand running through his dark hair in frustration.
“Do you understand that everything I’ve done was for your safety? Maybe it wasn’t the right way to do it, but it was the only solution I had at the time. And for what? For you to end up a target anyway?” His growls. “I need you safe. You need to be safe. These people… are dangerous. They would do whatever it takes to bring us down. You were the number one target. They knew you were everything to me. They would have made me watch you get tortured, raped, and killed before ending my life.” He kneels in front of me, taking both of my hands in his.
“Why did you hide what you were doing?” I’m waiting for his answer, my hands getting sweaty by the minute.
“Because you would have stayed?” he asks me, knowing I wouldn’t have. “How did you expect me to tell you? Oh, by the way, Blakely, I had hoped my da’ would let me live my life, but now I’m working with the equivalent of the mafia and killing people for a living. Do you think you would have stayed? You’re a lawyer. A fucking lawyer. What I do goes against everything you’ve been fighting for.” His breath is ragged after his speech. I squeeze his hands because I’m exhausted from fighting him. I’m exhausted from fighting my own feelings. He is right. The old me would have run miles away knowing what he was doing.
But I’m not the same girl anymore. I’ve made my peace with that.
“I understand.” My words shock him. He didn’t expect me to agree with him. He was waiting for a fight, but what’s the point now? What is done is done.
“Excuse me, what?”
“I said, I understand. You’re right. I would have run.”
“And now you’re not even attempting to run?” His forest eyes shine with a glimmer of hope.
“I think I’ve seen enough not to run. That doesn’t mean I forgive you for your lies. Or that I’ll decide to stay in Scotland and never go back to Paris.”
“We’ll see about that.” He stands, but before he does anything else, I ask. “Was the episode with Tim yesterday necessary?” I’m still annoyed about it. You don’t shoot someone already on the ground. His nostrils flare.
“Be happy he’s still breathing. He hid an important piece of information. That doesn’t go unpunished.”
“Don’t you think you’re overreacting a bit?” I raise my eyebrow.
“No, baby. I’m not overreacting. You got attacked. They tried to rape you. If the fucker was still alive, I would have ended him. That’s a crucial part of information. Don’t get me wrong. I’m more than happy that he showed you how to defend yourself and that you found a friend in him. But he works for me. His job was to keep you safe and to report any major events. Which he failed at miserably.” He swallows hard. Taking a step closer, his hands cup my face. I feel the warmth of his body, the smell of his skin, and that woodsy scent.
“Can you imagine what I felt when I heard you telling that to your sister?” I can feel the warmth of his breath on my face now. I’m so entranced by the green of his eyes that my answer comes out as a whisper.
“Anger?”
“Helpless. I felt helpless. I couldn’t stop imagining you bleeding on the floor, crying, and half-naked. And there wasn’t a thing I could do to help you.” My breath is shallow. His response was not what I was anticipating. He has always been the type of guy who keeps his emotions to himself and never shows them. Apparently, that’s changed if it concerns me. His words shouldn’t arouse me, but they do something to me. I think I’m broken. The sincerity in them makes my pussy throb.
“I won’t let anyone hurt you ever again. Not if I can help it.”
“Why?” He’s too close. His lips calling to me. I can feel my nipples peak through my T-shirt.
“Because you’re mine. Mine to take care of. Mine to cherish. Mine to protect.” Those last words are all it takes. Grabbing his hair, I kiss him like he’s my last breath on earth. He responds to my kiss, his hands moving to my waist as he pulls me closer. His tongue explores my mouth, making me moan in pleasure. As our lips part, I feel a surge of desire coursing through my body.
“Baby. You’re hurt. And if you don’t stop now, I’m gonna fuck you like I’ve been dreaming of these past few days,” he says, his eyes dark with hunger.
“I’m not broken.” He’s fighting with himself to make what he thinks is the right decision. But right now, I need him to fuck me like he hates me.
Pushing my luck, I bring his lips back to mine, my hands trailing over his torso. He growls in my mouth, his resolution long gone. His hands roam over me, caressing every inch of my skin, leaving a trail of fire in their wake. I moan softly, the sound lost in his kiss. He lays me down gently on the bed, his hands never leaving my body.
“Are you okay?” I can only nod. “Words, Tink. I need your words.”
“I’m fine. It doesn’t hurt. Would you just fuck me already?” He smirks. The arsehole smirks.
“Looks like my brat is back.” He strips away my clothes, his touch gentle yet possessive at the same time. I shiver as his fingers brush over my sensitive skin, my body arching towards him in silent invitation. Taking his time, he drops to his knees on the bed, kissing and biting my stomach, avoiding the bandage that sits on my waist. The slightest touch of his fingers on my pussy sends shivers through my body and causes my arousal to intensify.
“So wet already. I haven’t even begun with you yet.” Before I have time to give him a snarky comment, his tongue licks and sucks my clit in a few strokes, each one more intense than the last. I can’t help but moan out loud as pleasure courses through me. My body is on fire, and I can feel my pussy throbbing with desire.
He lifts his head, a satisfied smirk on his face. “You’re so close but not quite there yet.” Inserting two fingers at once, a gasp escapes me at the sensation.
“Full?” His glare bores into mine. I can’t speak, the sensation taking over. “If you can take my cock, you can take more than two fingers, baby.” He adds more pressure and faster movements before adding a third finger. My pleasure intensifies until I can’t take it anymore.
“Ade. I can’t. I need…” My words are incoherent.
“Does my goddess need to come? Fuck, I can feel you clenching around my fingers.” Slapping my pussy with his free hand, I scream out in pleasure, my whole body shaking as my orgasm consumes me.
“Ohmygod, ohmygod. Aidan!” I don’t recognise my own voice.
“God is not here for you right now.” As I try to catch my breath, he stands up, his eyes full of desire.
I’m frozen at the sight of him licking his fingers one by one. “Hmm, your taste is exquisite.” The need to have him inside of me is urgent, but I want to taste him.
“I want you in my mouth.” My sudden outburst causes him to stop dead in his tracks. “I want to taste you.” I can see the bulge of his cock ready to jump out of his joggers.
He looks at me with intensity as he starts to undress himself.
I can’t stop looking at him. It always seemed odd to me when female characters in books would talk about the magnificence of a cock, but now I understand. His is a masterpiece, and his piercing leaves my mouth watering for a taste.
As he reaches my face and kneels at the top of the bed, he says, “I’m going to take your mouth like the good slut you are. Your lips have been teasing me all week.”
“Yes, sir.” His gaze darkens, and his cock jolts in my face.
“Say it again,” he demands. I look him in the eyes and repeat.
“Yes, sir.” Before taking him into my mouth.
“Fuuuck. You calling me that always makes me— Oh shit.” I tease him, playing with his piercing. The sensation is odd but not unpleasant. As I taste and lick him, I can feel his cock pulsing against my tongue. Grabbing my hair firmly, he pushes further, leaving me no choice but to take him deeper, trying my best to take all of him in my mouth. My lips eagerly wrap around him, my tongue flicking and exploring every inch of his hardness. His moans of pleasure echo through the room, and I find myself getting more and more turned on.
“Baby, you don’t know what this mouth is doing to me.” He gasps for air, his breathing laboured and strained. His hands are trailing all over my body, his fingers finding their way to my nipples, teasing them until they harden in anticipation. His thrusts are deeper and harder, and his grip on my hair tightens. I can feel my eyes water. “Breathe through your nose. That’s it. You can take it deeper. Relax your throat for me. Good girl.” I try to do what he says, but he is too big for me to take him any deeper. “Look at me while I fuck your mouth.” I can’t avoid looking at him. The sight of his pleasure on his face will be my undoing. He lets out a growl as he presses a hand on my neck. “Fuck, I can feel my cock sliding down your throat.” His movements become more urgent, and I can feel the buildup of pressure inside me as his thrusts become harder and faster. His orgasm is close, and I can feel my own pleasure beginning to mount, threatening to overwhelm me.
“Fucking hell. You’re perfect.” He thrusts two more times before depriving my mouth of his shaft. “Not that I don’t like it, but I need to be deep inside you.” With one swift motion, he thrusts into me so deep, and my arousal envelops him. “So. Tight,” he says with each thrust.
“Harder. Take me harder.” I can already feel my second orgasm ready to explode. With one hand around my throat, he lifts my leg, and oh boy. The angle makes me feel his dick deeper.
“Is my good slut already ready to give me a second one?”
“I… Fuck… Yes.”
“Then give me my orgasm.” I feel it quickly approaching, and before I can stop it, I”m trembling with pleasure, my body quivering beneath his touch.
“Yes. Oh my. Aidan!”
“Good girl.” I’m hypersensitive as he continues thrusting inside me. “I’m not done with you yet.” Taking my nipple with his fingers, he tweaks it hard right before I can feel the warmth of his tongue around it. It feels so good. He does the same with my other nipple. I’m lost in the sensations. Lifting his head towards me, his voice demands.
“Open your mouth.” His voice is demanding. I don’t hesitate. “Stick out your tongue.” I do as I’m told, his hand still around my throat. And he spits in my mouth. Fuck. Why is this so hot?
“Swallow it.” Without hesitation, I comply with his request. “See how good of a slut you are for me? Fucking perfect. You were made for me.” His kisses are fierce, as though his life hinges on them, while his hands roughly grab at my breasts, slapping them. A moan escapes me. Bringing his fingers down my pussy, he circles my clit with pressure, bringing me higher and higher.
“Aidan. Ohmygod. I can’t, it’s too much.”
“Are you saying red?”
“N-no.”
“Give me another one then. I can feel your pussy gripping my cock, ready to explode.”
He presses his thumb up against my clit as he thrusts deeper into me. I gasp, feeling the waves of pleasure crashing over me. His tongue takes in the taste of my neck, his teeth lightly grazing my flesh. My hands claw at his back as I ride out each wave, trying to keep my sanity as I beg for more. I scream out in pleasure, my muscles clenching around him as I come for the third time. He moves his hand away, and I can feel him close to his own release.
“I want you to come in my mouth,” I blurt out. I really want to have his cum filling my mouth. “I want your cum on me. I want to feel you let it go as you take my mouth.” He curses under his breath but doesn’t question me as he thrusts a few more times before pulling out and kneeling close to my face.
“You’re going to be the death of me. Open your mouth.” Without waiting, I take him fast and deep. I need him to come. Now.
“Fucking hell. I’m close. Fuck. I’m gonna come.”
“Come on my face.” I wanted him in my mouth, but the thought of having him all over my face takes over me.
“W-what?”
“I want you to come on my face.” As I say those words, I feel his cock throb on my tongue. With a final, forceful thrust, he pulls out and jerks off a few times before releasing onto my face, emitting a primal groan. I can feel his cum covering my eyes and my mouth and dripping down my breasts. As he attempts to catch his breath, he gives me a primal glare that seems to pierce through my soul. Taking some of his cum off my face, he pushes it back into my mouth, and I hum at his act of dominance.
“Fucking. Perfect.”
Leaving me alone for a moment, he reappears with a warm cloth and something else in his hands. He starts to gently clean my face and my neck. After he’s finished, he carefully cleans the sensitive area between my legs, taking care not to cause any pain. My body is slowly succumbing to the feeling of exhaustion, causing my eyes to droop and my energy to wane.
Feeling the weight of the duvet over me, I hear him ask, “How are you feeling? How’s the pain level?” I can feel the concern in his voice.
“I’m more than good.”
“Sit up and drink.” I take a large sip of the water he hands me, feeling the refreshing coolness slide down my throat, and give it back to him. “Drink more.” I roll my eyes at him but reluctantly comply and gulp down the entire glass. As he takes it from my hands, he replaces it with a small bunch of grapes.
“I’m not hungry.”
“It wasn’t a suggestion. Eat.”
“So bossy.”
“Brat.”
I chuckle, savouring the taste of a few bites, my body weary from exhaustion.
Yawning, I try to find a comfortable position. “What time is it?” My eyes feel heavier with each word. His warm breath tickles my neck as his body presses into mine.
“It’s almost 7 a.m.”
I turn to look at him with the small glow of the light illuminating his features. I trace his tattoos with my fingers, taking in every detail. I stop when something catches my eyes on his chest over his heart.
“Is that a fairy?” He takes my hand in his, gently petting it.
“It is.”
“When did you get it? I’ve never noticed it before.” I say, tracing my fingers over it, which gives him goosebumps.
“I had it done when you left for France.” He looks at me with intensity. “Have you ever wondered why I call you Tink all this time?”
“Because I’m tiny like Tinkerbell?” I answer, which makes him laugh.
“Not at all. Well, in part. Tinkerbell sprinkles fairy dust to allow things to fly. It’s magical. That’s what you are to me. You make me feel like I’m flying on a cloud. You sprinkled me with love even when I was at my worst. You’re magical to me. The most precious thing that I have ever possessed.”
I take a deep breath at his confession. I did not expect that. The emotion forms a lump in my throat. That was… wow.
“Sleep, baby.” I’m cocooned in his arms, feeling exhausted and raw. The warmth of his lips in the crook of my neck is the last thing I feel before falling into a deep sleep.
I’m working on the video footage from Tim’s attack, and saying that it is an effortless task would be a lie. After multiple arguments, I finally got Aidan to agree to let me work from my bed. Not that I needed his permission, but his overprotectiveness makes it difficult. I’ve been working on this video for hours now. I can feel I’m close to decrypting it. Something is bothering me, though.
“Come on,” I say to myself. And that’s when the magic happens. “Yes!”
“Are you talking to yourself?”
“Shit, you scared me. I should put a bell around your neck.” Aidan is posted in front of the door, a plate in his hand. The mouthwatering scent emanating from it is enough to make my stomach rumble with hunger.
“Now, now. That’s no way to speak to the hand that feeds you.” He walks closer. We didn’t really talk about what happened earlier this morning. We’re not together, but we’re not not together. A lot of information has been divulged, and I’m not sure I can trust him again with my heart just yet. But I guess we came to a silent understanding.
“You know I won’t stay stuck in this bed, right?” Being bedridden has been a nightmare for me. I’m used to always being on my feet, and I miss training. Which I know will be another fight with him. He places the plate in front of me, and my mouth waters.
“Is that?”
He finishes for me. “Your maw’s veggie lasagne. Aye, it is.” His smile grows bigger.
“I may have helped him.” I look towards the door, and my eyes start to water. Shocker. I’ve been crying non-stop these past few days.
“Mam. What are you doing here? How?” With great care, she pulls me into her loving embrace, and I am immediately comforted by the warm, soothing fragrance that is uniquely hers.
“We immediately ended our holiday as soon as we found out what happened.” She sits on the edge of the bed, the mattress sinking beneath her weight. “You should have called us,” she says accusingly. “Why did I learn that a random guy stabbed you from Aidan?”
I look at him, studying his face, and decide to go along with his lies.
“You called her?” I am filled with gratitude. I missed her.
“Us.” I turn my head once more and catch a glimpse of my da’, who is wearing a breezy floral shirt and casual shorts.
“Da’.” Tears stream down my face as I let out sobs.
“How is my pumpkin?” he asks, pulling me into a warm embrace. I steal a quick glance at Aidan, silently conveying my thanks. God, I missed them both. I didn’t want to cause unnecessary concern. I mean, I’m fine, I’m not dying.
As we chat for a bit, I notice the way their eyes light up when they talk about their travels. I feel my mam sink further down beside me, breathing softly and even as she lets out a deep yawn.
“Okay, kids. I think it’s time for us to go,” says my da’.
After flying in, they booked a hotel nearby and came straight here from the airport. They must be utterly exhausted.
“I told you that you can stay here if you wish to,” Aidan says.
“No need for that, son. The hotel we booked is just a short distance away and has a charming ambiance. We’re not young, and the journey, plus the worry, have worn us out.”
I chuckle because, in truth, they’re not even close to being old. They’re both in their early 50s, so saying they’re old is a joke in itself. With curly hair and dark eyes, I am the spitting image of my mother. But I definitely took after my father when it comes to personality traits. I can’t help but feel jealous of his tall frame and captivating blue eyes.
“We’ll see you tomorrow. I’ll cook us a delicious dinner, and we can make it a special occasion by inviting Bailey and Scott,” says my mam. I nod as I embrace her, thanking them for being here.
Once they leave, Aidan comes back to the room and takes my mam’s place on the bed.
“Thank you. Thank you for calling them.” I still feel raw with the emotions of the past few days.
“No need to thank me. How are you feeling? Tired?” Surprisingly, I’m feeling great.
“I’m good.”
“When I came into the room, you were screaming. What was that about?” Shit, I completely forgot about what I found.
“I wasn’t screaming. Just excited. I managed to decrypt the audio for the Linlithgow video. It took me several days, but I finally managed to do it.” Taking my laptop from the bedside table, I show him, hoping he’ll recognise one of the voices.
“I have never heard any of them before.” He leans in, squinting to get a better look at the faces on the video.
“Okay. Maybe your da’ can recognise one of them?”
“Maybe.” The ringtone of my phone surprises us both.
“Who is it?” He knows my involvement with his business now, so I don’t feel the need to hide it from him. But he didn’t expect this call, and it’s showing on his face.
“Riccardo,” I answer, putting my phone on speaker.
“Angelito.” The room fills with the rich, heavy sound of his Italian accent. I’m sure Aidan is asking himself why on earth the mafia boss is calling me, and that would be a legitimate question. The truth is I helped him in the past and he owes me big time. “To what do I owe this pleasure?” I can hear the exhalation of his cigarette through the phone.
“Thank you for returning my call. Does the name of Matteo Fusco ring any bells?” Aidan looks at me with confusion.
“I’m afraid it doesn’t. Why? Do I need to kill him?” I can hear the seriousness in his voice. Since I helped him, Riccardo has taken my safety very seriously and would kill anyone who threatens my life.
“I’m not sure yet. There’s something about him that doesn’t seem right to me. Call it a feeling. Do you think you can look into him for me?”
“Of course, Angelito. Anything else?”
“Do you know who tried to kill me and my team?” I ask, hoping he will have an answer to that.
“Excuse me?” I hear him move around. “Someone tried to do what?” I take a deep breath. Riccardo is like my mafia father. I’m surprised he didn’t hear about it sooner.
“Someone stabbed me and shot Tim in Linlithgow. They were definitely Italian, Riccardo.” I pause. “Someone is trying to take the Prestons down and is working with the Snakes to do it. I need to find out who.”
I think Aidan stopped breathing beside me. This is the first time he sees me in my boss-girl pants outside of court.
“I’ll keep an eye out for you.” His heavy accent is more pronounced.
“Thank you.” The sound of him shouting something in Italian to someone on the phone echoes through the room before he hangs up. I glance towards Aidan, and his face does not disappoint.
“You forgot to tell me you had contact with the mafia Don.” His brows furrow in worry.
Shifting from my position, I answer, “He required my help a few years back, and we’ve kept in contact.”
“Fuck. Do I need to say that seeing you all bossy and confident made my cock hard as steel?” My eyes quickly shift downwards to observe the prominent bulge through his joggers, and without a doubt, I can sense the taste of him as if he is already leaking.
“Now is not the time, big boy. Would you help me to get out of this bed? I can’t bear to spend another moment in it. I need to move. The lack of human interaction is beginning to take a toll on my mental state.” He drops his shoulders and lets out a defeated sigh. He knows that I’m just asking because I don’t have the energy to fight right now, but his answer doesn’t matter. I’ll get out of this bed one way or another.
“Fine. But if you feel any pain, you tell me immediately.” As I roll my eyes, I suddenly feel his fingers wrap around my chin, his touch commanding my attention. “Don’t roll your eyes at me, Tink,” he warns. “If you want your arse marked with the imprint of my hands, go ahead and expect it.” Damn him and his words.
“Promises, promises.” Sitting on the edge of the bed, I prepare to stand up and make my way to the door.
“Tonight,” he whispers, his voice low and menacing, “I’m going to silence that spoiled, bratty mouth of yours with my cock buried deep inside it for days to come.” The desire in his voice makes my entire body tingle, especially the sensitive area between my thighs.
I force myself to ignore my pussy, knowing that if I don’t, I’ll never get out of this bed.