Chapter 6
BLITZ
When I pulled my SUV into Aubrey’s parking lot, I felt the tension I'd been carrying in my chest finally ease slightly, only to be replaced by a quick pulse of anticipation. She stepped outside a moment later, and the sight of her momentarily stole every coherent thought from my mind.
Aubrey’s simple sundress gently skimmed her curves, the fabric catching softly in the evening breeze as she walked toward me. Her chestnut-brown hair spilled in loose waves around her shoulders, and I struggled to breathe.
Stepping from the vehicle, I quickly moved around to open the passenger door, offering her a hand to help her climb up.
The warmth of her palm against mine sent an immediate spark through my veins, tightening every muscle in my body as her sweet scent enveloped me.
She glanced up, her clear blue eyes meeting mine, and her shy smile set my pulse racing.
“You look incredible, sunshine.” I didn’t bother to hide the rough sincerity in my voice.
A pretty pink flush spread across her skin as her smile widened. “Thank you. You clean up pretty nicely yourself, Canyon.”
The sound of my real name coming from her lips felt right in a way I hadn’t anticipated. I closed her door and moved around to the driver’s side, climbing into the SUV and pulling out onto the quiet road, away from Crossbend. Away from the club.
The drive to the restaurant was quiet but comfortable, a simmering tension humming softly between us.
When we finally arrived at the small, secluded place I’d chosen, I was glad to see it wasn’t overly crowded.
It was well away from club territory, quiet, upscale but understated—perfect for what I wanted tonight.
The hostess seated us at a table near a softly lit corner, and as we moved through the dining room, I quickly noticed the subtle attention Aubrey drew from other patrons.
Several men glanced in her direction, their gazes lingering appreciatively, and something dark bloomed deep inside me.
But I forced myself not to make a scene, settling instead for guiding Aubrey firmly by the small of her back, keeping her close and offering each admirer a silent glare that had the color draining from their faces.
As we sat down, Aubrey smiled, completely oblivious to the silent confrontations I'd just won. We ordered our food, and once the server moved away, Aubrey began telling me about her life. She spoke openly about school, her experiences as a nanny, and finally, about her brother, Tripp.
I watched her carefully as she talked, seeing the genuine warmth and admiration she held for him. Each word about her brother was full of affection, deep enough that it cut into me, intensifying the guilt that had already taken root in my chest.
The more time I spent with her, the worse my situation became. I’d come into tonight expecting attraction. I wasn’t blind. I’d known from the moment I saw her at the park that she was beautiful. What I hadn't expected was how much I’d enjoy her company.
She was funny without trying to be. Smart. Warm. And she listened when people talked because she genuinely cared about what they had to say.
Every time she laughed, I found myself wanting to be the reason for it. And every time she smiled at me, my body reacted like a damn horny teenager.
As Aubrey talked, it became increasingly clear that Tripp wasn't just her older brother—he was her anchor. Someone who had stepped up to fill the place in her life that was left a ragged, gaping hole when their parents died.
She mentioned that he’d given up bigger FBI opportunities, choosing to remain close to her, never allowing his career to become more important than his family.
Each detail Aubrey revealed softened something inside me, while simultaneously twisting the knife even deeper.
The revelations reminded me that despite everything he had done, Tripp was still the kind of man I'd initially thought he was in many ways.
It made the betrayal that much worse.
By the time we finished our meal, the sun had sunk lower over the horizon, washing the sky in soft shades of pink and gold. I took Aubrey's hand and guided her outside, grateful to step away from the restaurant and the complicated emotions stirred within me.
As we neared the SUV, I couldn’t help but notice the way Aubrey’s breathing had become a little quicker and deeper, as though she too was struggling with the undeniable tension rising steadily between us. Her steps remained close to mine, her body subtly leaning into my touch.
We drove down to the beach because neither of us seemed particularly eager for the night to end.
The conversation flowed easily again as we walked, her bare feet occasionally brushing the edge of the surf while the breeze played with the ends of her hair.
Our conversation quieted gradually, giving way to a comfortable silence.
Yet beneath that peaceful quiet, the attraction between us crackled, growing more intense with each passing moment.
Every brush of our hands and soft glance between us deepened the connection that had started the moment our eyes first met.
Eventually, when the sun had long since disappeared beneath the horizon, we made our way back to the car.
The waves crashing on the shore carried across the darkness behind us.
By the time we reached the SUV, my pulse was hammering steadily in my veins, desire testing my carefully maintained composure. Aubrey started to say something when she glanced up and caught me staring at her. The air between us changed instantly and her words trailed off, her smile fading.
Turning her slowly, I backed her up against the passenger-side door, my gaze locked fully onto hers. My body felt like every nerve was attuned to the woman standing so close in front of me.
Aubrey swallowed, and my attention locked onto the movement.
Fuck.
I shouldn’t have looked at her mouth, and I definitely shouldn’t have been imagining all the things I wanted to do with it. But when her tongue slipped out to wet her lower lip, every filthy thought I’d spent the evening fighting came roaring back stronger than ever.
The need hit so hard it almost made my hands shake. I wanted her more than anything I’d ever desired in my life.
I brushed a strand of hair behind her ear, and the touch seemed to affect both of us. Aubrey’s eyes fluttered briefly. My entire body tightened, my cock growing stiffer and throbbing. Every instinct I possessed was screaming at me to pull her against me and never let her go.
My palm moved to cup her cheek as my breathing turned choppy. Her eyes were wide, her lips slightly parted, and I knew I had no choice left but to taste her.
I closed the distance between us, leaning down and capturing Aubrey’s mouth in a deep kiss that immediately pushed the boundaries of my self-control nearly to its breaking point. And every lingering shred of hesitation was wiped away.
The warmth of her lips against mine sent fire blazing through my veins, igniting something fiercely possessive inside me.
Aubrey’s soft moan of surprise quickly melted into surrender as her body yielded against mine.
I felt her hands move instinctively up to rest against my chest, her fingers pressing lightly against the fabric of my shirt as if trying to steady herself against the intensity of the moment.
Without breaking the kiss, I reached down and gripped her hips, lifting her easily and moving around the car until I could set her on the edge of the SUV’s hood.
Aubrey’s breath hitched, her lips parting slightly, giving me access to deepen the kiss even further.
My tongue slid slowly against hers, tasting her fully and groaning softly as she surrendered without hesitation, her arms sliding around my neck and pulling me closer.
Her thighs parted, her legs wrapping around my hips and pulling me flush against her body, a motion so effortless that it drew another rough groan from my chest.
My hands roamed slowly up her sides, feeling the gentle curve of her waist and the warmth of her skin beneath the thin fabric of her dress.
I stopped just below her tits and brushed my thumb along the undersides.
She made a soft sound against my mouth that nearly drove me out of my fucking mind, and I deepened the kiss even more as every coherent thought disappeared.
“You have no fucking idea how badly I’ve wanted to do this,” I murmured against her lips, my voice rough with desire and restraint.
Aubrey’s breathing quickened, her fingers gilding up into my hair as she pressed herself impossibly closer. Her voice came out barely audible but filled with a hunger that matched my own. “Then don’t stop.”
The whispered words nearly undid me completely, sending a surge of urgency racing through me.
My grip tightened slightly on her hips, and I pressed her back further against the cool surface of the SUV, deepening the kiss with a demanding intensity that left no doubt about my intentions or how deeply she’d already affected me.
Nothing else mattered. Not revenge, Tripp, or even the club. Nothing existed except the taste of Aubrey’s lips against mine and the softness of her body pressed firmly against me.
She molded perfectly to me, and the heat of her pussy seeped through my clothes, intensifying my arousal. Her lips parted beneath mine again, sweet and inviting, allowing my tongue to slide deep, tasting her fully once more.
All that remained was the intoxicating sensation of her mouth and the absolute certainty that I’d never get enough of her.