Twenty-Eight
“So, you know what this means?” Aspen flutters her eyelashes at me and pins me with a coy look. She surprised me by coming to the compound without Helene, but the guards are so used to seeing her that nobody questioned it.
Since we started dating two and a half years ago, our meetups have mostly been during Helene’s visits, but since she turned sixteen, things got more difficult because she had to start babysitting her little brother.
My clever girl managed to buy both of us a second sim card, which we use solely to stay in contact with each other. I refused to let her contact me on the number supplied by Vito; it’s too dangerous. And Miss Sneaky also wanted to keep things secret from her mother.
Not that we’ve ever done anything untoward. I’ve been adamant about that. Sure, we’ve fooled around, but nothing past second base… okay, third base in the last few months, but that’s been at Aspen’s insistence.
I may have lost my virginity years ago, thanks to the Viper. And I’m aware it might seem odd for someone who is outwardly a criminal who spends an inordinate amount of time in a brothel. But I refuse to soil my relationship with Aspen by taking advantage of her.
New York has strict rules on underage sex - yeah, I know you wouldn’t believe it, considering what Vito Rossi gets up to - but I hold my relationship with Aspen to a higher standard.
The age of consent is seventeen, and there’s no Romeo and Juliet concession in this state, so no matter how keen she is, I’ve always stood firm.
I can guess what this visit is about, though. And maybe I always knew she’d try something, but I didn’t figure anything as bold as her coming here like this, all dressed up in a tiny little dress that makes my blood boil at the leering guards seeing her like that.
She pulls me by the hand towards my room. The same one Rosa gave me all those years ago.
“So, you’re expecting a birthday gift?” I ask, playing dumb and humoring her.
She glares like she can’t believe I’m so dense, but the sparkle in her eyes and the wicked smile make it clear she’s way too excited to really be upset.
“It means I’m expecting a very particular birthday gift,” she tells me, waggling her eyebrows.
This girl!
She all but pushes me into my room when we arrive, before pinning me against the door and ripping at the buttons on my shirt.
“Slow down!” I call her bluff, enjoying teasing her. “If you just let me get my hand in my pocket, I can give you your birthday gift without you attacking me for it.”
“Kaiden!” she whines as I extract myself and dig the jewelry box out of my pocket, keeping it hidden in my palm.
“I know you’re eager, but have a little patience,” I laugh, and Aspen huffs out a breath as she turns with an exaggerated flounce and heads to sit on the bed.
By the time she’s seated, I’m already down on one knee.
Aspen gasps, both hands flying to her mouth as she takes it all in.
Flipping open the lid, I hold out the simple prasiolite ring, otherwise known as a green amethyst, in a thin gold band.
It’s not the fancy diamond I’d like to give her, but the pale seafoam color reminds me of her eyes.
And while it wasn’t expensive, I still had to save for months, just to scrape together enough money to pay for it.
“Will you marry me?”
She blinks over and over, and the tears that well up in her eyes make me think she’s going to say no.
I’m just about to panic when she launches herself into my arms, sending us both sprawling to the floor, and starts kissing all over my face.
“Umm… is that a yes, then?” I ask, struggling to hold onto the ring box so it doesn’t go skittering under the bed.
“It’s a hell yes!” she exclaims, and this time, when she starts stripping us both off, I don’t stop her. Not until we’re both naked and panting.
“Bed,” I groan. “Our first time is not going to be on the floor!”
Aspen scrambles up and as good as launches herself onto the bed, making me laugh with her antics. She reaches for me, but I grasp her left hand before she grabs me.
“I want my ring on your finger before I make love to you for the first time,” I tell her, and immediately, she subsides, her eyes softening as she traps her bottom lip between her teeth and spreads her fingers.
I take my time, relishing this moment as much as I will when I finally make her mine.