19. Paige #3
“The only disappointment I could ever feel would be over losing your trust and confidence.” He glances from me to Aries and pushes to his feet. “That goes for you too, son. I hope you know I would do anything to protect Paige, including protecting those she cares about.”
“I appreciate that,” Aries tells him.
Hoc offers his hand, and Aries shakes it in a friendly gesture, though it feels more like they’re sealing a bond than forging a friendship.
“What about my memory?” I brace myself, not sure I want to know the answer. It probably won’t change my decision, but I want to know what I’m facing either way.
“I think we can work something out,” he says with a promising smile that makes my heart swell.
“You’re really going to send him home?” I ask, trying not to let my own emotions show. Instead, I concentrate on the relief and happiness Aries must be feeling.
“Yes.” Hoc looks from me to Aries. “We can do it tomorrow morning,” he says, returning his attention to me. “And you’re welcome to go with him, daughter, should you so choose.”
The breath is stolen from my lungs.
“What?” Aries takes a step toward me, and I can see the hope leap into his dark eyes.
I want to ask him about that hope. And whether or not it’s for me, for the future Hoc is offering us.
Or if he’s only thinking of himself and his need to return to his kingdom.
But I can’t find my voice. I’m too shocked, too worried I’ve misunderstood or imagined it somehow.
“I can see how you feel about him,” Hoc says. “And Aries clearly loves you.” I try not to react at the L-word, but heat flares in my cheeks. Hoc goes on like he hasn’t just dropped a bomb between us. “If you so choose, child, I will send you with him.”
I clear my throat, purposely avoiding Aries’ eyes. “But the library—”
“Will find another keeper. Don’t give up on your own happiness for this old place.
I’ve spent far too many years doing just that.
” He stands and smiles, the sadness in his eyes making him look older than his years.
“Take tonight to think about it and make your choice. Just know that I support you regardless of what you decide.” He wraps his arms around me and pulls me in.
“The fact that you tried to solve your problem with no casualties or further damage to the books shows me just what a fantastic librarian you will make one day. Should that be the path you choose.” He squeezes me one final time then releases me to shake Aries’s hand.
“Thank you,” Aries says.
“You’re welcome. Thank you for protecting my daughter today.”
After ushering Hoc out and closing the door, I turn to Aries. “I’m so sorry, Aries. I should have just gone to him in the first—” I’m silenced when his lips capture mine.
At the contact, all thought leaves my brain. There is only this. Only Aries. And how badly I want him. No, how badly I need him.
His mouth is hard on mine—demanding. I grip his arms as he reaches down and lifts me, pinning me against the door. Heat pulsates through me, a wave that consumes as it spreads.
I should stop this or at least slow it down. We should talk. Discuss what this could mean. But I don’t even know what to say. And in this moment, our bodies are saying it for us. I want him. He wants me. That’s all that matters now.
He tears at my shirt, ripping it over my head and capturing my nipple in his mouth. I moan and arch back to give him more access as he continues sucking it between his lips.
He’s rough.
Frenzied.
I tear at his shirt, too, not bothering to care that I’m ripping it clean from his body. The fabric flies, and Aries spins us, laying me back against the coffee table we just ate dinner on.
He’s between my legs then ripping my sweats down and throwing them to the side before kneeling on the floor and burying his face between my thighs.
I cry out, “Aries!” his name a plea on my lips as he draws my clit into his mouth. His large hands grip my thighs, and he shoves them apart to gain better access.
I grip the thick strands of his hair, holding him to me, and he slips a finger inside of me. The pressure is still new as is the damn near instant release I feel when he caresses the flesh inside of me.
I come—hard—the orgasm ripping through my body. Muscles clench and release, but I don’t have time to recover before Aries is lowering himself over me and driving into my body. “Yes!”
He slams into me, drawing out only to fill me again and again.
The muscles in his abdomen bunch and release with every thrust, and it’s all I can do to cling to the sides of the table.
A resounding crack fills my apartment, and Aries moves like a blur—lifting and pinning me to the wall as my coffee table collapses.
He doesn’t break the rhythm—not even for an instant.
My second release is even more potent than the first. My fingernails dig into the flesh of his arms. He comes, his body going rigid mere moments before every muscle within him relaxes.
Sweat gleams on our skin, and although we’re both spent, we remain exactly where we are.
Entwined together.
“I choose you,” I whisper, the words slipping out before I can overthink them.
Aries pulls back, and I slide down his body. He cups my cheeks and tips my face up to his. “What did you say?”
I hesitate. Maybe I read it all wrong. Maybe this was meant as a goodbye. He doesn’t feel for me what I feel for him.
“Say it again, Paige. I want to hear it.” His words are a plea, and when I meet his gaze again, I see it; the hope that flared earlier. Maybe I didn’t read it wrong after all.
“I choose you, Aries. If you’ll have me, I will go to your world with you.” Even as I mean the words I say, a twinge of grief settles in my heart. I’ve made a life here. With Hoc, Blossom, and Mag. My little candy-loving gnomes.
They’re my family.
But when given the choice—it’s Aries I cannot live without.
“Of course I’ll have you. I will love you until the day I draw my last breath. My queen,” he whispers then captures my lips again.