Hindrance (6 page)

Aiden stayed silent as I pushed the ball into his court. He glared at me, unforgiving, as I put my hands on his shoulders and kissed his cheek, whispering in his ear, “Some things are live in the moment only. I totally get that now. Thank you for teaching me.”

I nodded to Cedric, who was waiting patiently, and watching with hawk eyes. Geez, talk about lack of privacy.

“Why do you have a bodyguard?” I hid my elation at his questioning. I was sure he would let me leave him.

Oh, fuck … How do I tell him this?

“Nina,” he warned.

I squared my shoulders, wishing it were Sunday. “Your cousin’s wife tried to have me killed.”

Aiden looked skyward, as if answers would come pouring out of it. “You can’t be serious.”

“Oh, I am … very. And so is Cedric.” I gave him a salute as he gave me an awkward wave, eyeing Aiden curiously. We’d become a team, Cedric and I, with one common goal. Keep Nina alive.

“So …” I jumped at his voice then turned to Aiden, who was staring at me intently. “Not only would I have to forgive you for him,” he said, his eyes blazing again as he glared at me, “but I’d also be putting my life in danger.”

I opened my mouth to speak, but closed it. His words were truth; mine were useless.

After several long minutes, his frame shook with his chuckle as he closed the distance between us.

“Never a dull moment with you, Nina.” Before I could speak, he pulled me into his warmth, surrounding me. I wrapped myself around him, holding him tightly to me as he raked his fingers through my hair and stroked by back.

After a long moment, he stuck his finger under my chin, lifting my eyes to his. “It seems your life really sucks without me.”

I shrugged in mock defense. “Hey, I’ll have you know Cedric is quite the gentlemen. He enjoys staring, waiting, and aerosol cheese.”

Aiden laughed as he looked down at me still in his arms.

“Can you forgive me, Aiden?”

“No, but I can buy you a drink.”

“I’ll take it.” We walked up to Cedric, and I introduced the two. Cedric followed as I rode in Aiden’s jeep with him to The Mystic. Cedric remained outside as we walked into the club. I cursed the giddy girl in me that was jumping for joy.

You don’t need him, Nina.

He sat next to me at what I thought of as our booth at The Mystic as I told him about the last few weeks. I kept Devin’s name out of my mouth as Aiden asked a question here or there, but mostly let me talk. Aiden never touched me after our kiss on the beach. It was if my revelation had fully sunk in and he’d made his decision. I didn’t blame him.

With each hour that passed, I became more certain he was just being the good guy that he was, talking to a friend who’d had a rough couple of weeks. I envied his ability to keep his distance as my eyes lingered on his lips while he spoke. He asked me to stay for his first set and I agreed, knowing it would be pure torture to see him in his element and that I could no longer have him.

You don’t need him, Nina.

His first song was Tom Petty’s “You Got Lucky,” and I knew he had intended it for me. It seemed his whole set was situated toward the two of us, or at least it seemed that way. He never sang directly to me, and I mourned that, thinking about the very open display we’d had the last time I was here. He was magnetic as he sang, drawing in a larger crowd, and my chest ached in longing for him. I watched his ticks as he sang: the tapping of his foot, the wetting of his lips, the ease in which he controlled the crowd. And I was smitten. By the time his set was near its end, he had a standing room full of screaming women, and I found myself eyeing the more aggressive predators with distaste. I was jealous. Of course I was jealous.

God, I fucked up.

When he started his own version of Bruno Mars’s “Gorilla,” the bar literally went up in flames as he tore the song apart with his vocals. I felt the low lying, recently absent ache start to brew between my thighs and crossed my legs as I watched him, mesmerized. Seconds later, my chest heaving, I gripped the sides of my seat, lips parted as he finally looked up and right at me. His eyes smoldered as he watched my reaction to him. He saw my arousal and gave me wicked a grin.

This was punishment.

You don’t need him, Nina.

I took a long sip of my drink, gripping the cold glass tightly. Memories of Aiden buried deep inside of me pulsed in snapshots to the beat of the music, his voice demanding I remember how it felt to be thoroughly used by him.

Motherfuck me.

Aiden sang every note perfectly, seducing me to the point of frenzy. I slowly took my hand from the table and slipped it into my panties, pausing only to make sure he saw it. He raised a brow but gave nothing else away as he continued to sing, letting his eyes dart to the crowd and then slowly back to me. If anyone took a good look at me in the dimly lit bar, they would clearly see what I was doing.

Fuck it. I was, after all, naughty Nina.

No matter how hard I was trying to do better, this part of me remained dominant. If Aiden wanted to play, I was up for the challenge. I feathered my clit with my fingertips, completely drenched with need. My body responded with a small jerk and the heave of my chest. Aiden licked the lyrics with precision as I did the same with the flick of my finger. With a small nod of his head, I opened my legs further and began to massage myself slowly under the table. Feeling the thrum of the music pulsing through me, I quickened my pace and kept his attention, my vision tunneled on him. I tilted my head back slightly, lips parted as the pressure built below. I was close.

Aiden gripped his microphone, his eyes lit to a new level of heat, need covering his features. He gripped his t-shirt at his chest and twisted it, flashing a small amount of abs. His presence on stage was animalistic as he brought the song to such a static level that hunger filled the air. Every woman in the room was fixated on him, at his mercy, and I was no exception. With one more flick of my wrist, I came hard, our eyes locked. He owned my orgasm. I gave it all to him willingly. Appreciative breath left me as I straightened myself, grabbed my purse, blew him a kiss, and made my way to the door. I looked back before exiting to see his eyes still fixed on me, his lips twisted in a sinister grin as the song came to a close and the bar blew up in applause.

Maybe the fat lady hadn’t sung on my time with Aiden just yet.

The truth was, I didn’t
need
Aiden. I wanted him, and that wasn’t going to change.

I’d left the door open for him in invitation, but I walked through it alone.

The next morning, I woke up determined that no matter the case with any man in my life, I’d find a little piece of me by repeating old habits. Habits I didn’t have to question at all if they were good for me.

I was exhausted after two miles on the treadmill, a personal low in all the years I’d been working out. I refused to beat myself up about it. I was in recovery. Glancing at the clock, I dreaded waking Cedric. The overwhelming need to feel the sand beneath my feet and go for a quick swim in the Atlantic before work took precedence. I braved the trip without him, submerging myself in the warming water as the sun rose. I swam, stretching my unused muscles until I was sure I wasn’t over exerting myself. Making my way back to shore, my smile faltered as I noticed Cedric standing near my towel.

“I had to do it.” His stern look told me that if he could speak freely, his words would sting. “I’ll wake you next time.”

“That’s all I ask. You know when you feel the safest is usually when they use it to their advantage and strike.”

Wrapping the towel around my body and fastening it, I huffed. “Well,
you
are a buzz kill.”

Another hard glance from Cedric had me cowering with a peace offering.

“Okay, okay. Let me make you breakfast?” He seemed surprised by my offer. “It’s the least I can do. You have to be bored out of your mind by now.”

He followed me inside with a huff of his own. “You don’t want me busy, Ms. Scott.”

“True.” Opening the fridge, I gathered ingredients for omelets and used the time in an attempt to drill him on Taylor. It was wrong, but my curiosity was piqued. She had refused to reveal more than she had the day we went gun shopping, and I couldn’t force her friendship¸ though I knew if I was patient it would pay off. I worked with her side by side every day, and as always, she was the meticulous professional, nowhere near the outlaw she was when she had picked me up from the hospital.

“How did you and Taylor meet?”

“Middle school,” he said carefully, onto me already.

“Oh, childhood sweethearts?” Chopping chives, I tossed them into the pool of eggs as I braved a look at him.

“No.”

Great, one word answers.

“So you went to high school together?”

“No.”

Fuck
.

Cedric hadn’t been open about himself, either, only revealing that he had a sister in the Charleston area and a niece I could tell he adored. I served him his omelet, which he thanked me for, devouring it in a mere minute and letting me know he would be waiting for me when I was ready.

Unsuccessful in my attempt, I showered then checked my phone.

Aiden: I went surfing this morning without you.

A welcomed warmth spread throughout my chest as I texted him back.

Nina: Should I be hurt by that?

Aiden: Yes.

I laughed in my closet as I pulled out a white dress that dipped low in the front and clung to my midriff, ending high on my thighs. Wanting to feel sexy, I paired it with some red soled, heeled Mary Janes, topping the look off with my lengthy diamond chain and studded earrings. I pulled my hair up after curling it then brushed bronzer on my now naturally tanned skin.

As I climbed into the limo, I answered Aiden’s text.

Nina: That was a hell of a show you put on last night.

Aiden: Likewise.

Nina: I have no idea what you’re talking about.

Aiden: Encore?

Nina: I have meetings all day. Meet you after?

Aiden: My place.

Nina: See you then.

As quickly as my elation came at the possibility of rekindling that spark with Aiden, the underlying threat of stoking the fire with him meant furthering myself from Devin, to the point of no return. There was no going back, anyway. Not after what had transpired. I wouldn’t hurt Aiden again. Not that way. Not if he gave me the chance to be a part of his life again.

Swallowing the harsh burn of betraying Devin, I made my decision. Now it was just a matter of living with it.

Aiden answered the door with a small smile, leaving it open for me to enter and follow him into his kitchen. There were a few scented candles burning throughout his house as Portishead played in the background. The atmosphere was completely relaxing and I basked in the comfortable feeling.

“It’s stir fry, no carbs,” he said, glancing up quickly. I felt the guilt spread over me. He was truly trying while I remained deceptive.

“Aiden, I …” I trailed off, unsure of how to apologize again as I watched him chop vegetables. He looked up at me and I flinched as I saw him slice through the pad of his finger.

“Fuck,” he muttered, grabbing a paper towel and wrapping his injured digit.

As I rounded the bar, I noticed a visible change in his demeanor as he studied his bloodied finger, the evidence of his arousal growing in his pants as I approached. His eyes drifted down to his hard cock and back up without apology as I moved forward, taking his finger with a smirk.

“Little masochistic, isn’t it?”

“Pleasure and pain, you know all about that.” His eyes burned with his statement.

“Unfortunately for me, doctor, I’m addicted to it,” I said in the worst German accent. “But for you, maybe it’s good.” We stood facing each other as I gripped his finger, squeezing to make it more painful. I was fascinated by the rigidness of his body and failed to stifle a giggle. His amber eyes seared my mouth shut as he pulled his finger away.

“You’ll pay for that.”

“I hope so,” I flirted, wrapping his finger tightly with the towel.

“You really are a beautiful woman, Nina.” He was watching me as I searched his cabinets for a bandage, coming up empty. I turned to him in question as he continued. “And really fucking dangerous for me.”

Suddenly, all the humor was sucked out of the room as Aiden turned back to his cooking. Scrambling to gain some balance back, I offered a hand, which he refused. Minutes later, I could still feel the heaviness as we dined in silence. I glanced at him as he studied his plate, refusing to look at me.

“I’ve hurt you and ruined this,” I said, waving the white flag. “I mean, I know you’re trying, but I ruined this, haven’t I?” I pushed my plate away, suddenly sick. “I should go.” I looked up to see Aiden gripping his towel that rested on his shoulder. He moved it to wipe his mouth then grabbed my hand.

“I just don’t see a way around it,” he bit out, as if we were having a conversation I was just joining. “Around making you pay.” His eyes flared as I swallowed slowly. Playful Aiden was gone, and I found myself afraid of him for the first time. I knew he wouldn’t hurt me, but somehow I knew our dynamic had changed, and I didn’t know if we would ever get it back.

“Aiden, I want so much for us to be okay again. I do.”

“I don’t think I can be the nice guy you want me to be right now. I’m pretty fucking mad.”

“I’ll just go.” I reached over and kissed him on the cheek. He slammed his fist down on the table, making me jump, the sudden noise ruining me and putting my already torn nerves on high alert. I braved one last look and he struck out, gripping me tightly and pulling me into his lap.

“I didn’t know. I swear I didn’t know he was your cousin. I knew you weren’t brothers and that was enough for me.”

“And when you let him fuck you?!” I flinched. He pushed me down to the bottom of his thighs as he freed his throbbing cock from his sweatpants. I licked my lips, feeling the instant longing then looked up at him.

“Where should I put my cock tonight, naughty Nina? In your lying fucking mouth, or you treacherous pussy?” I wanted to shy away from his anger, but instead I was turned … the … fuck … on. I slapped him anyway, feigning offense, and saw the small smile form on his lips before disappearing. He gripped me roughly as he pulled me off of his lap, pushing me toward his kitchen island.

My mind scrambled as his glowing eyes burned into me. “I’m supposed to forgive you for letting him have this,” he hissed as he cupped my sex over my thin, white shorts. I ground my hips, wanting to feel the delicious friction. I gripped him back, sliding my hands up and down the smooth, soft skin that covered his hard, thick muscle.

“Put it anywhere you want, Aiden,” I invited, my chest heaving fast. He saw my fear and called my bluff.

“Big mistake,” he snapped, ripping my shorts free, and not bothering to hold back his contempt for the rest of my clothes as he shredded through them. I was face down on the counter, bracing myself for the worst. I felt the burn in my scalp as he held me there, his hand fisted in my hair. I felt the violence threatening to escape him in his fucking. It was tangible in the air as I waited, pussy dripping in anticipation.

“You’re a ready whore,” he hissed as I jerked my head up, but he forced it down. “I cooked the dinner. Dined like a lady and fucked like a whore, remember?”

“Then shut up and do it,” I hissed back, suddenly unafraid and ready to fight, angry at his power over me. Sensing my fury, he let me up. I whirled on him, clawing his now bared chest.

“I was Devin’s whore, now you proclaim I’m yours? Fuck
you
.” His eyebrows shot up as he stopped my assault. Pressing his forehead to mine, he wrapped his arms around me as we stood naked in his kitchen. I tried to wriggle free as he held me tightly to him.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean that. I didn’t mean to hold it against you. I’m sorry. We all have our weakness and right now mine is you.”

I stopped fighting as I looked up at him. He seemed sincere. I surprised myself with my next words.

“Punish me.” His eyes widened. “Please, Aiden.” He took a step back and grabbed my hand, leading me upstairs. When we reached the top, I held his hand tightly as he led me to his bedroom. I felt the familiar stir of memories of all times he’d had me and looked at him with longing.

“Can we really do this?” I had unintentionally spoken my thought aloud, and he paused as if to let me know I had to answer the question for myself. I began to breathe heavily as I looked at the beautiful man still trying to handle my indecision. I was hesitating because of Devin, and somehow I was sure he knew it.

Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.

Making a quick decision, I sank to my knees, gripping his hard cock and licking my lips. He jerked my chin up to meet his eyes as I readied my mouth. “You look at me with every fucking twirl of your tongue and move of your lips. The minute you look away, I
will
punish you.”

I nodded, taking him into my mouth, our eyes locked. He stood perfectly still as I sucked him mercilessly, scraping the top of my nails over his thighs and then purposefully digging them into his skin to draw blood. He bit his lip in approval as he glared down at me, my mouth working frantically to soothe the hurt I’d caused him. I felt his length harden further as a burst of pre-cum invaded my mouth, and it spurred me on. I let my eyes water, taking him deep, but never closing them so he could see my apology. He pulled himself out of my mouth as I dove back in, trying to recapture him. Standing me up, he gripped my throat then pushed me onto his nightstand, my back knocking off the lamp. He invaded me without pause, thrusting into me furiously as I screamed out his name. He stopped briefly to throw the lamp on the bed, using the cord to bind my wrists over my head, securing them around the post. I heard the thump of the lamp behind me as it hit the headboard with each solid push of his hips. The sharp end of the stand bit into the top of my back as he filled me over and over. He lifted my legs and hooked them over his shoulders as he fisted my breasts painfully. I lifted my hips to match his movement, unbelieving of the build behind it. Feeling the orgasm start around his cock, I shuddered with pleasure just as he robbed me of it by pulling out. I cried out a loud “No!” as I lost the sensation. He gripped himself, bringing it back to my mouth, I opened wide as he shot into me, unforgiving. His eyes told me not to protest as I licked the last of him and took it inside. He unplugged the lamp, untied my wrists then pulled me to his chest. I couldn’t hide my disappointment as he laughed at me openly.