Page 25 of Lust & Lies

NOELLE

AFTER CALMING ME DOWN, Aiden left my side briefly to talk to Dolores. He wanted her to inform the other staffers that he would reintroduce me to them this morning. I felt a bit awkward meeting people who already knew me.

The idea made my stomach twist up in knots. Yet, it was the only way for me to get comfortable having them around. Though I knew he was doing this for my benefit, I still had some reservations about it.

I didn’t feel like the kind of woman who’d be comfortable having a revolving door of people in my home and on my property all the time. Then again, I also didn’t feel like the type of person who’d place a knife to someone’s throat and plot their death.

Sighing, I tried not to let myself overthink things again. Aiden was right, I had to be patient with myself. This was only day two after being discharged from the hospital. I was still healing.

I was still coming to terms with everything. I was still getting to know myself. I wouldn’t get better or more comfortable in my skin overnight. Maybe not even by next month. Patience was the keyword.

The fact that I was even willing to put my trust in Aiden was progress. This was a marathon, not a sprint. If I had to remind myself of that every single day, I would. I looked up when Aiden returned to the living room.

“Dolores is going to let the others know what’s going on,” he told me as he approached. “They’ll all be ready to greet the lady of the house in a few minutes.”

The lady of the house. Why did that make me smile?

“Okay,” I muttered before staring down at my clothing. Pajamas. “I should head up and get dressed. I don’t want to meet them looking like this.” My gaze roamed over him. “You need to get dressed, too. I can’t have you walking around shirtless all day.”

Letting Dolores stare at your abs and shit.

“Do I detect a hint of jealousy, wife?” he teased.

“Careful. I know how to bury a body, remember?”

He chuckled. “There goes that dark humor I love. Come on, Brave Heart. I’ll carry you upstairs to the bedroom.”

Aiden didn’t give me a chance to argue. One second, I was sitting there about to tell him he didn’t have to carry me. Next, I was being lifted off the couch, cradled against his chest.

“I can walk,” I protested, wriggling slightly.

“And I can carry you,” he replied as he climbed the stairs.

“Aiden, I’m not fragile.”

“Oh, I know. You’ve proven that this morning.”

“Too soon,” I told him, rolling my eyes, but the corner of my mouth betrayed me.

“Just let me carry you, beautiful. When I heard that scream earlier, I thought it was you. My mind immediately started thinking the worst. I thought I wouldn’t make it to you in time to protect you.

I thought I might... I might lose you. I believe my heart stopped beating for a second.

Yeah, you can walk. But I need to hold you close to my heart, so it can know you’re okay. ”

Awww, Aiden!

“Well, when you put it like that...” I drawled, resting my head against his chest. “Hey, husband’s heart,” I murmured. “I’m okay. You can relax now.”

“My heart says thank you.”

Smiling, I listened to my husband’s heartbeat as he carried me upstairs. When we reached the bedroom, he didn’t put me down right away. He just stood there, looking at me.

“You can put me down now,” I told him.

“I know,” he whispered.

I waited for him to do so.

When he didn’t, I said, “Any day now, Aiden.”

“Are you sure you’re okay?” he asked.

My gaze searched his. He was still worried about me. Moving slowly, I placed one palm against his cheek. He leaned into my touch, and I found that to be the sweetest thing ever.

“I’m fine, Aiden. And thank you.”

“For what?”

“For running to my rescue when you thought I was in danger.”

“Woman, I’d run through fire to get to you.”

Don’t you dare tear up, Noe. Don’t do it.

I did it.

“Thank you,” I whispered again.

“You’re welcome. And thank you for knowing how to protect yourself.

I know your actions scared you. But I’m glad you’re able to defend yourself.

When I’m not around, don’t hesitate to use your skills if you have to.

I need you to be safe at all times. Today, you’ll meet the people who work here.

Some are even coming in just so we can do this meeting.

If you see anyone in the house or on the grounds that are not them, don’t hesitate to act. Understood?”

I nodded. Finally, that fear, that shame, and guilt from before were fading. And it was all thanks to my husband. I could still feel the adrenaline threading through my system from earlier... but it wasn’t the same.

Not with him looking at me like that. Not with him this close to me. Not with his bare chest pressed against me. That adrenaline from before was morphing into something else, something sinful.

My husband and I still had some unfinished business to take care of. Lowering me to my feet, he set me down beside the bed but didn’t back away. I made no attempt to move either.

His bare chest radiated heat, and the way his eyes dipped to my lips had another set of lips puckering up, wanting to kiss him.

“Why are you looking at me like that?” he whispered.

“Why are you looking at me like that?” I countered.

“Because you're looking at me like that,” he answered. “How am I looking at you anyway?”

“Like you want to eat me,” I told him.

This man had the nerve to lick his lips.

“Don’t start something you can’t finish, Mr. Park.”

“After breakfast, Mrs. Park.”

I swear this man was going to keep me dehydrated with the way my pussy stayed wet when he was near, depleting all my fluids. I needed to get dressed before the staff came looking for us and found me on my knees, mouth full of cock.

“Get dressed,” I told him. “I’ll do the same.”

“I want to dress you.”

“I can dress myself, Mr. Park.”

“Not today, Mrs. Park. Humor me. I’m still recovering from earlier. Choose something to wear, Beautiful, and let me take care of you.”

I glared at him. He winked at me. Giving in, I crossed to the closet and searched through the clothing. I decided on beige slacks and a cute beige-and-black one-shoulder top. This would make me look like the lady of the house and not a deranged killer.

Turning, I handed the items to him. He took them without breaking eye contact. Then I started to undress.

“Wait,” he said, laying my outfit on the bed. “I plan to undress you, too.”

I cocked my head to the side. “Mr. Park, we’ve established that I’m not helpless.”

“I’m the helpless one,” he told me. “I can’t keep my hands off you.”

This man! How could I say no to a man who wanted to take care of me in every way, all ways?

“Arms up,” he told me.

I obeyed, and he eased my pajama top over my head, letting his knuckles skim along my sides before he finally got the top off and tossed it onto the bed. His smirk said it all. He knew what he was doing to me. His eyes flicked to my breasts. Desire flared in his dark gaze.

“No bra, Mrs. Park?”

“Oops. I forgot.”

I turned to rush over to the dresser. I didn’t get far. A strong arm wrapped around my waist and pulled me back against a wall of muscle. One hand rested flat on my stomach while the other slid up to cup my breast. I gasped when his thumb grazed my nipple.

His breath tickled my ear when he bent down to whisper, “I think you wore no bra on purpose, wife.”

“What would that purpose be, husband?”

“To get me rock hard.”

Oh, my! “And are you rock hard?” I asked.

Hand still on my stomach, he bent me forward a little, until my ass was pressed against his cock. Oh yeah, he was hard. The heat and solid length pressing into me made my mouth water and my pussy clench.

I rolled my hips in a slow, teasing wiggle that had him exhaling in a rush, like I’d knocked the air from his lungs.

“Careful, wife,” he whispered in my ear, thumb circling my nipple. “I don’t mind fucking you before you meet the staff.”

“Don’t threaten me with a good time, husband.”

His deep chuckle sent a shiver down my spine.

“Go get your bra,” he ordered, releasing me.

I pouted with both sets of lips.

“Hurry up, sexy. Before I really end up bending you over that dresser.”

My savage was so damn close to emerging. Smiling, I strode over to the dresser and found a bra. I was already sliding it on as I returned to him.

“Turn around, I’ll hook the clasps for you,” he offered.

“You seem to have done this before,” I pointed out, turning around.

“Only for you.”

He knew how to keep me smiling.

“Done,” he told me, then spun me around again and reached for the waistband of my pajama pants.

He began sliding them down my body, thumbs brushing my hips as he worked the fabric past my thighs. When they dropped to my ankles, I stepped out of them and kicked them aside.

“I was hoping you’d forgotten your panties too,” he told me.

“Maybe next time,” I answered with a wink.

His gaze made a slow, lingering sweep over me, from head to toe, leaving me feeling naked before he met my eyes again.

“You’re so damn beautiful,” he murmured.

Was I blushing? I’m pretty sure I was blushing.

“We have to hurry before Dolores comes looking for us,” I told him.

“Damn, why did I schedule this meeting?”

With a sigh, he dressed me the same way he’d undressed me, unhurried, fingertips grazing my skin, leaving me shivering. I’m pretty sure this whole undressing and dressing me idea was just an excuse to put his hands on me.

If he wanted to feel me up, all he had to do was ask. When he pulled the one-shoulder top into place, his hand lingered at my collarbone before sliding higher, wrapping gently around my throat.

He gave the faintest squeeze, but it was enough to make my breath hitch and send heat rushing straight to my pussy. I looked up at him, eyes wide, pulse pounding, wondering what he was about to do next. Just that squeeze had me on the verge of saying fuck the staff.

“Do you plan to put on lipstick or anything?” he asked.

“Yes,” I whispered.

“Then I should kiss you before you do that, shouldn’t I?”

“Yes,” I said again, gaze never leaving his.

My husband lowered his head and claimed my lips in a kiss that had my nipples pebbling. His tongue caressed mine as his thumb slid along my neck. I moaned when he gave my throat another gentle squeeze.

I swear this man knew just what to do to make my body crave him. He pulled back before I was ready for the kiss to end. Damn it, why did I have to almost kill someone and force this mandatory meeting?

“There,” he said softly. “Now you’re ready.”

I wasn’t sure if he meant ready for the day or ready for him. I took a step back. Lipstick. He meant I was ready to apply my lipstick. Legs wobbly, I headed to the bathroom, but my mind was still on that kiss.

Still on the way he’d gripped my throat. I couldn’t believe I was a woman who liked being choked, but damn it, I did. I didn’t bother with lipstick. All we’d end up doing was getting it smeared on his cock later.

Instead, I chose a brown-tinted lip gloss and a little mascara. Then I styled my hair in a quick updo, adding some holding gel to lay the edges before washing my hands and leaving the bathroom.

When I returned to the bedroom, I found Aiden sliding on his shirt. I watched the fabric stretch over his broad shoulders. Shoulders I’d had my legs thrown over hours ago. When I’d told him he looked like a pencil pusher, I’d been teasing.

This man’s body was built for so much more than that. I couldn’t wait to go to my knees for him. He slid his shirt over his taut abs. He’d already put on some dark jeans and tennis shoes.

“Look at you looking all sexy,” I told him as he brushed past me to enter the bathroom, his body rubbing against mine.

I didn’t miss the smile my compliment brought to his face.

“Who are you looking all sexy for?” I teased.

“For the only woman who makes me want to love her every day of my life and fuck her until she can’t see straight,” he told me, before kissing my forehead.

Damn right. I had a feeling I didn’t play about this man. My man. I blew him a kiss as he closed the bathroom door. I swear that man’s smile was brighter than the sun. As the water ran in the bathroom, I went to the closet and slid on a pair of black flats.

I stared at the row of heels in all different colors and wondered if I should wear a pair of those. Nah. I wanted to be comfortable, not sexy, right now. I’d stick to my flats this morning.

By the time he emerged from the bathroom, I was all set and ready to meet the staff who already knew me. He stretched his hand out to me.

“Ready, gorgeous?” he asked.

Placing my palm in his, I said, “I’m ready, handsome.”

Hand in hand, we left the bedroom to start our day.