Page 10

Cillian

Four Years Later…

Time is ticking away.

Four years of watching Aria flourish, of seeing her carve her own path and prove to everyone that her success isn’t just linked to her husband’s title as CEO of Cypher Co. Despite the gossip that she’s only risen because of who I am, she’s silenced every critic with her own skill, her own drive and style. I love her more with every passing day—her ambition, her strength, her never-dimming light. She fills every dark, hollow corner in me, and makes me whole.

I stand in the crowd as she finishes her walk on the biggest runway in Seattle. And she owns it. As usual. Pride surges through me as roaring applause ripples through the crowd of spectators.

“That’s your mommy,” I say to Lilian, our thirteen-month-old daughter, bouncing her playfully in my arms. “Aren’t you proud of Mommy?” Lilian beams, her gorgeous green eyes sparkling with mirth. I laugh, my heart filling up with a familiar rush of euphoria.

Lilian came as a beautiful surprise for us. We weren’t exactly planning for a child, but were very excited when we found out. With Aria, I felt complete. I didn’t think it was possible to be any happier, but Lilian’s birth proved me wrong. We named her Lilian after my sister, and sometimes when she smiles, I see Lily’s carefree spirit…just like now.

I still miss Lily, but I can now think of her without pain and bitterness, especially with Warren Osla rotting in jail. With his crime counts piled up to the sky, he’s going to be in there for a long time, possibly forever. I made sure of that.

I’ve made sure that the darkness of Aria’s past will no longer touch her. And in return, she’s made me the kind of man who wants to use my power to help others. The auctions and the sick men who run them are much more deeply entrenched in this city than I even imagined, protected by powerful politicians and elite security. But, I’ve begun to gather evidence against these powerful men in the hopes that one day their organization will fall.

“Let’s go get Mommy,” I say, juggling Lilian in my arms as I head backstage.

Aria’s eyes light up the moment we enter her private dressing room. She practically jumps out of her chair and runs toward us, excitement radiating from her as she throws her arms around my neck.

“You were amazing, love,” I murmur, my lips brushing against her ear before I kiss her, slow and deep, letting her feel just how damn proud I am.

She smiles, cheeks flushed. “Thanks, darling. Hey, baby…” she coos, opening her arms to Lilian who eagerly jumps into them. Aria laughs and hold our daughter close. “Oh, my baby…” She looks up at me over Lilian’s shiny black curls. “Thanks so much for coming. I didn’t think you’d be able to make it in time from Texas. How was your meeting?”

“Boring,” I reply with a roll of my eyes. “I don’t know why Daniel keeps insisting that I meet with the investors personally—something about solidifying our authenticity. I told him I won’t participate in those kinds of games again. I missed my girls too much.”

“I’m glad you’re back,” Aria says, her eyes glinting with amusement and that sweet look of adoration that’s only grown deeper over the years. “I missed you too.”

“I love that dress on you by the way,” I say, running my eyes over the exquisite red dress she walked the runway in. I lean in close, lowering my voice. “Can’t wait to get you home and show you how much I love it.”

She blushes, a deep crimson spreading adorably across her cheeks, and I chuckle, letting my hand drift to her lower back. “Red suits you, kitten,” I tease, enjoying watching her squirm under my gaze. “Let’s get out of here so I can tear that dress off you.”

“Cillian!” she berates halfheartedly. “Not in front of Lily!”

“She doesn’t mind,” I say, taking the giggling child from her arms. “Now, let’s get your sexy ass home.”

Forty minutes later, I get back from putting Lilian to bed to see Aria exiting the bathroom, a short towel knotted over her breasts, her hair tied up in a loose bun. I cross the space between us in two long strides, slide my fingers into her hair, and undo the knot, spilling those beautiful golden curls down her back and around her shoulders.

“Much better,” I murmur, brushing my knuckles over her cheek. “I wanted to take the dress off you, but I guess I’ll have to make do with this.” With one tug, her towel comes undone. I let it slide to the floor, and then move back a little to take in the wonder of her body.

“God, love, you’re so beautiful,” I say, not bothering to hide the awe in my voice. Even after bearing our daughter, Aria still has the most beautiful body I’ve ever seen.

As expected, her face turns a beautiful shade of red. I like how, after three years and four months of marriage, I can still make her blush so easily. She steps closer and tugs at the hem of my shirt, slowly lifting it. I raise my arms, laughing when she has to stand on her tiptoes to slide the shirt over my head. She glares at me, but I only laugh harder, and because I can’t resist, I lower my mouth to hers.

She eagerly opens her mouth beneath mine, her hands gliding sensuously over the lean muscles of my stomach to my chest, over my nipples to lock around my neck, setting my whole body on fire for her. My muscles quiver instinctively under her touch, my cock growing bigger in my pants.

She takes hold of the button that fastens my jeans, but her hands are so unsteady that I have to reach down to place my hand over hers. “Easy, love,” I purr, pulling the zipper with my hand over hers. I’m not wearing underwear beneath my pants. My cock springs free, my hand guiding hers as she pulls my jeans over my hips, down my buttocks until they fall to the ground in a pile beside her towel.

Once we’re both naked, I let my gaze rake over her again, hungry for the sight of her. The scent of honey and herbs from her damp skin, one taut nipple peeking out from between strands of golden hair, her luscious breasts rising with each rapid breath.

Before Aria, I never thought it was possible to crave one woman over and over again. No matter how many times I make love to Aria, no matter how hard I orgasm, I’m always hungry for more. I want her with a vigor I can’t control, and it’s only grown stronger with time.

“Come here,” I say, pulling her closer to my body. Tucking a finger beneath her chin, I duck down, brushing my lips over hers. I groan, immensely pleased by the slight shiver that passes through her body. I let my mouth wander, tasting the honey-sweet skin of her throat, teasing her earlobes between my lips until her body is shaking helplessly in my arms, her breaths coming out in short pants.

I bring my lips back to hers, inhaling her soft moan as our tongues meet. She melts in my arms, her body pressed against mine, kissing me back, matching me stroke for stroke. I let myself get lost in her, lost in the scent and feel of her, the need for her thrumming in my veins.

When I can’t take it anymore, I drag my mouth from hers and scoop her into my arms, carrying her to the bed. I stretch out beside her, my mouth reclaiming hers in a slow, deep, passionate kiss that leaves us both breathless.

I lift my head, pin her arms above her head with one hand, then reach down with the other to cup her breasts, teasing her nipples into tight buds, tugging them with my fingers and flicking them with my thumb. She gasps, letting out a loud moan. I know that her breasts are extra sensitive because she weaned Lilian only two months ago, so the merest flick of my thumb makes her shiver. And when I flick my tongue over one beaded nipple, she sucks in a sharp breath. I close my mouth over the puckered bud and suck. She cries out my name, arching her back and pushing her breast further into my mouth. I continue to tease her, sucking on one breast and cupping her other with my free hand, my thumb tracing circles on the sensitive underside.

Her breathing comes in shudders, her body trembling, her eyes squeezed shut, a look of torment on her gorgeous face. Brain buzzing with lust, I shift my mouth to her other nipple, grazing her with the edge of my teeth, then sucking hard until she begs for me to stop, squirming against me, her hips lifting off the bed, seeking relief.

Sliding a hand between her thighs, I lift her right leg and drape it over my hip, spreading her wide. I glide my hand over her inner thighs, teasing her, slowly working my way upward. She whimpers my name, her nails digging into my scalp, the smell of her arousal teasing my senses, slowly driving me over the edge. I slide a finger inside her and she lets out a breathy moan, her hot, slick walls clenching tightly around my finger.

I let out a low growl, my hips flexing as if my cock is buried deep inside her instead of thrusting against her thigh. I want to fuck her so badly right now, but I also want to take my time pleasuring her, loving her. I continue to stroke her, then slide a second finger inside her, stretching her.

“In a few minutes, my cock is going to be inside you, kitten…” I murmur into her ear, sliding my fingers out and pushing them in again. “…stroking you just like this.”

She shivers, tense, and I know she’s picturing it in her head—my cock in her pussy, slamming into her hard and fast. Gathering her body’s juice on my finger, I slide it out and rub the silky wetness over her clit, the little pink bud swelling at my touch. I continue to finger-fuck her, watching her face. Her rosy lips are slightly parted, her face all red and her eyes squeezed tightly shut, and she looks so fucking beautiful. The most beautiful woman in the world.

Her body is tight with tension that seems to arc through her and into me, shooting straight to my cock. “I can’t believe how lucky I am that you’re mine.” My words came out in urgent whispers as I flick her nipples with my tongue, unable to keep my mouth off her, my cock so hard it throbs. “I want you so bad it fucking hurts.”

Then she gasps, seeming to hold her breath as the tension inside her peaks and shatters. She lets out a shaky sigh, her inner muscles clenching around my fingers, her gorgeous face contorted as pleasure wracks her body. I continue to move my fingers in and out, keeping my rhythm steady, trying to make her pleasure last, raining kisses on her breasts, her throat, and her lips, until the quaking inside her slowly fades.

When her climax has passed, she lies there, in my arms, eyes closed, lips slightly parted, her breathing soft and spent. Her hair is a tangled mess around her face, her lips curved in the faintest of smiles.

She opens her eyes, smiling lazily as she turns on her side to face me and leans over to give me a quick kiss on the mouth. I wrap my arms around her and deepen the kiss, the two of us twisting and rolling on the bed in a tangle of limbs, hands, and bodies.

I finally pin her beneath me, both of us breathless. She chuckles, trying to overturn me again, her eyes glinting with a playful defiance. “You think I’m yours, huh?” she says playfully. “Are you sure you can afford me?”

“Oh, kitten,” I whisper, stretching myself above her. “You know I would pay so much more for you. I would give anything and everything to keep you. You are mine . I’m barely hanging on to my last shred of control. Don’t test me.”

“And what if I do?” she asks, her expression a deliberate challenge.

Lifting her left leg, I wrap it around my waist and with the slightest thrust of my hips, I’m buried deep inside of her. I remain still, holding my body rigid even when she starts to grind against me.

“W-what are you doing?” she asks, her voice laced with an almost comical frustration.

“Answering your question,” I reply with a smirk.

She stares at me. “What?”

“You asked what would happen if you challenged me. I’m showing you. Now, what do you do?”

“I’m sorry,” she says in a contrite tone that contradicts the mirth in her eyes.

“For?” I tease further, holding back my laughter when she shoots me a warning glare.

“For challenging you. I’m yours. Only yours, forever. Now, please move your ass. Literally,” she adds, and this time I can’t hold back my laughter.

“God, I love you,” I murmur, leaning forward to kiss the tip of her nose. “I love you so much.”

Then I start to move inside of her, slowly, keeping my eyes locked on hers. She’s so incredibly tight and wet for me. I pull out all the way to the tip and slowly push back in, groaning with pleasure at the sweet sensation of being buried inside of her.

Everything in me urges me to go faster, plunge deeper, to greedily exploit her warmth. I can feel the first stirrings of orgasm tugging at my belly, but I remind myself that we have all night. So I go even slower, grinding my hips against hers, pushing deeper until I’m completely buried in her.

Aria’s breathless little moans are like music to my ears. Her hands are everywhere…my shoulders, my neck, buried in my hair, clawing down my back to my buttocks. I continue to move inside her in deep, slow thrusts, the slippery friction making me ache for release.

She slides her hands up my chest and over my shoulders to lock around my neck, her hips rising to meet mine, taking everything I’m giving and more. “I’m yours, Cillian,” she rasps breathlessly. “Yours…all yours!”

The words spill out of her lips in a rush, carrying the intensity of her feelings, her vulnerability…

I start to move faster, fueled by my own emotions that mirror hers, plunging harder, deeper, like a man driven by demons. Aria screams, burying her head in my neck as a powerful orgasm begins to shake her body. Her teeth clamp down on my shoulder, her nails digging into my back as her inner muscles clench around me. Pain and pleasure have become indistinguishable.

“That’s right, love—come for me!” I groan, capturing her mouth in a deep kiss, swallowing her moans and cries. I quicken my pace, striking her G-spot over and over again while she comes apart beneath me. My bones grow heavy and I’m almost paralyzed with the overwhelming pleasure coursing through my veins. I grab the sheets, bracing myself on my arms as the deep ache in my core pulls together in a tight, shimmering knot.

“ Mine ,” I growl as my load shoots into her, filling her as I continue to move over her, against her, inside her, our hot breaths mingling, our skin slick with sweat.

She clings to me, grounding me even as I lose myself in her, kissing my face, my neck, reassuring me of her presence. She’s right here with me. I close my eyes and let myself go, coming apart in her arms.

And when we’re done, we lie there for a long time, our breathing coming out in short, uneven pants. Aria turns in my arms, placing her palms on my chest.

“I love you, Cillian,” she says with a radiant smile that lights up her whole face.

I lean in to place a tender kiss on her forehead, then her nose and lips. “I love you too, kitten.” I move back a little to glance down at her stomach, then back up at her face with a teasing smile. “Do you think we just made another baby?”

Aria chuckles, a soft blush spreading across her cheeks. “Maybe,” she replies, her eyes twinkling. “I’m not sure.”

“That’s not good enough,” I say, rolling over her and pinning her body beneath mine. “We have to be very sure.” I lower my head to hers.

Aria laughs, making a half-assed attempt at protesting. “Cillian! Lilian will be awake in five minutes!”

“That’s plenty of time,” I say, sealing my mouth over hers.

~The End