Page 69 of Thorns of Deceit

“I’m going to come inside you,” Aiden said as he continued to power in and out of me.

Another thrust and sloppy kiss and then he stilled, his cock pulsing inside me as he let out a guttural “Fuuuck” and filled me with his cum.

We both collapsed, our breathing harsh. My ears rang as I buzzed with pleasure, and he wrapped his arms around me, pressing my face against his muscular chest.

Our sweating bodies were still one when I closed my eyes, listening to his heart beat in rhythm with mine. I heard him ask, “Did I hurt you?”

But deep sleep pulled me under before I could reply.

TWENTY-SIX

RAVEN

Ineeded aOne-Night Stands for Dummiesbook that would clarify whether I was currently experiencing a walk of shame. If I asked Aiden, he would no doubt claim it was a betrayal. Either way, I wasn’t about to stick around to find out.

“So damn confusing,” I muttered under my breath as the crisp morning air bit into my skin.

The City of Light’s paved sidewalks welcomed the clacking of my sky-high Jimmy Choos. I peered around and crossed my arms over my chest, trying to decide how embarrassed I should be at my disheveled appearance.

I adjusted my dress, ensuring it wouldn’t slide off me thanks to the tear my husband caused.

“Five years,” I whispered, the words tasting bitter on my tongue as goose bumps surged across my skin. “Five years down the drain.”

I’d spent them clawing my way out of despair and loss, forcing myself to keep going despite losing both my mom and the man I’d fallen for. And it all vanished the moment I saw Aiden again.

One goddamn look, and everything came crashing down.

It had taken me years to strip the memory of him from my dreams. And yet, with one encounter, he unearthed everything.

And now, my traitorous heart pulsed again. With longing, with grief, with guilt so sharp it stole the breath from my lungs.

I hated that part of me still ached for something real with that man. But love wasn’t logical. It lingered, even when my world shattered around me.

He and his family led my ruthless father right to us, right to my mother. They might as well have signed her death certificate. And no matter how I spun the events from five years ago, I couldn’t forget that—hence the guilt.

Aiden only married me for the access and power my last name could give him. I was a means to an end for his family.

And yet, I couldn’t shake the feeling that there’d been something real developing between us before the betrayal.

Maybe that’s what stung the most as I put more and more distance between us. The idea of what could have been and never would be.

I sped up, literally running from the past, before my gaze snagged on a familiar figure in the distance. I smiled and slowed my pace, the relief so palpable I tasted it on my tongue. From the looks of it, Athena had had a wild night too. I headed toward her, waving like a fool and waiting for her to spot me.

When she didn’t, I took off into a run, ignoring the protest from my thighs and feet, and wrapped my hands around her waist from behind.

“Fuck,” she hissed, whirling around and bringing a hand to her heart. She let out a sigh when she realized it was me. “You scared me, Raven.”

I shot her a playful expression.

“Maybe you should be scared. I’ve been stalking you for the past five minutes and you didn’t notice me.”

“Taking up stalking now, are we?” she said, narrowing her eyes as they raked over me. “Where are you coming from anyway?”

I shrugged. “I ran into… someone and decided to scratch an itch.”

She raised her brow, waiting for me to elaborate, and I saw the moment she realized, her features crumbling.

“Not Aiden Callahan,” she breathed, but the look in my eyes was her answer.