Page 20 of Unmasking Love (D.C. Renegades #1)

Harper

"Hi, I'm Bryson. And it's my birthday."

"So what's it going to be this year? Sexy witch? Sexy nurse?"

"How about Sexy Couch Potato?" I suggest and Wes tsks like he's ashamed of me.

"No. Unacceptable. We're going out tomorrow night in costumes."

"Fine, I'll pull something together."

"Thank you. Now, what are you doing tonight?"

"Just finishing up something on T.V. and then I'm gonna head to bed."

"I don't hear Hungry Eyes playing so I hope you're not watching something truly depressing."

"I'm not. It was, umm, the hockey game."

"What?" Wes laughs.

"Shut up. It's an exciting sport and, well, Aiden has been texting me a lot lately so it's nice to have something to talk to him about."

"You're watching hockey games so you can have a better text conversation with a client?"

"He's more than a client. He's been checking-in on me since all the shit with Crispin."

"More like checking you out." Wes teases and I laugh because I can’t believe we talked about me seeing him naked today. I haven’t been able to get it out of my mind. And seeing him playing with that puppy on TV only fueled the itty bitty crush I have on him.

Alr ight, I lied. It’s much bigger than an itty bitty crush. It’s bordering on obsession.

"If only." I sigh. We haven’t seen each other since he brought me lunch but there was a road trip and I haven’t found another house to show him so there’s been no reason to get together.

But, I fall asleep thinking about him, wake up having dreamt about him, and the brightest parts of my day are when we’re texting. Hopefully asking to see him without any clothes on helped clue him in to the fact I’d like to go out with him.

"Listen, I know I haven't been around as much after this break up but maybe that's a good thing.” Wes says sincerely. “This is a change of pace for you and your dating world could use a shake up."

"Is that your professional advice?" I tease. I really don't know where I'd be if it wasn't for Wes. He has helped me through several breakups over the last few years and he knows exactly what to do to keep me from spiraling.

"I just want to see you happy." He says like a parent might. Like a parent should.

"Thanks Wes. You know I feel the same about you, right?"

"I do, and we'll get me there. But you're the one who is looking for a relationship all the time."

"Maybe that's my problem. I go looking for it. I should let it find me."

"Great idea, let it find you, tomorrow night, in a sexy kitten costume."

We laugh and I hang up. The game is over and usually that means I'll get a text from Aiden before he leaves the arena and then the second comes about 20 minutes later when he gets home.

The conversations have been a comforting routine and I find myself looking forward to his texts instead of getting home and wallowing because I can't distract myself with work anymore.

I r oll onto my back and add "get costume" to my agenda for tomorrow. I've got a showing at 11am but the day is light besides that. My phone vibrates with a text so I leave my calendar app behind to check my messages.

Hey Harper, what are you up to?

Just finished watching the game. Big win!

Yep, the team did a nice job out there tonight.

You headed home soon?

Actually, it's Bryson’s birthday so we're headed out to a club.

The three dots appear and then disappear.

Twice.

I switch over to my email inbox while I wait for him to figure out what he wants to say. My phone buzzes so I navigate back to my texts but it's not from Aiden.

It's from Felix.

Hey Harper! Wanna come out to Aces tonight? It's Boder’s bday and we have a VIP section reserved.

For whatever reason I don’t want Felix to know I’m a homebody.

Wes has figured it out. Aiden probably has too but he also seems a little more reserved and is probably more comfortable at home too.

Which is another reason I want to get him settled in the perfect place.

I’m finding myself just as picky as he is whenever a new listing pops up and haven’t found a home worth sharing.

And while I am exceptionally comfortable on my sofa under my min ky blanket, the idea of seeing Aiden warms me in a way this faux fur rectangle can’t compete with.

Sure, I'll meet you there.

Nope, I'm going to come and pick you up! Be ready in 20.

As I stand up and head towards my closet my phone buzzes in my hand.

AIDEN:

So you’re coming?

Plan to!

Cool, it’ll be fun.

***

Nineteen minutes later my doorbell rings.

I had just enough time to refresh my hair and makeup and slip into an outfit.

It’s the end of October but it’s a club so I paired a gold sequin skirt with black long-sleeved ribbed top.

I zip up my knee high boots and slide my keys into my shoulder bag before walking down the stairs.

I expect Felix to be standing at the door, but it's Aiden.

His head was dipped while he waited but as I pull open the door his eyes skate up my body, gaining heat with each inch north. My body tingles with excitement at seeing him in person.

"Hi!" I say as I, eagerly, reach up and throw my hands around his neck in a hug. I didn’t plan it but the pull towards him is overwhelming. His wi de hand falls to my back as he hunches over and keeps us upright. It’s a good thing he’s got this under control because all my joints have turned to jell-o in his embrace and without him holding me up I’d be a puddle on the ground.

Over the course of all our texting I forgot how tall he is. He’s lean but solid. And seeing him in all his goalie gear also plays with my perception. He fills the net when I’ve seen him play and tonight, his height fills my doorway. "Good to see you!"

"Uh, yeah, you too." He says with a little laugh. "C'mon, Felix is waiting."

Aiden ushers me to the car with a hand at my back and, like when he brought me lunch, it sends a wave of liquid gold through my body. He opens the door for me and I climb in.

"Harper, you look lovely tonight!" Felix says from the driver's seat.

"Thank you, Felix."

The guy in the front seat turns around and holds out a hand, "Hi, I'm Bryson, we met on FaceTime but it’s nice to meet you in person. And, it's my birthday."

"Happy birthday, Bryson." I say as we shake hands. Aiden climbs in next to me and the car feels a lot smaller than it did a few seconds ago. The air is thicker. Charged.

"Young Gun, tell Harper she looks nice," Felix prompts as he starts to drive.

"You look nice." He says and I laugh.

"Was that painful?" I tease quietly as I throw an elbow into his arm.

He leans over and as soon as he's in my personal space my nerves start humming. "No. I just don't like an audience."

"Oh."

The ride to the club isn't long but Aiden stays close to me. At one point I use his thigh for balance because Felix took a tight turn and as much as I liked feeling his solid muscles under my fingers, I pulled my hand away when t he car straightened out. I didn’t want to be too forward.

When we pull up to the club Aiden rounds the back of the car to meet me.

I pivot my legs to slide out of the SUV and slip my hand into the one he offers me.

And neither of us let go.

None of my previous boyfriends were hand holders. Well, not that Aiden is my boyfriend, but he's a boy who is my friend who has seen me naked and who I told I want to see naked. We’re whatever label that is.

He holds my hand as we're escorted to the VIP section.

He holds my hand as introductions are made to other teammates.

He holds my hand on the way to the bar to get a drink.

He lets go when I lean against the bar in the back of the VIP area and my hand feels heavy with out the support of his.

I bite on my smile as I feel his hand fall to the small of my back instead.

My body, and my sentimental heart, are clamoring for the connection. These touches aren't overtly sexual, but I am wound up nonetheless. My nerves are tuned in to every minuscule movement we make and how it impacts where we’re touching.

His hand slides across my low back to my hip that he nudges back and I turn my whole body to face him. I expect him to take his hand away but he settles in and his thumb slips under the hem of my shirt causing lightning bolts to crack in my veins.

I sip my ranch water cocktail as Aiden sips a beer.

Our eyes connect over the drinks and I find myself wanting to know everything going on behind those crisp blue eyes.

On my next sip, I let my gaze wander south.

I take in his broad chest under a black button up, his gray dress pants that fit tight around his athletic thighs.

I scan back up and catch a glint of a chain around his neck I've never noticed before.

"What's this?" I ask as I snake a finger under the delicate gold.

"A necklace," he says into my ear and I laugh.

"C' mon, tell me," I say as I take the risk and flatten my palm along his chest. His heart beats steadily under my hand and he makes no move to separate us.

"It's something I've had for a while." He says before setting his beer down and then taking my drink too. "Let's dance."

He reaches for my hand again but this time he winds it around my back and lets me lead the way into the crowd.

The house music thumps through my veins and as I start to sway side to side, Aiden keeps our fingers interlaced but moves my hand to my front.

He presses my stomach and I lean back into his chest. We grind to a beat that is slightly slower than anyone around us and he uses his free hand to brush the hair off my neck.

He slowly, gently, presses a kiss to my pulse and my knees nearly give out.

"No more tequila for you tonight," he whispers against my ear and I smile.

"But can I still get naked for you?" I tease.

"I'm going to insist you do." His voice is like black silk sliding across my body and I melt into him a little more.

We dance, one song blends into the next.

Sweat slides down my back and I can feel Aiden thickening behind my ass.

His big hand pushes on my hip and he turns me so I'm facing him.

I catch his eyes in the flashing lights.

His pupils are wide and I get lost in their depths.

He brings our joined hands up to the back of his neck and plants my palm there.

His long hair is damp, the strands are cool to the touch but his skin is hot. It’s like the burn of touching an ice cube right out of the freezer.

I close my eyes as the music takes over.

"Eyes on me, Harper," Aiden says and my lids fly open.

He stares at me as we dance and my fingers start to explore.

I slip them into his collar, rake my nails across the back of his head.

His eyes struggle to stay open at the sensation and I like feeling so powerful.

I drag them along the chain around his neck, and I watch his eyes darken as I skim my nails down h is chest.

“I like that you don’t have color on your lips.” He says as he skates his thumb along my pout.

“Really? Why?”

"If you did, I’d feel bad about ruining it." His hand slides up to cradle my jaw fractions of a moment before his lips are on mine. He nips at my lower lip and I open my mouth to him. Aiden wastes no time.

His grip on me tightens as our tongues collide and my head spins like I'm drunk. Not on alcohol. I'm drunk on lust. On Aiden.

I’m not sure what changed for him. Or for me. Somewhere along the line we went from relator and client to friends exchanging texts to pressing our bodies together in a club to him absolutely devouring me.

He’s fusing us together and I am not fighting it.

The slow beat of the song changes and the tempo speeds up. Aiden pulls back from the kiss. He presses his thumb into my chin and pulls my mouth open before blinking and relaxing his hold on me.

"C'mon," he says as he takes my hand and pulls me through the crowd toward the table. We arrive as a tray of shots are being delivered but Aiden ignores the offered glasses and turns to Felix. "Give me your keys."

"My keys?"

"Yeah, I need to take Harper home."

"And then you're coming back?" Bryson asks.

"Nope." Aiden smiles and the boys around the table react with fists to their mouths or claps. My face turns beet red and I hide behind Aiden’s bicep, grateful for the low lighting in the club.

"Nice work, Young Gun. Okay then. See you tomorrow, and Harper we'll see you at the party?"

"What party?"

"She'll be there." Aiden says as he takes the brass valet chip from Felix. Hand in hand he walks me out of the club. While we wait for the car he holds me to his side. His body feels hot compared to the night air and I shiver as my sweat cools on my skin.

"Aiden?"

"Yeah," he tilts his head down to meet my gaze.

"Do I get to see you naked tonight?"

“Only if you’re good.”