Page 21 of Vain

“You’re so fucking beautiful.”

“The scars, they’re?—”

“Proof you won. I mean, look at you,” I tell her, letting my eyes rove over her body. “Look, how fucking strong you are.”

She eyes me like she’s not sure she believes me. I take her wrist and press her hand to my rock-hard cock. “My dick never lies. And right now, he wants in you so fucking bad.”

She swallows, looking completely lost for words. I pull her hand free and slip my fingers through hers, pinning her hands above her head as I lean down over her. I kiss her, taking my time to sip at her lips. I nip, suck, and bite as I coax her to let me in. When she does, she surrenders so sweetly I almost come in my pants.

I pull back and look down at her swollen lips. “Tonight, I just want to hold you. When I heard you screaming, I thought the worst. I get where Daniel’s coming from now because I don’t know what the fuck I’d do if anything happened to you.”

She nuzzles her face against my jaw. “Who the hell are you, Aiden?”

“That’s easy. I’m yours.”

Chapter Ten

MATILDA

True to his word, he held me until I fell asleep. Then, like a thief in the night, he stole a piece of my heart as he snuck out and went back down to his room.

Given the door’s state, sneaking might be pushing it a bit. Seeing it hang off its frame popped the bubble of calm he had wrapped around me. I stared at the lock, my fingers twitching to turn it three times as tears filled my eyes. It felt like a tight band had wrapped itself around my heart, squeezing it tightly. I couldn’t move from the spot, couldn’t tear my eyes away from the lock until Aiden stepped in front of it and removed it from my view.

“Woah, hey, what’s wrong?” He pulls me close, sliding a finger under my chin to tip my head back.

I fight back the tears, but a few stubborn ones slip free and run down my cheeks. He wipes them away with the pad of his thumb, his face a picture of concern. And yet, I have nothing to give him. What can I say that won’t make him look at me like I’m a neurotic basket case?

“Talk to me, Tilly.”

I sigh, which comes out more like a hiccup. “I don’t know what’s wrong. I’m being stupid.”

“I don’t believe that for a second.”

He dips down and presses his forehead to mine, and we stand there like that for a moment while I get my shit together.

“My guess? A lot has happened, and you’re feeling a little overwhelmed. Most of that’s probably even my fault. I’d say I’m sorry, but then I might not be standing here with you in my arms.”

I huff out a laugh. He’s kind of an ass, but at least he’s honest about it.

“I need to call someone to get the door fixed.”

“I already spoke to Greyson. He told me to tell you it’s taken care of. Someone is coming to replace the door with a new one this afternoon.”

I wince and look up at him. “Was he mad at you?”

“For kicking the door in? Or for coming to the top floor to begin with, when I was explicitly told not to?”

“Both?”

“Maybe to start with, until I explained I heard you scream and thought it was the stalker making his move, so I charged in without thinking. I think he forgave me after that because we both only have your best interests at heart.”

“And now? You don’t exactly have a good reason for being here this time.”

“Sure, I do. My girl’s here.”

“Your girl?” I blow out a deep, stuttering breath before I take a step back.

“Alright, I’ll give you that play, but I meant what I said. You’re my girl, Tilly. I’ll give you time to get your head around it, but I’m not going anywhere.”