Page 35 of Vain (Tempest #2)

Chapter Thirty-Four

MATILDA

I stir, hearing voices. I catch the tail end of Aiden and Reese’s conversation. “Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.”

The sound of the door closing has me opening my eyes and looking over at Aiden. “Why do I feel like there isn’t much she wouldn’t do?”

He turns at the sound of my voice. “Good instincts.” He sighs when he sees my expression fall.

He gets to his feet and sits on the bed beside me.

“What Daniel did is not on you. Some people are very good at hiding who they are. And don’t discount the fact that you instinctively knew not to make him your personal guard.

I mean, his thinking that you would pick him is sound.

Why wouldn’t you select the team member you’re already familiar with? ”

“I didn’t trust him enough to let him in,” I admit. “I didn’t really think anything of it because I don’t really trust anyone.”

“But you trusted me.”

I look at him as he lifts my hand and kisses the back. “I didn’t know I would when I hired you. I just knew I wasn’t comfortable having anyone from Cox Security in my house. That’s weird, right? That I felt more comfortable with a stranger in my home than any of them?”

“That’s the instinct I’m talking about. Something made you wary of them, and you listened to your gut. I, for one, am glad you did.”

“You’re right, though. I might not have known I’d trust you, but I did, almost from the start. Yes, you made me nervous, but not for those reasons,” I admit with a blush.

I expect him to smirk smugly, but instead, he leans over and slides his hand into my hair before kissing my temple. “I think our souls recognized each other.”

I look up at the sappy shit and grin. “You think you were mine in a past life?”

“I think I’ve been yours in all of our lives.”

I swallow, the smile slipping from my face at his sincerity. “Aiden,” I whisper, choking up.

He kisses me and there is something different about this one, something softer and more tender. By the time he pulls back, I’m a boneless mess.

He climbs off the bed and grabs the cup from the table at the end of the bed. “Here, drink this while it’s warm, while I fill you in on Banner’s phone call.”

I tense. “Something else has happened?”

“Shit, sorry Tilly. I wasn’t thinking. Nothing has happened with regards to you or Daniel. But some things did go down back home.”

“Is everyone okay?”

“Yes, at least that’s what I’ve been told. But I’m going to FaceTime Marcus tomorrow and see for myself.” He launches into what happened, and I find myself in shock.

“And I thought my life was like a messed-up movie. Tempest seems like a crazy place to live.”

He tenses at my words but when I look at him, his expression gives nothing away. “It’s really not normally like this.”

“I’m not sure I’m in a position to judge,” I tease but he doesn’t laugh. “Aiden?”

He kicks off his boots and slips off his jacket, placing it on the chair before looking at me. “I’m okay, Tilly. Just tired.”

I shuffle over, careful not to spill my drink. “Come lie with me and get some rest. Everything else will keep until tomorrow.”

“Yeah.” He climbs up on the bed as I finish the rest of my lukewarm chocolate and place the empty cup on the bedside table. I wiggle down the bed and roll into Aiden, slipping my arm around his waist.

I lay my head on his chest and settle in. “I’m looking forward to going home.” I sigh. He tightens his arm around me but doesn’t say anything. I can’t help but feel like something is wrong, but I put it down to his being tired. “I love you, Aiden.”

“Love you too, Tilly,” he murmurs, kissing my head.

The press descended on the hospital like vultures in the morning as word of where I am leaks. Getting me out and to the car becomes a battle of fucking wills with flashes going off in my face and Aiden looking ready to murder the next person who shoves a microphone at me.

By the time we get home, I’m ready for another nap, which is crazy. I feel like all I’ve done in the last twenty-four hours is sleep.

“There she is.” Marley hurries across the foyer toward me, gently taking me in his arms and hugging me.

“You gave us quite the fright,” he tells me, pulling back so he can examine me. “You need a good meal. I’m making nothing but comfort food.”

“Sounds heavenly. Being on the other side of the camera sure has its perks.”

He winks at me as Greyson nudges him out of the way and hugs me himself. I feel him shaking a little.

“I’m okay Greyson. I promise.”

He kisses my cheek. “You’re home now. Everything is good.

I’ll take your bag and unpack it for you.

You two get settled in.” He takes the gym bag from Aiden and heads to the laundry room.

I look at Marley, who shrugs. “You scared him, kiddo. Having you home will settle his nerves once more. Now shoo, go relax.”

“You don’t have to tell us twice,” Aiden says as he leads me upstairs to the bedroom. “Shower?”

“God yes.” I groan.

He steps behind me and slides my hair over my shoulder before kissing the spot where my shoulder meets my neck. I shiver and feel him grin against my skin. “I’ll go get the shower started.”

I murmur my agreement and watch him walk to the bathroom before I start undressing. My headache has eased today. It’s more like a dull ache than a stabbing pain, so it’s manageable. My body, though, feels stiff and sore. I guess that’s what happens when your car flips and rolls over.

I’m just sliding my underwear off when Aiden steps back into the room.

“I missed my favorite part.”

I smile. “Want me to get dressed and do it again?”

“Fuck no. I want you to stay exactly like that.” He starts stripping off his own clothes as I take a leaf out of his book and enjoy the show. By the time he’s naked, his cock is hard and my inner thighs are slick with my arousal.

He stalks toward me and sweeps me off my feet, carrying me bridal style to the shower. “Let me clean you up before I get you dirty again.”

I bury my face against his neck and laugh. He places me on my feet in the shower before stepping in behind me. He spends the next ten minutes washing and conditioning my hair and then cleaning every inch of my body.

I feel calm and relaxed for the first time in days.

“My turn.” I take his shower gel from the shelf and lather up my hands before I run them over his chest and arms. I clean him all over before my hands move to his cock. I stroke him slowly, his breathing turning ragged as he braces himself against the wall.

It quickly becomes apparent this is less about washing him and more about giving him pleasure.

His eyes drift closed as he loses himself.

I look down and watch each stroke and tug, reveling in the weight of him in my fist. I use my thumb to gather the pearl of precum at the tip and circle the head with it.

“Stroke me harder.” His voice comes out rough. I lift my head as his eyes sear into mine. I tighten my grip and jerk him faster.

When his breathing turns harsh, I reach up and cup his jaw with my free hand. “Kiss me.”

He doesn’t need telling twice. He slams his mouth down over mine in a carnal kiss that has me moaning into his mouth.

We stay like that, until he tears his mouth from mine and curses. “Fuck, fuck!” he growls as I feel him throb in my hand. I press myself closer just as he comes, shooting all over my stomach.

“You sure know how to undo a man.”

I flutter my lashes at him. “Why, thank you.”

He tips my jaw up so he can look into my eyes. “I’m going to wash my hair while you get out and dry off. You better be on that bed when I get out, legs spread wide for me.”

I swallow hard. “Yes, sir.”

A deep rumble slips from his lips as his expression darkens. “Go now. You have five minutes. If you’re not on that bed ready for me, I’ll fuck you wherever I find you.”

And that, ladies and gentlemen, is the tale of how my ovaries exploded.