Page 40 of Vain (Tempest #2)

Chapter Thirty-Nine

AIDEN

“Fuck me, you’re a sight for sore eyes,” Arlo yells as he walks down the street toward me.

I grin, accepting his hug as the other guys turn up and greet me too.

“So these are the new digs, huh?” I step back into the street and look up at the fancy new black signage above the door, which says “Price Security” in gold script.

“What do you think?” Blake steps up beside me.

“I think the location is the shit. I’m sorry about what happened to the old place. But someone was smiling down on you when this spot became available.”

He slaps me on the back. “Don’t I know it. Come on, let’s show you around.”

Felix gets the door and we all pile in, shoving each other good-naturedly. Marcus sits on one of the sofas in the reception area, wincing when he straightens his leg.

“That still giving you grief?” I ask, sitting on the arm of the sofa.

“It’s better than it was, but yeah, especially on days when I have PT.”

“I’m sorry I wasn’t here. I feel like an ass?—”

“Fuck that, you were doing what you were supposed to be doing. It was a planned methodical attack. I say this with all the love in the world, but you being here would have made zero difference.”

“Still…”

“Don’t you think we feel the same way? You guys are all over the news, and we feel fucking helpless back here. At least we have each other’s backs. You’ve got no one and it doesn’t sit right with me.”

“I’ve got Tilly.”

Marcus smirks. “You guys are falling like fucking dominos.”

“Think you’ll be next?”

“Fuck no. I don’t see any of that shit in the cards for me.”

“Why the fuck not?”

“Because I’m set in my ways, Aiden. I’m older than you. I’ve had time to fuck around and find out what I’m into and it’s not for everyone. You think I’m gonna find someone in our little sleepy town who plays the same way I do?”

“You think this time last year, you’d have seen me in love with a fucking megastar?

All I’m saying is don’t write yourself off just yet.

” I lean in a little closer and lower my voice.

“What kind of kinks are we talking about here? Not sure I want my woman walking in and seeing you in a gimp mask getting your ass whipped.”

Marcus looks at me for a second before he roars with laughter. “Oh fuck me, I needed that.”

“If you ladies are finished, get your asses over here,” Blake yells out.

I get up and wait for Marcus, just in case. I don’t offer him any help, valuing my balls, but that doesn’t mean I like seeing him struggle.

“I need a fucking beer,” Marcus grumbles before Banner appears with one in his hand, offering it to him.

“Fairy godmother Banner to the rescue,” I tease as he flips me off.

I walk ahead, knowing Blake is waiting on me.

I’m the only person who hasn’t seen this place yet.

And, I’ll admit, it’s perfect for us. It’s bigger than the last place, offering enough space for us all to have our own office.

The reception area is three times the size of the previous place and the kitchen area is nice, big and equipped with enough shit to make Marley happy, including a fat-ass coffee machine.

“It’s great, Blake.”

“Yeah, I’ll admit, I like it too. Here’s your office.”

He opens the door, and I see the space is already set up.

A large window looks out onto the quiet side street.

On the far wall, a chunky wooden desk sits with a computer on top.

Above that are a couple of rows of empty shelves.

Across the room are two chairs turned slightly toward each other, with a low table just in front of them for drinks.

“If you need anything else, just let me know. It’s your space. You can do whatever you want with it.”

I nod and follow him out, back down to the reception area.

“So?” Felix asks, from where he is perched on one of the reception desks.

“It’s awesome. I’ll miss the large dining area, though. It kind of made us feel more like a family,” I admit, though it’s the only thing I will miss.

“I thought about that. There’s plenty of space to extend out back, definitely big enough for a dining area and another couple of offices,” Blake says from behind me. “Now that’s out of the way, let’s talk about tomorrow.” He rubs his hands.

“I can’t believe you managed to pull this off.”

“Ye of little faith. I roped all the guys in and a bunch of the locals were eager to help out too.”

“Where’s it happening?”

“Kellen didn’t tell you?”

“I got sidetracked over banoffles,” he calls out.

“What the fuck are banoffles?” Banner asks, but I hold up my hand before Kellen can explain.

“Don’t get him started. So, the venue?” I face Blake again.

“It’s at our new place. The backyard is huge and perfect for a simple ceremony.”

“Simple ceremony, my ass. I’ve never seen so many flowers and fairy lights in my life,” Arlo grumbles, making the guys laugh.

“How the heck hasn’t Callie noticed anything?”

“We haven’t moved in yet.”

“That, and she doesn’t know there is a new place. That’s her wedding gift from Blake,” Felix throws out. “He’s kinda setting the bar a little high for the rest of us.”

“She has bad memories attached to my apartment now and it’s not the place to raise a baby. Besides, Callie deserves a real fucking home.”

“Yeah, she does,” Felix agrees.

“Okay, just tell me where and when you want us there?”

“I’ll pick you up,” Kellen offers.

“Works for me.”

“The wedding starts at four, but now we just need to devise an excuse that will allow Callie to get all fancied up without getting suspicious.”

“I told you, tell her you’re taking her out for a fancy meal,” Arlo says.

“There is nothing fancy enough around here that will warrant a long lacy dress.”

“What about Matilda?”

“What about her?” Blake frowns.

“I’ll take Matilda to the town fair in the morning, get the town abuzz with having a celebrity here, mixing with us normal folk.

” I roll my eyes at that but push on. “Callie will hear about it within an hour, I guarantee it. You can tell her we’re in town for a short visit and that Matilda is whisking us off to a fancy restaurant.

She’s sent a dress for Callie to apologize for it being so last minute. ”

“Ooh, that would work. Callie’s a huge fan, so she’ll be so busy fangirling that she won’t think about the small details.”

“Plus, Matilda has a plane. So if Callie questions where you’re going, just tell her all you know is you’ve gotta take Matilda’s plane to get there. Just play dumb where possible. Shouldn’t be hard, boss,” Kellen jokes.

Blake crosses his arms and glares at him for a second before he nods. “This will work. But do you think Matilda will go for it? I don’t want to make her into a spectacle when she’s spent so much time lately living under a microscope.”

“It’s for a good cause. And after how you all said the town reacted to Cora’s lies, I think it might be nice for Tilly to have a somewhat more positive experience.”

“Alright then, so we have a plan.” Blake nods before his face splits into a grin. “I’m getting married tomorrow!”

And the room dissolves into chaos.

When I return to Old Man Jenkins’s place, it’s late and Tilly is fast asleep. Not wanting to wake her, I undress in the bathroom before easing into bed beside her. She rolls into me, burrowing against my side with a contented sigh.

I slide my arm around her and press my cheek to the top of her head, wondering if I’ll get a lifetime of moments like this, or if we were doomed from the start.

Lord knows we’ve had everything thrown at us.

I didn’t realize how much I missed home until I came back, but that doesn’t mean I wouldn’t give it all up for her.

And I would. If she couldn’t be happy here, then I’ll have to make peace with it and find a place for myself in her world.

Because whatever happens from here on out, it will be with Tilly by my side.

We’ve already proven we’re stronger together than we are apart.

It feels like I’ve only been asleep for five minutes when I feel Tilly slip out of bed. I hear her pad on bare feet to the bathroom before returning a few minutes later. Instead of coming back to bed, I hear her rummaging around for something.

“Whatcha doing?”

She shrieks and whirls around, holding her chest. “You scared the crap out of me.”

I grin as she moves closer. Once she’s in touching distance, I grab her and haul her down on top of me.

“I swear to god, you’re a menace, Aiden.”

“Yet you love me anyway.”

“Well, duh? How did it go yesterday anyway? I bet it was good to see everyone again.”

“It was. I got to check out the new offices too, which were cool. Then we spent the evening working on the wedding details.”

“Ooh, tell me more.”

I fill her in on what we discussed and like I suspected, she was all for it. “Oh, this is gonna be fun”

“Let’s hope Callie doesn’t murder him for all the secrecy, or it will be a wedding and a funeral all in one day.”

She laughs, leaning down to kiss me, which quickly turns heated when I realize she’s wearing my T-shirt and nothing else.

I lift her a little so I can kick the covers off before settling her back on top of me.

I feel her bare pussy against my stomach as I slide my hands under the hem of her T-shirt and glide it up her body.

“Sit up.”

She does as I ask, which allows me to pull the T-shirt over her head and toss it aside. Now she’s straddling my hips, my erect cock pressed between us.

“Fuck, you take my breath away.” And she does. I love that she doesn’t think about her scars anymore when she’s with me.

“I want you to ride my cock.”

“Hmm…that sounds like fun,” she teases, grinding down on me, her slick heat coating my cock that wants nothing more than to be buried inside her.

“Guide me in, baby.”

She shifts up, her hand wrapping around me before she positions the tip at her entrance. She slides down my cock, oh so slowly, making us both moan.

“Jesus fucking Christ, you feel like heaven.”

I grip her hips as she starts to move, praying for patience. The urge to take over is riding me hard. As much as I want to, this is her show, she’s in control. For now, at least.

“You like that, baby?”

“Yes, you feel amazing.”

She takes her time, riding me like she might never get a chance again, relishing every moment in case it’s her last. I’m about to lose my fucking mind by the time she finally picks up her pace.

She throws her head back, her skin slick with sweat, her scars looking like battle armor as she comes, dragging me right over the ledge with her.

When her energy is zapped, she collapses over me, her breathing as ragged as mine.

“You look like a goddess when you take my dick like that.”

She lifts her head and grins. “A goddess, huh? Does this mean you’ll worship at my feet?”

“I’m going to worship something alright,” I say, flipping her over so that I can do just that.