Page 257 of Kissing the Villain

He slipped the ring onto my finger.

Then he threaded his fingers through my curls, crushing my mouth with a passionate kiss. I pushed him onto the mattress and straddled his thighs. We deepened the kiss, our tongues fighting for power over the other. Everything was a game with us. Neither of us would ever relinquish complete control, forcing the other to assert their dominance.

His hands slid down my back and over my ass. He gripped me with the same hunger I craved. The animal came out to play. Rocking my hips into his growing erection, I sank my nails into his neck and ripped a groan from his lips.

“I can’t wait to make you my wife, Mrs. Salvatore,” he whispered.

94

ALEX

After I showered,I called my brother and asked him to come to the house. I waited with Luca on the front steps of the Salvatore Estate, realizing for the first time that this was now my home. It had felt like a prison when I’d returned to Devil’s Creek. But with our wedding approaching, it was time to settle into my new life and let go of the past.

Aiden parked his cherry red late sixties Mustang in front of the garage and rushed to us. I met him halfway, launching myself into his arms. The scent of mint and the sea lifted off his skin, and I drank him in.

“Aid,” I said with tears welling in my bottom lids. “I missed you so much.” Sobs escaped my throat, tears sliding down my cheeks. “I’m sorry I ran before you could explain.”

“No, Lexie. I’m the one who’s sorry.” He held me at arm’s length, staring into my eyes. “I wanted to tell you the truth. I shouldn’t have let you think I was dead.”

“Luca explained everything. I understand why you didn’t tell me. I wish I hadn’t spent the last nine months in agony.”

He blew out a deep breath. “I'm sorry. It was killing me not to see or talk to you.”

We’d never been apart for more than a day until his disappearance.

“I sold out another show this year.”

Aiden held out his fist for me to bump, and I slammed my fist against his.

He made a swoosh sound that made me laugh. “Way to go, Lexie.”

I glanced at Luca, who kept his distance, allowing us time alone. He gave me a genuine smile that reached his pretty blue irises. Luca was smiling a lot more, something he rarely did before my kidnapping.

“How have you been?” Aiden’s eyes traveled over my bruises. “Are you okay? Those look pretty painful.”

I nodded. “I’ll be okay. Just takes time to heal.”

“I’m more worried about the mental damage.” He slid his arm behind my back and pulled me into his side. “They put you through hell. You know you can talk to me, right? A lot has changed, but I’m still the same person you leaned on all your life.”

“I’m taking it one day at a time,” I confessed. “That’s all I can do.”

“Well, I’m back for good. Anytime you need me, I will be there.”

I smiled up at him. He was a foot taller than me, with the same deep blue irises and unruly blond curls. Even with the scar running down the right side of his face, Aiden was still handsome.

I raised my hand to his cheek. “You look badass with this scar.”

He laughed. “Yeah. You think so?”

“I bet Blair will have a stroke when she sees you.”

“I hate that bitch,” he snapped. “She’s worse than Mom.”

“Have you seen Pops yet?”

“Not since the night of your kidnapping.”

“We should have dinner with him. I need to tell him about the news.”

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