Page 56 of The Night Ride
I would make it so.He deepened the kiss until I no longer knew whether I breathed because he commanded it or because he was my air, my purpose in this life, and only his touch, his kiss could breathe life into me.And that without him I was simply existing, waiting for the next chance to breathe.
His hands trailed down my bra to the clasp.The calluses on his fingers sent tingles erupting down my spine to pool in my loins.He drew the straps of my bra down, never breaking our kiss.It wasn’t lost on me that he was fully clothed while I was almost naked.But the dichotomy made it more erotic until it felt as if even the air was in on our love making.
Because that’s what Aiden was doing, he was making love to me.
For a man like him, one battle hardened and weary by life’s disappointments, it was a gift I had not expected to receive.Softness.Gentleness.And care, so much care went into his touch.I wondered if I was dreaming.For if I was, I never wanted to wake.
My hands clutched at his chest, balling the material of his shirt in my hands.Desperate to feel his skin against mine.But he stopped my hands and lifted his mouth.
“Let me.”
In his eyes, I saw what he needed.My surrender.To allow him to set the pace tonight.I released his shirt and any need to control the outcome.Gazing in his steel-blue eyes I let go.
“Put your arms around my neck.”
I let him direct me, looping my arms around his neck as he bent and scooped me up into his arms.Lifting me with the utmost care, as if I was precious to him, and more delicate than hand-spun glass.He carried me over to the bed and tenderly laid me down.
He pressed a gentle kiss on my lips before rising and stepping back.He reached over his shoulder and yanked his shirt off, exposing his ripcord torso.My gaze traced every muscled line and scar.
“You’re beautiful.”I murmured.
A wry grin spread on his face.“Men aren’t beautiful.”
“Oh, but you are.The first time I saw you, you took my breath away.Time slowed to a crawl, and it was like the heavens parted shining its golden light down upon you.”
“You were fifteen.”
“It doesn’t matter.Even then I knew I would love you forever.”
“Beth,” he grimaced.
“It’s okay if you can’t say it back and don’t feel that way about me.I love you enough for the both of us.”
“You know I care a great deal about you.It’s just—I need time and your patience.”
“You have it.I’ve been waiting for you for eleven years, Aiden.”
“And if I never get there?”
“Then I will count myself fortunate indeed, for how many women can say they had the opportunity to love their high school crush.Not many, I’m guessing.”
Although in my heart of hearts it felt like a goddamn Greek tragedy.That I was forever destined to love a man who refused to allow himself to love me back.Because that night at the bar years ago, he had been right there with me.Even now as he removed his pants and joined me, I could feel him, holding himself back from falling.
And I didn’t know what to do other than to love him.Then to show him not all love hurt or was destructive.That love was patient and kind.That when it was real and true, no amount of time or distance could change that fact.That we could even wind up with other people on our path and eventually fate would bring us back together.
Because in the end, we were meant for each other.Soulmates some might call it.
And for me, he was the man I’d been in love with for most of my life.The man I had looked for in others only to find them lacking.And that when I was in his presence, he became the sole focal point of my universe.
He joined me in bed and pulled me close, cupping my face in his hands.“I don’t deserve you or this.But I’m a selfish man.And the only thing that will drive me from your bed is you.”
I pressed my hand against his cheek, my gaze never wavered.“Nothing could drag me from this moment with you.I know you have to leave and figure things out.And I hope that one day you will realize what we could be, and you chose to fight for us.But if it never happens and you decide to go on your way without looking back, I forgive you and I understand.Either you feel a thing, or you don’t.I can’t make you love me.But for tonight I can say that you were mine, and I will let it be enough.”
His gaze darkened and lips crashed down upon mine.Threading my fingers in his hair I held his mouth against mine as we kissed.Deeply.Reverently.Because we both knew our time ran short, and it was as if we kissed with our souls.
A torrid tangle of lips, tongues, and even the gentle scrap of fingers.
I couldn’t get close enough.I ached for him.For the losses he’d sustained.I wanted to kiss all his hurts away and show him what love was meant to be.But he didn’t linger over our kiss.Aiden kissed his way down my body.Starting with my neck and down to my shoulder.A cascade of shivers ran along my spine.
