Page 69 of Lust & Lies
I swear this man knew just what to do to make my body crave him. He pulled back before I was ready for the kiss to end. Damn it, why did I have to almost kill someone and force this mandatory meeting?
“There,” he said softly. “Now you’re ready.”
I wasn’t sure if he meant ready for the day or ready for him. I took a step back.Lipstick. He meant I was ready to apply my lipstick. Legs wobbly, I headed to the bathroom, but my mind was still on that kiss.
Still on the way he’d gripped my throat. I couldn’t believe I was a woman who liked being choked, but damn it, I did. Ididn’t bother with lipstick. All we’d end up doing was getting it smeared on his cock later.
Instead, I chose a brown-tinted lip gloss and a little mascara. Then I styled my hair in a quick updo, adding some holding gel to lay the edges before washing my hands and leaving the bathroom.
When I returned to the bedroom, I found Aiden sliding on his shirt. I watched the fabric stretch over his broad shoulders. Shoulders I’d had my legs thrown over hours ago. When I’d told him he looked like a pencil pusher, I’d been teasing.
This man’s body was built for so much more than that. I couldn’t wait to go to my knees for him. He slid his shirt over his taut abs. He’d already put on some dark jeans and tennis shoes.
“Look at you looking all sexy,” I told him as he brushed past me to enter the bathroom, his body rubbing against mine.
I didn’t miss the smile my compliment brought to his face.
“Who are you looking all sexy for?” I teased.
“For the only woman who makes me want to love her every day of my life and fuck her until she can’t see straight,” he told me, before kissing my forehead.
Damn right.I had a feeling I didn’t play about this man.My man.I blew him a kiss as he closed the bathroom door. I swear that man’s smile was brighter than the sun. As the water ran in the bathroom, I went to the closet and slid on a pair of black flats.
I stared at the row of heels in all different colors and wondered if I should wear a pair of those. Nah. I wanted to be comfortable, not sexy, right now. I’d stick to my flats this morning.
By the time he emerged from the bathroom, I was all set and ready to meet the staff who already knew me. He stretched his hand out to me.
“Ready, gorgeous?” he asked.
Placing my palm in his, I said, “I’m ready, handsome.”
Hand in hand, we left the bedroom to start our day.
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
NOELLE
AIDEN GUIDED ME INTOthe kitchen, hand still clasping mine. Before he even opened the door, the scent of breakfast hit me, and my stomach immediately reminded me that I hadn’t eaten. Inside, Dolores stood at the stove, whisk in hand.
Without looking up, she said, “Your turkey bacon’s crisping just the way you like it, Mrs. Park. The omelet is almost done, and the pancakes are on the griddle. Everything will be ready in five.”
I hesitated, caught off guard by how relaxed she was with me so soon after I’d nearly sliced and diced her. Aiden squeezed my hand. Clearing my throat, I thanked her.
“Thanks. It all smells delicious.”
She looked my way with a bright smile on her face. “You’re welcome. It’ll be ready and plated by the time you meet the others. Sammie is already outback.”
I nodded as Aiden led me through the house and out the back patio door. It was early in the morning, but that Mississippi sun was already heating things up. At least it wasn’t too hot. I stared around me at the beauty that was our backyard.
I couldn’t even call it a yard. It was too massive for that. What had Aiden called it? The grounds. So, this was what it meant to have an estate. I walked alongside my husband, not knowingwhere he was going but trusting him to lead me in the right direction.
“This is the flower garden,” Aiden told me.
I smiled as I stared at the flowers that bloomed in neat beds, their colors bright against the deep green of the lawn. I inhaled deeply, loving the feel of the sun on my skin and the scent of the rich earth.
We continued forward until we came upon an older Black man who was crouched by the hydrangeas, trimming away a few browned petals. He stared over his shoulder and saw us coming. His smile creased the corners of his eyes as he stood to greet us.
“There’s my girl,” he said warmly, brushing dirt from his hands. “Thought it would be a few more days before I got to see you out here again. It does this old heart good to see you up and about. I’ve kept the garden up for you.”
