“You’re going to ruin me either way.”
“You know, I think I’m actually mad at you.”
“I really wouldn’t expect any less, but why now?”
“You made me wait years for this. Years I could have beendoing exactly this, and torturing me every second of every day. It made me want to scream.”
“Then scream, Angel. I will swallow every single one.”
I barely had time to breathe before his lips crashed against mine, stealing the air from my lungs. A gasp slipped free, swallowed by the heat of his mouth as his body pressed me back against the bike. His hands—strong, demanding—dragged over my skin, setting fire in their wake. My pulse stuttered, then roared, and I melted into him.
It wasn’t simply a kiss—it was a collision. A reckless surrender to the tension that had burned between us for too long. My fists clenched in his shirt as the world blurred. Every sense was consumed—the taste of him, the scent of leather and something darker, the way his grip tightened like he was afraid I might disappear.
When his lips parted, coaxing, devouring, a shiver tore through me. A whimper slipped out, and his answering groan nearly undid me. Just like that, I was lost—spiraling into him, into the storm of everything I never saw coming but couldn’t imagine living without.
He pulled back at last, breathless, a smile tugging at his lips as I struggled to catch mine.
“My chaotic little psycho.” He dropped his forehead to mine, letting out a long sigh. “You apparently make me a chaotic psycho, too,” he whispered. “I was trying to push you away—the other night when I brought the girl home—and I couldn’t think of a better way to get you to stay away from me because I can never stay away from you. Which I think is proven by the fact that I’m here right now. I can’t circle around you anymore, trying to stayaway, trying to convince myself we will move on from this and be back to normal because our normal was shit.”
“Wow, please, don’t hold back how you really feel,” I said. The way he looked at me—unguarded, intense—was something I wasn’t prepared for. My brain stalled, my pulse quickened, and for once I had no idea what else to say.
“I mean, I have spent the last few years wanting you every fucking day, and that isn’t going away. No one else compares to you. No one else knows me. There is no point going back when it was torture, when being with you feels like finally breathing after drowning too long.”
I stared up at him, the lone light out front at the street shining in enough of a glow to see every sharp feature on his face.
“Are you going to do it again?” I asked. “Circle around this.”
He was already shaking his head. “I don’t know if I can.”
“What about . . . everything else?”
“I don’t know, Evie. I don’t know how to handle any part of it besides this one. But I can promise I’ll do a damn good job handling this one.”
His lips crashed against mine, hungry and demanding. I matched his intensity, my fingers tangling in his hair as I pulled him closer. Years of pent-up desire flooded through me, setting every nerve ending ablaze.
Aiden’s hands roamed my body, leaving trails of fire in their wake. He broke the kiss, his breath hot against my neck as he whispered, “I’ve wanted this for so long, Evie. You have no idea.”
“Show me,” I challenged, arching into him.
He yanked my shirt over my head with ease. Cool air hit my exposed skin, making me shiver. His hot mouth moved to my breast,tongue swirling around my nipple. I arched into him again, desperate for more contact.
My hands roamed over his muscled back, nails digging in. I wanted to mark him, claim him as mine. He hissed in pleasure and pain, grinding his hips against me.
I tugged at Aiden’s shirt, desperate to feel his skin against mine. He shifted, moving to my side to lift me onto the bike before quickly stripping off his shirt. The feel of his hard chest pressed against my breasts sent shivers through me. I ran my hands over his abs, tracing each defined muscle.
“God, Evie,” he groaned, capturing my lips again.
His hand slid down my stomach, dipping beneath the waistband of my skirt. I gasped as his fingers found my center, already slick with need. He stroked me slowly, teasingly.
“Is this all for me?” he murmured against my neck.
“Yes,” I breathed. “Only you.”
His touch sent electric currents coursing through my body, making me tremble. I needed him, craved him like I had never craved anything before.
“Lean back,” he coaxed, holding my head as I leaned back on the bike, my body molding the curves.
I could feel the cool air on my legs, sending shivers of anticipation through me. Aiden’s eyes were heavy as he looked me over, spreading my legs until he could wrap them around his waist. He gently kissed his way down my stomach, his touch feather-light, but I could feel the intensity behind them.
