TWENTY-TWO
AIDEN
Droppingmy head against the sofa cushion, I drum my fingers on my thighs as I wait for Nova to finish getting ready. The party is already in full swing on the other side of town. I’m not worried about showing up late; I couldn’t give two shits about the people there or making an appearance to appease the acquaintances who are hosting it.
It’s the waiting part that’s killing me as I wonder what Nova will wear for the night.
When I got home an hour ago—from torturing Kyle to blow off some steam just so I wouldn’t pin my sister against the nearest surface—I tried to go into her bedroom. The door was locked, and she told me to be patient.
Patient.
Rolling my eyes, I fish my vape out of my pocket.
I have patience. Way too much, in fact, for people who don’t deserve it and continue to treat my kindness as weakness. But it can be hard to find that sort of patience with Nova when all I want is to be around her.
I should beat my own ass for how desperate I’m coming off. I thought it was bad before last night, but after tasting heaven between her thighs, I’ve become a rabid dog unleashed from its chain.
Taking a drag from my vape, I glance at my phone, tempted to open the security cams.
It’s just to check on her. Definitely not because I’m dying to see her naked again.Patience, Aiden. Have some fucking patience.
Light footsteps break me out of my thoughts. I stand, slip the vape into my pocket, and round the sectional couch to meet Nova halfway.
“Are you—” I stumble a step and grab the edge of the sofa to steady myself as I stare at her, completely taken aback. “That’s not a dress, pretty girl.”
Nova grins and raises the hood of the light-pink bunny outfit. “You’re right. It’s way better and will get the job done.”
My gaze drags down her body, and I don’t hide that I’m checking her out. The outfit’s long sleeves hug her arms and flare wider at her wrists. She fiddles with the silver heart zipper in the middle of her chest that stops at her stomach, tucking into a bikini bottom and leaving her hips and legs exposed. My eyes dip to the pink over-the-knee ruffled socks. She’s worn them before, and like all the other times I’ve seen them, an image flashes in my head of her wearing them while locking her legs around my naked waist as I fuck her.
Nova’s laugh snaps me out of the fantasy, drawing my attention back to her face. She takes a step toward me and bites her bottom lip.
“Should I change?” She tilts her head, a flash of doubt crossing her features.
Fuck. I’m too stunned for words. I’m thinking with my dick right now.
I shake my head and smirk. “Like you said, this is way better than a dress.”
Nova lets out a relieved sigh, her smile softening. “Okay, good. I really don’t want to mess this up for you and figured, why not go for something super obvious that we’re ‘sleeping together’?”
“There are better ways to show that we’re fucking.” I tuck my fingers beneath her chin and tilt her head back.
The traces of humor flee from her face, leaving behind a softer, more guarded expression. “Oh yeah? How so?”
Nova doesn’t need me to spell it out for her, just like she didn’t need me to explain what I’d do with my head between her thighs. But this back-and-forth teasing is foreplay for both of us.
I brush my thumb along her bottom lip, stroking back and forth and loving how soft it is. Her eyelashes flutter, and I watch her thoughts spin up different scenarios behind her eyes. I hold my breath, wondering if she’ll stop playing hard to get and lean into whatever this is between us.
She doesn’t love me. Not the soul-crushing, can’t-fucking-breathe-without-hearing-her-voice type of love I have for her. Maybe more as a brother, but I intend to fix that.
Nova’s wobbly smile is so fucking sweet that it makes my chest ache. “Care to find out how we can show them we’re more than just friends?”
She eases her chin out of my hold and fidgets with the long pink bunny ear flopped over her chest. “You’re funny.” She steps back and waves a hand toward the front door. “Are you ready to party?”
I drop my arm to my side and keep my expression relaxed and open, not wanting to spook or upset Nova with my displeasure.
“I’ll braid your hair before we leave.” I step around her. My gaze falls down her back and lands on her exposed ass cheeks. I bite my fist, thankful she can’t see my reaction.
Goddamn, I didn’t expect to get reacquainted with her ass so soon.
