Page 27 of Aaron

Biting my sore lip again, I squeeze my eyes shut and take a deep breath. Just thinking about Aaron seeing me like this makes my nipples even harder and my pussy clench with need. Merda. Please, please don’t let him notice how wet I am. I’ll never be able to look him in the face again.

I can almost see him pacing on the other side of the door, counting down the seconds until he busts down the door. Out of time, and with no way to cover up the girls, I just need to suck it up. Oh well. I’ll never see him again after I leave with my brothers. Why does the thought make my heart ache?

After unlatching the lock, I twist the knob and pull open the door. He must have been about to knock, because only Aaron’s quick reflexes save me from getting a fist in the face—yeah, that would have been the frosting on the cake.

He takes a step back to give me space to leave the bathroom, his gaze sliding over my body. He takes in every inch of me as his fists clench at his sides. Now it’s not just my cheeks on fire. My entire body turns tomato red under his intense gaze.

“Fuck,” he murmurs, so low I barely hear him. I probably wouldn’t have, except I’m hyper-focused on him. His eyes darken with desire as he runs a hand through his short, wavy, chestnut locks.

But then the strangest thing happens. The admiration in his expression erases any sense of embarrassment I worried about. For the first time in my life, I feel desired. Not just as the daughter of a wealthy family, or a best-selling author, but for me. Because Aaron sees me. It’s there, in his heated appraisal.

“Shit, Cheri. I thought you were gorgeous before, but fuck, Little princess, you’re fucking exquisite. I promised myself I’d be a gentleman tonight and not push you into anything until we could talk in the morning. But fucking hell,” he groans. “My restraint isn’t… Fuck… I don’t think I can resist you.”

What does he mean? Resist me? Talk? Talk about what?

He keeps saying I’m his, but he doesn’t really mean it, right? It’s just a thing guys say. Maybe? I don’t have a clue, really. My college boyfriend was a waste of space, a one-pump chump. After one night in his bed, I was done. I figured it was normal—the best it could be—and honestly, I figured I’d have the same in my marriage with Arturo. As bad as the experience was, at least I got to lose my V-card on my own terms.

I was okay with that.

Until tonight.

Until Aaron.

Cazzo! I’ve never been this needy. It shouldn’t be happening—shouldn’t even be possible. Yet here I am, caught in his gaze. I’m confused, aroused, and a little scared. He’s so intense. I love it, and it terrifies me, even if the fire in his eyes matches the one inside me.

He needs to understand this can’t happen. I can’t stay here. I try to swallow past the lump in my throat and force out my words, “There’s nothing to talk about. I’m leaving in the morning.”

“No. You’re not leaving, not tomorrow, not ever. You’re mine,” he growls.

His warm, minty breath caresses my cheek as his hands grip my hips hard enough to leave bruises. I should tell him to stop, slap his face—something, anything. Except I don’t do any of those things. Whatever this is, I want it—want him—more than I’ve ever wanted anything. It shouldn’t be possible; we just met tonight, but I don’t care.

One kiss.

That’s all we had, and it’s not enough.

Tonight, he can give me everything. One magical night together. A secret I’ll take to my grave. No one can find out. My brothers are ruthless when they want to be, and I won’t let them hurt Aaron or his family.

But tonight, he can give me his marks. We’ll make memories I can hold in my heart, and remember when I’m long gone. Because this is all we have. All there can ever be. No matter what he thinks, my brothers will never allow me to stay, not even for a few days—not with Jaclyn, and definitely not with Aaron.

“They won’t let me stay,” I whisper as he pulls me against his firm chest, his heat bleeding through the thin fabric of my gown. My hands slide over his muscled arms and up to his shoulders as I stare into his eyes, willing him to understand.

He growls again, then his lips take mine—not soft like before. This kiss is rough, possessive, and my core clenches with need. He’s claiming me, and I feel it in every cell. Melting into his arms as he lifts me off the floor.

When Aaron sets me on the bed, he releases my mouth. Our labored breathing is the only sound in the room as he cages me underneath him. His arms rest on either side of my head, and his hard cock presses into my thigh. I rub on him like a cat in heat.

He squeezes his eyes closed as he stills above me.

“Please don’t stop,” I beg, squirming in his arms.

“Princess, stop, baby. You don’t understand what you’re asking for… What I need. I know you’re Little, but I’m not a gentle man.”

“I don’t need gentle; I need you. Everything. If all we have is now, I want all you can give me. Please.” I hold my breath as several emotions slide across his face faster than I can read them.

“God! You’re killing me, princess. Fuck. You don’t understand. If I put my cock inside you, you can never leave. You’re mine. I’ll claim you tonight and marry you in the morning. I’m dragging you to the courthouse first thing. Is that what you want?”

Is it? Can I commit to him after only a few hours? It’s insane. Or maybe I am. My brothers will kill him—kill both of us. But the thought of leaving brings tears to my eyes and breaks my heart. Can my future be here with him on Gallant Mountain? My heart sure thinks so. It’s refusing to get the memo that love at first sight doesn’t exist outside of books.

“Yes, I want this. I want you. I’m not asking you to marry me, though, just give me tonight.” Uttering the words is like cutting myself open and bleeding for him, but I can’t tie him to me after only a few hours.