High Stakes (A Deal With The Devil)

CHAPTER TWELVE

Bella

The days blur past. I go to work each day, with Aiden insisting he drive me and pick me up. He takes me to dinner every evening before dropping me back at the apartment, and then he continues working, getting home in the early hours to find me curled up asleep in his bed.

Sometimes he wakes me, snuggling up and pressing his erection against my backside, and other times, he lets me sleep, only waking me in the morning in the exact same way.

He lets me touch him and explore his body. And I enjoy it, but I’m always left frustrated, a sentence I never thought I’d say, especially because Aiden is clearly experienced. He doesn’t so much as place a finger below my waist unless it’s to grip my backside while he kisses me. And those kisses, fuck, they’re amazing. But damn I want them to trail down my body to settle the ache I have constantly between my legs.

We’re locking up on Friday when Aiden pulls up outside the shop. “What the fuck,” I mutter, “I told him not to pick me up because we were going for a drink.”

He gets out the car. “Don’t tell us, you were passing,” says Aria, sarcastically. It’s the excuse he always uses.

He grins, “I’m working at Tremos from five,” he replies, “It makes sense to drop you both there.”

“What if we weren’t drinking in Tremos?” asks Aria.

“Free drinks all night and the VIP area, why would you go anywhere else?”

I glance her way, knowing he’s already won her over. She claps her hands in delight, “Deal. But we’ll need to change. ”

I’m sure Bella has something for you to wear,” he relies, opening the car door for us both to get in.

I apply a coat of lip gloss. “If it wasn’t free and a guy rolled u to drive me home like that, you’d totally say I should watch out because he’s a walking red flag.”

Aria laughs, “Aiden is a walking red flag, but let’s face it, you’re waiting for his pole so what’s the point in arguing.”

My cheeks redden. “I am not,” I cry.

Her eyes widen, “Bullshit. You’re so frustrated, even the cakes are suffering.”

“What are you talking about?”

“The way you whip the frosting until it’s so stiff, it’s practically cement.”

I narrow my eyes playfully. “How can I be frustrated when I don’t even know what there is to be frustrated about?”

“I don’t know why you don’t just ask him to get you off.”

“Because it’s embarrassing.”

“He’s having all the fun here, Bella. I’m not saying fuck him, not unless you want to. But the guy needs to hand out the odd orgasm or what’s the point? ”

“He’s letting me take things slow.”

She fixes me with a glare, “There’s slow and then there’s you and Aiden.” She opens my wardrobe and flicks through the dresses I have hanging up. She finds one she likes and pulls it from the hanger, slipping it on and checking herself out in the mirror. Aria looks good in anything; she can get away with the worst fashion and make it look on trend. “What you need to do is step up your game.”

“I’m not you,” I remind her, “I don’t play games.”

She begins looking through the dresses again, “I’m talking short,” she says, not bothering to acknowledge my comment. “With little to no underwear.” She pulls out a red number I’ve never worn. I got it in a sale even though I hate anything too revealing. It just called to me. “This,” she says, grinning.

“No way.”

“Yes. With heels, what’s the highest you have?”

“Aria, no.”

“Bella, do you want him on his knees or not?”

I shudder at the thought, and she giggles, throwing the dress my way. “It’s so clingy,” I complain.

I go into the bathroom and slip on a thong and bra, followed by the dress. When I step out, Aria is already shaking her head. Relief floods me, for a second, I thought she was going to make me wear it. She closes the gap between us and reaches under the dress, ignoring my protests as she tugs my thong down. “Aria,” I gasp, “I can’t wear this with no underwear. She wrestles against me to remove my bra.

“A thong doesn’t do anything,” she argues, “It’s literally string.”

“But I feel like it’s at least a little protection.”

“You don’t want protection, Bella, that’s the whole point.”

She steps back, holding my bra and thong in one hand, whilst looking at me. “Much better.”

“It barely covers my backside,” I hiss, feeling the hem of the dress and tugging it.

“Trust me on this, Bella. If this doesn’t work, he’s not into you.”

I stare open mouthed, not sure if I’m ready to find that out just yet.

I take a breath as the elevator doors slide open, and as if Aiden’s been waiting, he looks in our direction from his position behind the bar. I stare straight ahead, determined not to break the second he touches me, and I stride through, heading for the exit. I catch him from the corner of my eye, jumping the bar. “Holy shit that was hot,” Aria whispers.

“Bella,” he says firmly, and I glance back like I’ve only just noticed him .

“Hey,” I say, smiling.

His eyes scan down my body, “Where are you going?”

“We thought we’d try a few bars first,” Aria cuts in, hooking her arm through mine, “Laters.”

“Orrrr,” says Aiden, taking my wrist gently to halt me. “You could just stay here.”

Aria looks around, screwing her face up, “It’s not busy yet, we’ll come back.”

He runs his hand over his jaw, “Bella, a word?”

“Can it wait?” I ask, “It’s past wine o’ clock.”

“Just five minutes,” he mutters, taking me by the hand and leading me away.

We get into the office, and he slams the door, “Why are . . . erm, why are you wearing . . . that?” he asks, trying not to stare at me, yet failing miserably.

I glance down, running my hands down my sides, “The dress?” I ask, “Do you like it?” I turn slightly, giving him an eyeful of my backside.

“It’s short,” he comments.

“Aria says it makes my legs look great.”

He gives a stiff nod, “It does. But remember, you shouldn’t really be drawing attention to yourself.”

“You think it’ll draw attention to me?” I ask innocently, turning again. “Is it shorter at the back? ”

I spot the way his jaw tightens. “You need to change,” he grits out.

I frown, “Are you being serious?”

“Deadly.”

The door opens and JP storms in, he stops in his tracks, his eyes widening, “That’s quite a dress,” he mutters.

“Out,” Aiden snaps and even though it’s clear he’s talking to JP, I turn on my heel and begin to walk out. His arms are around my waist before I’ve made it more than two steps. I smile to myself. “Not you,” he whispers.

JP smirks, “Gotcha.” And he leaves.

Aiden reaches past me and locks the door. “Please go and change the dress,” he says, his voice strained. He releases me, putting distance between us.

“I can’t, Aria will kill me. She spent ages choosing our outfits.”

I move over to his desk, and he follows me with his eyes. I place my hands on it, and bend slightly, “Have you ever had sex here?” I ask, glancing back over my shoulder. His eyes are dark with need and there’s a bulge in his pants.

“Bella,” he mutters, his tone is strained. “Stop.”

I smile innocently, “I’m asking a question.” I turn and lift myself up, sitting on the edge and crossing my legs .

“Fuck,” he hisses, “Are you wearing underwear?” I give my head a shake and bite my lower lip. “What are you trying to do?” he demands.

“Get your attention,” I admit.

“Consider it got,” he snaps, closing the gap and kissing me hard. He parts my legs and steps between them. “You’re playing with fire.” I nod, pressing myself against his bulge. “I’m trying to be respectful,” he adds. The roughness of his jeans sends shock waves right to my core and I groan. He closes his eyes, trying desperately to gain some self-control, but I lie back on the desk, lifting one leg up. “Holy shit,” he whispers, running his hand along my inner thigh.

Aiden

It’s too soon. It’s too soon. It’s too soon. I swipe my thumb through her wetness, and she shudders, a gasp leaving her swollen lips. It’s too soon . I rub it over her clit, and she almost bucks off the desk. She’s so responsive, just like I knew she’d be. Her scent fills my nostrils, and I inhale deeply. It’s too soon . “Just a taste,” I murmur, watching the glistening wetness gather at her entrance. I grip her inner thighs, spreading her legs wider. “Stop me,” I add, breathless, “If I get carried away.” I lean closer, using my thumb to rub circles on her clit again. She pants, her legs quivering. I swipe my tongue through her folds, humming my approval, she tastes good, like sweet cherries and musky vanilla.

I lower to my knees, hooking my arms around her legs and using my fingers to part her folds. When I lick her a second time, she grabs a handful of my hair. “Jesus,” she cries. I’m desperate to hear her come. I need it like I need oxygen, and I press my mouth to her opening, eating her cunt like I’m starving, releasing my erection and gripping it tightly in my free hand. She tugs at the roots of my hair, occasionally scraping her nails along my scalp. “Aiden,” she whispers.

“Stop me when it gets too much,” I remind her, rubbing faster as I slide my tongue into her.

“I’m going to . . . Aiden, I think I’m going to-” She stiffens, clamping her legs around my head and lifting her backside off the desk slightly. She shudders, as wetness leaks from her, and I lap it up then push to my feet and release, groaning as my come hits her stomach.

The only sound is our panting breaths as I tuck my cock away. I hold her legs open, staring at her wet pussy as my come drips down her side and onto my desk. I scoop it up and rub it into her skin. She’s too relaxed to care. I grab a tissue from the box on my desk and wipe her sensitive folds, she jerks, and I smirk, tucking the tissue into my pocket. I tug her dress into place and take her by the hand to help her stand. Her cheeks are pink, and her lips still swollen. “Have a good night,” I tell her kissing her one last time.

“What about the dress?” she asks.

I grin, slapping her backside. “You smell of me,” I tell her. “You’re marked.”