I Knew You Were Trouble

Chapter Twenty-Four

At some point in the night, the corset starts to dig in. I wriggle out of it, pushing it onto the floor from the mattress. I shimmy out of my jeans too because I’m excessively hot, leaving me in my knickers and a too-snug black strapless bra, also borrowed from Paige.

I don’t know what time it is when I wake. It takes me a moment to realise where I am. That this is Aidan’s bedroom. With some effort, I stumble out of the bed to the en-suite bathroom, switching on the tap and gulping water straight from the cold stream, finishing with a big cup full of minty mouthwash from the cabinet. Outside it’s pitch black, but the noise has stopped. As I walk back out, I can feel the beginnings of a headache and I almost trip over my discarded jeans.

I clamber back into the bed, remaining on my side, my back facing Aidan, who I now realise is sleeping next to me in a T-shirt.

A small voice tells me that my behaviour tonight has hardly been professional.

‘You alright?’ he asks from behind me and I stiffen.

‘Mmm-mm.’

‘Feeling better?’

‘Much.’

He’s quiet for a moment. ‘For the record, you were very entertaining.’

I feel my cheeks burn. ‘Please let’s not remind me of this ever again.’ I lift my head. ‘And I mean ever.’

‘It was good to see you let your hair down. Have a little fun.’

‘I blame your twin for all of it.’

Aidan chuckles, then reaches out. His fingers slide over my hip, coming to rest on top of the cotton of my knickers. ‘I’ll never tell, don’t worry,’ he whispers in the darkness.

I well aware of the position of his hand. He leaves it there for some time. The atmosphere in the room feels intense.

‘Lex?’ he says.

‘Mm.’

‘I am jealous of Duncan.’

My breath hitches in my throat. I don’t reply immediately. ‘Why?’

‘I think because picturing you with another guy makes me a little crazy. Because I want to be with you.’

I feel the mattress shift. I think he removes the T-shirt, tossing it. He moves closer to me, and in a moment his hard body is stretched out behind mine, spooning me. His body is so warm. He shifts his hips, pressing himself into my behind, and I lie there, motionless, my breaths growing shallow, feeling in detail his erection bloom from softness into a thick, hard length that runs down the crease of my bottom.

‘Lex,’ he whispers again, close to my ear. ‘Is this okay?’

‘Yes,’ I murmur back.

His hand travels from my hip up my back, where the bra is fastened. With one hand he unclasps it, and the material falls away. The same fingers move back down to my hip, sinking down to my stomach, caressing my skin before gliding upwards to my breasts. He cradles one soft mound in his palm, gently kneading it, before the tip of his thumb drags across my nipple. My head goes back a little at the sensations it sends shooting down my body. Moving upwards, he plays with the other one, a low groan escaping his lips as he squeezes me.

‘You fit my hands perfectly,’ he whispers close to my ear, and I feel an ache between my legs at his words. As though answering my call, his right hand drifts lower again, grazing over my belly button and onwards to the lace hem of my underwear. Seeking entrance, his fingers dip underneath and his hand sinks between my legs, cupping my mound, before his fingers probe my opening. Liquid heat floods through me as I lift my knee a fraction, allowing him full access, and he doesn’t hesitate. Inside my underwear, he uses two fingers to part me, before his middle finger reaches its destination, where he proceeds to draw slow, lazy circles over my centre, dipping south to draw the moisture up over my flesh, teasing my entrance and making me writhe in pleasure.

‘I love touching you like this,’ he whispers, gently nipping my earlobe with his teeth.

‘I love being touched like this,’ I whimper in response.

‘Do you still want it?’ he asks.

‘Even more so than before,’ I say.

‘I want to go down on you,’ he rasps as desire rushes through me, delicious and hot, and still he’s circling my clit at an achingly slow pace with his fingers.

‘Yes,’ I gently moan, and his length twitches, pressing harder into my bottom. ‘Yes, I want that. I need it.’

Aidan lowers his head to my neck, devouring my flesh, kissing and sucking until I’m insane with need, all the while his fingers keeping a steady rhythm, the insides of my thighs slick with my own arousal. There is a tightness coiling between my legs, a dense throb that I can’t, and don’t want to shake.

He goes back to nibbling my earlobe, sucking on my earring. ‘I know you think I hated you,’ he whispers. ‘But I never did. I’ll admit I didn’t like you, but it wasn’t for very long.’

‘When?’ I whimper. ‘When did you stop disliking me?’

‘It was in Seoul,’ he muses, still his fingers keeping their rhythm until I can feel my release building in smaller peaks. ‘When you were answering quiz questions. When the boys asked you about my favourite sexual position, I had images of you and me exploding in my mind. We were naked and I didn’t know where the fuck they came from.’

‘Aidan,’ I groan, the ache between my legs so strong now that I don’t know if I can take much more of his touch. ‘Will you go down on me now?’

With a low groan he rises up and throws off the covers, flipping me onto my back. He teases my knickers down over my bottom and thighs until I’m completely naked in the darkness.

‘Wait,’ Aidan says and he leans over to switch on the bedside lamp. ‘I want to see you.’

Is this happening? The remnants of the alcohol have obliterated any inhibitions I might have had before tonight. A shaft of light sends shadows about the room. His gaze filled with desire, his eyes sweep over my breasts, down my stomach and settle at the tops of my thighs. My nipples stand to attention in the wintery night air, but at this moment, I’ve never been so turned on in my life.

‘Open your legs for me,’ he says in a low, gravelly tone.

I do as I’m told, draw up my knees, and allow my thighs to relax a little. I press my hips upwards a fraction, my breaths shallow and rapid and I watch him lower himself down to the bed, settling between my legs, his gaze in the shadows dropping to the most intimate part of me. ‘You’re soaking wet for me,’ he rasps and I whimper with need.

‘Please, Aidan,’ I whisper. ‘Please, please.’

I watch him lower his head. The first contact with his mouth almost makes me bolt off the mattress. My hips buck and strain as his tongue works magic against my folds, sliding upwards and finding my clit, lapping at my flesh and falling back into another steady rhythm that has me whimpering. My head goes back. I’m so close to exploding in his mouth, and just when I think I can’t take it anymore, he finds my opening with two fingers, probing me, before sinking them all the way inside. The walls of my channel clamp down on his fingers, my orgasm exploding as I shatter, Aidan still working my flesh with his tongue as wild whimpers escape my lips uncontrollably, wave after wave of pleasure shooting down my quivering body. When my limbs go limp, I gasp for breath, thinking that this has been the most sensational sexual experience of my life.

Aidan moves his body back upwards, lying by my side, subtely wiping his mouth then drawing me in for a long kiss. How is it that we haven’t even kissed yet? I taste my own arousal on his lips, yet any embarrassment has melted away. Perhaps I’m still a little drunk.

He raises my head, stroking my cheek. ‘Lex,’ he sighs heavily and the sound of my name on his lips makes my stomach flip over.

‘Yes,’ I say back, offering my lips by raising my head.

He pulls away and looks straight into my eyes. ‘Look, please say no if you don’t want to, but—’

I stop him with another kiss. ‘Yes,’ I say, because I want it too. ‘Do you have anything?’

He nods his head towards the light. ‘In the drawer, just there. You’re sure?’

I nod. I want to feel him. I want him to feel me all around him.

‘I need to be inside you,’ he whispers, the softness of his kisses as he dips his head making my nipples stand to attention all over again.

He gets up off the bed, walks around to the other side, my eyes on the significant mound inside his black underwear. Leaning down, he reaches into the drawer, pulling out a small box. I feel satisified that he has to remove the layer of cellophone, meaning it’s a brand-new box and he hasn’t had the opportunity to use them here. I watch, lifting one knee and rising up on my elbows to admire the view, as he pulls one foil pouch from the box. At the end of the bed he pauses, dropping his underwear, freeing his erection. I soak up the sight of Rebel Heart’s Aidan McArthur standing naked at the foot of his own bed, with me lying naked on his sheets, tense with anticipation at the thought of taking his impressive length.

I swear I might still be drunk. Or dreaming. But neither are true.

He opens the foil with his teeth, removing the condom, rolling it all the way down, making sure it’s secure before he lowers himself to the bed. I lean up and kiss him.

‘What was it… reverse cowgirl?’ I ask playfully as he pulls back and moves over me, because I’m enjoying this a little too much.

‘Maybe another time,’ he whispers. ‘I want to kiss you when I’m inside you.’

Oh god. He does kiss me, just as he settles between my legs and I angle my hips, reaching down and guiding his tip to my opening. I groan deeply as I feel him enter me, my walls stretching to accommodate the size of him. I’m so wet that there’s no difficulty and he glides easily all the way to the hilt, buried deep inside me, our bodies joined, the both of us panting.

‘God, Lexi, you feel so good,’ he breathes, his hips already grinding, drawing back and thrusting forward as I hold onto him, spreading my legs so he can fill me. His movements are slow to begin with, becoming more erratic as he chases his climax, our mouths colliding in messy, wet kisses until I feel his biceps beginning to tremble. I grip the sheets as he pounds into me, and I’m saying his name, willing him onward. Electricity shoots up my spine, my hips bucking with need, Aidan’s groan building to a delicious crescendo. Then he stiffens, making one final deep thrust as he buries his face in the contours of my shoulder and comes with my name on his lips.

When I wake up, the first person I think of is Vaughn Herrera. The picture of his face in my mind is enough to make me bolt upright in the bed.

I blink. Happy New Year, Lexi.

My tongue is dry and thick in my mouth. I pin the covers to my chest and glance to my right. Aidan is sound asleep on his back, naked, one arm thrown above his head.

I wince, a headache exploding at my temples. Oh god. Having crazy good sex with a member of Rebel Heart is definitely, definitely not professional.

I know I shouldn’t care what he thinks, but should he ever find out about this, I imagine Vaughn Herrera will personally fire me.

I ease out of the bed, perching on the edge of the mattress. My jeans are in a heap on the floor, inside out. It takes me a moment to right them, making as little sound as possible, before wobbling to my feet. I look around for my underwear, my memory bombarded with images of Aidan peeling them from my thighs. I locate them, crumpled on the carpet, pull them back on and yank my jeans over my hips.

I groan inwardly when I see the corset. It’s the only thing I have to wear.

I glance across at Aidan. He hasn’t moved. Paige’s strapless bra is still in the bed. I ease it off the sheets, quickly fastening it and maneuvering myself back into the corset.

Running my fingers down my cheeks, I look down at the bangle Aidan gave me. I wore it the whole time we were having sex.

Picking up my shoes, I creep across the carpet to the top of the stairs.

Finally, I slip away, making my walk of shame across the driveway in last night’s party outfit.

‘Good morning,’ Jo-Jo greets me in a hoarse tone that exposes the extent of her hangover, squinting as she opens the front door so I can come inside. ‘Happy New Year. Aidan not with you?’

‘Happy New Year,’ I mutter as she closes the door behind me, my voice equally rough. ‘He’s still asleep.’

‘Oof, would you like a change of clothes?’ she asks, her gaze skimming down over my outift.

‘If I could. Is Paige up? My boots and top are in her room.’

‘She’s on the sofa, but I don’t think she can cope with movement right now. Come with me.’

Half an hour later, I’ve showered, changed out of the corset and at least feel partially human again.

When I come back downstairs, Aidan is sitting at the breakfast table with Rohan, clutching a mug of coffee, dark hair also wet from the shower. The base of my neck prickles. After last night, I don’t think I can look him in the eye ever again.

‘Lexi, what can we get you? Coffee? Croissant?’ Rohan asks.

‘I’m not sure I can stomach anything but coffee would be great, thank you.’

‘We’ve got the machine; I can do you a latte?’

‘Mm, yes, please,’ I hum, sliding into a chair next to Aidan, craning my neck towards the living room to see Paige’s bare feet sticking out from the end of the sofa, the two children mesmerised by cartoons. Rohan leaves the room. Aidan’s parents don’t appear to be up yet.

‘What time is it?’ I ask and Jo-Jo checks her watch.

‘Nine-forty,’ she says.

I can’t seem to relax into my chair, Aidan’s arm resting across the back of it. I feel the heat of his gaze but keep my eyes fixed on the table surface. Next door, the coffee machine screams into life.

‘How’s the head now, Lexi?’ Jo-Jo asks.

I attempt a smile. ‘Good. Fine. I’m doing better than Paige by the looks of it. What time did you all go to bed?’

Jo-Jo rubs her eyes. ‘Ro says Paige was still up when he went to bed. I’d crashed by half twelve shortly after the fireworks.’

I blush, not bringing up that I missed the fireworks altogether.

‘What’re your plans for today?’ Aidan asks softly beside me.

I swallow. After a couple of seconds, I turn my head. My heart does a little flip because he’s smiling at me.

‘I need to get back to London,’ I say. ‘I fly to New York tonight.’

‘Tonight? I don’t fly until tomorrow.’

My heart races. I’m interviewing Bianca Lawson tomorrow afternoon in Manhattan and he can’t know about it.

‘I’m… meeting my dad,’ I say, the lie sticking in my throat. ‘He’s asked to see me.’

I bid everyone farewell, thanking them for their kind hospitality. I never did manage an interview with Paige, though I realise now that it was never part of her agenda.

Aidan drives me back to his aunt’s hotel, coming to a halt in the car outside. In the passenger seat, I exhale shakily. We made the journey in complete silence.

‘Why don’t I drive you back to London?’ he says, one hand resting on the steering wheel.

I still can’t look his way. ‘I’ll be fine. Really. I’ve ordered a taxi.’

He watches me. I look out of the passenger window. ‘You’re panicking,’ I hear him say.

‘I’m not,’ I reply, and I hate that he can see right through me at this moment.

‘You are, you’re worrying about last night.’

‘I embarrassed myself last night.’

‘At what point?’

‘The entire night.’

He chuckles. ‘Felt pretty honest to me.’

I tuck my hair behind my ear. ‘You do know that you can have any girl you want, right?’

‘I’m not interested in just any girl. I like the one I’m sitting next to right now.’

My cheeks warm again.

‘Lex, I thought I’d messed it all up. You showed me that I hadn’t, but after last night, you’re wrong if you think I’m going to let you get away for a second time.’

I lower my head, pinch the bridge of my nose.

‘I just need some time to think,’ I mumble.

‘What’s there to think about?’

‘I’m not… good at this stuff. I have my career to consider.’

Aidan sighs heavily. ‘We’re back to that?’

‘Can we just…’ I murmur. ‘Can I just… Could you not tell the boys? Or Ziggy? For the time being?’

He looks infuriated. ‘Did you really think that was the first thing I was gonna do? Tell them all?’

‘No,’ I say, and I hate the way this conversation is going. Last night was incredible, but it was an out-of-body experience for me. I’ve never been that intimate with anyone. ‘Of course not.’

‘Does that mean you won’t tell Duncan and Meredith either?’ he asks after another silence.

‘I won’t tell anyone.’

We’re silent for a moment. Aidan gives a nod. ‘I won’t say anything. And for the record, I would never put your career in jeopardy like that.’

‘Thank you.’

A lump of bitterness sticks in my throat. A little voice in my head says, y ou’re messing this all up .

At that moment, I hear the sound of an engine, and my taxi pulls up.