by Alexa Riley
“Yeah, it’s becoming a habit.” She leans down to pick him up and I step beside her.
“Here, let me.”
“No, don’t do that. You’ll get your suit dirty.” She looks over at me with a shocked expression as I scoop the dog up and begin to walk. “Seriously, Aiden, it’s okay. I can do it.”
“I’d say he weighs about fifty pounds.” I look over at her and she nods. “Have you ever had to carry him the entire way home?”
“Well, not the whole way,” she says and bites her lip. “But I’m sure I can manage.”
She’s tiny. There’s no way she can get this dog to where she’s going. Elvis cuddles into me and I feel his wet nose on my cheek. “I think he’s happy right where he is.”
“I think you’re right.” Her smile could light the way home if it were the middle of the night, and I need her to keep doing it.
“You said you haven’t been here long. How do you like Chicago so far?”
“I love it.”
She’s animated as she talks about moving here and chatters about her best friend whom she lives with. She talks nonstop about finding dog clients and how she quit school but it was the best decision of her life. I learn so much about her on the walk to her home, but when we get there it’s not enough. I want her to keep talking and tell me every moment of her life ever, but how do I explain that without sounding crazy?
“This is me,” she says when we get to her door.
She introduces me to the doorman and we take the elevator up. I think Elvis would be happy to get down, but I don’t want our time to end. When we get to her floor she unlocks the door and I put Elvis down. He immediately runs inside and over to a nearby couch, but Caroline stands in the doorway, not inviting me in.
“Is Gia home?” I ask, and Carolina shakes her head.
“She’s got class until late today. I’m just going to drop Elvis off and shower before my next round of pups.”
A flash of her body, naked and soapy, enters my mind and I have to swallow the lump in my throat. She’s so fucking gorgeous that it almost hurts to look at her full on like this.
“I’d invite you in, but I’m not supposed to bring strangers home,” she says, and there she goes again biting that damn lip. “Gia’s rules, not mine.”
I hold out my hand and after a beat she slides hers into it. “Nice to meet you.”
“Nice to meet you,” she says as she looks up at me through her lashes.
I can’t help myself as I lean down close until we’re a breath apart. “Now we’re not strangers,” I say just before I softly touch my lips to hers.
One might not even call it a kiss it’s so light and quick, but it’s enough to satiate the beast inside me for now.
“I’ll see you in the morning?” I say as I reluctantly let go of her hand and take a step back. Needing to see her again.
She nods slightly as she brings her fingers to her mouth and touches her lips. I stand there and wait as she shuts the door and then I walk away when I hear her lock the door.
I smile to myself when I think that just today I was hoping I’d find my passion.
5
CAROLINE
“And then he just kissed you and left?” Gia asks with wide eyes.
“Yep,” I say. I take a bite of my cereal and fix a cup of coffee.
“And now he’s coming back this morning?” She is so over the top about this that it makes me giggle.
“He told me he wanted to see how someone my size could walk all the dogs at once.” I shrug because I thought it was kind of sweet.
“I can’t believe you showed a stranger where you live.” She begins to pace and I’m pretty sure at this point she’s talking to herself. “But he did carry Elvis four blocks and that’s not an easy feat.” She turns and paces the other way as she thinks some more. “He didn’t try to rape and murder you the second you met, so that could be a good sign. But maybe he’s coming back today to finish the job.”
“Gia?” I say, and she pauses to look up at me.
“Well, it’s settled. I have to be here when he comes this morning to make sure you don’t die. I hope you’re happy.”
I shake my head and leave to get ready. When I come out she’s on the couch with Elvis. I already took him on a quick walk this morning, so he’s going to stay home. Gia doesn't have classes until ten, so she normally slops it up on the couch until Marco comes to get her.
“Are we going to talk about your text yesterday asking about giving it up to him?” I raise an eyebrow at her and she shrugs.
“It hasn’t happened yet. I just wanted to take a vote before I made my decision.”
“When’s the big day?”
“I guess if you don’t get murdered I’ll tell you,” she says, trying to change the subject.
I know that she’s nervous about giving it up to Marco. She’s afraid that by some insane chance he’s going to get her cherry and disappear. But that guy would crawl across the earth just to be at her side.
Before I can respond to her, there’s a knock at the door and suddenly I’m filled with birds instead of butterflies. They’re flapping their wings like mad as I answer the door and see Aiden standing there.
“I see you dressed the part today,” I say, using the excuse of his clothes to take him all in. He’s wearing jeans and a polo shirt with sneakers.
“You look beautiful,” he says without taking his eyes off mine.
I’m wearing jeans and a tank top but I suddenly feel naked. Maybe I’m exposing too much skin because it’s like I can feel his hands on me even though we’re feet apart.
“So this is the guy,” Gia says, walking up behind me.
“This is the guy,” I repeat, and to Aiden’s credit he holds out his hands and does a turn in the hallway so that we get a full look at him.
“I’m unarmed,” he says, and I laugh and invite him in.
“I’m just going to grab the keys and leashes and then I’ll be ready to go.”
“I can’t wait to see how this is supposed to work,” he says, and Gia actually snorts.
“It looks like they’re taking her on a walk, but she likes it,” she says as she leans against the kitchen counter.
“I heard a lot of nice things about you yesterday,” Aiden says, and Gia narrows her eyes on me.
“You better have.”
She looks deadly, but I know she’s only teasing. I poke her arm when I walk by and she fakes like I’ve wounded her. “I’ll see you later,” I tell her as Aiden and I walk out.
“Be safe! Don’t die!” she shouts, and I close the door in her face.
“Sorry about that,” I tell Aiden as we get on the elevator.
“I like that she looks out for you,” he says, and suddenly I feel his fingers against mine and then my hand is in his.
I was going to say something else, but suddenly all thoughts before he touched me are out the window. Who the hell is this guy and what is he doing to me?
On the way to get the dogs we spend a lot of time talking. I ask him more about what he does and where he’s from. I don’t realize how much I’m smiling until my face begins to hurt. He asks me about all kinds of stuff like favorite movies and food and what I like to do when I’m not walking dogs.
“I didn’t think to ask, but do you live in the city?” I query when we’ve gotten the last dog and are headed to the park.
“Right now I’m just watching you in wonder as you manage all of them,” he says, staring at me.
“I’ve got strong arms,” I reply and wink at him and then immediately feel shy afterwards.
“I live just outside of downtown. Not too far.” He looks away from me as he answers and then changes the subject. “Have dinner with me tonight.”
“Okay,” I agree quickly, then I wonder if maybe that was too quick.
“Good,” he says and smiles at me. We stare at each other for a moment before I’m distracted by tangling leashes and excitable dogs.
We spend the
day together, and when I ask him about work he says he took the day off. He ends up helping me walk half the dogs and after we drop them off we have lunch at a nearby cafe. We sit outside in the sunshine and I’ve never felt so light and happy before. My attraction to him is off the charts and we talk nonstop.
This is what I always thought of when people say they knew instantly that their person was the one. He’s charming and sweet and every time he touches me something sparks inside me. There’s a buzz between us and all I can think about is, when will he kiss me again?
“I need to change if we’re going to go to dinner,” I say as I look down at my clothes. They’re mostly covered in dog hair, but one of the Jack Russells got excited and I ended up with muddy paw prints all down my jeans.
“Why don’t I drop you off at your place and then meet you at the restaurant,” he says, and I agree.
We walk hand in hand to my apartment and the whole way I’m nervous. I wave to the doorman and we make our way up to my door. I’m trying my best to control myself. What I want to do is leap into his arms, but I don’t want him to think I’m a crazy person.
We’re silent as we ride the elevator up, but the rhythmic feel of his thumb going back and forth over mine is heightening every nerve in my body. I nearly jump out of my skin when the elevator chimes and we walk out.
I unlock the door and step inside to tell him goodbye. “I guess I’ll see you—”
I’m cut off when Aiden grabs me up in his arms and presses his lips to mine. My back hits the wall and he kisses me like he’s been waiting all day to do it. I’m shocked for only a second before I catch up to him. I wrap my legs around his waist and moan when he grinds me against the wall. When I feel his tongue touch mine I whine at how good it feels. Is this what it’s like to be completely consumed?
He thrusts his lower half against mine and the hard ridge of his cock is rubbing in just the exact right spot. His hands are on my ass and he’s holding me closer to him as he dry humps me on the wall. I’ve never been so horny in my life and he’s only just kissing me.
“More,” he demands as his mouth moves down my neck and he kisses me there. “I’m dying for you.”
He yanks down the front of my tank top and I feel his lips on the swell of my breasts above my bra. I want him to pull the cups down and suck on my nipples, but I’ve lost the ability to speak.
He’s everywhere all at once and I’m surrounded in his scent. He’s so big and strong and I feel dainty and delicate in his arms. I don’t know if I’m breathing on my own or if he’s taken over completely.
“Tell me to stop.” He looks at me with those dark gray eyes and I can tell he’s on the edge, too. “You have to stop me.”
I run my hands through his hair and close my eyes. “I don’t want you to,” I whisper before I open them again.
“I should,” he says, squeezing my ass and rubbing me against him again. “Please.”
He’s pleading with me now and for some reason I love that he’s giving me all the power. He’s in control, but with one word I can stop this. I was honest when I said I don’t want him to stop, but I can see that he needs me to tell him to, for whatever reason. I don’t want to do something he’ll regret or go too far too fast. I know in my heart that he would do the same for me, so even though I don’t understand, I know we need to cool down.
“Give me one more kiss, and then go get ready for dinner,” I say.
His lips are on mine before I barely get the words out and it’s more passionate than before. Maybe because he’s taking his time and savoring me instead of being rushed and desperate. His lips are full and soft against mine and he tastes like chocolate. I could kiss him for hours just like this, but after a few moments he parts our lips and presses his forehead to mine.
“Thank you,” he says, and I let out a small laugh.
“You’re not so bad yourself,” I say, and then he leans back smiling at me.
When he releases me my legs wobble a little and he helps steady me before he takes a step back.
“Okay. I’ll see you in an hour,” he says as he walks backwards away from me like he’s forcing himself to let me go.
“One hour,” I confirm, touching my lips. They’re probably red and swollen from his kisses, but I don’t care. I love the feel of him against me and I’m already needy for more.
“Forty-five minutes,” he says as he grabs the doorknob. I laugh and then he sighs and shakes his head. “Half an hour. Be quick,” he says, then bolts out the door.
I laugh again and then I’m in motion because it doesn't give me much time. I might be running around like crazy, but the whole time I’m smiling like a lunatic.
6
CAROLINE
“Where’s Marco?” I ask Gia as I walk into the living room to see what she thinks of what I’ve got on.
It’s a little black dress that hugs tight at the top and tucks in at the waist. It’s knee length and simple, so I decided to wear it with my favorite blue shoes. There are sparkles on the short chunky heels and I love how comfortable they are.
This is the third outfit I’ve changed into and I think I’m sticking with this one. Maybe. It’s hard to choose the perfect thing to wear when I have no idea where we’re going to eat. It doesn't help that I can't concentrate on anything but that make out session. My lips still tingle and my heart flutters. If he hadn't asked me to tell him to stop I wouldn't have. I think I know how far things would have gone and I would have ended up in bed with him.
Gia is all dressed up and is sitting on the sofa next to Elvis. She’s wearing slippers and she’s pulled her hair up. She pauses when she sees me and you’d think I caught her with her hand in the cookie jar by her reaction.
“Gia?”
I thought she was going out tonight and that this might be the night for her and Marco to seal the deal. What if it’s the night for me to do the same?
“I told him we had plans,” she rushes to say, and now I understand her guilty look.
“You lied to him?” I’m shocked because that’s not like her.
“It’s not a lie. I plan to hang out with you before you leave.” I raise my eyebrow at her.
“I’m in love with him.” She falls back on the couch and lets out a sigh.
“I know you love him,” I laugh, walking over and sitting down next to her. I take her hand in mine and give it a squeeze. “Why is this so scary for you?”
“Why hasn’t he said it?” she asks.
I know some people might think it’s crazy that Gia wants him to say I love you when they haven’t been dating that long, but I’ve seen them together. Hell, after the past twenty-four hours if I keep feeling like I’m feeling, I’m going to be where she is soon enough.
“Maybe saying those words isn’t so easy for him. Not all of us grow up in families where saying I love you comes out as easy as breathing.”
Gia’s family is affectionate, and she and Yana are the only two people to ever say those words to me. I’ve never heard my parents say it to each other, let alone to me.
Her head snaps to look at me. “Oh god, you’re right.” Understanding dawns on her. “I should have said it to him the first time I felt it. I bet no one has ever said it to him before.” I hear the sadness for him in her voice and it makes me wonder what kind of life Marco had and if it wasn't far off from mine.
“You’ll be the first person to say it to him, but that’s really special.” I try and help her see the silver lining. I know she’ll say it enough to him to make up for years of him never hearing it. That’s how Gia is.
“I’m going to marry him,” she adds as she nods.
“God, I love you,” I laugh and squeeze her.
“Love you too.” She nudges me with her shoulder.
“Are you going out with your man now?”
She sighs and tucks her feet under her. “He told me he was going to a business dinner if I had plans, but he was going to call me after.”
“And by call, you know h
e means show up here, right?”
“I do.” She smiles. “He loves me. Maybe he doesn't know that’s what this is, but he does. I’m so stupid.”
“No, you're not. It can be hard not seeing where someone is coming from when you grow up differently. For all you know he might be holding back on saying it because he thinks it might scare you. He’s already pushing in pretty fast.” I can’t wait for him to meet her family. I want to be a fly on that wall. I’m so sure Marco can handle them that I bet he’ll be one of them in no time.
Gia picks up her phone and I know she’s texting him. My phone chimes at the same time and I grab it off the side table.
Aiden: I’m sorry, sweetheart, but I have to cancel. I forgot I told a friend I’d go to an event with them tonight.
“He’s cancelling.” I drop my phone in my lap, knowing I should tell him it’s fine. If I’d had plans tonight I would’ve forgotten all about them too when he asked me to dinner. I’ve been so focused on that moment that the rest of the world faded away. I can only hope that’s what happened to him too and he isn’t blowing me off.
Gia grabs my phone and reads the text. She doesn’t say anything as she studies it for a moment. I know she’s overthinking it just like everything in her life.
“I want to call him a dick, but that kiss you told me about was way too hot for him to be uninterested.”
My phone chimes again in her hand and she gets to see it before me. “He’s not lying.”
She hands me my phone back and I read what he’s sent me.
Aiden: Can I call you after?
“Men hate talking on the phone, so if he wants to call you after, he’s serious,” she says with a confident smile.
My phone starts to ring in my hand and Aiden’s name comes up. “He said after.” I show Gia it’s him and for a second, I hesitate.
“Answer it,” she orders, and I slide my finger across the screen.
“Hey,” I say as I pick up. Hey? Really? Did that sound as lame in my head as it did out loud?
“You didn’t respond, I needed to hear your voice.”