Protecting Shaylee (The Fae Guard Book 1) (16 page)

There is a tense silence for a moment, before Hayleigh jumps up and grabs a DVD. “Oscar?” Laila and I set the tension aside and cheer in the affirmative. Having been on the guard for so many years, both Laila and Hayleigh are familiar with entertainment from the human realm, and it brings me a little bit of comfort to sink into a world that is more familiar to me for a few hours.

The sun is finally setting when we finish our second movie, which means it’s going on one o’clock in the morning. And that in turn means, no more procrastinating. I hate that I’m so nervous, but it’s a huge step to accept a relationship with Aden, to make myself so vulnerable and on top of that. Though he doesn’t know, he’s about to be my first. I was never into casual sex and my only, somewhat serious, relationship was with Killian. We’d gotten close a few times, but I’d never gotten comfortable enough with the idea to go all the way with him.

Laila, Hayleigh, and I trade hugs and then I take the long walk back to the elevator and my apartment. I reach my door and stand there for a moment, considering. Is he waiting for me to show up, expecting me to knock on the door and announce my arrival? Or maybe he fell asleep. I’m not sure which idea I’m rooting for. Finally, I chicken out and grasp the doorknob to my studio, inset the key and twist. The key doesn’t move and the mechanisms don’t click.
Stupid doors.
I try it again, with the same results.
What the hell?

My eyes wander over to Aden’s door, narrowing as an idea forms in my head.
He wouldn’t. What am I thinking? Of course he would. The bossy jackass.

I march over to his door and raise my hand to knock, but change my mind and I try the doorknob. Unlocked. The door swings open and Aden looks up from where he is lounging on the sofa, in sweat pants and shirtless (he’s so damn sexy), watching a sports channel. He’s got a half smile lingering on his face, but I can see the wariness in his eyes.

“Hey, baby.”

I’m instantly fuming at his nonchalant tone.

“Don’t you ‘hey, baby’ me, you overbearing jerk!” I scold, marching over to him. “You locked me out of my apartment?”

Aden’s damn dimple appears and I can see him trying to hold in a triumphant grin. “Baby, we talked about this. It’s not your apartment anymore, so they changed the locks.” He sits up on the couch, shaking his head at me in mock disappointment, as though I’ve simply forgotten.

I move closer and am standing right in front of him so that I can lean down and bring our faces level, “Don’t patronize me, Aden. Did ever occur to you that had you asked me to move over here tonight, I might have agreed? Besides, how am I going to get all of my things with the locks changed?” A sheepish expression creeps onto his face for a few seconds, before he wipes it away and replaces it with a self-satisfied grin. Suddenly, it dawns on me. “You moved me in already, didn’t you?”

Aden’s hands shoot out, grabbing my hips, and with a strong tug, I fall forward and end up straddling his lap. I want to stay angry with him, but when he slides his hands down my arms, and lifts them so I’m circling his neck, warmth starts to blossom between my thighs. The muscles in his chest ripple with each movement, distracting me from whatever the hell we were discussing. He rests his hands loosely on my hips and leans forward to brush his nose against mine and the warmth starts to spread.

“I just figured I’d make things easier on you because now it’s all done and you don’t have to worry about moving. See?” He gives me a hopeful, boyish smile and I have to try and remember why I’m mad.

His hands grip my hips a little tighter, the boyish smile dissolving into a hungry look, turning his eyes a turbulent shade of emerald. Staring deep into my eyes, he watches me as he pulls me tighter against him, so that I can feel him hard and pulsing, pressing into me. “No more bullshit, Shaylee. Who do you belong to?”

I’m guarded about Aden breaking my heart again, but I’m so tired of carrying around the hurt and trying to deny the connection we have. In that moment, I decide to let the hurt go.

“Yours, Aden. I’m completely yours.”

My admission seems to break open the floodgates and we come together with a fierce intensity, our mouths crushed against each other, our hands roaming everywhere. I can’t seem to get close enough and I tug on his silky hair, encouraging him to deepen the kiss. Our tongues collide, rubbing and playing, thrusting in and out, desperate for each other.

Eventually, we have to pull away and catch our breath, but I’m still panting heavily as Aden moves from my lips and trails scorching kisses down my neck. My head falls back to give him better access and suddenly, I’m falling backward. My eyes fly open and I realize that Aden has lowered my torso, holding me firmly under my shoulders, so that he can continue to trail his mouth down until he reaches my breasts.

He looks up at me through his lashes and his eyes are dilated with his feverish arousal, the mossy green irises are just a sliver ringing the dark orbs. “You’re so damn beautiful, baby.” His words bring a rush of heat to my pussy, soaking my panties. He takes a hand from behind me and runs a finger along my collar bone, between my breasts, and tugs the fabric of my shirt down. The thin, cotton camisole I’m wearing underneath does nothing to hide the rigid points of my nipples. Under Aden’s ravenous gaze, they tighten even further into diamond hard peaks. Slowly, he dips down and takes one into his mouth, sucking lightly. The sensation makes me squirm, and he growls from the friction of my pussy against his cock. He releases the nipple and then blows lightly on the wet fabric molded to my skin.
Holy shit.
My body wants to move but at my first shift, Aden pulls me up abruptly and wrapping my legs around his waist, stands and walks swiftly towards the back bedrooms.

My mouth is itching to taste him, so I lower it to his neck and run my tongue along the corded muscle before sucking. My back suddenly hits the wall and Aden slams his mouth down over mine. His tongue plunges into my mouth with the same rhythm as his cock rocking into my pussy. Every thrust has me whimpering, the sensations climbing, reaching for a pinnacle. Holding me tight against the wall with his hips, Aden breaks the kiss as his hands come up and roughly pull my shirts up over my head.

He returns to my mouth and when our heated skin meets, I moan, closing my eyes and savoring the feel.

Aden pulls back and when I open my eyes, he stares deeply into them, asking the question. He’s giving me the power to say no and the gesture only fuels my need for him.

“I need to fuck you, baby. I need to bury myself inside of you . . . truly claim what’s mine. But, I don’t want you to give yourself to me because you’re caught up in the passion. I want you to make the decision with no regrets. I’ll wait, Shaylee. I’ll wait until you’re ready.”

There is a barely leashed desire under his words and if he’s half as desperate for me as I am for him, then those words gutted him. And in that moment, the wall I erected around my heart is obliterated; my love for him comes rushing in, surrounding me, and filling my soul with light.

I cup his face in my hands and place a gentle kiss on his lips, “I need you, Aden.”

Hi forehead meets mine and his eyes shut tightly, his breath whooshing out. “Thank fuck.”

I need to tell him. I know it won’t bother him, but I’m nervous. I don’t want to disappoint him with my inexperience. His hands slide under my ass and he continues down the hall until we reach the last door. Once inside, feelings of peace and comfort wash over me. He kicks it shut and strides over to the huge bed on the wall to the left of the door. The room is everything that is Aden: warm colors, and strong, bold lines. The bed is bigger than a king, making it comfortable for someone Aden’s size. The platform bed is black/brown wood, carved with similar images as those on the doors to the training room. The headboard is smooth and empty with the exception of the word “Saliysuli” carved in script. A matching dresser adorns the far wall, with a beautiful writing desk set next to it. On the same wall as the entrance to the room is another door. Its wide open and I see a massive walk in closet that makes me drool almost as much as Aden.

The bed faces a wall of windows that looks over endless land, showing off the twinkle of each star at night, and I can only imagine the way they flood the room with sunshine during the day. Between the bed and windows is a cream sofa that looks soft and inviting, a place to snuggle and watch a sunrise.

This room was made for us. Not him, not me, but for us.

Aden reaches the bed and gently lowers me onto the mattress. Reverently, he begins to remove each piece of my clothing until I am completely bare for him. I’ve always been comfortable with my body, but beneath his gaze, I feel exquisite.

He stands back and begins to undress. I want to do it, but I am too enthralled by every bit of his body being revealed to me. When he pushes down his gray boxer briefs, his cock springs free—hard, long, and thick—jutting up against his stomach. My breath catches and my mouth waters at the sight. I experience a moment of apprehension wondering how the hell that thing is going to fit, but I’m distracted by his hand when if wraps around his length and pumps it twice. The silky looking skin stretches even tighter as his cock grows just a little bigger.

He prowls toward me and our eyes meet, consuming one another. Aden climbs onto the bed and oh, so slowly, lowers his body until he is covering me from head to toe. The moment our feverish skin connects, he shudders and lets out a guttural groan, burying his face in my neck. “Fuck, baby. You feel better than I could have ever imagined.” I can only nod in agreement.

His pelvis settles over mine and he grinds his hips into me. I’m so wet, his cock slides through my heat, shooting unbelievable sensations from my pussy, making my toes curl. The feel of that hardness, at my entrance, reminds me that I need to tell him about my virginity.

“Aden?” He freezes at the hesitancy in my voice.

When he lifts his head, his eyes are full of worry and he’s holding tightly to his control. “Are you all right, baby?” The caring in his tone just heightens the intimacy of the moment and I fall just a little harder.

“I, um—” I stutter, not quite sure how to say it. So, I just blurt it out. “I’m a virgin.”

I watch anxiously for his reaction, the initial shock in his expression, making my heart skip. But, immense relief courses through me as his face transforms into a bright, beautiful smile. “You’re a virgin?” I nod in affirmation.

“Baby, that’s amazing. You were fucking made for me and knowing that there will only ever be me is like handing me the sun.” There is a wonder in his voice that is so beautiful to me. It makes me feel loved and I pray that Laila was right and Aden is in love with me. Because, I’ve fallen too far; everything I am, everything I have . . . I’m his.

Aden draws my thoughts away when he gives me a deep but gentle kiss. “We’ll go slowly, ok? This first time—I wish I could keep it from hurting.” His eyes are soft and he traces my mouth with his finger, waiting for me.

“Aden, I’m ready. I—” I shut my mouth abruptly.
Shit.
I almost told him I loved him. I can’t, not until I know he’ll say it back. “Make love to me.” He studies me for a moment more, and I know he noticed my halted response. But, he seems to set it aside for the moment and instead, he places a kiss at the corner of my lips, then moves down my neck to the valley between my breasts. The kisses become hot, open, and wet, until he comes to one of my rose-colored nipples and runs the tip of his tongue around it, avoiding the distended peak. My back arches, my body tremoring. He circles again but this time, he runs his tongue over the tip, and then sucks it into his mouth. The tight pull of suction sets off sparks in my pussy and my legs tangle restlessly against his.

He sucks and laves at both breasts until I feel like I’m going to splinter apart from the tight coiling in my belly. With one last pull, he lets my nipple go with a pop, and lifts up for a deep, bone-melting kiss. “You taste sweet, like strawberries. But, I’m betting that you taste more like honey and sugar in other places.” He gives me a sexy little wink and returns to his exploration of my body, going lower and lower. When he reaches my belly button, he flicks my little charm with his finger and chuckles. “So fucking cute.”

Each kiss takes him down, closer to my center, and I can feel each beat of my heart in the pulse between my legs. Finally, he kneels between them and admires the view. I want to squirm under his perusal, but I can see the naked appreciation and it bathes me in desire. Slowly, he drags a finger between the lips of my pussy and when he pulls it away, its slick with my arousal. Bringing his finger to his mouth, he sucks it clean, “Mmmm. Like I said, sugar.” Another shiver courses through me. Aden smirks when he notices how his words affect me. “My girl has a dirty side. I noticed that before, the dirtier I talk—the hotter you get.” I feel a flush on my skin, a telling blush that makes him chuckle. “I love it, baby. I think it’s hot as fuck.”

This time, the flush has nothing to do with embarrassment. “Aden.” I’m begging, but I don’t really understand what it is that I’m craving. He anchors one of my legs on each shoulder and then slides his hands under my ass, lifting me high. His eyes find a spot inside my left thigh and he places a tender kiss there. I’m confused at our position until he brings my pussy to his mouth and flattens his tongue before licking from bottom to top. He swirls it around my clit, careful to avoid it before returning, where he plunges it inside of me making me cry out. He repeats the process until I’m once again coiled so tight, I feel as though any moment I will shatter into a million pieces.