Acts of Redemption by Eleanor Aldrick

Collapsing onto the bed, I can’t help but press my fingers to my lips, my body shuddering as I remember the taste of his mouth. The scent of cloves and cinnamon envelope my senses and like an addict looking for her next hit, I’m dying to taste his lips once more.

My fingers plunge into the wetness of my mouth and I stifle a groan. Imagining it’s his tongue swirling with mine, I let my hand wander, reveling in how intense everything feels.

Wet fingers trail down my neck and over the peak of my breast, brushing against an erect nipple and sending a jolt straight to my clit. I find myself biting my lip in an attempt to keep my noise level down, not wanting Aiden to hear how our almost kiss has left me reeling.

Traveling further south, I let myself feel the lace of my panties and how coarse they are against the pads of my soft fingers. Sliding the thin material to the side, I’m immediately met with my wetness, a flush of warmth rushing through me as one digit slowly strokes between the folds.

Gasping as I hit that little bundle of nerves, my thighs clench together, needing more.

The thought of his expansive chest and those impressively strong arms hovering over me as he plunges his cock deep inside me has me shaking. That very image compelling me to follow through with my fingers as I plunge in and out of my pussy, adding friction to my clit with the base of my palm.

My free hand flies up to my mouth, biting down and groaning as my vision blurs and a kaleidoscope of colors flash before me. A strangled moan escapes me and I can’t find two fucks to give as I come down from the highest of highs.

All from my hand and an image of the man of my dreams.

Far too soon, the darkness of guilt washes over me. What have I done?! I’ve just fantasized about someone who’s been inside my own sister!

Disgust at myself has me rolling over, burying my face into a pillow. What kind of sick and twisted person lusts after their sister’s ex?

Soft rapping at the door has me bolting out of the bed and stumbling onto the floor, the loud thump impossible to deny.

“Char—” Aiden’s eyes go wide as he sees me on the floor. Following his gaze, I see what he sees—an exposed breast, and a dress hiked up past my panty line where my lace thong is askew. He looks away, giving me a moment to compose myself, but the bulge in his pants is hard to miss. “I’m sorry. I heard the thump and got worried.”

My face burns as I right myself, fumbling to stand. “Um, right. Well, I was just... uh...” Blowing out a breath, I give it up. There’s no doubt in my mind he knows what I was up to. “Did you need me?”

He chokes on his own saliva before finally returning his gaze to me. Right, I probably could’ve worded that better.

“I was coming to let you know that the boys will be arriving with Sylvie shortly. I’ve ordered from Renzetti’s tonight so we can all eat together without having to bother with cooking.” His brow arches, a playful smile replacing the nervous smirk. “Do you know how to cook, Charlotte?”

My jaw drops and eyes narrow, “Of course I know how to cook!” If boiling pasta counts as cooking, then yes. I can cook. But he doesn’t need to know that right now. Lord knows I don’t need any more humiliation after what he just witnessed.

I may be in a safe house, but the last thing I want is for him to see me as some helpless damsel.

“Daddddyyyyyyy!!!!” Two blond little boys come barreling into the room and practically slam into the wall of man standing before me.

“Oof! You got me!” Aiden acts as if the twins have the power to bring him down, and in a way, I suppose they do. Nothing but adoration floods his eyes as he looks down at his children. “Boys, I want you to meet a very dear friend of mine. Charlotte, this is Matt and this is Max.”

Both sets of eyes swing to me, and just like that, I’m their sole focus. Their little eyes going wide before beginning their assault.

“Wow, you sure are pretty.”

“Are you staying here too?”

“Do you work with our daddy?”

“Are you Bella’s friend?”

“How old are you?”

“Boys, boys. Enough. There will be time to catch up. But for now, how about we let Sylvie get you settled into your room?” Turning toward the door, I see a silver-haired lady smiling and giving me a knowing look.

The look on her face tells me she sees right through me, and I quickly glance down, making sure I haven’t accidentally left myself disheveled. Nope. All good. Breathing a sigh of relief, I shift where I stand, uncomfortable with the idea of having to endure any more embarrassment for today.

“Does that mean we get to share a room?!” Matt shrieks in excitement as Max jumps up and down.

I can’t help but grin at their enthusiasm, it undoubtedly rubbing off on me as I stare into their joyful faces.

“Yes. You get to share a room, it’s the first one on the right when you reach the top of the stairs. Sylvie, do you mind taking them? Titus already brought some of their things over.”

“Of course, sir. You need not ask.” The matronly woman grabs either boys’ hand and directs them out of the room. “Come on, gremlins, we have some unpacking to do.”

“Ahhhhh, do we have to?” Both little heads fall as they drag their feet out the door, and I chuckle.

“What’s so funny?” Aiden’s face is stone-cold serious, and I have to wonder if he’s joking.

“Oh, just that they have a billionaire father yet they’re still expected to unpack their own things. I like it. I like it a lot.”

“Do you, now?” He stalks toward me, like a hunter hunting its prey. Slowly but deliberately, his steps bring him to me—my dark knight. “I can make you unpack your things too, if you’d like.”

I gasp as his lips brush the shell of my ear, “Funny. I didn’t bring anything.”

His hands slide around my waist, squeezing me against him.

“But I did, principessa.” His nose trails down my neck, inhaling deeply and letting out a groan. “There’s a bag with a few of your things on the chair behind me. I’ll always take care of you, little one.”

The back of my knees hit the edge of the bed, and it’s just now that I’ve realized he’s been slowly walking me backward. Lowering me on the bed, my thoughts immediately shift to the boys

“The door. It isn’t locked,” I pant, my breathing ragged.

“Everyone's upstairs and they know to knock. So can I?” His right hand trails the curves of my collarbone as the other cradles me possessively.

I shake my head, trying to clear it from this fog it’s in. “Can you what?”

“Take care of you, principessa?” His amber eyes seer into my soul, seeing right through any pretense I may have been holding on to.

Slowly, I nod, giving myself to him.

“I need to hear your words, baby. I’m not going to do something you don’t want.” His gaze begins to harden, and it takes every ounce of restraint not to jump all over him.

I do not want him breaking free of this bubble we’re in. The world might be crumbling around us and this might be ten shades of fucked up, but there’s no doubt that I want him with every fiber of my being.

My hand reaches up, scraping the stubble across his jaw and he visibly shudders. “I want this, Aiden. I want you. I’ve always wanted you.”

Sucking in a sharp breath, he begins to trail both hands down my chest, over my stomach and onto my thighs, ending his journey down my body at my knees. With one swift movement, he’s got me spread open before him and the look in his eyes could only be described as hunger.

Biting my lip, I moan in frustration. If he doesn’t do something fast, I’m bound to erupt from his stare alone.

I need friction, I need touch, I need—“Aaahhh.”

His finger runs up my seam and I almost come undone right then and there.

DecadesI’ve dreamt of this man. Always forbidden, always just a dream. But now, here he is in front of me and he’s touching me with such reverie in his eyes, I’m about to burst, overwhelmed with emotion.

“You like that, princess?” His lips curl into a smug smile.

He knows what he’s doing to me, and he’s enjoying every second of it.

Rolling my eyes, I go to swat his hand away but his reflexes are too fast. He captures my wrist, bringing it to his mouth and nipping at the flesh, sending a bolt of heat flashing right through me.

He lowers himself to my core, inhaling what he does to me, “God, Charlotte. You’re so damn beautiful.”

Before I can respond, he’s moved the lace to the side, gently sucking on my nub and sending my head falling backward onto the bed. My hands grab at the comforter, trying to grab hold of anything solid.

The room is spinning, my world is tilting, and everything I ever thought was real has shifted. This man’s mouth is magic. Nothing short of fucking magic.

Just as I start to adjust to the sensation of his lips on me, Aiden takes two fingers and thrusts them into me, giving me the fullness my body was craving. His fingers and mouth are relentless, giving me pleasure I never thought possible.

My body begins to vibrate as a coil of overwhelming sensation begins to spread from my core down to my toes and I know I’m close.

One last suck and nip at my clit and I’m falling down the dark hole of bliss, never wanting to leave.

Lying here on this bed, I know I’ve never been happier, and I want to revel in this moment forever.

A soft kiss to my mound has me opening my eyes—I hadn’t even realized they were closed—and what I see has my insides crumbling.

Aiden’s face is back to its cold and indifferent state. What happened? Oh my god, does he regret this? Does he hate himself for being with me? I fidget with my dress trying to lower it, heat rising to my cheeks and it’s not from the mind-blowing orgasm I just experience.

“Why don’t you get yourself ready for dinner. Your clothes and a few personal items are by the door. Let me know if you need anything else and I’ll have one of the men run out and get it.” His hands trail the outside of my thighs, and though his touch is gentle and sweet, his face is still cold and hard.

I need to know what happened, and I’ve never been one to leave well enough alone. “Aiden, did I do something wrong?”

“No, princess. You’re nothing but perfect. It was me who stepped out of line.” He gets up, running a hand through his ebony hair. “I saw you on the floor, caught in the middle of an intimate moment, and something came over me. I needed to take care of you, make you feel something other than the shit you’ve been feeling.”

He looks away, and I don’t know if the look in his eyes is rage at what’s happened to me or what he’s allowed himself to do.

“Aid—”

“No, Charlotte. What that man did to you is unforgivable. What I did to you just now is also unforgivable.”

“Stop. Do not compare your actions to those of Preston’s. What you did was give me pleasure. What he has done is bring me nothing but pain.”

“But it’s not my place to do that, and you know it.” He strides to the door, opening it wide before looking back. “Please be ready in twenty minutes. The boys have a strict bedtime schedule and I’d like to adhere to it.”

And just like that, our moment is broken.

Over a decade of pining after a man, and for what? To ruin it all for just one quick frolic in bed?

Fuck that. I want more. I need more, and I’ll do whatever it takes to get it.