Ayden's Secret Read online

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  At the beach, Stephanie and Malcolm enjoyed a nice sunset. They had driven Megan and Chase’s minivan. It had tinted windows, so no one could see in, but they could see out. The tourists had packed in for the day, just a couple stragglers left behind. The parking lot was nearly empty. The minivan sat alone. When Malcolm unlocked the doors, he got in the front driver seat, but Stephanie got in the back. She began pulling and adjusting the seats creating a flat surface on one side.

  “What are you doing?” Malcolm turned to see what she was up to.

  “Making room.”

  “Room for what?” His blue eyes zeroed in on her. Damn she had him trapped.

  “Us. Now get back here.”

  “This is a public place, Stephanie.” Malcolm smiled. She was inventive, he had to give her that much.

  “No one can see us. Leave the sun visor up and no one will know we are in here.”

  “What do you plan to do in here?” He looked around the area. He had to admit it was a little exciting. It was already dark, and the few tourists left on the beach were using flashlights to search for shells. The van wasn’t under a light, so she was right. If they kept quiet, no one would know.

  “I plan to let you make me happy.”

  She said that like he owed it to her. Like because he wasn’t going to have sex with her until they got married that now he was obligated to do what she wanted. “How exactly do you plan for me to do that?”

  “You tell me. You said you would. You won’t in Joshua’s house. Megan and Chase are cool. Megan gave me the idea, so get back here and do your thing.” Stephanie’s heart was galloping. She was ready to explode with nerves, and he wasn’t making things easier. He had all the experience; he should be able to handle this easy. Instead, she felt like the one in control.

  Do his thing she said. Problem was he didn’t really know what to do. Malcolm had told her he had been with two women. It wasn’t a total lie. They had done stuff to him, but he didn’t have sex with either of them. His mother had taken him to a clinic at the age of sixteen and scared him to death with all the diseases. When his cousin got pregnant at fifteen, his parents made him become her Lamaze coach. He was only seventeen at the time.

  After that, he was determined not to be some child’s daddy unless it was with the woman he loved. Women had tried to get in his pants all his adult life. That’s why he liked Stephanie so much. They had the same principles. She didn’t pressure him, and he didn’t pressure her. At least she hadn’t until now.

  “You know every woman is different, so if you know what you like, you have to tell me.” Malcolm opened the driver side door and got out. He took three deep breaths before he opened the passenger door. He had heard all the stories at the firehouse; he could do this.

  “Okay.” Stephanie relaxed a little. At least he was in the back seat.

  The tension was thick, and time seemed suspended for long seconds. Finally, she touched his face. She loved to touch his face. His soft blue eyes drew her in, but it was his lips that she loved the most. Pulling a thumb across his bottom lip always made his eyes close, but this time it made him moan.

  Malcolm knew he was in for it. She kissed him hot and heavy. Not waiting to warm up at all. Stephanie just shoved her tongue in past his lips, assaulting him. She grabbed his hands and put them on her breasts. When he barely moved them, she gasped. If this was any indication, then maybe things would go better than he thought. He kissed her neck and collarbone as he pulled the tank top over her head. The swimsuit top left little to the imagination and too eagerly, it was gone.

  “Kiss me.” She moaned.

  He went to take her lips, but she shook her head no.

  “Here.” Stephanie pulled him to her breast. The feel of his lips gently exploring her breasts made her squirm.

  Malcolm realized that a woman’s breasts could be more than just a treat to look at or touch. The way she squirmed and pulled at his back as he licked the rosebud nipples had him in a painful pleasure he never knew existed. Stephanie had straddled him, pushed him back and practically smothered him with her breasts.

  “I have to adjust.” He strained to speak. If he didn’t get control soon, she would have both of them naked.

  He flipped her over hitting his head on the roof. It wasn’t comfortable for either of them. Stephanie was almost his height and her long legs twined with his long legs in a battle to keep him pressed against her. He went back to her nipple with his mouth and teased the other with his thumb and index finger. She ground against him, lifting her hips as though her shorts and his didn’t exist between them.

  “Touch me.” She gasped.

  Shit. He was on the verge of losing it. His erection strained to the point of breaking, and now she wanted him to touch her. He would explode on contact, he knew it. He took a breath and slid his hand down over her silky soft hip and under the waistband of her shorts. Malcolm had no idea a woman could feel so hot and wet.

  “You’re on fire.” He groaned into her neck.

  “So put it out.” Stephanie slid her hand down and over his.

  “Show me, Stephanie.” He could feel his own body ache for release. She had to be as wound up as he was. Having her touching him while he touched her, guiding him, was better than he ever imagined.

  Stephanie guided his hand farther sliding in between the folds and pressed on his middle finger edging it in. It was a real turn on that he didn’t mind her touching herself. She knew how to get this job done, but it felt so much better, more intense with his hands instead of hers. She worked him into a rhythm and then finally when she couldn’t take it anymore pulled him to her clit and showed him how to circle it between his index and middle finger.

  When his name escaped her lips, he thought for sure the police would be tearing the doors off the van at any moment. She screamed her release, and he couldn’t fight his own. His large hand cupped over her. She was still hot and wet and the muscles clenched and released. It was amazing. When she caught his lips with her own, he knew she was happy. Satisfied and full, so was he. This he could do. Obviously not in her brother’s house because that scream would get him killed. He liked it, a lot. And he wanted to hear it again and again.

  “Did you come?” Stephanie asked him breathlessly. “Yeah, I couldn’t help it.”

  “Too bad.” She let out a long satisfied sigh.

  “Why’s that?” He laughed. Was he supposed to hold back? He wasn’t made of steel.

  “I wanted to touch you next.” Stephanie flashed her devious smile, and he nuzzled in next to her neck.

  “You will be the death of me, woman.”

  Chapter 5

  Charlie heard the alarm clock go off in Ayden’s room. Elvis began singing then stopped. She had left the door open, so she could hear when he woke up. The coffee machine had already made the coffee. She wanted to have breakfast ready when he came downstairs. Apparently, he was already up when the alarm went off because he met her in the hall fully dressed.

  “Mornin’ darlin’.” Ayden was surprised to see her stepping into the hall at the same time he did. The delight came from what she was wearing though. It was a pink gown that barely covered the matching pink underwear and barely hid the color of her nipples.

  “You’re dressed?”

  “Have to work.” Ayden wished he hadn’t signed on for the class now, but he had and it was an all day affair. “Class starts at seven, ends at three. I should be home by four.”

  “I wanted to make you breakfast.” Charlie pouted. He had an hour before it started, but unless she was mistaken, he probably had to go to Morehead City to teach it.

  “Too early, I’ll grab a cup of coffee.” Ayden started but Charlie moved out ahead of him.

  “Then I’ll make your coffee.” He wasn’t getting out that door without her doing something, damn it!

  “I drink it black, darlin’.” Ayden smiled at her backside. The panties had ruffles on them. Charlie had the most masculine name, but she was all woman, so soft a
nd feminine. He was surprised to hear her cursing yesterday at Joshua, but proud of her for standing up to him. She had guts. He always knew that.

  In the kitchen, Charlie snatched up the thermos he had ready. How could she convince him he needed her if he always had everything ready? She poured the coffee and screwed on the lid. Ayden leaned on the counter and watched her with a lazy smile.

  “Feel better?” he asked.

  “Ayden, what I feel like is a free loader. I want to make sure you know how much it means to me that you’re letting me stay here. I don’t want you to think I’m trying to take advantage.” What I want is for you to fall in love with me and then fall into bed.

  “So you want to make sure you contribute?” Ayden had a great idea to keep her all to himself tonight and really get to talk to her. If she wanted to contribute, this would play right in.

  “Yes.” She nodded.

  “Well, I’ll probably be beat when I get home tonight. I usually eat with Joshua and Evelyn, but I don’t feel up to the whole crowd.” He looked her over slowly. She shivered a bit. The air was on, but it wasn’t that cold. “You think we could have dinner here tonight? Alone?”

  “Yes.” She smacked the counter and he jumped. She didn’t mean to have that reaction but alone was exactly how she wanted him tonight. This would be perfect.

  “I’ll see you tonight then.” He could have walked around her, around the counter and out the door, but instead he felt like touching her, so he walked next to her. He pulled her in his arms and kissed her on the cheek. “Behave yourself today.”

  With a swat to her butt, Ayden left Charlie staggering. She watched him walk out the door. He looked like the old Ayden this morning, black suit and blue tie. His hair combed and coffee in hand. He sure didn’t act like Ayden this morning. That kiss and the swat, she could still feel it. Not that it was hard. It was just a playful pat really, but the first of what she could only hope would be many to come.

  In his truck, he fought the smile that had somehow become a new natural expression for him. He slept so good last night. His dreams filled with that massage, of crawling in between her legs and taking her. God she smelled so good. There was no good reason to ask her to sleep in his room, none. Last night he really wondered what it would feel like to have her in his arms this morning. He hit the button on the CD player and listened to the King singing “I’m all shook up.”

  Charlie sat at the kitchen table. She had nine hours to get something together for tonight. It was early, but they had kids there. Surely, three-year-olds were awake at this hour. She headed upstairs and got dressed.

  * * *

  Charlie knocked on the door and was greeted by Ethan, Gray, and Chase Jr. How Evelyn could deal with all these people in that house for a week was beyond comprehension. Then again, it would be nice to have family around, maybe for a weekend only though.

  “Morning,” Ethan grumbled.

  “Hi. Is Stephanie up?” Charlie was wide-awake and excited.

  “Just me and the boys so far. Come on in.” Ethan grabbed the boys on the tops of their heads redirecting them to the table with their cereal. “Want some cereal?”

  “No. Do you think anyone will be up soon? Evelyn, Grace, Megan?”

  “Grace probably won’t be, but Megan might. Evelyn should be down any minute. Stephanie would sleep all day if we let her.” Ethan smiled. Charlie was dying to talk to someone, and he was all she had this morning. “You can talk to me, Charlie. I’m an artist. I deal with women all the time.”

  “I don’t need help with a woman. But if I do, I’ll keep you in mind.” Charlie heard footsteps and eagerly awaited anyone other than a man. No such luck.

  “Hey there, Ayden kick you out when he went to work?” Chase smiled.

  “No. Is Megan up?” Charlie was ready to go shake one of these women awake.

  “Yeah, but she takes a while to get dressed.” Chase shrugged. “Is there anything I can do?”

  “Yes. I need a woman!”

  “Well that explains why you’re attracted to the Wolf. He has such feminine qualities. Maybe it’s his walk or the way he drinks black coffee.” Joshua sashayed into the kitchen from the stairs. For a man of his size to sashay she had to laugh.

  “I personally like the way he wears his hair.” Chase fluffed imaginary hair and batted his eyelashes at her rapidly.

  “Oh no, it’s the way he kisses that just sets a girl on fire.” Ethan puckered up and made kissing noises. Then Joshua and Chase began making kissing faces and noises, too. Of course, Gray and Chase Jr. wanted to play.

  “What the hell are you guys doing?” Evelyn stopped at the entranceway with her hands on her hips. Grace and Megan were right behind her, followed then by Stephanie and Malcolm.

  The three grown men stopped prancing around and looked at the floor. The two little boys kept dancing and kissing air, hugging themselves.

  “We’re uncle Ayden,” Gray said and made kissing noises.

  “No, no, no,” Ethan clarified to the boys. “We’re making girl talk with Charlie. Girls like to talk about kissing.”

  “You said he walks like this.” Chase Jr. demonstrated.

  “And this.” Gray made blinking eyes.

  Evelyn crossed her arms. If Ayden found out, three grown men would be getting their asses kicked tonight. “Boys. Don’t listen to your daddies or your uncle Joshua. Uncle Ayden doesn’t do any of those things.”

  “We know,” Chase Jr. said. “He does this.”

  Watching the little man stroll around, his chest puffed up and proud was cute.

  “And this.” Gray leaned against the refrigerator and propped a leg back while crossing his arms, nodding as he looked around with a very serious face.

  “Yeah, my daddy does this.” Chase Jr. made kissing faces. “To my mom all the time.”

  “And my dad does this.” Gray pushed his hands through his hair several times mussing it up. “And my mom says…”

  “Gray Alexander,” Grace interrupted. She would have to be more mindful of what she said from now on. She moved to get the little rogue quickly.

  “Chase, daddy doesn’t make that face.” Chase looked down at his son who mirrored him exactly.

  “Yes, you do,” the tike debated.

  “Yes, you do,” Megan agreed and picked him up.

  “So why were you guys making fun of Ayden, Joshua?” Evelyn had not let the toddlers, who obviously thought Ayden was just too cool; bail them out of this one.

  “We weren’t. We were making fun of Charlie.” Joshua shrugged.

  “Of me?” Charlie looked offended.

  “Yeah, you only wanted to talk to the girls, so we were acting like the girls.” He dismissed it.

  “Hold up, Big Dog” Evelyn grabbed him by his belt loop. “So then you were actually making fun of us?”

  All eyes on Joshua he needed to bail himself out of this sinking ship quickly. “Why don’t you ladies go out for breakfast? We’ll keep the boys a while.”

  “That’s a good idea.” Stephanie beamed. Her big brother and cousins were always goofing around. Joshua bailed her out all the time, so she could return the favor now.

  “Yes.” Charlie smiled with relief. “I have a lot to talk about.”

  “You’re off the hook for now, Young, but I got my eye on you.” Evelyn swatted his butt. She knew they were joking around, but Ayden liked Charlie and so did she. Therefore, she didn’t want the three stooges chasing her off. Not when Ayden really needed a woman in his life. Not when she could use someone with Charlie’s talents at her studio soon.

  “Yes ma’am.” Joshua snapped to attention and saluted her.

  “Let’s go before I hurt someone.” Evelyn headed for the door. Joshua snatched her up for a kiss, whispered in her ear, and then patted her on the butt when she smiled.

  “Chase, do I get a kiss or what?” Megan looked up at him tapping her foot impatiently.

  “Do I really make that face?” He looked down at her then off to his s
on who made it for him again. Megan stomped and he really made a face. He bent to kiss his little princess anyways, trying not to make any face.

  Charlie took in each of the couples. It was Grace and Ethan who normally clung together longer than the others, but this morning it was Malcolm and Stephanie. The way he lingered at her lips with little kisses and the way, he brushed her hair back with his hand revealed a lot to Charlie. Stephanie indeed had made headway with her plan.

  “Stephanie, give the guy some air.” Joshua growled at her.

  “Oh.” She turned to see that everyone was watching them. Even Grace was ready to go, and normally she had to be physically pulled from Ethan.

  “Yes, well. See ya.” She stole another kiss leaving him bewildered.

  Chapter 6

  The women were all a buzz at breakfast. Charlie needed help making sure she had a special dinner prepared for Ayden tonight. They had everything all planned out in no time. Megan and Charlie were both dying to get Stephanie alone, so it was no problem when Evelyn and Grace were ready to go back. Grace and Evelyn went back to Evelyn’s house to pick up the Christmas lights. Charlie, Megan, and Stephanie went to Ayden’s house.

  “So.” Megan searched through the CD’s in Charlie’s case.

  “It was different.” Stephanie blushed. “Wonderful.”

  “Good for you.” Charlie nodded. “Do you think this is over the top?”

  “Oh honey, I think it is right on.” Megan looked her up and down. The three were in Charlie’s room deciding what she should wear.

  “Wow!” Stephanie agreed. “If he doesn’t notice you in that, he has to be dead.”

  “Okay.” Charlie clapped. “So tell us.”

  Now that her outfit was out of the way, they could get the details of Stephanie’s big night.

  “It was weird at first because I expected him to want to do more or to want me to touch him, but he didn’t.” Stephanie took a long breath. “He said ‘show me’ and I thought I would just die. I mean it was like he was turned on by me touching myself. Only I was guiding him.”

  “Guys like to watch.” Megan nodded. “I stripped for Chase once, but I ran into the damn dresser again, so I gave up on it.”