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,definitelynot 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?’