Page 95 of Aiden

I twirl with a smile. I knew it would be perfect for tonight. I’m protecting it with an apron, just to be on the safe side but he snickers.

“It’s cute.”

Noticing his left hand behind his back, I try to peek around, but he moves with me. “What is it?” I giggle.

He presents me with a single yellow rose. The gesture almost brings me to my knees. It would have, if he didn’t wrap me in his arms and kiss me fiercely.

My shaking hand grabs the rose sitting in a small vase. I look up at him with pure adoration. “You remembered.” A tear rolls down my cheek.

“Of course. You told me when we visited your mom’s shop. That story stuck with me.” He shrugs casually and looks away.

I can tell he isn’t used to doing something so thoughtful. But with me, he always does. I kiss his cheek. “Go get changed, then pour me some red wine.”

“Of course, Ms. Banks. Right on it.” He nods, wrapping his suit jacket on his arm like a butler before exiting the kitchen.

I place the vase with my single yellow rose on the counter, admiring it while I cook.

Aiden walks in as I take off my apron. Having expected to see him in his gray sweatpants, it warms my heart when I see him dressed up in exactly what I love to see him in for a dinner at home. His dark jeans hang low on his hips, damp black hair tousled atop his head, and a black t-shirt finishes the perfect trio of Aiden.

I did all of this because I have something important to tell him tonight. I want it to be special because he is so special.

Even over the aromatic smells of spaghetti sauce, his heavenly scent overpowers all other smells. My favorite scent in the entire world. Mint with a hint of smoke.

His charming smile ignites a burning desire inside my body. His warm fingers trail the length of my collarbone, his eyes landing on the locket necklace. I smile, knowing how much he loves when I wear his mark. I never take it off, not even to shower.

He leans in closer with a frown. “What happened?” He reaches behind me and unclasps the chain, twirling it in his palm.

A scratch across the front draws my attention. “Must have happened when I fell that day.” I pout, angry at myself for being so clumsy. “I’m sorry.”

He smiles, shaking his head as he slides the lock in his pocket. “It’s fine. I’ll get it repaired.”

We almost didn’t make it through dinner. Aiden’s eyes were all over me as I served him his food. Light conversation over candlelight on the patio makes for an insanely romantic setting. The city skyline and the warm glow of the candles had us in a trance. The candlelight flickered against his tan skin, making me melt.

Unable to make it till dessert, we rush up the stairs to the rooftop.

Our rooftop.

Aiden gently lays me down beside him, his jade eyes mesmerizing as he drinks me in. His warm hands are all over me. I want to tell him how much I love his hands on me, how much I love his warm embrace, how much I love him. But I don’t.

“You’re mine,” I groan through ragged breaths.

“As much as you’re mine,” He replies with a sheepish grin.

I moan as he places a firm hand on my thigh. I smile at him, sinking further into the soft bedding. “This is my favorite part of the apartment. I’m so happy you brought this bed when you moved.”

He trails kisses along my stomach. “When I saw the rooftop on this place, I was sold. I knew you’d love it. Plus, I knew the bed I first took you in would fit perfectly up here.”

I smile at the memories.

Aiden crawls up the bed, his lips touching mine, his tongue entering my mouth. His body demanding my attention. Then he makes love to me. Soft, gentle and full of passion. My fingers dig into his warm skin as he slides deep into me.

Our bodies tangled underneath the sheets below the city stars. Our lips connect as we reach our peak. Twisting and moaning, hands tangled in each other’s bodies, in each other’s hair. In each other’s souls.

We lay in the twisted sheets, kissing and cuddling.

His phone rings, shattering the moment. With a huff, he hits ignore. But it keeps ringing and ringing.

“What’s up?” He spits into the phone, finally picking up. His short temper is evident when it comes to people interrupting his time with me.

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