Page 90 of No Promises, No Lies

Minutes later—she’s asleep.

But I’m still too keyed up… The boys have not returned. After Reagan caught me keeping a vigilant watch on the elevator doors, she assured me we were safe here. “If all four of them had to step out, there’s no doubt a small military presence, at the very least, is on the other side of that door,” she laughs.

Just before dawn, I retreat into Aidan’s room, hoping maybe laying in bed might help sleep come. I’ve just settled under thecovers when I hear them… The deep tenor of male voices fills the loft.

Suddenly nervous, my heart threatens to pound right out of my chest. I’d spent the entire night wishing Aidan would come back so we could talk, but now...

I twist my fingers in the comforter while keeping my gaze fixed on the bedroom doorway. But nothing could prepare me for the sight of him when he rounds the corner…

Blood.

Blood everywhere... splattered across his clothes, his face... a mosaic of crimson.

Is it his?I rise, trembling, from the bed. Concerned. Taking cautious steps closer. There’s too much blood for it all to be his. He wouldn’t be standing… Aidan remains half in the hall, leaning on his shoulder against the door frame, watching me. A wild and dangerous look in his eye.

I stop. Barefoot on the hardwoods. Not daring to go any closer. Scanning his blood stained fingertips.

“It’s not mine.” The sound of his voice pulls my gaze up. His eyes finish the rest of his sentence. Relief sweeps through me for not one, but two reasons.

“Matteo?”

Aidan dips his chin in a slow nod of confirmation, watching my face carefully, searching my eyes for a reaction.A beat passes between us.

“Good.”

His eyes flash with surprise, brows lift slightly.

“He deserved it.” I hold his eyes.

Something flickers in them and whatever it is seems to propel him forward. Before I know it, I’m in his arms. Aidan’s kiss is hungry—starving. But he pulls away just as quickly. “I’m sorry,” he says, shaking his head and turning away.

I tighten my grip, stopping him. Aidan looks down at me with confusion.

I rise on my tiptoes, gently touching my lips to his, tugging him closer to me. Not caring when some of that dark blood smears across my arms—my face.

There’s no hesitation. He comes as I call. His lips crash against mine, punishing in their desire, as if he’s devouring me whole.

Picking me up, Aidan carries me through the bedroom, past the rumpled bed and into the bathroom. He walks us straight into the shower without breaking the kiss.

When my back hits the smooth tile wall, he reaches down and twists the knob.

Water rains down on both of us and I shiver, the freezing water heating fast. Aidan sets me down under the stream and rips off his shirt. The water falling from him is tinged red, washing away Matteo’s blood as it streams down the hardened muscle. Aidan steps into me, green eyes locked on mine, fingers finding the hem of my borrowed sweatshirt.

Slowly, he peels the soaked fabric up and over my head. A feral gleam enters his eye when he slides the boxers down over my hips and I kick them away.

My back is to the shower wall again before I can form another thought. His fingers trail south over my bare skin, finding a nipple and gently pinching it until it hardens, and I release a soft moan. He deepens the kiss, tongue sweeping into my mouth as he explores my body. The feel of his hands on my skin is like a hit of the sweetest drug.

I can’t get enough of him. With my mouth still on his, I reach down and unhook his jeans.

He stills, breaking our kiss for the first time. His eyes scan mine, a question in them.

I answer it by pushing down on his jeans until they’re off. Until the only barrier between us is the icy wall I have built around my heart. But the heat Aidan draws out with every touch is wearing that ice thin.

He reaches up, brushing a lock of my wet hair behind my ear. Following the strands down, his fingers trace around the curve of my breast. This time, the shiver shooting through my body has nothing to do with the cold.

He explores further, running his fingernails over the ripples of my abs,where he hesitates.

His body stiffens and I look up, confused, but Aidan stares at my ribs. More specifically, on the dark purple bruises from Matteo that have barely faded. A symbol of the punishment I endured for allowing Aidan to touch me.

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