“I’ll do what it takes,” Connor says firmly. “For the good of the family.”
He says it with conviction, and I believe him. But I know he doesn’t know what he’s getting into.
“All right,” I say. “If you’re doing this, we’ll help. You won’t have to handle it alone.”
CHAPTER39
Rose
I hear the door open downstairs, and I breathe a sigh of relief.
I’ve been doing just what Aiden said. I’ve been waiting for him. But every minute felt like an hour, felt like torture.
He left me here waiting for him, and I know he partly did it to distract me from worrying about what would come of his meeting with the Assembly. He and his brothers seemed confident that it would work out, but I know there was still a risk involved.
And his strategy worked, in a way. I’ve stayed in bed rather than pacing the room, but the longer I wait, the more desperate I get to see him. Not just because I need him to touch me, but because I need the reassurance that everything will be all right.
That we’ll all come through this alive, and that my world won’t be ripped apart again.
The way Aiden touched me before he left was as if he was trying to leave a print on me, to memorize the feel of my skin beneath his fingers. It was as if he wanted to leave a trace so that I could remember him and how much he loves me.
Whatever doubts I ever had about this thing between us being real, they’re gone.
We’ve hurt each other so much. We had a hard road, but I don’t doubt whether this is right anymore—I don’t doubt that he cares, and I certainly don’t doubt that I care.
I need Aiden more than I’ve ever needed anyone.
I trust him.
I want him.
Time slows when he finally walks through the bedroom door. His eyes lock on mine, and suddenly, I can’t think. My brain is a rush of static, everything replaced by the need burning between us. I can feel it roll off him like a heat wave.
I swallow, my mouth and throat dry. “How did your meeting with the Assembly go?”
He steps into the room and closes the door behind him. “It went well. They saw the evidence, so they won’t hold me to account for killing Dmitri.”
“Good.” I lick my lips. It’s hard to focus when he’s looking at me the way he is. “I’m… I’m glad.”
“So am I.”
Aiden slowly stalks toward the bed as he speaks, and the sound of his footsteps sends a shiver up my spine. He tugs at his tie and shirt as he walks, throwing them aside as he comes closer.
“Have you been a good girl?” he asks, his voice low and smooth. “Did you wait for me?”
I nod. I can’t form words. My heart races, my blood rushing beneath my skin.
Aiden pulls the covers down. I gasp as the cool air hits my body. He doesn’t touch me yet, as much as my body is screaming for him.
“Show me.”
My chest rises and falls as I lock eyes with him, letting my legs spread slowly. I reach down and slip my fingers inside myself, my breath hitching. Even this much feels like torture, not nearly enough. I spread myself wide, letting him see.
I’m so fucking wet, so ready for him. I’m more than ready, even—I’m two seconds from coming, two seconds from falling apart.
Aiden groans, and my heart pounds harder. Even the brief touch of my own hand has me right on the edge. My breathing is ragged. I try to control it, wrestle back control, and keep everything locked down just the way he told me to.
Aiden unbuttons his shirt slowly, never taking his gaze off me.
