“Yes,” Emily says, tears filling her eyes.

  I don’t know who gets their arms around her first, me or Mom, but a second later, we’re wrapped in a giant hug, blubbering like babies.

  “This is the best news in the entire world. First Lizzie and Aiden, and now this. I can’t take it anymore. We’re moving out of the city.”

  Emily lifts her head and wipes her face. “Dad will never let that happen.”

  “Don’t worry about your dad, I’ll work on him. But no way am I living that far away from my grandbaby.” Mom disentangles herself from us and pulls Jonathan in for a hug. “Congratulations.”

  “Thank you, Christine. Emily and I couldn’t be more excited.”

  “I can’t believe you didn’t tell me sooner,” I say.

  Emily and I tell each other everything. When we were growing up, Mom hated it because we always talked to each other rather than her. She often found things out about our lives months after it happened, something I regret now. It took a little maturing for me to realize how much great advice my mom has to offer.

  “I tried to tell you. That’s why I stopped by the other day,” Emily says.

  “But Aiden and I were fighting. Damn, Emily. I’m so sorry. You wanted to share the happy news, and I brushed you off. Please forgive me.”

  “There’s nothing to forgive. I’m happy that you and Aiden are finally together.”

  “Thank you.” I wipe my tears and pull my twin in for another hug. “I’m going to be an aunt.”

  We squeal and laugh when Mom joins in. “I’m going to be a grandma.”

  When Emily steps back, her hesitant eyes find Jonathan’s. “And we’re going to be parents. I’m not sure if I’m ready for this. It wasn’t exactly planned.”

  “The best things in life aren’t,” Mom says softly.

  Emily has always been about Emily. Some call her selfish, and half the time, she would agree, but she has one of the biggest hearts I’ve ever known, and I know she’ll be a selfless mom.

  Jonathan pulls her close and kisses her head. “You’re going to be a wonderful mother.”

  “You think?”

  “I know.”

  “Jonathan, why is my baby girl crying?” Dad says, walking in from out back.

  Aiden follows him in and walks to my side. He wraps an arm around me, resting his hand on my lower back.

  “That was quick,” I whisper.

  “There wasn’t much to say.”

  “What did he say?”

  Aiden smiles down at me. “I can’t tell you.”

  My jaw drops. That’s the same thing Jonathan said. “Why not?”

  He shrugs. “It’s between me and your dad. All you need to know is that your dad and I are good.”

  Aiden kisses me softly on the lips and then looks at my sister.

  “Daddy…” Emily looks at Jonathan and smiles. He nods his head, but she shakes hers. “I can’t.” Tears spill down her cheeks. Happy tears, I’m sure.

  “Jonathan,” my dad booms.

  Unthreatened by my dad, Jonathan laughs and steps forward. “Marcus, Emily is crying because she’s happy.”

  Dad looks confused. “You sure about that, son?”

  “Positive. We’re having a baby. You’re going to be a grandpa,” Jonathan says.

  Dad blinks and then yanks Jonathan in for a hug. They do that weird clap each other on the back thing that guys do, and then Dad reaches for Mom. “We’re going to be grandparents.”

  “I know,” she cries.

  He pulls back, eyes wide. “We have to move here. With a wedding and a baby, there’s no way we can live in the city.”

  Mom jumps for joy.

  “Wait, wedding? Who’s getting married?” I ask.

  Dad smiles happily with his arm wrapped around Mom. “You and Aiden.”

  “Oh, we’re not…” I look at Aiden, but he doesn’t look at all flustered at the prospect of getting married. “We just started dating.”

  “But you’ve known each other for years. It’ll happen, and when it does, you have my blessing.”

  “Thank you,” Aiden says.

  I blink, my mouth opening and closing like a fish out of water. What the hell is happening?

  “Breathe,” Aiden whispers.

  “B-but…”

  He lovingly caresses my back while I catch my breath, and when I look at him, he laughs. “Just breathe, sweetheart. I’ve got you.”

  14

  Lizzie

  Clothes are overrated. Orgasms are not. –Liz

  “Tonight was fun.” Aiden unlocks his door and turns to look at me.

  “It was. Next weekend, we get to face your family. Which reminds me, I need to pick out a dress.”

  Aiden’s smile is slow and sexy as he pulls me into his arms. “My family will be ecstatic. My parents adore you. I swear they like you more than me.”

  “That’s not true.”

  Instead of replying, Aiden kisses me—long, slow, and deep. Deep enough to make my toes curl and cause a ball of lust to build in my stomach. I want him bad, and I hate that he’s sworn off touching me until the wedding when all I want to do is climb him like a tree.

  I end the kiss and step back before I do something crazy like rip off my dress in the middle of the hallway. “Goodnight.”

  I turn toward my apartment, but I don’t make it far. Aiden snags my wrist.

  “Where do you think you’re going?”

  “Home.”

  He shakes his head and tugs me into his apartment. “I’m not done enjoying this dress of yours.”

  “I thought you said you weren’t going to rip my clothes off until after the wedding.”

  “I’m not going to rip anything. I’m going to remove them—gently—and then I’m going to give you a preview of how good we’re going to be together.”

  One second I’m standing by the door; and the next, I’m in Aiden’s arms. He walks across the small living room, lowers me to the soft, familiar couch, and covers my body with his. With a hand on my hip and the other buried in my hair, cradling the back of my neck, he kisses me.

  Pleasure radiates down my spine as his kiss goes from a featherlight touch to all-consuming. I grip the front of his shirt, ensuring that he stays right where I want him, and lose myself in his touch.

  Good Lord, he kisses like a god.

  I try to remain in complete control of my body because I already know this isn’t going to go far, but as our passion builds, longing seeps through my muscles and has me lifting my hips to meet his. An answering growl rumbles through his chest, and his grip on me tightens. He tilts my head to the side, and his tongue dives in, sweeping through my mouth, tangling with mine. He tastes of peppermint and something deeper—something rich. He kisses me like a man starved, and damn if I’m not willing to be his next meal.

  When he lifts his head, we’re both panting. “For years, I’ve wondered how you would taste—how your body would react to mine.”

  “Keep going, and you’ll find out.”

  With his eyes on mine, Aiden cups my ass before sliding his hand down the back of my leg. He brushes his knuckles along the bend of my knee and then glides his hand up my thigh. Warm, deft fingers dip under my dress, and I sigh.

  Finally.

  My head falls against the couch as his hand inches higher and higher. When he gets to the sweet spot between my legs, his eyes widen. “You’re not wearing underwear?”

  I pull my bottom lip between my teeth and shake my head.

  Aiden swears and drops his face to the crook of my neck, where he takes several deep breaths. Finally, he kisses the spot beside my ear and gazes down at me. My knees fall apart, allowing him to settle more comfortably between my thighs.

  “Look at you.” He runs his fingers between my breasts, making me wish more than anything that the damn dress was off. I want his hands on me, skin-to-skin. “You’re stunning. I could stare at you forever.”

  “Touch me,” I breathe.

  Aiden brushes his nose against mine, kissing the tip before dropping lower and claiming my mouth. I sigh, reveling in the weight of his body pressed against mine. His hand dips low before working its way back up. He caresses my hip, my lower abdomen, and my ass—hitting all of the erogenous spots while avoiding the one place I want him most.

  “Please,” I whisper, lifting my hips in a silent plea.

  “If I touch you there, I’m afraid I won’t be able to stop.”

  “Then don’t.”

  Aiden closes his eyes and lowers his lips to my neck. His tongue runs a hot path along my jaw as his fingers slip between my wet folds. My back arches off the couch as he takes his time kissing me, caressing me…loving me.

  He pulls his fingers out, and I let out a defiant grunt. A smile tugs at his swollen lips. “Patience.”

  “That’s something I don’t have much of.”

  Aiden laughs. “Trust me, I know. We’ll work on it. Can we take this off?” he says, toying with the bottom of my dress.

  I nod and sit up, allowing him to pull the flimsy material over my head. He tosses it to the floor. He sucks in a sharp breath as his hungry gaze sweeps over me. I reach behind my back, unclasp my bra, and let it fall. I’m naked—open and vulnerable to him—while he’s fully dressed. Something about that turns me on even more.

  “I’ve fantasized about this moment more than I care to admit.” Aiden presses his fingers to the pulse point on my neck. “You’re nervous?”

  I shake my head and then nod and lift a shoulder. “Maybe a little.”

  “Are we moving too fast?”

  “No, it’s not that.” I rest my hand on his, cupped around my neck.

  “What is it? Tell me, please.”

  “It’s just…” I take a deep breath. “I’ve thought about this too, and now it’s finally happening, and I’m stuck between wanting to hold onto the moment forever, and wanting to rush it along because I’ve never wanted anyone the way I want you.”

  “Lizzie.” Aiden lowers us back down and covers me. He dips his head and kisses me. I draw in a breath, causing my nipples to brush against his shirt. It feels good and makes me ache for so much more.

  “Easy,” he says, squeezing my hips, pinning me to the couch. “Keep squirming like that, and this’ll be over before it starts.”

  “I’m still waiting for it to start.”

  He grins against my lips. “I love that sarcastic mouth of yours.”

  “You love everything about me.”

  His eyes go serious. “You’re right, I do.”

  He takes his time kissing me, exploring every inch of my mouth, before venturing to my jaw and down my neck. He nips and sucks the swells of my breasts, and when he gets to an aching nipple, he wraps his lips around it and pulls it deep into his mouth.

  “Oh, God.” I push my fingers into his hair. Loving the way his tongue feels as it flicks across the sensitive flesh, sending jolts of pleasure down my spine. He moves from one breast to the other, building my passion, and making my body so tight that it has my head spinning.

  I’m about to beg him to stop or give me more when he releases my breast and kisses a path down my stomach. He stops at my navel and looks at me. My chest is heaving, my breasts wet from his mouth, glistening under the dim light.

  “Can I taste you?” he asks, dragging his finger down my slit. He dips it inside and curls it forward.

  Christ, that’s hot. No man has ever talked to me during sexy times, and they sure as shit haven’t asked if they can taste me. Men have gone down on me before, but I’ve never been a big fan of it—it always seemed much more intimate than the act of having sex.

  But with Aiden, I want that intimacy, that connection.

  With Aiden, I want everything, and somehow, I know it’ll be different.

  “Yes.”

  He nips, sucks, and licks his way down my body, showering attention on every inch and crevice. The sight of him hooking an arm under my thigh and nudging my legs apart with his broad shoulders is something I’ll remember for the rest of my life.

  “Tell me you want this.”

  Oh, God, just do it already. Lick me! “Yes, yes, I want this,” I pant.

  He chuckles, his warm breath fanning my vagina, and I close my eyes.

  “Open them,” he demands softly. “I want you to watch me.”

  Damn, that’s hot, too. I open my eyes, push my fingers into his hair, and watch him lower his head to my body. His tongue flicks out, licking my clit, and I nearly explode.

  “Ahhh,” I moan, arching against him.

  My body pulses, pulling his finger deep as he sucks my clit into his mouth. He slowly moves his fingers in and out, hitting a bundle of nerves with each stroke. My body trembles as my breasts strain upward.

  He adds another finger, and his dark eyes connect with mine as he stretches my body. I suck in a deep breath, and he pulls back. “Did I hurt you?”

  I shake my head. “No, it’s just… I want…”

  “Tell me.”

  “More,” I say on a rush. “I want more.”

  “I’m going to need you to be more specific.” He grins. Damn him.

  It’s okay, I can do this. I can be dirty. “I want you to taste me.”

  “I have. You’re delicious.”

  “That’s not what I mean.” Christ, he’s driving me crazy, his lips an inch from my swollen folds, while his finger makes long, leisurely strokes in and out of my body.

  “I want you to kiss me down there. I want your tongue inside of me. There, are you happy?” I huff.

  “See, that wasn’t so hard,” he says, rewarding me with a slow lick up my slit, only this time, he replaces his fingers with his tongue.

  Aiden buries his face between my legs, presses a thumb to my clit, and devours me. My stomach quivers, my muscles draw tight as darts of pleasure zip through me. Intense pressure blooms inside of me. I push my fingers into his hair and hold him against me, desperate for everything he has to give and nothing less.

  I’ve never felt something so intense, so perfect, so— “Aiden, yes!”

  My cries spur him on. His movements grow quicker as I desperately fight to hold off my orgasm. It’s building fast, but I want it to last. I want to drag this moment out for as long as humanly possible, but I don’t think my body is going to make it.

  Aiden runs his hand up my body and cups my heavy breasts. He pinches and plucks at my nipple until I’m grinding my hips against his face.

  “Let go,” he says.

  “No, not yet. Christ, Aiden, it feels too good. I don’t want it to stop,” I pant.

  He accepts the challenge, ravaging my body. He lifts my hips and fucks me with his tongue. His teeth and nose scrape and rub my sensitive flesh, and it’s too much.

  Every nerve in my body coils tight and then unravels, causing me to explode. I cry out his name as spasms pulse through me. My vision blurs. I tighten my fingers in his hair to pull him away from me, but Aiden keeps going.

  He licks and kisses until my body goes lax against the couch. I can’t move. I’m breathless and sated, my muscles nothing but mush as he climbs me.

  Aiden’s hands smooth up my waist, cupping my breasts first and then my face. “Watching you come is by far the sexiest thing I’ve ever witnessed.”

  Aiden

  “What do you think our chances are of getting Calvin and Millie to move up their wedding?”

  I laugh and shift positions with Lizzie so that she’s draped across me.

  “I’m serious,” she says, lifting her gaze.

  “I believe you.” I cup the back of her head and kiss her. Her lips are swollen and puffy, probably from her biting them. Silly girl, I can’t believe she thought she could keep her orgasm from me.

  When she said no, that it felt too good, I nearly lost it. Never had I been so fucking turned on while going down on a woman. I was painfully aroused.

  Still am.

  I shift beneath her and then caress her soft skin. My thumb brushes against the dimple on her lower back, and when I squeeze the globe of her ass, Lizzie purrs and nuzzles deeper against me. In this moment, I realize that I could lay like this forever with her in my arms. I’ll never tire of exploring her body and bringing her pleasure, a thought that would’ve scared the hell out of me a few years ago.

  I never thought I’d be the type of man to want a lifetime with one woman. But I want it with Lizzie.

  As if she can read my thoughts, Lizzie rests her chin on my chest and looks at me. Her eyes are still hooded but shining with love. I’ve never seen her look so relaxed.

  “You’re perfect,” I say, brushing my fingers across her cheek.

  Her eyes flutter closed as she leans in to my touch. “Give me a few seconds to catch my breath,” she says, slipping her hand between our bodies. She grips my erection and rubs against me

  “Lizzie, you don’t have to—”

  “You don’t want me to?” Lizzie pushes herself up and blinks at me.

  “Of course, I do, but—”

  “I’ve never done it before, but I want to taste you.”

  There’s no way I heard her right. “You’ve never done it before?”

  She shakes her head. Her tongue darts out, licking her bottom lip as her eyes drop to my erection, which is harder than it’s ever been. Her hair is a mess of waves, her eyes wide and dark with passion, and the mere thought of being the first guy she’s gone down on has me struggling to keep myself together.

  Lizzie shakes her head, causing her hair to slide over her shoulder and tumble over her breast. Her nipple peeks out at me from between the thick strands, and I hate that I can’t see her.

  “You know I’m not a virgin.”

  The thought of any man seeing Lizzie like this—naked and so damn beautiful—has me fisting my hand at her hip. “I know.”

  “I don’t know how it hasn’t happened. Maybe it’s me. Maybe I never really wanted to, or maybe the men I’ve been with haven’t wanted me to.”

  “They’re all fucking idiots.”

  She smiles, and I can’t take it, I push her hair over her shoulder so that I can look at her body. Her nipples tighten under my stare. I flick a tight bud.