"Watch this," Chris whispers. He spins me around, causing laughter to spill from my lips. When I'm back in his arms, he dips me low and his lips gently kiss mine. Oh shit, Chris, you're so dead! "If I were straight I'd take you to my hotel room," he winks.

  Immediately I laugh and wrap my arms around his neck.

  "Excuse me," Ayden says. His cold, dark eyes on me. "Chris, move."

  "Sir, with all due respect, Cam's—"

  "Camila."

  "Cam has asked me for this dance, and that's what we're doing. So please excuse us." Chris sweeps me away and we're in the middle of the dance floor. "Is he still looking?" I nod. "Good." He dips me again, and we share another kiss.

  Looking in Ayden's direction, I see hurt and anger. It kills me to make him think that I'm with Chris or whatever, but I'm tired of being jerked around. This will serve him right. Before he can come see me, Natalie goes up to him and he heads to the stage.

  Sitting here at the table as Ayden presents gifts for Natalie and seeing his date smiling brightly at him is enough to break me to the very last piece. Sure, I danced with Chris, but there's a difference. Chris is gay, and his fake Barbie doll is waiting to fuck him. Ugh, I feel sick.

  Watching Ayden leave the stage and walk over to his date, passionately kissing her sends me over the edge. There’s nothing left for Ayden to do to me, yet here I am waiting. Love shouldn't make you feel this way. If he loves me then he wouldn't continue with this sickening behavior. If we're having sex and he's asking me not to leave him, I should be the only fucking one. There's only so much a woman can take. I've fought for so long to show him that we're supposed to be together. Each time I think we've hit solid ground, everything changes and he goes back to the cold Ayden. As much as I love him, I can't do this to myself.

  After the party I quietly leave, getting in my car and driving. I'm not sure where I'm driving to, but I know I need to get out and think. Long drives help me clear my head and sometimes helps put perspective back in my head. But now nothing's working. Everything I do, everything that deals with Ayden, leaves me feeling broken and alone. I have no one to blame except myself. I know I have the power to leave. But can I? I fought so hard to find him, and I know it's crazy but leaving Ayden again is something I can't bring myself to do. Love is not always beautiful; sometimes it's hard and horribly ugly. If love is worth it, in the end it'll show. That's all I have to think about now.

  The quiet in the car is deafening. Deciding not to head home, I drive around downtown Rochester, park my car and walk around. The lights are on surrounding the darkness. The streets are quiet and all of the stores are closed. I never walked the streets before at night. It’s different now. There’s a light breeze in the air as I pull my jacket tighter around my body.

  My phone vibrates, but I don’t care to know who it is.

  Standing on the bridge overlooking the water, music twists in the breeze toward me from Dinosaur BBQ. My eyes stay on the rushing waters hitting the jagged rocks and sticks. The light brown, murky water must be high as it crashes against the rocks trying to drag the rocks down. The cold steel railing is cool against my skin. It’s nice to feel something other than pain. Every step I take, every breath that leaves my body leaves me feeling scared and alone. Physically I’ll make it, but emotionally I’m wrecked. I’m a shadow of the woman I used to be. But now I'm taking a stand for my life.

  My phone vibrates again. I don’t answer.

  Sharp

  I LOOK AROUND for her after the party dies down, but she’s nowhere to be found. My date has left, off to her next client I imagine. Natalie and Taylor left find Camila when I realized she wasn't here, and her hotel room is empty. Pacing around my living room with a glass of Vodka in my hands, I think about the places she could be. Then I realize I don't know anywhere that holds significance to her. I'm not sure about the woman she is today. I know the teenager Camila, the one from Atlanta, but with so many years that have gone by she's changed.

  Me: Camila, where the fuck are you?

  Me: You’re acting like a fucking child. Where are you?

  Me: I will not ask you again. You know I do not like being ignored. I’m serious. WHERE ARE YOU?

  No answer.

  Have I gone too far?

  None of my texts indicate she’s opened or read them.

  “Ayden?” I turn and see Natalie and Taylor looking at me. Both equally worried. “She’s not at her apartment,” Natalie says. “What’d you do?”

  “I don’t know.” Putting down my glass, I grab my keys and start the search. Realizing that I could lose her is driving me crazy. I can't think straight. Driving around looking for her isn't the best idea, but I don't give a shit. I need to find her and make sure she's okay.

  Driving through the streets of downtown I look everywhere for her. I’m about to call it a night when a text from Natalie comes to my phone.

  Natalie: She's at ONE nightclub. One of the bartenders texted me and told me to come get her. Hurry, Ayden.

  Turning my car to head to the club, I park and rush inside. The music is blaring and there are people everywhere. Pushing through I find her at the bar with her head down and a drink in her hand.

  "Camila."

  She lifts her head up. Her eyes are glassy and bloodshot red. "Leave me alone, Ayden. We have nothing to talk about. You did what you did, and now I'm going to move on."

  "Let's go." I take her in my arms and pull her close. She fights me, pushing away, but I hold her tighter. "Stop it, Camila." Putting her into the passenger seat, I shut her door, take a few deep breaths and get in the car.

  Getting on the highway, I look over at the girl I fell in love with when I was twelve years old. She looks peaceful looking out the window, her arms crossed across her chest.

  "Do you wanna suck me?"

  Her head snaps to me with an expression of sheer disgust. Her eyes squint and her hands grip the seatbelt. "Are you kidding right now?"

  "What? My dick wants you."

  "You're out of your fucking mind."

  "I'm confused. I thought this is what you'd want."

  She raises her brow and cocks her head. "What I want? I want you, but you keep pushing me further and further away. The hot and cold from you is confusing. Even though I love you," she pauses, rubbing her eyes with her hand.

  "It's simple. Camila, it's sex. There's nothing to it. You're the only woman I've been with more than once, and you're the only one who has been to my house. You should feel special that I'm letting you in."

  "Letting me in!" she screeches. "You're not doing anything!"

  Pulling off of the highway, I stop the car at the red light. Before I have the chance to take a left when the light turns green, Camila opens the door and walks away.

  "Camila. Get back in the car." She throws her finger in the air and continues walking.

  "I'm done, Ayden. If you want me back then show me."

  It's been a week since the night of the party. She's been ignoring me and purposely walking around in her fitted clothes with her heels, which make her legs look long and lean. Images of her body twisting with mine invade my mind.

  This is why I don't want women in my life. They're a fucking wad of emotions and get too wrapped up in sex. Even if we spent a few nights together and I let her in it doesn't mean I'm ready to put a ring on her finger.

  But it's Camila. She's not like other women, and I've known that since we were little.

  Picking up my phone, I dial her office, waiting for her to answer. "Ayden."

  "My office. Now." I hang up, getting up from my desk. I walk over to the mini bar in my office, pour myself a glass of vodka and drink it in one gulp.

  "Little early for drinks, isn't it?"

  "It's never too early, especially when you have an annoying woman in your life." I look at her as my eyes travel down her luscious body. Fuck, her tight red dress is giving me a hard on. Fuck.

  "I don't think I'm that annoying."

  "Really?" I question pulling out my cell phone. "So sending me pictures of you naked and touching yourself and not coming over to relieve me isn't annoying."

  "Nope." She settles onto one of my chairs, crosses her legs and rests her hands on her knees. "I think those pictures should inspire you to realize what you're pushing away."

  Walking to her, placing my hands on both sides of her body, I take a breath and watch as she watches me. "You want to fuck me, don't you?"

  She relaxes and leans back into the chair. "I know you want to."

  We had a few one-on-one meetings this morning. All were successful.

  Lying in bed with Camila, I watch her sleep and push her hair from her eyes. There's a peaceful look on her face as she slowly breathes in and out.

  "I love how you watch me sleep."

  I pull away, "I'm not watching you." She crawls onto my lap, kissing the corner of my mouth. "Can you go brush your teeth?"

  "Ayden!" She yells, hitting my chest. "You're an asshole."

  "We've been over this a few times. We both know I'm an asshole, but you love it when I tell you what to do." She giggles, kissing me again. "Seriously go brush your teeth then we can fuck around."

  Shaking her head she climbs out of my bed and goes to the bathroom. Waiting a few moments I hear the shower run. Following suit, I walk into the bathroom, strip out of my clothes and join her in the shower.

  "Shower sex?" I mumble, rubbing her shoulders, down her back to her glorious ass. Reaching around her, teasing her. "Open up."

  "You need to shave first."

  "What?"

  Turning around, her eyes go to my cock. "Yeah, you have a little stubble down there so you need to shave."

  Pushing closer, her body against the wall, my knee spreads her legs apart, I sink to my knees, licking and sucking on her clit, moans and screams coming from her beautiful lips. Feeling her orgasm I get up from the shower floor and grab the razor, handing it to her. "Shave me then."

  "Huh? You aren't afraid I'll cut you."

  "I know you won't."

  C

  am

  "YOU HAVE A GLOW on your face." Beverly looks at me, smiling, while rubbing her very pregnant stomach. She's overdue, and the Princess should be here soon. I've been with her in the hospital for the past few hours, not wanting to leave her side.

  "You're being ridiculous," I can't help to smile. The glow she's talking about has been permanent since Ayden's sort of changed. He's at least agreed no more other dates and fucking other women. We aren't together together, but it's getting there.

  "It'll happen. Just keep being patient. I mean, if he's fucking you like that and not making you leave his house or office right away, I'm thinking he's slowly letting down his guards. You know how Ayden is."

  "And how am I?" We turn around and see Ayden walking into the room with flowers and a stuffed animal. Dylan comes in also with coffee and a bag of food.

  "Not an ass," Bev smiles. "Are those for me?"

  "I don't know who else is pregnant here and has a weird obsession with cats?" We start laughing and Bev takes her animals. I watch Ayden kiss her cheek and settle into a chair behind me. So what if he didn't greet me like that? I won't be a total girl about this.

  A few more hours pass, Ayden leaves because of his meetings tomorrow morning and Dylan's asleep in the chair besides his beautiful wife and my best friend. I'm about to close my eyes when the machines start frantically beeping. Dylan wakes up, but Bev doesn't.

  Nurses and doctors surround us, pushing Dylan and me to the side. His face is white, and there’s a pulsing roar in my head. Someone’s screaming. Everything is a blur, and soon I'm in Dylan's arms.

  "We have to be strong," he cries and the screams stop. Shit that was me screaming.

  "Please help her!" We stand helplessly watching the team of medical experts do what they're doing and soon everyone's out of the room.

  "We're prepping her for emergency c-section."

  "Dylan, go! It'll be okay. I'll call everyone."

  Soon, I'm the only one in the hallway. I say a prayer and hope someone hears it. Ayden comes and sits down next to me. His hand rests on my leg. Instantly my head is on his shoulders and sobs escape me.

  "Please tell me everything's going to be okay?"

  "Shhh," he squeezes my leg, kissing me on my head. "Bev and Gretchen are fighters. It'll be okay."

  Before I can say anything Dylan comes out with tears in his eyes. Ayden and I get up and run to him. Each of us worried and afraid to ask.

  "Seven pounds and four ounces," he proudly states. "Come in, please!" Neither of us says anything. Ayden takes my hand and we rush into Bev's room.

  "She's beautiful," I smile, holding Princess Gretchen in my arms. "Oh yes, you are beautiful, huh?"

  "Good job, mama." Dylan leans in and kisses Bev on her forehead.

  "It was all worth it." Bev smiles and looks at Ayden. "Wanna hold her?"

  "Sure," a slight smile lights up his face matching the one stretching across mine.

  Ayden and a little girl. If only.

  Warmth.

  Someone sighing in my ear.

  Strong arms holding me tight.

  Ayden.

  “Can I ask you something?” I say, looking into Ayden’s eyes, the eyes I fell in love with and love to this day.

  “Yes?”

  “Why? Why the games and torment?” He doesn't answer. “You know I love you, and I’ve been trying to prove it to you. I’ve been looking for you for years. If I left you and didn’t want you, why would I have spent so much time and money trying to find you? Don’t you see? I’ve been holding on, too.”

  His eyes stay on mine, but he doesn’t say anything. “I’m scared, Camila. When you never came, what was I supposed to think? What was I supposed to do?”

  “Come get me.”

  “We had an agreement.”

  “It was stupid. You know I would have gone anywhere with you.”

  “Would you?” He sits up on the bed, his back against the headboard. “For years I was lost. I was into the shittiest things and did things you would hate me for. Then someone found me and brought me back.” I wince thinking about whoever found him. Was she a lover? “She was the woman you saw when you went to get your food. Michelle Sharp,” his voice lowers, “she found me in an alley and adopted me. I told her everything, and she told me her story.” Ayden stops and takes a few breaths before starting again. “She paid for me to go to school and gave me money to start Sharp Security. I owe her my life. With her help and my drive to show you I can be a better person, well, look at me now. I’m the man you deserve. I can finally give you the life you deserve.”

  “Ayden,” I whisper, “all I wanted was you. The money and success didn’t matter. We would’ve worked out.”

  Ayden’s jaw clenched and his eyes were everywhere, but on me. The sweat from his forehead beaded down. I climbed on him and placed my hands on his face. “Ayden, I love you. I am so proud of the man you’ve become, and trust me when I tell you that I will be here for you through it all, through thick and thin. We’re forever, Ayden.”

  “Can we stop talking about this please?”

  “Okay,” I lean down and kiss his lips. He pushes me against his body and buries his head in my chest.

  “I want to tell you everything, but not now. There’s too much, and I don’t want to lose you. You’re going to hate me.” There’s regret and hurt in his voice. “I want to enjoy these moments with you because once you know everything, it’s going to be over. I’d like to enjoy these last moments with you before everything comes out.”

  This is scaring me. What else can Ayden be hiding? Before I can say something, he starts talking again. “I can’t talk about my feelings, Camila. We can’t get tea and eat little sandwiches and talk about our feelings. I’ve closed myself off for so many years.” He sighs, resting his against the cherry wood headboard. “I’m not good at this. All because we’re slowly getting things back together doesn’t mean I’m going to reveal everything. The things I’ve done have been hidden for years. I don’t wish to bring it up now. Maybe not ever.”

  If there are secrets that he’s not willing to share with me, not willing to let me in, can we truly do this? He senses my hesitation. He grabs my face and stares at me. “Fuck me, Camila.”

  Without thinking, I grab the hem of my shirt and shimmy out of my boxers. Sitting on his lap, fully naked, I take his hard cock in my hand and slowly slip it inside me. My eyes close, and I throw my head back in pure pleasure, moaning his name. His hand squeezes my breasts and the pain bullets through my body, making me scream more.

  Pushing me back on the bed, his mouth finds mine as his thumb finds my throbbing clit. My breathing picks up and my body is about to hit the point of no return when he stops and looks at me.

  “Promise me you won’t leave when you find out the truths.”

  “I promise.”

  “Promise me that I’m the only one you’ll love. I’ll be the only one who gets to fuck your pussy and your mouth and your ass. Promise me,” he hisses, tightly holding onto my leg.

  “I promise,” I yell.

  “This will always be mine.”

  “Everything is yours, Ayden. Everything.”

  He slams into me over and over. I arch my back as he fucks me harder and deeper. “I’ve missed you, Camila. Everything about you. About us. Tell me I’ve always been on your mind, that when you were fucking your husband you saw my face.”

  “Yes!” I scream, gripping my legs tighter around his waist. “Always you. Always you,” I pant, needing to feel all of him. He speeds his thrusts and soon we both find our release. I close my eyes and feel his lips all over my body.

  Knowing Ayden's keeping more from me than he's letting me know, I climb from the bed and head to his office. Sitting on his chair I look through his folders and papers, but all I see is information regarding the company.