✿ Aileen's POV

I sigh as the water from the shower drums against me. His emerald gaze clashes with mine and his features twist into... arousal?

My eyelids automatically close when he brushes his thumb against my wet lips.

“I am going to fuck you like you are mine.”

My breath catches in my throat.

Am I his?

Is he mine?

Do I want him to fuck me?

No, Lee. No, you don't.

“Yes.” I peel back my lips, “Finally.”

He crashes his mouth into mine, thrusts his tongue inside, sucks on me, and demands that I open myself to him, that I give in to him.

No, no. I can’t.

Yes, you can.

Show him you won’t back down, that you’re not scared of what he does to you. That you will not turn and hide from the emotions he evokes in you.

I tip up my chin, wind my arms around his neck, dig my thighs into his waist, and press my melting center to the hardness that tents his pants.

“Do you have any idea how much just one look from you turns me on? You're going to be the death of me, Teresa” his harsh whisper chafes my skin and my nerve endings flare.

My brain cells seem to evaporate and poof, I am smoke. I am one melting, writhing mass of need in his arms.

Take me. Tear into me. Sink into me. Push all thoughts out of my head. I don’t want to think, don’t want to worry about the future, the past.

All that matters is me, being here, with him, clinging to him, holding on with every single strand of strength in my body.

Him. I want him. Only him.

I tear my mouth from him, “Fuck me, Armani.”

Before the words are out of my mouth, he’s flipped positions. My back presses into the wall and the weight of him pins me. His massive body cuts off the water and the blood drums in my ears. My pulse thuds against my neck, my wrists, at my ankles. The beat between my legs grows, louder, needier, angrier.

“Now,” I huff. “Do it.”

“You like this?” He tilts his hips and his thick length stabs my sensitized core.

I moan. And I’m not proud. I tried to resist, tried to hold onto the last shred of my dignity that lies in tatters around me now.

“Yes,” I beg. “Yes.”

“And this?” he grips my butt and drags his fingers down the valley between my butt cheeks.

His touch sinks through the sodden mess of my clothes, my panties, into that empty part of me inside, that curls in on itself, throbbing with a need that only Reid Benjamin Dalton can fulfill.

“God, Armani! Don’t stop,” I whine.

“What about... this?” He brings his hand around and grabs my center.

I wordlessly push my core forward and begin to fuck his palm like the out-of-my-head, sex-starved, stupid idiot that I am.

He hauls me up, his right hand around my neck. And with his other, he grips my center, pins me against the wall, and stares into my face.

My feet don’t touch the ground, and I should be scared.

But I'm not.

This position implies exactly what we are... me at his disposal, at his mercy, his to do with as he pleases. His grasp is firm enough to prop me up, allowing enough air to reach my lungs that I don’t suffocate. And yet, the lowered oxygen heightens my reactions, my sensitivity to his every move. I watch him watch me strain against that large hand of his at my core, and all of my nerve endings seem to catch fire all at once.

He slides his palm under me so his fingers are flat against my butt, then presses his thumb through my tights and my panties into my swollen nub. Sparks explode behind my eyes. I throw my head back and pant. He rubs circles with his thumb around my clit. My pulse rate ratchets up.

“Look at me,” his command whips through my thoughts.

I lower my face and crack my eyes open.

“Who do you belong to?”

“You.”

“Who do you come for?”

“You.”

“Who will you shatter for?”

“You, Armani,” I groan, “Only you.”

“Then shatter for me, angel. Right fucking now.”

He releases the hold on my neck and my climax explodes up my spine. Spots of white fold into my line of sight. My pussy clenches; moisture floods between my legs. I hear the sound of someone wailing... wait me?

Is that me?

My ears pop and my throat closes. Reid sucks on the side of my throat and a whine pours from me.

“God, that sound...” he growls and bends to lick my lips.

He lowers me to the floor and when my knees give way, he holds me up with his fingers around my neck.

“Armani...”

“Shh, shh, shh, shh, shh...” he cuts me off and reaches around to shut off the shower, letting go of me. “Relax, angel. And I'm going to help you do just that.”

“How...?” my breath catches when he hooks his fingers in the waistband of my leggings and tugs it down along with my panties. “Armani...!”

This time my breath ceases when he lowers himself to his knees pushes his face into my pussy, and fastens his mouth on my melting core. Before I can let any sound out, I arch off the wall.

“Reid...” I finally breathe.

He hums and slides his finger inside my melting core and I shudder completely. My knees seem to give away because I begin to slide down the wall. I dig my fingers into his hair for purchase and tug on it. When Reid growls, my nerve endings spark.

Ooh, I like that.

A lot, actually. So I yank at that luxurious hair on his head and he peers up at me.

“You know you’ll have to pay for that, right?”

I sigh happily.

“Promise?” I bite my lips.

His eyebrows shoot up and his lips curl into a smirk. But when he opens his mouth to speak, I hear a car door slam shut and two beeps indicating the lock system is active, and that pulls me away from... whatever it is that just happened.

“Hey, have you heard from Lee?”

That was Bonita.

“No. She missed her daily check-in with me yesterday and today.”

Tracy's reply comes in next.

I blink and look around. I'm standing in the shower, my heart beating out of the ordinary, and fantasizing about shower sex with...

No, no, no!

I vigorously shake my head and turn off the shower.

“No, Lee. No” I frown at myself as I step out onto the rug and reach for my towel.

I dry my hair and body and throw on my bathrobe before going down the stairs... the beat between my legs is no longer loud, needy, and angry like before.

I shake my head again and briefly close my eyes, pausing on the stairs as I do. When I get the flashbacks and inappropriate urges under control, I open my eyes and take a deep breath. Realizing they have no clue I'm in the room, I slowly make it down to the landing and announce myself.

“Well... it's nice to know you considered saving some of the Empanadillas for me.”

Six pairs of irises turn my way.

“No, we weren't” Matthew snickers, earning a slap on the back of his head from Landon.

I chuckle just as Camari comes barreling into me.

“Lee!”

“Hey Cami” I pick her up and squeeze into her, making her giggle.

“You're back a day earlier... and you're in a robe” Bonita smiles, sharing a look with Nora.

I was in the shower.

“Is Reid here?” Camari beats them to it.

I shake my head, “No.”

“What? Why not?” Camari pouts.

“Because...” I catch Tracy's eye, “... he's got work to do. And so do I.”

Tracy narrows her eyes.

“That's why you came back a day earlier than said?” Nora asks.

“Yeah.”

“When you put two workaholics together” Matthew shakes his head.

I half-shrug and turn to Camari before anyone else can start another conversation.

“You wanna see the cool LA stuff I got you?”

She grins.

“Do I?” Landon chuckles, tugging on his brother's arm, “C'mon Matt. Let's beat the tiny one to it.”

Camari frowns.

“Hey! It's my stuff!” she screams and wiggles out of my arms, racing after the brothers.

“Matt, Landon, don't you two dare upset my daughter!” Bonita yells after them and then gives me a quick hug and a kiss on the cheek. “I'm glad you're home.”

I smile.

“Me too Bon,” I tell her.

She's about to say something when we hear Camari's squeal, Matthew's scream, and Landon's “No way Lee got that for you!”

I chuckle.

“Go,” I say, “Both of you please” I direct to Nora who blows me a kiss before following Bonnie upstairs.

I smile after them.

“You know there's still time, right?”

I turn my head away from the stairs.

“What?”

“There's still time” she repeats.

“Time for what?” I ask again, fully turning to face her.

“Sneaking your man out of the house.”

I narrow my eyes.

“What?”

Tracy rolls her eyes.

“You know I know don't you? You don't have to lie to me, Lee” she passes me, inspecting the living room as she passes by.

I chuckle.

“If you're looking for Reid he's not here, Tray.”

“Oh yeah? Then why are you so flushed, Lee?”

“It's hot in here.”

“You're the one wearing a robe in the middle of the day...
in the summer.”

I do a terrible job fighting down my wince which ears raised eyebrows from Tracy.

“I told you... I was in the shower” I say instead and look away briefly.

I catch her shaking her head.

“You didn't jump his bones even with the two of you away on an exclusively exotic scenery... did you Lee?” she sighs.

“It's only California, Tracy. It's not exotic, it's not that much of an exclusively exotic scenery, and also, no. I did not jump his bones” I frown and storm away from her into the kitchen.

“Woah there, tigresa (tigress)” she says, coming after me. “My sex rader is picking up on something here.”

Yeah, my sex-starved twenty-five-year-old self.

I angrily open the fridge door.

“No, you do not.”

“Yeah I do” Tracy presses and I grab a can of Mountain Dew, “This isn't calm and collected Lee. Something's up.”

I shut the fridge door and pop the can open.

“Talk.”

“Nothing's up, Tray. Drop it.”

“Oh I haven't yet begun sweetheart” she laughs when I frown harder. “Talk. Or am I going to have to mojo you?”

I roll my eyes and then sigh deeply.

“Why are you upset, Lee? Because you didn't get to jump his bones?”

“No.”

“Then? You didn't want to jump his bones?”

“It's not that.”

“So you did wanna jump his bones.”

Yes.

“No Tracy” I deny, “This isn't about sex with Reid.”

“It's not?” she narrows her eyes a bit, “I must be losing my touch then.”

I don't hold back the groan that rises in my throat.

“So nothing happened between you two while you were alone in California?”

“No, Tracy. It did not” I snap colder than intended.

But you wanted it to, my conscience quips.

“You sound like you wanted something to happen” Tracy slides on a stool.

I let out a dry laugh.

“How could it happen when his ex-girlfriend Anika, just happened to show up and sign up for every damn activity we did?”

Her eyebrows shoot up.

“And as if that wasn't enough” I scoff, anger warming up inside me, “I caught them inches away from each other's faces and I don't even know what the heck she was doing in our room anyway!”

“Um, Lee?” Tracy calls out to me after a beat.

I look at her and she gestures to my hand.

“You're hurting the poor Mountain Dew can.”

I look down at the can and it's completely crushed in the middle, the liquid spilled all over my hand and the counter.

“Great! I just wasted a can of perfectly good Mountain Dew” I sigh, “I'm gonna get some paper towels.”

Tracy scoffs.

“The bitch followed you to California?”

I shrug.

“Don't ask me how. She just showed up when we were on the beach.”

“And in your room, inches away from your man's face.”

I give her a 'not helping' look as I wipe the counter clean.

“How close were they?”

I shut my eyes and groan, “Tracy.”

“Just answer the question, Lee.”

I sigh and give her a half-shrug.

“Close. Like the kind of close you are after you pull away from a...” I swallow, the next words bitter in my mouth.

“Kiss?” Tracy arches a brow.

I can't stop myself from visibly wincing again.

“Woah Lee...” Tracy slips off the stool, “... looks like you might be coming down with something with all this twitching.”

I rub my arms.

“It's either that or you're jealous your man kissed his ex-girlfriend in your hotel room.”

“He did not—” I stop myself and take a deep breath, “It might... or might not have been what I saw okay? I don't even know what I saw.”

Tracy hums and I shrug.

“They could have just been... I don't know... talking.”

She hums again and I huff.

“I mean what do I care? If Reid kissed his ex or not, it's not my problem.”

“Of course, of course,” Tracy finally speaks, “And she could have just been that close to him because she wanted to help him pull a stick out of his eye.”

I frown.

“What's your problem, Tray?”

“Me?” she barks out a laugh, “I don't have a problem. It's you who has the problem, Lee.”

I roll my eyes.

“You obviously desire this man and you're jealous he traded kisses with his ex.”

“I don't desire—”

“Yes, you do Lee. Otherwise, it wouldn't affect you like it is right now and you won't take out your anger on innocent beverages.”

I shake my head.

“Lee. Just jump each other's bones and get this over and done with. God, why do I even try this hard?” she throws her head back and lets out a loud grown.

“No Tracy” I let out a little shakey breath as my chest burns. “I don't want that. I don't want to jump Reid's bones. I don't want to think about whether he kissed his ex-girlfriend or not. I don't wanna care if he did. I don't want to be massively relieved if he didn't. And most importantly of all, I. Don't. Want. to fantasize about having shower sex with him!”

Tracy closes her mouth, opens it, then closes it again. I touch a hand to my forehead as the images of Reid Dalton doing unspeakable yet highly enjoyable things to me in the shower flash in my mind.

God, I hate him.

“Lee...” Tracy says softly.

I look at her.

“Go on. Say it. Say you told me so.”

She folds her arms.

“And why would I do that?”

“Because you're always right,” I say, a bit annoyed. “You were right when you said he didn't mean to ask me not to kiss him again. And you were right when you said those who go on without the intention of getting attached always end up attached. And that is me right now. Attached. So please... go on and say 'I told you so' and get it over with.”

Tracy unfolds her arms and spends her hands out on the island.

“Lee,” she says softly again.

Just get it over with.

“I'm not going to say I told you so.”

I give her a look.

Didn't you just do that?

“Just because I was right about two things doesn't mean I know everything. I can't know everything, Lee. But what I do know is that you deserve to love and be loved without hating it this much. I can't say I relate to what you're going through right now either.”

I scoff.

“Yeah because you've got no heart.”

Her lips curl into a smile.

“Funny. And I do have a heart, Lee. I just don't let it lead. I let my head... and my lady parts do the leading.”

I shake my head.

“And I think you should too.”

“I'm not sleeping with him.”

“Why not?”

“Did you not hear a word I just said?”

“I did. But how's that stopping you from sleeping with him?”

“We've only kissed five times and I'm already fantasizing about having shower sex with him.”

“The point, Lee. And why are you counting how many times you've kissed?”

“I'm not” I groan, “It's just...”

“You like it so much?”

I eye her.

“You're not helping, Tray. Like, at all.”

“Because you're refusing to listen to me, Lee” She rounds the island and stands directly in front of me. “I'm not going to say I told you so because I don't think you're in love with him. You're just attached... attracted. Because he's an exquisitely fine specimen of God's creation and you're not made of wood. So just bone him and get it out of the way. Because as much as I love to hear that I was right and this will end in a disaster, I don't wanna see you like this.”

I scoff.

“I don't wanna see me like this either, Tray, trust me. I don't want to think about him but I can't stop wondering if he kissed that... woman or not. And I don't... I really don't... wanna fantasize about him.”

“But you like it?” she playfully pouts and I throw the napkin at her, making her laugh.

I sigh.

“I hate that I do, Tray. I don't want to think about that man. What we have isn't even real. I don't want any more fantasies. I don't want to get any more attached than I am. And I do not... want to be the only one feeling this way.”

✯✯✯✯✯✯

✿ Reid's POV

Again, Aileen Wilmore has my head spinning in about ten different directions when I'm supposed to be working.

Right after that night with Anika, she insisted we come back home earlier than planned. And when we did, she insisted on spending time with her family and left almost immediately.

Way to ruin a perfect moment, Reid Dalton.

And we hadn't spoken since then. I wasn't staying at the house either. I couldn't... not when I'd smell her on the sheet and turn to find her side of the bed empty.

“God I hate this” I mutter and roll my neck before turning my attention to the workload I was drowning myself in to try and distract me.

Kym McLellan comes in, dressed in head-to-toe black, her hair in her usual bun.

“Well, I said I wouldn't believe it until I saw it with my own eyes. What brings you into the office when your big day is around the corner?”

“Just trying to get caught up on some things.”

She pulls a chair up to my desk and sits.

“Well I'm sorry to bother you, but you’re going to want to hear this.”

“You have my attention.”

“I spoke with Billy Easton from Easton Corp this morning and they’re very interested in what we have going with the project.”

Easton Corporation wasn’t exactly a competitor, but they did operate in the same space, doing large-scale landscape development.

“Interested how?”

“They want to buy it.”

“You're joking.”

With a self-satisfied smile, she pushes a piece of paper across my desk.

“I am not. They want to buy it and it’s a no-brainer. This isn’t official, just the terms we discussed over the phone.”

I scan the bullet point list she’s drawn up.

“We should take it,” she says. “This is going to make you an obscene amount of money.”

My brow furrow.

It is going to make Kym an obscene amount of money too.

But if Easton buys us out now, our other investors aren’t going to see nearly the return unless we complete the project as intended.

“Would this break the existing contracts with our investors?”

“I admit, we’d be walking a line, but not so close that we risk litigation.”

I meet her eyes.

“So we’d screw them over, but only a little, and not enough that they’ll sue.”

She nods.

“Exactly. Sharp as ever.”

I tap my fingers on my desk, mulling it over. Mardell Construction had a majority ownership in the project. It was my call. But this didn’t sit right with me.

Keith Mardell hadn’t signed on so I could take his money and hand it back to him a few months later with a little bit on top for his trouble. He’d invested because he wanted to build something that had substance and value.

True, if I sold now, I’d walk away with millions, but Mardell and my other investors wouldn’t.

“No” I push the paper back to her. “We’re not selling.”

“Excuse me?”

“If it was just us, I’d consider it. But our investors get the short end of the stick on this, and that’s not how I want to do business.”

“Who gives a shit? We’ll make enough money on this deal that we won’t need outside investors anymore.”

“I happen to give a shit. They’ll do better if we see this through to the end. A lot better.”

She narrows her eyes at my tone and choice of words.

“Does this have anything to do with your...” She trails off and I'm tired of everyone making this a big deal.

“My fiancée?”

“I was trying to come up with a more accurate term since your so-called engagement is clearly a joke. But yes. Does this sudden bad mood of yours have anything to do with her?”

“Why would it?”

“I don’t know. She's probably the cause of your foul mold that you’re not even willing to consider this offer.”

“My mood has nothing to do with Lee,” I tell her. “This is our project and I want to see it through this way.”

She pauses, her face a stony mask.

Is she going to argue with me?

But she doesn’t. She just picks up the paper and stands.

“All right. It’s your decision. I’ll let Billy know. But for the record, I think this is a mistake. And if your so-called significant other is going to put you in this much of a bad mood that it affects your work, you should do away with her.”

“Duly noted.”

Hernan comes in holding two coffee cups. He and Kym cast each other quick glares.

“I’ll see you tomorrow... if you decide to show up. If not, I'll see you at your party on Saturday,” she says to me and sweeps out of my office.

“Pity she’s not staying to join us for coffee” Hernan sets mine in front of me.

“Yeah, I’m sure you’re all broken up about that” I pick up the paper cup and grab the paper packet containing Lee's cream cheese Danish.

He sits in the chair Kym had vacated and swipes his phone screen.

“Will you be in the office tomorrow?”

“I plan on it.”

“Good. You have a seven o’clock finance meeting and a ten o’clock with marketing.”

“Got it. And where's Sloane? This is her job.”

“She's down with a cold.”

“So you're filling in for her?”

“You don't sound particularly grateful.”

I chuckle.

“Forgive me. I am, man. Thanks.”

“Good. And don’t forget you have that dinner next weekend.”

I open my calendar to see what he's talking about and it's a dinner being hosted by one of my remaining investors.

Definitely can’t miss that.

“Right. I’ll be there” I sip my coffee.

“Is it on Lee’s calendar, or do you need me to call her?”

“Why would it need to be on Lee’s calendar?”

“Is that a serious question?”

“Sometimes I don’t know why I put up with you.”

“Because I can put up with you,” he says. “Everyone else at that dinner will be there with their spouse or significant other. If you want to avoid awkward questions, you should bring her with you. And is she going to make your birthday cake this year? This is important for me to know. Because last year's cake wasn't anywhere near exquisite.”

Leaning back in my chair, I groan.

“I don't know. But I doubt it. She’s not exactly happy with me right now.”

“Is the honeymoon over already? What’d you do?”

“Why do you assume it’s my fault?”

He raises his eyebrows and brings his cup to his lips.

“Fine. She caught Anika and me in a compromising position on the trip and... she doesn't want to know anything about it and has refused to even attempt to call me out on it. She's just... okay with it.”

“How compromising? Naked in the shower?”

“No. Our faces were inches apart like we'd been kissing. But we didn't. Nothing happened between Nikki and I. But Lee... it's like she never even saw us that close.”

“Good for her.”

I frown.

“Whose side are you on?”

“Lee’s, obviously.”

“Fuckin’ traitor.”

“I told you you didn’t know what you were getting into.”

I press the tips of my fingers together.

“What makes you the expert on my Lee, huh? For a guy who’s hardly spoken to her, you think you know her pretty well.”

“I just know she’s not like any woman you’ve dated since I’ve known you. Believe it or not, she’s a huge upgrade from Anika. And I don’t think she’s fooled by...” He pauses and gestures to all of me. “All this.”

“I’m not fooling anyone. I am who I am.”

“She’s not awed by you, then. You’re used to women hanging off your arm, totally enamored with you. Lee’s not.”

He was right about that. I didn’t have to try very hard with women. And having money I had and my family name helped.

But with Lee?

God.

“Do you want me to call her?” Hernan asks. “She’s not mad at me.”

That was a tempting solution. Hernan could probably sweet talk her into doing my cake and coming with me to the dinner next weekend. He'd take care of the problem for me.

But I didn’t want to play it like that. It was up to me to talk to her.

“Nah. She’s my fiancée. I’ll call her.”

He chuckles.

“You like calling her that. Don’t even pretend you don’t.”

I grunt noncommittally.

“Get out of here. I don’t want an audience if she lashes out on me.”

“Fair enough. And good luck. You need a lot of it” he picks up his coffee and leaves so I can make the call.

I dial her number and there's no answer. So I call the bakery. When the call is answered, I hear Lee laughing at something.

“Sweets by Lee. What can I do for you today?”

Her sweet, cheerful voice washes over me, refreshing as a cool drink on a hot day and I can't help but smile.

“Hey there, angel.”

“Oh. Hi, Armani. Why are you calling the bakery?”

“I tried your phone but you didn't answer.”

“Sorry, I think I left it in my office.”

I nod.

“Sorry, can I help you with something?”

“Oh well... I was just calling to ask if you're doing okay...”

“I'm great,” she says almost immediately.

So I'm forced to bring up my party.

“And to ask you to do my cake for the party on Saturday.”

I hear a small laugh.

“Yeah, I was going to do that even if you didn't ask.”

She was?

I fight back a smile.

“Great, great.”

“Are you doing okay?”

“Yeah, I'm um... I'm okay” I lie.

“Alright then.”

“Listen, Lee...” I sigh, tugging on my tie when it's suddenly hot, “I’m sorry about how we left things back at the resort. We haven't spoken at all since we got back and... Lee I don't want us to be like this okay? And if I did anything to upset you, I am truly sorry.”

She pauses for a second and I hear her intake of breath, like my apology surprised her.

“Hey, it’s okay, Armani. I'm not mad at you or anything.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yeah. We're alright. It's all good.”

A surprising surge of relief pours through me.

“Great. There's this dinner party I'm supposed to go to next weekend and I was wondering if you’d come with me. One of my investors is hosting and it’ll look a bit odd if I show up alone.”

“Oh, so you need me to pretend... right, of course, that makes sense” She pauses again and I wonder if she's trying to come up with an excuse to say no. “Sure, I can make it.”

“Really?”

“Yeah.

A smile steals over my face.

“That’s great, angel. Thank you.”

“What should I wear? I wanna prepare ahead.”

“I suppose it’ll be dressy, but not formal. I’ll wear a tie if that helps.”

“Okay. What time?”

“I’ll pick you up at seven.”

“I've got it on my calendar. See you then.”

“Wait, wait” I stop her. “Tomorrow... there's this thing and... would you go out with me to get it done?”

“Tomorrow?”

“Yeah. It's super urgent.”

I had no plans tomorrow but I was going to make some as long as it got me alone in a closed space with her.

“I don't...”

“Please, Lee? I wouldn't ask if it wasn't important. Please. I'll... make it worth your while.”

“Armani...”

“Pretty please, Lee?” I try for my best Camari impression.

I hear her defeated sigh and an even broader smile steals over my face.

“Alright fine.”

“Great.”

“Well, can you at least tell me where we're going so I can look the part?”

“Nope. I’ll pick you up.”

“Wait—”

“See you tomorrow.”

I end the call, before I ruin another good thing and I'm feeling a hell of a lot better. We were good. And I’d see her tomorrow.

“Now on to make some plans.”

Thank you for reading!
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Ciao
~the_atticwriter