LILY'S POVI could not just believe that Aiden was serious about this. What was his problem? What did he want from me?I suddenly lost the appetite to eat, as I turned sharply to Mira. It was her fault! Why did she pick up the phone?Seeing that mischievous smile on her face, I glared hard at her, my eyes seemingly tearing her flesh apart.I was in this current mess because of her. If she had not answered the phone, he would have been there till whenever he deemed it fit to head back to his house."Why the hell did you pick up the phone, Mira?" I yelled, gritting my teeth, as I spanked her shoulder.She held the area that I had slapped and rubbed it gently. "Ow! That hurts, you know," she said, pouting her lips.If only she knew what she had done, then, she would understand why I slapped her shoulder. I should have slapped her a little harder, maybe she would come to her senses. Now, I had no choice but to get the door for him."You have no idea what you just did, do you?" I said to
Lily's POVWhen my mouth parted beneath his, Aiden deepened the kiss, seeking and gaining entry with his tongue. My palm came into contact with his chest, but instead of pushing him away, I curled my fingers into his shirt and dragged him closer. Then my tongue dueled furiously with his. The world fell away and lust rushed in to fill all the places heated by our desire.He moaned against my lips, and the sound vibrated through me. Biting down on my lower lip, I held back my own moan as he ground the bump of his dick in between my legs. Sliding his hand to the nape of my neck, he held me and deepened the kiss further. When a moan finally slipped from my lips, he suddenly grabbed the lingerie at my neck and ripped it into two.My gasp came sharp and hot against his lips. "Aiden!""Stay still!" He growled.The destroyed lingerie lay on both sides of my body like satin wings. I was naked underneath, save for the tiny thong that came with the lingerie. My breasts were bare to his touch and
LILY'S POVI turned to the side, feeling my hands on the bed. It was a bit cold, as though someone had left the place for a few minutes. I knew that he was not there. I opened my eyes and saw that the bed was empty. I was the only one on it, and I could not help but sigh. It felt so empty and alone.I wondered why he always left every time we finished having sex. Every time I wake up, after sex, I always find myself lying on the bed alone, like no one was ever there.I didn't quite understand why he hated physical touch. He was just complicated, and I was finding it hard to understand him.There are certain things he liked and disliked that were so out of the ordinary. I wondered what kind of person he was.I felt lazy to get out of bed, not after the rigorous exercise. I turned around, lying on my back, staring at the ceiling.If only things were as simple as they used to be, then, I would not be trying to kill my feelings for someone I love.I decided to get off the bed and take a
LILY'S POVI could feel the world coming to an end.Was it the world, or my world? It was mine. My world was getting closer to its last minute on Earth. The darkness hovering over the night sky seemed like the angel of death had come to visit me.Who were these men? I wondered to myself what sort of mess I had gotten into. I should have listened to Aiden when he asked me to stay back at home.Here I was, encircled by hefty men in black, staring at how soon my life might be sapped out of me. Who would save me? How would I get out of here? "Wh…who are you people?" I managed to speak, staring at all of them. They had no smiles on their faces, each of them wore a cap, and I could not make out what their faces looked like. Maybe, I might recognize one of them.I got no answer from them, which made me even scared. Why were they not talking? I needed to know who they were."Who are you?" I asked again, "Why are you following me?" I muttered a little courage to raise my voice, hoping tha
Lily's POVThe drive back home with Aiden felt oddly comforting. His presence gave me a sense of security, shielding me from the chaotic world outside. I turned to the window of the car, watching as the busy New York night seemed to whizz past me. The city that had felt so safe and familiar to me suddenly looked dark and desolate and strange. Steadily, we eased from downtown Brooklyn into Manhattan and the posh part of it where Aiden lived. It suddenly struck me just how different our lives were. We lived in the same city of New York, but we seemed to exist in different spheres of life. Our experiences and backgrounds were polar opposites.As we approached the gate of his mansion, it swung open, granting us passage into the grand estate. The chauffeur guided the car across the grounds, parking it before the mansion."We're here," Aiden announced. He gracefully exited the car and extended his hand to help me out, a gesture so chivalrous and noble that it surprised me. I hesitated. "
Aiden's POVThis morning was different. Much different from every other morning I've had in a long time.I awoke with a start, but this time not from a nightmare, or the usual restless tossing in bed. Instead, I found myself calm, as if the storm inside me had quietened for a while. I stirred groggily, as my eyes slowly became accustomed to the room. Lily was sleeping on the other side of the bed, dark brown hair tousled across her face, her breathing soft, yet deep, and her mouth slightly open.I longed to take that mouth in mine and wake her up with a kiss.Slowly, I realized that I had slept by her side, and we hadn't had sex the previous night. Every single strand of memory from the previous night came rushing back, and I marveled at the way this woman had changed me.I hadn't slept beside another human in years and years.Lily's presence had worked magic on me.I glanced towards Lily again, where she lay peacefully asleep and smiled faintly. She looked serene, almost angelic in
Aiden's POVCook's gaze softened, her understanding eyes fixed on me. "I get your concerns, Mr. Blackwood. But sometimes, the heart knows what it wants regardless of the dangers. You can't protect her by shutting her out. Sometimes, you protect her by letting her in."I turned away, my jaw clenched. "It's not that simple, Cook. There's too much at stake. Do you know what Ricardo Gambino did to her yesterday?"Cook's frown deepened. "What did he do?""He fucking sent his men to attack her!" I roared. "They were about to kidnap her! If not that I'd placed a tracker on her phone, I might not have been able to get to her. She could have been in Ricardo's clutches as we speak!""But isn't Miss Lily worth the risk? Isn't she worth fighting for?" Cook's voice held a gentle persistence. "Even if Ricardo kidnaps her, best believe he can never and will never hold her heart. Only one man holds her heart, and that man is you."I sighed heavily, grappling with my inner turmoil. "But Lily is....she
Aiden's POVThe ominous ticking continued, filling my ears and sending shivers across my skin. The box sat there, like a macabre warning of death.How had it gotten there?I turned back to Joe with those questions in my eyes. As though reading my mind, he answered. "One of your gardeners heard the ticking sound coming from one of the hedges. He spotted the bomb in no time, and called me first to alert you.""How the fuck had this entered my house?" I roared. "Someone must have planted it here. Bombs don't walk into mansions, do they?"Joe sighed in concern. "I have no idea, Mr Blackwood."I stared at Joe, as the ticking continued in the background. The sound matched the tempo of my heartbeat, and I felt adrenaline pumping through my body."Joe...." I started. "How many seconds more before it detonates?" I watched as Joe swallowed hard. "Thirty seconds, boss...."My heart lurched in sudden, absolute fright. I glanced up, at the window of Lily's room which overlooked the swimming pool.