Acts of Redemption: A Second Chance Romance (Men of WRATH Book 3)
Acts of Redemption: Chapter 22

I’m tossing and turning for the fifteen millionth time. I’ve gotten no sleep tonight. The clock on the nightstand indicates it’s about to be five in the morning and there’s still no sign of Aiden.

He left without so much as a backward glance. I’m sure it was about whoever ransacked the safe house, but he could have at least given me a heads up that I’d be alone all night.

I’m about to roll over again when I hear the door creek open. I can see Aiden’s tall frame pause at the foot of the bed before laying down on the minuscule chaise.

There’s no way he thinks he can sleep on that thing comfortably.

Looking up, I can’t help but laugh. “Are you really going to try to fit yourself into that?”

“Yes.” That one word sends goosebumps rising across my skin.

“Come on. You and I both know that there’s no way you’ll be able to sleep on it comfortably.” I lick my lips, anticipating his refusal but hoping for his acceptance. “I have a king-size bed. There’s plenty of room for you. We wouldn’t even have to touch if you don’t want.”

He groans against the arm raised over his face. “You know I want. That’s the problem.”

“It’s not a problem if you don’t make it one. Like I said, you can stay on your side and I’ll stay on mine.”

I’m thinking there will have to be another round of verbal sparring before he agrees to anything, but to my shock, he lifts himself off of the small piece of furniture and makes it to the opposite side of the bed.

“Fine, but you keep those luscious lips of yours all the way over there.” His brows raise while he points to the other edge of the bed. “I’m not responsible for my actions if you come any closer.”

Biting my lip, I scooch to the edge, not wanting to spook the man back onto the chaise. “Whatever you say, boss.”

The bed dips and my breath halts. My stomach flutters like it did the first time I laid eyes on this man. Since that first instance, he’s ingrained himself into the very fiber of my being. It’s as if my body calls to his, needing its other half to become a whole.

Rolling to my side, I give him my back. If I face him any longer, I’m liable to jump him. Shutting my eyes, I try to force myself to sleep, but it never comes. Instead, I feel movement behind me, the rustle of the sheets sending my heart beat spiking.

“We found a possible link to Preston and the man who ransack the safe house.” His deep voice has me turning quickly, slamming directly into his broad chest. Instinctively, his arms wrap around me, his lips falling to my forehead. “It’s okay, principessa. I won’t let him hurt you. You’re safe.”

My leg hitches over his and I feel him press into me as he groans.

“Baby, I don’t think this is a good idea. I should go back to the chaise.”

“Please, Aiden. Don’t leave me.” My brown eyes meet his hazel, and a million words are spoken all at once. I don’t see myself as a weak woman, and I’ve never been one to beg, but for this man I’d crawl across broken glass.

Aiden cups my face, tilting it toward his and bringing his lips gently down onto mine. “I could never deny you anything.” He whispers into my mouth, softly stroking my cheek with his thumb. “But if I stay in this bed, the only thing going on will be sleep.” I pout and he nips at my lower lip. “Get some sleep, beautiful. The girls have a full day for you tomorrow. From what I hear, they’ve dragged you into wedding planning.”

Resting my head on his chest, I burrow deeper into him, loving the sense of calm and safety he brings. My home.

Listening to the steady beat of his heart, I let myself fall—deep into sleep, deep into safety, and deep into love.

Aiden

Heaven. That’s where I must be.

My hand cups Charlotte’s breast, my thumb flicking her hardened nipple as she undulates her ass against my aching cock. Rocking it into the ridge of her ass, I groan, practically ready to come all over her creamy skin. The satin of her nightgown has ridden up, exposing her backside and the tiny slip of satin covering her round bottom.

This is the most vivid dream I’ve had of her, and I don’t want to wake up.

Nipping at her ear, I take the tiny lobe into my mouth, sucking while I roll her nipple between my thumb and forefinger.

Her little hand reaches behind, lowering my boxers and taking me out.

“Fuck, baby. I’m about to come and I’m not even inside you.”

“I can fix that.” She turns, the satin strap of her nightgown falling and exposing the most beautiful breasts I’ve ever seen. Unable to help myself, my mouth replaces her dusky pink nipple, licking and suckling before she pulls away with a moan.

Charlotte kisses her way down my chest, her hands running along my sides until she reaches the base of my dick. Looking up at me with those big brown eyes, she grins like the cat that ate the canary. “Mine.” She kisses the tip before licking the bead of pre-cum off.

Cupping her face with both hands, I whisper, “Yours.”

She ends the torture, finally taking me into her mouth, swallowing me all the way to the base. “Fuuuuuuck.” I roar as my head falls back, eyes rolling right along with it.

She hums as she eases me in and out of her talented mouth, and I feel my balls tighten with the impending release. Needing to finish inside her, I reach down, lifting her and flipping her so she’s beneath me.

My hands fall down her curves, reveling in the softness of her skin. I reach for her panties and rip them off with one swift pull. Her gasp makes me grin, “Mine.”

She gives me a salacious smile as she takes my hand, bringing it to her mound. “Yours.”

Three fingers slide inside her warm pussy—wet and slick, ready for my entry. Her body arches, raising her breasts and bringing them within reach of my greedy mouth, drooling with the need to taste them.

Taking one into my mouth, I apply pressure and roll the nub between my teeth, all while pumping in and out of her tight walls.

She begins to contract around my fingers, letting me know she’s about to come.

The sight of her, writhing in ecstasy makes me envious of my own damn hand. I want to own every part of her, fill every crevice of her pleasure and claim her as mine.

Taking my fingers out, she whimpers. “What? Why?”

Her confused expression is adorable and I can’t help but chuckle as I stroke myself.

“Because I need you, baby.” Taking the head of my cock I flick at the bundle of nerves between her folds, and I’m rewarded with the most delicious moan.

“Aiden, please. Fuck me.”

Such dirty words from such a proper mouth.

Her words have my cock pulsing in my hand, needing to replace its way home.

Unable to hold back any longer, I line myself up and slam home, pumping twice before she’s squeezing my cock so hard we’re both exploding into the most insane climax of my life. Her walls continue to pulse around me, milking my release for what feels like an eternity.

I can stay here, inside her forever.

Bringing my lips down to hers, I kiss her softly while my seed fills her, marking her as mine. “You’re perfect, principessa. So damn perfect.”

Her legs are wrapped around my hips, her heels pressed into my ass and pushing me deeper. “I—”

Her sweet voice is cut off by the vibration of my phone on the nightstand. My eyes fall to the flashing light and then the woman beneath me.

This isn’t a dream.

The memories of me slipping into bed with Charlotte slam into me like a sledgehammer to the chest. We fell asleep in each other’s arms. What kind of idiot doesn’t know that this would inevitably happen?

Our attraction is otherworldly. I’ve never experienced this overwhelming need before, and my ass should have known better.

“Aiden, are you okay?” Charlotte’s big brown eyes look up at me, concern riddled all over her beautiful face.

The last thing I want is to upset her. She’s been through so much and I don’t need to add to that. Kissing the tip of her nose, I finally slide out of her. The cold air hitting me and serving as a cold reminder that I didn’t even think of using protection.

“Shit, Char. I didn’t use a condom.”

Her face flushes as she lifts herself on her forearms. “We didn’t use one last time either.”

I run my hand over my face while letting out a shaky breath. I’ve even chastised myself about this very thing with her. “Damn, I’m sorry, baby.”

“It’s okay. I’ve only ever been with one other man, and I don’t think I’m ovulating.”

This news has me wanting to rip my hair out. A mixture of rage, jealousy and self-loathing washes over me, unable to breathe in my own skin. “Well, I’m clean.”

Reaching over to the nightstand, I see that it was a message from Preston’s office. They want to meet up with Charlotte to discuss the divorce. Why they’re contacting me instead of her lawyer is worrisome. What the hell are they trying to imply?

“Aiden,” Charlotte’s shaky voice has me looking up from my phone. “Are you mad at me?”

Damn, I didn’t mean to make her feel bad. Wrapping her up in my arms, I kiss her forehead gently. “No, Char. You’re perfect. So damn perfect.” Pulling back, I look into her eyes. “I’m just mad at the situation. No matter what I say or do, we always end up back here, in each other’s arms. So why fight it? At least while we’re within these four walls. Hell, my family already sees us as being together.”

She bites her lip, holding back a grin. “I like that idea. I like it a lot.”

Capturing her mouth in one last kiss, I finally rip myself away, getting out of the bed. “Mine.” I wink at her before heading into the shower, needing to get my head on straight.

I’m a greedy man, wanting to steal away what’s not rightfully mine. But now that I’ve had her, I’ll be damned if I let anyone take her away from me.

Come at me with all you have, Preston. I’ll fight you to the death for this woman.