Claiming Cinderella

 

Chapter 1

 

Ella

If there was one thing about my job that I hated more than anything, it was that I was constantly having to argue. Today it was the personal chef for the Blue family, Jon Staff, who was being resistant. I couldn’t blame him. “Do they ever realize that they aren’t the only people in this house? I can’t just change the entire weekly breakfast rotation without asking their mother, and she’s said no a thousand times.” He was shaking his spatula at me, but I knew his anger was directed at my clients, Halle and Sadie Blue, also known as the Blue Twins, daughters of rock icon, Scott Blue, and the just turned twenty-one reality stars who I’d worked for a grand total of three weeks. The hardest three weeks of my life.

It wasn’t as if the job itself was hard, but since the two were a pair of the biggest spoiled brats I’d ever met, much less worked for, it wasn’t a cake walk either.

“I’ll pass that along, but they’re just going to send me back. Maybe I could ask Nola? Surely changing the breakfast menu isn’t that big of a deal?”

“They’re sending you on a fool’s errand. Nola will never allow such changes, and because of her food allergies, I’ve got to keep things the way she wants them. The family always has breakfast together.” I wasn’t sure why he hadn’t just told me that to begin with, but I had a feeling that the Twins were in on that too.

I didn’t say a word as I turned around and headed for the stairs. I had to go over their weekly schedules and make sure everything was coordinated and luckily their reality show was on break. The writers were busy writing their scripts so that their lives would look more meaningful and counter the bad press the girls had recently landed themselves in.

Halle, the older of the two had gained attention when her ex-boyfriend released nudes she’d sent him, and then, of course, there was the rumored sex tape that was reported to have been confiscated, including both sisters, together, showing a bit more than your normal sisterly love. But nothing had yet surfaced.

Sadie, the younger by three minutes, was the quiet one of the bunch, and that didn’t make her any easier to deal with. On the contrary, it made her a proper psychopath. She was a ticking time bomb waiting to explode, and her temper had gotten the best of her three months earlier when she’d wrecked her car and punched a paparazzi.

I walked up the stairs on my way to their suite of the Blue Mansion, where I’d lived since taking on the job per request of Nola Blue, who was my mother’s best friend before she died of breast cancer.

She’d been a famous jewelry designer, but apparently, it wasn’t enough to leave me anything. Most of her fortune, even our small beach house, had been confiscated. Nola was not only helping me out by letting me be the twin’s personal assistant, but she was handling all my debts as well.

As I hit the top landing, I took a right and went into their wing of the grand estate. Sadie was on the couch, and she waved me away before I could say a word. I headed into the bedroom like I’d done a million times before, but on this occasion, Halle wasn’t alone.

She was bent over the side of the bed, her legs spread wide, her ass tilted upward and she was getting worked over by a guy I’d never seen before. I froze in my tracks, and when I turned around to leave, Sadie blocked me in, smiling at the couple behind me.

As her sister panted and moaned, through what sounded like the orgasm of her life, Sadie’s eyes narrowed. “Don’t tell me a little sex bothers you. You came all the way up here. Now tell us what you want.” Halle wasn’t paying much attention, but the guy she was with laughed.

I turned, not quite facing the busy couple, but enough to let the twins know I wasn’t intimidated, but then the guy caught my attention. “Hey, blondie, you want some of this?” I turned to see him stroke himself, fresh out of Halle’s channel, his cock glistening with her juices, and then she spun around to drop to her knees laughing.

She eyed me up and down. “You’re welcome to have a taste. I’m sure you’ve read we don’t mind sharing.” She took the man’s hard length into her lips, and my eyes widened as she took it down deep until his balls pressed against her chin.

“She’s amazing, isn’t she?” Sadie gave me a saccharine smile and crossed her arms in front of her.

I straightened my posture and held up my chin. “Truly. I talked to the chef, and he said that your request is denied and before you send me back, he also told me about your mother’s allergies and how the menu needs her approval.” Sadie laughed, and then her attention went to her sister who was still deep throating the man. I took a quick glance but looked away.

“Are you sure you don’t want a taste?” Halle crooned from her knees. I glanced that way solely to tell them they didn’t intimidate me, but my cheeks burned red as he shot his load all over her tits. She dragged her finger through the mess and gave it a taste. She got up and used the silk sheets to clean the rest of his release from her and then dropped it to the floor. She pulled her robe around and kissed the man.

“I’ll be waiting in the shower,” he said. Then he glanced in my direction. “You’re welcome to join us, Blondie. Actually, both of you.” Without a word to Halle, he strolled into the bathroom and turned the water on, leaving the door, so all three of us had a view.

He looked a bit older than her but not much older than me—maybe twenty-five or six at most, and he was incredibly handsome with a dark tan and sandy brown hair and smoldering eyes. Not to mention his impressive size, which Halle took like a pro.

At twenty-three I was hardly a prude, but I didn’t care to see things on display, and I despised the girls that they played these wicked games. I didn’t understand why they couldn’t just be normal, but then I guess they’d never been.

I turned to Sadie. “We still need to go over your schedule. I know it’s freed up a bit, but you still have that promo shoot and that guest appearance.”

Halle walked up behind me, the smell of sex wafting around her. “Relax, our manager will remind us.” She was referring to their mother who had taken on the job as their manager since they were old enough to say Hollywood.

“No, she won’t actually, your mother told me to handle it. That’s why she hired me.” I let out a breath as they laughed.

“Is that what you think?” Sadie and Halle both said at the same time in creepy twin fashion, but then Halle continued alone. “That’s what she wants you to think. You’re her charity case, nothing more, and she’s simply trying to make you feel relevant since your mom died.”

Ouch. My jaw clenched, and I lifted my chin, determined not to let them get to me. “Wouldn’t be easier just to let me do my job?”

The two exchanged a look, and then a shared smile spread across their faces, but this time it was Sadie who spoke, “What would be the fun in that?”

Halle sauntered away to join her man in the shower, and Sadie stepped out of the way so I could escape.

There was no sense in complaining about anything that had happened to Nola. She’d take her daughter’s sides in any matter I put before her.

As I headed down the stairs to the second story landing, the sound of music filled the air, a familiar sound, but not a familiar song. I crept down to the open door and peeked inside the music room where Scott Blue, a rock legend, played his guitar. He was so handsome for an older man, and there was something so familiar about him. It wasn’t just that I’d known him most of my life since his wife and my mother were best friends, but it was like when he looked at me, something in his soul recognized mine. It was like a kindred spirit of sorts, but maybe it was because I’d grown up listening to his music, to his voice, and the poetic lyrics that the world knew and loved.

He kept his head down, his shoulder length, brown hair tucked back in a ponytail, which looked very similar to the twins’ in color, as he strummed his guitar. I left him undisturbed but ran into his mother on the way down the hall.

“I don’t care how old we get. I will always love to hear him play his guitar.” Mama Blue, or Millie as I called her, had a faraway look in her eyes as she listened to her son play.

“I’ve listened to him my entire life, too. I suppose that’s something we have in common.”

She laughed. “I’ve got that in common with millions, but no one gets to hear the imperfections, the rough notes, or when he tunes his guitar. Those times are special to me. No matter how famous, no matter what an icon or idol, he’s my baby boy.” She released a breath and turned her head to meet my eyes. “What’s troubling you? Don’t you like it here?”

“I’m not exactly a guest, I’m practically staff and please don’t take it the wrong way, but my job is a bit testy at the moment.” I had to watch what I said about her granddaughters.

She chuffed a laugh. “Between me and you,” she leaned in closer. “Don’t let those little bitches get to you. They’re spoiled rotten and are more like their mother than my son.” She stood upright and then nodded in my direction. “I knew your mother. She was a good woman, and you remind me so much of her.”

About that time, Scott Blue tuned his guitar, and the old woman smiled and continued down the hall.

She was possibly the only person in the house that understood me.

Chapter 2

 

Aiden

Hearing my mother’s ringtone was like hearing an alarm, and nothing could wake me from a dead sleep quicker unless it was her own voice. I rolled over to answer, seeing that I wasn’t alone, still. I’d hoped that by the time I woke up, Zep would have gotten rid of the young ladies we’d picked up at the club the night before.

I nudged her as I rolled over as I sat up with the phone in hand, but my mother had already hung up. By the time I went to call her back, a text buzzed through the device and three words appeared on my screen that sent me into motion. On my Way.

Fuck.

I got to my feet and hurried down the hall to Zep’s room, hoping my live-in best friend and soul brother would act fast.

I threw open his door and walked in before I noticed the look on his face or the redhead who was leaned back and riding his cock. She covered her breasts but continued to work him as I stopped in my tracks unfazed.

“She’s on her way!” Those words sent Zep into motion and growled out as he lifted her up.

“The party is over, princess. It’s time to leave.”

“But you didn’t even come.” She pouted and dragged ass to the hall where her friend had come to see what all the commotion was about and Zep dressed as he ran down the hall beside me like two soldiers preparing for inspection.

The girls headed for the door, and the redhead turned and called across the room, “Call me.” I shook my head and hurried them out the door, but it was no use, they passed right by my mother on the way down the path of my house.

“I’m going to make the two of you move back into the main house if this kind of behavior continues. You’re not a child anymore, Aiden.” She glanced over to Zep who was still buttoning his shirt. I’d been smart enough to grab a tee, but it was wrinkled, and I wasn’t sure I hadn’t used it to wipe up my come the night before. I checked it for spots and realized that my sexy waitress was probably wearing the stain. You’re welcome.

“You’re not one either, Zep.” She rolled her eyes and then turned her attention back to me. As her son, she was going to have the most opinions about me and the bigger expectations.

“We just went to the club and met some ladies.” I had defended my right to pussy more times than I cared to in my life.

“Those strippers were not ladies,” she barked.

“They were waitresses,” said Zep as if it would help.

Patricia shook her head. “Now, I let you get away with acting like a scoundrel after your father’s death. I knew that it was a way for you to release your emotions, but now it’s time to settle down and preferably with someone who isn’t wearing a name tag.”

“Heaven forbid I end up with someone beneath my status and income. Like I’ll find another billionaire in the world who wants to settle down.” She was always riding me about my kind of friends.

“I’m not going to sit around while one of these common gutter trash skanks moves in on you for your money. You know plenty of good girls from fine, wealthy families who are not looking to be gold diggers or suck off the Prince family tit.” Zep laughed at the word and then I gave him a nudge.

“Sorry, I wasn’t aware there was a tit,” he mumbled. I shook my head as my mother rambled on about how things were going to change.

“I’ve decided to host another gala. It’s been a while, and I’d like to focus more on the younger generation, so I’ll be sending out invites accordingly.” My blood boiled. Mother had been known for hosting lavish events before my father’s death, and they were usually a way for her to find a new lover, which is what the tabloids had all said over the years. I wouldn’t have held much stock in those sources if I hadn’t known it to be true, but aside from that, it seemed like a terrible time and a huge waste of money. I didn’t need her using me as an excuse to do her trolling.

“Is it really appropriate for a ritzy event? It hasn’t even been a full two years. Don’t you think you could give it more time?” I kept my tone clipped, but she wasn’t having it.

“You dare talk to me about what is appropriate when you’ve been bringing in women like this guest house has a revolving door? I’ll decide what’s appropriate.”

With that I met her eyes, mine still narrowed with anger and hers equally as fierce. “You always have, Patricia.” Calling her by her first name instead of some maternal endearment was like throwing ice water in her face, but then she stood a bit taller and squared her shoulders.

“We’re having the gala. I suggest you be prepared to use the event to find a nice girl and settle your ways before you impregnate some gutter trash waitress and spoil the family name.”

“I don’t know, Patricia, your gutter trash reputation didn’t spoil it.”

Zep stiffened beside me and mother’s shoulders drooped for a moment before she held her head high. She’d had a troubled life and spent her teen years rebelling again an abusive mother only to claw her way up in the music business as a producer.

“I want better for you, and with the opportunity you have, that I didn’t have, that I had to beat a path to, you will have better.” She turned and stormed away, her heels clicking against the floor like a soldier’s march until she was gone.

“Wow, that was a little brutal, don’t you think?” It was a bad thing when even Zep thought I was being too hard on Patricia. As a master at insults, I’d have thought he’d be proud, but then again, he’d always had soft spot for my mother. She had taken him in when his father had been killed in a plane crash along with the rest of his band, when he was just a kid. He’d never known his mother, and Patricia had filled that role long enough to earn his respect.

“You’re always taking her side.” I turned and went to the couch where I plopped down, covering my temples with my fingertips.

“It’s a party. Even you know the Galas always attract the ladies, and this one is for you. Hey, I know, let’s talk her into making it one of those masquerade things, then you can hire a body double and slip out.” He poured himself a drink at the bar as I sat straight up.

“That’s not a bad idea. If everyone wears masks, then she’d never know who I invited.”

He threw back his bourbon and stood in front of me. “I was only kidding. Those parties are a teenage girl’s wet dream as it is, all fairy tales and magic and a reason to dress up in a gown. It’s bad enough we’ll have to get tuxes.”

“Yeah, but we’ll do that anyway, and with Patricia hell-bent on me meeting the girl of my dreams, I’d like the guest list to be more than just rich bitches and trust fund brats. I’d like to meet a real girl, one not spoiled by wealth, who has a simple life with hobbies and a job. You know, brain cells.”

Zep laughed. “Good luck with that, man. You know your mother will be sending out the official invitations. No one can get in without one.” He was right. She always took special care to make sure that the guest list was nothing but the elite.

“That’s why you’re going to help me send out duplicates of our own. We’ll simply have the same company make extra invites, and we’ll hand them out all over town. Everyone gets to bring a plus one, and we’ll make sure to tell them to bring a friend.”

“Patricia is going to kill you when she sniffs them out at the event. She can smell cheap perfume a mile away.”

“That’s because she grew up wearing it. The only reason she doesn’t want me to end up with someone real, whose parents aren’t in our social class, is because she’s afraid the girl will remind her of her youth.”

“You’re serious about this? Surely there’s a girl out there with money and enough brains to have a hobby, be a freak in the sheets, and still make your mother happy.”

“We’ve been through them all, and I haven’t met her yet. No, I have to try. So, are you with me or not? Who knows, you may find yourself a nice girl too.” I gave him a sly smile, but he shook his head.

“Fuck a nice girl. I don’t care if she is a rich bitch or not, I want someone with big tits who’ll let me fuck her in the ass when I want, preferably a matched set.”

“Your twin fantasy is a bit outdated, but I’m sure you’ll be pleased that the Blue Twins will surely be on the guest list.” His infatuation with the girls started when he hooked up with the freakier of the two, Halle six months ago. I didn’t know what she’d done to him, but whatever it was, it had gotten his attention, and he’d been hung up on her since.

“Even if they don’t show up, with you chasing locals, I’ll have my pick of the others. So, count me in.”

He leaned forward and extended his hand, and we shook on it. This would be the gala to end all galas if I could help it, and I’d show my mother she couldn’t control me. My life was my own.

Chapter 3

 

Ella

Even though the Blue family home was a huge mansion, decorated with lush furnishings, warm tones, and pops of color, it still felt like a stone cave, cold and empty. It was like the twins were this life-sucking force, taking all the air and light from the place. They didn’t even have to be in the same room with me to make me feel that way. It was an ever-presence in the entire house which had been tainted with their energy. After the last two months of working for them, I was growing weary. I needed to earn enough to find my own place, but for now, I’d have to tolerate it a little longer. At least the commute to work was easy. I got up every morning and was already at work, though I’d rather drive across the country than live with the twins.

I was on my way upstairs to the guest room when I passed Scott Blue on the first story landing, and it was that moment when my ring decided to come apart and slip from my finger. It hit the tile floor with a clink and rolled across to stop at his feet.

“Oops.” He reached down and got the ring and handed it to me, his bright blue eyes, strangely the same blue as my own met mine and his face lit with some kind of thought as if he were in awe. That wouldn’t have been so funny if he hadn’t been the legendary rocker who’d gotten that look from millions in his lifetime. He shook his head and seemed to come back from his daze. “You look just like your mother when she was your age. It’s still hard for me to believe she’s gone at times.” I had never heard him speak so many words at once, especially about my mother, and it took me by surprise.

“Yeah, I don’t think I’ll ever stop waiting to see her. It’s like I could turn around and see her walk in at any moment.” Things had happened so quickly with her illness not giving us anytime to come to terms with it before cancer killed her.

His chin dipped gesturing toward the ring. “That’s an unusual piece.” I glanced down to the gold and silver ring my mother had fashioned and given me just before her passing.

“Yeah, it’s a deconstructed art piece that she made from two different rings. She said it was special, but didn’t tell me why. I need to fix them to fit better, but since losing the house, I’m not sure where to set up my equipment.”

“You make jewelry too?” He folded his arms and seemed a bit surprised.

“Learned from the best, she taught me all of her tricks.” We shared a laugh, and then he stepped a bit closer.

“You should come down to dinner.” He locked his arm with mine as a voice sounded from behind me.

“That’s a wonderful idea.” Nola stepped up and hooked her arm in his and joined us to go downstairs. “You are practically family, and I’m afraid I’d assumed you’d know you’re welcome at our table anytime. With you living here and all.” She gave a little shrug and stepped away, walking into the dining room ahead of us.

The twins scowled as I walked in on their father’s arm and I took the chair beside Halle who played with her phone. Sadie sat stone-faced as usual as if the entire world could burst into flames and she’d be more at home. Neither said a word right away.

Scott took the head of the table and then Millie strolled in to take the seat at the end opposite. Nola sat by Scott and waited as dinner was served with a grin on her face that I was certain wasn’t for me. We got along okay, but I knew my place, and I had a feeling she’d never intended it to be at her dinner table.

Halle sat giggling next to me like whoever was texting her had just sent her the joke of a lifetime as dinner was served. As the heaping serving of lasagna was placed in front of me, Halle leaned over and put her phone in front of me. I glanced at the screen and saw the image she’d hope to shock me with: a fully erect penis which was being held by long, masculine fingers. I had to admit the size was impressive, but Halle’s preoccupation was not going to do anything for her reputation.

I gave the twins a wilting glance, and they snickered until Nola scolded them. You’d think we were twelve and sitting in class. “Ahem,” she said, and then she cleared her throat. “I have a little surprise for you girls.” I knew better than to think she was including me, so I continued eating as the Twins seemed reluctant to give her their attention.

She held up an envelope and waved it. “This came in the mail earlier.” Opening the card, it became quite clear that it was a formal invitation. I got a look at the thing as she opened it and the impressive, thick cardstock with embossed gold lettering bore a crown and the letter P.

“It’s from the Prince family. They’re hosting their yearly gala. I also have it on good authority through the club, that Patricia Prince is hoping to use the party as a way to land Aiden a bride. It seems she’s ready for her son to settle down.”

Scott cleared his throat. “Good luck with that. You can’t herd in people like cattle and hope a miracle happens. She’d do better to let him be a man and find his bride the old-fashioned way.”

“And what way is that, darling?” Nola seemed amused, but Scott shrugged and took a sip of his wine before stuffing his face.

Millie cleared her throat. “Not everyone has groupies, son.”

I swallowed a lump of lasagna and averted my gaze as I took some wine to wash it down.

“Mom was a groupie?” Halle gave her father an amused grin, but Nola wasn’t having it.

“I’d hardly call myself a groupie. I was a big fan, but I only met him through Layla.” I looked up as Nola mentioned my mother’s name. “Now, I guess you could call Layla a groupie, isn’t that right, dear? You met her backstage at one of your concerts, right?”

Scott gave me an apologetic look and then clarified. “Actually, no. I met her at a café early one morning after our tour bus broke down on the edge of town.”

“I’m sure it’s a charming story, dear.” She cut him off and leaned across the table. “Let’s not make our guest uncomfortable.” I had a feeling she was much more uncomfortable with the subject of my mother than Scott was.

“It’s okay. I had no idea you had known my mother before you knew Nola. I’d love to hear about it, but perhaps some other time.” Nola shot daggers across the table to me and then to Millie who seemed rather pleased with herself.

“Yes, some other time. We girls have a gala to discuss. I’m sure you’ll both want to go. Aiden Prince is quite the catch since his father’s passing. I hear that their entire estate is worth well over three billion dollars at present, and growing daily.”

Scott whistled. “That’s a lot of money for a young man.” Then he turned to me. “You should go along, Ella. You could use a little fun too.” The twin’s heads snapped in their father’s direction, and Nola glared at me as if I were to immediately refuse.

“I’m sure the invitation wasn’t extended to me.” I folded my hands in my lap, sweat breaking out across the back of my neck as Nola threw her daggers in her husband’s direction.

“Well, it was specifically addressed to the twins.”

“Nonsense, it’s a party. The more, the merrier, and I’m sure there’s a plus one on the RSVP.” He took the card from Nola’s hands and nodded pointing out something on the card. “Yes, here it is, I’m sure it’s okay. Besides, it’s why we hired her, isn’t it? With the girls constantly finding themselves in the most precarious situations, I’m sure it would do them some good to have Ella there to watch out for them everywhere they go, not just the business trips.”

“Are you serious, Daddy? It’s not like we need a babysitter. We’re over twenty-one now.” Sadie’s eyes were narrowed, but that curl of her lip made her appear like a wild dog, ready to bite.

“I don’t think it will be so bad. Ella would love the party, and it’s good for her to meet people.” Halle glanced toward her sister, and I could only guess what kind of sly look the two of them were exchanging. “Thank you, daddy, for the suggestion.” She pulled her wine to her lips and then met me with a slow spreading smile that ended with a flash of teeth.

I couldn’t think of anything to say, so I turned and gave him a warm smile. “Yes, thank you. It does sound like fun.” I glanced down the table at Millie who stared at the twins as if she could read their minds and as she met my stare, her look was apologetic.

I was going to the gala whether I liked it or not.

Chapter 4

 

Aiden

Zep and I had gotten our hands on the official gala invite and had duplicates made by the original artist so that we could pass them out at our whim. As we strolled through our favorite night club, Zep had already dwindled his stack to nothing, and I only had a few. I was saving those for the girls down at the country club, but my plan was well under way.

I sat at our private table in the VIP section eye fucking one of the hot waitresses who had flashed me enough cleavage to get my attention as Zep elbowed me.

“Look who's here.” His smile widened, and he turned to face the girls who were approaching, a matched set of legs and tits and enough venom to kill a man. The Blue Twins were hot, no arguing that, but their sour attitudes had turned me off from the moment I’d met them two years ago. Halle was the edgier of the two, with her star-kissed cheek— a tiny tattoo she’d had done during the first season of her reality show—and her blue-tipped black hair that seemed to be her trademark, stopped in front of Zep and trailed her eyes across my body. Sadie did the same and then sat beside me as Halle leaned into Zep’s side, practically in his lap.

“We got your invitation,” said Halle as a third girl, a tall and plain blonde, glanced around nervously with a doe in headlights look. She looked like she had bedhead and was totally out of her element. She didn’t manage to hold my attention as Halle spoke. “I can’t wait until the gala. I hope the both of you save me a dance.”

Sadie leaned in closer as if she could devour me in one bite. “I’d like you to save me a bit more than a dance.” Her words were an offer as she leaned in so close I could see down the front of her dress. Her perfect tits were tight, and it was apparent that she didn’t have anything on under the thin, silk dress.

She snaked her hand onto my thigh and rubbed dangerously close to my crotch. I had blood flowing already from the eye fucking I’d been preoccupied with before they strolled up, sending the gorgeous girl scurrying away.

Her sister wasn’t being outdone, and though she leaned across Zep’s lap, she offered herself to me. “I’m sure there’s enough of you for two.”

“So all those rumors are true?” asked Zep, still holding onto Halle’s waist as she leaned across him.

She snaked her hand down to Zep’s cock and rubbed him through his pants. “We’d let you join in as well, Zep.” She and Sadie giggled as Sadie’s hand moved to my cock, and she leaned in closer to my ear. She had the same black hair as her sister’s only hers hadn’t been chemically altered in blue, but she also lacked the star beauty tattoo. Even though she was the more natural of the two, her own hard expressions made her exotic enough in a predatory way, as if she could kill you with one icy glare.

“We’d make you feel so good.” Her brow lifted and she turned to her sister, throwing her arm around her twin’s neck. “Maybe they want to watch us play, sister?” She licked Halle’s cheek in a nice, long, slow stroke, and then the two turned to face one another as they shared a quick kiss on the lips.

About that time the klutzy blonde choked on her drink, and as she placed it on the table, she spilled it. It happened so fast the trail of liquid spilled down to my pants and ran across the table to Halle’s top.

“You stupid idiot!” Sadie snapped as her sister sat up and flashed narrowed eyes at the girl. She was still coughing, and I turned my head away from her and then got up to go clean myself up. Zep was behind me a moment later.

“Are you going to take them up on that offer?” At first, I thought he would be upset they’d wanted to include me, but that wasn’t it at all, he’d take them any way he could get them. “Dude, you’ve got to hit that.”

“I thought you wanted them, get back there and make a deal for yourself, I’m not interested. They can take their babysitter and go home.” I ducked into the bathroom and past the freaks who were there to share hits.

Zep practically growled. “Man, you’re no fun. It’s not like we’ve never shared before. You keep this up, and you’ll end up with someone like that clumsy chick. What a train wreck.” As I wiped up my pants, I had to agree.

“Those two are not my speed. Besides, they are a bit young for me.” They’d only turned twenty-one a few months ago and the only reason I knew that is because they’d have a huge party and that’s where Zep had fucked Halle.

“You won’t find bigger freaks in the sheets, my friend. I don’t care how old they are, they’re legal and not in their teens, so I’m down. Give this to me, and I’ll never ask you for anything ever again.”

“No. You have at it, but not even my mother would want me with one of them, much less the two of them. They’re bad news, and their whole lives are documented for that fucking reality show. I’m surprised that shit’s still airing.”

“They aren’t that bad.” Zep was letting the promise of pussy cloud his judgment, but I wasn’t falling for it. It wasn’t like either of us were hurting in that department.

“For the last time, no. The gala is a week away, and I’m going to concentrate on finding someone I like. If I’m caught hanging with the two serpent twins then no decent girl is going to come within two feet of me, billions or not.”

“Everyone who knows who you are will know of your billions anyway. How will you know that’s not what anyone could be after?”

“I’ll know it in my gut. She’ll be real, untainted by the glam and unfazed by the idea of money. She’ll want to know about me. You know, that’s one thing I’ve noticed. No one ever asks me a damned thing about myself. They are so wrapped up in my money all they can manage is to tell me what they like in hopes that I can give them something. Half the women I’ve dated don’t even know my middle name.”

“Well, it’s a rather nerdy name, so you might just want to keep that under your hat, Bernard.” Zep snickered, and I met his eyes with a glare that reminded him I knew all too well where his own name came from.

“That’s kind of hypocritical coming from someone named after a flying gas balloon.”

“I was named after my father’s favorite band, one of the greatest of all time, fuck you very much.” He released a breath, and we both left the bathroom, heading back to find a new table as our last one had new occupants.

I sat down at the first one that was available and the waitress I’d slept with a few months back came strolling by. She shot me a glare as she approached. “Can I get you anything?” She turned and smiled at Zep who slipped in his order.

“Just get me a beer.” I eyed her up and down, remembering her long legs wrapped around my naked ass as I pounded her.

“Sure thing, honey. I’ll get you your beer with the same effort you took to call me after the sex we had.” She sauntered away, and I had to respect the girl. Most would have been insulted but never called me on my shit.

Zep belted a laugh that was loud enough to turn a few heads in our direction, the ones that weren’t already staring. “Ouch! I like that woman.”

“She was good. Maybe you should try her.” He made a face that told me he just might.

“You know, I gave her an invitation to the gala earlier. With the way you’ve disposed of a few of the locals, things could certainly get interesting.”

About that time the plain Jane who’d spilled her drink rushed past us on her way to the bathroom, she’d apparently spilled again, the front of her blouse was soaked, and tears trailed down her cheeks as she passed.

Zep curled his lip and gave me a nudge. “Poor thing, I’m sure Halle and Sadie are going to eat her alive.”

Without gawking at the poor creature, I stared across the room in the opposite direction. “Better her than me.”

Chapter 5

 

Ella

Halle turned in front of the three-way mirror and checked the back view of the dress as I sat watching. I could have been in my own room, looking through my collection of my mother’s gowns and choosing just the right dress for the gala, but I was expected to be at the twin’s beck and call and, apparently, they needed all hands on deck to choose the proper dress. It wasn’t as if they valued my opinion at all, but anything to keep me busy and at their mercy made them happy.

Luckily, I still had a week and already had one of the gowns in mind, and it would be there when I got a free moment. I didn’t want to suggest stepping away after what had happened the previous night. I hadn’t meant to spill my drink, but I’d choked on a piece of ice, and it had just happened.

I hadn’t wanted to go out anyway, but the girls had insisted. Of course, that was only after they gave me ten minutes to get ready and hid my flat iron. I’d only had time to brush out the wavy strands, not control them, and by the time the humidity had hit it, it was one big mess. But that wasn’t the worst thing they’d done. They’d taken my contacts the night before, and I’d spent the entire day looking for them. I’d been a squinty, clumsy mess, just as they intended. I knew they’d done it simply because of their father’s suggestion and to show that if I was going to be their tag along, I was also going to be their comic relief.

The worst part of the night was when Halle accidentally spilled her drink too— all down the front of my dress. I’d run to the bathroom crying, but hadn’t let either of them see my tears. They were mostly tears of anger, tears for wanting to get revenge and knowing that if I ever wanted to get away from them and out of the Blue mansion, I’d have to suck it up at least until I had earned some money. According to Nola, who’d always been like an aunt to me, the banks had come for the money my mother had borrowed to do her chemo. Apparently, she hadn’t had any insurance on herself. I was thankful for Nola for looking out but hoped that once things were settled, I could make a new life on my own and build my career. That was the only reason I’d wanted to go to the gala.

I planned to wear some of my custom jewelry pieces and hopefully make a few future clients. Many people still wanted to get their hands on my mother’s designs, which had increased in value after her death, and I hoped there would be a bit of interest in my stuff from that.

My mother had wanted that for me, she’d taught me everything and had promised to get me into the right circles, and though I had a few connections still up my sleeve. I wanted to be ready for them. Ready with my own studio.

“I’m sick of wearing blue,” snapped Sadie, tossing the silk scrap of fabric to the floor. The designer, Perry Morgan, rolled his eyes and stepped away.

“Then what color would you like?” He seemed to be losing patience, and I couldn’t blame him. He’d brought several swatches of fabrics and a few dresses for them to try.

“Green. Purple. Red.” Sadie ticked off the colors on her fingers and then walked over to the sofa where she plopped her ass and glared up at the man. “Anything but fucking blue.”

Halle tilted her head and cupped her breasts, turning and checking out her bought rack. “Fine, I’m wearing blue anyway, and I don’t want to match like a couple of losers.”

“I thought you chose the black gown.” Sadie put her hands on her hips and turned to face Perry. “I want to wear black, then.”

“Brilliant. I know the fabric.” He flipped through his swatches, and he and Sadie were hugging a moment later, her face barely registering a smile, but his lit with pure joy.

“You better make sure whatever scrap you wear is waterproof.” I turned to see that Halle was talking to me. “And I’ll warn you now not to embarrass us.”

“Or things will get real ugly when we get home. Worse than last night,” Sadie added.

Millie stalked into the room, and Halle stood down, returning to her mirror as if the two hadn’t been bullying me the moment before. She hadn’t cared if Perry overheard her bitter comments, but she didn’t want her grandmother to.

The man gave me a sympathetic glance. “You are going to the gala? Shall I make a gown for you?” His accent was as thick as syrup like he had something hung in the back of his throat, and he lifted a brow and his nose and peered down at me.

“No, thank you. I have something in mind already.” There was a pretty, bright blue silk dress, which matched my eyes perfectly in my mother’s things that I was hoping to wear with my favorite set from my personal collection. It was a much prettier shade than the blue that Halle was wearing which clashed with her hair.

Halle rolled her eyes and Sadie shook her head, but Millie, she smiled brightly. “I’ll bet whatever you choose will be beautiful. Your mother was always a beauty at the gala. She had a lovely sense of style and was simply elegant and an example of true classic beauty—just like yourself.”

“My mother went to the gala?” I hadn’t ever known she’d been.

“We both did,” said Nola as she sauntered into the room. I hadn’t heard her make her entrance, but she stood behind Halle in the mirror and fingered the hem of the dress as if checking it for quality. “You were only a little girl, then, but we went almost every year for a while. Your mother’s designs opened many doors for her, as did being my friend.” She turned her head to slide her sideward gaze in my direction. “It was a different generation then, and now the gala belongs to our children.” Her children, she meant.

Sadie stepped up next to her mother in the sample dress of the one Perry would make for her in black and passed her mother the scrap of fabric that was to be its color.

“These dresses will look lovely, but they’ll need the proper icing.” Her eyes met mine through the mirror’s reflection. “Ella, darling, I’m sure you have something in your mother’s collection that would finish these dresses off right.”

My face paled as I was put on the spot. “I’m sorry, Nola, I don’t think I could bear to loan out my mother’s collection.” I’d vowed not to part with it, and it was my most cherished possessions. Everything else had been taken away from me, my home, my mother’s money that was to be my inheritance, and the very thought of loaning them, where anything could happen to them, much less the thought of them draped across the vile twins—my stomach turned.

“Excuse me? I hardly think it’s too much to ask, considering.” Nola’s eyes hardened with her expression. Here was a woman who’d been like family, who’d done everything to help me. How could I tell her no?

I fumbled through my thoughts, unsure of how to refuse—if to refuse. “It’s just they are all I have, my security. It’s—

“We’ve done an awful lot for you, Ella. Invited you into our home and trusted you with our security, surely you can’t mean you don’t trust us with a few pieces that would surely be returned unharmed.” Her tone was clipped, but before I could respond, Millie stepped in.

She gave Nola a harsh glare. “It’s highly inappropriate to suggest that Ella owes you anything, much less her most cherished possessions. If you’re so trusting of your daughter’s, then perhaps you should trust them with your own valuable pieces. I’m certain you have something just as lovely that Layla designed.”

Nola’s face paled, and I could have sworn a muscle in her jaw feathered as if she’d clenched. But then her expression softened into a smile. “Of course, forgive me, Ella.”

Halle snorted. “Like we’d want to wear her cast-offs anyway. Not when we can be loaned anything we want from any designer in town.”

Sadie’s eyes met mine in the reflection, but instead of a smile, a sly cunning glare sent her head sideways. That was the look of a viper ready to strike, and I knew once she sank her fangs, the death would be just as slow.

Nola kept her expression blank, but I could tell she was sick of Millie sticking up for me, especially since after that no one spoke for a long while, and when they finally did, Millie had stepped out, and I was back to being invisible.

Chapter 6

 

Aiden

Getting dressed up for events had never been something I appreciated when I was younger, but now that I could choose my own styles it wasn’t as terrible. Zep and I had decided that instead of going out to find something, we’d use my wealth and have the designers come to us. Doing so also meant that Zep could sleep in as long as possible and by the way he was curled up next to the sexy brunette when I peeked in on him he needed it.

I stood in the mirror while Frenchie, my mother’s recommended designer made a few adjustments on the tux. The man had done one suit for me in the past, and the thing had fit so perfectly that I hoped to have the same luck.

“Excuse me,” said a tiny voice as the girl from Zep’s bed entered the front room with wet hair and her head down. She was red-faced during her walk of shame, and because of that, I’d give her some credit. Most would stomp out unapologetically and half-dressed.

Zep entered the room shortly after, his hair still wet from his shower, and I could only assume the two had shared it.

“You’re looking good, friend,” said Zep as he plopped down in the closest chair that hadn’t been draped with garments.

“Thanks. We finally chose the right one. Now we’re making sure it fits me like a glove.”

“Are you sure we have to do the whole tux thing? Can’t I wear a tie and my boots?” Zep’s style had always been a bit edgier than the normal rich kid, but then again, my orphaned friend’s father was the same way, always wearing concert tees and ripped jeans with his biker boots.

“Yeah, you want to ask my mother that question? I’m sure she’ll give you an answer real fast.”

“Never mind, I’ll do it.” Zep leaned back and closed his eyes like he hadn’t gotten enough sleep.

“You’re dragging ass, this morning. She didn’t look like the type that usually wears you out.” The girl seemed to have a wholesome nature compared to others he brought home.

“She was a lunatic. She had me tie her up to the posts and then she wanted to be choked. I don’t mind holding a girl by the neck, but she begged me to make her pass out and then got upset when I declined.”

“Yeah, thanks for that. The last thing we need here is some girl dying from auto-erotic asphyxiation. Could you see the headlines? My mother would put us both in the ground before the police could get to us.” I shook my head. “She didn’t seem the type.”

“She was insatiable. I think I threw my hip out and I’m not even thirty. You just never know.”

“Maybe mother should make you settle down instead of me. Your sex life is way more fucked up than mine.” The guy always seemed to get the freaks, and I couldn’t tell if that made him the unluckiest man in the world or not.

“I know what I want. Hopefully, she brings her twin along for the ride this time.”

“You’re still hung up on Halle Blue?” I chuckled and felt a firm hand on my shoulder to keep me still. “Sorry, Frenchie.” The man shook his head and went back to pretending he wasn’t in the room and Zep continued the same.

“Wanting to fuck someone isn’t the same as being hung up, and besides, I want her sister to join us.”

“I believe they call that an infatuation,” I said, but Frenchie shook his head.

“I believe the correct term is obsession, Sir.”

Frenchie and I shared a laugh and Zep gave us both an obscene gesture before even trying to defend himself. “We have unfinished business, her and I.”

Before I could give him a good ribbing over it, my mother barged her way in. “Hello, darlings. Hello, Frenchie, dear.” She didn’t stop until she was standing in the middle of us with her hands clasped as if to say what’s next.

“You two have been busy boys.” She lifted a brow, but I kept a straight face. Zep knew better than to say a word, not until we knew of what we were being accused.

I gave her a blank look and tugged down on the cuffs as I bent my arms for Frenchie.

“Don’t even play like you have no idea what I’m talking about.” She folded her arms across her front, and I waited for her foot to start tapping. Surprisingly it didn’t, but she did continue. “I was at the club sipping my mid-morning tea when the towel girl came over to tell me how excited she is to be coming to the gala tonight and how she’d spent a month’s salary on her dress. You two really should have saved the poor girl the trouble. Anyone without an official invitation isn’t welcome.”

“Yes, mother, I know.” The cat was out of the bag, and the gala was just hours away. It wasn’t as if she could undo what was done. “That’s why I made my own official invites and handed them out to my friends, so they’d be able to attend.”

“You did what? I had those invites hand-scribed by the best calligrapher in town! They were even embossed.” She snapped at me as if I didn’t know who she’d used. “You can’t just send out cheap knock-offs and expect that to work.”

“I didn’t. I made sure that I had the same woman do mine, too. She did an excellent job as she did on the others with the calligraphy and the embossing.” I knew better than to even smile, but Zep was doing enough of that for the both of us.

“You have no respect what so ever. Here I am trying to throw you this party, and you can’t stand to let me handle it!”

I threw my hands out nearly hitting Frenchie in the chest. “You’re not respecting my wishes, Patricia.”

Her eyes met mine as she jerked her head around. “Don’t you call me that! I’m your mother!”

Frenchie stepped back and folded his arms as if waiting for us to finish and I spun around to tell Patricia what for. “If you want me to have a good time and to find someone I can warm up to then you have to invite more than those icy-frigid bitches from your elite society list. I need people who are warm and caring, who have more to offer than just money. And frankly, you’re lucky I’m going at all.”

“Well, as far as I’m concerned you’ve already sabotaged this party. There’s no chance of you finding someone who is decent and proper. And once the riff-raff starts piling in, the respectable few will leave.”

“Then it will be their loss.”

“I have a few of my old client’s kids coming, and I had hoped you’d be hospitable and welcoming. You know the Blue Twins. They’ll be here, and they are very important right now. See to it that you show them some special hospitality.”

“I am going to take care of them personally, Mrs. P. You can count on me.”

“You’re such a sweetheart, Zep.” She tousled his hair like she had when he was a boy, back when it used to make me a bit jealous, but now I wish he had taken my mother.

“Kiss ass,” I mumbled, earning a smirk from Zep as she headed to the door.

“You men be ready for the gala by six. I want you downstairs front and center to welcome your guests.” And then she was gone.

“See, she wants me to fuck them. Did you hear her? All that talk about showing them hospitality. That’s precisely what I plan to do.” Zep got up and crossed the room to stand beside me in the mirror.

Frenchie, who had gone back to work the minute my mother had left, was all done with me. While he worked with Zep, I called a few of my friends and made sure they were coming. The man promised to have us looking sharp by then.

After Frenchie left a girl showed up delivering our masks. I’d opted for the plague doctor look, while Zep preferred the hawk mask, and both of us looked like a pair of vicious birds.

She showed us how to put them on and then before she excused herself, I slipped her one of my last invitations to the ball, which lit her eyes. “Thanks,” she said, before leaving.

“Why did you do that?” asked Zep.

“I saw the way you looked at her, and she’s talented. Look at these masks. Wouldn’t she be a hotter fantasy than those dragon twins you’re after?” Anyone would be.

“No, man. I want those girls, and I want them before the night is over, so I’d appreciate any help you can give me.”

“You want me to recommend it?”

“Fuck, I don’t care, but if there is an opportunity, your help will be appreciated. Sadie always did like you. Halle told me so.” Sadie was the crazier of the two and downright scary.

I didn’t want to promise her shit and get her on my bad side. “I don’t know, man. Let’s play it all by ear and see how the night goes. I’m not getting stuck with those girls all night.

It was a party after all, not a punishment. But I was sure if things didn’t go as planned for me, my mother would make sure that in the end, it was both.

Chapter 7

 

Ella

I was in my room hoping to get dressed without any interruption from the twins. I was officially off work until the party, at least that’s what Nola had told me, and I wanted to milk every single minute for all it’s worth.

I was shocked when Millie came up wanting to help me get ready and even more when she started telling me stories about my mother. I hadn’t known Millie knew her when she was so young or that Scott Blue had known my mother long before Nola, from what she told me.

“So, they knew each other a long time before I was born, then?”

“Oh yeah, and you know, you should wear this one.” Millie held out the pretty blue gown I’d thought about wearing.

“I’m not sure. I wanted to wear that one originally, but Halle warned me that I shouldn’t wear her color.” I had no idea what the girl would do if I decided to go against her warning, but considering I didn’t want to rock the boat, I thought it best to listen.

Millie huffed. “Her color? If I’m not mistaken this is the perfect match to your eyes, and besides, she doesn’t own the shade, only the name. Besides, this gown was made to match those eyes.”

“My mother’s eyes were not blue.” I thought that was what Millie was referring to, but then she gave me a knowing glance, and I wondered for a moment if my mother had matched them to another set of eyes. They were the same exact color.

“My mother was a huge a Scott Blue fan, wasn’t she?” I narrowed my eyes, and Millie let out a long breath.

“She was his biggest.” She gave me a wink, and I didn’t bother questioning things further, but I wondered how my mother matched the color so perfectly as if she’d spent hours studying the color.

“Are you going to wear your mother’s jewelry?” Millie picked up the pieces from my collection that I’d laid out, her fingers unhooking the clasp of the bracelet and then closing it back.

“Yes, but those aren’t my mother’s pieces. I designed those myself, and I’m hoping to do as well as my mother. I’d like to make a name, but I need some connections.”

“Your mother had plenty of connections, surely some of them would be willing to work with the daughter of the great Layla Ford.”

“I’ve had Nola help me a bit, and I know a few people, but I was trying not to lean on them too much. It hasn’t gone well. I’m afraid they don’t seem to like me much.”

She cleared her throat and leaned in closer. “Please don’t take this wrong way, but perhaps you’d do best not to let Nola be so mixed up in your affairs.”

She said it was as if I couldn’t trust Nola, or that maybe her own reputation was ruining my chances, but I couldn’t imagine that being so. Nola was connected, the wife of Scott Blue, and mother/agent to the girls. I thought about that last thing and decided that perhaps she had a point.

“Thanks, Millie. I’ll keep that in mind.” I wondered why the woman hadn’t gone to see her granddaughters get ready. Instead, she’d chosen to sit with me, and I’d enjoyed her company. I felt too alone in the world now that mother had passed away and Millie eased that pain for me, much the same way Nola and Scott had.

After a bit, I was ready to go down and meet the girls. They’d asked me to be punctual, and when I got downstairs in the sitting room, where they wanted to meet, I realized why. “They’ve left without me,” I said, turning to Millie.

“Are you sure? It’s a big house. Perhaps they’re here somewhere. Maybe they’re late?” It was sweet that she wanted to think the best of her awful grandchildren, but I knew better. I glanced out the window seeing that the limo was gone too.

“Oh look, they have to still be here,” said Millie. She held up a pair of masks that had to be theirs for the party. Both were intricately decorated with braided rope and feathers and like the girls, both matched.

Nola walked in, and all the color drained from her face upon seeing me. Then she turned her nose up. “You’re late. The girls left twenty minutes ago.”

“She’s right on time. They left early. They’ve even forgotten their masks.” Millie was speaking through clenched teeth as if she wanted to reach over and bite Nola’s head off for not controlling the girls better.

“It’s fine. I can call a cab.” I reached into my handbag for my phone, but Millie stopped me. “Nonsense, I have a private car. I’ll call my driver, and he’ll take you.”

“I couldn’t put you out, really.”

“Well, you can’t show up in a cab. Not to a gala.” Nola snorted like I should know better.

“I’d think that’s precisely the option your daughters had hoped to leave her with,” snapped Millie.

Nola tilted her head and placed her hand on her heart. “Mama Blue, surely you don’t think—

“I don’t think. I know. I was willing to give those little monsters the benefit of the doubt, but now I see how cruel they can be.”

My phone went off in the awkward silence that followed that remark. “It’s them.” I answered the phone and Nola and Millie exchanged daggers. “Hello and thanks for waiting.”

Halle’s voice came through the phone. “We couldn’t possibly wait any longer for you. You were going to ruin our grand entrance. But we seemed to have forgotten our masks, so be a dear and bring those to us, would you? Even if you have to go back for them.”

“I don’t have to go back for them. I’ve got them already.” I glanced over to Millie who shook her head. “I’ll see you at the party.”

I hung up, and Millie was already on Nola again. “Those two hoped to make her go back for those masks. That’s why they left them.”

“I won’t stand around letting you insult my children.” Nola stormed away, and before she made it out the door, she took her phone out of her pocket. I had a feeling the girls were about to get a call.

“They are going to try and ruin your night, but don’t let them. Your mother loved the gala and you will too. Maybe you’ll even dance with a handsome man and fall in love.”

I laughed at the thought. “I’ll be lucky to find someone who loves my jewelry, much less me, but it’s worth a shot.” I shrugged and picked up the mask as she called her driver.

Three minutes later, the old man pulled the car out front and Millie sent me along with him telling him just to wait until the gala was over to return. I’d need a chauffeur home.

“I can get a cab home, honest, Millie. You’re going to spoil me.”

“You deserve to be spoiled now and then too, besides, you’re—well, you’re very special. Those girls are just jealous of you.” She smiled, and I could tell there was a hint of sadness in her eyes. “You look so much like your mother.”

“Thanks, Millie.” With that, the driver, who she’d called Anthony, opened my door and I climbed inside the white Rolls minding my dress.

The ride there was quiet, and I took the time to breathe and relax knowing that when I got back around the twins, I’d want to poke my eyes out. I had no idea what Millie meant by them being jealous of me. How was that even possible and why? They had everything and what they didn’t have their money could buy them. New lips, new boobs, new clothes, and what could I afford? Nothing but to be their assistant. Not for long. I felt a new determination rose inside me and I pepped myself up with the idea of meeting that one special person that could change my life forever. It was wishful thinking sure, but more fun than sitting around moping.

In that long ride out to the Prince family mansion, I had plenty of time to fantasize and dream of my line becoming enough to open my shop.

I missed the house at the beach where I’d grown up, and the large shop my mother had made in the garage and wondered if maybe now some nice family lived in it. Nola had told me all about how it had been sold, and I could only wonder if one day I’d be rich enough to buy it back. I would in a heartbeat.

As the car drove around the circle drive, I watched as many cars in front of me stopped and let out the people inside, all dressed to the nines in the highest fashions of the hour. My stomach twisted in knots and I gathered up my mask and put it on. I clutched my handbag that I’d slipped my phone in along with a tube of lipstick and then fumbled with the girl’s masks. I’d like to throw them out the window, but instead, I held them tight, stepping carefully out of the car as the valet held the door. I stepped out and onto a gorgeous red carpet that was trimmed in gold and it led right up to a pair of double doors that were opened wide, with two attendants on each side. I fumbled through my purse, realizing that everyone was presenting their invite as a ticket. Dammit! There had been no ticket for me.

Three more steps and I was about to be turned away. My heart sank to stomach like a rock as all the blood rushed from my face and into my hands.

Chapter 8

 

Aiden

I was just about to go and greet my guests when all of a sudden Halle and Sadie Blue stepped out in front of me. Neither had their masks on, but both wore a cunning smile as if they had some kind of mission in progress, a dirty little secret that would be revealed soon enough. I tightened as they approached and stopped in front of me about five feet from the door.

“Aiden Prince,” Halle crooned. “Zep.” While my welcome was a warm smile, Zep got the curled upper lip. Halle didn’t seem to want to play with him again, but as my best friend stepped forward and showed her a little bit of attention by kissing her hand, she lifted her shoulder and tucked her chin like a shy schoolgirl.

Sadie, whose mouth turned down at the corners, didn’t seem too thrilled by Zep’s presence and I could only wonder if the two wanted me alone to themselves. They’d tried that on me before, but I’d never been a fan.

Her sister did not falter and eyed me like I was her prey. “Great party, Aiden. I notice you’ve left the backyard gate open.” Sadie eyed a girl who passed by with a drink in hand, and I realized she must have recognized her from the club. The girl was a receptionist, and it was probably her first formal party.

“Everyone invited is my friend, so I’m not quite sure what you mean.” I knew exactly what she meant, and I reminded me that my mother’s opinions of people weren’t too far off the Blue sister’s, which was disappointing. “I see you’re not wearing your masks.”

Halle giggled. “Please, Aiden you know we’re not much for playing by the rules. Besides, it’s not like everyone wouldn’t know who we are anyway. I mean, we knew who you were, so it’s not like it matters.”

“I agree, you really don’t matter.” The statement was harsh, but Halle laughed it off and turned her eyes back to Zep.

“So, how’s the reality show life treating you two? Did you get renewed for another season?” Zep was all about conversation with his twin fantasies, and I wished he’d toned it down and let them go back to whatever rock they slithered out from behind.

“It’s going well. Our manager is certain we’ll get the new contract and well, we’ve put a few plans into play to get what we want.” Halle shrugged her shoulders like it was nothing, but we’d all heard about her sex tape rumors and Sadie’s DUI. That mother of theirs, no matter what you want to call her, manager or manipulator, had leaked just enough to get attention without doing any damage. She played the game well.

“Lucky girls,” said Zep. He played the games better than anyone and knew just how to keep Halle eating out of his hand. Sadie was the problem, his kryptonite, she always had been.

Sadie’s eyes lowered as if taking in the sight of my well-fitting tux and everything beneath it. “Well, I’m sure we can catch up later. Like maybe tonight when this little shindig of yours is over?” She stepped closer and rested her hand on my chest.

“That sounds like a wonderful idea.” Zep smiled at Halle who nudged her sister.

“Yeah, Sadie. You’d be game wouldn’t you?” Halle’s look was to convince, and Sadie shrugged.

“I’d play if Aiden did. That could be a lot of fun. The more, the merrier.” I caught the grin the two exchanged and then, as I shook my head and looked away, I caught a glimpse of the most beautiful girl at the door.

Though her face was covered with an intricate filigree mask, her bright eyes seemed to illuminate despite it, and as my eyes panned down, taking in the perfect swells of her breasts and the soft curve of her hips beneath the blue silk she wore, I grew giddy. Then I realized I had no idea who she was.

I was quite certain I’d never met anyone with that figure, so perfect, it was like she’d bribed God himself to hook her up, and that beautiful long, blond hair, though it was pinned up like a coronet atop her head, would look just as sexy down. I had a quick vision flash before my eyes as I imagined it brushing against her ass as she arched her back beneath me.

Her eyes pled to the guard at the door, who was one of my mother’s hired thugs and no more courteous than a bouncer at a club. He shook his head and held up an official invitation for the woman to see what was required to enter.

I leaned my head toward Zep. “Do you know that woman?” He and the sisters sized her up as the guard continued to shake his head.

“No,” the twins said in unison. “She’s nobody,” finished Sadie.

Zep shook his head and let out a chuckle. “She’s a knockout.”

Halle nudged him. “If you like that type.” The twins were the total opposite of the beauty at the door, and while they were both dark-haired and as mysterious as the night, she was a golden beauty, as bright as day.

“Who wouldn’t?” I mumbled, my voice barely a whisper, but loud enough to get Sadie’s hackles up.

“She’s just another blonde bimbo.” Sadie folder her arms and I could have sworn I heard her sigh as I turned my eyes back into the girl’s direction. She was having no luck with the hired guards, and it was time for me to intervene.

“Excuse me.” I pushed my drink into Zep’s hand and took a step toward the door.

“This ought to be good,” said Halle with a wicked giggle as I left them to greet the timeless beauty at the door, still searching my brain for how I knew her, and not caring if I didn’t.

I would. Before the night was over, I’d not only know her, but I’d have her. A small inner voice was telling me that she was the one. The reason for the party. But it was so surreal that I pushed it to the back of my mind.

“What seems to be the trouble?” I said stepping up to the door.

“This is business with the lady and me.” The ogre’s voice was like he should have been chasing some poor kid up a beanstalk, but worse than that he had no idea who I was. I reached up and took off my mask, giving him a pointed glare. “Anything that takes place in my house is my business.”

“My mistake, sir. It’s just this one doesn’t have an official invitation, and your mother said—”

“I’m quite aware of my mother’s intentions, but seeing as this is my party and this beautiful young woman is a friend of mine and hardly a threat to anyone here, you’ll please step aside.” I pushed past him and took the young the woman, whose face now ringed a bit red around those sparkling blue eyes, which only made them bluer.

She practically fell into me, leaning close to my side as she began to ramble. “My apologies. I was supposed to ride in with my friends, but we were separated. I was hoping I’d find them outside, but then I noticed they must have already gone inside and since they had the only invitation—well, anyway, thank you.” She clutched my arm with a bit of relief and then pulled away as if she realized the gesture was a bit too intimate for strangers.

“You’ve nothing to apologize for, and you’re perfectly welcome. I’m glad you came, and I do hope you have a wonderful night.” I looked down, noticing she had a couple of extra masks in her hand and then she nervously put them behind her clutch bag as if she was embarrassed to be carrying them.

“I guess I should find my friends.” She looked around the room as I glanced up to do the same and found Zep standing alone. He held up his glass, and then a couple of our friends stepped up to greet him and then waved me over.

As she stepped away, I took her hand. “I’m Aiden. I’d love to talk later. I’ll find you...”

“Oh, I’m so sorry. I’m Ella, and I’d like that very much.” She hurried away before I could get out another word, and all I could do was watch her go.

I stepped over to the crowd, wishing I’d gone after her, but then Zep was all about introductions, and as she disappeared around the corner, I greeted my other guests.

I let Zep carry on, still lost in a daze over the beautiful girl and wondering where she’d gone off to.

Chapter 9

 

Ella

I had seen the twins scurry away from the front doors as Aiden Prince had greeted me, and so as soon as I could break away I headed back to find them. As soon as I rounded the corner they grabbed me, each pulling me by one of my arms until I thought I might lose my footing or come apart at the seams.

“Easy, you’ll rip my arms off,” I snapped as we entered the ladies room. “You left me on purpose!” I wasn’t going to let them get off without at least mentioning what they did, but they made no apologies.

“You’re here, aren't’ you? You’re damned lucky that Aiden took pity on you. He said you looked like a fool and he didn’t want the other guests to be embarrassed as they came in.” Sadie’s voice was tinny and tinged with the perfect amount of acid.

“Well, I wouldn’t have been standing there like a fool if you hadn’t left the house without me. You knew I’d need the invite to get in.” I knew that was the point. Neither had wanted me to get in, to ruin their night.

“Well, you sure wasted your time making doe eyes at Aiden Prince, and if you’re a smart girl, you’ll stay away from him. He’s ours and much too far out of your league.” Halle rolled her eyes as she spoke and wrapped her arm wrapped around her sister’s.

“I’m not interested in Aiden.” I clasped the pendant at my collar bones. “I’m only here to entertain your parent’s idea of the two of you needing a babysitter, but don’t worry, I have plans of my own.”

“And what would that be?” Sadie sneered and crossed her arms in front of her.

“I’m here to socialize to hopefully gain interest in my jewelry line.” I held my head high, I was Layla Ford’s daughter, and the idea wasn’t that far of a stretch, even though the two broke out in laughter and exchanged a creepy smile.

“Good luck with that,” Sadie said with an eye roll.

Halle nodded and stepped closer. “Yeah, good luck, because no one here is going to want your crappy jewelry. They’ll see you as a Layla Ford knock off and nothing more.”

Sadie let out a long breath. “Just make sure that you’re not in our way, and I don’t care who you peddle your shit to. But don’t tell a soul you’re with us and stay away. We don’t want you making us look bad like you did the other night in the club.”

“Yeah, pretend we don’t exist and consider this a night off.” Halle narrowed her gaze into a warning glare as if her dead eyes were staring straight through to my soul.

“Yeah, you won’t have to worry about me.” I tossed their masks onto the counter and turned and stormed out.

Who the hell did they think they were? I’d not even wanted to go to the gala to begin with, and it was only by her parent’s encouragement that I decided to attend. As for Aiden Prince, who’d actually said he wanted to talk to me later in the night, I was sure he’d already forgotten all about me.

I stormed away and left the girls in the bathroom. I could only imagine what kind of trouble they would get into through the night and I’d probably take all the blame. Those two could rob a bank, and their mother would hold me responsible.

I walked out of the hallway and into the huge front room where the party was crowded masked people. It was kind of eerie in a way, not knowing who was who, not that I knew everyone anyway. Other than the twins, not a soul.

“There you are.” The familiar male voice sounded behind me, and I turned to look over my shoulder at the gorgeous man standing there as handsome as humanly possible in his fitted tux.

“Hi.” I looked around to see if the twins were over my shoulder sharpening their knives for me talking to Aiden.

“Did you find your friends?” His eyes and warm smile were full of genuine concern, and I wanted to reach up and pull off the rest of his mask to see what else I was missing.

“I did, but they’re busy.” I lifted a shoulder casually and glanced back over my shoulder, anxious that at any minute they’d see me there with him, and worse, they’d see the smile he was giving me, one I’d be certain they’d not appreciate.

“Would you like to get busy?” His face fell the moment the words left his mouth. He held up a hand to apologize and shook his head. “God, that came out all wrong. I just mean we could do something too. Would you like to dance?”

“I’m not sure it’s a good idea.” I glanced over my shoulder and then around the other direction, but still no sign of them. Aiden took my hand and led me to the other room with him, and I let him feel more confident that we wouldn’t be caught there together by the twins the moment they stepped out of the bathroom.

“It’s a wonderful idea,” he said, stepping us through the crown and toward the dancefloor. “Besides, you can’t turn down the host for a dance. It’s considered bad manners.”

I felt the blush rise to my cheeks as he put his arm at my waist and held my hand. “You look stunning, by the way. I meant to tell you that earlier. I bet you hear that all the time.”

“No, not really. My mother always said it, but you know, she’s biased.” I was quite aware I made it seem like she was still alive, and for the moment, I liked pretending she was. That I could go home to her at the end of the night and tell her how amazing it was to catch Aiden’s eye and dance with the richest man in the city.

“I bet you look like her,” he said.

“A bit. I have her smile, but my eyes, they’re probably like my father’s.” I stiffened knowing he’d caught that.

“Don’t you know?” He spun us around, and I caught a glimpse of the twins looking through the crowd but never saw me as they continued to the next room where the refreshments were.

“No, I never knew him or who he was.” I lowered my chin, and he seemed a bit embarrassed for changing the mood of our conversation.

“My father died,” said Aiden.

“I’d heard about that. I’m sorry for your loss.” I let out a long breath and sighed. I’d always hated hearing that from other’s when my mother passed. It was such a generic thing to say, and hardly ever enough.

“Thanks.” He narrowed his eyes as if sensing my distaste for the term.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to sound insincere, it’s just after my mother’s death, I’d vowed I’d never say those words to another. They just don’t seem to cut it.”

“They’ll do. It’s enough just knowing someone understands you’re hurting. That’s all those words ever meant to me. And I appreciate it.” He took a deep breath and stared down into my eyes. “So, did you lose her recently?”

“Yes.” I didn’t want to talk about death or my mother or anything else that would bring me down. Despite the twins and their drama, I wanted to have a fun time. At least make the most of dancing with him, which would surely end the moment the twins found us.

“That’s a beautiful necklace.”

“Nice subject change.” I figured he’d only remarked on my necklace realizing I didn’t want to talk about death.

“I’m serious. It’s beautiful. But, yeah, I wanted a way to steer away from that darkness. I know all too well, believe me. It sounds like we’re going through something similar.”

“Thanks. I made the necklace myself, though, in case you’re interested. I like making jewelry, and it’s always been a passion of mine.” His eyes seemed to light up with surprise, and I wondered if it was the fact that I could make such intricate pieces, or if he was surprised someone like me had passion.

“That’s amazing. You’re very talented. May I?” He gestured to the pendant, and when I nodded, he took the cool, silver pendant into his fingertips. “You’ve got passion and skills. I like that in a person.” He tilted his head and dropped his hands back down to mine. “I’m glad you came.”

“Thank you. It’s a lovely party.” I looked around at the decorations and could see the gorgeous mansion beneath it all. This was all his, and taking it all in. I realized I was dancing with a billionaire. The entire place was decked out in gold and white for the gala, with big vases of the biggest red roses I’d ever seen.

“Oh, it’s okay. It’s not really my style. That’s why I insisted on inviting the locals. She wanted the entire party to be nothing but rich snobs, but I thought that inviting all of my friends would be a bit of a shake-up.” His playful grin sent chills down my spine.

He’d invited all of these people solely to get a rise out of his mother. It wasn’t that they were his friends or he’d wanted to enjoy their company or even meet someone new, nope, he thought inviting the locals would be a nice dig at his mother. My stomach turned thinking he was probably the conceited asshole that rumor had labeled him, and I didn't want anything more to do with him.

“You’ll please excuse me. It was lovely talking to you, but I think I had better go freshen up.” I stepped away from him before he could say much in protest.

In my heart, I was upset that he’d turned out to be just another jerk, but I knew I’d dodged a big bullet.

Chapter 10

 

Aiden

Ella tore away from me so fast that I was left spinning in my mind. I thought about what I’d said and hoped that nothing had distracted her. Surely, she was just worried about her friends. I walked across the room, and Zep came up behind me tapping me on the shoulder.

I spun around and sank against the wall.

“What’s gotten into you? Are you already starting to wear out tonight?”

I shook my head. “No, it’s that girl. Ella, the one who showed up earlier without an invitation. She’s a goddess, and I think I’m falling in lust with her as we speak.”

“Well, shit, that’s not good. I have a feeling the only way I’m going to land Sadie is if you’re promised to be there. She’s hung up on you, man.”

“Sadie is a lunatic. No thanks. Besides, with any luck, I’m taking Ella to bed tonight.”

“That wholesome little thing? Good luck with that. Just help me land my pair of aces, and you’ll be free to disappear with your girl. All they’ll need is a promise.” Zep shrugged and gave me a wide grin. “Once I get them in my bed, it’s not going to take much work to keep them there.”

“I’ll do it if you promise to keep them out of my hair tonight. I don’t need them scaring off my girl, and we need to try and find out who she came here with. It doesn’t matter, but I’m curious. I want her story.”

“I’ll see what I can do. What if she’s some lunatic too?” Zep chuckled. “You’re not going to want to snag Sadie back from me, are you?”

“Not a snowball’s chance in hell of that, friend. She’s all yours. I could take my pick of anyone else if this doesn’t work out, but honestly, I’d be happy just to get her to talk. I’m liking what I hear so far. She’s got the talent and passion I wanted, and she’s an artist.”

“Oh shit, brother. You’ve got that starry-eyed look. Already dreaming of a bright future.”

“Let me tell you, if things go like I think they will, my mother could get her wish.”

“Let’s just hope this girl isn’t a waitress or a stripper.” I gave him a narrowed glare, and he held his hands up. “Easy, boy. I’m not trying to insinuate anything.”

“Then do as I ask, and I’ll make sure you get your threesome.” He nudged me as the twins crossed the room, each taking out arm, Halle with Zep’s as usual and Sadie with mine.

“I think you two have that psychic twin connection because Aiden and I were just talking about you.” Zep laid on the charm as the two ladies exchanged a smile.

“Oh really, and just what were you two boys talking about?” Sadie met my eyes with hope in hers.

“Well, you girls have an advantage over the entire house being more like us than the others. I mean, we’re practically brothers, wealthy, handsome.” I smiled at the girls as they giggled, falling for my lines as I’d hoped.

“I mean, let’s face it. None of these others losers can size up.” Zep shrugged, and I nodded.

“My only problem is my mother expects me to do the right thing and watch the party, lay on the charms, and of course, look available.” I gave Sadie a sultry smile. “That’s tough when I already know exactly what I want.” I wasn’t about to tell her I wanted her, but I’d have to do enough smiling her way to make her think it. Her ego would do the rest.

“I told him that I’d take care of you ladies for the night, at least until he’s done and then, well, we can all go back to Aiden’s room and have a little fun.”

“What kind of fun?” asked Halle, who was practically purring as she writhed against Zep, her knees crossing as if she had an urge.

“Well, brothers like to share as much as sisters do, so I think if you’re okay with it, we’d like to take turns. Have a little foursome of sorts? You know, make this night so much more interesting.” Zep gave me a smile, and I nodded, laying it on nice and thick for them.

Sadie stepped in closer and locked her arm around mine. “Would that turn you on, Aiden, seeing me and my sister being fucked by your friend?”

I met Zep’s eyes careful not give anything away and then I glanced down into hers letting them smolder. “More than anything. Why don’t you give her a little kiss for me right now? Give me something to tide me over while entertaining the others.”

She took Halle’s hand, and the two leaned in close and pecked each other on the lips, no more passionate than a mother and child. Then they grinned. “You’ll have to wait for more than that. We don’t perform for an audience, private guests only.”

“Then I’ll just have to sit and daydream.”

“I could give you a little kiss to tide you over,” Sadie offered.

I leaned in and gave her a little peck, about as quick and painless as the one she’d given her sister. “You’ll have to wait too, but feel free to get started without me, I want you nice and limber when I get ahold of you.” I slapped her ass, and she gave a maniacal giggle that would give a horror fan chills.

“Then it’s a deal.” Halle smiled and kissed Zep on the mouth. And Zep leaned in and took Sadie’s face in his hands and slowly kissed her. It went a little deeper than I’d expected from her, but she gave me a little wink after.

I leaned in and ran my hand up the back of her neck and pulled her ear close. “That’s such a fucking turn on.” Stepping back, I gave her a wink. “I had better go and entertain the others. You keep my friend, Zep here happy and out of trouble for me, okay?” She gazed back at me with such wonder in her eyes that I knew she was good to go. I shook Zep hand and slapped his back. “Make sure you take good care of our girls.”

“Sure will. I’ll have them ready for you.” He gave me a wink before the three of them strolled away. Then, I knew I had to move fast and find Ella.

Having to pretend with the twins was enough to make my stomach turn but as soon as they were gone off with Zep happy, I put my attention back on the mysterious Ella. I didn’t even know her name and knew that was the first thing I’d have to remedy, especially if I wanted to find out anything about her. Zep was supposed to keep the twins at bay and keep his ears open for any clue about Ella.

I walked through the house going room to room where the party crowd had gathered and caught a glimpse of Zep already bringing the ladies up to my room that I kept here in the main part of the house. I hoped my mother wouldn’t see them because I knew she’d make them go back downstairs. I didn’t know where she was hiding out, but I hoped that while I pursued Ella, she’d stay out of sight.

I strolled into the room where the refreshments were kept hoping that she had gone for something to eat, but when I glanced around she wasn’t there. I went to the ballroom to see if she was in there dancing, hoping like crazy she’d not met someone else, especially any of the rich pricks that my mother had invited.

My blood turned cold at the thought, stilled in my veins as if it had frozen and my anger suddenly spiked. I didn’t want her with anyone else. I had to find her and fast. I searched around and didn’t find her. I stopped and was about to turn and go back out the foyer to see if she was leaving when a slight movement caught my eye on the veranda beyond the dancefloor.

I rushed across the floor, pushing past the other couples as they danced and made my apologies. Not one tried to argue or called me down, and a few even excused themselves as if they were to blame.

I stood in the door and watched her as she stood against the railing to look out at the stars. The moon was hanging nearly full in the sky and the night was so clear that the sky was a dark shade of navy and sprinkled with millions of tiny stars. They were nothing compared to the sparkle in her eyes which had been the bluest blue I’d ever seen. I couldn’t move as I watched her, her shoulders were square, her posture perfect as she stood inclining her head to the sky as if everything she wanted in the world was right there before her.

At that moment, I wondered, how could I compete with that?

Chapter 11

 

Ella

Growing up my mother had always taught me that it didn’t matter how much money people had, that everyone was worthy of love and respect. She’d taught me not to bully or belittle others and that it wasn’t important to be everyone’s best friend, but it was important to be friendly to everyone. She’d also taught me something else that I often found more challenging than anything else, and that was to look for the good in everyone because everyone had some good in them.

As I stood staring at the bright night sky, I thought of her and missed her like crazy. And I also kept thinking of her lessons and hoped they were true. I didn’t like thinking of Aiden as an asshole, but then maybe he hadn’t had anyone in his life show him how to love like I had.

“I was beginning to think you’d left.”

I turned to find Aiden across the room standing right in the doorway under a rose garland that probably cost more than my dress. “I thought about it.”

“Why? Aren’t you having a good time?” He walked over and stood next to me.

“I didn’t feel very welcome, considering I’m not rich or famous and I don’t have any blue blood running through my veins or millions in my bank account.”

“Most people here don’t either.” He lifted his shoulder and tilted his head.

“Well, I think it’s mean to invite people just to make fun of them, or to get back at your mother.” I couldn’t believe the tone I’d taken and wanted to pull the words back in as soon as I’d let them out. “I’m sorry, it’s not my business, it’s not you forced anyone to come.”

“And I didn’t invite anyone to make fun of them. I happen to like everyone I invited. They’re my friends. I think you misunderstood me. I don’t care if my mother likes them or not is all I’d meant to say. We don’t see eye to eye on who is worthy of my friendship.”

Relief washed over me. “Oh, I’m sorry I jumped to conclusions, but I’m glad you had the chance to clarify.”

“Me too. I can only imagine what you thought of me.” He let out a long breath and held onto the rail as he leaned forward into it.

“Not much, I’m afraid. Well, that’s not true.” I shrugged, but he got a curious grin on his face.

“So, tell me. What did you think of me?” He gave me a nudge, and I couldn’t help but laugh.”

“I thought you were an asshole,” I mumbled the word like I’d just said something much worse.

“A what?” He cupped his ear and leaned in.

“I thought you were an asshole,” I stated much more clearly and with my head held a little higher.

“Ouch.” He held his heart and winced. “You’re brutal. I like that. Would you like to come up and see that view from up there?” He pointed to a big beautiful balcony, and I had to admit the night sky would have been much amazing from up there.

But I hesitated. “I’m not sure.”

“Why not?” He nudged my side. “I’ll be a perfect gentleman.”

“How do I know that?” I folded my arms across me, as the wind chilled my shoulders.

“I just gave you my word.” He met my eyes, and I shrugged like I wasn’t impressed.

“Besides, I could grab you something for your chills up there, but down here,” he looked around. “You’d have to settle for my coat.” He started to unbutton his coat, and I grabbed his hand.

“It’s okay. I’m not cold, but since you insist, I’d love to go up there with you.”

A slow smile spread his perfect lips, and it was enough to make my heart beat faster. He took my hand and led me through the crowd, careful to keep me from bumping into anyone, and then we took to the stairs walking slowly hand in hand. He’d stop behind me on the landings, and I couldn’t help but wonder if he was checking out my ass. The thought of his eyes on me made me feel tingly inside, and I wondered if he really liked me like I hoped.

The Twins could have put him up to this, then again, they’d warned me off of him, and now they were nowhere to be found. I couldn’t help but wonder if they were watching from afar. Or if they’d really kill me if they knew I was with him.

Once we were upstairs, where there was a bench to sit, he’d shut the doors behind us. “Hope that’s okay with you, but I’d like a little bit more privacy with you.”

“Shouldn’t you be down entertaining your other guests. I hate to keep you all to myself.” I second-guessed myself. Why was he giving me such special treatment?

“I’m more interested in you.”

“Why?” I let loose a deep breath. “Sorry, that came out a little harsh, but I can’t help but wonder why me.”

“Why not you? You’re fascinating and beautiful. I like that you have something to talk about. Most want to talk about me and my money, but I don’t think it impresses you one bit, so I’d like to hear more about you and your passion.”

“You mean the jewelry?” His nod surprised me, and I kept proceeding with caution, still unsure if this was some colossal prank.

“Yeah, how on earth did you learn to make your own jewelry? Designing it must take time too, and you’re so good at it. That piece you have on is timeless.”

“Thank you. I learned from my mother.” I wasn’t about name-dropping, but I also couldn’t hide who I was.

“Your mother made jewelry too? Did she ever sell any?”

“Yes, as a matter of fact, she was Layla Ford, I’m not sure if you’ve—

“Heard of her? Are you kidding? Your mother is my mother’s favorite jewelry designer, and she’s got several custom pieces in her personal collection.” He shook his head like he couldn’t believe it. “You’re just as wealthy as others here.” He gave me a sideward glance like I’d been lying to him about who I was.

“Not exactly. I’m afraid my mother’s illness drained our account, and I’m having to live with friends and work as a personal assistant.”

“Oh, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have spoken out of turn like that.” His face turned red, and he raked his hand through his hair.

“It’s fine. I know, I find it hard to believe too. My mother built a fortune, and that dreadful disease took everything. It’s okay though. I’m lucky to have my mom’s best friend looking out for me.”

His eyes narrowed a bit, and then he smiled. “So, you want to follow in her footsteps?”

“She’s taught me everything she knows, so yeah. It’s all I’ve ever wanted. I will do it someday too. I was actually hoping that by coming here, I’d meet a few of the right kind of people. Maybe someone in the business who could show me a thing or two, help me get a foot in the door.”

His eyes narrowed again. “Your mother didn’t leave you with prospects? Surely, she had clients that would help you. Her jewelry is worth quite a bit of money.”

“I’m afraid most of her clients are a little leery working with me. Considering my name is Ford, too, you’d think I’d have an advantage, but I’m not sure if they respect me trying to ride her coattails. I do have a few of her exclusive pieces that I’m going to use for security.” I held my chin up and smiled. “I’ll be okay. Mom worked her way up. I can too.”

“It doesn’t seem like you should have to. I mean, don’t get me wrong, I don’t have a whole lot to do for my father’s company, and I can appreciate you wanting to pave your own way, but you should at least have the security of your mother’s work to get you there. I supposed it’s good you’ve got those pieces. Have you thought about selling them?” I wondered if he was going to offer and I shook my head.

“No, not anytime soon at least. There are a few I’ll never part with. They mean too much to me.”

“I can respect that. Some things are not replaceable.” I felt a bit closer to him knowing he’d lost someone to, and knowing that in my mourning, those phases were something he’d be able to relate to.

“I could introduce to a few people if you like. Some would be very eager to work with you knowing your mother. She was well-loved, and I know my mother was very heartbroken by her passing, and she even attended the memorial service.”

“Considering her guest list, perhaps she wouldn’t be that impressed with me.” I gave a little laugh. He’d made it quite certain his mother only saw the wealthy as worthy.

“I wouldn’t be so sure, Ella Ford. I think she’d be more than impressed. I know I am.”

“What if I wasn’t Ella Ford? What if my name was Ella Smith or Ella Jones?” I wondered how important namesake was to him and his mother.

“I was interested in you when your name was just Ella, so, I hope that answers your question.” He stepped a bit closer, and my heart soared as he took my hand and led me to the bench.

Chapter 12

 

Aiden

Something wasn’t sitting right with me about Ella Ford and her predicament, but I figured I’d take things much slower and get to know her before I said anything. The fact that her mother had left her without anything was mind-boggling, but then again, I didn’t know the entire situation.

I sat with her on the bench outside on the balcony and looked into her eyes as she glanced up at the stars as if she had a million thoughts in her head and they held the answers. I slipped off my mask, but she left hers in place.

She dropped her chin and glanced in my direction. “What about you, Aiden Prince? What’s your passion?”

The question took me back a bit, but only because no one had ever really asked me. Most people assumed to know me and from they did know, they assumed all I cared about was money and how to spend it.

“You really want to know?” I gave a little chuckle and raked my hand through my hair. “My dad was in real estate, and he used to take my mother’s clients out and show them the island property he had for sale by taking them on plane rides around the island. Every now and then, he’d let me go along. Especially if it was someone I really liked. I met a lot of famous people that way, but then after a while of hearing them talk about what kind of floor tile they want or how many bathrooms, the celebrity wears off, and you realize that they are just like anyone else.”

“So, you stopped going?” She narrowed her eyes as if trying to understand.

“No, but it stopped being about who was with us and more about the planes and the pilots. I met some of the best, and that’s when I decided I wanted to learn how to fly.”

“You want to be a pilot?” Her smile spread so wide I could count all of her teeth. “I’m so scared of those little planes. I would never go on them. My mother used to take me on bigger planes, but I’d throw a fit if we had to board a small one.”

“I am a pilot, actually. I finished my hours right before my father’s death and since I haven’t been up much. I’d like to change that though. And the small ones aren’t that bad. Maybe if I took you up sometime, you’d learn to love them.” I thought about having her in my plane, how intimate of a space it would be, and then I realized I’d never taken a woman up with me, and nobody else had ever cared to know that I could fly a plane, just that I owned one.

“I’m not sure I’d go without sedation,” she said with a laugh. Her laugh was amazing, and before I knew what I was doing, I leaned in and kissed her.

She pulled back and touched her lips and stared at me wide-eyed.

“I’m not going to apologize for that.”

“I don’t expect you to. It was just a bit sudden.” She turned her head and stared at a planter beside us.

“Well, maybe after we talk some more, you’ll let me do it again?”

Laughter bubbled from her, and I couldn’t help but get rock hard when she said, “Okay, maybe next time I’ll kiss you instead.”

I wondered for a moment how Zep was doing upstairs.

“Tell me what you’re thinking?” She turned and met my eyes.

“I was just thinking about my best friend, actually. He’s more like a brother. My mother took him in when we were kids, and I haven’t really been without him much since.”

“Yeah, I always wanted a sibling. I guess every only child does at some point.”

“I wouldn’t know, by the time I could even think about that kind of thing Patricia brought Zep home. But I never resented him. He’s been good to me.”

“His name is Zep? That’s unusual.”

“His father was a rockstar. You know how they all name their kids some weird-ass name. I’ve teased him about it for years. He loves it though, and it fits him.”

“Does he share your same passion for flying?”

“No, he’s supportive though. His passion is more with the ladies.” I couldn’t help but let out a belly laugh at the thought of Zep in the room with those twins and wondering how far he’d gotten with Sadie. My bet was, not far.

I couldn’t take my eyes off Ella, and I wanted to kiss her again but was afraid I’d come off too strong. I didn’t want to scare the poor girl away, but at the same time, she was so hot that I was starting to sweat. I loosened my coat and took it down my arms, letting it fall behind me.

“Are you getting hot?” Her words made me even hotter, but I shrugged it off like it was nothing.

“Tuxes aren’t my thing either, but my mother threatened me and Zep if we showed up in jeans.” She’d put her foot down on my neck if I tried to go against her on the tux and I’d learned to choose my battles.

“Are you and your mother close?”

“Normally I call her by her first name, but for the sake of avoiding confusion, I’m clarifying with mother.”

“Oh, I see.” She looked away, and I wondered if she thought I hated the woman.

“Don’t get me wrong, I love the woman, but she drives me crazy as most mothers do their sons. But she’s okay. It’s different now that my father’s gone. We share the estate, and I think she had hoped it would all be hers. Dad wanted me in control of it all though, not her. He’d had to bail her ass out of the fire a few times with her musicians, and he was afraid of what might happen if he gave her full control. I think she’s a little bitter toward me because of it, but she can’t help but love me since I’m her son.”

“I’d think there were a million reasons to love you.” She pulled her lips in tight and looked away.

I scooted in closer. “Yeah? You think so, huh?” She turned to face me and was only a breath away.

“Yeah, what’s not to love?” She eased toward me, and her lids fluttered as I closed the distance and took her mouth with mine.

She didn’t pull away this time and instead melted toward me, her hands finding my hair as I held her delicate chin.

Suddenly she shifted in her seat, and the kiss deepened, and I found my hand on the small of her back, wanting so desperately to go under her shirt.

The kiss broke for a second and only for long enough to exchange a look and take a breath, then our tongues stroked past one another, mingling together with long hot strokes, and I imagined it working along my cock, which was stiff as a hammer.

Her hand went to my chest, and she leaned away. “Maybe we should go back downstairs.” It wasn’t what my body was telling me to do, but I agreed with her knowing it wouldn’t look good to protest or to make her feel obligated. I liked my women willing.

But I pulled her in for a quick peck, which she accepted with a smile and another one back and then I brushed her loose strands away from her face. “I could get carried away with you, and someday I’d like to.”

“I’d like that too, but you have a whole party down there.” She gave me a look that told me she didn’t want to go any more than I did.

“Promise me you’ll go out with me sometime and accompany me while I play host.”

“I promise. But there might be people down there that take issue with me and you being together.”

“I’ve never cared about what other’s think, why should you?”

“Well, the girls I came here with, they’re pretty vicious, and since I work for them, I don’t want to step on any toes.”

“You won’t. Let’s go down, and if you see your friends, you can introduce me to them.” I gave her another quick peck, and she stood with me, still seeming like she was unsure.

It took all of my willpower to lead her back downstairs and to the party. Zep and the twins were nowhere to be found, and that was a good thing. I wanted to give all of my time to Ella. We walked down the stairs and about halfway down, I took her hand.

She seemed surprised, and a little cautious, but then she smiled and lit up the entire room. She was so amazing, and I couldn’t help but be mesmerized by her. I stopped her, pulling her hand and pulling her close.

I had needed another kiss from her, and my aching cock needed more too. I hadn’t been this infatuated so quickly in years, and I hoped that she was too.

But as quickly as I had kissed her, I noticed someone coming toward us as we hit the last few steps. Ella stiffened beside me as she looked up and saw Zep and the twins, totally overlooking my mother as she dropped my hand and bee-lined for the gruesome twosome twins.

Chapter 13

 

Ella

I was walking on a cloud as I descended the stairs with Aiden Prince, and I felt just like a princess, as he stopped and kissed me, in front of an audience. But then I caught a glance at the people around us and noticed one angry woman coming his way, her resemblance so similar to his, that I knew in an instant she was his mother.

Before I could worry about her though, my attention was turned to the Blue twins. They stood across the room with Aiden’s friend, and both were draped on him like ornaments, and upon a closer look, I realized why they were so adorned and why they’d run me out of the bathroom. They were wearing my mother’s jewelry from my personal collection, those special pieces that I’d said they couldn’t borrow.

Aiden’s mother stormed up to him as I pushed past and headed across the room to the girls who were both giving me glares that one would expect to turn me to stone.

“What are you doing with my jewelry!” I snapped.

“Fuck your jewelry, you basic bitch! What are you doing with Aiden?” Sadie lunged forward and grabbed my arm dragging me off to the other room. Halle followed, but I wasn’t afraid of either of them. All I wanted was my mother’s things back. I glanced over my shoulder to see Aiden trying to get to us when his friend stopped him.

Once we were away from the rest of the party, they let me go and stood glaring with their arms crossed. I straightened my back and squared my shoulders. “Aiden talked to me. He kissed me. He likes me. Get over it. And if you don’t take off my mother’s jewelry this instant I will choke you to death with it.” I glared down my nose at the two of them, and Zep caught up to us and pulled Halle to safety.

“You’re so stupid. How could he want you when he’s already made plans to be with both of us?” I tried to catch my breath as I realized what they were saying. “That’s right, Ella dear, Aiden isn’t interested in you, he’s only killing time entertaining the drags of his party so after we can have a little foursome fun, and you’re not invited.”

“You’re lying!” I snapped.

“No, we’re not lying. That’s why we’re entertaining Zep here because when Aiden’s done with this boring little party, we’re going to fuck the both of them. If you don’t believe us, ask him yourself.

I turned and looked at his friend who looked like he’d been caught with his pants down. It was true. I narrowed my eyes and pegged him with a glare wondering where Aiden was and if his mother still had hold of him. “Is that true, Zep? Did Aiden make those plans.”

The look on his face told me all I needed to know. “It’s not like that, let me explain.” The guy looked like he was going to be in trouble if he said much more and I could tell that he didn’t want to rat out his oldest friend out.

“Either you’re lying to her, or you’re lying to us, Zep, so which is it? Aiden did say he’d be to bed with us as soon as he’s done with his guests. Did he not?”

“Yes, but—

“See, Ella. He might have kissed you, but he’s not going to fall in love with you. He’s a scoundrel, and you’re just some poor stupid girl.”

“That’s enough,” Zep said, but the girls weren’t done.

“Aiden kissed me earlier too, by the way, so you’re not his special pet or anything. Just so you know.” Sadie’s laughter was full of acid, and I had heard about enough.

“Fine! I want to leave anyway. Give me my things, or I’m calling the police.” I practically growled the words and their eyes lit. Neither thought I’d make such a scene, and I was just pissed off enough that I didn’t care.

Halle took off my mother’s jewelry in a hurry, but Sadie took her time. “You’re so fired. You just wait until we get home and tell mother. She’ll throw you out of the house. You’ll be all alone with nothing and no one. Just like before you came to us.” Zep didn’t seem impressed with his girlfriend, and he glanced back toward the door to see if Aiden was coming. He offered me an apologetic look and shook his head like I shouldn’t believe it, but he made no attempt to deny any of the things they’d said.

As soon as I had all of the pieces in my palms, I tucked them into my clutch and hurried out. I didn’t need them to get home, not with Millie’s driver waiting. As I passed the stairs, I saw Aiden, who called out my name.

“Ella, wait!” I heard his voice high above the crowd and the music, but I wasn’t stopping. I didn’t want to meet his mother or give him another moment of my life. I ran out the front door and took off towards the parking, seeing the white Rolls which was parked across the way. It was the only one like it in the lot and hardly something you’d miss. I felt my ankle twist as I ran and then I lost my shoe. I stopped and shoved my foot into it and hobbled on my way across the rocky stretch to the car.

Millie’s driver saw me and the mousy little man jumped from the car and seemed to panic. “Are you alright, miss?” He asked as he opened the door.

I dove into the back and gave him a glance. “Hurry, please,” I commanded, and as he slammed the door and ran around the car to jump inside, I saw Aiden step outside, looking around as if he was desperate to find me.

He’d promised the twins he’d be with the both of them, and the very thought of it turned my stomach. If I had made out with him more and then left, he’d have gone right to bed with them to finish what I’d started. I had been his warm up.

I should have known that he’d be too good to be true. The moment I’d let my guard down, I was doomed. I’d even thought for sure they’d put him up to it and perhaps they had. Now they had something to laugh about while they all fucked. The idea of him and Zep in the same bed with the twins, the two of them banging each of the girls in the same way Halle had been banging that man in her room. I’d seen her with a different man every week, sometimes two and three, but I guess it was my own stupidity that led me to think Aiden would be better than something like that. But then again, I didn’t know him.

Tears stained my mask covered cheeks as I pressed my fingertips to my lips, still swollen with kisses and then I wiped my mouth as hard as I could. He repulsed me.

The memory of those final moments ran through my head as I slipped off my mask. The thing had been like a second skin, and I’d almost forgotten about it, but then it dawned on me. Aiden hadn’t even seen the real me. He’d seen the masked girl at his party and thought he could play with her. That’s all he’d done too, play. But I wasn’t a toy, and whatever his game was, it was over now. Never again.

I wiped my eyes and then went to straighten my rings when I noticed the one was missing again. I’d seen it on my hand when I’d been upstairs with Aiden. He’d held my hand, and I’d been conscious of it. Now it was somewhere between the stairs and the room where the two awful sisters were. I’d never see it again. I’d call the house and ask the staff if they found it, but more than likely someone else would spot it and realize it was gold and sell it.

I opened my bag and made sure all of my mother’s pieces were accounted for, and I’d have to double-check the rest when I got back to my room.

I was sure that Nola would respect the girl’s wishes and let me go and even throw me out of the house, but that was okay. I’d tell her everything that happened and keep my head up. I wasn’t going to ever be able to trust those girls again as long as I lived, so there could never be any kind of working relationship. They’d gotten their way and gotten rid of me. Just like they’d planned when they’d left for the party without me.

Aiden was probably in on it all along too, and as my heart ached, I told myself, it could have been worse, I could have easily fallen in love with him, but thankfully I hadn’t. My heart was tender, bruised from his game, but a little crush was nothing to get over compared to love.

I could have loved him in time, too, and felt that at least the twins had given me that small mercy. Even if they’d never intended it. The cruelest game would have been to let it draw out.

As I pulled up at the Blue Mansion, I took a deep breath and wiped my eyes. I didn’t want Nola or Mattie to see me looking defeated. I’d been nothing more than another conquest to Aiden Prince, but I’d make sure and stay strong and not break down. If I’d learned anything from my mother, it was strength.

 

Chapter 14

 

Aiden

I finally broke away from my mother’s scolding but not in time to catch Ella. Zep stepped up and reached down to pick something up at my feet, and it was Ella’s ring. Or at least part of it. “She dropped this. You might want to hold on to it.”

“What happened? My mom stopped me about the liquor and scolded me for being upstairs. What did those bitches say to her?”

“They told her you were going to be in their foursome with us.” He looked as if all the wind had been knocked out of him.

“Did you explain that I wasn’t?”

“I didn’t know what to say! I didn’t want to piss off the twins.”

“You let them fill her head with that bullshit?” He should have told her it wasn’t true, but I understood him being put on the spot like that, but I hated that Ella must think the worst of me.

“Man, no telling what she thinks. Those twins are brutal and especially to someone like Ella who’s good and beautiful.” About that time the twins stepped around the corner to where Zep and I stood talking away from the crowd.

“What did you say to my guest?” My lips pulled back in a scowl as I leaned over Sadie and Halle.

Halle sneered. “Please, you don’t even know her, or you’d know she’s our maid.” I turned to see my mother standing behind us in the doorway. She folded her arms and turned around as if she had nothing to say to me, then she stormed off.

“She’s your maid?”

“Yes, since her mother died, she’s been living with my family and working as our personal assistant. But don’t worry we fired her.” I’d remember her saying she was an assistant. The girls weren’t lying.

“Look, let’s just forget all about her and go upstairs. I’m sure we can work it all out.” Sadie was trying to remain calm, but I wasn’t having it.

“You’re out of your minds. Especially you, Sadie, if you think for one minute I’d be with the likes of you.”

“But you said—

“I lied. I wanted you out of my hair, and the only way to speak reason to you is to promise you sex. I was never going to go through with it.”

Sadie and Halle clasped their chests in unison, and then Sadie scowled. “How could you lie about that?”

“The same way you can treat Ella like shit I suppose, because I don’t like you. Though I think your issue with Ella is more because you’re jealous of her. She is more beautiful and talented than either of you will ever be. I suggest if you want to stay, you’ll cling to Zep because otherwise, you can get the fuck out of my house.”

I turned and walked away, sick to death of their bullshit. How Zep could put his dick into either of them was beyond me, though his appetites were much different from mine.

I had to go back though. I needed information, and they were going to give it to me. I spun back on them, getting in Sadie’s face. “Tell me her number.”

“You can kiss my ass, Aiden. I’m not giving you her number so you can go live happily ever after with that pain in my ass. You want her, good luck finding her, because after tonight, she’s going to be a homeless skank.” She grabbed her sister’s hand, and the two took off upstairs. I could only imagine they’d still end up in Zep’s bed.

I hurried away and ran to the front door, taking a quick look outside. I had no idea what kind of car she came in and no idea if she’d had enough time to leave, but she was nowhere in sight.

I hurried back in, and Zep stopped me at the bottom of the stairs. “I’m sorry, man. I should have stepped in, but I didn’t know it would be this bad.”

“I want her, Zep. I fucking care about her, and I can’t stand to think she’s lost her fucking job and has nowhere to go now because of me. I feel like shit. I’ve got to go after her, if not right now, soon. Tonight.”

“You realize who she is, right?” Zep looked at me like he couldn’t believe I’d want someone like Ella. I wasn’t sure he knew who she was.

“She’s Layla Ford’s daughter.” I watched as my words registered and I could tell by his shock he’d had no idea.

“What? No fucking way.” He scratched his head. “I just meant that she’s that chick from the club— the train wreck who spilled her drink all over you.” My jaw dropped as I remembered the plain girl. She wasn’t anything like that now, but I had to wonder if it were the magic of the gala that had made her so much more appealing or the fact that she was having a bad night the first time at the club. I could believe the latter only because I had a feeling the twins had been messing with her that night as well. They were a real force to be reckoned with.

“Well, she might have been a fucking mess that night, but she’s amazing, and I still want her. More than anyone I’ve ever wanted, Zep.”

“And you’re sure she’s Layla Ford’s daughter and not just saying that.” He met my eyes and shook his head like I had to be careful.

I gave him a sideward glance. “Who’d lie about something like that? Besides, she’s still grieving. It’s obvious.”

“Someone wanting your attention, your money, I don’t know, man. I just want you to be careful. Maybe it’s someone who knows you’re in mourning too still. Someone using that to play on your heartstrings.” Zep had always looked out for me, and I could imagine that with the way the twins had been so quick to chastise Ella for being with me that he’d wonder. No wonder what they’d made him think.

“She said something else, man. Something that hasn’t sat right with me all along. She said that the lady she was living with was helping her out with her finances. Now that I know who she’s living with, I can’t help but worry. Nola Blue is known to be ruthless in getting whatever she can for her daughters.”

“You think Nola is skimming from this chick? Why would she have to? I think you’re reaching, man. I understand not liking the twins, and even I know they can be two little bitter brats, but this is a big accusation, Aiden. One I’d step into carefully or not at all. You don’t want to fuck with Nola Blue. Your mother would shit.”

I nodded, but only to let him think I agreed. From what she told me she should have a small fortune, one that even cancer and mounting hospital bills would be hard pressed to find the bottom of, unless someone was skimming or flat stealing from her. Not only would I find Ella, but I’d try to do whatever I could to help her.

I took the ring and slipped it into my pocket and then I asked Zep to cover for me.

“You’re going after her, aren’t you?” He met my eyes and shook his head.

“Yes, now cover for me. Like I would do for you. I won’t get into it with Nola Blue, but I’m going to find Ella. I don’t care what’s going on with her. I want her, and you know how I get when I set my sights on someone I want.”

“Fine, but if your mother gives me shit, you owe me one.”

“No, we’ll call it even for not speaking up to help me when you had the chance.” I gave him a warm smile and a pat on the back.

“Fine.” He seemed to deflate as his shoulders slumped and I shook his hand before I headed out.

“Wish me luck.”

“Luck.”

I took off into the garage and wondered if the valet had taken my advice and not blocked me in. I’d always hated that, and they knew better, but the party was also a lot bigger than expected.

I knew right where the twins lived and hoped I could get to Ella before the twins called home, but I had a feeling that by the time I’d get there, Nola Blue would already know what was happening.

I seemed to remember something about Nola and Layla Ford being best friends, but I wasn’t sure about that. Sometimes the tabloids made up fake relationships and even feuds, and it was hard to tell which was which.

I opened the garage to find a couple of paparazzi waiting for someone to leave. I didn’t bother ducking the camera flash and tried my best not to run over one of the idiots who made a bad habit of standing in front of cars.

Finally, I was on my way, and I knew that if all else failed at least, I could return her ring and wish her well.

But I really hoped that I’d find her missing me as much as I missed her. It was a feeling like I’d known her my whole life and would never see her again.

Chapter 15

 

Ella

I hurried into the house and ran into Millie who was standing around waiting like the driver had called her. He probably had, and I wiped my eyes determined to be strong.

Millie’s voice was full of concern. “What happened?” She put her hands on my arms, and I took a deep breath, snubbing from the tears I’d shed in the car.

“The twins fired me. Aiden Prince chose to dance with me and not them, and they had told me he was off limits. Supposedly, Sadie liked him. But he hadn’t told me anything like that. We were having a lovely time, and he even kissed me. We talked about my mother and her jewelry, and then I went down to find the twins with it on.” I felt like I was rambling but I opened my purse to let her see what they’d done. Her eyes widened as she saw the jewels. “I made them give all of this back to me and threatened to involve the police. They fired me.” I knew I was repeating myself and I tried to catch my breath as I took a seat on the bench in the foyer.

“You’ll be fine. I wouldn’t worry about them.”

“I lost my ring, too.” I held out my hand and showed her the place where and should be. “There’s a part of it missing.”

“Yes, I remember when your father gave them to—

Millie stopped and pulled her lips in tight as if she'd said something she shouldn’t have. “My father?” I gave her a sideward glance.

“Jesus,” she mumbled and then she met my eyes with a soft look of regret. “I suppose I’ve been waiting for the day I’d let that slip.”

“Let what slip, Millie? Did you know my father?” She gave me a knowing look, and I started to shake. “Tell me who he is!”

“I remember the day your mother decided to make that piece. She’d taken all three rings that your father had given her and made them into one. She’d known it was finally over and thought the piece would be symbolic.” She stared off at the front door as if she didn't see it, and instead her head was full of memories.

“Who is he?” Something in the way she was acting, my suspicions started growing.

“My son met your mother a long time before she introduced him to Nola. They were sweethearts, and he even proposed to her a few times. But then Nola asserted herself in the middle and before I knew anything about it, she, Nola, and Scott had themselves a love triangle. It nearly killed their friendship, but your mother tried to step out of the way. But she was too late. And by late, I mean she was pregnant with you. Well, Scott was going through a rough time with his demons, his addictions, and she didn’t know if he could be a good father. You came, time passed, and by the time he cleaned up enough to be worthy of being your father, Nola was pregnant with the twins. He cleaned up and was in love with your mother, but by that time he wouldn’t leave Nola. Not with two little girls, not when your mother was already making money and making a name for herself. He loved her too much to bring her down.

“So, she let it go, let Nola have him even though they were in love and Scott didn’t even fight for her?” I couldn’t believe what I was hearing, but even more than that what it all meant.

“Don’t be angry with your father, Ella. He’s loved you since the day you were born, and he’s looked after you. That’s why he wanted to take you in, and of course, Nola agreed. She doesn’t know you’re his, Ella. She and your mother were friends. Best friends, and even though your mother and her had your disagreements, she’d do anything for you.

“She doesn’t know?”

“No, it’s the reason Scott and I have kept this all a secret. She’d try to ruin us, Ella. You mustn’t tell her.” I stared at Millie and realized something that hadn’t dawned on me before.

“Millie, you’re my—

“I’m your grandmother, yes.” She nodded her head and pulled me into her arms so tight I felt like I’d break. “I’m so sorry, Ella. So, so sorry.” Millie wept and I held her for a moment thinking of my eyes and how much like Scott’s they were, how familiar he’d always been and how he always had looked at me with fondness and told me how much I reminded him of my mother. He’d loved her.

“Nola is going to be mad. She’s going to want to kick me out when the twins come home.” I pulled away from Millie and was suddenly dizzy. “The twins. They’re my half-sisters. I’d never noticed any resemblance with the two girls and myself, but then they’d been perfect little carbon copies of their mother, and I’d looked like mine, save for the eyes, which were so clearly Scott Blue’s.

“I’m sure it’s all quite a shock, but I want you to know something. This is my house. Mine and my son’s. I put the secure loan on it long before he and Nola ever became a thing, so you may stay here as long as you like.”

“Will he ever tell Nola?” I thought it only fair to let her know about me, and then she could make her own decision about what to do. “I mean, I was here first, my mother had him first, right?”

“He was with Nola when you were conceived if that’s what you’re asking. It’s a strange relationship, designed to give Nola her way. I’ve promised Scott I’d never tell, so if you want her to know, you should talk to him.

“This is all a bit too much.”

“I know, and I’ve wanted to tell you a million times. I’ve always known I’d slip up one day. I am getting older and am not as sharp minded as I used to be, and well, quite honestly, I’m glad it happened. You don’t know how long I’ve wanted you to know.” I wanted to be angry, but it had been a long night, and I loved Millie so much, I could never hate her.

My mother hadn’t ever told me either, and though I felt a touch of bitterness from the situation, I just wanted to let it process—let the whole night process, but then as I headed upstairs, I heard a car out front. I gave her one last hug and turned to go upstairs.

“I need to be alone.”

I walked upstairs to my room and then stepped out on the small balcony to peer up to the stars. It seemed like only minutes ago I was with Aiden on his own, looking up at the stars and hoping he’d kiss me again, and now I’m back home, sister to the two twin brats, with my father downstairs somewhere playing his guitar.

I leaned my head on my arm, resting an elbow on the railing when I saw car lights approaching. I wondered if it were the twins returning home in the limo, but it wasn’t. I didn’t recognize the car, but then it stopped, and Aiden got out.

I leaned over the railing. “What are you doing here?” I snapped.

“Please come down, Ella. I need to talk to you!”

“Go away, Aiden. I’ve nothing else to say to you!”

“There’s been a misunderstanding. Would you let me come in and explain?” He peered up at me and I glared down with my arms crossed in front of me like my guts were going to fall out if I didn’t hold myself together. “Please, Ella. I have your ring.”

Knowing he had my ring, I wanted to run down, but instead, I took my time responding. “Fine, but only to get my ring. I have nothing to say to you. It’s been a really shitty night!” I couldn’t even tell him why.

“Just please come down.” He looked around the yard as if he were embarrassed.

“Fine. Give me a minute!” I took a deep breath and went downstairs, passing Millie on the way. She’d heard everything and gave me an encouraging look.

“Be easy on him and hear him out. Don’t let those twins knock you out of something wonderful. He came all this way.”

“He’s playing games.” I wasn’t in the mood for more games, secrets, or lies.

“How do you know that? He seems pretty serious to me.” She gave me a lingering glance and then turned to walk back upstairs.

I walked to the front door and opened it, crossing my arms and leaning back against the jamb. “Where’s my ring?”

He searched my eyes a moment and then looked to the ground. “I came because I want a chance to explain.”

“I’ll give you a chance to talk, but I want my ring. And after you’ve said your piece, you can go.” I met his eyes and kept my tone hard. I wasn’t going to give him room to play any more games with me. My heart couldn’t take it.

He reached into his pocket and stepped forward, offering it to me, but as I reached to take it, he grabbed my wrist and pulled me close. I tugged back, but couldn’t break loose of his grip.

“Ella, don’t.” I searched his eyes, and he took my hand, then he lifted to his mouth and kissed it.

Chapter 16

 

Aiden

She didn’t pull away from me kissing her hand, so I held it gently in mine and placed the ring on her finger. It fit perfectly in connection with the others there like the whole set had been custom-made just for her.

“Ella, I’m sorry. I don’t know everything that was said because my mother pulled me away, but Zep told me what happened.”

“They told me about your plans for after the party, so if you hurry, you can still make that date.” She turned to walk away, but I didn’t let go of her hand.

Instead, I tugged it, holding her hostage. “Hear me out. I wasn’t going to do that.”

“Yeah, right. Even your buddy didn’t deny you’d made those plans.” She glared at my sideways with narrowed eyes and tried to pull away once again.

“No, he didn’t, and if you stop fighting me, I can tell you why.” I tugged her hand, and she lost her footing, stumbling into me.

We were no more than a breath apart, but I didn’t dare kiss her. She was as angry as a wild animal, and there was no sense poking the bear.

“Fine,” she said through gritted teeth. She tugged hard, so I let go not wanting to hurt her hand, so then she led me to a small room off the foyer, a music library from the collection of vinyl albums and gold records on the wall. She plopped down on a distressed leather couch that was so comfortable I wanted it for my bedroom and crossed her arms in front of her.

She was closed up so tight I didn’t know if she’d ever let me into her space ever again, but I knew I owed her the truth and an explanation.

“Zep couldn’t tell you that we didn’t plan that because he’d had given the real plan away and the twins would have been pissed off at him. You see, it’s his goal to have them both, but so far, Sadie’s not been cooperative to his plans.”

“So you did make plans to go upstairs and have sex with them when the party was over, but only so your friend could score Sadie?” She shook her head like she wasn’t buying it. “How does that make any of this any better?”

“No, I never planned to go up. We lied to them so they’d get started without me and I was going to be a no show.”

“So you lied to them?”

“Would you rather I had been telling the truth?” She was being irrational and missing the point.

“No. I’d rather you not have anything to do with anything like that in the first place.”

“And I just explained that I wasn’t. I don’t like the twins. In fact, I hate them. I think they’re spoiled, slutty, brats who are much too young for me, and I’ve tried to deter Zep from them more than once. But he’s got this fantasy in his head and...” I waved my hand around and let the explanation go. I didn’t want to get into Zep and his fantasies. I’d be there all night. “It was never going to happen. I only lied to them and went along with it so they’d leave me alone all night and I could have more time with you.”

She raked her hand through her long blond hair and sat forward to rest her elbows on her knees. “I want to believe that.”

“You can, Ella. It’s the truth. I swear you’re the only person I wanted to spend my night with. I wanted to get to know you.”

“Are you sure the Twins didn’t put you up to all of this? As a way to get to me. If they did, just tell me. I’m tired of games.” She met my eyes, and I felt so bad for her.

“They’ve done quite the number on you, haven’t they?”

“You have no idea. They are awful.” She leaned back and seemed to relax a bit.

“I didn’t even know you knew them until everything went down tonight. Which reminds me, you’re the girl from the club. You spilled your drink on me, why didn’t you say so?”

Her cheeks turned bright red. “I’d hoped that with the mask you’d not remember me from that night. The twins had me so frazzled. They’d taken my contacts earlier that day and hid them, so I couldn’t see anything, and then they hid my flat iron so that I couldn’t get ready. They’re a real treat to work for.”

“Oh no. Well, it’s obvious why they’d be that way. They’re jealous of you.”

Her eyes met mine with a look that told me she might think I’m full of shit. “Why would they be? They’re the Blue Twins. They have their own reality show, they get to live in this palace, and they can have anyone they want.”

“Not me. Besides that, you’re ten times prettier and an all-around better person than either of them.”

“You say all the right things, but I don’t want just another rich guy player. If that’s all you are, then don’t waste your time with me.”

The twins had done a number on her for sure. She was going to have trouble trusting anything from me if I didn’t take drastic measures. I wasn’t letting them take her from me. “How about we go for a drive and give me a chance to show you who I am?”

She took a deep breath and glanced away as if she wasn’t sure, and when I thought she’d refuse me and send me out the door, she nodded and released the breath. “Fine. I’ll go for a drive, but only because I don’t want to be here when they get home.”

I stood up and offered my hand, and she took it, letting me pull her up from the couch. She didn’t say a word as she led me out of the house and I stepped ahead of her to open the car door for her. She seemed to hesitate again before sliding into the passenger seat, so I hurried around the car to get us on the road before she could change her mind. I wanted to take her someplace where we could be alone, so I headed out to the beach. I had a house there with beach access and thought it might be just the place where we could take a private walk and spend some time getting to know one another.

I was fascinated with her life and talent and wanted to hear more, but I was also fascinated with her body and wanted to learn more about it as well. I’d take things slow if she needed, but I was at the very least hoping for another kiss.

I headed out on the main highway and took a few turns into the neighborhood to get to my house, and that’s when I noticed her leaning forward in her seat, looking out the window with narrowed eyes as if focusing to see in the dark.

“I used to live on this street,” she said.

“I bought a house here a few years ago when I thought I was going to be moving away from my parent’s home. My father was furious because I didn’t let him find it for me, but I had wanted to do things on my own then. I guess at some point we were neighbors and didn’t know it.”

“There’s my house.” She pointed to a lovely two-story house that was painted such a bright white it seemed to glow in the dark. There was a for sale sign out front, and I noticed my company logo on the top of it. “Looks like it’s for sale.” She sank down in her seat and looked forward as I drove to the other end of the street where my own house sat.

“Maybe one day I can buy it back. For my mother. It would make the perfect place to work like my mother did. She made her studio in the garage.”

“Why did she sell it?” I wondered if there had been any issues that maybe she didn’t want to deal with like housing regulations or repairs.

“She didn’t. Days before she passed, the bank contacted Nola. I’d asked her to take over mom’s finances. I was too young, and I didn’t understand anything happening. I honestly didn’t even want to try. My mother’s insurance canceled on her and the loan she’d taken on the house defaulted, and so they took it. Nola hadn’t had the heart to tell me until after the funeral. I had hoped there was something we could do.”

I really felt for her, and though I still had my suspicions about Nola, this story seemed legit. Her mother had borrowed against the house which wasn’t the best move, but probably her only one if her finances were suffering.

“I’m sorry.” It was all I could say.

“Thanks. One day, though, I’m going to earn it all back.” She lifted her chin, and there was a proud determination, a solemn vow that I had no doubt she’d make sure was fulfilled.

I pulled into my drive, and her face lit up. “You own this house? I’ve always loved it!”

“Yes. It’s my sanctuary. I still want to live here one day, but for now, I’m staying at the house with mom. I’ve got to keep an eye on her and how she tries to spend the money.” I didn’t go into my mother’s past issues. Maybe one day Ella would learn of them, but not today.

I reached over and put my hand on her knee, and she covered it with her own but didn’t push me away. “Would you like to go inside and see it?”

She smiled brightly and nodded. “I’d love to.”

Chapter 17

 

Ella

It’s funny how things turn out. I’d always wanted to go in this house growing up, but never knew anyone who lived in it. It was the finest house on the beach and had always been painted the most incredible shade of blue that it looked like an extension of the sky and ocean.

I perused through each room of the house as Aiden toured me and then we made our way back to the front after going full circle. “It’s even more beautiful than I imagined. I don’t blame you for wanting to live here full-time. You should.”

He gestured to the sofa. “Sit with me a while?”

I didn’t hesitate as I lowered myself to the soft sofa. “This is nice.”

“I’m glad you like it.”

“I meant this, being here with you.” She lay her head back against the sofa and closed her eyes.

“Are you tired?”

“It has been a really interesting night. Eventful.” I shivered thinking about the twins being my sister and Scott Blue. Scott Blue was my father. I felt the throw blanket that had been across the arm of the sofa now across me.

“You’re shivering,”

“Thank you.” The blanket helped put me at ease. “I’m afraid I’m still trying to calm down.”

“I’m sorry about all of that. I know it was ugly and bound to have rattled some nerves.” He rubbed his hand down my arms as if to warm me, soothe me.

Laughter had spilled from my lips before I realized how it must sound. “You don’t know the half of it.” I rolled my head to the back of the couch to face him and met his eyes with an exhausted glance.

He angled himself toward me. “Was there more?”

I belted another laugh. “So much more.”

“Okay, you’re going to have to explain, because your crazy laughter is starting to creep me out.” He laughed too and placed his arm on the back of the sofa. I leaned in toward him, resting myself back against his chest. We settled into one another, and he even placed his arm across me.

“When I got back to the house I ran into Millie— also known as Mama Blue because she’s Scott Blue’s mother, and I told her I lost my ring, and then she let it slip out that she remembered when my father gave it to my mother.” I glanced up at him to see if he remembered what I’d told him earlier. I saw it the moment it registered, his eyes widened.

“Wait, she knows your father?”

I nodded. “Oh yeah, she knows him very well. She gave birth to him.”

“No fucking way. Scott Blue is—that’s where you get those eyes!” Everyone knew Scott Blue’s trademark blue eyes. They were even bluer than Frank Sinatra’s.

“Yeah, I’d always thought they seemed familiar.” My smile faded, and then I gave him another telling glance.

“Shit. That means the twins are your sisters.” He closed his eyes and shook his head.

“Yeah. So, again, it’s been a hell of a night. And the sad thing is, I’m not supposed to know because Nola doesn’t know. The twins don’t either, of course.”

“Talk about family secrets.”

“Yeah, so they fired me, earlier tonight. My little sisters.” We shared a laugh, but I wanted to cry. “I don’t know what I’m going to do. I’m supposed to be moving out, per their orders, but Millie tells me since I’m her granddaughter and she owns the house, that I can stay as long as I want. But how do I live there with that secret?”

“You could stay here if you need to.” My back stiffened, but I shook my head.

“That’s generous, but I can’t do that.” I realized he’d left his party to come after me and wondered if he was going to hear about it from his mother. “Thanks for leaving your party for me.”

“I’d rather be here with you than with anyone else.” His warm mouth landed on my neck, and the chills went straight to my core causing it to ache and throb.

I turned my head and captured his mouth and then I shifted toward him, and him toward me until we were facing. His hands came around me, pulling me closer and my hand found his thigh. He matched my touch, placing his hand on my thigh and rubbing soft circles, inching his way between them, closer and closer to my sex. I nudged forward, helping his hand find its way and then in another minute I was grinding against him, and my hand was busy on his hard erection through his clothes.

“We don’t have to if you want to take it slow. It’s not why I brought you here, but I’d be lying if I said I don’t want you right now, Ella.”

“So, have me,” I whispered against his jawline making my way to his ear where I nipped his lobe.

He pressed his hand firmly against me, rubbing with a soft pressure that had my tender bud swollen and ready for more attention. As if reading my mind, he obliged, slipping down off the couch to his knees and pushing up my dress. The blue silk bunched around my hips, and I lay back, lifting my ass so he could pull it up and over my hips. Then he slipped down my thin, lace panties and left them around my knees for a moment as he let his eyes linger on me. Then she slipped them down further, and they brushed my calves before slipping away from my feet.

His hands parted my knees and then slipped up my thighs, his thumbs brushing against me, one parting my folds as the other found my clit. I bucked forward at the pleasure, and he smiled, liking the torture he inflicted. He pulled his hands away and then rubbed my soft, bare mound.

“You’re so beautiful.” His head dipped down, and his mouth moved on me, caressing me softly as I rolled my hips against him. I was drenched between my legs, just an inch away from where he lapped and nibbled, and then his strong hand returned to my sex, as the other reached up and stroked my nipple.

As his thumb worked across my tight pink bud, his finger slipped deep into my channel, caressing my walls which ached for his hard length.

I’d only gotten a quick feel, but it was enough to know what he had waiting for me. It was long and thick, the bulbous head nice and fat with a defined rim.

I wanted it so bad, and to give him the pleasure he was giving me. I writhed against him, his hand pulling back, but only to add another finger which he used to spread me wide so his tongue could fuck me deep into my wet hole.

A soft moan escaped me, and he looked up, meeting my eyes, his hand still working. “You like that?” He curled his fingers, letting then work my most tender place as he stroked and I nodded and bit my lip as he drew his tongue across me, not breaking his stare.

I lifted my foot and ran it against his hard cock. “I want to feel you.”

“I can arrange that,” he said, getting to his feet and taking my hand. I sat up and then slipped down to my knees, and his eyes widened. “I was going to take you to the bed.”

“Give me a moment?” I reached for his zipper, feeling my silk slip down over my hips as I lowered it, and tugged down his tuxedo pants.

“Be my guest.” He smiled as I undressed him. He’d left his jacket and vest in the car, and his shirt was long untucked. He unbuttoned it as I slipped his pants down, and then it fell from his strong shoulders and to the floor. He stepped from his pants and kicked them aside. I stood up and turned around, lifting my hair so he could take down my zipper. I let the dress fall and then slipped off the fine lace strapless I’d wore to match my panties.

Once we were both naked, I lowered myself back to my knees and took in his tight, muscular body on my way down. His strong shoulders, perfect arms, broad chest, and of course his rippled abs were impressive, and I wondered how long he spent a day keeping himself in such physical perfection.

But the sexiest part of him was only inches from my face, jutting out proudly, as thick as my wrist and long enough to be a challenge. I wasn’t sure I could take him, but I leaned forward and rested my hands on his legs as I took him into my mouth. His fat, swollen head was like a ripe berry ready to burst on my tongue, and I gave it a hard suck, pulling a tiny drop of nectar that had splashed against my tongue, salty and sweet all at once.

His hand found my hair and caressed I softly, I’d taken it down on the way home in the car, the intricate crown I’d braided had not done my throbbing head any favors, and now I was glad I had. He gathered it up and held it. I felt his heavy sac bounce against my chin, and I relaxed my throat, wondering just how much I could take and lowered myself. His hand held my hair tight, pulling me against him as if he’d read my mind and as his thick cock filled up my throat. His fat head popped past my tonsils, hitting the limits. I spasmed a bit, and I moaned, holding me on it until I eased through it. Then he pulled me off, and his eyes met mine with wonder as if he were truly amazed.

“You’re fucking perfect.” He pulled me up to my feet and held me steady as I wobbled. “Let me take you to bed.” I nodded, and as he led the way up the stairs, I got an amazing look at his ass.

“You’re perfect too.”

Chapter 18

 

Aiden

I led her up those stairs as fast as I could without dragging her, and my cock was chilly in the breeze with her spit still drying there. I had loved her mouth on me and had nearly busted my load in her throat when she took me down. Most women couldn’t handle me that deep, but Ella was full of surprises.

When we got to the bed, she stood beside it looking up at me with wonder in her eyes, her perfect tits so perky and proud catching my attention. I couldn’t help but gawk at her. Her hips were nice and curvy, but she had the smallest waist, and that bare little cleft—she tasted like a juicy little peach. So sweet.

“Where do you want me?” she asked and what a loaded question that was. I wanted her everywhere in every way possible.

I lay her back against the bed, keeping her ass close to the edge so I could dive back down for another taste. I spread her legs wide as she lifted them up, resting them on my shoulders and against my back as I tended to her little slit with my tongue. I pulled back and got another look at her and licked her from her tight little asshole to her sweet throbbing clit, and she moaned and wiggled beneath me.

I pushed my fingers in, watching as I did. I couldn’t help but imagine my cock there, how tight she’d be around it. No matter how much I teased and poked, her tight little walls always snapped back. I lifted up, stroking my cock, spreading her juices I’d gathered all around it, especially the head.

“You want this?” I didn’t have any protection and wasn’t sure if she’d insist, but she tugged me closer with her heels and assured me it was okay.

“Yes, I want it, Aiden.” Her words sent a punch to my balls, and I was so worked up I had to focus.

I aimed my head for her tight little slit and nudged it against her meeting her eyes as if needing more permission. I wasn’t used to getting to go in bare, and I couldn’t remember the last time I had. Maybe only once or twice. It was going to feel so good.

I took a deep breath and pushed it deep, feeling a bit of resistance. I wasn’t sure if she was a virgin, but I doubted she’d had much experience judging by how tight she was around my cock. It felt amazing and I thrust hard, plunging to her depths until my balls pressed against her. I rocked in and out, fucking her nice and deep at first, loving the way her channel milked and pulled me deeper.

I watched as her tits slapped together as my motion built up, rocking her beneath me. She moaned and writhed, her little slit stretching to its limits.

“It feels amazing, Aiden. I’m so close.” I loved the effort of her voice as if it too all she had to pronounce the words with my cock shoved in her.

“That’s right, come all over my cock, Ella. Don’t hold back.” And just like that she moaned and writhed, and her tight little pussy became even wetter, soaking my balls. “Fuck yes.”

I wanted to fill her up so good and as I thrust and ground into her that’s all I could think about was how good it would feel, but then she dampened that hope.

“I’m scared, Aiden. Please don’t finish inside me.” Her eyes pleaded with me, and I knew she was right. Neither of us needed to take that big of a chance, and I wondered if she was even on anything.

“I’ll put it anywhere you want it, angel.” I was suddenly preoccupied with all the other places that I wanted to bust my load: on her face, on her tits, in her mouth, in her ass, on her pussy. I wanted to shower her in it.

She ground her hips upward and put a finger to her lips. “Here,” she said with a shy smile.

“I can go for that, for sure.” I was already getting close, so I pulled away and took her hand, and she sat up on the side of the bed, her tits at the perfect height for my cock.

I pushed her heavy breasts together and slipped my cock between them. “Hold them for me.” She gathered her breasts into her hands, and I grabbed her head, pulling her closer, her chin tucking, her mouth open and ready for my cock.

With each thrust after that, I dipped into her mouth. She finally closed her lips around me, sucking and milking until she let go of her tits, letting them hang freely, and worked me with just her mouth, in greedy, eager pulls.

I felt my balls tighten and my cock swelled as hot jets of my release splashed into her throat. I felt her pull against it as she swallowed, gulping down as fast as I could shoot more. I held her head against me, letting my cock drip until I was finished and going limp in her mouth, and then I pulled away feeling a bit dirty for how we finished.

But she wore a big smile and didn’t seem to mind at all. My kind of girl. I might be in love.

Her cheeks reddened, and she covered her face. “I may have gotten a bit carried away.”

“No, that was hot. Get carried away with me all you want.” We share a laugh, and she pulled my hand until I lay down beside her.

“I don’t want to go home.” She stared into space as I kissed her shoulder.

“Then we won’t. We’ll stay here tonight if you want to, and I’m sure we can find some way to occupy our time.” I could feel my cock already waking back up.

“You think?” She glanced over at me and smiled a sly smile.

“I’m pretty sure.” I took her hand and placed it on my hardening cock. “And even if that’s not what you want, I’d rather stay here with you than be anywhere else.” About that time my phone rang, and I let loose a sigh and reached down to fish it out of my pants.

“It’s Zep. I should answer it.” I hated to take a call during such an intimate moment but considering I’d left without telling any of my guest goodbye I had a feeling my mother was in panic mode.

“It’s fine. I’m going to close my eyes a minute.”

As I answered, I stood up and pulled the covers back for her. I liked watching her crawl to the top of the bed, and my cock was fully hard, red, and throbbing by the time I said hello.

Zep’s voice deflated me a bit. “Man, where in the fuck are you?”

“I’m at the beach house with Ella. I’ll be here all night.” I got in beside her, and she curled up against me.

“Your mother is freaking out. She came into my room and caught me with the twins asking where you were. Sadie told her you took off with their maid and now she’s crying.”

Patricia never cried, but then again, the shock of seeing Zep with those she-devils was probably the icing on the cake. He was her baby as much as I was and seeing a woman or two or five leave the house through the week was much different than catching him in the bed with those two. “She’ll get over it. I’ll deal with her in the morning.”

“Well, have fun. I hope it’s worth it.”

“It is.” I glanced down, and she had her eyes closed. I turned and put the phone on the nightstand after hanging up.

“I understand if you need to bring me home.” She never opened her eyes, and I smiled, stroking back her hair from her face.

“No way. I’m not sure I’m ever going to want to leave this bed. Not while you’re in it.” I pulled her closer and draped my arm over her shoulder.

“I could get used to this.” She placed her arm around me, her hand resting on my opposite side, and then she trailed it down to my hip, and across my front until her hand was laying across my hard cock.

“I could get used to this too.” I bucked my hips against her hand as it began to stroke me and we made love until the two of us fell asleep in each other’s arms.

Chapter 19

 

Ella

Leaving Aiden had been the hardest part about my morning until I realized I was headed back into the lion’s den to face the wrath of the twins. Aiden had offered to go with me, but I’d refused, telling him I’d call him and let him know how it went.

He wanted to walk me to the door, too, but I made him take his goodbye kiss in the car, thinking that rubbing anything in Sadie’s face might not be the best idea. He was reluctant to go, but it was something I needed I to face alone.

I walked into the house and Millie met me at the door. “FYI, the twins told Nola everything, and she’s in a strange mood, so I’m not sure what she’s going to try.”

“Well, I’m prepared to leave. I’ve got another place to go if I want it and I’ll just have to find another job.” I started for the stairs, but when I turned around Nola was coming down them.

“That won’t be necessary, Ella. Your employment here is secure, and I’ve had a talk with the girls. They are prepared to apologize and cooperate so that you may have a more comfortable time here.”

“I’m seeing Aiden Prince and if that isn’t something they can live with, then I’ll hand in my resignation.” I wasn’t about to have that held against me the entire time, but seeing as I needed my job and the money it paid me, I would only keep it if they were willing to accept that.

Nola’s eyes widened. “Are you now? He’s quite the catch, Ella, are you sure you’re not jumping the gun. Just because a man spends the night with you—

“He’s offered me a place to stay.” Nola’s mouth went slack as the words registered and then she straightened her shoulders as if she were trying hard not to be shaken.

“But surely, you’re not leaving us, I mean, Ella, this is part of your job living here.” She turned and looked to Millie who leaned against the banister to listen.

“I’ll stay and keep working, but I want you to know I have other options and a boyfriend.” Aiden had made it clear that he wanted that with me and though I was so nervous, I’d agree. It felt amazing knowing I didn’t have to fully depend on the Blue’s, even though I did need the job, I could always find another one if I wanted.

“I’m sure that won’t be a problem.” She glanced at Millie and then turned to give me a stiff hug. As she broke away, she slicked my hair down. “Breakfast is being served. I’m sure you must be famished.”

“I’m going up to change, and I’ll be right down.” My dress was a wrinkled mess, but I didn’t care. There was no walk of shame after a night with the richest most eligible bachelor in town.

I headed up to shower and change and joined them shortly after.

When I walked into the room, Sadie’s back straightened and her eyes met mine with enough hate that I should have felt it. Halle wore a sly smile as if she had a secret.

“Ella, dear. I’m so glad you joined us. The girls have something they’d like to say.” Nola gave them a pointed glare, and they both mumbled their apologies as they dragged their forks against their plates.

I sat and served myself some eggs and a waffle, drowning it in syrup and thinking of Aiden’s perfect lips and his goodbye kiss. I couldn’t see him soon enough again, and I wondered what the twins would say if their mother wasn’t around.

“I, for one, would appreciate you girls all getting along,” said Scott from the head of the table. Nola glared his way as if she wished he’d go back to perusing through his phone.

It was hard to look at him now the same way as before. The man was not just Scott Blue, rock legend, but he was my father. I had always known he had stories about my mother, but now I knew there were probably so many more that he’d never share around Nola, that he’d probably not ever share with anyone. Intimate details, private ones about my birth and what he thought about it. I could learn my family history if I wanted, and I tried hard to think of all the things that Millie had told me and how they’d now relate to me.

“I’d appreciate it, Ella, if you wouldn’t stay out all night again, at least not without telling me where you are.” Nola turned a pleading eye to my father as if to get him to agree. I wondered if she had the same rules for the twins.

“What time did you ladies get home?” I gave them a warm smile and their father, my father, lifted his head to listen.

Halle clenched her jaw so hard I could see the muscle twitch, but Sadie kept a blank expression as she answered. “Long before you.”

Nola gave Sadie a narrowed look and then offered me a smile. “I do hope the jewels the girls borrowed were not in poor condition when they were returned.”

I wanted to remind her that the jewelry was not borrowed, but stolen. Instead, I played along. “Yes, they are fine. I’ll just be making sure to keep a better eye on them in the future.”

“You’re welcome to lock them in the main vault. Or, if you’ve changed your mind, perhaps I could buy them from you. I know you could use the money, and I’m always adding to my collection as well. I’d love to keep your mother’s things close rather than you having to sell them to a stranger later.”

“I’ve no need to sell them, and as I’ve already explained, the pieces mean far too much to me to ever part with them.” I wasn’t sure why she couldn’t get that through her thick skull, but it would be a cold day in hell before she or her sadistic daughters ever got their paws on my things. I wasn’t about to keep the pieces in their house. I’d already decided to purchase a safe deposit box for them instead, but she didn’t need to know that.

Scott cleared his throat. “If it’s money Ella needs we could always give her the money. We’ve no need for her things.” Nola’s smile was so fake it seemed slapped on as she looked to her husband.

“That’s very big of you to offer dear, but it’s a little much, isn’t it?” She narrowed her eyes, and her lip curled as if she were challenging him. “It isn’t like she’s family. Perhaps she’d rather earn her keep.”

I felt a sharp pain as Millie kicked me under the table and I reminded myself not to sit so close to her again. She gave me a glare and nudged toward my father, but he hadn’t reacted to the statement, so, why should I? I supposed Millie thought that would make things better, but I had a feeling it wouldn’t. There was a reason the man hadn’t stood up for me and told Nola the truth, and if she was such a hard player to make him stick to his guns, then I wasn’t going to rock the boat. His secret was safe with me. But then he spoke up.

“She’s practically family. We’ve known her all her life, and if there’s ever something you need, I’d appreciate it very much if you came to me. No matter if it’s money or anything else.” He offered a warm smile, and Nola plastered on one just the same.

“I guess you’re right, Scott. She’s practically like a daughter.” Something in Nola’s tone told me she already knew, but Scott didn’t falter. He returned to his phone and swiped the screen as a hush fell over the table.

I looked across to Halle who was stabbing her waffle with her fork as if she could kill it, and Sadie was slowly ripping hers apart with her fingers, dipping it in the syrup and shoving it into her mouth, not taking her eyes off of me. I wondered what they thought of their father’s offer.

“Thanks, but I’ll be fine. I appreciate the job, and that’s plenty.”

Nola straightened in her chair. “I suppose with your new, rich boyfriend. You’ll have everything you need soon enough anyway.”

“New boyfriend?” Scott said, his brow pinched, and for a moment I wondered if his fatherly instincts were about to kick in. “Who is this new fella?”

“Aiden Prince. It seems our sweet Ella stole all of his attention last night.” It seemed like Nola wanted to rub it in her girl’s faces.

“Isn’t he a bit older?” Now Scott really did seem like he was a concerned father.

“He’s four years older.” I glared at the twins and smiled knowing their father wouldn’t want them with him.

Millie cleared her throat. “Four years isn’t so bad. Not like six.” She smiled sweetly at her granddaughters who exchanged a look before rolling their eyes. “Besides, Ella has always been a mature young woman, and I have no doubt she’ll make Aiden very happy.”

“I’m sure she made him happy all night,” said Halle with a giggle, but Scott cleared his throat and changed the subject.

All things considered, family breakfast with the Blue’s could have been much worse.

Chapter 20

 

Aiden

I had just stepped out of the shower and put on a robe when Zep strolled into my room wearing a frown.

“I hope you had a good night,” he said as he lowered himself into my favorite chair and stared at the ceiling as I dug through my closet for something to wear.

“I did, the best in a long while.” I found a white cotton shirt and slipped it over my head and then dropped the towel to pull on a pair of sweatpants. “From what you told me, it sounded like you got your fantasy fulfilled.”

“Until your mother stormed in waving her hands like a lunatic and scaring the girls half to death, barely.”

“What do you mean barely?” That didn’t sound good.

“Well, it turns out that while they don’t mind sharing men, they do mind hooking up with each other and other than touching, they didn’t do anything remotely sexy with each other, which was half of my fantasy. Not only that, but Halle was in a terrible mood, especially while I was fucking Sadie, who seemed bored the entire time and kept asking me about you. The Blue Twins are not only brats. They’re boring brats. I need a new fantasy.”

“I’m sure Patricia killed what little action was happening.”

“We were almost asleep by then, but I was doing a bit of deep penetrating while in spooning position with Halle. So thankfully, I don’t think Patricia caught that I was actually dick deep in her when she barged in. Talk about losing a hard on.”

I winced thinking about it and hoped he didn’t continue to elaborate on the subject. My cock was shriveling in my pants at the thought.

“Tell me you had a better time. Did you nail Ella?” Zep turned and spun around in the chair to face me.

I had always told him everything about the women I’d been with, even the smallest details and he’d done the same, but I wasn’t sure I wanted him picturing those things about Ella. “Yes, and it was hot.” I decided to keep it vague.

“Hot? That’s all you’re going to give me? You can’t be in love with this girl already. It was one night.” He knew I kept a tight lip when I really liked someone.

“Come on, man. How was it? And hot doesn’t cut it.”

“She’s perfect.”

“Wait until she does something to piss you off, I’ll remind you that you just said that.” I didn’t care what he said, Ella was perfect. “At least be real with me.”

“Everything she did turned me on, and she made me come my head off. That’s all you get. I don’t want you gawking at her thinking about all the naughty shit I could tell you.”

“Well, now I want to know more. I’ll tell you all about the twins, every detail. They did touch each other. That was kind of hot.”

“Please, spare me.” It seemed even worse knowing that they were Ella’s little sisters. As if I didn’t already think they were too young. “They’re kids.”

“Ella’s only two years older, man. Halle told me that. You usually don’t even like them her age.” I hadn’t even thought to ask Ella her age, but it wouldn’t have mattered as long as she was legal. I knew she was older than the twins based on maturity alone.

“She acts much older and isn’t an immature brat like some women her age. She’s perfect like I said.”

Zep laughed at that again and then suddenly we heard the door open in the other room and my mother’s voice ringing out a warning.

“I’m coming in and there better not be a matching pair of girls in my son’s bedroom.” Patricia walked in and glared at Zep, then she turned to me and met my stare. “Where have you been all night?”

“I was at the beach house, Patricia, and I’m hardly a child. You can keep the third degree to yourself.”

“You were with that maid?” She crossed her arms in front of her and looked down her nose at me.

I shook my head and sat on the end of my bed to put on a pair of socks. “No, I was with Ella. She’s not the twin’s maid. They might treat her like one, but she’s not.”

“She’s their employee, so it really doesn’t matter. I’m not going to have you going around with this nobody, whose probably only after you because of your bank account!” Her voice was ringing off the walls and my last nerve.

I hated that she was so worried about common people and our reputation and even though I hated to let her get to me, I wasn’t going to let her sit around and make assumptions about Ella. My anger got the best of me, and I lashed out. “She’s not their fucking employee. She’s their sister!”

“What?” Zep’s eyes widened.

“That’s ridiculous, Scott Blue doesn’t have but two daughters, and it’s those spoiled brats that Zep was in bed with last night.” Mother glared in his direction and looked as if she wanted to spit on him. “Don’t be fooled, dear.”

“It’s true, but I’m not supposed to say anything.” Shit, I wished I’d kept my big mouth shut. “She’s Layla Ford’s daughter, and Nola Blue doesn’t know, so what I said can’t leave this room!” I was certain the two of them could keep an urgent secret like that, and my mother put me at further ease.

“Layla’s child? How interesting. Your secret is safe with me. I never did like that uppity Nola Blue or those awful girls of hers. Zep, I do hope you wore protection. Those sluts are probably full of diseases or are liable to trap you for your money.”

“What do you know about Nola Blue, anyway, mother?”

“Oh, now you call me mother?” She sat on the end of my bed next to me and leaned back on one elbow. “Well, for one, she’s been known to skim from the musicians that worked for her husband and even slept with a few. She’s a hard-nosed business woman and a real pain in my ass back in the day. She’s the sole reason that Scott didn’t want to work with my team on his last album, but she’d never admit it.”

“So, the two of you hate each other?” I wondered what my mother would think about Layla Ford’s fortune being dwindled to nothing, but I didn’t want her to hate Ella or think her unworthy.

“Not that we act like it. This is a small town, you keep your friends close and your enemies closer. We pretend, like everyone else.”

“Well, then you won’t mind pretending a little longer for my sake. She can’t find out about Ella. Ella only found out, and I’m pissed I even shared the news. She’s heartbroken.”

“I’d be heartbroken too if I had those people as my family. Layla Ford’s daughter, huh? You know, her mother was my friend. We weren’t too close, but we always got along.” She reached up and stroked my hair, and I let her. “Do you like this girl?”

“I really do. So far, anyway. It’s still new, and I don’t want to jinx it.” I gave her a wink, and she shook her head.

“I want to meet her.” Patricia met my eyes and gave me a look that told me that wasn’t negotiable.

“Fine, I’ll ask her to lunch. I’m sure she’d love to meet you. She has her own jewelry line she’s trying to start up. She's very talented like her mother.”

“Then I can’t wait to meet her.” She turned and looked at Zep who looked away. “And you, do you think we’ll ever be able to look each other in the eye again?”

Zep looked at my mother and shrugged. “I’m sorry about last night.”

“I should have knocked. I suppose it’s what I get for barging in, but promise me you’ll leave those dreadful girls alone.”

Zep shook his head. “I can’t promise that. I’ve kind of got a date with Halle.”

Patricia got to her feet and headed for the door. “Please tell me she’s the one who at least has the personality.”

Zep and I exchanged a glance as she left the room, not quite certain which twin she thought had a personality, and knowing full well neither of them really did.”

“You’re seeing Halle again?” I gave him a look of disapproval.

“The sex is good, and she lets me do whatever I want.” He wagged his brows and I knew what he was meaning was she lets him put it wherever he wants.

“Don’t tell her about Ella being her sister.”

“I promise. If you tell me at least one, juicy detail.” His blackmailing skills had always been pretty good.

“How about you don’t say anything, and I won’t kick you out on your ass after I kick it?” We both shared a laugh, and I knew he would see things my way.

“Okay, okay, fine. But I do think it’s kind of hot we’re seeing sisters, even if they aren’t a matching pair.”

“I agree with what you said earlier.” I waited knowing he’d ask.

“What did I say?” He narrowed his eyes as if thinking about it.

“That part about you needing to find a new fantasy.” I picked up a pillow from my bed and hurled it at him. “Preferably one that doesn’t include sisters. You know, since it was so terrible.”

A slow, sly smile spread his lips. “It wasn’t that bad.”

I shook my head as laughter filled the room. “Asshole.”

Chapter 21

 

Ella

I tried to put aside my differences with the twins so that I’d be able to continue working for them without a grudge making things more difficult. If I had known what a challenge it would be for them to civil themselves, I might have reconsidered.

I was up in their room with them as they waited for word from their mother who was busy negotiating their latest contract for the reality show. It seems the renewal depended on the girls taking a cut because of their bad behavior, but Nola wasn’t having it.

Halle’s phone rang, and she and her sister huddled close to listen to Nola on speaker phone. “We’re going to be busy doing promos, so you two should be ready to work and in prime condition. I don’t want anything getting in the way of your work this season.”

“So, we’re in? And with the same contract amount as before?” I’d never seen Halle or Sadie nervous, but it seemed that the two were capable of human emotions. Who knew?

“Yes, and I fought tooth and nail for that, so don’t ruin it. Keep your noses clean, and we’ll be good for another two years at least.” Nola’s voice was stern, and I could imagine the look on her face was much the same. She’d worked hard for her girls, and even though I didn’t care for her, I couldn’t deny that she loved her children and would walk through fire for them.

Sadie’s chest swelled up as she huffed. “We should have gotten more this contract.”

“Yeah, well that little stunt of yours didn’t do us any favors.” Halle gave her sister a wide-eyed look, and from the look on Sadie’s face, she didn’t appreciate it.

Neither did her words. “You’re the one to talk! Why don’t you try keeping your legs together this season and maybe we won’t have as much scandal following us around.” It was almost comical when the two went after each other, and as long as I was out of the line of fire, I didn’t mind their constant bickering.

“You two stop it. I’d like you both to settle down this season, which leads me to my next request. I’ve promised the producers that we’ll see a different side of you. They’ve wanted to see romance with Halle and a love interest and for you, Sadie, they’d like you to either settle in a relationship or focus on a talent. The audience is turning on you, and they don’t know how long they can survive with your bullshit.” Both girls rolled their eyes at their mother’s voice, but I knew if she was in the room with them, they wouldn’t be.

Minutes later, Nola ended her call. Halle and Sadie were left to discuss the details alone.

“Well, at least one of us will have fun this season,” snapped Sadie. “Why is it that you get to have a relationship while I have to focus on being professional?”

“At least you get to do whatever you want. Mother will have me dating some loser I don’t even like just to get good ratings.”

“It won’t be the first time you dated a loser. I’m sure Zep Stewart wouldn’t mind being a part of the show.” Sadie cut me a glare. “You’ll have to make sure you keep a clear schedule, Ella. We’ll need you to be on call for our appointments. Things are about to get hectic while we do promos. You’ve been getting off easy lately.”

This was getting off easy? I wanted to roll my eyes, but I knew better. Instead, I nodded and went back to looking through my new planner that Nola had left on my dresser that very morning.

My phone rang, and I thought it might be Nola ready to relay a few of the promo dates and appointments to me, but one glance at the tiny screen revealed Aiden’s smile. He’d taken the selfie and added it to my contacts, a sleepy-eyed image of him with a smoldering, lazy grin from the morning we woke up at the beach house.

I tried to step away, but Halle shook her head. “Don’t run off.” My back tensed and I walked to the couch and sat on the end with my back turned to them trying to take what privacy I could.

“Good morning, Mr. Prince.” I kept my voice soft and glanced over my shoulder to see that I had both of the twin’s attention. Sadie was hovering like a hawk, while Halle sat on the back of the chair beside me perched like a vulture.

“Oh, so official, Ms. Ford. I’d complain, but that kind of turns me on.” My cheeks reddened at his words, and I remembered all too well how sexy he was while turned on.

“I’m at work and with my employers as we speak.” I was trying to hint that it wasn’t a good time, but at the same time, I wondered what he wanted.

“I won’t keep you, but I was wondering if you wanted to have lunch. I can come pick you up if you want?” The thought of having an intimate lunch with Aiden was enough to make me warm all over, but then Halle cleared her throat. I glanced over my shoulder and noticed she was still there, eyeballing me like I was wasting her precious time.

“Lunch sounds wonderful. What time would—

Halle stepped around into my line of sight and folded her arms. “We need you at lunchtime. We’re going to be talking about our schedules.”

“Lunch is not going to work today because the twins need me. They’ve been accepted for another season.”

“Then we’ll have dinner.”

“Dinner,” Halle stood shaking her head. “Dinner might not be a good idea either. Halle’s shaking her head.”

“Today is a bad day,” Sadie said stepping up beside her sister.

Aiden made a noise through the phone that made me worry how long his patience would hold out. “Then call me later when they set you free. I have a feeling anything we plan is going to be a bad time with those two.”

Halle leaned in close. “Have Aiden tell Zep I said hello.”

“Did you hear that?”

“Yeah, I’ll pass that right along. I’m sure he’ll be thrilled. The two of them are supposed to be dating.” The tone of his voice told me he wasn’t too impressed with his best friend’s choice of relationships.

“Well, that should be great for ratings,” I mumbled, and he laughed letting me know he caught what I’d said.

“Yeah, that would be right up his alley.” He let out a long breath and then I heard his car start. I didn’t ask where he was going because I didn’t want him to think I needed to know his every move. “Call me. We’ll get together as soon as you’re free.”

“Sounds good.” I was glad that he was being understanding about my situation. Coming with such heavy baggage as the Blue Twins wasn’t something that most people would put up with considering their reputations.

I hung up the phone and lifted my head to meet Halle’s eyes. “He said he’d pass along your message.” I stood and closed my hands together in front of me and tried to look as relaxed as possible. I didn’t want the two to think that they’d rattled me, but I had something to say. “I understand that you don’t like the fact that Aiden and I are seeing each other, but trying to monopolize my personal time isn’t going to ruin what we have.”

Sadie smirked and stepped in front of me. “We’re not going to ruin what you have. You’ll do that all on your own. You see, we really did have a threesome with Zep Stewart, and there’s something he let us in on long before that happened. He and Aiden love to share their women.”

“Yes, Zep did admit that’s their thing when their relationships get a little stale. So, it’s only a matter of time before Aiden starts to get bored and decides to let Zep teach you a few new tricks.”

They were hoping to get a reaction from me, but I wasn’t going to let them rattle my feathers. “We should get ready for that lunch date.” I turned and picked up my bag and shoved my phone and the new planner into the outer pocket.

“We’re only trying to save the heartache, Ella.” Halle lifted her shoulders and raised her hands in a what do you do fashion. “Aiden Prince isn’t the type who settles for one woman relationships. He’s had hundreds of women and never a steady relationship. Why should it be any different with you? He’s a known playboy, a creature of habit. You’ll see.”

“I’ll just go ready for that lunch date. I’m starved.” I stepped out, leaving in the direction of my room. When I got there, I took out the phone and called Nola about lunch plans. She had only wanted to meet the girls for lunch to take them shopping, and just like that, I was excused. I decided not to say a word to the girls and hoped I could slip out before they called Nola themselves.

Once I was out of the house, I texted Aiden and told him to meet me down the road from the house.

Chapter 22

 

Aiden

I hadn’t ever had to sneak around while in a relationship before and trying to keep from shoving my sexual habits in my mother’s face by rushing out a few one-night stands didn’t count.

I took the long road up the Blue’s mansion and stopped just outside the gates where Ella stood shifting on her feet and looking over her shoulder.

I pulled up beside her and let down the window. “Hey, sexy lady. Do you need a ride?”

Her face tinged red, and as she smiled, her whole face lit up. “Yes, and let’s hurry. I sneaked out of the house, and I want to leave before they realize I’m gone.” She opened the passenger door and slid into the seat beside me.

“All of this sneaking is kind of a turn on. I didn’t realize I was dating a bad girl. I like it.” I leaned over and gave her a quick peck on the lips and then stepped on the gas. My tires squealed, and she laughed, looking back at the house as we sped away.

“You’re not very good at sneaking away. Remind me never to rob a bank with you.” She ran her hand through her hair and dropped her bag to the floorboard. “Where are we going?”

“I guess I should feed you, but after that, I could take you back to my place if you want. We can hang out there or go do something. I’m not picky. I just want to spend some time with you.” I kept my hand on the gear shift, and she placed hers on top of it.

“Yes, and we should enjoy it while we can. Once they find out I ditched them, they are going to be so pissed off that they make my life miserable.” She seemed like it was really bothering her, and I hated that they had that effect on her.

“Don’t they already do that.” It seemed that was all they did. Like they lived for it.

“They do their best.” She let loose a long breath, and her smile faltered a bit.

“They treat you like shit. You’re family, not some employee.” I shook my head and switched lanes as I approached my exit.

“They don’t know that though.”

“Yeah, I forget that. Did you say that your father doesn’t know?” I couldn’t remember if he didn’t know or if he didn’t know that she knew or both.

“He knows that I’m his, but he doesn’t know that I found out. I’m not sure that the Twins would treat me any better if they knew I was their sister. They’d be just as terrible and spoiled and have even more reason to see me as a threat.”

“You don’t think they’ll want to share their daddy?”

She cringed. “Don’t say that. I could never call him daddy.” She made a face like it was the most awful thing in the world.

“Don’t tell me you were one of his fans, that you ever had naughty thoughts about the rock god, Scott Blue.”

“Gross, no. He’s old enough to be my—well that’s because he is my father. I’m still trying to wrap my head around it.” She sank back in her seat a little and turned her head my way. “Could we just go to your place? I’m not really that hungry.”

“Yes, we can. And if you do get hungry, I’ll have the chef whip us something up. You’ll like Louis’s cooking.” I turned her hand and stroked her wrist with my thumb. “Don’t let those twins get you down. Let it all out of your mind for the day. You could use a break.”

She smiled and closed her eyes as if she hadn’t had a decent rest in days. I’d noticed how she slept like a log at the beach cabin and I didn’t think it was just because I’d wore her out, she’d been stressed and working hard, not to mention dealing with those bitches every command which couldn’t be too easy in itself. I wanted her to relax with me, to make herself at home with me.

We got to my house a few minutes later, and she leaned into me as I led her to my house at the back of the estate.

“I thought you stayed in the big house.” She glanced over at the main house as I led her up the walk to my door.

“No, I have a room there, but me and Zep live here in the guest house. It’s much more appropriate for us, and we can come and go and have guests without disturbing Patricia. Not to mention, I hate seeing my mother with other men.”

“She’s seeing someone already?” My father’s death was sudden but not as sudden as my mother had returned to dating.

“Yeah, she didn’t even let him get cold in the ground. But I have a feeling she was seeing other men while he was alive. I mean, I don’t like to think it, but I’m not stupid. She didn’t have any problems finding men, so I think she’d been on the scene for a while.”

“That’s terrible. I think exclusive relationships are nice.” She met my eyes, and there was a question in her glance.

“Are you asking me how I feel about being exclusive?”

“I wasn’t asking, but knowing the answer would be nice.” She shook her head. “I’m sorry. I should just shut up, really. I’m letting those stupid twins get to me.”

“How so?” I could only wonder what kind of things they were telling her.

“Well, they said that you and Zep like to share your women and that when you get bored with me, then you’ll pass me over to Zep.”

Anger built up in my blood and sent it through my veins a warp speed just thinking about her being with Zep. “That’s not true.” I felt my jaw pop as I clenched. “Do you think I could do something like that?” Her face paled, and she shook her head.

“No, Aiden. Not at all.”

“When you’re with me, you’re with me. And I don’t have any desire for anyone else. As for Zep, he hardly needs my cast offs. He’s got his hands full enough as it is and I wouldn’t even tell him private things about me and you, much less share you with him.” She frowned, her mouth turning down and eyes filled with what looked like tears.

“I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be. It’s those damned girls. They’re not happy unless they are creating drama. I wish Zep would leave Halle alone, but for some reason, he actually likes her.”

“Are you guys talking about me?” Zep strolled into the room eating a handful of grapes and almonds.

The thought of him with Ella had me scowling. “Yeah, Ella’s going to hang out with us here today. Don’t tell Halle she’s here.”

“I don’t tell Halle anything, but if she asks I’ll lie.” I knew he’d have no trouble lying to her because he didn’t really care about her.

I pulled Ella close, and her stomach growled so loud that even Zep heard it. Her face turned red, and she giggled as Zep nudged me. “Feed the girl, Aiden, damn.” He shook his head and stepped over to the bar. “Don’t let him get cheap on you. Have him take you to a nice restaurant. He can afford it.”

She knew well enough I could, but I didn’t like Zep making insinuations about my wealth.

“Let’s grab something to eat. We can still go out if you want.” I had some good news to tell her, but now all I cared about was getting her fed and comfortable.

“Could you call out for something? I’d like to stay in.” I pulled her close. “Anything you want. I’ll call to the kitchen and have then bring us something.” I turned to Zep who was gathering his keys and wallet. “Are you going to be around?”

“No, I’m off to the docks. I’ll call you later. You two have fun. Ella, it was good to see you again.” Zep gave her a nod and turned to head for the door.

“Good to see you too,” Ella called after him just in time for him to give her a wink and pull the door to.

I sat on the couch with my phone. When she joined me, I pulled her into my lap and kissed her cheek. “Is there anything particular you want. My personal menus have some pretty basic food: chicken alfredo, burger and fries, French bread pizzas. You name it. I can have it here within the hour.”

“Impressive.” Her smile warmed me all over, and she nestled her face against my neck and kissed me there as I dialed up the kitchen and placed our order.

As promised, our food arrived, and we sat out on the patio looking at the pool until we finished.

In the quiet after dinner, while staring out at the butterflies who were fluttering over the hibiscus, I took her hand. “I have a little surprise for you.”

“Yeah? I hope it’s good. It’s going to be hard to top the bread.” She’d eaten nearly the whole loaf alone, and I had to admit that it was one of my favorites too.

“Oh yeah. I think you’ll think so, and I’ll be sure and pass along your compliments to the chef.” We share a little laugh, and I stroked her hand. “I talked to Delaney Graham last night, and he’s willing to let you come down to his studio and spend some time if you want. He said he could show you a trick or two and maybe if he likes your work, he can get you in with some buyers.” Her eyes lit, and she bounced in her seat.

“Really! That’s amazing! Thank you!”

I had expected a much different reaction. “He didn’t seem to understand why you haven’t been in touch already.”

Her face lit with confusion. “Why would I? According to Nola none of my mother’s contacts had room for me, and the buyers lacked interest.”

Of course, she had. Nola Blue was up to something. And I was going to find out what. “Are you excited?”

She leaned in close and kissed me, flattening her palm against my cheek. “Yes, thank you.”

“No need to thank me.” I patted her hand and kissed her, pulling her closer until she moved from her chair to my lap.

“If you don’t want to hear it, then perhaps you won’t mind if I show you show much I appreciate you thinking of me.” Her hand slipped down between us, stroking my length which was already stiff in my pants. “Are you okay with that?”

“Mm, more than okay.” I lifted her up so fast she let out a little squeal, and then she burst out giggling as I put her over my shoulder and carried her into my house.

Chapter 23

 

Ella

All of the blood had rushed to my head, and I couldn’t stop giggling as Aiden carried me into the house. He stopped next to the bed, and I could see us in the reflection from the mirror of his dresser. His hand raised and I felt a sharp smack of his hand against my ass. I’d wore jeans, and there was nothing quite like getting a spanking through denim to warm one’s backside.

“Ah!” I found myself on my back before I could kick or scream, but doing so would only be playing. I didn’t mind the spanking or being tossed down on the bed, and I especially didn’t mind when he wasted no time slipping off my shoes and tossing them to the floor.

His eyes stayed focused on mine, burning with intensity as he worked the buttons on my jeans and slipped them down over my hips, down to my knees and finally puddling around my bare feet. I kicked them off as he went for the hem of my shirt, which was a surprise. I’d expected him to slip my panties down, but his hands pushed my silky blouse up over my head, and I leaned up enough to accommodate.

He stepped back once I was wearing only my bra and panties and worked the zipper of his own loose-fit jeans which were faded and distressed to perfection. The things had hugged his ass perfectly, but I had to admit they looked even better as they fell down his ass before hitting the floor.

He wore gray boxer briefs beneath them, and he stripped off his t-shirt and tossed it across the room and into his hamper. I laughed as he missed and then he shrugged and slipped down his briefs until he was standing with nothing but his erect cock in his hand.

“Aren’t you going to undress me?” I rubbed my knees together and rolled them from side to side as I looked up at him.

My eyes widened as he shook his head. “No, you’re going to strip for me.” He took my hand and pulled me forward to my feet, but my face turned bright pink, and I shook my head to protest.

“No, no, no. I’m not good at that sort of thing.” I gave him a pleading look as his wicked grin spread his lips and then he was giving me a pleading look right back.

“You’ll do it for me. You’ll be amazing, Ella. Just stand up and slip them off nice and slow. I want to watch you.” He dropped my hand and stepped back, and I felt the heat in my cheeks turn cold as the blood drained from them.

I reached around behind my back and unhooked the tiny clasp of my lacy bra.

“Slowly,” he said. He gripped his cock and pumped it as his eyes lingered on my body and the fact that he wasn’t ashamed at all gave me a confidence I didn’t know I’d have in this situation.

I slowly slipped the first strap down my shoulder, holding the cup in place as I pulled my hand free, I did the same with the other, and soon I was left holding my cups in place. I pulled them away, dropping the garment to the floor as I took one of my pebbled nipples between my fingers. I slowly stroked and pinched it, as his eyes widened and he licked his lips. “Just like that, Ella. You’re so beautiful.”

I slipped my hand down the front of my panties, and his eyes widened as if he hadn’t expected the gesture. I cupped my mound and moaned, biting my lip, as I slipped a finger between my folds. I brought the digit to my lips. Aiden closed the distance between us and kissed me. After getting a taste, he stepped back and pumped his cock as I slipped my thumbs into the straps at my hips and slowly peeled myself out of my panties. They hadn’t even made it to my knees when he stepped forward and kneeled, and before I could react, his mouth landed on my bare mound, and his tongue slipped between my folds, kissing my swollen bud.

My breath hitched, and I ran my fingers through his hair as he worked his mouth on my most private places and I threw my head back moaning as his teeth nibbled on my clit and his fingers dipped in, stroking my soaking channel.

“You’re so wet, Ella. I think you liked performing for me much more than you thought you would.” He was so right. I did enjoy his eyes watching me, his hands working himself, getting it pumped and primed for me. I glanced down and noticed how red and swollen his cock was, like a hot knife ready to slice into my core.

After another moment of working me over, he stood and sat me back on the edge of the bed. I took the chance to grab his hips and pull him to me, his thick erection just inches from my hungry mouth. I stuck my tongue out and lapped it against his shaft, and he hissed as I rolled my tongue across his veiny flesh.

I met his eyes before pulling him into my mouth, and he gripped the back of my head and held me still, working his hips gently, as the head of his cock popped in and out of my mouth.

I gripped his ass and relaxed my throat, forcing him deeper, and he moaned, a curse slipping from his lips, “Fuck.”

I nursed him like that for a little longer, and then he stepped back and put a hand on my shoulder to lay me back. He stepped between my knees and nudged my legs apart further with his hips.

He stroked his head against me, letting his head slide between my folds and spread my nectar. I greedily inched down, wanting him inside me, needing him to push himself into my depths and when he did a moment later, I moaned and winced at the intrusion. He was so big that it took me a moment to settle around him, but once I did I quivered, my channel milking him as he thrust.

He angled his hips and adjusted my position to stroke against my most tender spot and then he slipped his hand down to work my clit with his thumb. The pleasure built with an intensity that had me feeling as if I might come apart and a moment later I did, my channel soaking so much I felt my release splash and drip down my ass where his balls slapped, the sound getting louder from the wetness.

Aiden leaned down across my chest and captured my mouth and then he pulled away, meeting my eyes. “Where do you want it this time?” He thrust harder, his cock seeming to swell inside of me.

“Anywhere you want it,” I knew I was covered, but there was always a chance. Maybe I should have been more careful instead of throwing caution to the wind while lost in ecstasy. But I trusted Aiden and a moment later he jerked free of my core, and his hot release spurted against my tummy. I glanced down in time to take the overshot on my breasts, and a tiny droplet even hit my chin. I dragged my finger through and tasted it. He found my mouth and then stepped away to grab a towel.

A moment later he was back and wiping me up, his strong hands gentle as he cleaned up his mess.

“Let’s go get you cleaned up,” he said taking my hand, and we headed to his shower, and we spent the next hour under the gentle spray, exploring each other’s bodies even more. If there was one thing, I was sure of before we were done it was that I could trust Aiden.

Chapter 24

 

Aiden

It had been the longest week ever with the twins taking out their retaliation on Ella for bailing on them to spend the day with me, and while I’d like to think it was worth it, I missed her like crazy. I decided to intervene and pay her a surprise visit.

Sadie answered the door and leaned against the jamb trying her best to look innocent, but it wasn’t working.

“Hey, Aiden. Don’t tell me you’re here to apologize to me for lying about the foursome.”

“Okay, I won’t. Is Ella around?”

“You know if you didn’t like me, all you had to do was say so. Ella thinks you’re Mr. Perfect, but I know you’re just like any other asshole player stringing girls along.”

“I never strung you along, Sadie. And don’t pretend you didn’t have fun. I know you enjoyed yourself with Zep. He told me so.” Zep had told me how bored she’d been, but I wasn’t about to give her the satisfaction of admitting that.

“Please, watching him and Halle and knowing you were not going to show because you were off with that little bitch, Ella. I could have had more fun at home with my vibrator, or at least scored someone else. It’s not like I’m incapable.”

“Then, why don’t you? Could you get Ella, please?”

“I don’t have the patience for most people. You and I could have had fun. It’s a shame.” She stepped away from the door, still not acknowledging my requests to see Ella.

“Is Ella even home?”

“This isn’t her home, but no, she’s not. She’s out with Halle. You can come up and wait if you like. I’ll try to be hospitable.” She lifted her shoulder and looked me up and down.

“No, thanks. But could you please tell her I stopped by?” I knew the moment I asked the answer was a big, fat hell no.

She gave me a big toothy grin. “Sure thing, lover.” She shut the door in my face and on my way to the car I decided to stop and text her. I couldn’t trust Sadie to pass along any message, and if she wasn’t far out, I’d wait in the area and come back when she got home. I ducked to the side of the walk and heard laughter from across the lawn.

When I looked up, I could see between the house and a small garage to where the driveway led back to the side entrance. Parked there was my mother’s car.

I put the phone in my pocket and started for it wondering if I could be mistaken, but the closer I got, I could hear the shrill laughter that I knew was my mother’s, accompanied by what could only be Nola Blue’s. I caught a glimpse of the women who were sitting on the back patio under an umbrella by the pool, and my blood turned cold.

I’d told my mother about Ella’s relationship to Scott Blue, that Nola had no knowledge of the relationship, and though she’d insinuated that she hated the woman, there they were laughing it up like old friends. I wondered what all my mother had told her, and if she was here to learn more about Ella.

I’d yet to invite her over to meet my mother, and though I knew it irked her, it wasn’t mine or Ella’s fault. She’d been bogged down by work and the day she’d come over, my mother hadn’t been home.

I decided to leave and question my mother about it later, but as I walked to my car, my mother came around the building on the way to her car with Nola Blue in tow.

Nola spoke before my mother had the chance. “Aiden? You must be looking for Ella.”

“Yes, but Sadie said she’s off with Halle?” At least I’d find out if she was gone or if the twins had her upstairs locked away in their closet.

“They had some appointments, but she should be back later. I’ll tell her you dropped by. If you’ll excuse me,” she turned to my mother, “I’ll call you later. Thanks again for stopping by on such short notice.”

As Nola walked away, my mother gave me a tight grin. “Aiden. I guess you’re wondering what I’m doing here.”

“Yeah, I’m hoping you’re not checking up on me or Ella.” I was livid but trying to keep my composure.

“Nola called me over. She’s got some property for sale, and I was just getting her listing. I thought maybe you had recommended her, but she said that wasn’t the case.”

“No, I didn’t, but I’d like to know what property she’s listed.” I had a feeling I already knew.

“It’s a place out on the beach, just down the way from yours, actually.” Ella’s house. Patricia didn’t have to say it, but I knew.

“Could you take me by there?” I wanted to go see the property up close and take some time with my mother to find out what Nola’s game was and how she ended up with the property to sell in the first place.

Mother handed me the paper she held in her hand. “Here’s the address. I’ll follow you there.”

The two of us headed out, and sure enough, my mother led me right to Ella’s property. I thought about it on the way and remembered Ella had told me that the house had been taken by the bank. If that were true, then why did Nola have it to sell.

It was the first thing I asked my mother. “Is this place in Nola’s name?”

“Well, she couldn’t sell it otherwise. She’s supposed to fax the paperwork over later, but I’m sure she knows better.”

I stood with her as she unlocked the door and then we walked into the home where Ella was raised. It was a beautiful place, nice and homey, cozy and clean. I could see her growing up there, coming down the stairs, all knees and elbows, her bright smile growing from a young girl’s face to a woman’s. “There’s no bank involved?”

“A bank? No, she claims it’s hers free and clear.”

I walked through the house and imagined Ella in each room. Baking cookies with her mother in the kitchen, watching cartoons in the living room as a kid. I remembered what she’d told me about the garage, how her mother had it made into a workshop. I walked out and found it lined with counters and cabinets, a sure sign that the place was used the way she’d said it was.

“They seemed to turn this place into a workshop of sorts, but it can be converted back to a garage.” My mother had no idea of the blasphemy she spoke.

This was Ella’s workshop.

“I want to buy this place.” The words came out with so much certainty that I didn’t blink, but my mother was taken aback.

“Excuse me? You want this place for you? Your home is so much nicer, and if you’re buying it for Zep—

“It doesn’t matter why I want it. I’m buying it. I’ll transfer the deposit as soon as she sends you the proof of ownership.”

My mother knew better than to argue with me over something I wanted to buy, but she tilted her head and gave me a narrow-eyed look. “You’re buying it for that girl, aren’t you?”

“Ella. Her name is Ella, not that girl. And yes, considering this is where she grew up, I’m buying it for her. I want you to make sure that Nola has ownership before you agree to anything.”

“What’s going on, Aiden? There’s more than you’re telling me.” She grabbed my arms and looked me square in the eye. “You can tell me what’s going on.”

“See if you can trace the deed back to Layla Ford or her bank, and do not tell Nola Blue that I’m the buyer. Don’t tell her anything.”

Patricia nodded. “You think she stole it, don’t you? From Ella?”

“Either her or her dying mother.”

“Wait, you think she stole this place from Layla Ford on her deathbed?” My mother’s eyes hardened, and she bared her teeth. “If you’re right, then she’s in a whole lot of trouble, and I’m not sure we need to be mixed up in it. Don’t you go making any accusations unless you’re absolutely sure? We don’t want a lawsuit on our hands, but I promise, son, I’ll do all I can to find out how she secured the property, even if I have to ask her.”

“She’ll lie.”

“No offense, son, but let’s hope it’s not Ella who is lying about this house. Maybe she grew up here, but this place could have been in her father’s name. Scott could have taken care of her until her death, and if that’s the case, then Nola has every right to sell this place.”

“And if that’s the case, I’m fine with it, but I’m still buying it. It’s Ella’s home, and she should have it. She learned all of her mother’s talents right here in this room. She has a bright future, and she’s been given a rough deal in life. I’m going to make sure she’s got a second chance, and that things will go better for her from here on out. She’s a hard worker, a good person, and she deserves the best.”

“You really care about her.” My mother wasn’t asking. She pulled me in for a tight hug and then tousled my hair. “I’ll let you know as soon as I find out.”

“Thanks, mom.”

She smiled and pinched my cheek. “I like the sound of that.”

Chapter 25

 

Ella

Aiden had to be the most patient man in the world to put up with me and my busy schedule with the twins. We hadn’t gotten to spend much time together, but we cherished every moment we got together, especially the times we had alone.

I’d spent the past week running to meetings and even taking two trips out of town to different locations, and so when the girls had finally gone out on their own and insisted they didn’t want me along, I was relieved instead of offended. We’d spent enough time together, and I’d tried not to make myself sick knowing I was related to the whiny brats.

Halle had talked to Zep every day and even had him ride out to meet her at one of the locations and he’d apparently been briefed on being her new love interest. If he was going to hang around, they were going to put him to work. It was their way.

I called Aiden to tell him the good news. “I’m free. Please tell me you’re not busy.” Aiden often times had to go check property with his mother and stand in for his father’s role in various charities. Although I’d often wished my mother had left me with a fortune, I knew I wasn’t capable of handling things the way Aiden had. He was a proper heir and knew how to take care of business.

“I’m free too. I’ll be over in ten.”

“Ten? You live much farther away than that.” I knew my tone was suspicious, but he laughed.

“I’m down the road. I was on my way to kidnap you. I hoped I’d get a chance to make a real valiant scene. I was going to swoop in and whisk you away.”

“No need. There’s no one here but me and Millie, and she already thinks you’re my hero.” Millie loved Aiden, and I was quite sure that if she was a bit younger and not my grandmother, I’d have to fight her off of him. She was always carrying on about how handsome he was and how he reminded her of one of her favorite classic movie stars.

“Millie’s a good lady.”

“No doubt. I’ll tell her you’re on the way.”

“Hey, instead of telling her that, tell her you’ll be stepping out for a bit. I have a surprise for you.”

“Another surprise? Is this like the last one? You have someone you want me to meet?” Aiden had arranged for me to meet Delaney Graham and that had turned into a wonderful opportunity. I could only imagine how he was planning to top that.

“I think it will be even better. But I’m not telling. You’ll have to wait and see.” I kept him on the phone until I walked out and opened the car door.

He hung up his phone and smiled as I got in the car. “So, about this surprise.”

“No, no. You’re not going to sweet talk me into telling you what it is. You’ll see soon enough.” He took off down the drive, and I hurried to buckle myself in. Then he headed out onto the main highway and in a few minutes, I realized he was headed out to his beach house.

But instead of heading to his house, he pulled up at mine. The sold sign was sitting atop the realtor sign, and I realized by the little crown logo, that his family must have been the one’s to sell my old home.

“What are we doing here?” I didn’t want to see the place. It brought too many memories that were painful knowing it now belonged to someone else.

“It’s your home, Ella.” He shrugged like it was no big deal and I tilted my head to search his expression for any sign of his sanity. But the slow, sweet smile that spread his lips, lighting up his entire face, sent my mind to reeling.

“What do you mean, Aiden?” My heart pounded in my chest, and I knew that I was either about to get the best news of my life or the biggest letdown.

“I bought it for you. It’s yours.” I barely registered the feel of his hand on mine, and then I squeezed it, holding onto him for something, anything to keep my down to earth, to keep me from floating away and soaring to the heavens. But then it hit me much differently that I’d even imagined.

“Wait, what?” I couldn’t let him give me a house. As much as I knew he cared about me, it was just too much. “Aiden, I can’t accept this.” My eyes pooled with tears but he leaned across the distance and pulled me into his arms.

“I want to do it, Ella. There’s no undoing this, it’s done. I won’t take no for an answer.” He got out of the car and walked around and opened my door. Then he led me into the garage, the workshop my mother had designed, and it was exactly the same except it had been cleared out. I leaned against the counter and tried to catch my breath. I was light-headed and couldn’t believe I was standing in my house again. That it was my house again. I couldn’t accept it.

“But it’s so much.” It was much too extravagant of a gift, especially when I didn’t even have a ring on my finger or a promise of forever. I’d always expected when a man bought me a home it would mean I was his wife.

“Nothing is too much for you. When I heard that Nola was selling—

“You mean the bank?” Nola? Did he say, Nola?

“Wait, you really did think the bank took it?” I’d told him all about how the bank had come to collect.

“Yes, Aiden. The bank took it. But you just said that Nola was selling it? How is that possible?”

“Right. Ella, I don’t know what’s going on, but I think you need to talk to Scott and Nola.”

I fell against him and closed my eyes. I was so sick of the lies and secrets. I didn’t understand what had happened with the house and how Nola could have had ownership. Perhaps my father had too. “Aiden, I—

“Sh. Let it go for a moment. Just breathe, Ella.” I put my arm around him and pulled him to my lips, kissing him nice and deep, slow and languid. I felt like it was all too much to handle and if I could escape, my opportunity was right in front of me.

“Make it all go away, Aiden.” I didn’t have to ask twice.

He stood against me, his body pressing against me, pinning me against the counter as we kissed. His mouth trailed down my body, kissing my breasts, his hands working my shirt up to take it off.

I quickly stripped off his pants, tugging the front until the row of his button-fly jeans popped open, and then I reached in and rubbed his hard length which was growing harder by the second. I slipped my hand into his pants to feel his bare flesh, and then he stepped back. We each finished undressing to hurry the process.

As soon as I was naked, he lifted me up and placed my ass on the counter, then he centered his cock and plunged into my depths in one long stroke. I cried out and ground against him. He worked his hips, pumping into me until I was panting and calling his name, begging him to take me harder.

He pulled away, and I slid off the counter and turned around to face it, tilting my ass upward as an offering. He gripped both cheeks and spread them, leaning over and licking my tender slit, and letting his tongue slide across my tight little star, which he pressed hard against with this thumb. I cried out, wondering if he wanted to take it, but then he centered his cock at my slit and pushed himself in, returning to my depths, his hard shaft working my g spot with each thrust.

Soon he had found a steady pace, and he reached around to stroke my tender bud with one hand as he worked one of my nipples with the other.

He worked me steady until my release was on the horizon and then his finger found my tight little star and pressed against it again. He slipped his other hand into my mouth and offered me his finger which I took into my mouth, sucking the salty digit until it was nice and soft. Then he pulled it free and reached down to stroke it against my ass, and then as his cock was buried to my depths, he slipped it into me, fingering my ass. I gripped it and his cock too as my release exploded from me, rippling across me like a tidal wave. I cried out his name loudly, “Aiden.”

“That’s right, Ella. Come for me.” I waited for him to ask me where I wanted it, expecting him to pull free and spill his hot come all over my lower back. I could imagine it dripping down my ass or pooling hot on my back, but instead, he worked me through another release.

I was having a hard time standing by the time he slowed his pace and turned me around to face me. “I want to look in your eyes when I come.” I thought maybe, in this position, with me leaning back across the table but not enough to take my feet completely off the floor, that he’d shoot it all over my chest, and my pussy tingled thinking about it.

But he never asked like those other times. Instead, he worked himself up to a frenzy, pumping in me so hard I thought I’d collapse, that if he pulled out or pulled away, I’d drop to the floor in a puddle. And that’s when I felt his cock grow fatter in my channel, stiffening even more before bursting his hot streams of come into my channel, soaking me to my depths.

And he didn’t stop, he continued to pound it in deep, his seed mixing with my own nectar from my previous releases and with each thrust it ran down my thighs.

Then he stopped moving, and held himself inside me, his forehead resting against mine. “I’ve wanted to do that so bad since we first fucked. I wanted to claim you and mark you. Tell me you’re going to keep the house, Ella.”

“I’m going to keep the house.” The words spilled from my lips, and at that moment, he could have made me say anything. I was completely his.

Chapter 26

 

Aiden

After I had her in her house, I offered to take her down the road to mine for a shower. It was the least I could do after getting her messy, but it was so worth it. I’d never wanted to bury myself so deep inside anyone before, but I had the compulsion to do it. I had absolutely no regrets.

As we got out of the car, I smiled as she walked a little weak-kneed inside. I walked around and took her arm, giving her a little support, and my chest swelled with pride knowing I had that effect on her.

“I’ll get the water ready. You get undressed.” I’d only just helped her gather her clothes and put them on minutes before, and I was going to have the pleasure of watching her strip them off once again.

She did the task nice and slow, meeting my eyes as she licked her lips and then, as she stepped into the shower, I took her clothes to give them a wash and then I met her under the spray, and found her leaning against the shower wall for support.

“Don’t tell me you’re that tired. I’m only getting started. Round two is going to be even more strenuous.” I glided my hand across her hips.

“Mm. I might just lay there and let you do all the work,” she said stepping into my arms and falling against me under the spray. I rubbed her back and kissed her shoulder.

“How about you rest up now instead. Let me bathe you.” I took the fresh scent soap and lathered my hands, then I rubbed them all over her shoulders, working my way down to her breasts, and down across her tummy. Then I slipped my arm around her and washed her lower back, across her round bottom.

As I stepped forward, closing my mouth down on hers, I let my hand slide between her legs. She gave a lazy little moan and ground against my hand. “Mhm. You’re ready for more, aren’t you?” I brushed my lips against her ear and then down to her shoulder. She let her head fall back, and she rubbed against my hand, humping and grinding her bare mound.

“Yes. It feels so good.”

“You want to come for me again, Ella?” I let the words slip out on a breath directly in her ear. She got chills across her arms and down her back to her ass.

“Yes.” She moaned, and after a moment of her grinding, I slipped my fingers into her slick channel and thought about how I’d soaked her down.

My cock was ready for her again, so I turned her around and gripped her little ass with my hands and spread her cheeks apart, sliding my cock in and out between them, bending my knees to reach her.

She held on tight and lifted a leg allowing me better access, and I aimed my cock lower centering it right at her opening. She pushed herself against me. “Greedy girl. I love it when you take action. Makes my balls ache. I want to fuck you so good, Ella.” I thrust into her and pumped my hips, working my long shaft in and out.

“It’s so tender,” she moaned. I’d worked her over pretty good, and I’d noticed that she preferred to ease onto my cock each time. But now that I was in I was going to give her a good hard fucking, I grabbed her hips and turned her around so fast she let out a little yelp, and then I slid my hands down her arms, taking her and placing them flat against the shower wall as I picked up my pace. She tilted her ass upward and leaned her cheek against the tile.

“Please. Please, Aiden.”

“Please what, Angel?” I snaked an arm around her as her knees buckled and held her in place, then I lifted her up, against me, planting her upper body against the wall, face first, her hands her only saving grace. She braced them, and her pussy tighten around me, milking me as she came hard.

“I’m coming! Don’t stop.” I kept up my pace until she collapsed against the wall panting.

I let out a little chuckle and placed her down on her wobbly legs, and she turned and fell against me. She kissed my lips and then she dropped to her knees, taking my cock in her hands as she did.

She gave me a nice pump and then worked my head with her thumb before taking me between her lips. She licked the shaft nice and slow and then slapped her face with it as she glanced up at me. “I’m going to make you come inside of me again.” She closed her mouth around me and then pushed her head forward until my balls rested against her chin. Her spasms told me she was about to gag, but she pushed even farther, taking me into the depths of her throat.

Her eyes were watery when she pulled away, and her hand slipped down to rub her pussy, she sucked and rubbed herself until she came and it triggered something in me to respond in kind.

I pulled my cock back so that my head rested against her tongue and she opened wide as I shot my load coating her tongue. She closed her mouth on my head and swallowed with a gulp as another spurt hit her tongue.

I pulled her to her feet and kissed her mouth, turned on by the taste of me on her lips. Then I stepped out and grabbed my robe to wrap her in. I let her rest against the counter as I wrapped a towel around my waist. Then I scooped her up and took her to my bed. It didn’t take long before we were both fast asleep.

When morning came, I found myself alone. I was about to panic as I searched the house, coming up empty, and that’s when I noticed the patio door open downstairs. Ella was standing out by the water. Her arms wrapped tight around her as she stood there dressed in a pair of my shorts and my t-shirt that was way too big on her.

I walked out and joined her after finding a pair of shorts, and she turned, glancing over her shoulder when she saw me coming.

“I came out here to think.”

“I knew reality would come crashing back.”

“You said Nola had my house. Meaning it was in her name? Or my father’s?” She kept her eyes on the ocean’s waves, and I imagined they were like her emotions, crashing down on her all at once.

“Yeah, I had my mother look into things before I bought the house and Nola had a clear deed. My mother said she’d traced it back to the bank and then the owner before that.”

“That’s impossible. My mother owned our house. She was buying it from the bank. I saw the papers I signed when they took it.”

“You signed something? Are you sure it was something to do with the house?”

“Yes, for my mother. Nola said it would be okay since mom was out of it. That since I had power of attorney over her, I could take care of things. I was so scared. I let Nola handle everything. She really stepped up to help me. Or, as least I think she did. Aiden, I’m not so sure what I signed.”

I pulled her to me. “I’m not either, but it’s possible my mother overlooked something. I’ll double-check. In the meantime, I want you out of that house.”

“I can’t just leave, Aiden. I have to work.”

“No, you don’t. I’ll help you.”

“No, I have to take care of myself. Which reminds me. That house—

“You already accepted the house, and you’ll accept my help as well. I’m not so sure you’re safe there.”

Her eyes widened and then as quick as they had, they narrowed. “Why do you say that?”

“I’m not sure. I only know I don’t trust any of them. That’s why I bought the house, and that’s why I want you to leave. There’s something going on. Are you sure that your mother and Nola were friends? Even in the end?”

“I can’t see Nola being so cruel to try and take advantage of my mother while she was dying. She was her best friend.”

“She was the best friend of a woman who was leaving a considerable fortune.” I hated having to point these things out, but I knew I had to be totally honest with her and with what I believed.

“Aiden, I’m scared.” She shook her head. “It’s all so mixed up. I’ve never been on my own before.” I’d always had Nola.

“Don’t be scared. I’ve got you. You can trust me. I’ll go with you, and we’ll get your things.” Come the end of the day, I’d get to the bottom of whatever Nola had done if anything. I hoped that Ella had been mistaken for her sake, but I had to give her the benefit of the doubt. Even my mother made mistakes, and it was possible she had this time.

“Just promise me one thing, Aiden?” She gave me that pleading look that made me want to kiss her until it was all better.

“They can never know. I don’t want to do anything to hurt Millie. Her secret is safe with me. It’s enough for me just to know. I don’t need everyone else to.”

“I promise.” I didn’t agree with it, but if I could get her away from that house, I was okay with granting her that one wish.

Chapter 27

 

Ella

I was shocked when he’d told me that Nola had the house in her name and I wondered what other things I’d been entitled to that had somehow slipped over into Nola’s control while I grieved for my mother. Had she taken advantage of me or had she simply bought the house from the bank? Maybe she was too embarrassed to tell me or thought it would make things awkward. It was too much to think that Nola had somehow cheated me and I brushed away the thought knowing it didn’t matter and it didn’t seem possible.

As Aiden drove me home, it didn’t matter. Nothing did. The intimacy of the night before, his claiming me in such an official way, solidified his commitment to me in a way I never dreamed. It was all I wanted. What was done was done. No amount of money would bring my mother back to me. There was no sense in dredging it all up now.

I showed up at the Blue family mansion and found everyone in the dining room having breakfast, all gathered around the table like any other morning, except for Millie who wasn’t there. I knew some mornings she went out for coffee at the cemetery, and I could only assume that’s where she was.

“Where have you been?” snapped Sadie, giving me and Aiden an evil glare. “We needed you this morning. If you’re going to be out all night, it would be nice for a little head’s up.” I felt each word crawl up my spine and assault me, but no more. I didn’t have to hear it. I owed them nothing.

I ignored her and decided to address Nola instead. “I’m handing in my resignation effective immediately.” Aiden took my hand and gave it a squeeze. “And I’ll be moving out, of course.”

Nola’s chin lifted, and she gave me a tight smile. “Before you leave, I’d like for you to explain something. It seems that you’ve been running your mouth around town and well, I’d like to know just where you get off creating such rumors. As for your resignation, you can forget it. You’re fired.”

Scott Blue’s head raised and he gazed at Nola like she’d lost her mind. The twins went bug-eyed, Halle who cleared her throat and took a sip of water, and Sadie dropped her fork which made a clanking noise that no one else seemed to hear.

“Nola, what’s the meaning of this?” My father sat up straight in his seat, and my heart started to race.

“It seems that Ella here has been running her mouth around town that she’s the long-lost daughter of Scott Blue. As if our hospitality weren’t enough, now she’s trying to damage our reputations.”

Sadie stood up at the table and crossed her arms. “Are you fucking kidding me?”

“As if,” said Halle with a laugh.

“You see what kind of trash you chose over me? She’s not only nobody, but she’s a liar too.” Sadie stepped up to Aiden and crossed her arms.

I glanced back to Scott who just sat there, not saying a word and looking like he was going to be sick.

“I’m only sorry you had to learn about her this way, Aiden.” Nola offered him a warm and caring look. “Thank goodness your mother had the decency to tell me what she’s been saying.”

I turned to look at Aiden whose face had gone pale. He’d told his mother after I’d asked him not to and I could only guess why. He wanted her to like me.

“You know, Ella. These are the kind of rumors that ruin marriages and cause messy divorces. I mean, if this were true then I’d have no choice to sue for divorce seeing that at the time of your conception I was married to my husband.” She sent a pointed glare his way, and he kept his eyes hard on hers.

“Why would you say something like that? How low can you get? I mean, I knew you envied us, but wanting out father for your own? How pathetic.” Halle covered her mouth and giggled. “I’m sorry, mom, but it’s just so laughable.”

“It’s hurtful. Please go upstairs and get your things. Our hospitality ends here.”

Aiden stepped forward, glaring across the table at my father. “Are you her father?” I released a breath unsure that Aiden still believed me. I knew Millie hadn’t lied.

“It’s not possible. I’m sorry if you’re mistaken, Ella. Your mother meant a great deal to us, but I’m afraid that you’re wrong about me.” His words were final. He would never claim me as his own flesh and blood.

“See what happens when you try to do a nice thing for people. I’m only sorry you were fooled too, Aiden. I know your mother told me she’d talk to you about all of this.”

Aiden shook his head, and he was as confused as I was.

I wanted to bring up the house and why Nola had lied about the bank foreclosure, but it seemed she’d already won that battle too. All she had to do was deny any of it, and everyone would believe her over me. Of all the days for Millie to be gone. But I wouldn’t throw her under the bus. I cared too much for her and only hoped that in the end, she’d make it right.

I hurried out of the room and up the stairs determined to leave Aiden behind as he followed. But as we got to the top of the stairs I spun around and pushed against his chest.

“Get out!” The words were so painful to say, but I meant them. At that moment, I meant them with all my heart and every ounce of truth in me.

“Ella? You can’t mean that. I’m on your side.” If only that were true. He hadn’t had any faith in me, or he wouldn’t have had to tell his mom about mine.

“You told your mother! All of this is your fault.”

“I’m sorry. I only said something because she was so hard pressed to believe you were the twin’s maid. I wanted her to know who you were.”

“No, you wanted her to know who my parents were, hoping that she’d like me because she’s too shallow to like a fucking maid who came from regular people. That’s your problem, not mine. And as for the house. I don’t want it! I don’t want anything from you!”

He was growing angry now, but I didn’t care. I was angry too. He pulled his lips in tight and put his hands in his pockets as he watched me go around my room and gather my things.

Finally, he found his words. “That’s a done deal, Ella. The house is yours.”

“I don’t want it. Why can’t you take a hint?” I pushed past him and went to the bathroom to get my makeup and toiletries. I’d have to send a car back for the rest, assuming they let me in. I’d need Millie for that. I only hoped that she wouldn’t deny me too.

Anger and tears came over me as I pictured my father, those damned blue eyes staring straight at Nola and then me and the words which seemed too unreal, too painful as he denied me.

I slumped against the sink and wept. I wept for my mother and for me. It had been nice knowing I had a family, even if it were a secret one. Even though I loathed working for those hateful twins, just knowing that they were my sisters, made it a tiny bit bearable, as if I had a special secret. Now they knew the truth, even if they never believed it, and the truth was suffocating me.

Aiden was gone when I came out of the bathroom, and I pulled my bags up over my shoulder and took out my phone. I called a cab and went to stand outside and wait. On my way out, I passed Nola and Scott who were holding hands in the foyer, and he gave me an apologetic look. Nola kept her eyes distant as she looked over my head as if she were too ashamed to look at me.

“I’ll make sure you get your last day’s pay, but Ella, don’t ever come back here.” Nola’s words were final as she held the door open for me. I gave her a curt nod and walked out without giving my father a second glance.

And just when it felt as if I had everything, I was back to nothing.

Chapter 28

 

Aiden

I hated leaving her there but had a little peace of mind knowing that Millie had returned home as soon as I was getting in my car. I left her there to deal with things as I gave her the space she needed to do it. I had bigger fish to fry.

I drove home knowing that I was going to confront my mother and things were going to get ugly when I did. She had it coming, though I couldn’t help being angry at myself because I'd told her.

I’d only wanted her to like Ella, but Ella had been right. I should have let her like Ella for all the reasons I did. I’d talked the big talk about not caring about a woman’s social standing, and how I wanted someone with talent and a brain in her head. Ella had been all of that and more, and I’d still found it necessary to defend her and point out that she had famous parents in the process. No wonder it had hurt her. I’d made her feel as if she weren’t good enough, but I’d do everything I could to make sure that she knew she was all I wanted and needed from there on out. No matter what, I’d make things right.

I pulled up to the main house not wanting to waste time walking from my usual parking place in the back garage near my guest house, and I even took the front steps three at a time to cut down on time. I found my mother in the office, which was even more convenient since that’s where I was headed. I wanted to see a copy of the original deed for myself and having the chance to speak to my mother was on my agenda as well.

“Aiden darling, I was wondering when you’d be home. You were out all night again, I was worried.”

“You told Nola Blue about Ella. I’ve just come from there, and things got pretty ugly.”

“I’m so sorry you had to witness that. She’s lied to everyone it seems. Nola assured me that she knew Ella’s father. It seems that Layla had a fling with some roadie from Scott Blue’s band and the guy was some kind of alcoholic. She and Scott have been taking care of Ella since and Ella likes to play this little game of pretend to make herself feel better.” Mother actually believed that shit. She’d believe anything anyone with a bank account told her.

“It’s not a game of pretend, Patricia. It’s the truth, and Ella had to endure Scott Blue’s rejection. I’m not letting them get away with it. I don’t care what it costs them, she’s suffered enough, and it’s time they come clean about a lot of things.”

“Well, she assured me that it was the truth. She was even glad that you were buying the house, even though I’d told her your intentions.”

“You what?” I stopped and looked at my mother not knowing if I had heard her right. “You told her I was the buyer? She told you what you wanted to hear.” I shook my head and continued going through the files until I came across the one for Ella’s house.

“I didn’t think you were that serious about her.” I couldn’t believe what I was hearing.

“I was serious enough to buy a fucking house.”

“I still don’t think it will last. You’re buying her a house, and she’s going to take that and run.”

“Well, you’re wrong. I’m in love with her! When she found out what you did, she threw the house back in my face and broke it off. She said she doesn’t want anything from me. I’m only hoping I can make things right, and you better hope that I can.”

Her mouth had gone slack and her eyes ringed with tears. I hadn’t seen mother so upset, but I didn’t care. I hurried out of the house with my papers in hand and left tread on the drive as I headed back to the Blue mansion, hoping Millie was able to stop her.

When I arrived, I knocked on the door, and Millie opened it. “Did you get the proof?”

“I think so.” I had glanced at the papers enough to see that my mother hadn’t been honest with me either. I passed the file off to Millie, and she hurried me into the front room just past the foyer.

Ella was in tears as Scott and Nola had it out. “She was my best friend, and you betrayed me.” Nola was going to make it all about Scott’s betrayal, and Scott was still in defense mode.

“I knew you’d clean me out and I knew Ella was in better hands with her mother. We were going to be together when I got clean, and then you ended up pregnant. Layla told me to stay.”

“Oh, and that makes it better?” Nola swung her arms around dramatically.

“Well, I wish I hadn’t listened,” he said as I stepped up beside him with Millie as she presented him with the papers. “What’s this?”

“It’s the original deed to Layla’s house. You were the original buyer.”

“Yes, so what? I wanted my daughter to have a place to live. I didn’t know that Layla would get herself in so much debt though, not enough to lose it. If I had known she’d borrowed against it.” He stopped talking and stared off into space as if the thought of it was all too much. But he’d said enough. He’d been told the same lie.

“Nola took the house, not the bank. She had Ella sign some papers under distress knowing that if she didn’t get her to sign it over, Ella would inherit it.”

“Nola?” Scott looked at her to deny it, but instead, she lifted her chin.

“Layla had the audacity to ask me to take care of Ella, to admit that she was yours. Her deathbed confession she called it. She slipped into her coma right after, and since I couldn’t get back at her, I decided that little Miss Ella could pay. I gave your mother the best years of my life being her friend and the whole time, the whole fucking time, she was in love with my husband, and you were their dirty little lie. She’d told me that he was afraid I’d clean him out. Do you know how much it hurts to find out the only reason someone sticks around is because they don’t want to lose their precious fortune? So yeah, I took your fucking house.”

“Wrong. The house was always hers. Your papers didn’t hold up, so the house had always been Ella’s. Instead, you stole from me. You stole the money that I bought the house with, and I have a feeling if I dig a little deeper, I’ll find what you did with Ella’s inheritance.”

“It doesn’t matter, I’m going to clean out Scotty Blue here, and he can pay for it.” Nola curled her lip and gave a menacing grin.

“No, you’re not,” said Halle. “We’re not going to let you.” Sadie stepped up beside her mother. In a gesture of solidarity they walked across the room and stood next to their father.

“How could you take his side after all I’ve done for you?”

“Don’t worry, mother, you’ll continue to do it,” said Sadie. “It’s part of your job, remember? And you’ll also remember who pays your salary.”

“Your father is the one who lied, and this is the treatment I get?” Nola folded her arms in front of her.

“You could have confronted him at any time, but instead you lied.”

“Those lies provided well for you.”

Halle shook her head and curled her lip. “Like the sex tape lies you spread about me? What else have you orchestrated for ratings at our expense? I suggest if you want to remain our manager, you let Sadie and me start making our decisions.”

I couldn’t believe the twins had actually stepped up against their mother, but something told me they’d simply been waiting for the perfect opportunity.

“I’m sorry, Ella.” Scott Blue crossed the room and sat next to his daughter who was sitting with tears streaming down her face.

“Well, I guess if that’s it, I’ll be going to my room.” Nola held her chin up high and turned to head up the stairs, but Millie stepped in her way.

“I’d like for you to pack your things. You’re no longer welcome in my house.” The woman must have had the authority to declare that because Nola didn’t fight her on it. Instead, she cocked her brow upward and tucked her chin as she took the first few steps.

“No, Mama Blue,” said Scott. “I’d like for her to stay.” Nola’s eyes softened as she turned to Scott and for a moment I thought he was about to declare his love and desire to mend things. “I think it won’t hurt anything for her to take Ella’s place in the guest room for a while. After all, she’ll want to be close to the girls and her job.”

Nola’s lip curled, but she didn’t protest. She went up the stairs, and the twins hooked their arms with their father’s and led him out onto the patio.

Millie went upstairs soon after leaving Ella and me alone.

After a few minutes of silence and her staring at the floor, I decided to make my exit. “Well, it turns out the house was yours all along. So, enjoy it, Ella.”

I hoped she’d stop me, but as I walked out the door, she let me go.

Chapter 29

 

Ella

I spent the next week moving back home. I’d stored most of my things in a storage unit not far from the place, so I hired a moving company to get the heavy things and spent the time alone without much help, aside from Millie.

“Where do you want these?” Millie held up a box that had mason jars full of sea glass I’d found through the years, and I smiled thinking about my mother. She’d had me collect the pieces in hopes that one day she’d do something with it.

“On the table is fine. I think I’ll take that out to the workshop later. Mom always wanted to make a special piece with it, but you know, I think I might have just found my inspiration for a new collection.” There was enough glass there to do some repurposed art pieces that would hopefully launch my name into the stratosphere.

“You should. Now that you have your mother’s contacts, you’re on your way, kid.” Nola had tried to keep me from anyone that could have helped me in the industry, and like a fool, I’d believed every lie she fed me.

“I still can’t believe the lengths she went to. All because of something my mother did. I mean, I’ve known Nola my entire life, and she was like an aunt to me in many ways.” I shook my head, still not understanding the level of hate, but then again, my mother had betrayed her.

“Have you talked to him?” Millie treaded lightly around the subject over the past weeks. She knew that I needed some time to think.

“No.”

“Have you decided what you’re going to do?”

“I’m going to call him over I think, let him see the place, ask if we can talk about us.”

“He loves you, Ella.”

“I think he does. I’m just not sure I’ll ever be enough for him or his mother, at least not for the right reasons.” The headlines on all the tabloids were already screaming about Scott Blue’s love child, and I knew that Nola had probably leaked the shocker herself for a profit.

The twins standing by their father had been the shock of my life, but I wasn’t stupid enough to think that their kindness extended to me. We might be sisters, and I didn’t have to work for them, but they’d never see me as their equal and I wasn’t planning on being a part of any family portraits any time soon.

Having Millie around, though, it made me feel like I had a family again.

“That’s all for me for the day, kid. I’m far too old for all of this manual labor.” I followed as she went to the kitchen to get her handbag and phone from the countertop. “Call him.” I had a feeling her sudden urge to leave was Aiden related. She’d been pressing the issue, telling me how he’s the one who begged her to stop me from leaving until he returned.

He had helped me and saved my life in many ways, and even though I missed him like crazy, he hadn’t called. I’d gotten one message that simply said: When you’re ready. I wasn’t sure he was still waiting. It had been long enough for him to move on or find someone new with less drama and scandal. I doubted his mother had been too happy to see that his name had been mentioned in the tabloids as my lover.

I walked to the dining room table and found my phone next to the box of mason jars. I dialed Aiden and picked one up that was full of amber glass and rolled it on the table listening to the sound as the phone rang. Something about it was soothing, and I took a deep breath as I heard his voice. “Ella?”

“Aiden.” I closed my eyes and savored the word on my lips.

“I’ve missed you, Ella. Can I see you?”

“Yes, I’m at my house if you want to come over. I’m still unpacking.”

“I’d love to help.” I heard his keys rattle on the other end of the phone and then a moment later his door closing.

“You don’t have to help.” He cranked up his car, and I shook my head wondering if he was going to insist.

“I want to help. If you want me around.” The words broke my heart, and I hated that he thought I didn’t want him around. I had missed him so much it hurt.

“You know I do, don’t you? I’ve only needed a little space to realize how much.”

“I hope you mean it because I’m pulling into your drive.” He’d been at his beach house down the road, and I hurried to meet him out front with a smile as he pulled in and parked. He opened his car door, and I was there to greet him.

“You were down the street.” I put my hands on my hips, and he got to his feet.

“At the risk of sounding like a total loser, I’ve been there the whole time. I wanted to be as close as possible.”

“You’re not a loser. I’ve missed you too.” He pulled me in and instead of a long hot kiss, he cradled my head against his chest.

“I’ve missed you so much.” He released a long breath and let me loose.

“Come inside. I want you to see my progress. It’s all coming together again.” I led him by the hand into the front room where he put his hands on my hips and stayed close behind as I walked him through to the kitchen.

“It’s beautiful. I’m so happy it’s all working out for you, Ella. You deserve it.”

“I’m not sure everything is working. I mean, there is that tabloid mess. I wanted to apologize about what they said.”

“Why apologize? I mean, unless it’s not true? I mean the part about me, of course.” He lifted his shoulders and gave me a boyish grin. “I don’t mind being known as your lover.”

I giggled, and he stepped behind me and pulled me close, whispering in my ear. “Do you mind it?”

Chills went down my spine as the tingles pulsed through me, and I felt myself grow with desire, my nipples hardening, my core aching. It had been much too long since I’d been this close. His arm snaked around my front, hitching me closer as his stiff cock pressed into my back.

I reached back and stroked it, and he hissed in my ear before spinning me around and walking me back to the table. As my ass found a place to rest, I lifted my legs and brought them around him.

“Is this too fast, Ella? We can talk if you want? Talk about the two of us and where you want it to go. You do want this, don’t you?” He searched my eyes, and I smiled, pulling his mouth back to mine.

I’d let my body do the talking. I ground my hips forward, standing higher on my toes rub against his cock, and then, to show him how much I missed him, how much I still desired him. I reached for his zipper and worked his pants down around his ass, enough to spring his cock free. It was hard for me, veiny and shiny at the tip. His red head looked like it must be throbbing, so I leaned over and took it into my mouth.

Aiden’s hips bucked forward, and soon he was rocking his hips gently against me, letting me take him inch by precious inch until he hit the back of my throat. It had been a while since I tackled his broad girth and long length. I tried to relax, and myself take it, but before I could get too deep, he pulled me off.

“Mm. I’ve really missed you. I want inside you, Ella.” He rubbed me through my clothes, pressing firmly against my mound, and then he lay me back on the table and peeled my clothes away. I loved being naked for him, especially when I could feel his eyes on me, trailing down my body, stopping to take in the swells of my breasts, which he squeezed a bit tighter and all the way down to my little slit, which he rubbed his swollen cock against. He reached down and scooted me closer to the edge, and then I watched as he slowly inched inside me, his cock splitting me open, taking me to my limits as always. I settled around him and then he slowly ground himself against me, rolling his hips with the slightest movement.

It wasn’t his usual fucking. He was making love to me, caressing my channel with his cock. I tilted my hips, and he stroked against my spot, the most tender one where all the nerves in my body seemed to connect, and it kicked my pleasure into overdrive. I writhed beneath him, my own pace going wild and he matched it long enough for me to come all over his cock.

“That’s my girl.” Aiden’s words swelled my heart with pride. I had missed being his.

Chapter 30

 

Aiden

I pumped into her, filling her tight, juicy channel with my cock, and worked it nice and deep as she moaned. I’d missed being with her, not only sexually, but day to day and I vowed as she looked up at me from that table, the look of pleasure on her pretty face, her mouth parted in ecstasy, that I’d never be without her again. “Tell me you want this, Ella. For us to always be together.” I slowed my pace so she could catch her breath and collect her thoughts. I wanted her to be absolutely sure. “I want you to be with me, Ella. We’ll take it slow, we’ll figure it all out, but I want you, I want to be everything for you.”

“I want that, too,” she said as she looked deep into my eyes, her pleasure still in her expression as she milked my cock. “I’m so close again.” She threw her head back, and I felt a sense of pride as I brought her over the edge again.

“Fuck yes.” I picked her up and held her against me, her little slit working me so good. That I thought I’d melt right into her. I walked her to the counter, and she pushed away some things behind her as I thrust deep.

“Fill me, please.” The words were strangled on her breath, and I knew that in moments I’d oblige. I didn’t want it any other way. “I want it, Aiden. I want it all.”

My head went light as my balls tightened and then my head swelled as I shot my come deep, grinding it in with hard thrusts. I rocked my hips, pounding it deeper, splashing it out onto the counter beneath her ass as it coated my balls and her thighs.

“I love you.” It seemed like the right time to say it. She kissed my bare chest, and I rested still inside her, now and then twitching involuntarily.

“I love you, Aiden.”

“I’ve got to do things right, though, Ella. So, I want us to get cleaned up. I’m taking you to meet my mother.”

Her eyes widened, and her hand shot straight to her hair which had pulled up into a messy bun and was now even messier. Her flushed face and swollen lips were beautiful, but a tale-tell sign of what we’d been up to.

“Now?” I stepped down offering my hand with a nod, and she hopped down and crossed the room so fast that I nearly tripped over my pants that were still around my ankles.

“It’ll be fine, Ella. She’ll love you too.” I caught up with her in her bathroom where she turned on the shower and was already letting down her hair.

She stepped up into the shower and pulled the curtain closed, keeping her face visible as she peeked out. “I’ll invite you in, but if you don’t behave, we’ll never get ready.”

“I can behave,” I said pulling the curtain open from the other side and stepping in under the warm spray with her.

Another hour passed and we finally got out and dressed and made our way to my family estate where mother was on the patio having lunch.

When she saw me walk in with Ella, her expression faded from carefree smiles to ones of concern. She was on edge, and for the first time, I think she was intimidated. I wasn’t sure that was a good thing or not, but I knew Ella could handle anything she dished out. If she didn’t like us together because of who Ella was and all of the recent scandal, which she’d already informed me bothered her to no end, then she could deal with it. Ella was my life and my future, and that wasn’t going to change based on Patricia’s opinions.

“Well, Aiden sweetheart, it’s good to see you this morning, I’d thought you’d lost your way home.” She spoke to me, but her eyes never left Ella. Ella held on to my arm nice and firm, but she walked toward mother with her head up high and her posture as stiff as a board.

I wanted to tell her to relax, not to let mother see that she was stiff with nerves, but then, as if reading my mind, she let out a long-held breath and gave me a nudge.

“I’ve brought someone here to meet you,” I knew that Ella had seen my mother on a few occasions, but they had never been introduced formally and certainly not since I’d started seeing her.

“Ella Ford, it’s so good to meet you. I was wondering when Aiden was going to bring you around. I was beginning to think the tabloids would have to tell me everything I wanted to know about the two of you.” I gave Patricia a hard glare, but Ella took it in stride.

“I’m so sorry about that. I can only think that Nola hoped to gain something from spilling that tea.”

“I think you’re right,” I said, pulling out a seat for Ella across from my mother. I sat beside her and motioned to Oliver, who worked on our staff to bring more of what mother was having.

“It’s a good thing that we’re not weaker people who would let something like that bother them. Especially knowing the truth.” Ella’s words caused my mother to smile even though it was a direct dig at her.

“I like her,” said Patricia leaning in close to me and pouring Ella a cup of juice. “You’re a lot like your mother. She never put up with anyone’s bullshit either. A hell of a woman.”

“A hell of a mother.” Ella lifted the glass Patricia offered and drank as if toasting Layla’s memory.

I thought it was the perfect time to drop the bomb on my mother, and hoped that Ella had lightened her mood enough that she wouldn’t protest. “I’m going to be staying at the beach house for a while. I’d like to be a bit closer to Ella, and I’m hoping that things work out to where I will be selling it, maybe finding Ella and I a more permanent place together.”

Ella’s eyes lit with a smile. “You’re more than welcome to stay at my house, Aiden.”

“Oh, I plan on it, and vice versa of course.” I flashed her a wink, and my mother covered her mouth not wanting me to see her smile.

“What?” she lifted her shoulder. “Can’t a mother be happy for her son?”

“Oh course, it’s just I thought you’d protest the move. I will still be around, of course, to run operations with the company and of course to keep an eye on you.”

Zep and Halle took the opportunity to enter the room. My best friend had insisted on bringing her around to my mother’s dismay, but the two were doing the same thing she and Nola had with pretending to like one another. You could see it in her expression as Halle locked her arm with Zep’s and they approached the table.

“Are you taking this one with you?” My mother gestured to Zep and Ella and I both chuckled.

“Taking me where?” Zep took a handful of grapes from the table and tried to feed one to Halle who curled her lip and pushed his hand away.

“I’m going to live at the beach house. You’re welcome to come.”

“Actually, I’m getting an apartment across town. It’s going to be one of the new locations for Halle’s show. I’m the new love interest.” He straightened the collar of his t-shirt and slicked back his hair giving me a wink.”

“It’s not like you’re playing a part,” snapped Halle. “We’re in love.” She held up her chin and dared the rest of us to make a remark, and we all looked down at our plates, smiling.

But then Zep just had to take it farther. “Yeah, man. Who would have thought we’d be dating sisters?”

Patricia and I both glared at him as Ella coughed, clearing her throat.

“I suppose we are sisters, aren’t we? It’s strange having one that doesn’t look like me. It’s nice being the prettier sister still.” She glanced around the table and then laughed. “You people, you’re all so uptight. It was a joke.” She met Ella’s eyes across the table. Something had changed in her expression. “I’m sorry for the way I behaved. I’ve not been a very good boss or friend to you. I wish you well, Ella. The both of you.”

Zep smiled wide and gave me a glance as if to say, See, she does have a heart.

Ella gave her sister a warm smile. “Thank you, Halle.”

“Well, we better go before it gets any sweeter in here.” Zep took Halle’s hand, and before they could walk away, my mother was standing to leave too.”

“I’m so glad I got a chance to meet you, Ella. I know my son loves you very much, and I’m glad we’re friends.” With that, Ella teared up a bit, but only as Patricia walked away.

“Do you think she means that? She really likes me?” Ella seemed to relax even more as if she’d been holding her composure for my mother’s sake the entire time and it had taken some effort.

“Yes, and she going to love you as much as I do in time. Mark my words.”

“I like hearing that, you know.” Ella moved closer, and we kissed.

“I love you. I’ve loved you since the first time I saw you.”

She narrowed her eyes. “The first time? When I looked hideous and spilled that drink on you?”

I held back my laughter. “Okay, let me rephrase that, I’ve loved you since the second time I ever saw you.”

We shared a laugh, and I pulled her in for another kiss and then over into my lap. “I wish my father could have met you. He’d love you too.”

“My mother would have been happy for us. She’d have loved you too.” She lay her head on my shoulder, and we stayed that way a moment thinking about the one’s we’d lost, but happy that we had each other. My mother had been right, it was time to stop mourning my father and settle down, and I could do that with Ella. She understood like no one else what I’d been through. She was my perfect match.

Epilogue

 

Ella

I had worked so hard getting ready for the grand opening of my new boutique that I hadn’t taken the time to eat lunch. I was grateful that Aiden would be arriving soon to take me to dinner.

Millie had come by to help, and she was out front while I walked to put some of the overstock in the back.

“Ella, there are flowers for you.” I turned to see Millie standing with a huge bouquet of red roses, her silver hair and blue eyes the only thing visible over the top of it. “Where do you want them?”

I hurried to help her and moved some of the things off the end of the front counter to make room. “Here’s fine. Oh, that Aiden. He’s going to spoil me.” I lowered my nose and took in a deep breath of the roses which were the darkest red I’d ever seen.

“When are you going to marry that man?” Millie asked as I took the card from the small envelope that had been tucked into the flowers.

I opened the small card and was shocked to see that the gorgeous roses weren’t from Aiden after all. “With love from your father.” I held the card to my heart and felt the tears pooling in my eyes. “He’s such a sweetheart.” He’d been doing his best to make up for lost time, and though I hated I missed out on all those years, I was grateful we had time together now to get to know one another.

He’d been in a bad place when my mother got pregnant with me and it turns out, I was the reason he got sober. He’d told me that in return for saving his life, he’d wanted to save mine, and he thought by staying away, he would. He knew he’d been wrong, but I’d told him not to spend another day worrying over it. Time was too precious, and life was too short. My mother would be proud we were trying to know each other, and that was enough.

“He’s so proud of you for opening the shop. He didn’t get to be around when your mother opened hers. He was on tour and with Nola, of course, but he was proud of her. He was always amazed by her talent and did you know that he’s the one who sparked her interest in jewelry? She wanted to be a clothing designer before that.”

“She’d told me that once, well except for the part about Scott.” I wondered how many of my stories had been altered to omit my father and imagined that the truth about a lot of things was still on the horizon. It was like I was unlocking little treasures from my life and so far, that was okay.

Nothing had been worse than learning about Nola and that I had twin sisters. They had both cleaned up their act, Sadie going back to school, and Halle and Zep still seeing each other. He’d appeared on the most recent season of their show and producers were hoping the two would take things to the next level for the next season’s wedding special. Neither of them were sold on that idea.

I stood arranging the flowers and taking in the smell when Aiden came in a half hour later. I couldn’t stop fidgeting with them, and it kept my mind off my growling tummy.

“Hey, what’s this? Is there another man I need to know about?” I glanced over my shoulder and turned to greet him with a kiss.

I gave him a serious stare. “I’m afraid there is another man in my life.”

“Well, I would fight him for you, but Scott Blue isn’t getting any younger.” I gave him a nudge.

“How’d you know?”

“Because the only other man in your life is Zep and he’s too cheap to buy roses. You’d get carnations if you’re lucky. He used to bring my mother weeds from the back lawn. She acted like he’d brought her gold.”

“Were you jealous of him?”

“Maybe a little.” He gave a shrug, and I stood on my toes and gave him another kiss.

“That’s my cue, lovebirds,” said Millie, putting the last of the packing papers in the trash. “You’re all set to go, kid. I know you’re going to be a big hit.” She gave me a kiss on the cheek and then went to gather her things and Aiden, and I walked her out minutes later.

“I’ll go get my purse. I’m famished.” But he locked the door, behind Millie.

“I’m famished too. I’m starving for you, Ella.”

“Why do you say my name that way? Like an endearment, as if you’re saying honey or baby.” He’d always done that, and while I loved it, it just seemed curious.

“Because you have a beautiful name, and you’re my Ella.” He kissed me hard and deep and then pressed his erection against my hip. “Let’s go in back.”

I walked him toward my stockroom, and once we rounded the corner, out of sight from the front windows, he pushed me against the wall and hiked my skirt up around my hips. His mouth fell on my breasts, and I believed him when he said he was hungry. He rolled his tongue around my nipple and then pulled hard, sucking and nibbling as if he could devour me. His hand worked my mound, caressing and stroking beneath my panties as I pulled out his cock and stroked it. He slipped his fingers between my folds and found my tender clit, which he’d punished the night before. I moaned, and he smiled.

“That’s my girl. I’m going to fuck you so good, Ella. I want you to moan and moan.” He dropped his pants and stepped out of them.

As he lifted my legs up around his hips and buried his cock deep inside me, I did just that. I held on tight as he bounced me on his cock. “There’s a counter, take me there.” I pointed over his shoulder, knowing he couldn’t see, but he gripped my ass as I held on tight. After a moment, he had me on the counter and was over me, buried deep, his thrusts pounding harder and harder as I cried out. I was certain the people in the shop next door could hear, and I didn’t care.

Aiden lifted me up and walked me to a small wooden chair where he sat. Then he pulled me down as if he wanted me to straddle him. I lowered myself beside him instead and took him into my mouth, tasting the salt, sweet nectar I’d coated him with. Soon he was the one moaning, and I had forgotten all about my hunger.

“Ella, your mouth is so good. You make me feel so amazing.” I pushed myself down on him, and over the year I’d gotten so used to sucking his cock that I took it like a pro with no problems. Though he said he kind of missed me gagging on it, he loved that I could take him into my throat without issues.

He grabbed the back of my head and held me down on him, my tongue slipped out and licked his balls, and he surprised me by holding my nose. I knew he wanted me to struggle a bit, and so I did, allowing myself to swallow which milked his cock nice and steady.

“Careful, Ella. I’m going to fill that pretty mouth if you’re not careful.” He knew I liked getting his come inside me, and I wasn’t talking about my mouth. I pulled free and stood, straddling his cock as he stood it up tall and then I lowered myself on him, inching down and rolling my hips around so that I urged him deeper.

I gripped him with my channel and ground my clit against his pelvis, angling my hips so that I could feel every delicious inch of his manhood inside me grazing my g-spot as he thrust, stroking it.

My orgasm was on edge, and I held it off enough to tease it and make it that much hotter when it came. Moments later it did, and I quaked around his shaft, milking him, urging his release.

He liked to edge it too. We stayed that way a while as he did, speeding up and slowing down, kissing and caressing.

My tummy growled, and Aiden met my eyes. “You weren’t kidding that you’re hungry.” He rubbed his palm flat against my tummy as if to soothe it.

“I didn’t eat today.” I knew he was not happy the minute I said the words.

“I’ve told you about being so busy you skip meals. I want you healthy, Ella.” He bounced me on his cock and this time he increased the speed so that I was certain he wasn’t going to edge it again.

“It feels amazing. I’m going to come,” I blurted the words, and my walls gripped his cock. He moaned out as he filled me up with his warm load.

He kissed my shoulder. “If I’d known you’d missed your lunch, I’d have fucked you after dinner.”

“I’m fine and this way, you get to fuck me before and after.” I stood and walked over to the counter where we’d been and grabbed a paper towel to clean up, and then I let my skirt down over my hips as I found a wastepaper basket.

Then I picked up his pants, and something hit the floor at my feet. I thought it was his phone, but as I reached down, it registered. It wasn’t a phone. It was a small, black velvet ring box and when I looked up, he was wide-eyed and smiling.

“You’re not supposed to see that until dinner,” he said.

“Is there another woman I should know about?” I teased, but he stepped forward and took the box from my hands.

“No, you’re the only one for me, Ella Ford. And since there’s no time like the present—” He opened the box and presented it to me. It was a gorgeous princess cut diamond. I held my hand over my heart as he took a deep breath. “Will you marry me, Ella?”

“Yes!” I dove in for a kiss. When I pulled away, he slipped the ring onto my finger. It reminded me of the moment when he’d returned my other ring, which I still wore on my other hand. That was the moment I knew I loved him. “I love you, Aiden.”

“I love you, Ella. Now, let’s go get you fed, so you’ll have enough energy to celebrate after.” He wagged his brows and pulled me in close, and I kissed him knowing that he was mine forever.

*** Wait…this is not the end ****

Well, technically not because,

If you want more of Aiden and Ella, turn the page for an extended epilogue and an extra steamy deleted kinky scene from their life.

 

Super Dirty Kinky Bonus Sex Scene from Claiming Cinderella

 

The storm was rattling my windows with each thunderclap, and it was times like this I hated living alone. It was one thing to have Aiden down the street, but at this hour he was probably long asleep in his bed and unconcerned with the weather that had my nerves on edge.

I’d never liked bad weather, and on the nights when it got too scary, I’d sneak into my mother’s room and crawl up into her bed. Now I didn’t have that option. I had taken her room as my own, and there was no comfort here alone.

The wind whipped so hard that the trees outside were doing backbends and the puddles were deep enough for wading. In the distance, down on the shore, the waves crashed violently. The power flickered, causing the few lights I had on, to grow dim. I hurried downstairs and went to the kitchen where I knew I kept the flashlights, and I had just put my hand on one when the power went out. I stood in the dark for a moment as I struggled with the flashlight and tried to remember how to cut it on. It wasn’t like I’d expected, and I had to poke a button on the butt-end of it. I finally got it on and cursed as the dim light shined as if struggling.

There was no telling how long ago those batteries had been there, but I scrambled to find more, hoping I had some of the right sizes. As I fumbled in the dark, I heard a sound that grabbed my attention. It was a crash and then footsteps out on my front stoop. I took the batteries with me as I ran upstairs, knowing my phone was beside my bed, but as soon as I hit the bottom step, I heard a rattle coming from my front door’s knob.

I froze in place, my heart pounding from my chest and I knew whatever it was, whoever it was, they would be in and on me before I could reach my phone. I had to take that chance. I had to run for it, hoping that I’d not trip on anything in the dark. As I took a few steps in a hurry, the front door blew open, and a scream ripped from my throat.

“Ella?” Aiden’s voice brought me to my knees with relief. I hit the floor cursing in the dark.

“Dammit, Aiden. You scared me half to death!”

“I’m sorry. I was trying to be quiet, but I tripped over your plant stand. I’m afraid I owe you a new one.” He flicked on a small light, and it was barely enough to illuminate him as he wiped his feet and stepped inside. “Where are you?”

“I’m on the stairs. I thought you were here to murder me.”

“I saw the power go out down the street as I drove over. All I have is this stupid keychain light.” His voice got closer as I stepped down the stairs in the light from the lightning outside.

“Yeah, my batteries are dead.” I fell into his arms as we met at the bottom of the stairs and he kissed me and stroked my cheek.

“I’m sorry I scared you. I was worried you’d be frightened all by yourself, so I thought I’d come over. I tried to call, but you didn’t answer, and once I was in the car, I was already committed.”

“It’s fine. I thought you were asleep or I would have called.” I rested my head on his chest as he stroked my shoulder.

“You can call me anytime, Ella. It doesn’t matter what time, day or night. I’ll be there for you.” He gave my hand a squeeze and pulled me close as he stepped back into the front room. “Let’s go to the couch, we’ll break our necks trying to get up the stairs. I couldn’t even make it to the door.”

“Mm. What are we going to do here in the dark while we wait for the power?” I had a few ideas but wanted his take on the matter. It turns out we were on the same page.

“I think we can find some way to pass the time.” He pulled me down beside him and then he lay me back as he stretched out on top of me. It happened so fast I barely had time to giggle.

“Mhm. That’s a much happier sound than that scream you let out earlier.” He kissed my neck, and I breathed him in, the fresh scent of rain in his hair.

“I was scared. You made me do it.”

“I’m sorry. That’s not the kind of screams I want to hear from you because of me.”

“Yeah? But I thought you were a murderer. I thought you’d tie me up and slice me open.”

“Tying and slicing sound fun, but not like you’re thinking. I mean, I do have something to stab you with.” He ground his hips against me, and I giggled.

“Enough of the scary talk.” I closed my mouth on his and he pulled away.

“Do you trust me?”

“Of course, I do. What kind of question is that?”

Suddenly his voice was a tone deeper and breathy. “Sit up, Ella.” He sat up, and I could hear something that sounded like his belt being unbuckled.

I was wearing my pajamas, a boy shorts and tank set, but he’d apparently still been dressed from the day. My heart was still racing from the fear moments earlier, and he grabbed my hand and pulled me to him.

“I’m going to tie you up.” He held my arms tight. “Tell me you want that, Ella. Tell me you want me to tie you up and fuck you hard.” The lightning crackled at the windows, and I caught a glimpse of his face, his eyes were wild and smoldering.

“I want you to tie me up and fuck me hard, Aiden.” I would have said anything he wanted as my swollen clit tingled.

“Good girl.” The thin leather strap of his belt rubbed against my wrist, the cold buckle sending shivers as it grazed me.

I loved it when he wanted to try new things, and though I’d never seen a hard edge to him, I was excited that he wanted to explore the role with me.

“You’re going to be a good girl, aren’t you, Ella. And you’re going to do everything I tell you.” His voice was in my ear, so close I could feel the warmth of his breath. It sent chills across my flesh and tightened my nipples beneath my little tank top. He spun me around and tugged me close to his erection.

His hands were rougher on me that usual, his knees butting against my legs, opening them wider. I parted my feet as his hands left me, and I struggled against the belt which he’d fastened tight around my wrists.

The torture was in waiting for him to touch me again, I wanted his hands on me, all over me, in me. I panted a bit harder, as I felt his mouth down on my ankle.

Then he worked his way up, kissing my calf, behind my knees, across my inner thigh where his teeth grazed my skin, and then he bit me. His teeth didn’t break the flesh, he barely used pressure, but just enough that my pussy bloomed with wetness that left a wet spot in my boy shorts.

His hair tickled my thighs, and soon his mouth closed over my panties, and sucked the little spot, causing me to moan.

Then Aiden stood up and spanked my ass hard, and ripped down my panties to my thighs. “You’re fucking wet for me, aren’t you? You like knowing I’m about to fuck you don’t you, Ella?”

“Yes,” I was breathless trying to speak, and then he gripped the shorts and tugged them to him causing me to fall forward.

The flashlight I had rolled to the floor, and he reached down and picked it up. “Maybe I should fuck you with this.” The cold metal flashlight rubbed against my folds from behind. I wiggled, pulling away from him.

“Stand still, Ella.” I heard him rustling around behind me and though I was excited for our game, I was a little bit worried how far he would take it. It was the uncertainty that made it so hot. I completely trusted him.

He gripped the shorts, bunching them tighter, pinching my thighs as he used them to pull at me close, and then I felt something warm and hard against me and hoped it was his cock. As soon as I thought it he pushed it into me nice and hard. “That’s what you really want, isn’t it?”

“Mm, yes.” I tried to tilt my ass, but he tugged my shorts, using them to manhandle me as he thrust deep, pounding my little slit as my arms grew numb in the confines. I didn’t dare say, or he’d stop. I didn’t want this game to end, especially as my first release built deep in my core, like a pinch, the ache grew in my belly and then I was coming undone.

“That’s right. Fucking come on my cock.” He thrust so hard I could feel my feet about to come off the floor as he held onto my shorts, keeping me trussed. Then all of a sudden, he tugged them the rest of the way down.

“On your back, arms up.” I did as he told me and he leaned over me, his strong hands pushing up my top. He kissed my nipples, taking turns drawing them one at a time into his mouth, into his teeth, again biting me with just enough pressure that it tickled my pussy.

“This had got to go.” He balled up the tank and then balled it in his fists and ripped it from my flesh, the sound filling my ears and causing me to yelp. He tugged it free of me, and I was left feeling exposed, ready to be used.

My dripping core ached for more of him, and he lifted me up, folding me in half and brought his cock to my center. “Beg for it.”

“Please, Aiden. Please.”

“Please what, Ella. Tell me what you want like a good girl.”

“Please fuck me, Aiden.” I felt the burn in my cheeks as he growled and plunged his cock deep inside me. Then our flesh slapped together, clapping hard and relentless.

I came again, and by the time I was done I was losing my strength, my knees weak as he stood me up and bent me over the back of my couch. My face planted into the cushions, but then I got my hands under me. The belt still biting into me as he gripped my ass and pressed his cock against my tight little star.

“I should take that tight little ass of yours.”

“It’s yours for the taking, Aiden. All yours.” I was prepared for anything he wanted, and I knew one day soon he’d claim that part of me too. I wanted it. I wanted it all with him.

“I’m going to fuck that wet pussy tonight, Ella. I want to fill you up with my come and watch it drip down your pretty legs.”

“Yes, please, Aiden.” I wanted that too. And he wasted no time obliging. His cock felt like a hot knife slicing into me, and I thought it appropriate considering our game, even as I cried out. My pussy was taking a beating, and I knew I’d be so tender later, but I couldn’t get enough of him. He rocked his hips and built up his speed as the friction grew, his heavy sac dangling, slapping against me until they tightened. He filled my channel and ground it in, but as soon as he pulled away, it dripped down my legs just as he’d wanted.

“Good girl.” He trailed his index finger through the long streak of come and then he held it to me. “Taste it.”

I opened my mouth, and he slipped his finger in. I sucked it clean nice and slow. When he pulled out, he kissed my mouth and then undid the belt. He rubbed my tender wrists and collapsed beside me, pulling me into his side.

“That was intense.” I giggled and then kissed his mouth.

“Mhm. I’ll have to tie you up more often.”

“Or, maybe next time, I can tie you up?” I met his eyes, and even in the dark, I could see the flash as his eyes lit with a smile.

“Anything you want, Ella. Anything you want.” He pulled me in close and kissed me. I smiled thinking of all the fun we were going to have.

We lay there in each other’s arms until minutes later the lights came back on and he carried me up to the shower where our adventures continued.