Chapter 21

While standing before Aiden’s desk, Sophia couldn’t keep from shuddering. At her side, both hands twitched, ready to shoot upward and tug on the large golden ring. One yank and the front zipper of the red leather dress snug to her trembling curves would peel apart, revealing herself once more to him. With the last rays of the sun glinting on the tall windows, silhouetting his seated form, the wait had become maddening. Yet, from his slow roaming gaze, she understood: all part of his plan.

The entire day had been maddening, filled with a million meetings and phone calls. The younger man, so full of aged wisdom, had done well running things, and at no time had she regretted her decision to keep him. As if she’d had any actual choice. She restrained a nervous snort; there’d been no doubt once he’d uncovered her secret. However, given all that had happened, she clutched one nagging doubt: would he...

“I’m keeping you, Sophie.”

Deep and calming, his voice brought her back to reality, and she focused on his face. Though his backlit expression was indiscernible, those soul-warming gray eyes twinkled.

“Merci, Aiden.”

Despite his sigh, the hands remained clasped behind his head, instead of reaching for her. A tremor caused her to wobble on the slender heels he preferred.

“I do. They look good on you. You’ve got beautiful legs. Like all the rest of you.”

Heat flared upward along her cheeks. Not because of the compliments. She could sense his honesty. No, the madness had peaked.

“Mon Dieu, Aiden. You read my mind. Just ask me what you want?”

“A blowjob?” He laughed but then froze when she began to move. He held up his hand. “No, no, only kidding. God, you really are on edge, aren’t you?”

“We all are.” She clamped both fists so hard their nails dug into her palms. “I’m unsure which is worse, the void you left or having those gates opened wide once more.”

At the sudden cessation of ... everything—almost everything, a piece he’d continued to keep hidden—from him, her breathing hitched. He didn’t grin, but the chair creaked as he reclined, hands still tight to his skull.

“Better?”

“Non, Aiden.” As she shook her head, the hair she’d tugged free of its clips as soon as he’d summoned her glided along her bare shoulders.

“Well, tough, Sophie.”

After creaking once more, the sound continued as the chair shifted under him until he leaned forward with his elbows resting on the massive desk. Her eyes flicked to the shiny desktop upon which she really wanted to lie ... naked, bared to him, so hungry, beyond needy. Yet, despite the briefest flicker in them, once his chin settled onto his hands, those eyes became lasers, boring deep into her soul.

“W-What do you mean, Aiden?” left her in a shaky whisper.

“Something’s been bothering me.” He sighed and flicked his gaze over her shaking frame before again finding her eyes. “Out of nowhere, Blaine Hornsby is added to a delegation. Then he arrives and you’re outta town. That’s what I mean, Madame Sophia Dumont.”

At his stiff formality and tone, her head tilted. A spear of anxiety stabbed at the fountaining desire, and she raised an eyebrow.

“I do not ... Wait, did you think—”

“Not sure what to think ... Madame Dumont.”

“Um, I ... I had no idea he would be coming! My trip was planned far in advance. I swear this. Look into me. You’ll see.”

“Nope, not gonna do that. No magic shit. No ring.” After a heavier breath left him, the tension in those eyes grew. “Like old times. Just you and me in this office, behind closed doors.”

“Oui, l-like old ... old times, Aiden.”

She nodded and, remembering where it all began, lifted her chin. It took her half a second to recall his words: no ring, and she let it lower to view his face once more. At the appearance of the thinnest grin, her heart dared to speed.

“Yeah, I’m a shitty liar, Sophie.”

“What do you mean?”

“I can’t turn it off.” He glanced at his fingers, bare of the etched metal. It hadn’t been when he’d gripped her neck that first time. “Can block myself, but you ... and the others, you’re always with me. At least to some extent.”

“To some extent?”

“Yes.” He raised his head, then folded his arms across that barrel chest. “So, okay, you didn’t know. Why would he come here?”

“This I also do not know.” She gulped. “Please don’t ask me to contact him. I find him—”

“Yeah, disturbing.” He unfolded his arms and lifted his palms. “Sorry, doing it again.”

“Hmm, I was only ... aggravated by ... All this waiting. Any time you wish, you can probe my—”

Before she could stop it, a nervous giggle escaped; she bit deep into her lower lip. The teeth sank deeper as Aiden’s eyes narrowed.

“Strip.”

Under the sudden pulse from him, kicking open the door to her pent-up need, it took less than a second to react; both hands flew upward. In a flurry of clicking, the nails of one snatched at the ring, while the other waited to unsnap the bra’s front clasp when it came into view. In no more than another second, leather was peeling down her flanks, followed by tumbling crimson lace cups and their twisting straps. As chilly air swirled around her torso, fingers found her hips and more lace—damp lace—dropped away, landing on the pile at her ankles.