Read Online Opulence by Angelica Chase - Free Book Online Page B

room. I walked into the bathroom, taking a few minutes to clear my head. He had questions? Well, I had some of my own. Like what the hell did he want with me? Why the hell was he so guarded himself? I thought about his kiss in the kitchen and took a deep breath. The man kissed me like he was desperate for more, yet he’d backed away so easily from going any further. I felt the ache growing inside of me and did my best to temper it before I opened the door. Aiden was laying there, his perfect bare chest peeking out beneath the sheets. He eyed me with a smile and lifted the covers on the opposite side of the bed. I slipped in next to him and he turned his body toward me so we were facing each other.
    "Thank you for dinner," I said softly.
    He reached out to stroke my face and his fingers trailed across my lips. I kissed them lightly as I got lost in the fire in his eyes and he pulled me closer to him.
    "I don’t think I can hang on much longer," he said, stroking my collar with his thumb.
    "Why are you?" I whispered.
    "You need me to," he said softly.
    "Why is that?" I asked, my pulse kicking as his hands caressed me.
    "You told me so," he said, taking my face in his hands and leaning in to kiss me. The kiss was gentle and reassuring. He wanted me as much as I wanted him, that I was sure of.
    When he pulled away he whispered "goodnight" then turned off the light next to him. I spent an hour staring at the dimly lit ceiling before the waves’ melody lulled me to sleep. I woke up hours later in Aiden’s tender grip. I held his arms firmly around me and stroked them with my fingertips. I hadn’t been held like that since I was married. It was the most comfortable I’d felt in years. I’d damn near forgotten what intimacy was like. Devin had never spent more than a few hours with me, and it was never overnight. Did I really think that bastard had treated me well? This man had let me into his home and his bed and was somehow trying to be virtuous. I couldn’t help the tears that escaped me. I cried softly, mortified of waking Aiden.
    You are seriously fucked up, Nina.
    Lonely, was more like it. I’d made my fortune and built my castle, and then exiled myself in it.
    If Aiden wanted the truth, he would have it. I wanted to trust again, though I had no reason to trust a single soul in my life. But what I was most sure of was I didn’t want to be alone anymore.

    "Wake up, naughty girl," Aiden said softly. A brief whiff of coffee had my eyes opening. Aiden sat on the bed next to me, a steaming cup in his hand. "Surfs up," he chuckled.
    "I’m horrible on the board, bra," I said, quickly burying my head under his pillow.
    He laughed loudly as he set the coffee on the nightstand beside me. He pulled the pillow away from me and I peeked up at him. "Seriously, Aiden, this is the most comfortable bed in creation. Can we just hang out here?"
    "I’ll make you a deal," he said, lifting me to a sitting position. "You come with me for a few hours this morning and we will do whatever you want today."
    I nodded with a smile. Aiden was already dressed in board shorts, his hair styled to spiky perfection and sunglasses tucked into his t-shirt collar.
    "I have nothing to wear, unless you want me to surf in this." I pulled the waist on his sweats to show him how much wiggle room I had.
    "I have a wet suit. The water is still a little cold," he said carefully.
    "And you just so happen to have one in my size?"
    "I got it off of what’s left of your outfit. The shop opened at 4 A.M. I’ve already eaten breakfast, too."
    I grinned. "I would applaud you but honestly, it’s a fool’s errand. I seriously have no skills."
    "We’ll see. The suit’s in the bathroom. Hurry up!"

    "Son of a bitch!" Aiden roared behind me, "You little liar!" I’d stolen another wave and rode it out. I laughed and lost my balance, diving into the surf. Aiden paddled toward me, cursing.
    "You have no manners," he said, sounding agitated. It was the fifth wave I’d