Chapter 23 Sep 17, 2025 My heart was still racing from the fight with Alex. Fuck him. But Aiden returned my kiss and pressed me against the kitchen counter. His palms bracketed my hips with a steadiness that felt like oxygen after hours of argument. I didn't want a postmortem, or a moral, or the careful version of myself I kept building for other people. I wanted this-Aiden's mouth, his certainty, the clean present tense of yes. "I'm here," I said, breath close to his. He searched my face for second thoughts and found none. Whatever Alex and I would be tomorrow could wait for tomorrow. Tonight I let anger alchemize into want, let the counter hold my spine, and let Aiden's body quiet the noise until all that remained was the heat between us and the simple fact that I had chosen it. His breath was hot against my neck, his lips trailing kisses that sent shivers down my spine. I could feel his cock, already hard, pressing against the thin fabric of his sweatpants, begging for release. "Ruby," he growled, his voice low and dangerous, "you're mine tonight." I didn't argue. I didn't want to. My body was on fire, every nerve screaming for him. His hands moved to my waist, yanking his t-shirt over my head in one swift motion. I gasped as the cold air hit my skin, my nipples hardening instantly. His eyes darkened as he took me in, his gaze raking over my curves like he was starving and I was the feast. He didn't waste time. His mouth crashed against mine, teeth clashing, tongues tangling in a messy, desperate kiss. I moaned into his mouth, my hands roaming over his chest, feeling the muscles tense beneath my touch. He was built like a fucking god, all hard lines and raw power, and I couldn't get enough of him. His hands moved to my panties. I kicked them off. His eyes never left mine as he dropped to his knees, his breath hot against my exposed pussy. "Fuck, Ruby," he muttered, his voice thick with lust. "You're so fucking wet." I didn't deny it. I was dripping, my arousal slicking my thighs, the scent of my need filling the air. His tongue was on me in an instant, lapping at my folds like a man possessed. I cried out, my hands gripping the counter for support as he devoured me. His tongue was relentless, flicking against my clit with expert precision, sending shockwaves of pleasure through my body. "Aiden," I moaned, my hips grinding against his face. "Oh, god, don't stop." He didn't. His hands gripped my ass, pulling me closer as he buried his face deeper, his tongue plunging inside me. I could feel myself unraveling, the pressure building with every flick of his tongue. "I'm gonna cum," I gasped, my legs trembling. He pulled back just enough to look up at me, his lips glistening with my juices. "Cum for me, Ruby," he ordered, his voice rough. And I did. My orgasm hit me, my body convulsing as wave after wave of pleasure crashed over me. I cried out, my nails digging into the countertop, my legs giving out beneath me. Aiden caught me before I could fall, his strong arms holding me up as I trembled in his embrace. But he wasn't done. Not even close. He stood, his hands moving to my breasts, squeezing them roughly. His mouth found my nipple, sucking hard enough to make me gasp. His cock was pressing against my stomach, the heat of it searing through his sweatpants. I reached down, fumbling with the waistband before finally freeing him. He was huge, his cock thick and throbbing, begging for attention. I wrapped my hand around him, stroking him slowly, feeling him grow even harder in my grasp. His breath hitched, his hips bucking against my hand as I worked him. "Fuck me, Aiden," I whispered, my voice hoarse. "I need you inside me." He didn't need to be told twice. He lifted me onto the countertop, my legs wrapping around his waist as he positioned himself at my entrance. His eyes locked onto mine, and for a moment, everything stopped. And then he pushed inside me, his cock stretching me in the most delicious way. I cried out, the sensation overwhelming as he filled me completely. He didn't give me time to adjust, his hips snapping forward as he began fucking me with a ferocity that left me breathless. "Fuck, Ruby," he growled, his hands gripping my thighs. "You feel so damn good." I could only moan in response, my nails clawing at his back as he pounded into me. The countertop was digging into my ass, but I didn't care. All I cared about was the way his cock was hitting that sweet spot inside me, sending jolts of pleasure through my body with every thrust. He was relentless, his pace unyielding as he fucked me harder, deeper. I could feel another orgasm building, my body tightening around him as I neared the edge. "Cum with me, Ruby," he growled, his voice rough with need. And I did. My orgasm crashed over me, my body convulsing as I cried out his name. He followed suit, his cock pulsing inside me as he spilled himself, his hot cum filling me to the brim. We stayed like that for a moment, panting and trembling, before he finally pulled out. I was a mess, my body limp and sated, my mind foggy with pleasure. Aiden leaned in, his lips brushing against mine in a soft kiss. "You are an incredible woman, Ruby," he whispered. "And I am honored to bring you pleasure." And in that moment, I knew I was lucky.