Unexpected Destiny (Assassins and Sweethearts Book 3) Read online

  “What?” he asked.

  “My life has included many struggles of getting the ketchup bottle and you just handed it right over.” She squirted a dollop on her plate.

  He smiled at her and then dunked his fry in her ketchup before plopping it in his mouth. “Serious, one of your big gripes is about ketchup?”

  “Yeah, well, it’s hardly my big gripe, but it’s the little things.” She took a sip of her beer and licked her lips. The distinct nutty flavor of the malt warmed her all over. “This is good.” She examined the dark biscuit color of her beer before continuing her recollection, “Actually, it all started when I was ten.”

  “Ketchup trouble at ten. It must have been catastrophic.”

  “You have no idea. I was having dinner at Missy’s house. Her brothers all hated me. I always felt so self-conscious there. They were the type of family who wrote haikus while they ate breakfast.”

  “Sounds pretentious.”

  She lifted both of her hands. “Thank you!”

  “I’ve got your back, babe. Haikus should wait until at least lunch.” He laughed.

  “You’re making fun of me.” She picked up a fry, threw it at him, and then started laughing too.

  He ate the fry. “Okay. Tell me about Missy’s house. I’ll be good.” He smirked.

  “You better.” She shook her head. “Anyway. One night, I waited and waited for the ketchup. They ignored my polite requests and passed it to everyone, but me. Ugh, they were terrible.” She rubbed her thigh. “When I finally got the ketchup, it was empty. Her dad came to my rescue though and found a new bottle. I pounded on the bottle forever and nothing came out. Then a bubble or something gave way and a valley of ketchup spilled all over my shirt.”

  “Oh. That’s not good.” He failed at smothering his laughter.

  “No and her stupid brothers thought it was hilarious and talked forever how much it improved my outfit. I wanted to cram the bottle down—”

  “Such a nice memory.”

  “I did laugh which they thought was great.” She pursed her lips. “They lightened up on me after that.”

  “You like happy endings?”

  “Of course, I don’t get many. Can’t deny I like the concept.” She took a long look at him. “You don’t believe in them.”

  The waitress stopped at their table. “Don’t let me interrupt your discussion. Just flag me down if you need anything else.” She bounced away.

  “What were we talking about? Oh, happy endings. No, I don’t believe in them.” He took a large bite of his burger and stared at her while he chewed, then swallowed. “Things might be happy for a while, but they don’t end that way. Even with a couple married for fifty plus years, one of them is bound to die before the other.”

  “You’d discount all the time they had together?” She pressed on her burger, otherwise there was no way she’d fit the thing into her mouth. The first mouthful overwhelmed her with cheese and rich beef. A sip of her beer rounded out all the edges. She dug in for more.

  “No, those times can be filled with happy memories, but the end’s still painful and not usually happy.”

  “You’re a literal person, aren’t you?”

  “I guess.”

  “Seeing things in black and white can free you from a lot of crap, but you miss all the amazing things in the middle.” She took a long sip of beer while she observed his unaffected behavior. “That doesn’t bother you?”

  “Don’t get me wrong. I want to settle down. Can’t say I expect the end to be happy though.” He shrugged.

  “Ah. You just left the door open.”

  “Maybe.” A smile lifted the corners of his mouth. The amusement in his eyes started a warm glow in her heart.

  She sat back from the table.

  “Are you going to finish?” He pointed toward her half empty plate.

  “Nope.” She pushed the plate toward him. “Take what you want.” Something about this guy had her letting go of all her worries, even had her sharing silly stories she hadn’t told anyone else. He put her at ease with his confidence and clear control. She’d bet he was a mind blowing lover, too.

  “Thank you.” Darkness flattened his eyes. He took two more bites to finish her burger. “Do you want to play pool before we leave?”

  “Sure. It’s either that or we’ll have to walk around the building a few times.” She rubbed her belly. “I’m stuffed.”

  He signaled to the waitress for another round of beers and they made their way to the game area. He racked the balls and offered her the break.

  “You’re such a gentleman.” She checked his hip on her way to select a pool cue.

  “Hey, watch it there, Lizzy, or I may not let you win.”

  “You wouldn’t dare!” She pretended to be flabbergasted and winked at him.

  They played for a while before he started pointing out shots to her, not that she could make any of them.

  “Do you want me to show you?”

  “Sure.”

  “Come around here and stand in front of me.” Aidan stepped back.

  She squeezed in between him and the table.

  “Press your hips back to mine.”

  “Yes, sir.” She pushed out her ass and lowered over the table. His body met hers and a flush rushed through her.

  “That’s it. It’s important to first consider your alignment.” He wrapped his fingers around her ribs and pulled. “Now, you’re positioned over your arm and you’ll perceive your aim correctly. Keep your grip relaxed, the cue stick nice and even, and don’t lower your elbow.”

  “Lots to remember.” Her thoughts had gone all foggy. Remembering to keep anything balanced seemed like a lost cause. All she could think about was Aidan claiming her right on the table. She pumped the cue through her fingers. “Maybe I should give you control of the stick.”

  “Can we get out of here already?” he whispered in her ear.

  She let go of the stick and turned around. “Absolutely.” She ducked under his arm and headed for the door.

  “Liz, wait up.” He hollered for the waitress, but Liz kept moving. She knew he would catch up and the thought of him chasing her had her wild with need.

  Once out the door, she turned the corner and headed back to his place. At least this time, she knew where she was going. As she approached his building, she looked up at the star-filled sky and breathed in the crisp night air.

  “Hello.”

  She stopped dead in her tracks. About five feet ahead of her, a man leaned against the brick wall. He looked awfully familiar, but she didn’t want to step any closer. His arms were crossed and his brows were squeezed into an unfriendly angle.

  “Are you a friend of Aidan’s?”

  “Here, Liz.” Aidan stepped beside her and pushed his keys to her hand. “Go on upstairs. I’ll join you in a minute.”

  “You sure?” She turned to him, nervous to leave him alone.

  “I’ll be up in a few minutes. Make yourself comfortable.”

  ****

  Aidan watched Liz disappear into his building and fought the need to follow her. Without being able to see her, he couldn’t know for certain she was safe. He tapped his fingers against his hips. “What are you doing here?”

  “What are you doing, Aidan?” Gavin walked toward him. “That’s your target, isn’t it?”

  “I met her at the bar tonight after the auction.”

  “You didn’t answer my question.” Gavin shook his head when Aidan didn’t offer anything further. “What are you going to do with her now?”

  “Nothing that’s any of your business. Besides, we’re just letting off some steam. She’s a nice girl.”

  “A nice girl? What the fuck, Aidan.” He slapped the backside of Aidan’s head. “You’re going to get yourself killed and she’ll end up dead anyway.”

  Aidan pushed his brother back a step. “Come on. You know me. I don’t get involved with targets. I finish my jobs clean and ahead of schedule.”

  “It o
nly takes one girl.”

  “Like Vivian?”

  “Yeah, like Vivian.” He stepped closer and grabbed hold of Aidan’s shirt with both hands. “She’ll ruin your life.”

  “I don’t think it will come to that.”

  “Well, think again.” Gavin patted Aidan on the cheek and walked to his car.

  “Someone mugged her a couple of weeks ago. Today, her apartment gets ransacked and possibly two contracts are made on her life.”

  Gavin turned around. “How do you know all this?” He pointed to Aidan’s apartment. “Did she tell you?”

  “No. I saw the bruises on her neck and there’s no way she faked the surprise at the state of her apartment tonight.” He dipped his head and rubbed the back of his neck.

  Gavin released a huge breath. “You know, if you had a full staff, you could be all over this already.” Gavin walked to the corner of the building. “Too bad Ethan hadn’t forced the situation earlier.”

  “I’m still surprised you’re fine with Nadia working for me.”

  “Hey, I actually like Nadia. I think she’s good for both of you. But this girl…” He looked up at the building. “You can’t trust her.”

  “I know how to protect myself.” Aidan kicked a rock and swallowed a childish retort.

  “See that you do.”

  “She hasn’t seen the husband in over a year.” He ran his fingers through his hair. “I’d like to know who really ordered the hit. The police think Reese is dead. I’m not so sure.”

  “Lots of questions.”

  “I know.” He gazed up at his kitchen window. “I’ve got Sam working on it. Just, send him anything you find.”

  “Okay.” Gavin held up his hands. “My guy’s working on it too. Keep an eye on her.”

  “Will do. Thank you, brother.”

  Gavin disappeared into the shadows of the alley.

  Aidan texted Sam and made sure he was still fishing for information. Maybe by morning they’d have some answers.

  He ran upstairs and kept moving until he reached his door. Respect for Elizabeth filled him. She’d faced a lot in the last year and she still held her shit together. Little did she know she was trading a husband who probably abandoned her, or worse, for a night with an assassin.

  He wouldn’t delude himself into thinking he was good enough for her. There was no way to know how this was all going to play out, but first things first. The woman deserved pleasure and he had no problem taking her there as many times as he could while he figured it out.

  He pressed his ear to his door and listened while his heartbeat calmed.

  Silence.

  Too much silence.

  He pushed open the door and slipped inside. He found her standing at the sink, naked as the day she was born, and gazing out his kitchen window at the full moon. Moonlight draped over her pert nipples and down to the top of her perfect soft ass.

  He pushed the door shut with some force to announce his entrance.

  She turned and peered at him over her shoulder. “Hi.” She toyed with her silky chocolate hair. “You told me to get comfortable.”

  “I’m glad you did.” He took slow controlled steps toward her, taking off his shirt and slipping off his shoes as he went. His need to act like a gentleman flew away as his cock stiffened. Damn, she was fucking gorgeous.

  The moonlight danced off her eyes to the tops of her breasts.

  He licked his lips. “You look good enough to eat.”

  She turned fully toward him right as he reached her. He clamped hold of her nape and sealed his lips over hers. Intense heat flowed through him and stiffened his dick. He wanted inside. With a push of his tongue, she granted him access and he invaded her mouth, brushed along her tongue in languid sweeps.

  He caressed her neck with one hand and the other found her breast. The soft pillow swelled in his hand. He pulled until his fingertips found her nipple and he pinched.

  She pulled free from his lips and gasped. “Ah, it hurts but don’t stop.” She arched into his hand. “I love how that feels.”

  Latching onto her neck, he alternated between sucking her neck and pulling her sweet tit. The urge to plunder her pussy with his rock hard cock was driving him crazy. He nibbled his way along her jaw to claim her mouth again. After giving her nipple another tight squeeze, he released her.

  She tried to pull free but he swallowed her scream by swiping his tongue around hers. Then he picked her up. She wrapped her gorgeous legs around his hips. Heat greeted his dick and he knew he couldn’t wait another second to get inside her.

  He set her bare ass on the counter. Aidan had little storage in his apartment. He didn’t have a lot of stuff either. However, it seemed strange to keep the condoms in one of his kitchen drawers, until now. “Stay.”

  “I’m not going anywhere.” She scooted back on the counter, rubbed her thighs, and then spread her legs wide.

  Once he was back by her side, he made quick work of taking off the rest of his clothes. The whole time he watched her pussy, her warm, wet pussy.

  “Aidan.” She reached for him. “I need you.”

  “I’m here.” He caressed her cheek and stroked his cock a couple times. An overwhelming need to claim her, to make her his, took his breath away. He put on the condom and then worked his cock head up and down her slit.

  “Aidan,” she whispered. “I need you inside me right now.”

  He pushed in, but not too far. After pulling out slightly, he pushed farther inside. Intense silky warmth greeted him and the last of his restraint disappeared.

  “Oh!” She reached forward and wrapped her arms around him, pressing her breasts to his chest.

  “Yes, so tight. So fucking tight.” He fully seated himself within her and stopped. A strange sensation fell like a blanket over him. His gaze locked on hers. The moment filled him from somewhere deep inside. Not able to wait a second longer, he claimed her mouth, swiping his tongue from left to right and then he dove deeper, just as he thrust his cock into her pussy.

  Each time he hit home, she moaned. It was the sweetest sound he’d ever heard. “You feel like heaven.” She moaned again.

  He ached for more of her as he ravished her body. Thrust after thrust, he plucked her tit and nibbled on her neck.

  “I’m going to come.” Her pussy squeezed him as she arched back.

  “Go ahead, sweetheart. Come all over my cock.”

  “Ah!” she squealed and her pussy contracted around him, milking him to release.

  Chapter Five

  Tingles of goose bumps raised all over as the emotion of the act hit her with its full force. This stranger had brought her so much pleasure. And not only that, with him she’d forgotten her troubles for a time. He’d lifted the dead weight of worry and filled it with an electrifying need for more of him. She squeezed him tighter.

  Aidan lifted her from the counter while his cock remained inside her. She wrapped her legs around his middle and buried her face in the crook of his neck.

  They’d laughed. They’d enjoyed simple things. This was how life was supposed to be. Not struggling to be something she wasn’t or pretending everything was fine when her life had come completely undone.

  He set her on the bed, pulled out of her and then he strode to the bathroom. She drew the blankets around her shoulders and curled on her side. A moment later, he slipped in behind her. She rolled over and curled into him.

  “I want you to stay here until we figure out why you were mugged and why your place was broken into.”

  “Thank you. I don’t want to be anywhere else. You’ve made me feel safe and distracted from this crazy mess. I appreciate it more than you know.” She dragged her finger in lazy circles around his chest. “When Reese first disappeared I was frightened all the time. I can’t stand to go there again.”

  “I will help you get through this.”

  She got up on her elbow. “I know you don’t want to talk about what you do but you have to give me something. Why are you helping me?
We just met.”

  He rose up on his elbow too. “It doesn’t feel like I just met you.”

  “I know.” Her body relaxed and relief washed over her. It was a hard thing to trust her instincts, but no place on earth had ever felt this comfortable.

  “I’ll tell you everything but not tonight. Let’s get a good night sleep and then we’ll talk it through tomorrow.”

  “I’m holding you to that.” She blinked a couple of times. “I’m suddenly very sleepy.”

  “Go ahead and sleep. I’ve got you.” He pulled the covers over her shoulders.

  Her eyelids fought to stay open a few times. She snuggled into him and his soft lips kissed her forehead as she drifted off to sleep.

  Light met her eyelids hours later. Aidan was still warm and snuggly next to her. She stayed put for several moments, enjoying the satisfying comfort he gave so freely. With a lift of her head, she peeked at a snoozing Aidan.

  Her bladder reminded her it was morning. She slipped from the bed and tiptoed to the bathroom, pulling the blanket from the couch as she went.

  After she washed up, she watched Aidan for a while. Curiosity took over and she looked around the large almost empty room. Once in the kitchen, she tripped over his pile of clothes.

  “Oops.” She giggled.

  She picked up each item, folding it and loving the idea of caring for this man. When she grabbed his jacket, she noticed the envelope inside.

  She looked back at Aidan. He hadn’t moved, still peacefully asleep.

  She debated whether or not she should invade his privacy. It would be stupid and reckless. He didn’t deserve that kind of treatment. No, but she needed to know something about him. It was probably just bills or something humdrum anyways. In light of recent developments, she was desperate to be out of the dark on something.

  She pulled the envelope from his jacket. There were no markings on the outside. She slipped the paper free from the envelope and froze at a picture of her and Reese staring back at her.

  Flashes of white light swirled around her causing her head to spin. She couldn’t get her vision to focus on the words in front of her. All she could see was the word death and her picture clear as day at the bottom.