Conviction (A Stand-alone Novel): A Bad Boy Romance (13 page)

"You know, the thing I loved best about Jace is that he never changed. He always seemed like he was exactly the same whether here or on the field or in Texas." I sat in the chair Ayden held out for me.

"He was," Ayden confirmed. "Jace was the most steady, solid person I have ever known."

I savored a bite of filet mignon and wondered, "It had to be hard for you to stay the same. . ."

Ayden shook his head and smiled as he tasted caviar on a handmade blini. "It’s an understandable question. The answer is I'm just like Jace. Maybe Texans are too stubborn to change, but the fact is I'm still the same person I was when I went in to prison. Sure the whole self-preservation thing has left some rough edges, but I think that's going to serve me well in this world."

We spent the rest of the dinner discussing the world Jace had given to us between mouth-watering bites of the Venetian's best surf and turf. The champagne was an outstanding pairing and the golden bubbles encapsulated the entire atmosphere of the penthouse. It was luxurious and gilded, but comfortable and welcoming. After we reached the dried fruit and cheese plate dessert, Ayden and I stretched out on the cloud-like sofas in front of the fireplace.

"Well, at least if David is going to try to stab me in the back, I can now die happy," Ayden sighed.

Looking out the windows was easier than looking at him, so I started to point out Vegas landmarks. "I'm sure you can spot the Paris Hotel, see the Eiffel Tower? Across from it is the Bellagio with the dancing fountains. Just beyond that is New York, New York."

"Wow, it really does look like a miniature skyline. Maybe we should go there next," Ayden said. His laser blue eyes ignited a fire inside me.

"The casino or the city? I was thinking about going to bed," I blurted out.

A wolfish smile darkened his eyes. "You inviting me?"

We had sat down on opposite ends of the sofa, but I now realized there was only two short feet of space between us, and it was rapidly filling with heat. My mind flashed through a dozen scenes of Ayden's lips near mine, his strong hands gripping my shoulders, his dark hair brushing my face as he dipped down to nuzzle my neck.

"No, I mean, it’s late. But if you want to go out, you should. I'm in the mood to stay in, enjoy the fire," I stammered and knew I was not making any sense.

Ayden sat up and closed the space between us. "Is it just the fire you want enjoy?"

The bright blush on my cheeks rendered me speechless.

He leaned closer and whispered, "Ms. Bishop, you are irresistible when you are flustered.

Our lips brushed and the opulent room faded. I wetted my lips and could not resist the faint taste of him. I sat up and pressed myself closer. Ayden swallowed a low growl as he brought his hands up to cup my face. The tender pressure of his caress tipped my head back and left my lips open for his hungry exploration.

My arms were around his neck, clinging as if I was on the edge of a precipice. The world was already far below in the penthouse, but Ayden's kiss was driving me higher than I had ever gone before.

"No, wait. This can't happen. Not now," I almost sobbed. "It’s just too chaotic. Everything's a mess. I don't want this to be a mess too."

"There she is. I was wondering where the always pulled together Ms. Bishop was," Ayden said. He sat back and retrieved our champagne flutes.

I took mine with an unsteady hand. "I'm not saying it was a mistake."

Ayden finished his champagne and stood up. "I know. It wasn't a mistake, but you are right about the timing. And, trust me, of all people, I am someone who can wait for what I really want."

He went to stand directly in front of the plate glass windows while I pulled myself together. Finally I joined him there, and we looked out over the glittering sea of neon.

"Do you know what you really want?" My voice came out as a squeak.

"I promised myself long ago that I would get out of prison and earn my way up in the world. Now Jace has just handed me everything. What I really want is to be worthy of all of this." He stuffed his hands in his pockets. "If I get the chance."

I opened my mouth to tell him about the conversation I had with Mr. Anton and how the board was more interested in Ayden than David, but I stopped myself. "You know you don't have to pick up where Jace left off. He, of all people, would understand you wanting to make your own way in the world."

He loosed a hand to run through his black hair. "The problem is now it’s my turn to be in Jace's debt. I have to honor his wishes now that he's gone. He was my best friend and my only family. I'm not turning my back on that."

"Jace knows you are worthy and soon everyone else will too." I laid a hand on his arm. "Jace left his empire in the hands of someone who has excellent instincts, is unshakable, and has a super-power no one else does."

Ayden frowned. "What's that?"

"All this," I gestured to the penthouse. "You could just leave it and still be as happy as you were before. The money is not what means something to you. That's what Knight Holdings needs, and I will make sure the board knows that."

"Congratulations, by the way," Ayden's voice was soft. "Board liaison."

"You heard? I mean, of course you did. You probably got the memo before I did--"

He stopped my nervous babbling with a searing kiss. This time I went over the edge and felt the world falling away. Ayden wrapped his arms tightly around my waist, one strong hand pressing flat in the center of my back to hold me into him. I reached up and tangled my hands in his black hair as our tongues tangled breathlessly in the deepening kiss.

We hovered there, high above Las Vegas, with only the Venetian's penthouse windows between us and the illuminated night sky. When Ayden finally slowed the pace and brushed soft, electric kisses across my lips, it felt like gravity took its time to return. Our mouths hovered centimeters apart, brushing, tasting, until finally my feet were firmly on the ground again.

"Good night, Autumn," Ayden whispered. He let go and made his way towards one of the penthouse bedrooms.

I knew I could follow him. There would be no need for words. If I slipped my hand in his, it would be enough said. That possibility kept me breathless until he entered his bedroom and closed the door behind him. He left a sliver of an opening, and it held me mesmerized for one long minute.

Then I shook myself and went to face myself in the bathroom mirror in the other bedroom. My lips were full and strawberry red, ripe from Ayden's thorough kisses. I ran my fingers through my blonde hair until the wispy tangles were gone. Still, my hands shook with the desire to run to Ayden's room.

I gave my reflection a rueful smile. What was wrong with me? All the signs pointed to yes, Ayden's door was ajar, and I was still flooded with desire for him.

The problem was it had been way too long since I felt that way about anyone. Working for Jace had made it easy to ignore my lack of a love life, and I used it as an excuse to not settle for anything but the brightest sparks. Ayden had ignited a full- blown volcano, but I had chickened out. By the time he reached the bedroom door, it was too late for me to join him without looking like a fool.

"You would have loved this," I said to the ceiling, as I thought of Jace. "I can hear you teasing me for being a coward."

I got ready for bed and pulled up the sinfully soft Egyptian cotton sheets, but my mind was still racing. What would Jace have thought of Ayden and I together? Part of me wondered if it hadn't all been part of Jace's master plan, all except for him missing out on the show.

I sat up, sleepless, and moved to a chair by the window. I gazed past the lights of Vegas to the silhouettes of the mountains. Jace always knew more than he let on, and now it seemed there was more to Ayden than I had first expected. And more to how I felt about him.

Chapter Nine

Autumn

I walked down the back stairs to the kitchen and was surprised to find it occupied. In the two weeks since I had started staying over at Jace's mansion regularly, I had never run into anyone in the kitchen. The chef had been put on call, and the refrigerator was always stocked, but hardly another soul set foot in the place. I had begun to wonder what Ayden subsisted on.

There he was, in loose silk pajama bottoms and a clean white tee shirt. I could smell the warm soapy scent of him and knew he had just come from the shower. My pulse skittered, and I almost missed the bottom step.

"Autumn?" Ayden said. He had whipped around with the wooden spoon raised like a weapon. "Sorry, you surprised me. Isn't it a little early for you to be sneaking down the back stairs?"

"No, don't apologize. I'm the one who should be sorry. I probably should have let you know that I stay over in the blue room when we work late or have an early meeting. I've been here most of the last two weeks." The last part came out like an awkward confession.

"You mean I've had a house guest this whole time and never knew it? Man, my instincts are slipping." Ayden flipped the wooden spoon and wielded it like a knife. "And so is my cooking."

He lunged for the stove, but it was too late. Dark smoke billowed up the stainless steel hood and Ayden flipped on the exhaust fan just in time. He coughed and flapped his arm as he grabbed the now-charred skillet and threw it into the sink.

I peered at the grisly remains and asked, "What were you trying to make?"

"Salmon crepes. After eating at the Venetian, I just can't seem to go for plain toast anymore." Ayden grinned.

It had been three weeks since our escape to the Venetian penthouse, but we still talked about it almost daily. Just the mention of it buoyed my heart up to the ceiling faster than the plume of smoke from his failed crepes.

"You know we have an on-call chef, right?" I stepped around the charred remains in the sink and headed for the coffee maker.

"Who needs a chef when I can make omelets." Ayden grabbed a clean, copper-bottomed skillet from the hanging rack. Before he gathered up all the ingredients, he reached into the refrigerator and pulled out the cream for me.

"Thanks," I said, trying to subtly inhale the warm soapy male scent of him. It was intoxicating. "When did you learn to make omelets?"

"Not in prison. They don't really allow cooking classes there. I found an old cookbook of my mother's and mastered the art of omelets when I was teenager. I knew I could survive off them without starving and without making a huge mess or fuss," Ayden explained.

I leaned on the counter next to him, "Dazzle me then."

Ayden grinned then looked up to the stainless steel exhaust hood. He flipped the fan to low and said, "I'm relying on muscle memory. Let's hope this works."

He whipped the eggs into a froth and poured them in the hot pan. While it cooked he chopped up green onions, cubed a few thick slices of ham, and shredded some sharp cheddar cheese. By the time he has tossed all the ingredients together and added salt and pepper, the eggs were cooked. He gave the pan a sharp push and the omelet slipped up the side and folded over.

I applauded. "That was quite impressive, Mr. King."

"Here's the real test." He cut a small bit, blew on it gently, and then held it to my lips.

I closed my eyes and savored the bite but, more than that, I savored the warm closeness of his body. Ayden lingered and when I opened my eyes, I saw his fixed on my mouth with a hungry look that had nothing to do with breakfast.

"Delicious," I whispered. Ayden nodded without taking his eyes off my lips.

Suddenly overheating, I stepped back around the kitchen island and found a safe seat on one of the tall stools. Ayden rolled his hard shoulders and shook himself as if waking up from a dream. He handed me my forgotten mug of coffee and then divided the omelet onto two plates.

I polished off my plate with a satisfied sigh. "Thank you. Now are you ready to get back to the real world?"

"This is not the real world." Ayden told me as we met on the front steps fifteen minutes later. He was in his black-on-black suit that was fast becoming a sexy signature look. Except this time he wore a black tie.

The limousine pulled up, and the driver hopped out to open the doors for us. "What do you mean?" I asked Ayden with an innocent smile.

He slid into the limousine next to me. "In real life eating omelets in your pajamas is not followed up by a chauffeured limo ride to a multi-million dollar corporation board meeting."

I patted his knee. "I don't know what to tell you. Welcome to your real world?"

Ayden laughed and pressed a hand over mine, trapping it against his leg. The heat was instantaneous. He dragged my hand a few inches up his thigh. My fingers flexed against his hard muscular leg despite my brain's repeated command to stay focused on business. It was a relief that the ride to the office was short. A minute longer and my daydreams would have gotten the better of my self-control.

The limousine stopped, and I pulled my hand away but Ayden held on. "I couldn't do this without you," he said.

I gave him a light smile that belied my melted heart. "Neither could Jace."

I took the chauffeur's hand and exited the limousine to the sound of Ayden's hearty laughter. Once on the sidewalk, I came face to face with David. Ayden was still chuckling when he joined us and the sound obviously rubbed David the wrong way.

He sneered at me, "I would think the board would frown upon you two making alliances."

"My position as liaison is only until a CEO is voted in. Then I will decide if I want my old role back." I gripped my briefcase with two hands but refused to show any more irritation.

"Best of luck, then," David said, "because once I'm voted in, I plan to find someone with better references than a casino waitress."

Ayden took my arm and squeezed. I could feel his arm muscles bunched with the effort it took to resist pummeling David, but he simply steered me towards the office.

David had to jog on his short legs to overtake us, but he was determined to reach the double doors first. He burst into the office, making demands before the doors shut behind him.