His Reward

  His Reward

  A Forbidden Romance

  Emme Cox

  Copyright © 2020 Emme Cox

  All rights reserved.

  This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express permission of the publisher except for the use of brief quotations in a book review. This book is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, or places, events or locations is purely coincidental. The characters are all productions of the author’s imagination.

  This work is intended for adults 18 years or over.

  All characters in this work are 18 years of age or over.

  ~

  About

  Aiden and I have always been great friends even though he’s my sister’s ex. When intruders break into our shared home, Aiden protects me from danger. And now my perspective has shifted. He’s not just my friend or my sister’s ex anymore. He’s mine. Except, he doesn’t know it yet.

  His Reward is a steamy forbidden older man younger woman romance.

  Contents

  Title Page

  One

  Two

  Three

  Four

  Five

  Six

  Seven

  Eight

  Nine

  Ten

  Epilogue

  Emme Cox

  One

  It wasn’t a surprise when Vanessa and Aiden broke up.

  I’m amazed they lasted five years in the first place. They weren’t a great fit. How they didn’t realize that from the jump is a mystery. Maybe they thought they had the ‘opposites attract’ thing going for them?

  I love my sister and she has her good side, but she’s controlling, nitpicky, and a major worrywart. Aiden, on the other hand, is pretty chill for a cop. He never puts things back where he finds them, and functions too well surrounded by mess.

  Of course, this drove Vanessa up the wall all the time. She’s an interior designer who can’t function if she doesn’t have a clean, organized home.

  Their relationship was at its worst in the last year before they called it quits. So many weeks of icy conversations and heavy, suffocating tension.

  When they finally sat me down in the living room and told me they were throwing in the towel, relief had never felt so sweet.

  Vanessa became my guardian when our parents died. She’s only twelve years older than me but she’s always acted like an overbearing parent.

  At eighteen years old, I chafed under my sister’s controlling thumb. So, I opted to remain living with Aiden instead of with her. I thought my decision would hurt her.

  Pretty soon, I found out it did not when she introduced me to her new man sharing her apartment.

  Anyway, it’s been a good year for Aiden and me, living in perfect harmony. No fighting, no tension, no stress. We’ve always got along well but now we’re great friends.

  Aiden works third shift at nights and I go to school in the day. We hang out on his days off, or call and text each other when we’re busy doing our own thing.

  Tonight, we were watching a movie together, but Aiden passed out within thirty minutes. Suddenly, the movie became boring because Aiden wasn’t awake for us to make fun of the bad acting and plot holes.

  He looked so peaceful sleeping I didn’t have the heart to wake him. I covered him with a blanket and went to bed.

  I don’t know how long I was asleep for when the sound of glass breaking jolts me awake.

  Disoriented, I sit up and rub my eyes to chase away the sleep. Someone cries out in pain and it yanks me to full alertness.

  That sounded like a man!

  Aiden’s hurt!

  Panic drives me out of bed and out of my room. My feet rapidly clobber down the stairs. I hold on to the post for support as I swing to face the living room.

  My hand flies to my mouth as if to stop my heart from leaping out of my throat.

  Aiden fights a man dressed in black, while a second man also dressed in black lay prone on the floor surrounded by the broken pieces of our glass coffee table.

  The man fighting Aiden swings a punch at Aiden’s face and Aiden dodges it with ease before delivering a punch of his own.

  The man staggers to the side and shakes his head. Then he rushes Aiden with a snarl. Aiden grabs him and drives his knee into the man’s gut.

  I’m frozen, my mind totally blank. Horror weighs heavy in the pit of my stomach. I stare in dumbfounded terror as Aiden grapples the man, braces his shoulder against the guy’s chest, and rams him hard against the wall.

  The man cries out again. The walls shudder from the impact, the tremor rippling under my bare feet. I yelp and Aiden glances back at me.

  “Natalie, call 9-1-1!”

  His bark prompts me into action. I race up the stairs to my room and dial 9-1-1 on my phone. My hands tremble so hard, I can barely hold on to the phone as I frantically tell the operator about the intruders in our house.

  I rush back downstairs just in time to see the guy shove Aiden off him. He’s wearing a mask, but there are holes for his eyes and mouth. His teeth bared, his eyes shine with malevolence as he charges at me.

  Alarmed, I try to scramble up the stairs, but the man grabs the hem of my nightie and yanks. I scream as I fall forward, a sting racing through my palms when they slap the edge of a wooden stair.

  As quickly as the man grabbed me, his grip is yanked from my nightie. There’s a hard thud behind me and he cries out in pain.

  I turn, my chest lifting and falling quickly with each deep breath. Aiden has the man in a chokehold. The man grunts and squirms to get free. He yanks on Aiden’s arm but soon he loses his strength. His eyes drift shut and his body goes limp.

  Aiden releases his hold and the man thuds to the floor. His white t-shirt is stretched and torn, his black sweatpants riding low on his hips. He’s breathing hard, his broad chest swelling with each inhalation.

  My heart drums in my chest, a chaotic mix of emotions swirling inside me.

  I’m worried he’s hurt.

  I’m in awe he took on two guys and won.

  I’m aroused by his raw power and strength.

  It’s never escaped me that Aiden is attractive. I have a thing for guys with green eyes, and Aiden’s hazel gems are my favourite. When he’s in a good mood, they sparkle with amusement or like he has a secret. He’s fit and looks so yummy in his police uniform.

  Still, I’ve never had any romantic interest in him whatsoever. His relationship with my sister acted like a blindspot for me.

  But right now, my perception of him is flipped upside down.

  He’s not just my friend.

  He’s a man who protects me.

  A real man I want.

  My blood is on fire, warming me everywhere. Quivers come alive in my stomach. There’s a damp stickiness and sweet ache for attention between my legs.

  “Are you OK?” he asks, helping me to my feet.

  I’m not convinced my shaky legs will hold me upright. I cling to his strong forearms and tilt my head to meet his concerned gaze.

  I want to say, No, Aiden, I am not OK. I’m confused as hell right now because every fibre of my being wants to climb you and ride you harder than a racehorse. Instead, a lie tumbles from my lips.

  “Yeah, I’m OK.” I let out a shaky exhale. “What about you? Are you hurt?”

  He smiles. “My knuckles aren’t happy but I’m good.”

  “You’re better than good. You’re amazing.”

  I step closer and pull him into a tight embrace. His hard, strong body against me fills me with relief but his warmth and scent ramps up my horniness. I’m hyperaware of his soft bulge presses against my hip through my sweatpants.

  “It’s all right, Nat.” His voice is gentl
e, his reassuring touch roving up and down my back. “They’re not going to hurt you. I made sure of it.”

  “Did you…” My gaze darts to the guy lying still on the floor nearby. I don’t know if I want to hear the answer but I ask the question anyway. “Did you kill them?”

  “No. They’re only unconscious. Did you call 911?”

  I nod. “What did these men want?”

  “Who knows. They picked the wrong house to get it, though.”

  His voice rumbles through his chest, the vibrations comforting me. I lift up on my toes and nuzzle my face against his neck. He’s sweaty from his fight. His natural musk mixed with the faint remnants of his aftershave smells so good, I want to inhale him forever.

  He stops rubbing my back for a few seconds before he tightens his grip on me, holding me closer. My reaction to Aiden’s heroism is probably natural, but it’s totally inappropriate. It’s wrong.

  I shouldn’t be pressing myself against him like this. I shouldn’t feel like I’ll go crazy if I don’t feel him inside me right this second.

  Is he being affected as well? It feels like his bulge is getting firmer. Maybe that’s just false hope stirred up by my perverted brain.

  However I don’t get the chance for confirmation. The wail of police sirens outside our house breaks the spell. Aiden immediately releases me and eases me back.

  Good. That stops me from doing something totally regrettable.

  Two

  Aiden and I tidy up the mess in the house after the police takes the intruders away.

  When I finally return to my room, I make good use of my vibrator coming to a dirty fantasy of Aiden fucking me as hard as he kneed that guy in the gut.

  My god, it’s spectacular. I’m pretty sure I go full Ugly Come Face in the dark. I make this long guttural unghh as my back arches off the bed like the girl from The Exorcist.

  Once the fog of demon bliss clears, shame kicks in… also as hard as Aiden kneeing that guy in the gut.

  I’ve always considered myself a good girl. But do good girls touch themselves to fantasies about their sister’s ex? Definitely not, right? I don’t go to church but maybe this is my Come To Jesus moment. The sort of thing I ought to confess to a priest.

  Forgive me, Lord, for I have sinned. Not only have I diddled my doorbell which is wrong, I did it to a super hot… uhh… absolutely despicable fantasy of riding Aiden’s face so hard he couldn’t breathe.

  How many Hail Mary’s will I have to recite to save my soul?

  You know what? I bet I’ll be over this by tomorrow. When a computer’s suddenly having issues, the easiest fix is to switch it off and on again. I need to press that reset button called Sleep and everything will return to the way it should be.

  It takes me a while before I fall asleep again after the dramatic night I had. When I awake the next morning, it’s to a bright and sunshine-y day filled with endless possibilities. I’m well-rested, I’m in a good mood. I’m ready to seize the day!

  Wrapped in a fluffy pink towel with soft pink slippers cushioning my feet, I’m humming Dog Days Are Over by F&TM. I yank open my bedroom door, Aiden stands just outside it, his hand raised in preparation to knock.

  He smiles. “Mornin’, sunshine.”

  My heart skips a beat, my stomach tightens, and my body purrs awake with warmth in all the right places.

  Oh, no.

  The reset didn’t work.

  I’m not over this.

  It’s worse.

  I.

  Have.

  A.

  Crush.

  On.

  Aiden.

  Say something!

  My stupid brain has short circuited. My mouth opens and shuts like a fish three times before words finally come out.

  “Good morning!”

  “You seem chipper.” He folds his arms and my gaze flickers to his strong forearms. “I guess you slept well after all. I was worried you wouldn’t after what went down.”

  “Oh… uhh… well, I did. I slept good. I feel good.” I laugh. It’s way too loud. I stop and clear my throat. “What about you? You… good?”

  Who is this person? Am I possessed? How many times can I use the word ‘good’?

  He peers at me, his eyebrows furrowed. “You sure you’re OK?”

  “I’m fine, I swear. Maybe a little jumpy still but it’s all go—great.” I pat his forearm twice. My touch may have lingered a bit before I pull away. “I’m relieved, though. It’s scary to think what would have happened if you weren’t home.”

  “That bothers me too.” He nods. “I’m going to apply for a switch to first shift.”

  “Really? That’s awesome!” Normally, I would hug him but that’s a bad idea right now. So I settle for clasping my hands and bouncing on the balls of my feet. “We’ll see more of each other.”

  “Don’t get too excited. First shift isn’t easy to get. Besides, you’ll probably get sick of me.”

  “No way. You’re my hero.” My voice softens. “You were so brave, Aiden. And so strong. I know taking down bad guys is your job, but watching you do it was amazing. I still can’t believe you did it.”

  Aiden doesn’t respond right away. His smile fades and his features become unreadable. He steps closer, unfolding his arms. He lifts his hand and caresses my face.

  “Of course. I would do anything to keep you safe.”

  We’ve always been physically affectionate with each other. Maybe because I’m seeing him differently, but this feels different. Intimate.

  His thumb sweeps across my cheek to lay against my jaw. Suddenly, the gap between us doesn’t seem like much. If I take one brave step forward, I’ll be right against him. I can loop my arms around his neck, lift up on my toes, and kiss him until we need air.

  My inappropriate thought probably leaps from my head into his because his gaze dips, lingering on my mouth.

  It’s only for a second. Like he considers it and immediately rejects the idea. He quickly drops his hand from my face and takes two steps back. We’re further apart than when we first started.

  “What?” I prompt.

  “Nothing.” He smiles but it seems forced. He pushes that fake smile into a fake grin and indicates my towel and slippers. “You know, you look like walking cotton candy in this getup.”

  I smile. “Well, I am sweet and sticky, and I melt on the tongue.”

  From the stunned look on his face, I assume he’s heard the dirtiness in my words at the same time I did. Warmth spreads up my neck to my face and ears. I blurt out, “I have to shower.” Then flee to the bathroom.

  Slumped on the toilet, I hang my head in my hands as that sadistic bitch called Embarrassment tortures me with mental replays of my words and Aiden’s reaction.

  Eventually, I find the will to shower and dress for school. Aiden offers to drive me to campus but I can’t even look at him when I lie that I’m getting a ride from Maeve.

  What I actually do is take the bus. Terrible idea. So many stops. So many people, several of them with questionable hygiene.

  When the bus finally drops me off to school fifteen minutes late for my class, I scold myself to only focus on my schoolwork and not think about Aiden whatsoever.

  Three

  I wish I can say I keep my promise to focus on my classes and retain the information my professors share, but that would be a huge lie.

  My mind fixates on Aiden, on my new, inappropriate feelings about him, on the embarrassing thing I said to him, and on the disappointment I’m never going to have him.

  I’m so relieved when lunchtime rolls around. It’s nice sitting on a picnic blanket with Maeve at our favourite spot under the giant oak tree.

  I decide not to tell her about the intruders. I don’t want to worry her or accidentally spill the beans on my new feelings for Aiden.

  “Who are you bringing to Sherika’s birthday party?” Maeve asks.

  “No-one. I’m going solo.”

  Maeve inhales sharply. Her eyes and mouth are
wide open, her manicured eyebrows raised.

  “You can’t do that!” Maeve’s scandalized voice sounds like she’s warning me away from making a huge, life-changing mistake.

  “I have to.” I smile. “I’m not seeing anyone.”

  “The party is two weeks away. You still have time to find someone,” she suggests. “I could set you up with my cousin. You said he was cute at my b-day party last year.”

  “You mean Liam?” At her nod, I grimace. “No thanks. His car smells like he hotboxes twenty-four hours a day.”

  Maeve purses her lips. “Beggars can’t be choosers.”

  “I’m not begging, though.” I shrug. “I’m happy to be single.”

  She peers at me. “Are you a lesbian?”

  “What?” I lean back in shock. “Why would you think that?”

  “Your last relationship ended nine months ago. That’s, a really long time, babe.” Maeve has this aghast look like she can’t fathom being single for that long. “You could have popped out a baby in the length of time since you last had a dick inside you.”

  My snort turns into a full laugh. Every day is an adventure with Maeve. The places her wacky mind goes is surreal.

  “Two things: one, please don’t put baby and dick in the same sentence ever again. That’s super disturbing. Two, how do you know I haven’t had sex since Derek? I don’t need a boyfriend for that.”

  “But you don’t do casual,” she says. “You’re definitely the type who needs an emotional connection before the boning begins.”

  “OK, fine. That’s true.” God, that’s the blessing and curse of a close friend. They know so much about you. They know too much about you. “But tell me how you made the leap to me being a lesbian?”

  Maeve shrugs. “You’re so secretive sometimes. I asked so you didn’t have to feel scared to tell me if that’s the reason why you’re single.” She pats my leg and smiles. “I love you no matter what type of genitals you like to lick.”

  On the inside, I wince. I do tend to hold parts of myself back from her. It’s not intentional. It’s instinctive. I’m afraid that offering all of me is opening myself up for future hurt if she’s suddenly not a part of my life anymore.