Page 88 of Instigator

Rushing up the stairs, I’m dimly aware of Aidan’s more sedate footsteps following mine. My room is a chaotic mess, kind of like my brain, but I know exactly where everything is. Quickly, I pack a bag with my toothbrush and skincare, then throw in a pair of undies and a change of clothes for tomorrow. I can steal one of his T-shirts to wear to bed.

On second thought… I add in three more days’ worth of work clothes, plus some workout gear. If he asks, I can chalk it up to wanting some outfit options. In reality… if he wants me in his bed every night, I highly doubt I’ll want to make the trek over to Back Bay every day to swap out dirty laundry.

Hell, if he’s serious, I might not be back until his next road trip. He’s got six nights at home, with three games until he goes away again.

I throw some more undies in the bag. And then my favorite vibrator… and a pair of handcuffs. Brand new, of course.

Hey, he said he likes toys. I want to be prepared.

Turning, even though I heard his footsteps, I’m still surprised to see him in the doorway, hands tucked into his suit pockets. He pulls his hands free and reaches for the bag, tucking the duffle over his shoulder.

“I forgot to tell you something important,” Aidan says.

My stomach twists. “Oh?”

“Yeah.” He pulls me into his arms, then threads a hand through my hair. “Hi.”

Ducking his head, he kisses me. Soft and sweet at first, a simple brush of lips on lips, tasting me, testing me. Teasing me. And I arch up onto my toes, needing to be closer, needing him. He deepens the kiss, tongue tangling with mine.

When I finally pull back, needing air, it’s with a smile on his face.

“So what did you need to tell me?” I tease.

He presses a soft, quick kiss to my lips. “Come home with me. Stay with me.”

Be with me.

I’ve never wanted something more. “As long as you’ll have me.”

Hand outstretched, he takes mine in his, lacing our fingers together. “Let’s go home.”

I follow him down the stairs, sling my laptop bag and purse over my shoulder, and, when he opens the car door, slip inside.

And that’s when I notice the person in the shadowy back seat. I jump, not having expected anyone else in the car. My heart rate shoots into overdrive, nearly bursting out of my chest cavity and onto the floorboard. I let out a scream, and Aidan rushes around the car and wrenches open the door.

“What’s wrong?” he demands.

“Hey, Ceci,” Ryan says with a wry smile.

“What are you doing here, sitting alone in the dark?” I shriek.

“We carpooled,” Aidan says as he slides behind the wheel.

“And you made him sit in the back? Like a damn chauffeur?”

“Only once we got here,” Ryan assures me. “I figured you’d want to sit up front with him.”

“You didn’t drop him off first?”

“It’s okay,” he says around a yawn. “I snoozed.”

Aidan turns on the car. “See? It’s totally fine.”

“You could have warned me he was in here,” I point out.

He cocks his head. “Is it really a big deal?”

“I thought he was a serial killer!”