It feels like a dream that I'm now lying in Aiden's arms again. After quality time with my parents during the weekend, I'm now back in Aiden's penthouse. In his bed, precisely.

Mom and dad must have arrived in Toronto by now.

A sad smile touches my lips when I remember how I hugged them so tightly in the airport before the plane took off. It must have been because of the guilt I was feeling that the farewell hurt even more.

I love my parents so much. I want to tell them how happy I am after meeting Aiden, but I can't. My happiness will not be theirs. There's no way that dad wouldn't blame Aiden for what happened or blame me for lying to them. Lying about being attacked, living with Aiden, and now...being together with him.

"Are you thinking about your parents?" Aiden's voice is close to my ear. He tightens his hold around me from behind.

He's spooning me, kissing my neck. His touch is sending shivers down my spine.

I still can't explain this overwhelming feeling every time he holds me. Being in his arms makes me feel a lot of emotions, but most of all, I feel secure. Being with him makes me feel safe and contented.

However, I can't deny that the thought of my parents is bothering me.

Aiden and I did get out of the woods, fortunately, but it doesn't make me feel better about not being honest with my parents.

"Yes," I answer Aiden in a small voice, surprised by how sad I sound.

I can sense that he notices my sadness because the next thing he does is turn me around to face him. He frowns, caressing my cheek. The tender look in his beautiful amber eyes makes it hard for me to breathe.

"Hey," Aiden whispers, so softly.

I swallow. I don't want to look like a crybaby.

"Are you okay? What's the matter?" he asks, but the worry on his face lets me know that he can already figure out what's bothering my mind.

"I just don't want to be sent away," I whisper brokenly. "I don't want to leave Seattle," I say as if I'm trying to justify my action, but I don't know if my parents will ever understand.

Aiden's eyes soften. He presses a long and hard kiss on my forehead. I close my eyes, feeling my heart thud. He sighs, holding me tight. I wrap my arms around his back.

"It's okay," he says. "You're here. You're still here." His voice is shaking, as though he's trying to contain his feelings and convince himself that I'm not going anywhere.

His lips brush against mine, and I feel like crying. Why am I feeling this way? I should be glad that my parents didn't figure out about us, but it doesn't heal this restlessness.

I've hidden so many important things. I shouldn't have done that. I've been lying to mom and dad. I've been lying to Aiden too. About Olivia.

Aiden groans as he kisses me with so much passion. I kiss him back with all my heart while my thoughts are having a battle inside my head.

Should I just tell him about Olivia? About what really happened on his wedding day? About everything I heard that night?

But what if Aiden hates me? I'm the villain--

I shut my eyes. No, Nevaeh.

She'd cheated, multiple times. She'd betrayed Aiden. She made the choice herself, to leave Aiden, to flee with his best friend.

The denial inside me is killing me, but I know the truth. Olivia still wanted to be with Aiden. That's what she said to Roman.

And Aiden wanted to be with her.

What if, deep down inside their hearts, the feelings haven't changed?

I break away from the kiss, panting. Aiden looks taken aback. He stares at me, trying to figure out what's happening to me.

"I'm scared," I whisper. The fear is evident in my voice.

Aiden pulls slightly away as worry crosses his expression.

"Not of you," I quickly correct. "It's just--"

I should say something else. Anything.

"There are so many things I'm worried about. My family. College. This secret." I'm blabbering, stumbling upon my words.

Aiden sighs. From the look on his face, it pains him to see me like this.

"I'm sorry." He tucks a strand of my hair behind my ear. "I wish I could do better to fix everything. What do you want me to do, Nevaeh?"

His words remind me of how we met again in Seattle. His kindness sips through my heart. I really can't hold my feelings for him. I shake my head, trying my best to not break. I just don't want him to go away.

I cup Aiden's face and kiss him hard, surprising him. When I pull away, both of us are breathless. Aiden's gaze is so intense that it makes my heart skip a beat.

"Let me hold you tonight," Aiden whispers. He kisses me softly, and I don't want to be away from his embrace.

Aiden takes off his t-shirt and tosses it to the floor. Tonight, I'm wearing a cami dress sleepwear. He pulls down the shoulder straps, exposing my breasts without taking it off.

He holds my arms and swipes his tongue over my nipple. I can't help but moan.

"Let me make you feel good, really good this time." His voice is filled with desire.

He continues teasing my breasts with his mouth, causing my nipples to harden. My lips tremble as my body responds to his touch.

I never knew that being embraced by a man could make me feel this blissful. With Aiden, I feel like I'm on cloud nine. He has taken all my firsts, and I wouldn't have given all of me had it not been for him. He's the only one for me.

Aiden pulls away, staring at me with a look so loving that I feel like my heart is melting.

"May I?" He gives me a questioning look.

A few seconds pass before I give him a nod. This is going to be the second time that we have sex. My first time hurt, but I don't know about this time. I still remember Aiden telling me that it would be different. He won't let me feel such pain again.

Aiden gets off his bed. He then pulls his pants down, exposing himself. I notice how hard he already is for me. I can even see his precum glistening on his tip although I haven't even done anything to him. It dawns on me that I may have affected him more than he has me.

After wearing a condom that he took from his nightstand drawer, Aiden gets on his bed again. He pulls down my panties slowly until they slip off my feet. With both hands fondling my breasts, Aiden's face leans closer to my pussy.

"Spread your legs." His voice is low, but it's filled with authority I automatically do as he said.

I open my legs for him, and the next thing I feel is his soft kiss on my clit.

"Aiden." My voice is shaking, but saying his name only encourages him to proceed further.

He licks my opening all the way to my clit. Again. And again.

"Aiden." My lips part as a shaky breath leaves my mouth.

It's embarrassing that I'm already so drenched for him, but there's nothing I can do about it.