PRESENT

I text Aria her hourly reminder that I'm okay and alive before setting my phone down again. It should annoy me the way she's keeping such close tabs on me but it's actually fucking awesome. I love that she cares so much, that she genuinely worries about me as much as she does. If anything, she makes me feel needy as fuck so this is a decent way of balancing things out and making me feel less of a pussy. It's pathetic how gone I am for her but...what the fuck ever. She's the love of my fucking life.

"Drink this." Greta sets down a steaming mug in front of me and I peer into it, relief bringing my shoulders down when I realize it's coffee.

"Bless your soul." I tell her solemnly. "I'm half-asleep here."

"You boxers and your busy lives." She swings her grin over to Coach. "Want me to grab you anything?"

"I'm okay, baby." He reaches up to grab the back of her neck and tugs her down, pressing his lips to her. I watch them in amusement as they make out like horny teenagers and clear my throat obnoxiously when it drags on for way too long. Coach pulls away to glare at me but when he turns back to her, he's all soft and moon-eyed. He's just as whipped as the rest of us. "Get some sleep. We might be a while."

"Okay." She gives me a little wave. "Good to see you, Asher. Stop by our house whenever you'd like."

"Thanks, Greta. Goodnight."

Coach smacks her ass when she starts to head back and she glares at him over her shoulder, cheeks reddening. It's weird to say but I can't exactly blame Coach because Greta has a phenomenal ass. Her figure and looks appear way younger than her actual age. I remember years ago when she was tired and overworked the first time Jaxon hired her and she looked so much older than she does now. Jaxon has made sure Greta is sitting on a comfortable pile of cash for all that she's done for him and now that she's better rested and genuinely happier, the years have been kind to her. Coach is a lucky motherfucker.

When she disappears from the living room and further into the house I turn to Coach, my voice low. "Does she know? What we're doing?"

"Somewhat." His eyes harden. "She knows the gist of my past and some minor details but that's it. I made sure she knew who she was getting into a relationship with but some things...some things are meant to be taken to your grave. When you live a life like this, you repent in silence and don't burden anyone with the fucked up shit you've done."

Jesus. His words nearly make me shiver and I'm glad as hell that I'm getting out of this mess before I get too deep into it.

"But she knows enough." He continues, his tone lighter now. "It takes strong as fuck women to put up with shit like this."

"You're telling me." My insides go a little soft when I think of Ria. I know wholeheartedly there isn't anyone who would stick by my side through this shit the way she has. I know it's not easy. I know it's terrifying as fuck. But she's here and she's...incredible. "By the way, and I mean this in the most respectful way possible, it sounds like you and Emily's mom went through hell to be together and that you loved the shit out of her. How...how did you move on?"

He blows out a breath, laughing humourlessly. "It wasn't easy if that's what you're implying."

"Not at all." I quickly backtrack. "I just...I can't imagine considering anyone else if I was that deeply in love at one point. Sorry. I sound like a dick."

"You do." He agrees, leaning back in his chair. "But I get what you're saying. There was a point where I couldn't imagine it either until I realized I was looking at it all wrong. It's not that I was replacing Laura or even moved on from her—hell, I'm going to be in love with her even after I die—it's just that my love for Greta is different. She's the first woman that's made me feel like this since Laura passed away almost ten years ago. And Laura...she wanted me to move on. Talked to me about it almost everyday during her final weeks. I'd raise her and tell her that wasn't ever going to happen and that she was it for me. That I'd love her in this life and the next."

He pauses, swallowing hard, and damn it's intense seeing Coach choked up like this. It's obvious Laura was his one even though I know he loves Greta completely. But he's right. It's a different kind of love.

"The thing about women that love us is that they want us to be happy no matter the cost. Men? We're naturally selfish. We want to keep our women to ourselves and never have to share them with the world. But the women that truly care for us want us to be taken care of and loved even after they're gone. Laura wrote a letter for the woman that she somehow knew would come after her. I haven't read it because it's not my right but Greta was in tears after I gave it to her. If anything, it made my relationship with Greta even stronger because she claims that she gets it better—what Laura and I shared and who I am without her. Now, whenever Greta and I hit a milestone in our relationship, she writes a letter about it to Laura. I don't read those either but it's kind of amazing to watch. It's like they have a relationship with each other even though Laura is gone. It doesn't surprise me, though. That's the kind of woman she was and I'm damn lucky that I somehow managed to experience both of their loved at different points in my life. I'm not sure if that answers your question but I'm guessing you understand where I'm coming from now?"

"Yeah." I nod slowly. I mean I still can't ever imagine moving on from Ria if something happened to her but I guess there's a reason life is so goddamn unpredictable. And in Coach's case, things happened to work out.

"It was tough as shit." He continues. "When I first saw Greta I thought she was beautiful and the guilt that hit me for even thinking like that about another woman gutted me. It was nothing compared to the guilt I felt when I actually started having feelings for her. Laura knew me though. She wrote a letter for me too, one that I was meant to open when I fell in love with someone else. So many times I thought about ripping it up and burning it because that's how I felt on the inside, at the notion that I'd ever move on from her. She made me promise to keep it one piece and it took me eight years before I finally opened it."

"What did it say?" I ask quietly, hanging on to his every word.

"Everything I needed to hear." He says simply. "She kicked my ass for feeling guilty, told me I deserved to move on, and promised she's smiling down at me and happy that someone actually loves my dumb ass. It wasn't until I read the letter that I finally gave in and asked Greta to be my girl."

"Goddamn." My voice is gruff. "Intense stuff."

"Life always is. But that's how you know you're doing it right. If you haven't struggled in your life then you haven't really lived it and if you haven't lived...why are you here?"

I bark out a laugh. "In that case I think I'm all lived out."

"You won't after we put this behind you." His words hold promise. "After this is all done, you'll feel like a new person. Like you have a new life to live and trust me, you'll want to make the most of it."

"I plan to." I think of Aria even as I say it.

I'm more transparent than I thought because Coach mutters, "Hunter know? That you're with his sister?"

My wince says it all and Coach is not impressed. "I'll tell him. We only just figured things out and telling Nate is not exactly a priority considering everything that's going on."

"Bullshit. You know just how important it is that you're honest with him but you're hiding behind your problems to avoid it. What the fuck are you scared about? He'd be fine with it."

"Not as long as I'm involved with Mike and Nora. Being with Aria puts her in danger and Nate would never forgive me for that."

"Then why didn't you wait until we got to the bottom of this?"

"I've been waiting for seventeen fucking years, Coach. I'm not about to wait any longer."

"Fair enough." He grunts and turns to his laptop. "Let's get this done then."

"Wolfe figure out the pictures?"

Coach pulls them up now and gestures a hand to the screen. "Clear as day."

"Jesus, he's a whiz." I whistle in appreciation. What started as a grainy and blurry picture is now high-definition that's probably better than my eyesight.

"That's him." Coach says glumly, tipping his chin at the screen.

I lean forward to get a better look and the image is unmistakable. It's Christian.

"Fuck." I drop my face into my hands, scrubbing roughly. I mean I knew it was him but the confirmation knocks out the tiny sliver of hope I had that it was someone else. "Fuck. How did he find me? You think it was my exhibition match?"

"No. He went AWOL long before that. It was only a matter of time, Pryce. You should be proud you went eight years undetected to begin with. Not many could have pulled that off."

"Yeah, well, I had to sacrifice a fuck ton." I mutter.

I couldn't go pro, couldn't be in any pictures at the guys' matches, couldn't fly out to see Aria when she lived in California, and that's just naming a few. I've been living like a fucking hermit and I'm over it. So over it.

"It's about to pay off." Coach's hand settles on my shoulder. "He may have come after you but we're going to fight back. Get this done."

"How? Kill him? That'll have all of Asesinos on my ass and then I won't be dodging just one man but an entire gang. Mike and Nora's gig is next week on top of that. What the hell is the game plan?"

"Let me think." He huffs out a frustrated breath, realizing how stuck we are.

"Did you have any luck figuring out why the South Bloods are teaming up with the Vice Lords?""

"Not a damn peep. I couldn't ask around or word would get out that I'm back in the game when I'm clearly fucking not but I also don't know who to contact in South Bloods. That gang isn't made up of my people anymore and I don't know who to trust."

"Was Mitch part of South Bloods?"

"He was."

"Should we ask him?"

"Not a bad idea." Coach muses. "Shit. That's actually a decent suggestion. He's way more involved with them than I am. Most of them don't even know I'm alive."

"Then maybe you shouldn't say anything." I stop his hand when he reaches for his phone. "You said it yourself that if word got out you were snooping around you'd be back in that world. I don't want that, Coach. Not at my expense."

"I'm not your damsel, Pryce." He smacks my hand away. "You let me worry about myself. I've got it handled."

"Shit." I sigh in frustration, tugging my hair. "It just seems this is getting out of hand. I initially wanted to deal with this alone but now there's so many people involved."

"You would have died if you handled this alone. The fact that you almost took that route makes me want to fucking kill you myself. I know you're used to hiding this part of your life and that's why you feel paranoid that it's out in the open but it's actually safer that way."

"That's kind of ironic."

"Well, you tell me. If a deer is being hunted down by a lion, does it have a better shot of making it out alive if it's been singled out or if it's camouflaged with its herd?"

"You calling me a deer?"

"Not the fucking point. Answer."

"If it's with its herd." I mumble. "But then the deer risks someone else getting hurt instead."

"Not if the rest of the deers know how to play the game. You're the newborn—the weak link. We can save you but you can't save yourself. Get it?"

"I got it." As usual, he makes complete sense. "What's the plan then?"

And for the first time since we sat down to figure this out, Coach smirks. "It's time to go find ourselves a herd, Pryce."

***

By the time I sneak into Aria's room, it's way past midnight. At first I don't see her and start to retrieve my phone to text her but then I hear the shower running. I look towards her bathroom that's left open by a crack and grin. God fucking bless that she has her own bathroom in her room.

I strip out of my clothes in record time and let myself in, clicking the lock behind me because we can't have anyone hearing what I'm about to do to her. The last thing I want is a repeat of the last time Matt caught me moments after I went down on his baby girl. Talk about an instant boner killer.

My blood heats, going straight to my dick, as I watch Aria wash herself. Her back is to me and I take a moment to admire her through the foggy glass barrier. Her long legs, the roundest fucking ass, those full hips and the dip in her back, all of it drives me crazy. She's incomparable. Not a single woman from my past comes even close to her. I'm already hard as concrete by the time I softly pad closer and slide the glass door open. She gasps, turning on her heel and instantly relaxing when she sees it's me.

"Hey." She greets softly.

I—reluctantly and painfully—drag my gaze away from her full tits and rock-hard nipples to meet her eyes.

"Hey." I slide the door shut behind me, my arms going around her waist and pulling her body flush against mine. We both moan. "I missed you."

"I missed you too." She smiles and her arms wrap around my neck. "I can finally relax now that you're home."

Home. Hearing her say that while I'm in her arms? Yeah. This is where my home is. With her. Always with her.

I bend my head to press our mouths together, that hollow space in my chest filling up immediately at the feel of her lips working mine. She sighs happily into my mouth and I eat it up along with every other sweet sound that comes out of her.

"How did the meeting with Greg go?" She mumbles between kisses.

"Later." I smack her ass and she giggles against my lips. "I'm kind of busy."

"You're about to get busier." She promises in a throaty voice that makes my dick jerk in appreciation. It jerks again when Aria wraps her hand around it, pumping my length steadily. My head falls back at the sensation of her wet fingers sliding over me, squeezing and making it so damn good.

A moment later her body slithers down mine and I'm so fucking done for. The image of Aria on her knees, all soaped up and wet, with my cock stretching her mouth and thrusting between those pouty lips is fucking surreal. How many times as a teen, hell, even as an adult, did I jerk-off to this exact fantasy? And now it's actually happening and it's so much fucking better than my mind convinced myself it would be. It would be hard to believe it's even happening at all if it didn't feel as good as it does. The base of my spine tingles and I know I'm going to come soon.

I torture myself for a few more seconds, wrapping her wet hair around my fist and tugging while I fuck her mouth, feeling every one of her moans and whimpers straight in my balls. Her mouth is another one of my personal heavens. Feeling her warm mouth sucking hard, her wet tongue occasionally darting out to lick me, is almost as good as being inside of her tight pussy. Almost.

When my impending orgasm draws too close for comfort, I grab Aria and lift her up. My dick pops out of her and she frowns in protest until I press her against the glass with my body then lift her up. My hands slide behind her thighs to grip her as I sink her onto my cock, pressing her back against the glass for balance. Both of us groan when I'm inside of her all the way and we look down, watching as I slide in and out of her. Fucking hell. Every time is better than the last and it honestly blows my mind. How can she feel so fucking good?

"Asher." Her sweet and breathy moan encourages me. I love hearing her say my name like that. I've dreamt about hearing her say my name like that.

She cries out when I bend my head to capture one of her nipples, sucking on the bud as I pound into her. The glass rattles behind her and she reaches her arms above her head to grip the top of the sliding doors. That little maneuver pushes her tits further into my face and I take full advantage, feasting like a starving man. My fingers sink in to the flesh of her thighs to keep her in place, my cock drilling into her almost mercilessly. Her tight heat grips me with every thrust, her pussy squeezing me tighter and tighter. It's almost painful but I happen to love my sex with a little pain on the side.

I release her nipple so that I can kiss her, my mouth pressing hers in urgency. She returns the kiss with the same heat, her tongue stroking mine and driving me insane. She tastes so fucking good I can't think.

I shift my hold on her, one arm winding around her waist and the other hand pushing into her hair so I can angle her head better. Our kisses become more frantic. Wider, wetter, filthier. I move on from long and deep strokes to quick and shallow thrusts, fucking her hard and good. She whimpers into my mouth, her nails digging at my back and scratching painfully. I can feel the marks she's leaving and I find it insanely hot.

"Fuck." I groan when I wrench my mouth away from hers. "Your pussy is a fucking dream."

"Who said dreams don't come true?" She purrs and I laugh into the crook of her neck. Even during mind-blowing sex, she doesn't miss an opportunity to be sassy as fuck.

I reach down between us to flick her clit playfully and she moans in a high-pitched and breathless voice that starts a fire low in my stomach.

"Ohh." She cries as I start to rub her clit in circles. "Oh, fuck. It's so good. It's so good, Asher."

"You gonna come for me?" I roll her clit between my fingers and her head falls back against the glass, her mouth opening in pleasure. "Come on, baby. I want to feel this sweet pussy squeezing my cock. I want you dripping all over me."

"Ash." She moans. She loves the dirty talk. "God, yes. Just like that. Please."

Even as I'm pounding into her she wants more. Testing the waters, I bring my hand down hard on her pussy and she gasps, her eyes blinking open.

"Ever had it slapped?" I question gruffly.

She shakes her head, keeping her gaze on mine. Her eyes are dilated with lust and curiosity.

"Want me to do it again?" I murmur.

A nod.

A smirk tugs at my lips. I always thought Aria was such a sweet girl, so goddamn innocent. In a lot of ways she is but in a lot of ways she isn't. In bed, she definitely isn't.

I slap her pussy again, a little harder than last time, and she cries out in pleasure. "Oh, that was amazing."

This girl is definitely made for me.

"I'm close." She pants. Her thighs tremble against my sides. "Jesus, this is going to be a big orgasm."

"I don't think I'll be able to stand when I come." I admit.

Understanding, she locks her ankles tightly at my back as I lift her up with my arms and hold her against me. I back up until I hit the wall and slide down to the floor, legs spread and feet flat. The shower beats down on us and by now the water is cold enough that we're both covered in goosebumps. We hardly notice it though. Our fucking is warming us up just fine.

"Ride me." I demand.

"Yes, sir." She winks.

She leans back with her palms behind her braced against the floor. Spreading her legs, she lifts her hips up and down in sensual motions and it takes everything in me not to unload just by watching her. Christ, she's perfect. I can't decide what to look at. Her jiggling tits as she picks up her pace and rides me faster, that sweet pussy all stretched out by the width of my cock, or her face that's tilted up with pure ecstasy etched on to her features.

"That's it." I mutter. We've drawn this out for as long as we can. I'm pretty sure we've been fucking for close to half an hour now and I can't hold back anymore.

I grab her by the waist and start pounding into her, finishing us off hard and fast. Aria leans forward so she can grip my shoulders and hold on to me while my thrusts rattle her entire body. Her tits bounce against my face and I can't stop myself from drawing one into my mouth, sucking on the flesh for my own added pleasure and hers. Her fingers weave into my hair and tug, her ass slamming down against my thighs as she continues to ride me while I simultaneously fuck her.

"Yes, yes, yes." She chants. One of her hands shoots out to press against the wall beside my head as she balances herself. "I'm right there. Right fucking there."

She ducks her head and I let go of her nipple so I can meet her halfway. Our mouths clash violently and the kiss is a mixture of teeth knocking and tongues sliding and lips sucking. Our hips slap against each other as we finish and my thighs tighten right before a huge burst of pleasure shoots out in my entire body. I tingle from head to toe and shake so violently I know it was a good call that I sat or we would have fell over. Aria comes at the same time as me, biting down on my shoulder and crying against my skin as she tremors in my arms, her pussy squeezing my cock so tightly I think it might fall off. I come harder than I ever have and my orgasm seems never-ending. It's a pretty lengthy amount of time before the last of my pleasure fades out and I'm left feeling like there isn't a single fucking bone in my body. Aria sags against me and I hold her by the waist, rocking us gently.

"Damn, we're good at that." She sighs.

I chuckle under my breath and press her tighter against me. "Because we make a great team. We always have."

She hums, peppering small kisses on my neck. "If that's the kind of orgasm I should be having during sex then I don't think I've ever had sex before."

That gets a full blown laugh out of me and Aria pulls away to watch. I don't know why but she loves watching me laugh. Claims I don't do it enough but honestly, I'm always laughing with her. "If that's the case then how was your first time?"

"Eleven out of ten." She says solemnly. "Think you could manage a twelve?"

"I know I could." I smack her ass the knead the flesh. I have a series obsession with her ass. "Let's get you cleaned up."

"No point since you're probably going to dirty me up again." She wiggles her brows. "You are staying the night, right?"

I grin. Didn't I say she's made for me? "Damn straight."

"Good." She closes the distance between us and kisses me sweetly, her hands gripping my face. I kiss her back with languid strokes of my tongue, savouring her feel and taste. As much fun as I have fucker her, nothing beats getting to kiss her.

When we pull away I run my fingers down her face, a hint of a smile stretching my mouth. "I fucking love you."

"I fucking love you too." She laughs.

"I'm serious. I love you so much that it's fucking terrifying. You know me, Princess. I don't give a shit about anyone. That's just how I'm wired. Not caring is so goddamn easy for me and I'm scared as hell that I'll fall back into my asshole habits and ruin us somehow. I live with my demons every day and I don't want them to hurt you."

"How can they hurt me when I've accepted them?" She's completely calm even though I'm pouring out the ugliest truths about myself. Hell, she's even smiling. "I know every part of you, Asher. I love every part of you. You can't hurt me with the dark parts of you if I love them as much as I love the rest of you. Don't be afraid, baby. I promise you I'm not."

"Yeah?" My eyes search hers and I find the sincerity I'm looking for. Wordlessly, I hold my pinky up and she wraps hers around it. A weight comes off my chest and I press my forehead to hers, kissing her gently. "Fuck, you really are my one."

"All yours." She confirms with a whisper. "Always."

_________________________

A/N

A day late but Happy Thanksgiving! This year I'm thankful for all of YOU!

I love these two so much! They are PERFECT. So ridiculously hot and so incredibly sweet!

Out of all my couples, I feel their chemistry the most. Hands down. What about you? Which of my character's chemistry did you feel in every cell of your body?

Please VOTE, comment and share if you liked this chapter!

Happy Reading :)