by K E Osborn
God, I love this man.
Aiden kisses my cheek softly, which is enough to settle my nerves. “Thank you,” I murmur, and he kisses my cheek again, then lets me go.
“Let me help you get this done, and we can get out of here,” he offers.
With a quick nod of my head, he helps me continue to pack. We finish gathering what he needs and make our way back to the elevator.
“Before we leave, I need to stop at Mom’s.”
I smile, loving the idea of seeing Callie as he pushes the button for the second floor. Exiting, we set Aiden’s bags outside Callie’s door as he quickly knocks on the door.
“Oh my goodness, it’s so good to see you two together. You are together again, aren’t you?” she asks, quickly needing reassurance.
“Yes, Mom, we’re back together.”
Callie moves aside, ushering us in, her face practically glowing with happiness. Mike’s sitting on the sofa watching television, which is a shock to us both. I peer at Aiden who has a smile on his face.
“Hi, Mike,” I offer, sitting next to him on the sofa. He’s dressed in suit pants and a pinstriped shirt rather than his usual uniform.
“Good evening, Miss Taylor, it’s so good to see you. I’ve missed having you around.” He leans in, throwing his arms around me.
“I missed you, too, Mike.”
He leans back against the sofa as Callie and Aiden join us.
“What brings you two here to see me?”
“Mom, I wanted to let you know that I’m moving into Sarah’s for a month or so while the house is being completed.”
Callie raises her eyebrow. “Why wouldn’t you move back upstairs, Jeni? Wouldn’t it be easier?”
I wrap my arms around my body, wondering how to answer this without sounding all kinds of paranoid.
“Too many bad memories,” Aiden quickly interjects.
The realization of what Callie said hits her. “Oh, sweetie… yes, of course. I didn’t think about it before I opened my mouth. I do hope that you’ll come around to see me often, though.”
“Yes, of course, we’ll come and see you. I know it would be easier for Aiden, and I know I’m being a pain by not moving back into his apartment, but I’m just not mentally able to spend time there after what happened... I don’t feel safe. I want to overcome my fears, but… it’s hard.”
Aiden takes my hand in his, giving it an affectionate squeeze and then a soft kiss. “Mike, I know it will be painful for you in the mornings, but can you pick us up from Jeni’s at seven-thirty. We’ll drop Jeni off at the salon, then continue to the office. We’ll have to do the reverse on the way home. Although there may be times when I have to stay late, so you’ll need to take Jeni home and then come back to pick me up later. That okay with you?”
“Fine with me, sir. I’m just glad you two are back together like you’re meant to be.”
“Thanks, Mike.” I pat him on the leg.
“When can we expect the pitter-patter of grandchildren’s feet?” Callie asks abruptly.
“We haven’t talked about that yet, Mom. Let’s wait until we’re married first.” Aiden shuts that down.
Callie suddenly changes the subject. “How’s your father?”
“Good. He’s gone to Tokyo for the final stage of the acquisition. He should be back within a week or so,” Aiden relays, trying not to make anyone uncomfortable.
“I’d better be going.” Mike stands.
“Mike stay. There’s no need for you to leave. We have to be going anyway,” Aiden interjects as he leans over, taking my hand to stand and guides me to the door.
“I’ll see you tomorrow morning, Mike. Mom, take care. I know you expected me to be in the building with you, but if you have any problems, you can call me anytime, day or night. Security has been informed and will be taking extra care of this apartment. I have a security guard stationed on this floor.”
Callie nods, and we take turns hugging his mother goodbye. “I will, and you make sure you take care of this beautiful, young girl. Don’t let her slip away again.”
“Thanks, Callie,” I say.
“No, please call me Mom, sweetie.”
Warmth floods my very soul. Knowing she feels close enough to me to let me call her Mom fills me with so much joy. “Thanks, Mom.” I turn and kiss her on the cheek.
We collect Aiden’s bags and walk down the hallway until we reach the elevator, then make our way to the parking garage to the Aston Martin.
After the short drive back to Sarah’s, we make quick work of unpacking and end up sitting on the edge of the bed. Without a word, Aiden pulls me back and rolls on top of me, his hand in my hair while he kisses me softly and sensually. A giggle slips from my lips causing him to pull back slightly. Raising my brow, I undo his shirt buttons, and he shuffles out of it. When he tosses it on the floor, I can’t help but giggle again. His attention is now on me, and he slowly lifts off my blouse to reveal a white lace bra. The sparkle in his eyes heat as he leans down to kiss my collarbone.
Moving his hand slowly, he pulls down my skirt, leaving me in my matching white lace panties. He stands abruptly, grinning reassuringly while he undoes the button and zipper of his suit pants, letting them cascade to the floor. I watch his rock-hard cock as it forms in right front of me. He moves back on top of me on the bed.
Aiden’s lips caress my skin, and his hands slowly undo my bra, freeing my breasts. Throwing my bra to the floor, he moves his soft lips to my nipple where he sucks and twirls his tongue, sending shivers down my spine. The warmth of his tongue only heightens my nerve endings. Then he sucks and blows, followed by kissing his way down my chest and stomach to my panty line where he puts a finger from each hand inside the lace and tugs. I lift my ass so that he can take my panties off with ease.
Slowly, he kisses his way back up my stomach to my collarbone and past my cheek to my lips. Kissing me, he takes charge, letting me know how much he wants me. Aiden moves his hand to massage my breast. His firm touch is making me wet while my clit throbs. Our breathing quickens with the electricity of the moment.
Shifting his hands between my legs, he begins moving his fingers. Rotating on my clit so softly I barely feel it, yet it leaves me practically begging him for more while I kiss him breathlessly.
He intensifies the pressure on my clit as he circles, and the feeling of pleasure engulfs me as he slowly slides two fingers inside. The pleasure causes me to moan in reaction when he moves his lips from my mouth to my earlobe, gently kissing and tugging with his teeth.
“Oh, Aiden.”
His fingers move within me, in and out relentlessly, while his thumb presses on my clit. The taste of his lips on mine makes me want him inside of me desperately—that single thought enhancing my pleasure.
The heat rises while a welcomed warmth invades my entire body. The feeling is indescribable as he motions in and out, and I’m overcome with pleasure. The heat rises, I arch my back, and he kisses my mouth forcefully while muffling my moans. My body shakes, leaving me breathless, and every inch of me tingles with pleasure as I explode around his fingers.
As I climax, I murmur his name into his mouth while overwhelming emotions of undeniable love for him fill my entire being.
Aiden moves so he’s completely on top of me and positions his cock at my entrance. I’m out of breath and still falling from the high when he enters me hard and fast. I moan in response as does he. He moves his lips back to my mouth, and I savor the taste of him. His pace quickens, his hips meeting mine, withdrawing, and then back to me. A surge of electricity flows between us, all the while his lips caress mine with so much want. Feverishly, I return the kiss while he thrusts relentlessly into me.
Aiden reaches for my leg, and I wrap it around his back, so he can thrust even deeper, filling me entirely. The feeling is now overwhelmingly satisfying. I moan with him, and we move together in unison.
“Aiden…”
“Oh, Jeni…” he groans in reply.
Our lips touc
h, but we don’t kiss, our breathing’s erratic. He moves his hips in such a way that it causes my breath to hitch. Aiden knows the effect he’s having on me, and that I’m completely satisfied. Thrusting deeper and faster at a unyielding tempo, he kisses me hard as sweat beads on his brow.
I clench my fingernails into his back because I know he loves it when I do that.
Aiden continues to thrust into me deeper and faster until I feel it, the heat, engulfing me quickly. My breathing hitches, and I moan out in pleasure as I feel nothing but pure love for this man.
“Mmm…” It’s a cross between the sound of pure ecstasy and undeniable happiness. Aiden doesn’t try to muffle my sounds. Instead, he kisses my neck, gently sucking as I reach my climax again. My muscles tighten as he continues to drive into me. Eventually, after a few hard thrusts, he scrunches his face in that delicious way as he pumps harder until he moans and comes hard and with such force, I can feel it.
“Jeni,” he calls out. He falls limp on top of me—chest to chest, forehead to forehead. His intense, bright-blue eyes stare into mine as he gently kisses me so tenderly it warms my heart. I know at this moment just how much he’s in love with me. I know because I can see it in the way he looks at me, and it’s no different than the way I feel about him.
He truly is my exception.
Aiden slowly pulls out of me and rolls over on the bed. I lay here unable to move I’m so exhausted. He leans over, pulling me to his chest where I cuddle into him, and we spend the night in each other’s arms.
The next week we get into our routine, and it’s late on Friday evening when Aiden receives a phone call.
“Hello?” he murmurs down the line. “Speaking.” Suddenly, he’s standing, and it makes me concerned.
“It what? When?” He rubs the back of his neck as he looks at me again, this time with a furrowed brow.
“Holy shit! Is he all right?” he asks, talking quickly.
My interest spikes. So I get up and walk over to him.
Aiden sits on a chair at the dining table and slouches, running his hand through his hair. “Oh, thank God.” He lets out a relieved sigh. “And what about Tori Jenkins?” His face falls, his eyes glaze over blinking a few times in clear sadness.
Oh hell, now I’m really worried.
“Fuck… that’s terrible news.” Aiden puts his head in his hands. “Thanks for letting me know. We’ll be right down.” Letting out a large exhale, he ends the call.
Knowing there’s clearly something wrong, my heart pounds in my chest. “What’s happening?” I ask, fearing something dreadful.
“Father’s plane… it crashed. The landing gear failed or some shit. He has a broken arm and a slight concussion… the good news is he’ll be fine.”
I know that’s not all as I watch his eyes fade off into the distance. “And Tori?”
Aiden shakes his head slowly. My hand shoots up to my mouth, and I stumble back and sit in the chair in shock. “Oh my God,” I whisper. I’ve only met Tori once, but I can’t believe she’s gone.
Knowing Killian and Daniel are friends with her, my thoughts immediately rush to them as an intense sadness washes over me.
“We need to go to the hospital to pick up Father. They won’t let him go home tonight unless he has someone with him due to his concussion.”
Even though I’m not Niall’s biggest fan, I still don’t want to see him hurt. And, I definitely don’t want to see Aiden upset.
Aiden stands, and we make our way to the car, then over to the hospital. Once inside, it’s full of patients from the crash. Loud sounds fill the air as people talk and rush around all over the place. The hospital is full to capacity with family members who have congregated in the halls. Staff move past us to attend to buzzing alarms, and I can’t help the fact that a sense of nervousness and anxiety creeps up on me. Who knows why? I guess it has to do with seeing Niall—the asshole—once again.
We walk briskly, looking for Niall when we hear yelling from a cubical. “Get away from me, you filthy bastard. I don’t need your damn help.”
We glance at each other and intuitively know it’s Niall in all his glory, not just by voice but simply by the way he is speaking. We follow the raised voices to bay six where we see him fighting a male nurse who’s trying to put his arm in a cast. The male nurse has an agitated look while Niall’s trying to pull off the bandages.
“Father, stop being a damn idiot. Your arm is broken. You need to have a cast fitted.”
Niall immediately stops carrying on when he sees Aiden. He furrows his brows, then looks straight at me. “Why did you bring that with you?”
I shake my head and frown. Why does Niall always call me that or it? Can’t the stupid bastard tell I’m here to help him?
He frustrates me so much.
Aiden walks in and stands next to him. “Father!” he warns. “My future wife’s name is Jeni… you’d do well to remember it. You get away with this shit all the time, and I’m over it. It stops now! Do you understand me?”
Niall shrugs. “Yes, yes… whatever.”
Aiden huffs. “How are you?”
Niall stiffens, and his bottom lip starts to quiver.
Well, this is a rare emotional side I’ve never seen from the old asshole.
“Tori, she’s—”
“I know,” Aiden interrupts his father.
Niall exhales and frowns. “The plane crashed. When I woke up, she was sprawled across my lap with a metal shard in her head…” he pauses, then continues, “… I knew she was dead. I kept trying to wake her, and she wouldn’t…” Niall’s face shows a pained stare.
My hand shoots to my mouth in horror and also in surprise—this is the most open Niall has ever been around me.
“It’s all right, Father,” Aiden states as he takes his father’s hand with a worried frown.
The male nurse returns and starts to do his job again, but in true Niall form, he agitates and pushes the nurse away. “Ouch, be careful. You’re hurting me, you prick.”
And the asshole that is Niall is back, ladies and gentlemen.
I roll my eyes—what else should I expect?
Arriving at the mansion, we escort Niall inside, leading him into the living room. Of course, he’s practically kicking and screaming, telling us everything we do is wrong or it hurts. This big burly man is like a tiny baby, whining and complaining. I don’t know how Callie ever put up with the old idiot.
Leaving Niall on the sofa, Aiden walks out of the living room toward the kitchen. I want to help make Niall more comfortable—even though I should probably leave well enough alone—so I move to the footstool under his feet, and he drops his legs down. “It’s too damn high,” he complains.
“ Niall, the stool’s not adjustable. I can’t make it go any lower.”
“Well, what fucking good are you, then?” he yells, kicking the stool at me and luckily it just grazes my shin.
I flinch and sigh as Aiden walks back in holding a drink. My heart races, simply from being in the same room as this bastard, but I try to make sure Aiden doesn’t notice, so instead, I roll my eyes.
“What are you yelling about?” Aiden asks exasperated.
“Your bitch is useless and—”
“Father, we’re here to help you.” Aiden cuts him off, giving him a cold look as his nostrils flare, and his fists clench. “We’re the only ones you have left in your life, and you’re skating on very thin ice as it is. I will not repeat myself again. Do not talk to Jeni like that. Show her the respect she deserves. Or we’ll leave you to it to fend for your damn self. Do. You. Fucking. Understand. Me?”
Niall scowls directly at me, his jaw clenches, then he sighs loudly. Aiden turns to do something, and Niall’s angry stare does not go unnoticed. The hairs on the back of my neck stand up—the look is pure evil, and I am sure if he could, he would end me right at this moment.
“Fine! But if she does anything wrong, I’m going to say something.”
Aiden throws his hands in the
air in frustration. “Whatever. Just be damn civil, or I promise we’ll leave.”
“You sound like your mother.”
“Maybe if you’d listened to Mom, she’d be here telling you herself.” Aiden’s raised voice toward his father shocks even me.
Niall falls silent, placing his head in his hands. I think he misses Callie. At the mere mention of her, he turns from an angry man into a defeated mess. Although, I’m sure he would deny it.
“I need to go make some calls and let the family and people at work know what’s happened. I’ll be right back,” Aiden tells us then walks out, leaving Niall and me alone in the living room.
I decide I need to do something. “Niall, I know you don’t like me, but Aiden and I are getting married, and I’d love nothing more than for us to be at least civil for Aiden’s sake. I’d like to mend whatever’s broken between us.”
He leans in close squinting his eyes and rolling his lip up on one side. “Listen here, you little bitch, like I keep telling Aiden, you’re nothing but a worthless whore. Aiden’s stupid to think you’re the love of his life. There’s no… such… thing. There’s only convenience. He’s being primed to run my company, and when he does, he’ll be as ruthless and hard-hitting as me…” The smirk he gives me is so vicious, it knocks the breath from me. “So, get used to this abuse, girlie, ‘cause it’s going to keep coming for the rest of your putrid life if you marry my son…” Niall smiles like he’s proud of himself. “Like father, like son. Don’t you forget it.”
My mouth opens in shock, and I take a few steps back. I’m speechless.
“That’s right, bitch, keep your little mouth shut, and everything will be fine. Aiden will marry you, of that I am sure. But then I can watch you suffer knowing your life will be miserable. Nothing will give me greater pleasure than to watch you suffer under Aiden’s ruthless hand.”
My heart pounds with the thought of what Niall is telling me. He smiles again, as the tension in the room and the adrenaline of the moment overwhelms me. I can’t bear to be around this absolute bastard for one more second. So, I turn, running, tears threatening to fall, feeling completely belittled and more than a little shaken by what he’s said.
