by K E Osborn
“Aiden, right now to be honest, I don’t really understand what I was thinking. I was scared you would physically hurt your father to the point of no return and be taken from me again to jail, and that your relationship with him would be irrevocably broken because of me. I didn’t want either of those outcomes. But I understand, and I do trust you. I trust you implicitly, and I know you only want what’s best for me, and I love you for it…” I give him a confident smile. “Aiden, I trust you. I know not telling you what was happening was the stupidest mistake I’ve ever made, and one I’ll never make again. I’ll tell you everything that happens from now on, and I promise to let you in, always.”
He exhales and wraps his arm around my shoulders pulling me into his side. “That’s all I ask, Jeni. I love you so much, and I need you to know that all I want is to make you happy. That’s all I’ve ever wanted.”
“This is good, open, and honest communication between you. Jeni, do you feel more confident in yourself, and the fact that you won’t be around Aiden’s father in the workplace?” Dee offers.
I nod slightly. “I still feel hesitant to be alone with Niall when it comes to family get-togethers, and the fact that he mentioned he could get Jason, my ex, out on a day or weekend pass scares the hell out of me.”
“Jeni, I did a little background research on Jason after your last visit, and trust me when I say Jason can’t be released on a day or weekend pass. It would be impossible in his current mental condition. He won’t be able to hurt you again, Jeni. Niall’s threats were empty. You have nothing to worry about where Jason’s concerned. I can assure you of that… unconditionally.”
I crease my forehead. “So, Niall has no leverage. Oh my God,” I whisper the last part, coming to the realization that Niall no longer has any power over me. I feel lighter, free even. A smile crosses my face as Aiden looks at me intently.
“Is that why you let him belittle you, apart from the obvious?” I nod. “Oh, baby.” Aiden sighs pulling me to him, kissing my head.
“I can stand up to him now, Aiden. If I have nothing to be worried about, then I have no reason to take his bullshit.”
“That’s right. Though, you should never have taken his bullshit. Anything he says to you, you need to tell me.”
“I will. I’m never holding out on you again.”
“Well, you two are probably the best self-counselors I’ve ever had. I feel like I should pay you for today’s session,” Dee jokes.
Aiden and I chuckle. “Thanks so much for the information about Jason, Dee. You have no idea how much that has helped me. It’s weird, how in an hour I can feel completely different about a situation that terrified me before, and now I feel like I don’t have a care in the world.”
Aiden smiles at me brightly. I know how worried he’s been about me and probably rightly so.
I was acting crazy attempting to keep his family together. While their relationship might look good on paper, in reality, sometimes, it can’t help but fall apart and play out in the direction it needs to go.
Niall can’t do anything to me now.
I won’t let him.
Elation and excitement course through my veins that I can walk out of here and start a fresh, new, happier life with Aiden by my side.
I wake to the sound of Aiden’s phone ringing. He jerks up suddenly and fumbles around, eventually finding it.
“Hello,” he answers through a yawn.
“Oh really? We can come today?
“Excellent job, Steve, we’ll be there shortly. Thanks.”
The mere mention of Steve, the construction site manager, wakes me right up and sends a shiver of excitement through me.
Aiden ends the call and turns to face me.
“Is it ready?” I ask with anticipation.
“It’s ready, baby,” he announces, pulling me to him. I kiss him quickly, then jump up from the bed. To say I’m excited is an understatement. We get dressed and head straight to the car, not stopping for breakfast.
Driving up the dirt track through the gates and up the steep hill, we see our new home in the distance surrounded by an immaculate green garden. It looks stunning from the outside—two stories high with pristine white walls and floor-to-ceiling windows. I grow more excited to see inside the closer we get. We pull up, we walk around the car, and Aiden takes my hand, looking at me lovingly.
“This is it. This is our home. This is where I intend to spend the rest of my life with you,” he says.
“Hey, guys,” Steve calls out.
Aiden holds out his hand for Steve to shake. “Steve. Thanks.”
“Not a problem, Mr. O’Connell. Would you like me to walk you through or would you prefer to be alone?”
“If it’s all right with you, we’ll walk ourselves through,” Aiden replies, holding my hand.
“Sure thing.”
Walking over, a wooden deck, large enough for an entertaining area takes up the back section of the house. Along the back wall there’s a beautiful water feature, a slate wall with three-tiered sections of water flowing from within the wall and is backlit in a stunning blue. Next to the deck is a large swimming pool also with a waterfall feature and spa. The side door is concertina sliding glass that opens into the kitchen.
We walk up the deck and through the sliding doors. Everything is white, but there is a burgundy accent wall, giving it a splash of color in this pristine room. Opposite the kitchen is the large living room where the color scheme continues in burgundy and white. I fall in love with it instantly and feel like a giddy schoolgirl. The photographs Aiden showed me don’t do this place justice.
Aiden smiles when he notices how excited I am.
Making our way to the grand staircase, it’s similar to the one at the O’Connell mansion in that it separates into two, leading in opposing directions. We walk up the staircase hand in hand and head into a large, spacious room, again white with a burgundy accent wall. We step in, and I notice it has a separation from the main wall. I wonder what’s behind there. I pull Aiden with me, and we walk behind to discover a closet the size of my bedroom at Sarah’s.
“I wanna do sinful things with you in here,” he admits as he slowly edges me against the wall. I wrap my arms around his neck and lean in to kiss him. His tongue finds mine quickly, and that all-too-familiar spark surges through us. I get lost in him as we make out like teenagers for what seems like hours.
Eventually, we break apart, slightly breathless, and I take his hand. We walk back into the room, well, for me, more like skipping, and I’m so happy to see an ensuite. I head in that direction. A pristine white bathroom with a two-headed shower, a giant spa bath, and a vanity mirror takes up the entire wall above the sink. I shake my head in awe.
“Like it?” Aiden whispers in my ear, cuddling into me from behind.
“Like it? I love it. Our home is amazing, Aiden.”
We make our way back into the bedroom where there’s a door leading outside, and we stride over to it. There’s a balcony big enough to put a table and chair set, where we could sit at night overlooking the city below, drink wine, and watch the setting sun. It couldn’t be more perfect than this.
We move out of the bedroom and to a smaller room next door. The walls are white with no accent wall in this area.
“No burgundy?”
He smiles. “No, I thought we’d leave this room to paint later.”
“Why?” I ask furrowing my eyebrows in confusion.
“It’s the nursery,” he says. “Or, at least, it could be. You know… eventually.”
The thought of little Aidens running around makes my heart flutter. My hand instinctively moving to my stomach in memory of the baby we lost, then thinking about the one we could eventually have. Nothing but joy fills my heart. I couldn’t think of anything more precious than starting a family with Aiden.
Casually stepping down the stairs to the left side of the house, we enter a large room for entertaining. We make our way to the very back room—Aiden’s man cav
e—it has a built-in bar and plenty of room for a pool table. Next to the man cave is a theater room with rows of reclining chairs and a giant screen. Near the front of the house is a large office for Aiden.
“When can we move in?” I ask Aiden who’s checking over his office.
“Today, if you want.”
“Yes! I can’t wait.” I beam a little too enthusiastically, making Aiden chuckle.
“Let’s go shopping,” he exclaims.
We spend the entire day picking out furniture, and Aiden works his magic to have it all delivered this evening. It’s amazing how money talks. By this time tomorrow I’ll be in my new, fully furnished home.
Heading back to Sarah’s, we pack our personal items. It takes a little while, but finally we finish and step out into the living area.
“I can’t believe you’re leaving me again.” Sarah hugs me tightly.
“We can see each other all the time, and you can text or call me anytime you want to.”
She nods but pouts. “I know, but it’s not the same. I was getting used to you being back with me.”
“I want you and Chris to come over for dinner next weekend if you can?”
After saying our goodbyes, we make our way back to our new house. Aiden and Mike unpack some of our stuff and stock the refrigerator with the generic supplies Sarah insisted on giving us before we left.
Like clockwork, the furniture arrives and with the help of the delivery guys, Aiden and Mike are able to set all the furniture up. Satisfied we no longer need his help, Mike says goodnight, leaving us alone in our new home.
Standing in the kitchen, we hold each other. “Welcome home, baby.”
“That sounds perfect,” I reply, leading him to our bedroom.
After we walk up the stairs and over to the balcony, we stand outside. Aiden’s holding me from behind, resting his chin on my shoulder. We look out over the cliff down to the glimmering city lights below. Aiden kisses my neck softly, and I turn in his grip and face him. “I love our new home.”
Aiden smiles. “I’m so glad.” He slowly moves us back inside and shuts the door with his foot, pulling me over to the bed and gently lays me on the mattress. “And now, Miss Taylor, I’m going to make love to you in our new home,” he says mischievously, then kisses me forcefully.
“I like the sound of that.”
Aiden pulls off his T-shirt, throwing it to the floor, then opens the drawer and pulls out our fluffy pink handcuffs.
“Has someone been a bad prisoner again?” I ask.
He shakes his head looking ever so serious. “Oh… so very, very bad,” he says and throws himself at me.
I sit up in the bed and pull Aiden with me, the handcuffs still dangling from my wrist. I obviously fell asleep with them still attached. I laugh as he pulls my hand across and undoes the lock.
“Last night was… amazing,” he gushes.
“Tell me about it…” I smile, then rush off to the shower. “C’mon, we’d better get a move on.”
Aiden laughs, following me to the ensuite. Once we get out of the shower, we finish getting dressed.
On our way downstairs, Aiden turns to me. “How would you feel about asking Mom to move into the guesthouse? I’ll be happier knowing she’s closer to us.”
The doorbell rings, catching both our attention as we reach the bottom of the stairs. I nod at him, smiling wide. “I think that’s a perfect idea,” I reply.
Heading to the door, I open it to see Mike and Callie standing there. “Speak of the devil,” I say. Callie looks at me raising an eyebrow. “Come in,” I tell her.
They make their way inside and sit at the breakfast bar. “So, talking about us, were you?” Mike asks jokingly.
“Actually, just Mom. I have a proposition for you,” Aiden announces formally. “Mom, how would you feel about moving into the guesthouse? It would make me feel better knowing you’re closer. Plus, it would be great having you around. It’s entirely up to you, of course. Whatever you’re comfortable with,” Aiden asks.
Her eyes widen as she blinks rapidly. “Really?”
I laugh at her expression. “Yes. We would love for you to move in there. Think of it as your own home,” I say.
She looks around like she’s in deep thought. “Okay,” she blurts out, bewildered.
“Okay, you’ll move into the guesthouse?” Aiden asks curiously.
She nods her head. “Yes. I’ll move in. Thank you. This means so much to me, Aiden. I do have a question, though…” She looks at Mike. “We have practically been living together. I just didn’t want to tell you in case you felt it was too soon. So… would it be all right if Mike moved in with me? Of course, you can say no, and, Mike, if you don’t want to move in, you can decline as well. If you do want to, it would make me very happy but no pressure. Oh God, look at me, I’m babbling…” Callie’s cheeks flush red in a rare sight from her.
Mike looks at Aiden with a glimmer of hope in his eyes, he would love to officially move in with Callie. So, I look over at Aiden who’s smirking at Mike and Callie’s unease.
“Aiden,” I warn sternly, trying to stop his delaying tactics.
Aiden chuckles and slaps Mike on the arm. “Mike, if you want to move in with my mother, then you’re more than welcome,” Aiden finally announces.
“There’s nothing I would love more than to live with Callie. I’ve wasted so many years without her. I want her with me. Thank you, Aiden, you don’t know what this means to us,” Mike chimes, wrapping his arms around Callie and kissing her cheek.
Callie giggles like a little schoolgirl, which makes my insides melt. I’m so excited that Mike and Callie have each other. Aiden pulls Mike in for a man hug.
“Thank you again. This is extremely generous of you both.” Mike beams like he’s the happiest man in the world.
And right now, I think we’re all feeling like the happiness bug has hit us all.
It’s about time we all found something to be happy about.
“I wish we didn’t have to go back to O’Connell Finance today. I really don’t want to spoil my good mood having to see Father,” Aiden groans out.
“Me, too. But we only have to pack up our stuff, and then we can start planning your new business.” I shove him slightly. “Now get up and get dressed.”
“Our new business,” he corrects.
I smile and walk to our closet, then take out our clothes for the day. Aiden watches me intently with a rather large smirk on his face.
“Enjoying the show?”
He raises his eyebrows. “Loving it.”
We have breakfast and make our way to the office.
Brielle is standing at her desk. “Oh my God, I miss you guys. Can you come back now? Please? Oh… and happy new home,” she says. We both laugh. “How is it? Is it beautiful? When can I come and see it?” she asks in quick succession.
“Whenever you want, Bree,” I reply.
She nods matter-of-factly. “Tonight it is, then.”
I look at Aiden. “How about I invite Killian, Dan, Chris, Sarah, our moms, and Mike? It can be like a mini housewarming?”
Aiden nods his head in agreement. He kisses me on the cheek and walks into his old office to pack up his things.
“Okay, so let’s get inviting,” I tell Bree.
We set about inviting everyone, then I wonder whether I should invite Niall. I prefer not to, but I better ask Aiden as this not only affects me but his mom as well. I walk to Aiden’s old office and knock on the door.
“Come in.”
Aiden looks up and gives me that loving smile. “Hey, baby, what’s up? You okay?” he asks. I walk around his desk and sit on his lap as he saves some files to a flash drive.
“Everything’s perfect. I’m so happy. I don’t think anything could ruin the good mood I’m in,” I tell him in all honesty.
He smiles. “I’m glad to hear it. I know what you mean. Everything’s perfect… you, our new home, and starting our new business,” he says, nuzzling int
o my neck.
“I do have a question for you, though?”
“Mmm...”
“Do you want me to invite your father tonight?” I bite my bottom lip.
“Fuck no. Mom will be there. I don’t want it to feel awkward. Plus, I can’t stand the sight of him, anyway.”
“I had to ask, just in case.” I kiss him quickly and walk back out to finish packing my desk.
The elevator chimes, and a delivery man walks in with a bouquet of pink tulips.
I take out the card and read it.
To my beautiful fiancée.
I hope you love our new home
as much as I love you.
I can’t wait to start our new business together.
Forever yours,
Aiden xoxo
I walk back into Aiden’s office without knocking and shut the door behind me.
He looks up a little startled. “Hi,” he says looking at me with a raised eyebrow.
I walk over to his desk. “It’s a little sad that they’ll be my last flower delivery, but still, I want to thank you. I love them as always,” I say.
Aiden turns his chair so he’s facing me, then stands and puts his arms around my waist. “I know a way you can thank me,” he says with a smirk as he leans down and kisses me softly. “Have I ever told you how much I love that you worked here with me?”
“No, I don’t think you ever have. Maybe you should show me one last time,” I say insinuatingly.
Aiden smirks and kisses me again. He walks me backward until my knees hit the sofa, and I giggle as I fall back on the plush cushions. Aiden falls with me and moves his weight on top of me, which makes me flame with desire. I wrap my arms around his back pulling him closer while he kisses me feverishly.
His cock grows against me, so I move my hand to his ass and pull him closer. Aiden inhales at my touch and shifts his lips to kiss my neck. Moving his hands to skim the bottom of my skirt, he lifts it around my waist. Panting with want, I start to undo his belt and zipper.
