by Tina Saxon
“You too, Mr. Livingston.” I think.
“Mack, please, call me Mack.” I nod and he winks before turning back around.
After he’s out of sight, Aiden turns to face me and grabs a piece of hair between his fingers and tugs. “I guess you know who he is?”
“Well, right now ‘sugar daddy’ comes to mind,” I say with sarcasm. Aiden drops his head and laughs. “Outside of that, yes. How long have you known him?”
Aiden looks up, calculating in his head. “I guess a little over five years. Since I’ve lived here.”
“You guys seem close?”
Aiden nods. “I guess so. He’s a great guy. We catch up whenever he’s in town, which isn’t often. We usually have a beer or dinner. He leads an interesting life.”
“I know. I did a report on him in high school. He’s a hot topic in Texas. I obviously didn’t read about how much of a man-whore he is, though,” I murmur. Aiden stifles his laugh.
“You’d be surprised about what you didn’t read about.”
I hold my hand up, shaking my head. “I don’t want to know. I have great respect for the guy…which may be slightly tainted right now. He’s accomplished a lot, including all the charitable things he’s done. Don’t ruin that for me.” I smirk.
He grabs my hand that’s still in the air and steps forward into me. “Where were we?” he murmurs as he kisses the curve of my neck. My eyes flutter closed and my breath catches as the heat of his kisses sends tingles down my back. It takes me a second to focus on where we were. Damn him.
I take a step back out of his grasp, and he arches a brow. “You were apologizing that we can’t be together, so stop making me want you,” I say dryly. He grins.
“Will you sit up here with me for a little longer?” He reaches forward for my hand again.
“Of course.” We walk back to the couch and sit like we were before. “How is it that we’re engaged and you’ve never mentioned Mack, yet he knows about me and Lexi?”
He looks away briefly, scrubs his hand over his jaw, and then looks back to me. “I’m pretty sure I’ve told you before that we’ve gone to dinner.” I tilt my head as I run through my memory. I know he has mentioned going to dinner with a friend here and there. “I probably never said Mack Livingston, probably just Mack. He’s only in town once a quarter, so we don’t get together often,” he explains. “He’s been in town the last two weeks for a business acquisition, so I’ve seen him more than normal—seeing as I’ve been home more than normal.”
We talk a little more about Mack but then sit back and listen to the city. Horns from taxis blare below us and music from a neighboring rooftop bar adds a melody to the sound. Two spotlights in the distance sweep across the night sky. The nights here have a language all of their own. I lean my head down on Aiden’s shoulder.
“Do you like it here?” Aiden asks.
“Here, as in New York City?”
“No, this area.” I lift my head and look at him.
“I love this area,” I answer. He nods his head. “Why?”
“I’m just thinking about where we’ll live when we get married.”
“This area is great, but your apartment is only one bedroom.” I scrunch my nose. “But I might be tempted to make it work with access to a terrace like this.”
“Good to know,” he chuckles.
“I guess I just figured because of space, you’d move into my apartment.”
“That’s an option,” he says looking down at me. “Or we can find a place close to here.”
I nod in agreement. “Aiden, I will go anywhere as long as we’re together.”
Chapter three
“Have we received the data on the prints we collected on the Spring case?” I ask Harper as I peek my head into her office. She looks up at me from her computer and tilts her head. I lift my eyebrows, waiting for an answer she’s not giving me. “Well?” I ask impatiently.
Her lips twist. “Addison, we just took those prints yesterday.” Her words come out slow and unsure. I roll my eyes and let out an exasperated sigh. Can’t people do anything quickly around here? I spin on my heels and stomp to my office. Who can I call to get things moving? I grab my office phone and bring it to my ear while I hold down the receiver button, thinking of whom the best person to call would be. Hmm.
“Addison, put down the phone.” I look over to Harper as she walks into my office. She walks up to me, takes the phone out of my hand, and hangs it up. “Is today the day?” she asks, sympathetically.
I fall back into my chair, digging the heels of my palms into my eyes. “Yes,” I murmur. I sit up straighter and cross my arms. “I’ve done everything I can possibly do in here,” I say, looking around. My desk is spotless; all my paperwork has been filed away or put in my file holder on my desk. I even cleaned my keyboard. Ugh, that was disgusting. I have got to clean more often. “I can’t stop thinking about Jessie having Aiden’s baby today. It pisses me off even more because I don’t even believe it’s his!” I push off my chair and it rolls back against the wall, making a thud. A growl escapes my lips as I run my hands through my hair.
Harper leans up against my door, shakes her head slightly, and looks down at her watch. “It’s four. I’m sure CJ will understand if we took off an hour early. Like you said, you’re caught up with everything. Let’s go grab a drink.” You don’t need to ask me twice.
“I only have two hours before I have to pick up Lulu, so don’t let me drink too much,” I say as I open my desk drawer and grab my purse. I wish I could say that I would stop myself, but right now I’m not so sure.
We walk into O’Malley’s and Vinnie greats us as we take a seat at the bar. I look around and notice only a couple of other women here. I bet they’re not here because their fiancé might become a father by another woman. I slap my forehead. Stop thinking, Addison.
“Vinnie, we’ll take two glasses of merlot,” Harper orders. I’m thankful she didn’t order shots. That’s a black hole I don’t need to fall into tonight, no matter how bad I want to jump headfirst into it. He places our drinks in front of us, and I immediately bring the glass to my lips. I focus on the warm yet smooth red liquid that coats my throat, and it’s the first time today my mind isn’t focused on Jessie. I slowly put my glass down and stare at it. My mind is blank, and I revel in the emptiness because I know it’s not going to last long. Harper allows me this time in silence.
I exhale loudly and turn toward Harper. “Thanks.”
“Anytime,” she replies. “So, has he talked to her at all?”
I nod my head. I’d encouraged Aiden to talk to her. I know he didn’t want to, but he needed to. He reluctantly called her and found out she’s staying here in New York, which I’m still not sure why. Aiden has no clue either. I wonder if she’s been in New York City this whole time. He’s under the assumption the less he knows, the better. I don’t like to live like that. I need to know details. She’s up to something. Why did she wait eight months to tell him she was pregnant? Where has she been since she left Newport? There are so many unanswered questions. I guess it only matters if the baby is Aiden’s. If not, she can pack her bags and get the hell out of our lives forever.
Unfortunately, that’s what’s bugging me. She knows Aiden is going to have a DNA test done, and I’m almost certain it’s not Aiden’s. Call it intuition or hope…I just don’t believe it’s his. What does she get out of this whole thing, knowing it’s not Aiden’s? What’s her next move? I’m certain she has one planned. She’s not a stupid woman. I’ve looked into her a little more these past few weeks. She earned a Master’s Degree in Interior Design and owns her own successful interior design business. She owned her own home but sold it seven months ago. She comes from money, so she’s not looking for a payout.
“He told her to call him when she goes into labor,” I say, propping my head up with my hand and resting it on the bar. Harper picks up her glass and takes a sip. “She’s called him five times today just to tell him she felt the bab
y move.” Harper’s head falls, and she shakes it. “I know, you think I’m bad. He’s a basket case right now, and every time the phone rings with her just telling him the baby moved, Max has to intercept before he blows his shit.”
I told him I would take today off to be with him, but he’s being stubborn, not wanting to inconvenience me with Jessie. Too late. We’re good right now, so I didn’t push it, but he still carries the weight of that guilt inside of him.
***
A week late.
A week of insane anxiousness of waiting for one phone call.
The call that hasn’t come. I can’t say I’m surprised. Jessie never tells Aiden when she’s going to the doctor; she only calls him after her checkup.
“Everything is fine,” she says. “The baby just doesn’t want to come out yet.”
Right. I want to scream at her, maybe it’s because you’re lying about your due date. Aiden says it doesn’t matter because they’ll get a DNA test done, regardless. Of course, Jessie has been milking this because she has Aiden’s full attention. But the end is in sight. If she doesn’t have the baby by next week, they are going to induce her.
“Let’s go,” Aiden says, walking into my apartment, slamming the door behind him. I freeze midway from putting a glass in the dishwasher and turn to look at him. He throws his keys on the entry table and strides toward me.
“Um…where are we going?”
Sydney called earlier and said she would take Lexi overnight so Aiden and I could have some downtime. When I talked to Aiden, we decided we would just hang out here and watch a movie.
“Go pack an overnight bag.” He claps his hands and rubs them together. I watch him for a moment before finally putting the glass in the dishwasher. He’s awfully happy. I lean against the counter as he traps me with a hand on either side of me. I cock an eyebrow, wondering what has his mood so light. A carefree smile spreads across his face. “We’re getting out of here. Running away from life.”
I look at him like he can’t be serious. “And where would one run to in order to get away from this so-called life?” The playfulness in his eyes that’s been missing these last few weeks flickers. My hands run up his arms and over his muscular biceps.
“It’s a surprise.”
“You and your surprises,” I say. “Are we going skydiving?”
“No.” He taps my nose with his finger. “But nice try. Go pack an overnight bag.”
“But Lexi. I didn’t tell Syd—”
The incredulous look he gives me stops me. “You don’t think I took care of that already?”
“I just needed to make sure.”
“Okay, you made sure. Now, go.” He grabs my hand and leads me to my bedroom. Whatever he has planned, he’s excited. I’ll take it over how he’s been acting. I grab a bag and throw in an outfit for tomorrow, a swimsuit, and a pair of panties with a matching bra. I giggle to myself, thinking about the last time he told me to pack an overnight bag. I’d debated if I should bring pajamas. I definitely didn’t need them. That seems like ages ago. The first time he took me to his beach house. The first time I told him I loved him. There were some other firsts, but I am not thinking about those.
I find a small makeup bag and put some toiletries in it then zip it up, tossing it into the big bag. Excitement bubbles inside me because we’re getting away. We need this break. I wonder if he plans on still being stubborn about doing the right thing. It’s been over a month since we’ve been together, and I’m not sure I can stop myself if we’re sleeping in the same bed.
“Let’s go, woman. Get your sexy ass out here now.” Damn, he’s in a hurry. I thought I was making good time. I grab my bag and walk into the living room.
“Alright. I’m ready.”
He’s at my side instantly, taking my bag out of my hands. “I just need to get out of here,” he murmurs. The helplessness in his voice pulls at my heart. “I need to reset. And I need you there with me.” I slightly nod. I get it. Waiting for one moment in time to happen that will change your life forever is consuming. When your vision gets so clouded you can’t see straight, you need take a step back and refocus.
This is us. Refocusing.
We listen to music in the car rather than talk. I figured we were going to the beach house, but when we drive in the opposite direction on Interstate 78, it’s obvious we’re not. I open my mouth numerous times to ask where we’re going, but then stop myself. Let him feel in control, I remind myself.
Aiden’s deep voice fills the air sporadically as he sings along with the radio. I turn my head and watch him. His size dominates the small area of the car. I watch as he taps his thumb to the rhythm on the steering wheel. My gaze follows his muscular arms to his taut chest, which is hidden by a worn-out, heather gray T-shirt. FBI is printed across it in black letters, and I’ll bet he’s had that shirt since Quantico. It looks that old. I wonder if he’d give it to me?
“I like when you look at me like that.” Aiden’s voice interrupts my shirt envy. I look up at him. He’s watching the road, but a sly smile creeps across his face, deepening his dimple.
“Actually, I was just thinking I want your shirt.” I grin.
He cocks his head my direction. “Is that what you were thinking?”
“It was,” I reply innocently. “You’re the one who always has the dirty thoughts.” I pull my leg up under my knee and look forward. Tall trees wrap the sides of the highway, and the setting sun peeks through for the last time tonight.
“Sweetheart, if you only knew.” He chuckles. “This is my favorite shirt.”
“I can tell.”
“It’ll be my new favorite shirt on you if you wear it and nothing else all day tomorrow.” His tone is flirtatious. Heat streaks up my body at the thought of him wanting me naked. My inner goddess jumps up and down, screaming that her god is coming home. Finally.
I roll my head to the side, looking at him. “You want me to walk around naked all day with only that shirt on?” I ask coyly.
“Well, technically, you wouldn’t be naked.” He flashes a wicked smile.
“And what would we do all day, while I’m not technically naked and you’re not technically going to touch me?” Please, tell me you’ll fuck me seven ways till Sunday. Forget your stupid rule. I reach over and run my index finger down the outline of his obvious bulge.
His body tenses and a low growl erupts from the back of his throat. He takes off his sunglasses and slides them onto the dashboard. When he glances over at me, the heat in his eyes sends flurries of burning need into the pit of my stomach. His hand covers mine, and he pushes it down harder on his cock. It’s straining against his jeans, begging to come out. I wet my lips and swallow, my mouth dry from my heavy breaths. I slide my hand out from under his and unbutton his pants. He hisses as I pull the zipper down and free his hard erection. A soft mewl escapes my lips when I see he doesn’t have any underwear on. The sexual tension sucks up all the air in the car, and I feel like I’m drowning. Right now, breathing is the last thing on my mind.
I run my hand down the length of him, and he gasps. “Fuck, Addison,” he growls. “You’re going to finish what you started. Put your fucking gorgeous mouth on me.” His demanding voice lights a fire inside me. I’ve missed it more than I care to admit. I watch him pull off an exit on the freeway.
I unbuckle my seat belt and lean over his armrest. His hand weaves through my hair. I lick the tip of his cock before I open wide and slide down his shaft. Darkness flows into the car and only the dashboard lights illuminate our bodies.
“Jesus, I’ve missed that mouth of yours.” He slams the car in park, and I’m transported to the first time we did this. His grip tightens around my hair, jerking me back to the present, and I suck harder. His groans spur me on as I work my way up and down. I can feel dampness in between my legs.
It doesn’t take long before he’s grunting my name, and I can feel his warmth slide down my throat. While he recovers, I lie in his lap, looking up into darkened eyes f
illed with need. His finger traces my swollen lips.
“We’re almost there, so I need you to get in your seat and buckle up because we’re not going slow. I need to taste you like I need air right now, but I’m not doing it here. I want to take my time with you. Fuck not touching you.” Thank God. My body shudders as his hand moves over my breast, down my torso to my groin. He cups my sex, and I arch my back off the seat, moaning from the feel of his fingers digging into me through my shorts.
“I don’t think I can wait,” I pant. My pent-up desire is so painful, the second he touches me I know I’ll explode. I sound like a sex addict right now, craving my next fix that I’d do anything to get it.
After muttering a few curse words, he pushes me up back in my seat and tucks his already hard cock back into his pants. He leans over and kisses me hard then slams the car into drive. As the tires squeal, I grab the handle to hold on, trying to grab traction from his acceleration.
He was right, we were only fifteen minutes away. When we pull into the parking lot of a resort lodge, I look over at him. “You could have told me we were almost here.”
“Sweetheart, I have no willpower when it comes to you and that mouth. I will stop whatever the hell I’m doing if you’re offering. Always.” I want to respond “not always,” but then again, I didn’t offer him a blow job two weeks ago.
I cock my head to the side. “I don’t remember offering,” I tease, biting my lip.
His laugh echoes in the car. “Baby, you whip out my dick and lick your lips like you’re about to eat a steak dinner, you damn well are offering.” His crass words don’t help ease the ache. I hop out of the car and grab my bag from the backseat.
Our steps are hurried to our room. The sexual tension is so thick it’s blanketing our surroundings. Everything we pass is a blur and the only thing in focus is our room. I don’t have to look up to see the desire and need in Aiden’s eyes. I feel it and hear it every now and then when he growls from the back of his throat. His hand is hard in mine as he leads me with purpose.
