by K E Osborn
He leans back against the sofa and 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.”
“Why wouldn’t you move back upstairs, Jeni? Wouldn’t it be easier?”
I bite my bottom lip and wrap my arms around my body.
“Too many bad memories,” Aiden quickly interjects.
The realization of what she 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, we’ll come and see you often. I know it’d be easier for Aiden, and I know I’m being a pain by not moving back into his apartment, but I’m just not able to spend time there after what happened. I don’t feel safe. I want to overcome my fears but it’s hard.”
“Mike, I’m sorry it’ll make it a little harder 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, and 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 her home and then come back to pick me up later. Is that alright with you?”
“Fine with me, sir. I’m just glad you two are back together, like you’re meant to be,” Mike says, showing his softer side.
“Thanks, Mike,” I say, and I pat him on the leg.
“When can we expect the pitter-patter of grandchildren’s feet then?” Callie asks abruptly, shocking us both.
“We haven’t talked about that yet, Mom. Let’s wait until we’re married first.”
I nod in agreement with Aiden as memories of our lost baby makes me wince. Aiden notices and rests his hand on my shoulder for support. I exhale while the feelings of loss wash over me again.
She suddenly changes the subject. “How’s your father?”
“He’s alright. He’s gone to Tokyo for the final stage of the acquisition. He should be back within a week or so,” Aiden says, trying not to make anyone uncomfortable.
“I’d better be going,” Mike says, standing up.
“Mike stay, there is no need for you to leave. We have to be going anyway,” Aiden says, leaning over and taking my hand. We walk 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.”
We take it in turns to hug 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.”
“Thanks, Mom,” I turn and kiss her on the cheek.
We collect Aiden’s things and walk down the hallway until we reach the elevator. He pushes the button, and we make our way to the parking garage to the Aston Martin. We drive back to Sarah’s, pull up, take in Aiden’s bags, and unpack his belongings.
We put the last of his socks away and sit on the edge of the bed. He pulls me back on the bed and rolls on top of me, his hand in my hair while he kisses me softly and sensually. I undo his shirt buttons, and he shuffles out of it. I throw it to the floor with a giggle. He slowly lifts up my blouse to reveal a white lace bra, and he leans down to kiss my collar bone. Moving his hand slowly, he pulls down my skirt leaving me in my matching white lace underwear. He stands abruptly, and I look at him with confusion. He grins reassuringly while he undoes the button and fly of his pants, letting them cascade to the floor. I watch his rock hard erection as it forms in front of me. He moves back on top of me on the bed.
His lips caress my skin and his hands slowly undo my bra freeing my breasts. He throws my bra to the floor and 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. He sucks and then blows. He kisses his way down my chest and stomach to my panty line where he puts a finger from each hand down the front and tugs. I lift my ass from the bed so 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. He kisses me, taking charge, letting me know how much he wants me. He moves his hand to massage my breast. Our breathing quickens with the electricity of the moment. He moves his hand between my legs and starts moving his magic fingers. He rotates on my clitoris so softly I hardly feel it, the feeling leaving me practically begging him for more while I kiss him breathlessly.
He intensifies the pressure on my clitoris as he circles it, and the feeling of pleasure engulfs me as he slowly slides two fingers inside. I moan in reaction when he moves his lips from my mouth to my ear lobe, gently kissing and tugging on it with his teeth.
“Oh, Aiden.”
He moves his fingers within me, in and out relentlessly while his thumb moves on my clitoris. The taste of his lips on mine makes me want him inside of me desperately. The 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. I’m overcome with pleasure. I feel the heat rise, I arch my back, and he kisses my mouth forcefully, muffling my moans. My breathing hitches and I explode around him. I moan his name into his mouth as I climax with pleasure and an overwhelming emotion of undeniable love toward him.
He moves so he’s completely on top of me and positions his erection 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. He quickens his pace, 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. I kiss him back feverishly while he thrusts into me relentlessly. He pulls my leg up, and I wrap it around his back so he can thrust even deeper, filling me entirely.
The feeling is overwhelmingly satisfying. I moan with him, and we move together in unison.
“Ah, Aiden,” I moan.
“Oh, Jeni,” he groans. Our lips are still touching, but we don’t kiss, our breathing is erratic. He moves his hips in such a way that I catch my breath. He knows the effect he’s having on me and that I’m completely satisfied. He thrusts into me again deeper and faster at a relentless tempo, kissing me hard, our breathing quickens and sweat beads on his brow. I clench my fingernails into his back hard. He loves it when I do that. He continues to thrust into me deeper and faster until I feel it the heat engulfs me quickly. I arch my back while my breathing hitches, and I moan in pleasure as I feel nothing but pure love for this man.
“Ahh.”
He doesn’t try to muffle my sounds; instead he kisses my neck gently sucking on it as I reach my climax again. His face clenches and my muscles tighten. I tighten them again watching his facial expression while he continues to thrust into me. He scrunches his face in that delicious way as he pumps harder until he moans and unloads into me with force.
“Oh, Jeni,” he calls out and falls on top of me. Chest to chest, forehead to forehead. Our breathing is erratic as we both fall back to earth. His bright blue intense eyes stare into mine as he gently kisses me so tenderly it warms my heart. I know in this moment 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. He slowly pulls out of me and rolls over on the bed. I lie there unable to move I’m so exhausted. He leans over and pulls 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 asks. “Speaking.” He suddenly stands up straight and his brows furrow, making me concerned. “It what? When?” He rubs th
e back of his neck as he looks at me again, this time with a furrowed brow. “Oh my God, is he alright?” he asks, talking quickly. My interest spikes. I get up and walk over to him. He sits down on a chair at the dining table and slouches running his hand through his hair. “Oh thank God. And what about Tori Jenkins?” His face falls and his eyes glaze over like he might cry. Now I’m really worried. “Oh no, that’s terrible news.” He puts his head in his hands. “Thank you for letting me know. We’ll be right down.” He exhales and hangs up his cell phone.
“What’s wrong?”
“Father’s plane from Tokyo. It crashed on landing. He has a broken arm and a slight concussion, but he’ll be fine.” His voice breaks, and he has a distant look.
“And Tori?”
He shakes his head, my hand shoots up to my mouth, and I stumble back and sit in the chair.
“Oh my God.” I only met Tori once but I can’t believe that she is dead. I immediately think of Blair and Benjamin as I know they are friends with her, and sadness washes over me.
“We need to go to the hospital to pick him up. They won’t let him go home tonight unless he has someone that can be with him overnight. He needs to wake up every hour since he has a concussion.”
Even though I’m not Alistair’s biggest fan, I still don’t want to see him hurt in anyway. And I definitely don’t want to see Aiden upset. He stands and we make our way out of the house to the Aston Martin.
We rush into the hospital and see a ward full of patients from the crash. There’s loud sounds and people talking, rushing all over the place. It’s making me dizzy as staff move past us to attend to buzzing alarms. I can’t help it as a sense of nervousness and anxiety creeps up on me. The hospital is full to capacity with family members who have congregated in the halls. We walk briskly looking for Alistair when we hear him in all his glory.
“Get away from me, you filthy bastard. I don’t need your help.”
We instantly know its Alistair, not just by voice but 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 a cast on his arm. The male nurse has an agitated look while Alistair is trying to pull off the bandages as the nurse is putting them on.
“Father, stop fighting him. Your arm is broken and you need to have a cast fitted.”
He immediately stops fighting when he sees Aiden. He furrows his brows and looks at me, flaring his nostrils.
“Why did you bring that with you?” He gestures towards me. I shake my head and frown, feeling disheartened. Why does he always have to call me that or it? I am here to help him and he can’t even be nice to me. Aiden walks in and stands next to him.
“Father, don’t talk about Jeni like that. I know you get away with it all the time, but I’m over the way to speak to her and about her. It ceases now, do you understand me?”
Alistair shrugs. “Yes, yes whatever.”
“How are you?” Aiden asks.
Alistair stiffens and his bottom lip starts to quiver. “Tori, she’s—”
“I know,” Aiden says stopping his father.
Alistair exhales and frowns. “The plane crashed and when I woke up, she was sprawled across my lap with a metal shard in her head. I knew she was dead, but I kept trying to wake her, and she wouldn’t—” His face shows a pained stare.
My hand shoots to my mouth in horror at what he saw, and also in surprise; this is the most open Alistair has ever been around me.
“It’s alright, Father.” Aiden interjects as he takes his father’s hand with a worried frown.
The male nurse comes back and Alistair allows him do his job of putting the cast on his arm.
“Ouch, be careful. You’re hurting me, you asshole.”
***
We arrive at the mansion and take Alistair inside. We lead him into the living room to the right, and he’s practically kicking and screaming, telling us that everything we’re doing is wrong or it hurts. This big burley man is like a tiny baby, whining and complaining. I don’t know how Callie put up with him. He sits on the sofa and Aiden walks out of the living room toward the kitchen.
I move the footstool under his legs, and he drops them down.
“It’s too high,” he complains.
“Sorry, Alistair, but the stool isn’t adjustable, I can’t make it go any lower.”
“Well, what fucking good are you then?” he yells, and kicks the stool at me.
I flinch and sigh as Aiden walks back in with a drink. My heart is racing with fear just being in the same room as Alistair, but I need to make sure Aiden doesn’t notice, so I roll my eyes.
“What are you yelling about?” Aiden asks exasperated.
“Your bitch is useless and—”
Aiden cuts him off. He gives him a cold look as his nostrils flare and his fists clench. “Father, we’re here to help you. We’re the only ones you have left in your life, and you’re skating on very thin ice. I will not repeat myself, do not talk to Jeni like that. Show her some respect or we’ll leave you here on your own to fend for yourself. Do you understand me?”
Alistair scowls at me, his jaw clenches, and he sighs loudly. He looks angered and the hair on the back of my neck stands up at the look he gives me when Aiden turns around. It’s pure evil. “Fine, but if she does anything wrong, I’m going to say something,” Alistair says.
“Whatever. Father just be civil, or I promise we’ll leave right now.”
“You sound like your mother.”
“Maybe if you’d listened to Mom, she would be here telling you herself.”
Alistair falls silent and places 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 the people at work know what’s happened. I’ll be right back,” Aiden says, walking out, leaving Alistair and I alone in the living room.
“Alistair, 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 would really like to mend whatever is broken between us.”
He leans in closely and whispers. “Listen here you little bitch, like I keep telling Aiden, you’re nothing but a worthless whore. Aiden is stupid to think that you’re the love of his life. There’s no such thing, only convenience. He’s being primed to run my company, and when he does, he’ll be as ruthless and hard hitting as me. So get used to this abuse, girlie, cause it’s going to keep coming for the rest of your life if you marry my son. Like father like son and don’t you forget it.”
My mouth opens in shock, and I take a few steps back. I’m speechless. I can’t say a word.
“That’s right, keep your little mouth shut and everything will be fine. Aiden will marry you, and 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.”
I shake my head and run out, tears threatening to fall as I feel completely belittled and a little shaken by what he said. How could he say those things to me? I haven’t done anything to him, but he hates me with such a fiery passion. Why does he think Aiden will turn out like him if he takes over the company?
I storm out the front door and run down the driveway. I stop and stand, gazing up at the night sky. I wonder what my life will be like with Aiden. So many possibilities run through my head. Then I think, isn’t this exactly what Alistair wants? He wants me to doubt his son and our relationship. He desperately wants me to break it off with Aiden. I know he wants me gone and out of their lives forever. I’m not going to let him win that easily.
Arms wrap around my waist and I look back to see Aiden. He kisses my cheek as he looks up at the stars with me.
“Don’t let him get to you. That’s what he wants, and he does it well. He’s done it to me throughout my entire life, baby.”
“I find it hard when I
know he hates me as much as he does. I want to try to at least be civil to each other, but he won’t hear of it.”
“He’s not worth your anguish; please try to ignore him for me?”
“I’m trying, really I am.”
We stand in the moonlight holding each other. I turn and put my arms around his waist and then he kisses me passionately.
***
We wake to Alistair yelling, “Aiden… Aiden… Aiden.”
Aiden slowly rises from his childhood bed and kisses me on the forehead. He rolls out and walks to his father’s room. I glance at the clock and can’t believe he woke us up at six-thirty on a Saturday morning, Urgh. I make my way down the hall to Alistair’s room where Aiden is helping his father into a shirt.
“You a fucking pervert now?” Alistair calls out.
I overt my eyes and cringe. Yeah, Alistair, I think you’re so sexy, and I can’t keep my eyes off of you. Gross! Even though I know it’s wrong, inwardly I’m jumping up and down inside. He looks pathetic—his skin is pale and wrinkled, and his man boobs make me want to laugh.
“Father, keep it up and you know what’ll happen,” Aiden says, his shoulders tensing as a bored look crosses his face.
“What, Aiden? You’ll leave? Then leave! I don’t need you or that little tramp here in my house anyway.”
I watch Aiden put his father’s shirt down on the bed.
“You know what Father? I am going to leave. You can’t even manage to put on a shirt by yourself. I hope you enjoy doing everything on your own. Jeni, let’s go,” Aiden says sternly.
“You can’t leave me here like this, you ungrateful ingrate, after everything I’ve done for you.”
“Father, you did this to yourself. There’s no one to blame but you. Jeni, c’mon.” He takes my hand and we walk down the staircase to the front door.
“Aiden!” Alistair yells.
Aiden slams the door hard, and we walk to the Aston Martin.
“Are you sure we should be leaving him here on his own? He can’t do anything for himself.”
Aiden opens my door. “I know we can’t. I’ll send Marissa over to care for him, but until she gets here he can sweat it out on his own and see what it’s like to have no one. I’ve had enough of him treating you this way, and I don’t want to hear any more of his caustic tone,” he says raising his voice.
