All of Me? The Trust Me? Trilogy

by K E Osborn

  He lifts his weight, pulls out of me and rolls over onto the bed beside me. I move in and cuddle into his side; he wraps his arm around me.

  “We’re really good at that,” he says.

  I giggle. “Yes, we’re perfect.”

  “Yeah, that’s true. So how about another epic round?” he says, turning to face me.

  “Okay, but this time I’m in charge.” I push him over on his back. He looks at me with a surprised smirk while I throw my legs over and straddle him.

  ***

  My body is aching from our epic bout of love making. Aiden’s lying on his stomach, sound asleep, his head buried deep in the pillow. I trace circles all the way up his spine; he twitches under my touch, but doesn’t wake. I pick up my pillow and hit him on his back. He lifts his head abruptly and stares at me with that dazed what the look.

  “Morning, beautiful,” he says.

  “Morning, babe,” I say in very light mood.

  Yawning, he sits up. “Someone’s cheery this morning.”

  I lean over and kiss him, even though my body is aching. He kisses me back and eventually he starts to wake up.

  “I guess we should get ready for work,” he says sullenly.

  I frown and poke out my bottom lip. Leaning in, he gently bites it and then kisses me.

  We get up; my legs feel like Jell-O as I walk slowly to the bathroom. Aiden laughs while I hobble around the house. Sarah and Chris watch me strangely as I shuffle past them to prepare breakfast, and they both smirk at me.

  “It sounded and looks like you guys had a great night?” Chris asks, laughing.

  I sit down, my face reddening. They heard us. How embarrassing.

  “Chris!” Sarah yells, giving him the shut up glare. Aiden grins while I sit there in silence.

  “Oh c’mon, we’re all adults here,” Chris says, making Aiden laugh.

  “I know I had a great night, didn’t you, Sarah?” Chris asks, raising his eyebrows.

  Sarah sighs with a dreamy look on her face. “Yes, my night was great, too,” she says, playing along.

  “My night was… epic,” I say, making Aiden laugh at our private joke.

  “So we heard,” Chris says.

  I hang my head in embarrassment; I can feel my whole body blushing.

  “I’m sure you hear Sarah and I all the time. At least now we’re even,” Chris says jokingly.

  I laugh because he’s right, we do hear them all the time. Aiden rests his hand on my knee.

  “Mike’s probably here,” Aiden says, saving me from further embarrassment.

  “Have a good day, guys,” Sarah calls out as we walk down the hallway.

  “I’m out,” I say, and Aiden smirks at me as we continue to walk out the door, or should I say I hobble to the car. I need to get my muscles working.

  “Hi, Mike,” we both say in unison.

  “Are you alright, Miss Taylor? What have you done to yourself?” Mike asks, making Aiden chuckle. I glare at him.

  “Yeah, pretty sure I’ve pulled a muscle,” I say, trying to cover up the truth.

  “Oh, that’s no good, hope it gets better soon,” he says, opening the back door for us as I get in. I glare at Aiden and he chuckles while Mike walks around and gets into the car.

  “Aiden, why would you laugh when Mike asked if I was alright? That’s really embarrassing; he probably realizes that we were up all night making love. My groin and legs are killing me because of our session last night,” I say to him sternly, feeling embarrassed that Mike would have realized what he was laughing about.

  He looks at me with a smirk all over his face, then he looks directly at Mike in the front seat.

  “Oh, its fine. Mike has his earphones in,” I say.

  Aiden chuckles again.

  “No earphones today, Miss Taylor,” Mike announces from the front seat.

  My body freezes, and I grimace as my face falls in total embarrassment. Oh my God!

  “Why didn’t you say something?” I ask Aiden quietly.

  “You spoke so quickly I couldn’t stop you,” he says with a chuckle. He obviously finds this amusing.

  “It’s not funny.” I turn away from him and fold my arms, trying to hide my smile. I do see the funny side, but I’m still undeniably embarrassed.

  “It’s a little bit funny.”

  “You’re digging a hole, Mr. O’Connell,” Mike’s voice floats back from the front of the car.

  “Yes, you are!” I say, pursing my lips at him and creasing my brows is mock disapproval.

  “Come here.” He pulls me toward him. “I’m sorry, baby,” he says, looking truly proud of himself as his eyes shine brightly, giving me a slightly cocky smirk.

  I shake my head. I can’t help but fall for that cheeky grin he has all over his face. He leans in and kisses my forehead. I sigh, unfold my arms and snuggle into him, and he knows all is forgiven.

  We walk in to the office and Brielle’s at her desk.

  “Hi, guys,” she says.

  “Hey, sis.” Aiden kisses me chastely and walks into his office.

  “Hey, Bree, how are you today?” I ask.

  “Meh, just another day,” she says.

  I turn on my computer and start my day by typing up a report that needs to be signed by Alistair. I walk to his office and knock on the door.

  “Enter,” he says loudly.

  I inhale and open the door stepping into his dimly lit office. The dark furniture, plus the dull lighting makes the room feel ominous and not at all welcoming. He sits there all smug while barely acknowledging me.

  He looks up and sighs. “What?”

  I walk to his desk, feeling slightly nervous as I never know what he will say to me. He watches me intently. He’s glaring, burning holes in the brave front that I am trying to portray.

  “I need your signature so I can send this report to the Anderson’s for finalization,” I say quietly.

  “What the hell is wrong with you? Are you an invalid or something?” he asks sternly.

  I bite my lip and give him a blank stare.

  “Why are you hobbling? I employ only fit and healthy personnel to work for me. If the job is too much, I suggest you leave,” he says with furrowed brows.

  “I’m fine, I pulled a muscle,” I say.

  He stands abruptly. I take a step backwards.

  “You know you need to leave, don’t you?” he asks confusing me again.

  “Why would I want to do that?”

  He moves closer. “Because I’m going to make your life a living hell until you do. I want you to leave now and leave my son.”

  I straighten my shoulders, looking him squarely in the eyes. I’ve had enough of his attitude. “You’ll be waiting an eternity for that to happen,” I say.

  “Don’t you talk to me like that,” he yells, raising his hand like he’s going to slap me.

  I stumble backwards in a panic. My heel tilts on its side, making me fall hard onto the floor, and the file flies across the carpet. I’m taking short, sharp breaths, and my heart is beating a million times a minute as the memory of Jason floods back. He laughs a loud belly laugh as his tall bulky frame leans forward to glare at me on the floor. His look is a dark sinister pool of hatred. Brielle rushes in to see me on the floor. She frowns at her father, who sits down in his chair with an elated smirk on his face while she helps me up.

  “C’mon, Jeni, let’s get you fixed up,” she says. She holds onto me as my hands tremble with the fear of being attacked again while we leave his office.

  “And someone better clean up this mess,” Alistair yells out.

  Brielle walks with me in her arms to the bathroom. Once inside, Brielle holds me at arm’s length.

  “Jeni, what happened in there?” she asks curiously.

  “He raised his hand, and I thought he was going to hit me. I freaked out.”

  “I’m sorry, Jeni, I’m sure he wouldn’t hit you. He probably did it to scare you,” she says, rubbing my back.

  I lo
ok at her, eyebrows raised. “It worked,” I say, feeling slightly disheartened that I let him get to me… again.

  “I think you need to see someone soon about your fears. I will make an appointment for you,” she says, looking at me with kindness as she wraps her arm around my shoulder for support.

  I agree that I need to see someone to help me get past this fear I have of men trying to hurt me.

  “But in the meantime, you need to tell Aiden what’s happening before—”

  “No,” I interrupt. “He doesn’t need to know,” I say, getting nervous that she will tell her brother.

  “Jeni, you know he’ll be pissed if he finds out that Father raised his hand to you, and you didn’t tell him.”

  I shake my head. “No, Bree,” I say sternly as she looks at me creasing her brows and pursing her lips and she exhales through her nose.

  “Promise me you won’t tell him?” I say with slight desperation in my voice as my breathing quickens.

  “I won’t say anything, but I don’t like keeping secrets from my brother,” she says as her eyes look dim, shaking her head slightly.

  “I know, neither do I, but Aiden needs to think that I’m alright. I don’t want him to know that I’m still struggling with the incident. He has enough to worry about without having to be concerned with the fact that I’m not coping well.”

  She sighs and tilts her head. “Why?”

  I can tell she’s confused so I try to explain. “Because then he’ll feel the need to protect me. If he finds out about Alistair taunting me, he’ll lose it. God knows what would happen if that was the case.”

  “I don’t like it,” she says, making her point very clear.

  I stand back and look at myself in the mirror.

  “It’ll be okay,” I say, trying to convince not only Brielle but myself.

  “Are you sure?” Bree asks.

  I exhale and straighten my shirt out. “I’m good now. Thanks, Bree. I don’t know what I’d do without you,” I say, hugging her.

  “I know it’s a lot to ask of you, and I know that it is putting you in a shitty position with Aiden, but I really think it’s for the best that we keep this from him for now. He’s teetering on the edge of leaving the business as it is, and I can’t, no I won’t, come between him and his father. He’s mentioned to me more than once that he wants to leave the family business because of his father’s issues with me. I do appreciate everything you’re doing for me, and I love you for it.”

  She exhales and purses her lips as we return to our desks.

  “Will someone come in and clean this fucking mess up... now,” Alistair yells loudly.

  Brielle rushes in there, saving me from having to go through the torment of seeing Alistair again. Thank God for Bree, she’s a true lifesaver.

  The day continues without another hitch thankfully. At five p.m. Aiden walks out of his office, pulling his jacket over his arms and walks over to me.

  “Are you ready to go, baby?”

  I nod my head, and we walk to the elevator.

  “See you tomorrow, Bree,” I say.

  “Bye, guys,” she calls out and waves briefly.

  As the elevator descends we have a few moments alone. I snuggle into him, and he wraps his arm around me, nuzzling his face into my hair. He kisses the top of my head. I cuddle into him as much as I can. I know I’m safe in the arms of my man.

  CHAPTER 7

  “Let’s take a sick day,” I say out of the blue, trying to find a way out of coming in contact with Alistair.

  “While that does sound very tempting, I have the Anderson’s coming in at two p.m. for a meeting, and my schedule is really full today.” He twirls a piece of my hair around his finger and leans in for a kiss. I sigh, knowing that I’m defeated and that I have to put on a brave face for him.

  “Yeah, I forgot,” I say sullenly.

  “Don’t worry, baby, I’m sure we can take a sick day another day when I’m not so busy.”

  He sits up, bringing me with him and kisses me once more, then stands up, leaving me sulking in bed. He walks to the closet and pulls out a grey suit for him, a skirt and pink ruffled top for me.

  “Do you realize every time you pick my clothes you always pick a skirt?”

  “Yes, I do.It’s for easy access,” he says insinuatingly, raising his eyebrows.

  I shake my head. “There’s that inner perverted old man coming out in you,” I say, making him chuckle.

  “You love it,” he says sarcastically. “Now get dressed.”

  ***

  The elevator doors open to the foyer and Bree is already there working. It makes me wonder what time she actually gets to work in the mornings.

  “Good morning,” Bree calls out.

  “Morning,” we both say as we pass her on our way toward my desk.

  Aiden kisses my cheek then continues to his office.

  “Jeni, I sent you an email with the details of what we were talking about yesterday.”

  “Thanks, I’ll take a look at it now.”

  To: Jenifer Taylor

  From: Brielle O’Connell

  Subject: Counseling.

  Hey, Jeni, I found this place that deals with domestic abuse and how to recover from it. It’s in the next town so no one from here will see you. The web address is below if you want to have a look. The earliest appointment I could get is at lunch time on Friday. I booked the appointment, but if you don’t like the place or are unsure, let me know and I can reschedule for somewhere else. Check it out though:

  www.healingclinic.com

  The doctor you’ll be seeing is Dr. Deanna Lovatt. There is a profile of her on the website. Take a look and let me know what you think.

  Bree xo :-)

  I click on the website and the first thing I read on the home page sounds exactly like me.

  If you’ve gone through a traumatic experience, you may be struggling with unmanageable emotions, scary memories, or a sense of overwhelming danger. You may be feeling numb, disconnected, and find it hard to trust people. When traumatic events happen, it can take some time to get over the initial pain and anguish you feel, but more importantly it may take you a significant amount time to feel safe and secure again. We promise to help you overcome and free your inner torment. Asking for help is not shameful; you shouldn’t feel hopeless or feel alone in your recovery. Help is out there. We CAN and will help you to recover from your past traumatic experiences.

  I continue on to the profile page of Dr. Deanna Lovatt. There’s a picture of her; she’s tall, thin with short grey hair and glasses. She looks like she might be okay. I read her profile.

  Dr. Deanna Lovatt founded the Healing Clinic in 1980 after her marriage became hostile and violent. She realized, after suffering years of torment and abuse from her spouse, that she needed to save herself. She left that relationship and has strived to help those in the same or similar situations as her own. With twelve formal years of training at University she became a Doctor of Psychiatry at the age of forty-three, she specializes in spousal abuse and clinical depression.

  She’s been through this herself. That’s comforting to know. I don’t need to look at anything else, she sounds perfect. I send an email to Bree because I don’t want anyone to overhear, especially Aiden.

  To: Brielle O’Connell

  From: Jenifer Taylor

  Subject: Re: Counseling

  Hey Bree,

  Thanks for looking that place up for me. I think she sounds perfect. Can you still come with me though? I don’t think I can do this alone.

  :-) please …

  Jeni xoxo

  I send the email and continue with my work and then I hear a ping.

  To: Jenifer Taylor

  From: Brielle O’Connell

  Subject: Re: Re: Counseling

  Of course I’ll come with you.

  The appointment is Friday at 12:30 pm. We can leave here at noon, grab a quick bite and then head over there. The appointment is for an hour, so we will
be a little late getting back. Father can deal with that when the time comes.

  Bree xo :-)

  I look over at her, she smiles in understanding, and we both get back to work.

  It's getting close to two, and the Anderson's will be here for their scheduled meeting. It's a relief that they still want to work with Aiden, especially after the mess I made with Mr. Anderson and his son James’ coffee in their initial meeting... I can't imagine Alistair's hate for me if I'd have lost them a client. The elevator chimes and I look up to see the Anderson crew walk in. I notice James who’s smiling so wide I can see all of his perfectly white teeth. He walks straight over to my desk and takes a seat on the edge.

  “Hey, Jeni, I didn’t think you worked here anymore? Although I am glad you’re back. I was disappointed last time I came in and saw that brunette skinny thing sitting at your desk. She’s nowhere near as gorgeous or friendly as you are.”

  I open my eyes wide with shock. Me—gorgeous? I don’t think so. I remember Aiden saying that he thought James had a bit of a crush on me and that he was hoping I was single.

  “Thanks, James, I’m glad to be back, too. The position became vacant not long after I left, so I decided to come back.”

  “So why did you leave in the first place?” he asks.

  I go to open my mouth, but Aiden’s office door swings open. He walks out and notices James sitting on my desk. He walks over, straight up to James.

  “James,” he says, putting out his hand. They shake.

  “Hey, Aiden. It’s good to see you. You’ve made the right decision bringing back Jeni. I never liked that other girl; she was moody and she dressed weird. Not like Jeni who always looks perfect.”

  Aiden stiffens his posture and glares at James who’s still looking at me with a sparkle in his eyes.

  “Tori may have had a weird dress sense but she was a lovely person, and you shouldn’t talk about her like that. She passed away. As for Jeni, you’re right, she’s perfect, but just so you know she has a fiancé who loves her very much,” Aiden says.

  I scowl at Aiden, and he looks away, knowing that he’ll be in trouble for his little pissing contest he’s having with James who doesn’t even know what’s going on.

  “Oh, I never knew that Tori passed away. I’m so sorry to hear that. I’m also sorry to hear that Jeni is taken. Doesn’t mean I can’t admire her from afar though, does it?” he asks, winking at me. He stands up and walks to the boardroom with Aiden staring daggers into his back.