by K E Osborn
“Last night was… amazing,” he says, making me laugh at his use of our word.
“Tell me about it. C’mon, we’d better get a move on. The new furniture will be here soon,” I say, rushing to the shower. Aiden laughs following me to the en-suite.
We get out of the shower, finish getting dressed, and I hear the doorbell ring.
“How would you feel about asking Mom to move into the guesthouse? I’ll be happier knowing she's closer to us.” Aiden asks me on our way down stairs.
“I think that’s a perfect idea,” I say, opening the door to see Mike and Callie standing there.
“Speak of the devil,” I say. Callie looks at me confused.
“Come in, Mike and Mom,” I say as they walk in and sit down at the breakfast bar.
“So, talking about us were you?” Mike asks jokingly.
“Actually, just Mom. I have a proposition for you,” Aiden says formally. “Mom, how would you feel about moving into the guesthouse? It would make me feel better knowing you’re closer to us, plus it would be great having you around. It’s entirely up to you, of course, whatever you’re comfortable with,” Aiden says.
“Really?” she asks, her eyes widen as she blinks rapidly.
I laugh at her expression. “Yes, we would love for you to move in there. Think of it as your own home,” I say, making Aiden grin at me.
She looks around like she’s in deep thought. “Okay,” she says, bewildered.
“Okay you’ll move into the guesthouse?” Aiden asks curiously.
“Yes, I’ll move in, thank you. This means so much to me Aiden. I do have a question though. Mike and I have practically been living together anyway; I just didn’t want to tell you in case you felt it was too soon. So would it be alright if Mike moved in with me, too? 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 says as she starts to blush. Mike looks at Aiden with hope in his eyes. I can see he would love to officially move in with Callie. I look at Aiden who is smirking at Mike and Callie’s unease.
“Aiden,” I say sternly. Aiden chuckles and slaps Mike on the arm.
“Mike, if you want to move in with my mother then you’re more than welcome to,” Aiden says.
“There’s nothing I would love more than to live with Callie. I have wasted so many years without her. I want her with me as often as I can. Thank you, Aiden, you don’t know what this means to us,” Mike says, wrapping his arms around Callie, kissing her cheek. Callie giggles like a little school girl, which makes my insides melt. I’m so excited that Mike and Callie have each other. Aiden pulls Mike in for a hug.
“Thank you again.This is extremely generous of you both,” he says.
CHAPTER 16
“I wish we didn’t have to go back to O’Connell Finance today. I really don’t want to spoil my good mood with having to see Father,” Aiden says.
“Me too, but we only have to pack up our stuff, and then we can start planning your new business,” I say, slapping him on the chest. “Now get up and get dressed.”
“Our new business,” he says. I 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?”
“Loving it,” he says, eventually getting up and dressed.
We have breakfast and walk to the door to greet Mike.
“Good morning, Mike, how was the new house?” I ask curiously.
“Oh, it is wonderful, Miss Taylor, thank you,” he says, opening the back door of the car. Aiden and I slide in.
We arrive at O’Connell Finance and the elevator doors open. I note that Brielle is standing at her desk.
“Oh my God, I miss you guys! Can you come back now? Oh and happy new home day,” 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 to, Bree,” I say.
“Tonight it is then.”
“How about I invite Blair, Ben, Chris, Sarah, our moms and Mike? It can be like a mini housewarming?” I ask Aiden, who nods his head in agreement.
Aiden kisses me on the cheek and walks to his old office to pack up his things.
“Okay, so let’s get inviting,” I say.
We set about inviting everyone. Then I wonder about whether I should invite Alistair or not. I prefer the latter but I better ask Aiden, as this not only affects me but his mom as well. I walk to his old office and knock on the door.
“Come in.”
I open the door and close it behind me; Aiden looks up and gives me that loving smile.
“Hey, baby, what’s up? Are you alright?” he asks. I walk around his desk and sit on his lap as he saves some files to his flash drive.
“Everything’s perfect. I’m so happy. I don’t think anything could ruin the good mood I’m in,” I say to him honestly.
“I’m glad to hear it. I know what you mean. I’m so happy with you, our new home, and starting our new business. Everything is perfect,” he says, nuzzling into my neck.
“I do have a question for you though?”
“Mmm.”
“Do you want me to invite your father tonight?”
“Fuck, no. Mom will be there, and I don’t want it to feel awkward. Plus, I can’t stand the sight of him right now.”
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 fiancé. 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 into Aiden’s office without knocking and shut the door behind me; he looks up a little startled.
“Hi,” he says curiously.
I walk over to his desk, and he raises an eyebrow.
“It’s a little sad that they’ll be my last flower delivery here, but thank you, I love them as always,” I say. He turns in his chair so that he’s facing me, then stands up 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 have. Maybe you should show, one last time,” I say insinuatingly.
He smirks and kisses me again. He walks me backwards until my knees hit the sofa, and I fall back onto the plush cushions. Aiden falls with me and moves his weight on top of me. I wrap my arms around his back, pulling him closer while he kisses me feverishly.
I feel his erection growing against me. I move my hand to his ass and pull him closer. He inhales at my touch and moves his lips to kiss my neck. Moving his hands to skim the bottom of my skirt, he lifts it up around my waist. I move my hand down to undo his belt and zipper. He kisses me passionately and then moves his hand down there and slowly tugs at my underwear, pulling it to the side. I feel such want and lust in this moment. He positions himself over me and quickly thrusts himself inside. I moan quietly as he continues to kiss me. He moves his hips round and down quickly. We both know we could get caught at any second, and it adds to the excitement. I hold onto his back with one hand, and my other is in his hair while he pushes inside me. I try my hardest to be quiet, but as always the pleasure builds while he thrusts deeply into me.
He muffles my moans by continuing our kiss while he continues his thrusts. I wrap my legs tightly around him. He’s in so deep that my entire body tingles with pleasure. I feel the heat in my core rise suddenly. He starts to moan quietly, and I know he’s right on the edge with me. I clench my core muscles as I climax, sending him over the edge. Kissing me forcefully, he unloads inside me. His breathing is erratic as is mine, and we both fall from the epic high of being entwined with each other.
He lays on top of me for a minute or so and kisses me pas
sionately. He slowly pulls out of me, then stands up and leans down to kiss me again. Buttoning up his pants, he straightens his shirt. I stand up and straighten myself out. I tussle his hair as it got a little disheveled. He fiddles with my hair, making it look a lot less like post sex hair, and then he hugs me tightly.
I kiss him once more and then wipe the lip gloss from his mouth.
“Presentable?” he asks me.
“Yep, me?” I ask.
“You, Miss Taylor, are perfect. I’ll miss our hot office sex. I love smelling you on me for the entire day. I think I’ll have to have a separate section in my new office with a bedroom and en-suite so we can have hot office sex all the time.”
I laugh and raise my eyebrows. “Don’t tempt me,” I say while he walks back over to his desk. He grins mischievously, and I blow him a kiss. I walk to the bathroom to try to clear my head and clean up. I comb my hair with my fingers and wash my arms to try to cool myself down. I finally finish adjusting myself and leave the bathroom. I forgot in my distracted mind that Alistair could be waiting to pounce on me. And as soon as I open the bathroom door he’s there.
Alistair glares at me with such a disgusted and appalled smirk on his face that I start to feel ashamed of myself for having sex with Aiden in his office. As I try to walk past him, he laughs manically. The sound makes me shudder. “Well, well, well, got ourselves a nice new house, did we? I heard that you’re having a housewarming tonight?” he asks softly.
I raise my eyebrows in answer.
“I hope you’re happy, because I know Aiden won’t be when he realizes what a gigantic mistake he’s made with you. He’ll see through the batting eyelids and your persuasive ways, you gold digging whore. I know you, I know your kind—you’re just like Callie—only after one thing, but you won’t get it. You won’t get his money. Not if I have anything to do with it. You will sign a pre-nup that makes sure you get nothing. Do you understand me, girlie?” Every word he spits is like venom at me, so I frown in disgust. But this time I’m not afraid. If anything, I’m relieved that he no longer has a hold over me. I smile at him, and he furrows his brows.
“You’ve had your say, and now it’s my turn to talk.”
“Excuse me?”
“I’m talking now, Alistair, not you, so you’d better shut up and listen. I’ve tried being nice to you, but you don’t play fair. Well, guess what? I’m done trying to be civil seeing as you’re incapable of returning the gesture. Aiden loves me and I love him, and nothing you say or do will tear us apart. I’m here forever, so like it or leave it—I will not put up with your intolerable bullshit anymore. So keep pushing my buttons, and you’ll see what I’m really capable of. Go on. I dare you!” I say quietly into his face, staring him directly at him.
His brow furrows and his nostrils flare. “You can’t talk to me like that; remember about your little friend in St. Luke’s?”
I lean in close. “Do it then,” I say, staring him directly in the eyes. He stares right back, but I’m not giving in. I continue until he finally admits defeat and looks away.
“When did you grow a back bone?” he asks.
“I always had one, I just didn’t realize I could use it,” I say and walk off.
“Stupid bitch, you’re nothing but a money hungry wench, and you know it,” Alistair says. Aiden appears out of nowhere and looks at his father with rage.
“For God’s sake, Father, will you shut the fuck up? Jeni, baby, go wait for me in the office,” he says.
“No way. Thanks for standing up for me, Aiden, but I got this.”
Aiden looks at me with one eyebrow raised.
“Alistair, you have no power over me; therefore, any of your ridiculous threats and abusive words don’t mean a thing. I tried to be nice, for Aiden’s sake, but I won’t put up with this crap from you anymore. I’m a better person than you will ever be. For once in your life, shut your stupid fucking mouth and act like a normal human being. You act all high and mighty, but really you’re nothing but a lonely old man, which is your own fault. I’m taking control over my life, and for once it doesn’t include you belittling and abusing me. I won’t let you do it to me anymore. Your playtime is over, so stop acting like a child and grow up! Oh, and one more thing, Alistair, go fuck yourself, you arrogant prick.” I shrug and walk away, leaving Aiden and his Father standing there with shock written all over their faces.
Oh my God! That felt so damn good. I can’t believe I had the guts to say that to him, but I feel so amazing that I skip back toward the office and Brielle notices.
“Someone’s in a good mood today,” she says, laughing at me skipping like a teenager.
“Can’t help it. I feel good, life’s good, and I just told your father to go fuck himself,” I say, standing by her desk.
“You stood up to Father?” she asks with a surprised grin on her face.
“Sure did and I feel G.R.E.A.T.—Great!”
“Wow, who are you and what have you done with the Jeni from last week? Don’t get me wrong though, I love new Jeni. Well, technically she is the old Jeni. Oh crap, you know what I mean. It’s nice to have you back to your cheery self,” she says.
We watch Alistair walk back into his office. He turns, scowls at me, and then slams his door. I bite my bottom lip to keep from grinning at him. I don’t want to antagonize him, but shit it felt good.
Aiden walks over to me, smiling so brightly it makes me melt.
“That was amazing,” he says, pulling me to him, wrapping his arms around my waist.
“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have been so rude to him, but he really pissed me off.”
“No, baby, what you said was perfect. I couldn’t have said it better myself. I’m so in awe of you and how strong you have become. You’re back to the old Jeni—the one who called me a moron for crashing into her car. I’m undeniably proud of you for standing up to him. I have to admit, it was pretty damn hot to see you worked up like that,” he says, leaning in and kissing me softly.
“Urgh, get a room,” Brielle yells out, making us part lips and chuckle. Aiden quickly pecks my nose, and then walks back into his old office to finish packing.
CHAPTER 17
I start getting everything ready for our impromptu house warming party while Aiden places the drinks in the outside bar fridge. The doorbell chimes, and we walk to the door to greet Blair and Benjamin who are standing with a bottle of Moët & Chandon champagne.
“Happy housewarming, big brother,” Blair says chirpily.
“Wow, this place is really cool,” Benjamin says, walking through and giving me a hug.
“Thanks. We think so, too,” I say.
We walk to the deck and the boys sit down.
“Drink anyone?” Aiden asks.
The doorbell rings again, and I deal with it while Aiden tends to the drinks.
I open the door to see Bree and Adam.
“Oh. My. God,” Bree says, and I laugh at her.
“Well done, sis. This place is fantastic.”
“I know, I absolutely love it.”
Soon after, Callie, Mike, my mother, Sarah, and Chris arrive.
“This is beautiful, Jeni, it looks great from the outside,” Mom says.
“Well, let’s show you the inside, it’s even better,” I say as they walk in.
“Head through the kitchen to the deck, everyone is out there,” I say, pointing the way.
“What do you think, Sarah?” I ask.
“All I can say is holy fucking crap stick. You did good.”
“Welcome to our home everyone,” I say.
They raise their glasses, and then take a sip.
“I guess I’d better get the meat ready for the barbeque?” I ask Aiden.
“Shouldn’t he be getting his meat ready for you, Jeni?” Sarah asks jokingly.
I prepare everything and then finally sit down to have a well-deserved glass of champagne.
“This place really is amazing, Jeni, you scored well with Aiden, didn’t you?” Sa
rah asks, making Mom and Callie laugh.
“I think Aiden scored well to get, Jeni, personally,” Callie says.
“Thanks, Mom.”
The boys are at the barbeque pit, drinking beer and joking while Blair does a comedy reenactment of Hamlet. I have no idea why, but it’s very entertaining.
We eat, drink, and unwind from the day. I see Mike and Callie sitting on their own, while the rest of us have moved by the pool where Tiki torches light the surroundings. I watch as Mike sneaks in a sly kiss. Aiden rests his head on my shoulder while I sit on his lap. The doorbell rings, and I look at Aiden with raised eyebrows.
“Did you invite anyone else?” he asks me. I shake my head.
“No, I have no idea who it could be,” I say, standing up. We both excuse ourselves and walk to the front door. Aiden opens it, and Alistair is standing there with a bottle of Macallan whisky in his hand.
“Happy house warming,” he says, reaching forward to shake Aiden’s hand. Aiden looks down at his hand and grunts.
“Aren’t you going to invite me in?” he asks.
“Fuck no,” Aiden says, but Alistair comes barging through anyway, looking around as he makes his way out to the deck. The first thing he notices is Mike and Callie who are holding hands and gazing at each other with affection. I look at Aiden who is watching his father. Alistair’s face contorts with full on rage.
“Well, it didn’t take you long did it, Callie,” Alistair screams out, immediately gaining everyone’s attention. Callie turns around, and Mike lets go of her hand.
“So you’re all here celebrating without me? Callie, what are you doing with Mike? You know he’s just the help. He’s worthless, something Jeni knows all about.”
“Now just a minute, Alistair, don’t you talk about my daughter like that. Remember we had this conversation once before? Look where you are now,” Mom says, standing up, walking toward him.
“And don’t you think for one second that Mike is beneath you. You’re not even half the man he is,” Callie calls out, defending Mike.
