by C. M. Steele
“Why don’t you have a sofa?” Bella asks like any innocent child. I freeze unable to say anything because I want to cry, but I hold back just as Aiden steps in.
“It’s a surprise. She moved in with Uncle Aiden,” he tells her.
“Yay,” she squeals and gives me a big hug. I take her love and soak it up. She’s a darling, and it’s just what I need right now.
“Did the movers pack your clothes?” he asks, bringing my eyes to his.
“They didn’t take it all,” I confess, looking over Bella’s head and keeping up with the lie.
“Let’s organize it and go.” He taps Bella’s head. “Sweetie, please stay right here in the living room while I help Kate.” He locks the front door then takes my hand. “Lead the way.” I take him into my bedroom, and I can feel him tense up.
“I don’t know what happened, Kate, but I’m here for you.” He squeezes my hand, and I fall apart. Tears. This isn’t how I should be handling this.
“I’m sorry, baby. I didn’t mean to make you cry.” He pulls me into his arms and instantly, I know it’s where I belong. “Come on, let’s get you out of here and then we can talk. I don’t want to leave Bella alone out there.”
“You don’t have to help me,” I tell him. As much as I want this man, it’s not his job to be my knight in shining armor.
“I want to help you.” He wants to say more, but he pauses then steps back. “Tell me what you need me to do.”
“I have to pack these, but I don’t know if they left my suitcases.” I open the closet door, and they are there. Damn at least there’s a little luck.
Chapter 3
Aiden
I’m ready to commit murder. Who the fuck does something like this? Then it hits me. “We need to leave.” They may be waiting to come back and get her.
“Why?” she asks in a far-off voice as if she’s lost to her own thoughts
“I don’t trust that they won’t be back. Come on.” I help her faster, refusing to do it neatly so we can get out of here. We’re out of the room in three minutes tops. Bella is sitting by the window looking at the passing cars.
“Are you ready, pretty girl?” Kate asks her, bending down with a smile.
She turns her own sweet smile on my woman and answers, “Of course, Auntie Kate.”
I like the fucking sound of that, but another name hits me even more.
Mrs. Aiden McAvoy.
I want her in my bed without a doubt, but she makes me want more than that. It’s nuts because I’ve known her for less than an hour. And yet none of that matters to me.
How can that even be? Can I push it out of my system? Do I want to?
At first, I saw a sweet woman who not only read to kids, but she even helped out her sick roommate. Now, I see a broken kindhearted woman who needs to be treated right.
We leave the apartment, and I help the ladies then load her two suitcases worth of clothes.
Her phone rings as I close the trunk.
“Hey, Mom. No, I’m okay.” I jump in the front seat and start it up. “I don’t have an account at the moment. I know, but my account was hacked into, and they cleared out all the money in it.” She rolls her eyes. “Yes, I know. I should come back home. I know. Mom, I’ll call you later.”
“What’s going on?” I ask harsher than I should have but hearing that she wants to go home burns in my chest. Not when I just found her.
“She wanted to send me money, but I don’t have a bank account. Then I can go back to Texas.”
“To visit?” I toss out, pretending to be indifferent.
“No, to go back and admit defeat.” She releases a heavy sigh. It’s written all over her that surrendering isn’t something she wants to do.
“Admit defeat? You were swindled. You’re not the first person who’s fallen victim to thieves. And I’m not going to let them get away with it,” I promise. I have connections, and it’s time I used them.
“I’m hungry, Uncle Aiden,” Bella complains from the backseat.
“Do you want to have the pizza delivered?” I offer, knowing she isn’t feeling up to being in public.
“Could we?” she pleads. This woman brings out the protector, the provider in me.
Nodding, I answer softly, “Absolutely, besides I think someone’s a little sleepy.”
“I’m not tired,” Bella yawns out. We smile, and I take Kate’s hand in mine and bring it to my lips, kissing it tenderly before driving off. I know I’m pushing my luck, but if not on the luckiest day of the year, then when?
“What do you do?” she asks as we jump onto the expressway.
“I’m an accountant,” I confess, but I don’t tell her that I own the accounting firm. I handle a lot of the city’s wealthiest clients and businesses. It’s a luxury that has given me more financial security than I can ever dream of.
Her face twists in disbelief. “Accountant? You don’t look like an accountant.”
“Sorry, I left my round glasses at home,” I tease, giving her a crooked smile.
“Ooh, Harry Potter glasses? I love Harry Potter.”
I shrug, only teasing about my glasses being round. Most times they’re just for reading. “I don’t know. I haven’t seen the movies.”
Her mouth widens like I said I liked to strangle puppies or something. “Really? Where have you been?”
I chuckle at her expression. “Sorry, but they’re not my kind of movies.”
“Oh, see now that means we’re not going to work out,” she exclaims, pulling her hand from mine and crossing her arms in a playful huff. “I’m still waiting for my letter to Hogwarts.”
“Well, I hope they get your new address,” I state, loving the way her eyes light up with humor. I could kiss her. Damn, I want to kiss her. I want so much more.
“Oh, they know where to find anyone,” she remarks with a raised brow, holding back a smile.
“So it’s a deal breaker then?” I question, turning onto Lake Shore Drive. My condo isn’t too far now. A part of me can’t wait to get her up there, but I know if I do, I’ll never let her go.
“No really, but I’m addicted. What kind of movies do you like?”
“Action and crime thriller types,” I confess, snatching her hand in mine again.
“Nice. Those work for me too.”
“Good, maybe we can watch a movie when she goes to sleep,” I offer. I hold back the thoughts of what the movie could turn into.
It’s lucky that Bella’s with us. I can’t scare my woman away with my hunger. I can’t even let go of her hand as I drive. What has become of me?
“I’d like that.”
I pull into my underground garage after several more drunk people stroll past us with their green hats, clothes, sunglasses, and green and gold beads.
“They look like they’re having fun.” She sounds almost envious of them.
“They certainly are. Do you like to go out?”
“No, I don’t like that. I’m a book and movie nerd. They just look happy.”
“What do you read?”
“I read lots of genres, but my favorite is the paranormal romance.”
“Really? Vampires or Werewolves?”
“What? How do you know about that?”
“I have a sister who was going through that phase when she came to live with me after my parents died,” I divulge.
“I’m sorry.”
“It’s fine. They died the way they lived. Partying.” I don’t know why I’m revealing so much about my past, but I can’t stop myself. I want her to know me.
“Oh, so you don’t go out?”
“No, I don’t. I have a very clean life except for my food. I love it and eat whatever I want.”
Chapter 4
Kate
He goes around and helps me out of his SUV. Then he picks up Bella from the backseat, carrying her to the elevators, taking my hand again after he enters the floor and a special key.
“Penthouse. Should have figured,” I mutter, f
orgetting my manners.
“What made you so sure I lived in a penthouse?” he questions me, and I feel like an ass.
I have no choice, but to answer honestly. “You are perfect so far, so why not have the best place in the building?”
“Thanks, babe,” he sighs, “Sometimes I want a home, but I never found anyone to make the switch for. Well, at least until now. Sorry, I know I’m being forward as fuck.”
“Bad word, Uncle Aiden,” Bella mumbles, half asleep.
“Sorry, angel,” he apologizes then kisses her cheek.
The elevator doors open to a lovely entranceway. He slides his key in the door, opening it and letting me step in first. I walk through in awe at the sheer size of this condo. “You have a nice place.” It’s been nicely decorated, but it looks comfortable.
“Thank you. My sister did all the decorating. You can put your clothes in the last door on the right,” Aiden grunts out as he sets Bella on the sofa and moving her gently to take off her coat.
“Thanks,” I whisper, smiling at the sight of him being so fatherly. When he looks up at me, I see a hint of embarrassment on his face.
“Do you want me to show you?” he asks, twisting his lips so sexily.
“No, I got it,” I mutter, turning to walk down the hall.
I twist the handle and push the door open. The sunlight beams into the room from a large window as the sun gets closer to setting.
As I step all the way into the room, I know immediately that it’s not a guest bedroom. It’s his room. The size of the bed is enormous, at least a king. I wonder if this is where he wants me to sleep. I don’t know if I can say no. I’m sure he’d let me sleep where I pleased, but damn, I want to sleep with him.
How terrible does that sound? I’m a twenty-year-old virgin struggling to get an education, and he’s a successful man that’s a total hottie with all his ducks in a row.
I leave the suitcases inside the bedroom and step out to see him carry Bella into another room.
“Sorry about the sleeping arrangements, but Bella has her own little bed and her parents share the other one in the room.”
“Oh, so there’s a full bed in there?” I step into that room and see a large bed on the other side of the room from the twin he lays Bella on.
As soon as he covers her up, he turns back to me, cupping my elbow and leading me out of the room. With his steel colored eyes, he growls, “You’re not sleeping in the bed my brother-in-law sleeps in.”
“Oh, so that’s how it is,” I challenge.
He closes the distance as I lean my back against the wall. “Yes, that’s how it is, baby.”
“Where will you be sleeping?”
“In my bed as always.”
“I’m not going to have sex with you yet.”
He cups my face with his firm, warm hand and whispers, “I didn’t say anything like that, Kate. I want to have you close and comfortable in a nice warm bed. And it’s going to be a chilly night.”
I scoff, “Bullshit, but I prefer the right side.”
“That’s fine,” He smirks, knowing he won even if it’s a small victory. “The drinks are in the fridge if you want one. I’m going to order the pizza.”
“Pineapples,” I shout out. A look of horror crosses his face like I betrayed him. He freezes with his mouth wide open. I laugh and add, “I’m just kidding. You look like I just killed your pet.”
Narrowing his eyes, Aiden warns me, “Keep it up and no Harry Potter for you.”
“Keep it up and no pussy for you,” I boldly blurt out, rushing to the kitchen. I barely get past the door before he’s on me. His arms wrap around my waist with my back against his hard chest.
“Fuck, that’s not playing fair,” he whispers in my ear.
“Says the man making me sleep in his bed with him.” I’m breathing heavily.
“It's just sleeping, baby.”
“Do you make it a habit of sharing your bed with women?” I question. Suspicion dripping from every word.
“No, I don’t. I’ve never brought any female besides my family to my condo.”
“Nice to know. Well if you don’t mind, I’m going to get a drink. I’m really thirsty.” I pull out of his arms regrettably and head into the kitchen to hunt for a drink. I grab a bottle of water and come back to see him standing there on the phone placing the order.
He’s so gorgeous that I’m lost in his mere presence. I watch as his gaze roams all over me without a hint of shame. I loved the way he stood there with his hand on his hip and the other with his phone to his ear. Once he ends the call, he slides his phone onto the table and then wags his finger, beckoning me to come closer.
As if he’s magnetic, my body glides over to him until we’re nearly touching. “I’m not sure why I’m here.”
“Because you want to be. Because it’s St. Patrick’s Day. And as they say, it’s the luck of the Irish.”
“You’re just so cute, and I’m homeless. So I’m the lucky one.”
“Uncle…” Bella soft voice utters. Our heads snap to her to see her rubbing her eyes.
He kneels in front of her, hugging her. “You were sleeping. Did we wake you?”
“No, I’m hungry.”
“Okay, the pizza’s coming. Let’s put on the first Harry Potter, eat, and then we can go to bed.”
“Yay,” she shouts, jumping over to the sofa and lays down, leaving us a little bit of room to relax. Aiden takes my hand and leads me over to the chair and sits then tugs me onto his lap.
“Sorry, all the other seats were taken,” he growls against my ear.
“Did you tell her to do that?”
“No, and I’m just kidding, babe. I’m going to get the plates and a drink for that one. You can set up the movie.” He lifts me off his lap and into the chair. Then he hands me the remote and goes into the kitchen.
When he comes back into the room, I have Bella on my lap and the movie ready to start.
Setting down the plates, he narrows his eyes at his cute little niece who stole his spot. “Hit play, pretty lady.”
Aiden winks at me and sits down on the sofa all alone and grumbling to himself.
Chapter 5
Aiden
The pizza and the movie were good, but now we’re ready for bed. Bella fell asleep just after she ate her pizza.
I stand up and stretch my body, grunting in the process. The movie was good, but my mind stayed on Kate. “I’m going to put her back in bed. Are you ready?”
“Yes, I am,” Kate yawns, stretching her arms out.
“I’ll be back to clean up. You can head to the bedroom if you’d like.”
“I’ll give you a hand,” she states, standing up and closing up the pizza box.
“No, you relax.” I wave my hand at her to sit.
She rolls her eyes at me and waves me off. “Just take her to bed. It’s getting late, and I’m sure you have to work in the morning.”
“I do, but I’m going to work from home tomorrow.”
“Can you just do that?”
“Yes, I can.” I smile at her once more before scooping up Bella and taking her to her bedroom. Shit, I’m going to have to move into a bigger home soon. That’s going to be a nice change.
“Goodnight, sweet pea,” I whispered into my niece’s ear, tucking her in for the night.
“I can’t wait to have cousins,” she says with a sleepy smile.
“Me either, kiddo.” Kissing her forehead, I say, “Goodnight,” and head out of the room with just the nightlight on.
When I return to the living room, Kate has cleaned off the coffee table and turned off the television. I hear the sink running, so I head over to lend her a hand and carry off my beauty to bed.
My body aches to possess her, but I know it’s probably not the right time. We just met, and she’s not that kind of girl. Hell, I’m not that kind of guy, but with her, I can’t shake this primal urge to start claiming her.
“Doing dishes?” I ask, stepping up nex
t to her to dry them. The scene to anyone else would be a domesticated couple, but this is the first of our nights together.
“Sorry, I couldn’t help myself. I’m a bit of a neat freak.”
“That’s fine. I just don’t want you worrying about anything. You’ve had one hell of a day. Speaking of…we need to report it to the police.”
“I know, but I just wanted to forget about it for the day. After all, it wasn’t like they would find those bastards. She and her boyfriend must have had it all planned out for a long time.”
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to upset you.”
“I’ll call while you’re working and call my job too.”
“Where do you work?”
“I work at Presence St. Joseph in their laundry department part-time while I’m in school.”
“Wow, that’s a lot of work and travel, isn’t it?”
“It is, but I didn’t want to be dependent on my parents. They have plans for me, and it includes marrying the man they have picked out.”
A burning rage in my chest dominates my soul, and I know I can’t let that happen. She’s mine. I knew that from the second our eyes met. No one and I mean no one is going to take her from me.
“The hell they do. That’s not happening.” Fuck, talk about pure luck. If I didn’t meet her today, I might have never crossed her path.
She hands me the last cup to dry her face full of mirth. “Why? What are you going to do tie me to the bed and keep me locked up?”
“No, I’m going to part those creamy thighs of yours and slide my way deep inside, making both of us come and leave my son or daughter in your womb.”
Her hands come to her hips, ready to kick up a fuss, then challenges me, “Do you know how barbaric you sound?”
I grab her wrists, pulling them behind her back, and closing only one hand around both. My free hand skims up her arm to her cheek, slowly, deliberately, touching her until she feels my intensity. “Hearing that there’s a husband-to-be waiting for you back home has made me a tad bit barbaric.”
“I didn’t say I was…” she moans, tilting her head revealing her slender neck to my fingers, but I want to taste her skin.
“That’s good because I’m not going to let you just disappear like a dream.”
