by Wade, Maddie
He was leaning against the counter, drinking a beer from the can as she prepared dinner and watching her through his long lashes with a sexy intensity that made her blood zing. He pushed off the counter and placed his can on the side as he prowled toward her. Stopping so he pressed his front to her side. It wasn’t overtly sexual, but her body thought it was.
She noticed the way his shirt sleeves, rolled up his forearms, showcased the muscles, and that damn watch was sexy too, making his hands look big and capable. The heat from his body enveloped her, surrounding her with warmth and his scent, which it was well known she loved enough to try and steal, soothed a place in her she thought would never heal.
“I was just thinking about things.” She tried to evade not wanting to get into that hornets’ nest right now with her son a few feet away.
“What kind of things?”
Willow threw her hand up, waving the knife around. “Just things. What I’m going to do for a job when I get home. How I need to call your parents and tell them where I am. Things.”
Aiden frowned as he gently took the knife from her hand and placed it on the counter before hooking a lock of her hair and curling it around his finger. “OK, I’ll let you have that for now.”
He knew she was lying, he always had. Aiden wasn’t some guy she’d just met, he was her Aiden, one of her best friends until Aaron’s death had blown their lives to smithereens with the loss of somebody they’d both loved so much. Grief and regret had taken so much from them, and it was crushing her. She ached to be happy, to laugh and smile and feel again, and not just once a year when Aiden visited her and she lost herself in his body.
Willow looked down at the array of chopped peppers and closed her eyes, taking a second to compose herself. Looking up, she found Aiden watching her with pursed lips. Concern etched around the lines of his eyes and she hated that she’d been the one to put that look there. “I do have things on my mind, but I’m not ready to share just yet.”
He cupped her cheek, his thumb sweeping over her jaw as concern mottled his handsome brow. “Is it about us?”
“No, how I feel about you, and us, is the only thing I do know right now.” She covered his hand with her own and turned her face into his palm, kissing the work-roughened skin.
“Good, anything else we can deal with when you’re ready.”
He pulled her into his arms and held her against him as she listened to his heart beat steadily against her ear. She prayed to a God she no longer believed in that they could deal with it.
“Why are you hugging Mommy?”
Willow pulled out of Aiden’s arms, and he let her go as they both looked down at AJ.
Aiden crouched down on the balls of his feet. “Well, everyone needs a hug sometimes.”
“I need a hug!” AJ held his arms out to Aiden and Willow felt an ache in her chest at the beauty between them, the bond they’d formed from nothing to one so stunning and unique, it made her have hope at a time when her life was falling apart.
“Well, luckily I have an unending supply of free hugs, so come and get it.” Aiden held open his arms, and AJ threw his little body at him. Aiden stood, holding on tight to AJ and with one arm scooped her into their little melee. “See, plenty to go around.”
AJ laughed with delight and tried to wrap his arms around each of them, nearly strangling her in the process.
“Okay, why don’t you two go and give me some peace and I can get on with dinner?”
Aiden beamed at her, and she smiled back, the worry pushed to the back of her mind where it belonged for now.
They ate a nice dinner of fajitas which AJ managed to get over most of his top, the conversation about dinosaurs and why TV was different there, the main topic of discussion.
Willow loved to see her son engaged and really holding court as the two adults indulged him. It felt good to be part of a unit again. Raising a child alone was hard; never getting a second to herself or being off the clock. She’d never change it, but that didn’t make it any easier. She briefly wondered what it would be like to have this forever, to build a life, a future with Aiden. Willow knew she was getting ahead of herself, so she smiled and got up, taking the plates to the sink.
“Leave those. I’ll sort them later.”
Willow laughed as Aiden placed a hand over hers to stop her. “Tell me again why some woman hasn’t snapped you up?”
Aiden rubbed his nose against hers playfully, and her breath caught, at the intimacy. “I can run really fast.”
“I can run fast, wanna see?”
“I would love to, but how about we do that tomorrow? It’s almost time for bed, and you have to be tired.”
AJ shook his head and stifled the yawn. “Nope.”
She and Aiden laughed, sharing a look.
“Why don’t I call the parentals while you sort The Flash out?”
Willow chuckled. “Good plan.”
Aiden offering to call his parents and give them a heads up about the situation with her and AJ while she bathed her son was a weight off her mind. It was an offer Willow gladly accepted, knowing that there’d be questions coming that she wasn’t ready for. Like why she didn’t go to them for help.
When she’d finally put her exhausted son to bed with the promise of a play date with the gorgeous Maggie soon, she made her way back to the living area. Aiden was sitting with his feet up on the coffee table, his phone pressed to his ear, a smile on his face. He held up his arm to her, and she scooted in next to him, loving the comfort and warmth that snaked into her heart at the simple gesture.
“Yes, Mom. I’ll have Willow call you tomorrow.”
He paused with a smile and looked down at her as she turned into him and began walking her fingers over his chest. Aiden frowned in warning as her hand moved lower and she felt the devil in her come out to play.
“Yeah, Mom I love you, too. Tell Dad not to overdo it.”
Willow could hear Amy Wagner on the other end of the phone and smiled as Aiden nodded, trying to get his mother off the phone. When her hand slid toward the top of his sweatpants, he grabbed her wrist and held her still with a low growl.
“Yeah, Mom, gotta go. I have a pipe about to burst.” Aiden hung up and tossed his phone on the couch beside him as she giggled.
“A burst pipe? Is that what you’re hiding down there?”
Aiden moved fast, rolling her on to her back on the couch, his weight resting on top of her. He pressed the ridge of his erection against her core, and she moaned, her hands gripping his shoulders as he turned the tables on her. “That was mean.”
Willow looked into the clear blue eyes that held a sparkle of grey, stroked the stubble on the square jaw, and grinned at him. “Technically, I didn’t actually do anything.”
Aiden nuzzled her neck. “Only because I stopped you. It was still naughty.”
Willow felt her pulse accelerate with excitement. “However will you punish me?”
Aiden groaned, and she liked this sexy, playful side of him, but she wanted to know what was said at the meeting with his team before this went any further, and she couldn’t pull herself away from him. “What did your team say?”
Aiden stopped his lips on her neck and pulled away to look at her. “We doing this now?”
“I think we should, before either of us can’t remember our own name.”
“I already can’t remember my name. You scramble my thoughts, Wills.”
Willow cocked her head. “In a good way?”
Aiden sat up and pulled her feet onto his lap, his hands kneading the arch of her foot. She tried to avert her eyes from the impressive erection his sweatpants were doing nothing to hide and failed. A blush stole over her cheeks when he caught her looking.
“In the best way.”
“Good, because that’s how you make me feel too.” She wanted to add that he always had but knew it would be opening a can of worms she wasn’t ready to discuss.
She felt a shudder run through his body and wanted to ease
his anxiety about them, but there was no way she could, because like it or not their future was uncertain. There might be love between them, but love didn’t always conquer all, God knew she knew that better than anyone.
“Jack hasn’t got anyone spare for a few weeks. We have this big tour that HRH is planning for Europe starting in October and it’s a massive security headache with the world the way it is. Once Liam has finished writing up his risk reports, and Deck has done the assessments on all of the people likely to be in close contact with the Queen, they’re free to help us out for a bit. Jack proposed that we, meaning me and Lopez, investigate from here until we can head back to Kentucky and look into the trucking yard. Liam will go in undercover as Ralph and Jerry both know me.”
“Is it safe for us to go back?” Part of her wanted him to say no, that she and AJ should move to the UK, but she knew he wouldn’t do that. He had no idea how she felt and would never presume to uproot her life.
“It will be. Deck and Liam will be with us, and I won’t leave you alone, I promise.” He looked her in the eye. “You and AJ are my priority. It took me a while to see it, but I should’ve never left you alone. Aaron would kick my ass for it, or at least he’d try.”
“I forgot how competitive you two were.”
Aiden grinned at her as he turned to face her, cocking his leg onto the couch. “From the minute we were born. We competed for everything, not in a horrible, hateful way, but I guess we were always testing each other. Pushing that alpha thing to see who would come out on top. Sometimes it was me and other times, Aaron.”
“Do you remember that time he bet you he could eat more jalapeno chicken wings?”
Aiden began to chuckle, throwing his head back, so the sexy column of his neck was exposed. “Oh, my God, I totally forgot about that.”
“I didn’t. I thought you were both going to puke.”
“I can’t believe we both ate the same amount before we called it quits.”
“Yeah, you two were ridiculously similar.”
“We both have the same scar from an operation when we were five. Aaron started feeling sick at school, and Mom rushed him to the doctor, who said he had appendicitis. An hour later, the school called because I became sick. We had beds next to each other on the paediatric ward. Then there was the time we went carolling with the school to the old folks’ homes. It was so damn hot, and we had winter coats on. I fainted, and as Aaron saw me go, he fainted too.”
“Your poor mother. How is she not grey already?”
“A good hairdresser would be my guess.”
“Hey.” She dug him gently in the ribs with her toe, and he grabbed it and began to tickle her. Before she knew it, she was on her back as Aiden tortured her with his fingers, and she begged for mercy. They were both out of breath, laughing, when the doorbell rang.
Aiden looked up, and Willow froze. “You expecting someone?”
He shook his head. “No, but it could be Bebe. She just got back from a job. She normally comes over when she’s done, and we share a pizza and beer.”
“Oh, okay.” Willow began to scoot out from under him as he leapt to his feet and dropped a kiss on her upturned lips.
“Green suits you, Wills.”
“Shut up.” Willow threw a pillow at him as he sauntered to the door, checking the peephole before opening it wide to a stunningly beautiful woman.
Willow instantly felt jealousy burn hot and bitter in her belly as the woman reached up and hugged Aiden. It didn’t help that she was wearing leggings and a plain pink t-shirt with no make-up. Patting her hair down, she tried to make herself a little more presentable as Aiden led the vision towards her.
She had perfect golden-brown skin, with dark mahogany hair that was thick and fell in waves down her back, curves to die for, and long-lashed eyes that were so dark they were almost black.
“Hi, I’m Bebe. It’s nice to meet you.”
The woman sat down next to her with a smile that had probably launched a thousand ships. She was even more gorgeous up close than from afar, with perfect flawless skin.
Aiden sat down closest to Willow and threaded his fingers through hers in a show of support she appreciated.
“I’m Willow. It’s nice to meet you, too, Bebe.”
“So, Waggs has been pretty tight-lipped. While he makes us a drink, tell me everything.”
Aiden rolled his eyes but got up to do as he was told. “You want anything, Wills?”
Willow shook her head. “No, thanks.”
As soon as he was out of earshot, Bebe grabbed her hands and Willow went stock still.
“Oh my God, do you know how big this is? I’ve known Waggs for three years and I’ve never seen him with a woman. Tell me everything quick, before he comes back.”
Willow was finding it hard to stay aloof in the face of such enthusiasm, and it had been so long since she’d had anyone to talk to. “Not much to say. I was engaged to his brother. I needed help, and Aiden is helping me.”
“Pfft.” Bebe waved her hand. “Bullshit. You being engaged to his brother is history, not what’s happening right now, and if the sparks coming off you two is any indication, then that man is hot for you.”
Willow felt heat fill her cheeks and pulled her hands away to pat the offending skin with her cooler hands. “It’s complicated.”
“Tell me this, do you feel it?”
“Yes.”
“Then go for it. Not many people get a second chance at something important.”
Willow laughed. “You do realise we just met five minutes ago?”
Bebe snorted, making her seem more approachable and human, and Willow realised she liked the straight-talking beauty.
“I don’t believe in beating around the bush. Life is way too short for that shit.”
“Well, that’s true.”
Aiden came back with drinks, and the conversation turned to AJ and her troubles. That night she ended with a long goodnight kiss from the man who filled the empty parts of her heart and soul, and the promise of things to come.
Chapter 9
The weather was dry and balmy for the last week in May and perfect for a day relaxing in beautiful surroundings with people who had filled his life with colour and joy over the previous two weeks. Living with AJ and Willow had been an adjustment but one he’d embraced and now, he couldn’t imagine his life in the quiet, lifeless home he’d previously had.
He and Lopez had uncovered the basics—it mostly involved Ralph and blue-collar fraud. No signs of human trafficking or drugs but people were becoming ever savvier these days and keeping things off any kind of digital device that could be tracked. What he needed was to be close, to investigate and stir things up and see what floated.
Eastnor Castle looked magnificent as he parked beside Mitch and Autumn, Liam and Taamira, and Reid and Callie. Chillifest was something most of the team enjoyed with the chance to sample new foods an added benefit. Live music on the lawn in the evening and a plethora of foods and beer tents selling homemade craft produce. Plus, there were kids’ activities going on all day to keep little ones happy.
“Wow, this is beautiful.” Waggs could hardly keep his eyes off Willow. In the last few weeks, they’d grown closer. The heat that was a constant simmer between them was always ready to burst into flame at the slightest touch. He wanted her but he was enjoying the anticipation. How they had managed to keep themselves from having sex was a miracle. A three foot miracle to be exact, who was the best cockblocker in the world.
Waggs couldn’t regret it though, he loved that boy like a son and slowing things down with Willow felt good. They had a better chance if they didn’t build a foundation on sex. That wouldn’t be an issue, between the sheets there was no disputing they burned like lava. Out of it, they were learning to become more than friends, and for him not to hide how he felt was becoming easier. He still felt self-conscious but being in the UK was different. His friends had never known Aaron so they couldn’t compare.
“You’
re beautiful.”
Willow gave him a cute smile that made his heart beat faster, and his jeans feel tighter in the front. “Stop.”
“Stop what?” he asked innocently.
“Making me blush.”
Waggs turned in his seat to AJ, who was looking at the castle in awe. “Isn’t Mommy beautiful, AJ?”
“Like a princess.”
Waggs winked at Willow and dropped a kiss to her upturned lips, the drive to keep kissing her strong, but he knew they had an audience behind them. He pulled away, gripping her chin, so she was looking at him, her eyes dilated, lips plump and soft. “A beautiful princess.”
He alighted from the car and walked around to help AJ out. “You need to keep hold of mine or Mommy’s hand, or you’ll get lost, okay?”
AJ nodded and held tight to his hand. “Can we get ice cream?”
“Sure, but how about we have a walk around first and see if we can see any princesses?”
“Yes.”
AJ jumped up and down, and his excitement was contagious. It was perverse to think it as he was holding her hand and had just had his mouth on Willow, but he wished his brother was here. The lonely ache of missing him never went away, he’d always feel like something was missing but these last two weeks the pain of grief that still hit him when he thought of Aaron had eased, becoming something different.
With the guys around them wandering off in different directions, they all agreed to meet up in an hour near to the beer tent. They moved through the old building, and he pointed out things he thought Willow and AJ would find interesting. AJ was filling in the clues on the sheet of paper he’d picked up at the gate. If he found all ten, he’d win a chocolate soldier.
The walk around the large lake was his favourite, he loved being outdoors, and as he slipped his hand in Willow’s, it felt natural for her to be here with him.
“Do you ever miss the US?”
Her question caught him off guard, but he tilted his head, giving himself a moment to consider it. “Sometimes. I miss my family and the people I grew up with, but those are also the reasons I couldn’t stay.”