by K E Osborn
The original suspect, Mr. Aiden O’Connell, the son of the owner, was set free after being falsely accused and imprisoned for the crime.
This is Rhonda Chimes reporting for Fox News.
I decide not to say anything as I rest my head back on the cushions, enjoying being pampered. There’s no way I want to interrupt this, but I’m completely and utterly relieved that Aiden’s here with me and not rotting away in some jail cell.
“Time to cook dinner,” Aiden announces out of the blue, disturbing me from my relaxed state. His avoidance of the issue at hand has me wondering if he’s doing okay, but I’ll play along for now.
“What do you feel like?” I take my tired feet off his lap to get up.
“No, you lie there and relax. I’ll cook for us tonight.”
Maybe he needs the distraction?
“Sounds good to me.” I sprawl out on the sofa as he makes his way to the kitchen. I close my eyes trying not to let the weight of our situation topple me. Instead, I relax back, letting my mind drift off.
Next thing I know, Aiden is gently kissing me on the lips. “Dinner’s ready.”
Opening and closing my eyes a few times, I slowly sit up on the sofa as he heads back toward the kitchen. Yawning, I stand, then walk into the dining area where I see a vase of flowers on the table. I must have been really out of it for him to prepare all this while I was napping!
“And, what are these for?” I ask as he brings in our plates of food.
“When I was… away, I missed a few deliveries, so you get a make-up bunch.”
I can’t help but smile. “They’re beautiful, thank you. The food smells great, and this looks amazing.”
He smiles as he pours us both a glass of wine, and we eat together in a comfortable ease. Maybe life can get back to some version of normal between us.
“That was delicious,” I admit. I never knew he was such a good cook.
He smiles. “Thanks.”
“You should cook every night.”
“I can if you want me to. Honestly, I don’t mind.”
“Are you saying that because my cooking sucks?” I cock my head to the side.
“Ahh, no. Maybe… well, yeah,” he murmurs with a grin. “You do use the smoke detector as a guide when you’re cooking steak.”
“Shut up! It’s not that bad.” I laugh.
“Isn’t it, though?” he mocks, and we both laugh.
We finish our wine and head to the living room. I sink into the sofa, and he starts to massage my feet again while he’s channel surfing.
Suddenly, my phone rings, startling me. I jump up and race to the bedroom. Ruffling through my bag, I eventually find my cell and without checking, I answer, “Hello?”
“Hey, Jeni. Just checking in. How are things?” Sarah chimes down the line.
“Hey, Sez. Good. Real good. Went back to work today.”
“How did that go?”
“Aiden was promoted to vice president.”
“That’s great news.” She rushes it out like she’s almost dismissive as she continues, “Sooo, Chris is practically living here, and I was wondering…” she pauses like she’s not sure what to say next, “… would it be okay with you if I asked him to move into the house?”
My eyes gleam with a smile. “Sarah, it’s your house and your partner. If you want him to move in, you don’t have to ask me.”
“I know, but I wanted to make sure you were fine with it. ‘Cause, you know, you still have a room here if you ever need it. I mean, some of your stuff is still here. It’s as much your house as it is mine. Oh dammit, you know what I mean?”
“I know what you mean. He practically moved in when I was living there. Why not make it official?” She lets out a long exhale on the other end. “Are you all right, Sarah?”
“Yeah, it’s a big step, you know? I haven’t had a live-in partner before, and it is… kinda scary.”
I snort out a laugh. “Sarah Carlisle, you’re a grown woman, and he practically lives there, anyway. How will it be any different?”
She hesitates for a moment. “Yeah… you’re right.”
“Do what you feel is right, Sez. If you think it’s too soon for him to move in, then don’t ask him. But if you’re ready for a commitment, which I know is what you’ve been waiting for, then do it.”
“I knew I could count on you to bring some sense to my inability to think straight. Thanks. Say hi to Aiden for me. I have to go tell Chris he can move in.”
“You go, girl. And tell Chris I said hi.”
“Will do. Thanks again.”
“You’re welcome.” Ending the call, I make my way back to the living room where Aiden is chuckling at something on the television. “Sarah’s asking Chris to move in with her.”
His eyes light up. “That’s great.”
Feeling slightly emotional, I sit back on the sofa and cuddle into Aiden. I’m finally at a place in my life where I feel like everything is as it’s meant to be.
I love Aiden.
I trust him.
I know he will never hurt me on purpose, and that feeling makes me the happiest I’ve ever been.
“You’re very cuddly this morning.”
To be honest, my emotions seem to be more heightened and running crazy lately. I can’t really figure out why. We lay cuddling for a while until I finally move and start our morning routine. He sits up in bed as I make my way back from grabbing our clothes from the closet and laying his suit on the mattress. He exhales and stands next to me completely naked. While leaning into me, he picks his suit up off the bed and brushes his morning erection against my leg.
“Behave,” I warn.
Aiden raises his eyebrows insinuatingly while I roll my eyes. He chuckles, pulling on his dark blue suit pants, followed by his shirt and tie.
I continue to dress as well as I look him over. “You do wear a suit well.”
He straightens his tie and blows me a kiss.
“The suit would look even better on the floor, though.” I use his words against him.
“Jenifer Taylor!”
I can’t help but laugh while he makes his way over to me. “You. Are. Trouble.” He moves so close and grazes me with his hard cock as he walks straight past me.
“Hey!” I yell as he walks out of the room. “Tease,” I grunt.
Aiden laughs and turns around walking back into the room. “A tease you said, was it?” he asks striding toward me. He looks so fucking handsome in his suit, and the way he’s walking toward me so confidently makes my panties instantly wet. My breathing quickens when he reaches me and puts his hands on my hips, pulling me to him. I giggle as his lust-filled, bright blue eyes stare deeply into mine. He places a strand of hair behind my ear as he moves in, slowly brushing his lips so lightly over mine it leaves me wanting more. I’m weak and completely under his spell. His hand tightens on my hip as my arms reach up and find their way around his neck. I can’t resist any longer, so I move my lips to his, taking him by surprise. I hear him chuckle through my kiss which now seems desperate.
I’m desperate for him.
I need him.
And I need him now.
My mouth opens to let my tongue caress his while my hands fist in his hair. He tries to soften the kiss, but it’s too late to go back now. I have to be with him, so I pull him back to me and deepen the kiss. My breathing quickens as he succumbs to my seduction.
Aiden’s hands move to my ass, gripping my cheeks tightly. I moan as he’s overcome with lust. His tongue finds mine as we’re locked together. Moving forward toward the bed, I stumble, being forced backward. His hands grip my ass tightly, and he pulls me up, so I wrap my legs around his waist.
This is hot. I’m so turned on right now, it’s like my hormones are running rampant.
“Aiden,” I moan.
He walks, carrying me, and I think we’re heading for the bed when suddenly, he sits me down on top of the dresser—my breathing’s erratic, and his lips part from mine.
/> He looks into my eyes while he catches his breath. “You. Are. Trouble.” As he moves in between my legs, I smirk, knowing I’ve won. Making quick work of his tie, I pull it away from his neck.
“We have to make this quick,” he says.
We frantically undo each other’s shirt buttons. Shrugging out of his shirt at the same time I pull mine off, he makes fast work of undoing my pants and pulling them and my panties off at the same time. He comes back in kissing me passionately as I sit on our dresser panting with want. His hand moves to my wet pussy, and the touch of his fingers makes me crazy. Everything about his touch is electrifying, and it’s like all my nerve endings are hypersensitive. His finger finds its way to my clit.
Circling on me with his finger, he’s working me up quickly.
“Oh God,” I moan in response.
Aiden moves his finger faster and faster. Everything is happening so quickly that I can barely stand the pleasure that’s unfolding. My breathing hitches, and his touch makes me shake involuntarily. I grab hold of his shoulders, digging my nails into his flesh while he kisses me firmly.
He rotates his finger on my clit one last time before I turn animalistic. This is primal, a primal need to have him inside of me. I moan, moving my hands to his pants to free his throbbing cock. His pants fall to the floor, catching at his ankles.
Opening my legs wider, I grab onto his ass, pulling him close enough to feel the tip of his head at my entrance. I almost climax at the feeling of wanting him so badly. He moves his hands under my ass as his rapid breathing mixes with my moans. He pulls me toward him, sliding me slightly on the dresser. I’m sitting right on the edge when he plunges deep into me, pulling me to him by my ass. I moan loudly, which causes him to start a hard and fast rhythm. My hands grip tightly as he pounds into me.
This is what I need.
The feeling is so powerful, it’s like everything is heightened, and the pleasure is tenfold while he thrusts in and out of me. His deep, throaty moans on every exhale are making me crazy. The heat rises. My head falls back, breaking our kiss. Aiden moves to my throat, kissing and sucking as my back arches.
I feel it.
This is intense, and my body starts to quiver.
Thrusting again, he sends me over the edge, and I climax loudly, tightening my legs around his hips. Overcome with his own pleasure, he lightly bites my neck. The dresser creaks with our frantic movements. Bottles of my perfume fall to the floor as he thrusts relentlessly into me.
“Oh, Jeni, baby,” he moans into my neck.
My breath catches again. The movement of him inside me, hitting just the right spot, makes me tighten around him. He moans a low growl, and his hands tighten on my ass cheeks, clenching so tight I’m sure it’ll bruise. Suddenly, he pulls me from the dresser, supporting my weight, and pushes me against the wall. His face scrunches in that delicious way as he holds me against the wall while still pounding into me. I moan while he thrusts in and out pulling me on and off him. His strength astounds me as I hold onto his bulging biceps.
“Aiden, I’m so close,” I moan as he drives into me again. He’s breathing so heavily it sounds like he’s running a marathon.
“Come with me, baby,” he moans, my back pounding against the wall with each thrust. The heat rises, and my breathing catches in my throat. His face clenches, and I tighten. Both our bodies start to quiver from the undeniable pleasure unfolding within us as we hit that high.
“Fuck,” we both moan when we come together, feeling the immense satisfaction engulfing us. He jolts into me a few more times while he explodes his release inside me.
I sag in his grip. I’m completely spent. Our breathing slows, and he carries me, his hands under my ass, back to our bed, his pants dragging behind him at one ankle. He lays me on the mattress and then lies down next to me.
“That was…”
“Yeah, it was.” I try to catch my breath.
Aiden leans over and kisses my temple as I lay practically naked except for my bra.
“You really enjoyed that, didn’t you?”
“Yeah, it’s weird. I’m so sensitive, and every time you touch me, it drives me crazy. Let’s do it again.” I only half-joke.
He laughs and looks over at the bedside clock. “Fuck! Jeni, we have to go. We’re going to be late for work.” He gives me a quick kiss and sits up on the bed.
I casually look at the time, eight fifty-seven.
We so are going to be late for work.
“Shower time better be really quick.” I sit up and undo my bra.
“We don’t have time for a shower. It doesn’t matter. It means I’ll be able to smell you on me all day.”
“Won’t that just keep you worked up?” I walk over to my work clothes which are sprawled out all over the floor.
“Probably, c’mon, we have to go… now.” He pulls up his pants and reaches for his shirt while I head quickly to the bathroom to clean up and get dressed.
When I step out, I say, “Oh, and Aiden…”
“Yes?”
“You’ve got lipstick on your mouth.”
He smiles and kisses me one last time as we head out of the apartment and down to Mike for the trip to work.
Aiden takes my hand as usual and helps me out of the car. In my rush to get out, my foot grazes the floor mat and causes me to trip and fall headfirst, straight into him. Aiden catches me and helps me to stand upright.
I sigh when I see Mike trying not to smile. I can’t help but laugh at myself and my clumsiness. “I know, I know, always the entertainer, right?”
Aiden gestures like he’s zipping his mouth shut as we make our way up the stairs and into the foyer where Josie, again, looks at Aiden lovingly and eyes me cautiously.
“Yeah, Josie’s totally in love with you,” I whisper, easing into the elevator while Aiden looks over to her and grins.
“Morning, Mr. O’Connell,” Josie yells before the doors close.
I take his hand so she can see, and he chuckles under his breath as she frowns and exhales.
“You’re mean,” Aiden chides.
“No, I’m not. I’m showing her what’s mine,” I defend.
“I’m yours, am I?” he asks while cocking his head.
“You better be!”
“Okay, okay, I got it.” He puts his hands up in surrender, then quickly pulls me close to him, kissing me passionately. His tongue enters my mouth while his hand caresses my face, the other holding my hand. My body is already throbbing with need to be with him again.
The elevator chimes, but he doesn’t let go of me like I thought he would. The doors open, and Niall and Brielle are standing in the foyer waiting for us because we’re now half an hour late.
“Uh-hum.” Brielle clears her throat.
We part, and I stand back feeling somewhat embarrassed at our apparent lack of self-control, so my eyes drop to my shoes as I hear a loud huff. We walk out of the elevator toward Niall. I can’t look at him. I’m scared of what I’ll see written on his face.
“Father,” Aiden greets Niall.
We walk past Niall hand in hand to my desk. Still looking down, I sit and turn on my computer as Aiden continues to his office.
“Aiden! My office. Now,” Niall yells, making me jump slightly. Niall walks off toward his office and Aiden follows. Looking back at me, he rolls his eyes before he shuts the door.
Oh, crap. I wonder what’s going to be said. I sigh and look over at Brielle, who’s smiling.
“You two are so damn cute.”
“Thanks. We got a little carried away in the elevator. Do you think your father’s upset? He sure sounded like it.”
“Hmm… yeah, I’d say so.”
I hear muffled conversation coming from Niall’s office. I can’t quite make out what’s being said, but it gradually becomes louder and louder, making the conversation crystal clear.
“This is a place of work, not a damn brothel! You should know better. What if clients arrived early and saw your little stunt
?”
“Right, so now Jeni’s a hooker? Nice, Father!”
I open my eyes wide in shock.
“She may as well be, and a bad one at that. She isn’t even pretty, son. Remember what I said… women are simply a convenience and one you don’t need. Now is your time to shine at work, not in the bedroom. Bed as many women as you need to get it out of your system. You don’t need to settle with just one.”
My mouth falls open as I stare at the closed door, my heart racing frantically as the argument erupts out of control.
“What the fuck is wrong with you?” Aiden yells.
“What’s wrong with me you ask? Her. That’s what’s wrong with me. You’re exceptional at what you do. You’re extremely clever, son, with a very bright future mapped out ahead of you. She’s a distraction. You don’t need distractions in your life, and especially not a damn woman. They’re more trouble than they’re worth. Trust me, Aiden, I know what I’m talking about. You need to get rid of her. Now. I don’t mind her being your PA if she’s good at it, but this whole romantic bullshit has got to stop. Got it?”
I gnaw down on my bottom lip, to try to stop my emotions from overflowing.
“Father, stop! She has a name. It’s Jeni. She’s the love of my life, and I’m not going to simply give her up. We live together. She’s more than a fling. Love does exist. It’s not a convenience as you ridiculously put it. Get over it because if you don’t, I’m gone.”
My eyes snap toward Brielle as a lump forms in my throat.
“What do you mean, you’re gone?”
“I mean if you keep this up, I will quit.”
My stomach churns as my hands ball into fists with nervous tension.
“Ha! Whatever! Then you’ll both be jobless. You won’t quit, boy. You don’t have it in you.”
Brielle stands abruptly, rushing to the door, and swings it open before Aiden says something he’ll regret.
“That’s enough, you two. We can hear you out here, and I’m sure three floors down can hear you as well. The Andersons will be arriving soon so cut it out!”
Aiden looks at me through the open door, but I don’t want him to know how badly I’m affected by what I’ve just heard, so I look away and concentrate on my computer screen. My bottom lip quivers as I take a deep breath to control myself. Aiden walks out of his father’s office and slams the door shut leaving Brielle and Niall in there alone.