by K E Osborn
“Yes, it was great to see you today, too.” He laughs in response to something Mr. Anderson says.
“Yes, sir, she’s new, and I think she’s doing a great job, too.” He laughs again while I listen intently. My interest now piqued.
“She’ll be pleased to hear that, sir.” He chuckles. “I bet he does.” There’s a pause. “Yes, I certainly will, sir.”
I watch Aiden’s amused face in curiosity.
“Oh, that’s great news. Welcome aboard, Mr. Anderson. We’re glad you chose us to manage your portfolio account. No. Thank you, sir. Yes, I think she’ll do great here, too. Thanks again, Mr. Anderson. We’ll get right on it and get back to you with that information. Yes, goodbye.” He hangs up the phone and looks at me, shaking his head.
“What?” I ask as he makes his way back over to me.
“Jeni, they loved you.”
“Huh?” I furrow my brows in confusion.
“He said that you’re very endearing, and that his son, Erik, has a crush on you. He thinks you’re adorable.” My eyes widen. “They took the offer because of you, Jeni.”
“What?” I shake my head because the information just isn’t sinking in.
He chuckles. “We got the Anderson account because of you.” He gives me a quick kiss.
“Really?” I ask, dumbfounded.
“Jeni, believe it. You did it. Apparently, Erik hopes you’re single.”
I scoff. “He’s a bit young for me, don’t you think?”
Aiden smiles, but there’s seriousness in his eyes. “Erik might be part of the Anderson account, but you’re not part of the package deal.” He starts laughing, and I smile. “I better go tell Father.” He kisses me on top of my head and rushes out of the room.
My eyes feel like they’re popping out of their sockets as I casually wander back to my desk in utter amazement. How the hell did I pull that off?
“I gather from the look on Aiden’s face that we got the account?” Brielle asks, and I nod. “Awesome. How about some lunch? Are you hungry?”
“Not too sure that I’m hungry, but it’ll be nice to get out of the office for a while.”
Brielle chuckles, and we step to the elevator. As we walk through the main foyer, I slip and my heel catches on a cracked tile on the floor. My bag flies across the room, and its contents scatter everywhere. I groan, falling to my hands and knees looking like a complete idiot for the umpteenth damn time today.
Josie rushes over to help and starts placing my personal effects back in my bag. “Thank you,” I murmur as she turns and walks back to her desk.
“Jesus, Jeni, are you all right?” Brielle asks, but she can’t hide her smirk.
“I’m fine,” I grumble as I stand with my fully repacked bag while I stretch out my sore legs. Brielle wraps her arm around me for support, and we continue to the little restaurant next door and have a chicken salad for lunch.
When we get up to leave, I trip again, and my bag falls to the floor for the second time. Full of irritation and embarrassment at my clumsiness, I let out a loud huff. I must have vertigo or something. Bree finds it funny, laughing at me as I pick up its contents yet again, only this time in the middle of a restaurant. Before I have collected my things and myself completely, a man covered by his hoodie bumps into me, then casually scurries away without a word before I can get a look at him.
Well, that was weird.
I shrug it off and make my way back to work with Brielle. When we return, I notice Aiden and Niall have continued their meeting through lunch. Obviously writing up proposals and plans for the new Anderson account.
The day progresses and finally it’s time to go home. Niall and Aiden are still working while Brielle shuts down her computer and walks into Niall’s office. “You guys ready to go home?”
I lean forward in my chair and watch them both look up at her.
“Yeah, I guess we can continue this tomorrow,” Aiden announces as I turn off my computer monitor.
“No, we need to stay and get this finished, son.”
I huff, leaning back in my chair, thinking we’re in for a long night at the office.
“I’ll be right back.” Aiden stands and walks out to me. “Do you mind if I stay back tonight? I won’t be long. We’re nearly done, and I’ll get dinner on the way home. Can you tell Mike what’s going on, so he knows to come back and pick me up?”
I know I don’t have a choice, but it’s nice he’s offered me one, and I’d rather go home and relax than stay here and wait. “Sure, stay as long as you need.”
Aiden leans down and kisses my forehead. “I won’t be too long, maybe a couple more hours. I promise.”
“See you at home later.” I kiss him quickly on the lips, and he walks back into Niall’s office.
“I’m heading out, Father,” Brielle calls out, but Niall doesn’t reply. She shakes her head and puts her arm in mine, then we walk together to the elevator.
“How are things going with Logan? How did you meet?” I ask her as we enter the elevator.
“Great. We went to high school together. I bumped into him at the mall, and we hit it off again.”
“I’m glad. He seems lovely, Bree.”
Her face brightens as she sighs. “He is, but we’re taking things slow. It took him nearly a month to ask me out on a date.”
“Ahh, men.”
She nods. “Yeah… men.”
We exit the building, and Mike is waiting for me. Bill, Niall’s driver, is also waiting for Brielle.
I fill Mike in on what’s happening, and he opens the front passenger door for me, and as we drive home, I tell Mike all about what happened today.
“Miss Taylor, if I may say, Mr. O’Connell, as in Niall, is very temperamental. I’m sure everyone is telling you not to take any notice of him, and I’m going to say the same. Don’t let him get you down. He’ll never change. All the people around him have to grow a very thick skin. Everyone, Miss Taylor, and especially you.”
I look at him curiously. “Especially me?”
“Yes, because you’re the one and only person who can take Aiden from him. You’ve made Aiden care about something other than work, and that’s a big deal for Niall…” Mike exhales like he’s thinking of something other than what we’re talking about. “He wants Aiden to be solely focused on his job and on him. He sees you as a distraction, but more importantly, as a threat. Niall has had his son to himself for a very long time, molding and shaping him into the businessman he is today.”
“Yeah, I got that feeling. It’s easier said than done, though. I shouldn’t let Niall get to me, but he does. I know how important their relationship is. I’ve never had a father, and I never want Aiden to lose his because of me. That thought is abhorrent to me, Mike.”
Mike looks at me briefly and then turns his attention back to the road. “Niall gets to all of us at one point or another, unfortunately, Miss Taylor.”
What does he mean by that? Obviously, Mike and Niall have had words or dealings with each other in the past as well. I can’t help but get the feeling Mike doesn’t have much time for Niall either. I’ll have to ask Aiden about Mike and Niall’s relationship some time.
We pull into the parking garage, and I say goodbye to Mike and then make my way to the elevator. I search through my bag for the security key card, but I can’t seem to find it anywhere.
That’s odd!
Making my way back to the car, I tap on the window. “Sorry, Mike, must’ve left my key card at the office. Can I borrow yours?”
“Sure thing, Miss Taylor.” He hops out of the car, walks over to the elevator, uses his key card, and I push the button for the top floor.
“Thanks, Mike, you’re a lifesaver.” He dips his head as I step in, the doors close, and I travel up to our apartment.
I wander inside, and it feels a little weird. It brings back memories of a time I’d rather forget. Those are dark thoughts, and I put them out of my mind. I rarely get time alone, so I decide to make the most of
it.
I walk into the bedroom and change into a little pink negligee. I seem to wear them a lot more now that I’m in a relationship. Moving to the kitchen, I pour myself a glass of wine to calm my nervous energy from today’s work disaster. I pick up my phone and my AirPods from the counter and take them and my wine outside and sit on the balcony deciding to message Sarah. I haven’t seen much of her lately. I have been so caught up with having Aiden back.
Jenifer: Hey, Sez, had a very weird day today. Started out with undeniably great sex with Aiden, and then it all turned to shit. Niall was a first-class dick. Just saying. I got coffee mixed up in an important meeting and because of that, I thought they were going to pass on working with the company. The guy’s son, Erik, was crushing hard on me. We landed the account, apparently, because they thought I was cute. So my day has been crazy! What have you been up to?
I hit Send.
Taking another sip of my wine, I feel myself relaxing as I rest my head back against the chair when my phone beeps.
Sarah: Hey, Jen. So, sounds like your day was boring then. Lol What do you mean Niall WAS being dick? He IS a dick. A teeny, weenie, tiny, little shriveled limp dick, like seriously pinky-finger sized! So, don’t worry about him. Just show him your tits, and that might cheer the old fucker up, or give him a coronary. Either way, it’s a win-fucking-win. What have I been up to you ask? Well, let me tell u. Chris and I bought the Kama Sutra off Amazon, and we’ve been trying out all these new positions. There’s one called the praying mantis - u so have to try it! With Chris’ stamina, we’ve nearly done the whole book.
I open my eyes wide and laugh. Sweet baby Jesus! Too much information. But I guess I always get that from Sarah. I hit Reply.
Jenifer: I think showing my partner’s father my tits might be breaking the partner code, just saying. Oh, and thanks for sharing the name of the sex position. lol You made that shit up, didn’t you? Seems since Chris has moved in, things are going well for you guys?
I hit Send and giggle at the thought of flashing Niall. Who knows? Maybe it would get him to like me. The only problem is, I would never do that, so I guess it’s out of the question.
Sarah: Yes, things are going great with Chris and me. And yes, the praying mantis is real! Well, I guess technically it might be a bad thing flashing your partner’s father, but what if Aiden was in the room and he saw it too, then you could say you were showing your tits to Aiden and unfortunately Niall was there. Good old limp dick might start to appreciate your ‘assets’ in his business, and it’ll get Aiden all horny and you can have some more of that undeniably great sex you’ve been having. Honestly, what do you have to lose?
I laugh at her text, she’s so damn crazy. I hit Reply.
Jenifer: Maybe my dignity?
Sarah: Dignity schmignity, get those babies out and flash the world.
I laugh again and hit Reply.
Jenifer: Okay, I’m going now. Love you :-)
Sarah: Love u too
I giggle, putting my phone on the table while popping my AirPods in my ears and listen to some music. A warm, gentle breeze blows in the air. The sun starts to set in hues of pink and turquoise, it’s really magical. “Thank You for Loving Me” plays by Bon Jovi as I relax back in the chair and listen to the lyrics. They’re beautiful, and it’s exactly how I feel about Aiden. This should be our song!
I make a mental note to play it for him when he comes home and relax back, enjoying my wine and listening to my music as the sun sets over the city. With the sun set, the temperature drops, so I decide to take a spa bath. Surprisingly, it’s one thing I’ve yet to try since moving in.
Making my way to the ensuite, I take off my negligee and panties and set the faucet running. On the side of the tub is some sweet-smelling bath oil, so I drop it in the water, then wander to the kitchen for another glass of wine.
I tie my hair up out of the way and place my glass of wine on the side of the spa, slowly easing into the hot water, and press the button to turn on the bubbles. They waft up from the jets while I rest my head on the edge against the plastic pillow. Music is playing in my ears, so I close my eyes and let the calmness of the evening float the stress of the day away.
My eyes are closed, and I’m almost asleep in the warm bubbling water, when suddenly a chill slides up and down my spine. The hairs on my arms stand to attention as my eyes bolt open with the feeling someone’s watching me. I sit up higher, looking around, but I can’t see anyone. My heart pounds as I take the AirPods out of my ears to listen for any noise in the apartment.
“Hello?” I call out as I slowly edge out of the bath with water dripping everywhere. “Aiden, is that you?” I ask loudly as my heart beats so fast I feel it in my throat.
The elevator chimes, and I start to panic, so I grab a towel off the towel rack and run toward the ensuite door slamming it shut and locking it as I hold my back against the woodgrain breathing hard and fast, while looking around the room for something to protect me. There’s nothing in here except toothbrushes and damn conditioner bottles.
Holding my back against the door, I slide down and sit in a complete state of panic. I’m shaking, and my mind’s running over all the horrible ways in which I’m about to die. “Take what you want and leave,” I yell.
“Jeni, what’s wrong?” Aiden calls out in the other room.
Oh, thank God!
My body sags in relief as I stand and quickly open the door to Aiden, who’s walking in, his head tilted and his eyebrows furrowed. I lunge forward and hug him, soaking him completely.
“Jeni, what the hell is going on?” He holds me at arm’s length to look at me.
“I was in the spa, and I felt like someone was watching me.”
“We’re at the top of the building. How could anyone be watching you?” His eyes dart back and forth checking the apartment.
I shake my head at my own stupidity. “You’re right...” I pause feeling absurd for overreacting. “Now I come to think about it, I was probably dreaming.”
Aiden furrows his brows. then leans in to kiss my forehead. “I’ll check the apartment, though.” He turns and walks around, while I follow closely behind, anxiously holding his hand. After searching everywhere, he looks at me with kind eyes. “There’s no one here, baby.”
I let go of his hand while my anxiety eases, and he caresses my cheek. “You had your first spa here without me? You’ve been in there a while, too, haven’t you?”
“How did you know?”
“Look at your hands, they’re all wrinkled.” He takes my hand and slowly kisses my fingers. “You’re safe, Jeni,” he consoles, then walks out to the kitchen. Taking a deep breath, I dry myself, put on my panties, and walk to the kitchen, where he’s dishing out dinner that he bought on the way home.
“I like your outfit.” He raises his eyebrows in appreciation.
“Yeah, thought you might.” I prance around the kitchen in only my panties.
Picking up our plates from the counter, he heads to the table and sits. I follow, taking my glass and topping it up with more wine. I eat our Chinese takeout while he eyes me suspiciously.
“Jeni, how much have you had to drink?”
“This is my third, I think. Why?”
He shrugs. “Just wondering. Maybe the wine added to the fact you thought someone was watching you?”
I frown. “I’m not drunk. I must’ve fallen asleep in the spa and dreamed it…” I roll my shoulders, a little annoyed by his line of questioning. “Changing the subject, your mom called today. We’re going there next Friday night for dinner to discuss your birthday.”
He rolls his eyes. “I don’t need a big birthday. It’s not even a milestone. I’m only twenty-nine. Save it for next year when I’m thirty.”
“Don’t think you’re getting out of it, Mr. O’Connell.”
“We can go out for dinner. I’d rather spend my birthday here making love with you in our spa, on the bed, on the sofa…” He grins mischievously making me blush.
>
“I’ll tell your mom we’ll be too busy having sex all over the apartment to bother celebrating your birthday with her. Shall I?” I ask jokingly.
He raises his eyebrows “Hmm… yeah, she’d love to hear that.”
Finishing our meals, we head to bed. I jump under the soft sheets while Aiden takes a shower. I lie under the warm duvet and wait for him as my mind wanders back to what happened in the spa. The thought crosses my mind that I didn’t imagine it and that perhaps someone was actually watching me. I turn on the sidelight for comfort and sit up in bed. Those pesky butterflies are swirling in my stomach again, and not in a good way. The shower turns off, and instantly I feel a little calmer knowing Aiden will be in here with me soon. My nerves have wreaked havoc with me today.
Aiden walks out of the ensuite naked, and he eyes me up and down. “Hmm, you’ve way too much clothing on.”
“But I’m only wearing panties?”
“My point exactly.” He leans over, tugging at my underwear.
I slide my panties off and throw them to the floor. “Better?”
He smirks and nods. “Much!”
He drops his body to the mattress, and I move my leg over, straddling him. He strokes my thighs, and I sit up resting my hands on his chest. He looks at me tracing circles up and down my thigh with one hand and makes his way up to my breast with the other.
He flips me over so I’m under him, and I squeal, his weight pinning me to the bed.
“I love you, Jeni, more than anything or anyone in the whole world. You’re my oxygen. I need you to live.” He pulls my face to meet his and bites my bottom lip gently. My hands grasp either side of his head, pulling his mouth to mine, and I lose myself in him.
Completely.
Utterly.
Blissfully.
We arrive at work only to be told by Niall that Aiden has to fly out for a week to help with the Tokyo acquisition. His flight leaves tonight, so I don’t even have time to spend with him before he leaves. Needless to say, I hate the thought of Aiden not being with me for the next seven days.