Shuttered Affections (Cornerstone #1)

by Folsom, Rene

  “Fine, then. I won’t speak to you. You will get your way, as always,” I said as I pressed the end button and squeezed my eyes shut.

  “How could a mother be so heartless?” I sighed. I didn’t mean to say it out loud, but in an attempt to rein in my rage, I completely forgot about the two people sitting near me, offering touches of comfort.

  “Don’t worry about her, Jules. You have us. We’re your family,” Sid said as she laid her chin on my shoulder.

  Aiden leaned over and pecked me on the cheek. “C’mon. Once we make sure Sid gets to work safe, we’ll go to my house and relax… forget about all this crap, at least for one night.”

  After dropping Sid off at H20, we headed to his house.

  Five minutes later, we pulled up to a beautiful Victorian-style home. The landscape lighting alone was breathtaking. The large porch had a comfortable-looking porch swing dangling from the rafters and several rocking chairs to enjoy the spring weather. The dormer windows at the top were lit with dim lights that gave the whole house a warm glow.

  I gasped and turned toward Aiden for an explanation.

  After he stopped in the driveway and shut off the ignition, he turned to me with his brows furrowed and stress obvious on his face.

  “I need to tell you something before we go inside.” His voice almost sounded apologetic and it was making me nervous. “I live with Tanya. It’s part of the agreement. We must live together during our marriage. We do not sleep in the same bedrooms. As a matter of fact, our rooms are on different ends of the house,” he explained.

  I touched his face and stroked his cheek with my thumb. “It’s okay. I understand. I figured as much when you told the detective you had a roommate. Don’t stress about it. You explained your situation and I understand—as long as she isn’t going to be threatened by me being here. Are you sure she’ll be okay with it?”

  “Yes. I’ve already discussed it with her and she is fine with it. To make you feel a little more at ease, I’ll tell you one of her secrets. She has a boyfriend. He sometimes stays the night as well. So, she will have no problem with me bringing my Angel home.” He grinned and kissed the palm of my hand.

  “If she has a boyfriend, then why not ask him to marry her? Why ask you?” I asked out of curiosity.

  “Because she knew she could trust me. She knew I wasn’t doing it for the money. At the time her father passed away, she had only been dating him for a few months, whereas she knew me for close to ten years. He wasn’t happy at first. The decision she had to make almost broke them up. Her thoughts were—if he truly didn’t see the logic in it, then they weren’t meant to be.”

  “She sounds like a very smart person. I’m sure it must be difficult to trust anyone when you have that kind of money,” I spoke with honesty.

  He just nodded as he squeezed my hand and opened his door to get out.

  Aiden helped me out and we headed for the front doors. With him, I felt safe.

  Just before we walked inside, my phone began to ring. It was Sid.

  Concern etched my face and I answered the phone. “Sid? Is everything okay?”

  Aiden leaned in and I held the phone so we could both hear her without putting it on speaker. I didn’t want the whole neighborhood to hear our drama.

  Sid frantically told me Rob showed and when Dex told him to leave, he started to pitch a fit. He punched the concrete wall outside and Dex thought he probably broke his hand.

  Good.

  Sid was worried about me and needed to hear my voice herself. What a wonderful friend.

  “Yes, Sid. I’m okay. I just got here. Everything is fine. He offered for me to stay in the guest room so, I’m sure it’s probably not an inconvenience.”

  I looked over and saw the grimace on his face. He mouthed, “You’re sleeping with me,” and pointed to his chest.

  Butterflies fluttered in my stomach at his declaration to my sleeping arrangements.

  “…yes, I love you, Sid. Okay, go ahead and get back to work. Text me when you’re safely at Sean’s place, please? All right, goodnight.”

  As I hung up the phone, a piece of my heart broke. I couldn’t believe all this was happening. I couldn’t believe my friends were in danger because of me. It was all so fucked up.

  Just as I was losing myself in a pit of despair, Aiden walked up to me and held me close. I pressed my face to his chest and inhaled his scent, immediately calming me. I think he could feel me trembling because he asked, “Are you cold?”

  “No,” I answered. “Just a little upset and tired. It’s been a long-ass day.”

  With that, he chuckled and we stepped into his lovely home.

  Within moments of stepping through the door, a strikingly beautiful brunette bounded down the hall with a huge smile on her face.

  “Aiden! I’m so glad to see you brought her to meet me,” Tanya practically screeched as she headed in our direction.

  “Julia, this is my wife and friend, Tanya. Tanya, this is my girlfriend, Julia.” He gestured between us as he made his introduction and I couldn’t help myself—I had to laugh at how seriously messed up it sounded. Introducing the girlfriend to the wife is just… well, should be… absurd.

  “It’s nice to finally meet you, Julia. I’ve heard so much about you the past several days. He hasn’t shut up about you since he first laid eyes on you. But, you’re so much prettier than Aiden and Coda let on,” she said as she fluffed my curls with her dainty fingers and then gave Aiden a nudge with her elbow.

  He grimaced at her for her teasing and then rolled his eyes with a smile. Coda talked to her about me too? That seems odd considering I only met the man in passing once last night.

  “It’s nice to meet you too, Tanya. Thank you for letting me stay here tonight. I really appreciate your kindness,” I added with a small smile.

  “Oh, it’s no problem at all, dear. Any friend of the Stone brothers is a friend of mine for sure. Come, I was just finishing up dinner. I hope you’re both hungry.”

  Boy was that the understatement of the century. I hadn’t eaten all day.

  We followed Tanya down the hall to the kitchen where a waft of delicious aromas assaulted my nostrils. I closed my eyes and inhaled the heavenly scent.

  “Tanya, that smells wonderful. Is there anything I can do to help?” I asked, hoping she would let me assist in some way.

  “There’s always something to do, Julia. I would love an extra set of hands. Would you mind pulling some plates down and setting the table?” she asked politely. She seemed to be extremely polite and… well… perfect. Almost too perfect.

  “I’d be more than happy to.” I then looked over to Aiden to see if he could point me in the right direction of the plates. He quickly nodded his head to the left and smiled.

  I swiftly washed my hands and set the table where we ate with a steady, pleasant conversation. Tanya made a to-die-for pot roast that melted in my mouth.

  Thankfully, Aiden excused us immediately following dinner so we could go upstairs and, as he put it, get me settled in. He knew I was exhausted, especially now that my belly was full.

  Instead of taking me to a guest room, Aiden directed me into his bedroom. Of course, I didn’t mind.

  His walls were white with light gray stripes and light gray carpeting to match. His bed donned a dark gray cover with light gray sheets. Everything in the room was pristine and masculine.

  The bed looked to be the most comfortable piece of furniture I had ever seen. I practically drooled just looking at it. I knew I was tired when I began lusting after a bed.

  I began to chuckle to myself at the thought.

  “What’s so funny, Angel mine?” Aiden asked as he came up behind me, wrapping his arms around my waist and nuzzling my neck.

  “I was just thinking I’m tired enough to go hump your bed right about now.”

  Aiden let out a deep, throaty laugh and hugged me from behind. “C’mon. Let’s get comfortable so you can get some rest.”

  “Sounds won
derful. I just need a few moments.”

  I headed to the attached bathroom and flicked on the light.

  Complete shock overtook my body. I dropped my toiletry bag with a loud thud on the tile floor and covered my mouth with my hands to stifle my gasp.

  I looked over as Aiden leaned his shoulder against the doorjamb, his arms overlapped across his chest and his legs crossed over one another.

  “Do you like it? I bought it for you. It was so perfect, I couldn’t resist,” he explained with a vulnerable expression on his face.

  “Oh my, Aiden. I love it!” I gasped as I looked back at my reflection in the mirror from Pat’s antique shop.

  The entire frame was made of brass and detailed two little cherubs holding the bottom of the mirror while two more cherubs at the very top held a beautiful tapestry flowing down the top and sides.

  I reached out and touched one of the cherub’s wings, staring at the magnificent craftsmanship on this old piece of artwork. It was likely one of a kind.

  “Oh, Aiden. This is too much. I love it, but…” He put his fingers on my lips to shut me up.

  “As soon as I saw this mirror, Angel, I had to get it for you. And trust me, it’s not too much. I can definitely afford it. After seeing all the angels in your room, I can certainly tell why you fell in love with it.”

  I turned toward him and put my arms around his waist. “Even though I’ve been collecting angels ever since I moved here, there’s a completely different reason why I fell in love with this mirror,” I explained as I looked down, a little embarrassed to admit it.

  He tilted my chin up like he always does, forcing me to look into his deep, gray, sensual eyes. “Tell me.”

  “It reminded me of you,” I whispered.

  With his fingers still hooked under my chin, he brought my face closer to his and kissed me tenderly. I melded to him, certain I would never be able to survive again without his touch.

  I turned and continued to marvel at the beautiful antique in front of me. Aiden busied himself next to me, brushing his teeth and washing his face before he finally stepped behind me, wrapped his arms around my waist, and gazed at me in my new mirror.

  “Go ahead and enjoy your mirror for a few minutes, Angel. But don’t take too long,” he said as he backed out of the bathroom.

  After brushing my teeth and getting myself cleaned up, I met Aiden standing by the bed and suddenly became very nervous.

  “Angel, let me take care of you. Just relax.” His words were like music to my ears as my head lulled to the side with exhaustion.

  Aiden slowly undressed me.

  Chapter 30

  “Thank cripes for waterproof makeup.”

  Lifting my tank top over my head, I heard him suck in a quick breath before trailing his fingertips down the side of my neck, around to my collarbone, and down the center of my chest. He lightly caressed my left nipple with his thumb, making the bud harden and my pussy weep.

  He continued caressing my skin down toward the top rim of my panties. Snaking his thumbs through the sheer fabric, he slowly, methodically, slid them down my thighs and let them fall to the floor.

  I stepped out of them and stood naked in front of him, completely unsure of what to do next.

  Choosing to be bold and attempting to rid my mind of any fear, I decided it was my turn to undress him.

  I slowly brought my hands to his chest and slid them up to his collar. He was still wearing one of his white dress shirts, so I began to unbutton it slowly.

  As soon as I had it completely unbuttoned, I skimmed my fingers up his taut stomach muscles, over his defined pectorals, and up to his broad shoulders to push the fabric away from his skin.

  I moaned out loud when I caught a glimpse of his tattoo. Bringing my lips to the marked shoulder, I pressed a few small, light kisses on the sexy markings.

  “Wow,” was all I could say.

  He smiled as he held me, his hands gently settling on the small of my back, just above my ass.

  I glided my hands from the tops of his shoulders, down his front, so my fingertips felt every crease and bump of his muscles, to the little smattering of hair just above his waistline.

  I hooked my fingers into the waistband of his pants and pulled him closer to me. As I looked up into his eyes, I deftly unbuttoned his pants and let them fall. I heard change clink to the floor and felt his erection press against my belly through the fabric of his underwear.

  As my hands slipped to his back and my fingers worked their way under the waistband of his boxer briefs, he grabbed my face and began kissing me softly. Distracted by his assault on my tongue, I dug my fingernails into the tight muscles of his ass as my mouth absorbed his growl of approval.

  “Angel, we’re not going to even make it into bed if you keep digging your fingernails into me like that. I’ll take you right here,” he warned.

  As he kissed me further, I admitted my defeat. “Mmmm… okay,” I mumbled against his lips.

  He chuckled softly and said, “C’mon, Julia. You’re so tired. Let’s get into bed.”

  He broke away from me and slid his boxer briefs down, bending in the process. He kissed the soft area between my belly button and my mound, before sliding me under the covers.

  I then watched him walk around the bed and slide in next to me. He held his arm out and I curled up to him willingly.

  He held me, stroking my hair and kissing my forehead, until sleep finally overtook my entire body while in my lover’s arms.

  I see him coming, but I can’t move. I need to shout for someone, but my voice won’t work. I need to run, but my feet are cemented to the ground.

  He’s barely inches away. His hands are coming for me.

  I can’t let him touch me! Someone, please!

  I scream for anyone who can hear. I can hear my scream. I need someone to hear me.

  He grabs my shoulders and I beg for someone to save me.

  “Juliana! Juliana!”

  I see Rob’s mouth move through the syllables of my name. But it’s not Rob’s voice. Who…

  “Juliana!”

  I’m shaking. My ears hurt and I’m shaking.

  “Goddamn it! Wake up!”

  It was like a sledgehammer hit me square in the gut. I woke up with Aiden kneeling over me, shaking my shoulders and yelling my name.

  “Oh, Aiden,” I cried. He immediately held me tight and whispered shushing sounds into my ears. “Aiden, he found me. I couldn’t move. I couldn’t…”

  “Aw. Hell, Julia. I’m so sorry. Shh… it’s okay. He’s not here. I promise,” he soothed, rocking me. I knew all I needed was him—I needed him to hold me and comfort me when I had one of my nightmares.

  “I was hoping sleeping with you would make my nightmares subside,” I cried as I thought of the three most serious words that couldn’t be spoken so soon.

  Did I really love Aiden? Or was I just a blubbering ninny who was way too emotional right now to be thinking about love?

  I pushed the thought aside. There was no way I could love a man after less than a week. He was just being kind and taking care of me when I needed it most.

  Pity does not equal love, Julia.

  “I’m sorry for waking you,” I sniffed as I curled into him further.

  “Shh… I love having you in my arms, Angel. Just try to get some sleep.”

  My heart was still pounding out of my chest. I was having a major problem calming down.

  “I just need a moment to go to the bathroom,” I told him, so he would loosen his grip and allow me to get up.

  I had hung my short, silk robe in the bathroom and decided to shrug it on while I washed my face and calmed my nerves.

  Looking at myself in my new mirror was a challenge. My eyes were hollow and I attempted to look unaffected by the whole ordeal. My makeup wasn’t too bad since I removed most of it before bed. Just a bit of charcoal was smudged below my eyes where the tears obviously tried to wash away any foreign substances.

  I quickly too
k some tissue and cleaned up. Thank cripes for waterproof makeup.

  My eyes always seemed to be a brighter green post-crying.

  After five minutes of deep calming breaths and a little potty break, I decided to head back out to Aiden. I craved his arms.

  Aiden was sitting on the side of the bed, waiting for me. I slowly walked over to him and looked at his sexiness in the dim, moonlit room.

  “You are so beautiful, Aiden,” I admitted, with no bashfulness whatsoever.

  “As are you, Angel mine,” he rebutted.

  I trailed my finger down his right shoulder and bicep where his sexy tribal tattoo accentuated every curve of his body.

  Just as I was about to climb around him and into bed, he grabbed the sash of my robe and pulled me to his front so I was positioned between his legs.

  Slowly and seductively, he tugged at the knot and released the binds around my waist. He let the lapels of my robe slightly fall open, revealing the center curves of my breasts, my stomach, and the curls just above my secret place.

  Chapter 31

  “He’s such an infuriating tease.”

  “Such beauty should not be hidden away,” Aiden whispered against my skin.

  I felt so sensual as I stood in the moonlit room, partially disrobed in front of this man with eager desire in his eyes.

  His hands slowly touched my stomach. He let his fingers wander upward to skim the crease under my full breasts. He continued his fingertip assault as he gently brushed over the peaks of each globe, bringing my nipples to full arousal.

  He glided his fingertips up to trace my neck, then gently pushed the robe off my shoulders, causing it to fall to the floor in a pool of satin.

  Aiden still sat on the edge of the bed while I stood naked in front of him. Lightly touching my hips, he pushed me away gently as if he wanted to get a better look.

  In an attempt to be confident for him, I stood tall and didn’t cover my nakedness.

  “Turn for me, Julia. Please? I want to see you,” he begged.

  Well, even with my attempt at confidence, I still managed to feel a full body flush take over me as discomfort stole every stitch of poise I tried to show. I absentmindedly bit my lip and twisted my fingers together as I looked at him.