by Amanda Rayne
And I wished that was the case, but it felt like more, his fingers interlocked with mine. And his thumb stroked along the sides of it. This was more than a touch and I didn’t care for it, and quickly pulled away as soon as we made our way to the table.
“I’m sorry, did I do something wrong?”
“No, It’s just strange with a random person,” I admitted.
“Random? Well let’s ensure that you don’t consider me random. I would like us to be friends.” Friends. I wouldn’t even consider Aiden a friend and the things we were doing was definitely friendly.
After he’d ordered our coffee and breakfast he focused back on me. “Tell me about Ella,” he leaned into the table, the jasper eyes sparked with amused interest, narrowed and directly solely on me. I gave a short biography of my life and even as I told him about my family, siblings, work and education, I felt like he was searching for more. Did he know about my break-up with Jason? Was he waiting for that?
“How long have you and Aiden been friends?” I finally asked after a long silence as I looked for something to focus on other than me.
He relaxed back in the chair, but still stayed focused on me. “We’ve been friends since high school.”
“So you know Elizabeth?”
He barely moved into the nod.
“Why did they divorce?”
A chuckled a dark cynical sound, “A better question is why did they ever get married.”
“You didn’t like her, I presume.”
He shrugged. “She was fine.” When the server brought our breakfast and rich robust coffee that overpowered my senses. I took a sip, and then another. It was indeed one the best tasting coffees I had ever had.”
Between bites and between my assorted pastry tray, I asked. “Why don’t they get along?”
“Who, Aiden and his father?”
I nodded. Holding the coffee to my lips waiting for an answer that didn’t seem like it would ever come. He considered the question for a long time. “I guess there are a number of things. But I think it will be best if you asked Aiden and not me.”
Dammit. The bro-code I believe might be more resilient than the woman-code. “What are some of the things that you suspect?”
He chuckled again, “I suspect you are trying to use me to gather information. I guess the best question is: why do you need this information? Will it change anything between you and Aiden? What do you hope to gain from it?” he studied me for a moment and smiled. “You are indeed delightful. I’ve known Aiden for a long time. When the time you have is over…what is it a week? Two weeks? Maybe even a couple of months, it will be over. Knowing his issues with his father, or his mother, or even Elizabeth will not change anything. Just enjoy the ride, it will be fun.” His voice dropped, a seductive cast fell over his words as he spoke. “I’m sure it will be fun. Just know as clichéd as it is. It’s not you, it is him.”
And the rest of the breakfast was eaten mostly in silence and I harangued myself. What was I doing? I knew what I was getting into from the beginning and curiosity was slowly getting the best of me. Aiden was an intoxicating, mysterious enigma that I found myself drawn to more than just sexually. I wanted to know what made a man like him tick. What did he get from these “pleasure weeks”? I was escaping a broken engagement, what did he need an escape from. His marriage ended years ago. Was he still trying to get over it?
Aiden, Elizabeth, and his father remained on my mind despite trying to push it aside. As we walked down the sidewalk, I’d become surprisingly comfortable with Kieran and his invasive, boundary-less behavior. His hand interlaced with mine, he seemed free and unrestricted by rules, social norms, and personal space in the four shops we stopped by on the way to the museum. Even as we made our way through the museum, he chatted with the people in them as though they had been friends forever. The idea of personal space just a mere suggestion to him.
“How long were Aiden and Elizabeth married?” I asked once we were in the museum.
“Five years,” he answered distracted by the sights to let my hand slip away. Each exhibit he stared at with interest. Instead of the art, I watched him realizing that everything was art to him and he appreciated it in many forms.
As we walked down the street that was an increasingly crowded street Kieran asked, “Has he tried to replicate the painting?” The light smirk brightened his features as he turned to me, curiosity piqued as his deep green eyes lingered on me. My cheeks burned and I didn’t answer. I’m sure the ruddy coloring of my cheeks betrayed me.
“See, not mundane at all.” He stopped walked and took my arm and studied me for a long moment. “I take it you enjoyed it?”
I remained silent, chewing on the bottom of my lip, heat rose off my cheek as I felt the intensity of his attention. He smirked. “I take it you did. There’s nothing wrong with it. I’m sure Aiden told you that. Sex is art in the most unbridled and purest form,” he said closing the distance between us. He held my gaze and I remained transfixed unable to pull from them. The people who crowded the street maneuvered around us as we stood there.
He looked at his watch and took me by the hand, “We don’t have much time together. And I have one more place we have to go to. They have the best tapas and the way the present it it…”
I chuckled, “Let me guess—art.”
Kieran was right. The presentation was something I hadn’t seen before. Each bowl, eclectic and unique but complemented. Variations of red, turquoise, and browns stood out against the dark table. The restaurant was just as unique as the dishes. Recess lights provided just a hint of light, and the patterned damask silk drapes, that were just pulled back to let a small stream of light in.
“Elizabeth is pregnant,” I offered
Kieran stopped, shock shadowed his face before he quickly mastered it and looked emotionless. “Is that so?”
I nodded, watching for more but he only returned a stolid expression. Finally, he frowned, “I guess she did want children, but just on her terms.” Then the frown fanned out over his lips as his eyes narrowed. “How did Aiden take it?”
I recounted that night, remembering the way they looked at each other. Elizabeth’s hand holding his over her stomach and the steeled way he looked at his father. “I think he was angry,” I finally admitted, but doubt laid heavily over my words.
Kieran’s frown persisted. And when his phone vibrated, he looked down at it. “We need to get the food to go, Aiden will be here in about ten minutes.”
“How does he know we’re here?”
He grinned, “Do you think Aiden didn’t require my itinerary with you? I’ve known him for some time. He enjoys his rules and structure.”
“Yeah,” I said in a flat voice. “He breaks them some time but not often.”
His brow rose as he steepled his hands and watched me with curiosity. “You don’t like the rules. More of a free spirit, are you?” he asked.
“No…just,” and I stopped. I didn’t want to have this conversation with Kieran. I didn’t want to tell him that it bothered me that Aiden didn’t hold hands or sleep in the same bed with me. I couldn’t disclose that I’d performed countless new sexual acts with a man who I didn’t know any more about than I did when I first met him in the café.
“Go on,” he pressed.
I shook my head, “Nothing.”
He decided not to get the food to go. We’d eaten most of it. “You won’t change him. So just enjoy the adventure. I assure you it will be just that. Life is to be enjoyed without restrictions. I do believe my friend would enjoy it more if he does it more” he admitted, his hand pressed against my lower back.
Aiden waited outside of the restaurant, standing outside his Porsche 911. Dark blue tailored suit, complemented by a light blue and gray tie, and a platinum watch.
“I return her to you in one piece. No worst off and undamaged,” Kieran said, as he chortled.
Aiden gave me a long assessing look and smiled. “So I see.”
Before I could m
ove, I was shocked when Kieran leaned down and pressed his lips lightly against mine. I wasn’t sure if it was supposed to be just a simple casual kiss, but he failed. I doubt anything he’s ever done could be seen as pure or innocent. Similar to Aiden, he was raw sexuality and indulgence. While Aiden seemed to have some control of his, Kieran’s was uncontrolled and unfettered. He ended the light kiss, with a smile. As he traced his finger along my jaw line. He leaned down again and I tilted my head hoping to deter him from kissing me again. He whispered, “I’ve enjoyed my time with you,” he said. “Remember what I said about enjoying the adventure. Life is to be enjoyed.” He stepped back, the wayward smile barely curved his lips, as he nodded in Aiden’s direction before turning and leaving. Aiden had crossed his arms assessing me and then his friend. Several times he looked back and forth from me and his departing friend, but I couldn’t read the expression on his face.
CHAPTER 5
The wispy voice behind me made me tense. “Ella,” said my mom from behind me. I froze feeling like a deer caught in a headlight. Aiden’s eyes narrowed on me before directing his attention to my mom, a feather light smell covered his lips, as my mom approached the table.
As usual she was always exquisitely dressed. Today was no exception. Peach silk shirt that flowed off her thin frame and a pair of dark brown slacks. And as usual she had a designer bag. Her preference changed often, she now seemed to be a fan of Kate Spade.
The upscale Italian restaurant was one of my mom’s favorite spots to take clients to and meet her friends, but having an early dinner at four o’clock I definitely didn’t expect to run into her. The smile settled on her lips as she gave Aiden a once over and then she directed her attention to me. “Well it’s good to see that you’re alive,” she said her tone chilled by her irritation.
“Do you really think it’s appropriate to just text your mom. I’m not one of your friends,” she admonished me in a slow cloying tone.
I took a sip from my glass, my mouth getting dry again. And then I took another sip, and was about to take another, when she looked at me. “Sorry, mom, I’ve been busy.”
“I see that.” And then she directed her attention to Aiden and extended her hand. I’m Tracy Reid.” My mother’s eyes moved over him slowly and I knew she was assessing him.
A smile flourished on his face; just as charismatic as the one she had given him. “Hello I’m Aiden Matthews,” he said as he took my mother’s hand.
And although my mom kept her face relaxed and casual I knew she knew who he was and he needed no other introduction. My mother made it her business to know what she perceived the up-and-coming people in the city. If she didn’t know them by name she definitely knew them by face because she studied them. And often pursued them as clients in real-estate. She’d made a name for herself as high-end realtor and she worked hard to maintain that status. Working was something my mother didn’t have to do, but she was drawn to money, power, and influence. It wasn’t the seven figure homes and commission that she loved, but the people who could afford them.
“I hope I’m not interrupting a business dinner,” she said.
“Not at all. This is a date,” Aiden offered. He looked in my direction and winked.
Her smile broadened and she gave me a look of approval. “Please. Join us.”
I glared at Aiden from across the table and the sly miscreant smile nestled at the corners of his lips.
“Perhaps I will join you for a drink, maybe coffee.” Coffee, yeah right. I’m sure she was going to have a drink. She sidled in next to me, before ordering a martini preparing for her interrogation and assessment of whether or not her daughter was good enough for Aiden. I wish I could believe it were the other way around.
“So how long has this been going on? Please excuse me for questioning you but my daughter has a bad habit of going MIA and offering as little information about her life as possible. I hardly ever talk to her, needless to say, I don’t know anything about you.” She said with a gentle teasing lilt in her voice. Without saying anything and because he was Aiden Matthews he’d earned her approval.
My mom stayed for just twenty minutes. Long enough to finish her drink and casually pepper Aiden with questions: where do you live? Where do you work? As if he had to actually answer that. And when he disclosed where he lived, eyes widened. And once again she’d given him a once over and an unequivocal stamp of approval.
“You seem very nice, Aiden,” my mother said as she stood to leave.
The devilish grin made its way to his eyes as he leaned forward. “How do you know that?”
“I am a good judge of character,” she asserted with cool confidence. The gentle smile tugged at her lips.
His brow raised; his eyes narrowed. “Really? Then how did Jason get past your jackass-dar? I do believe there might be a glitch.”
Aiden relaxed back in his chair and my mom kept her same smile on her face. She was good at that, but I felt her tense.
He shrugged. “Don’t worry, it happens to the best of us.”
“I assure you Ella has told you the dramatic retelling of the stories. She’s a lovely woman with a love for the theatrical retelling of stories,” My mom said as she kissed me lightly on the forehead. The gentle maternal gesture didn’t belie that insult or her invalidating the crap Jason had put me through.
“Possibly. But I met him. I don’t think her stories were ‘theatrical’ retelling. Not one time did she call him a dick and he clearly is one.” Aiden offered in cool even voice.
My mother chuckled lightly and then dismissed the conversation with a coy smile. “I think I’ve interrupted your date long enough.” She said. Another quick peck on my cheek. “Ella, let’s do brunch tomorrow at one.” She looked around the restaurant. “We can come here.”
“I have plans.”
“Of course you can change them for your mother. Can’t you dear?” She leaned down, pressed her cheek against mine and whispered. “After all you’ve been avoiding me for over a week. And from my understanding you’ve been off work so change those plans and meet your mother.” She said in a tone that wasn’t a mere suggestion but a command that I comply.
“Are you going?” Aiden asked once my mother was out of sight.
I nodded.
“Why?” He demanded his stormy eyes ridiculing me. I couldn’t take the judgment. It was the last thing I needed. I hated that seeing my mother only frustrated me. Running into her while at dinner with Aiden just frustrated me. I hated that it made me feel that way, but it did.
“You deal with your parents and I’ll deal with mine,” I snapped than a covered my mouth and looked down. My voiced raised enough for the people next to us to look over. “I’m sorry.”
He dismissed their stares with a balmy glare and then returned his attention to me. Full lips leveled into a stern line. “Ella, please. Let’s not have this discussion again. Don’t hide from me or modify it because you think it will please me. If you’re pissed — be pissed. It’s okay. What’s not okay is you let your mom walk over you. She’s your mom that’s fine—I get that. But you are an adult and there needs to be boundaries.”
“Like the boundaries of you inviting her to have a seat with us.”
“I was curious. You got to meet my father. Isn’t it only fair that I get see your mom. Now we both get to see the faces of the people that fucked us up.”
“So what did your dad do to screw you up?”
“He always has to win. And I’m competitive.”
“Even as an adult?”
“Especially as an adult,” he took a drink and settled back in his chair watching me. This was the most open he’d ever been.
“That’s not a bad thing. You’ve seemed to have made that work to your advantage.” I said, taking small bites from my food. Getting to know more about Aiden was more important than anything on my plate. “Did the competitiveness bother Elizabeth?” I Looked down, sliding the question in hoping he couldn’t see the thirst of my curiosity.
> “Your mother, the woman who’s made you the people pleaser that you are, how are you going to deal with it?”
“And you gathered that from the twenty minutes you spent with her?”
“No, I gathered that from the first five minutes I spent with you and the fact you were going to marry a man, who treated you like shit and who you didn’t really love, just because she liked him.” He said. “When you are with you mother tomorrow, will you please her and make up a story about what is going on between us? Will you make it more than what it is so that she’ll be happy with you?”
“I don’t know since initiating a hostile takeover of her company isn’t an option.”
Amusement lingered on his lips and he finally committed to the smile. “There she is. You can be assertive when you need to be.” He said. “Finish your food. Please.”
“I am assertive,” I rebutted, making my voice cool and stiff.
“No, you’re responsive. Everyone’s happiness trumps yours. It shouldn’t be like that.” I had lost my appetite. Between thinking about brunch with my mother and the idea warding off thinly veiled insults, invasive questions about Aiden, and unsolicited advice, I had lost my appetite. I’m not sure why the idea that Elizabeth’s baby might be Aiden’s bothered me so much. I started to ask when he pointed a fork full of pasta toward me. I turned my head.
“Ella.”
I opened and took in the forkful of food. And then took a drink of my martini, which I ordered when my mother ordered hers.
“Twenty minutes with your mother and you don’t have an appetite.” He placed several bills on the table before leading me out of the restaurant. I looked for the car. “He’ll meet us later. Let’s walk.”
And we did. It was a beautiful mid-afternoon. The bright sun illuminated the city making it look a lot less overwhelming than it can be during this time of day. Bustling of heels across the payment, people whizzing past us with their computer bags and cup of coffee. I smiled at one woman who was carrying one from Biscot.
Walking so close to Aiden it seemed so odd that we weren’t linked somehow. Why hand holding was a no-no. One of his odd rules. I didn’t like it but I understood the reasoning behind us not sleeping together. It was something that I could get used to and part of me was okay with it, if it was to save me from being hurt later, but not holding hands was weird.