Ayden's Secret

by Cara North

  “She doesn’t like me.” Charlie gulped. Shit. How long would they be staying here? Maybe she could sleep on Evelyn’s couch. Or maybe Evelyn would side with her sister and Charlie would watch Ayden be ripped from her hands.

  “She doesn’t know you, and that’s what she doesn’t like. She’s pissed at me because she thinks she’s my keeper. I told you how she came to live with us. Noel speaks her mind without a filter.” Ayden set the coffee cup in the sink. “Come on. She’ll lighten up.”

  “No, I don’t think she will.” Charlie was nervous. More nervous than the first day she went to meet the rest of them. A false sense of security and familiarity had settled over her. Now with Noel, it seemed dangerous again.

  “You’ve been waiting ten years, darlin’. You gonna let my little sister stop you now?” Ayden couldn’t help it. Charlie was getting nervous, and the anxiety showed. This was the reality of relationships. It wasn’t always butterflies and rainbows. Could she stand up under pressure?

  “Will she stop you?” Charlie wouldn’t let Noel’s opinion influence her desire for Ayden, but Ayden loved his little sisters, cherished them, protected them. Would he choose against them?

  “Hell no.” Ayden realized then it was him she was worried about, not Noel. “And she won’t sway Evelyn either. Don’t worry.”

  Ayden looked her over, no make-up this morning. Her hair was in a ponytail, and aside from the frown she couldn’t hide she looked naturally beautiful. He liked her like this. Just being herself. Even with the frown, which he was sure would change once they got to Evelyn’s.

  “You ready for the beach?” Ayden wasn’t ready for the long day ahead. He didn’t like crowded venues, and the beach would be packed today. Charlie had a lot of crowd issues but had agreed to go. He told Joshua to pack a paper bag just in case she had an anxiety attack. He couldn’t do it himself without her knowing about it.

  “I don’t like crowds.” Charlie was a little anxious about the beach.

  “Don’t worry, darlin’. I’ll be there. I promise nothing will happen to you.” Ayden stole a quick peck on the cheek and started for the door.

  Charlie tripped, like she usually did, when he caught her off guard like that. Maybe she would get used to his sweet kisses. Maybe they would forever throw her off balance.

  Chapter 11

  Ayden led the way into Evelyn’s where babies were being passed around. Charlie held on to the back of his shorts by his belt loop, and he instinctively wanted to protect her. He thought to pull her into his arms and reassure her that everything would be all right.

  Stephanie beat him to it.

  “Charlie, thank God! Come out back with me. I have to talk to you.” Stephanie grabbed her by the arm and tugged her away.

  Ayden smiled. It was better this way. Tom nudged him and motioned back out the front door. Ayden followed.

  “I’m sorry. I didn’t know she was going to track you down, man.” Tom smiled. He hoped she would, and she did. He knew the moment he saw them together that she was the one for Ayden. Charlie had the patience of a saint. Six months in hiding would be hard on anyone. Hiding out at Ayden’s was like living in a dungeon for six months. Good thing she made the best of it.

  “It’s fine. I’m actually glad she did. I missed our date.” Ayden grabbed the top of the porch and stretched. It really was a beautiful day. “I can’t believe I let it slip away from me.”

  “Well, you’re not on the job anymore. I didn’t know what to tell Noel.” Tom settled into one of the rocking chairs. “That sister of yours is a real pain in the ass when she doesn’t get her way.”

  “I know.” Ayden laughed. “She still wants me to come home and marry Jessica.”

  “Yes, she does,” Tom agreed. “I guess she thinks the old flame’s still burning.”

  “Jessica has no doubt led her to believe that. I want a family, but one of my own. She has three kids, two ex-husbands, a little late to decide all along she wanted me.”

  “I agree. I don’t think Noel cares about Jessica as much as having you home again. I was up for a position in Quantico; she threw a fit.” Tom groaned.

  “I warned you when you got involved with her. Noel got all the drama queen genes.” Ayden laughed. “I spoiled her rotten, I know. She has never forgiven me for leaving, and though she understands why I need to be near Evelyn, her full blooded sister, she hates that I’m not there with her.”

  “She doesn’t like that Joshua won’t move to Tennessee. She thought for sure Evelyn would make him leave and come be near her,” Tom confessed. “I told her we could move here. There’s an office in Charlotte.”

  “Good luck. The only way Noel would move is if it were her idea.” Ayden laughed again. Stubborn woman. That’s where he got most of his ideas that women were difficult and always ready to disagree with a man, his little sister.

  “Ayden?” Noel stepped outside with Evelyn behind her. “We have to talk.”

  “Talk.” Ayden’s face drew into a grimace. He was in no mood for her today. He was happy damn it. Wasn’t that good enough?

  “I don’t agree with you keeping her a secret from me.” Noel swatted Tom on the leg making him uncross his legs so she could sit on him. “But I am willing to accept the fact that she will be around a while. Evelyn even offered her a job.”

  “What?” Ayden looked at Evelyn who shrugged.

  “I thought you guys were a couple, and it hurt my feelings that you wouldn’t tell me something like that. Evelyn explained that you’re friends. That Charlie needs your help right now.” Noel crossed her arms feeling bad for snapping at Charlie earlier.

  If she had known the woman had been through so much, she wouldn’t have. It was hard enough being away from Evelyn most of her life, now Ayden was gone, too. Evelyn had protected her and spoiled her when she was younger. Ayden had picked up that role when she moved in with his parents.

  “You know I am a passionate person when it comes to my family. I love you both so much. I miss you both. I don’t want Page growing up only seeing you guys on holidays. Plus now I have Joshua’s family to compete with.” Noel felt Tom’s soothing touch on her back. The man had a heart of gold.

  “You’re not competing with anyone.” Evelyn reassured her little sister. It was extremely hard being away from Noel since she spent most of her adult life searching for her. Their stepfather had killed their mother, and Noel testified against him. They separated them and sent her to live with Ayden and his mother. Evelyn went into the foster care system. She was told her little sister was dead. “I wouldn’t ask you to make Tom leave his job and his life to come here. Don’t ask me to do that to Joshua.”

  “We could come here though, if you’re both so damn determined to stay here.” Noel hated that they wouldn’t come back home, but she always made the best of things. She always had hope for the future. Now that she was over her mad spell, she really thought about it.

  “He could get a job in Charlotte. They have an office there.” Ayden started right in. Evelyn loved Noel, had almost died trying to find and protect her. The least the kid could do was move a couple states over for her big sister. “I know the guy in charge. I do a couple training exercises with them each year.”

  “Well, Tom, I guess we’re moving to North Carolina.” Noel looked at her husband as if she didn’t just steamroll that decision on him. “How far is Charlotte from here?”

  “Three hours.” Ayden smiled. “You have a way of working things out, Noel.”

  “I know.” She shrugged. “So, you like Charlie, huh?”

  “I do,” Ayden admitted. It was getting easier to admit it every time he said it.

  “Well, I’ll give her a chance, but I warn you I’m not going to be easy on her. You’re my big brother. I don’t want you to get hurt like before.” Noel pushed up from Tom and headed back inside.

  “Did you turn her into a tyrant?” Evelyn asked.

  “I thought it was you,” Ayden answered.

  “It’s hormones.
She’s pregnant again. We were trying to wait, but apparently Noel can’t remember to take a pill every morning.” Tom lifted out of the chair. “What, you thought she just gained weight?”

  “Yeah, actually I did.” Ayden shook his head.

  “Don’t tell her you know. She wanted to wait until after the holiday.” Tom shrugged and headed back inside.

  “Well, what are you hiding, Evelyn?” Ayden joked.

  “Actually, I’m pregnant, too.” Evelyn laughed. “Don’t tell anyone, only Joshua knows.”

  “Jesus. Is everyone pregnant?” Ayden laughed. It was going to be an interesting weekend.

  Evelyn went inside, and Charlie stepped out on the porch.

  “Hey, you hiding out?” Charlie sat in the rocking chair.

  “No, family conference.” Ayden took the rocker next to her. “How’s Stephanie?”

  “Married,” Charlie whispered.

  “What?” Ayden couldn’t believe this. One more secret and he would check for cameras. This had to be a set up, a joke they were all playing on him.

  “They eloped last night.” Charlie looked around to make sure no one else could hear. “They feel so guilty today. I told her not to worry, just go ahead with the wedding as planned. No one has to know right?”

  “Not around here.” Ayden looked at Charlie. Was she keeping secrets, too? “What else do you know?”

  “What else do you know?” Charlie wasn’t telling him about Evelyn.

  “Evelyn and Noel are both pregnant,” Ayden whispered. It was nice to have someone to share things with.

  “Wow. This is exciting don’t you think?” Charlie had relaxed again. In the great scheme of what was going on this family, her feelings for Ayden wouldn’t take up time on anyone’s list of concerns.

  The door opened and everyone filed out with beach bags and children.

  “You ready?” Joshua looked full of life and energy today.

  “What the hell.” Ayden stood and held a hand out for Charlie.

  “Can we ride with you, Ayden?” Gray and Chase Jr. looped their arms around each of Charlie’s legs.

  “Take ‘em.” Ethan struggled with the assorted equipment in his arms. “Seats are in the vans.”

  “Go grab your car seats.” Ayden couldn’t say no when Charlie put her hands down and patted their heads, at the same time giving him a pleading look. She liked the little monsters, and they thought she was funny. Probably why she liked them, he decided. The woman had the worst jokes ever.

  The two boys stormed past Ethan almost knocking him over in the push to get to the vans to grab their car seats.

  “You need anything from the house, darlin’?” Ayden stepped closer to Charlie.

  “I don’t think so. I have sun-block and a change of clothes in my bag.” Charlie looked at all the gear Malcolm, Chase, and Ethan were loading in the vans. “If I don’t have something, I’m sure they do.”

  “It’s going to be packed at the beach today.” He wasn’t sure how well she was going to do with a crowd the size they were no doubt headed into. Charlie shrugged her shoulders and smiled. Ayden nodded. “Let’s do it.”

  * * *

  The boys were struggling with the car seats Joshua had unlocked and handed them. Ayden grabbed the seats and headed to his truck. After locking them in place, he lifted each kid in and strapped him in. Charlie sat in the passenger seat, and when Ayden got in the driver seat, he took in the scene completely.

  Two happy kids in the backseat, one happy woman next to him, life was good. Looking in the rearview mirror, he smiled. His was the only easy going vehicle at the moment. The wives were directing the husbands, and the seating arrangements of the two minivans changed at least once more while they waited.

  “You guys like Elvis?” Ayden turned to face the boys waiting on the others to get situated in their vehicles.

  “Who?” Gray asked.

  “You don’t know who Elvis is?” Charlie feigned shock. “He’s the king of rock and roll.”

  “My daddy likes rock and roll.” Chase nodded.

  “I love Elvis,” Charlie told them.

  “Me too.” Gray nodded.

  “Yeah, me too,” Chase agreed.

  “Good thing or you guys would be walking to the beach,” Ayden teased as he turned the engine on and waited for the minivans to pass before pulling out.

  “Ayden,” Charlie scolded him playfully. “You guys sing?”

  The boys shrugged. “Well you have to sing when you listen to Elvis.” Charlie hit play. She knew Ayden already had a CD in there. He rarely listened to anything else.

  By the time they made it to the beach, the boys were twisting and crooning along with Ayden and Charlie to “Don’t Be Cruel.” Of course, they missed most of the words, but they were trying to make Elvis lips like Charlie had showed them. They knew the chorus to a few songs in no time. Their favorite song they were singing now.

  “You ain’t nothing but a hound dog…” The boys shook their butts and curled their lips as they followed behind Ayden and in front of Charlie.

  “What in the world?” Megan looked at her son and his cousin.

  “Elvis, mom.” Chase gave her the lip.

  “Oh I see.” Megan patted him on the head. “Thank you, Ayden.”

  He winked at her, grabbed two small beach buckets out of the van and handed one to each of the boys. He grabbed a couple chairs by the straps and slung them over his shoulder, then grabbed the cooler.

  “Come on guys. This is man’s work.” Ayden headed toward the beach with the toddlers trailing behind feeling useful.

  “We’re men, mom,” Gray told Grace as he passed giving her Elvis lips.

  They started singing again making Ayden laugh.

  “What are they doing with their lips?” Grace smiled looking at Charlie.

  “Elvis.” Charlie shrugged. “Can I grab anything?”

  “We got it,” Joshua said as the rest of the men filed past with their arms full.

  “You get used to the testosterone after a while.” Evelyn sighed and followed behind the men. “Joshua, you be careful going down the stairs.”

  Charlie followed suit with Stephanie behind everyone else.

  “Malcolm thinks we should plan for a quick wedding, like as soon as the church has an open day back home,” Stephanie whispered.

  “Sounds like a good plan.” Charlie nodded.

  “You and Ayden will be there, right?” Stephanie held Charlie’s hand tight.

  “I know I will,” Charlie reassured her. “I’m so glad you’re here.”

  “No, I’m glad you’re here.” Stephanie beamed.

  * * *

  The beach was packed with tourists and others. Charlie stayed near the blankets and the tent shades. Grace stayed under the tent with the babies applying sun-block to herself and the kids every thirty minutes. Noel and Evelyn took a walk down the beach while Megan and Stephanie sunbathed. The guys played in the water body surfing, and when Chase Jr. and Gray wanted in they took turns watching them. Finally, Ethan and Chase began working on a sand castle with their sons. Malcolm and Stephanie headed off for a walk, Joshua and Tom sat on the blanket drying off, and the big bad Wolf finally came for Charlie.

  “You haven’t been in the water all day, darlin’.” Ayden stood over her dripping with both water and mischief.

  “I’m not much for the ocean. Things live in there.” Charlie squirmed at the thought. People were fishing not too far from where they were swimming for crying out loud. Hadn’t he heard of sharks?

  “You can swim, right?” Ayden put a lot of suggestion in that question.

  “Yeah,” Charlie said cautiously.

  “Good.”

  Without warning he had her lifted right off the blanket and tossed over his shoulder like a cave man. Charlie squealed and squirmed, but that only made her afraid her boobs would pop out of the bathing suit top, so she held onto her top and tried to talk him out of it instead.

  “Ayden, there are sharks
in that water.” Charlie squealed.

  “Bullshit.” Ayden pressed into the ocean with his woman on his shoulder. Charlie was so girly squealing and protesting, it made him feel good to torture her a bit.

  “Ayden!” she screamed as he dove right into the water taking her with him.

  Coming up for air, she swatted him. “Jerk.”

  “Oh, darlin’, you looked so hot on that blanket I thought you might like to cool off,” he cooed and pulled her close to him.

  “Is that a fish on my leg?” Charlie wrapped around him instinctively trying to get away from the unknown in the water.

  “No, I think that’s me.” Ayden wrapped his arms around her more thoughtfully now. This is exactly what he wanted. Charlie, as close as possible right now. He had missed her all day. She sat on the blanket or under the tent with Grace, chatted with the women as they came and went, and held the babies. She didn’t come out and play with him. He was admittedly a little jealous of not having her undivided attention. The need to touch her again rode him hard.

  “Not that.” Charlie calmed down and enjoyed the fact that he was holding her so closely. She wrapped her legs around his waist and her arms around his neck. He had been in the water or playing with the boys all day. She enjoyed his family, but she wanted to spend more time with him.

  He smiled. Ayden relished the feel of her clinging to him now for protection. So much in fact, that he forgot his whole family was on the beach watching them.

  When Ayden kissed her, she wasn’t prepared for it. It wasn’t a soft and gentle kiss like this morning. It was a hot biting kiss that could have boiled the water. Charlie opened her mouth and let him in. Her legs clenched around him as his sex began to grow against her. His tongue was thick and heavy, like everything else on his body. She could easily have forgotten where she was, but then something felt painful on her foot. Like a bite.

  “Ouch!” Charlie jumped. “Ayden, something… Oww!”

  “What?” Ayden was alarmed because she was really hurting, and it wasn’t from the little nibble he gave her.

  “My foot, shit.” Charlie lifted her foot, and it was bleeding.