by Laura Sutton
“Ok,” Claire said looking over at him, smiling. “Tomorrow.”
“No. Now.” He slid from the bed and walked into the bathroom, turning on the bathtub. Claire listened as she laid there. She still couldn't believe that she was with Aidan or that someone could affect her as much as he did. The water turned off in the bathroom, but Claire made no attempt to move. Aidan walked back into the room and saw her still lying there. “Can you move?”
“No.”
He smiled as he walked over and lifted her in his arms. “This is why there are rules on sleep, eating, and exercising. It will help your endurance.”
“Endurance? You mean more? There can be more?” Claire asked shocked.
Aidan laughed. “Oh yes there can be more. Lots more.” He lowered her into the tub and turned on the jets, pouring in different liquids.
“Those smell good.”
“They'll help with the soreness.” Aidan put her into the bathtub, sliding in behind her. He wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her back to him. She rested back against him as his fingers caressed her arms. “So, do you know what two days you'd like to stay here? Do we want to negotiate to have more days?” Aidan asked. He was not sure what he was thinking but he wanted more than just two days even just to stay wrapped around her like they were now.
“What days do you want me here?”
“Oh no, this is totally you. Which days can you have off?”
“Oh! Did I not tell you? I quit the bar. I'm planning to move into my gallery's apartment. I was going to move to a better neighborhood but being allowed to work and not worry about paying rent on time. Plus, this really hot amazing guy came and bought several of my paintings and I'm kinda set until my gallery is up. I can draw, paint and sketch anytime and anywhere.” Claire said as she twisted a little in his arms.
“How about Thursday and Friday.”
“And Saturday?” Claire asked quietly.
“You want three days.”
“I like being with you when we're here alone.”
“You didn't enjoy dinner?”
“No, I did, but I like Aidan. Ashby's a bit stiff.”
“Stiff.” Aidan laughed, “I can show you stiff.”
“Oh, I think you already have Mr. Ashby.” She smiled as she turned in the water, enough to reach his lips and kiss him.
“Ok three days for now. We can always change it up later if we choose.”
Claire laid against his chest as his hands made circles on her body. “Why do you put on a face?” She asked a little nervously.
“Everyone has a face, but this is just me. Plus, it's nice to have people terrified of me. It gets things done faster.” Claire pulled his arms up and wrapped them around her. Claire smiled she knew that he had a face that he put on but right now she didn't care. She felt safe. Safer than she's felt in her entire life. She drifted off to sleep on his chest as the jets flowed around her, caressing her.
Chapter Fourteen
Claire woke to her stomach growling. She could feel Aidan's body pressed up against her. How did I get to bed? The last thing she remembered was being in the tub. She moved her legs and she was not as sore or stiff as she had been before. Aidan was right about the liquids he had put into the bath. She slides from the bed as she went to relieve herself. She picked up his shirt from the night before and slid it on, along with a pair of shorts that she had stuffed in her bag.
She padded down the stairs and grabbed a banana from the kitchen and placed some bread in the toaster. She smiled as she heard footsteps behind her she turned and saw Max standing there.
“Ms. Henderson.” Max smiled gently at Claire. “I heard a noise. It's early.”
“Yes, sorry. My stomach woke me.”
“Certainly. Have a good rest of the night.”
Claire looked at the clock on the microwave and saw that it was only three a.m. She never would have thought it was so early. She took a bite of the toast as she sat down on one of the bar stools. After she finished, she knew it would be the best time to explore. She was awake, energized even. She cleaned up the mess she had made and walked back up the stairs. She looked at the doors that led to the bedroom and then the ones that led to the pool. She walked through the door with a smile.
Aidan woke up to an empty bed. Looking at the clock it was only three thirty. The bathroom door was open. Aidan slid on his pants and left the room. He checked the entire downstairs and still could not find her. Finally, he went back up the stairs, rolling his eyes as he walked into the pool area and saw her sitting on the steps. “Woke up, you were gone.”
“I was hungry.”
“The kitchen is downstairs.”
“I got some toast and the pool was just screaming at me.”
“Screaming? Right. You do seem energetic.” Aidan smiled as he undid his pants and stepped out of them.
“You were right. Food helps.”
“It does.” He walked into the pool. “Let's see if we can fix your energy level.” He smiled as he kissed her, sliding into the water, besides her body. He pulled her farther into the water as he unbuttoned his shirt that suctioned to her body and put it up on the edge of the pool.
“Where did you get the shorts?”
“My purse.” He laughed against her throat.
“What else do you have in your purse, Ms. Henderson?”
“Pills. Lipstick, pen and a mini sketchbook. But you may inspect it if you like.”
“I plan to inspect you.”
“Inspect away,” Claire said as she put her arms at the edge of the pool and spread her legs apart as wide as she could. He smiled as he ran his fingers down her body as he pulled back, he cupped her essence and ran his fingers over every inch of her. He pulled her to him as he walked up the pool stairs and laid her on one of the large lawn chairs and he lied back. Claire sat straddled on top of him on her knees, his arousal boldly jammed against the front of her vagina and flat stomach. “Take me into your tight, wet canal.” Claire bit her lip nervously as she grabbed his shaft, moving as she slipped him into her vagina. She slowly moved up and down, absorbing his member thick and pulsing inside her tightness. Aidan slid his hands up her thighs, his fingers skillfully fondling her folds. He got lost in the rhythm and leaned up to kiss her as she kept the rhythm. He pulled her down each time to force more of his penis inside her until he ejaculated within her.
Claire woke from Aidan's bed again; this time the sun was shining on her skin as she laid in the bed. She moved quickly, sitting up after noticing the bed was empty. Empty. She got up quickly and slid the red gown back on as she left the room. She slowly padded down the stairs. She smiled as she saw Aidan pacing the kitchen barking into his phone. Claire felt the change in him and stopped. He had on his 'Ashby' face again. Claire heard him bark into his phone as she stayed on the other side of the wall. She heard him close her phone, but she stayed on the other side of the wall.
He turned the corner and saw her. “Eavesdropping again.”
Claire just looked at him, fear in her eyes. Aidan wanted to yell at her for listening in to his conversation yet again, but he knew that she wouldn't tell anyone, and he hated seeing the fear in her eyes. She feared him. He would have to get her to trust him, somehow. “There's a problem at work.”
“Ok.”
“I have to go...”
“Aidan. Work is important, I get that. Go. I have lots of work myself. Call me,” Claire said with a small smile as she touched his arm.
Aidan kissed her. “I'm sorry I scared you.”
Claire barely looked to him. “Go to work.”
“I give the orders.”
“Yes, sir.” She smiled as she turned towards the door, he smacked her butt.
“Ow.” She looked at him.
“That's for the order.” He smiled as he kissed her. “Go work. I'll contact you later.”
Claire left his penthouse. She was glad to have a moment to think and take a moment to absorb all the emotions that were running like
crazy with her entire body. The moment she was standing on the curb she realized that she didn't have her wallet. She had left it at her apartment since it wouldn't fit into her purse with all the other stuff she was carrying. There were moments that she hated that she did not have a car. Today was one of those moments. Claire sighed as she turned and started walking in the direction of her apartment.
“Ms. Henderson.” Sam, one of Aidan's guards, jogged towards her.
Claire turned around at the sound of her name. “Mr. Ashby's car is waiting for you. I'm to escort you safely home.”
Claire nodded and smiled in appreciation. She was not looking forward to walking several miles home. Aidan was looking after her. He looked after her needs even though he was dealing with work. Sitting in the car, she smiled. She felt special. Special that he thought of her. She pulled out her phone and typed a quick, “Thanks for letting me borrow your car and thinking of me. Hope everything works out for you.” She hit send and finally relaxed.
“Always Claire.” The reply came back to her instantly.
Claire was finally safe and sound inside her apartment. She stared at all the paintings that were sitting around. She owned a gallery. Her own space and she needed to move. Claire had made some calls and boxes had arrived from Staples as well as tons of packing supplies. She was going to do this, and she was going to do this by herself. She needed to prove that she was strong. She laid her stuff down as she went and changed into her favorite jeans and t-shirt. Packing up her room came first. “It's time to live, Claire. Be happy,” she whispered as she looked around her room. Happy. Claire never really understood what the word meant. Happiness passed her by years ago and she would have to learn with enjoyment, but true happiness wasn't something that she could ever have. She could not allow herself to be happy. She did not deserve to be happy.
Her room was packed, and she was stuffing her laptop into her messenger bag when a knock sounded at the door. The movers were there. She opened the door as she started giving directions about what was going. They started moving out the furniture. She looked at all her paintings. She didn't want the movers to touch them. She was worried that they would mess them up. When one of the movers went to grab a painting she practically ran to the man. “Leave those. I will take those myself.”
“Yes ma'am,” He said as he went to collect the other furniture. It was one good thing about her apartment. There was practically nothing in her apartment to pack up. The most stuff was her paintings, her photographs, her whole life. “Ma'am there are a couple boxes full of sketchbooks. Would you like us to take those?”
“Yes, please. Everything but the canvas paintings. I definitely need you to grab the design desk. It weighs like a million pounds,” Claire said with a smile as she walked into the kitchen. She did not have much to pack away, but she was ready to get into her new place. She grabbed her cell phone and dialed the contractor. “Yes. Meet me at the gallery. Say thirty minutes?” Claire asked as she looked around the room. It was empty except for her paints and easels and a few of her belongings that she was going to bring with her. The movers had everything, and she locked up the apartment, jumping into Alyssa's car, she drove to her gallery and new apartment. “Good afternoon, Ms. Henderson. I'm Peter Engberg of Engberg Construction and Design. You said you were planning to turn this into a gallery?”
“Yes.” Claire pulled out a tube of designs. “I have some drawings of what I was envisioning, for the gallery.” She spread out the papers. He took one side of it and straightened it. Claire phone rang almost making her jump. She looked at the I.D. on the screen, 'Ashby.'
“I apologize. I must take this.” The contractor took the designs and looked over them as Claire walked towards the door. “Hello.”
“Where are you?” Aidan's harsh question came through her phone.
“The gallery. I'm meeting with the contractor.”
“I'll pick you up in an hour.” He hung up before Claire could say anything. She stared at her phone for just a moment before she returned.
“These drawings are amazing.” Claire showed him around the gallery and talked to him about what she envisioned. Claire walked up the stairs to the apartment. “Nothing needs to be done up here unless we can get another room or two up there. I don't care much about high ceilings except in the gallery.”
“It's going to be a lot of work, but it can be done. We are going to have to redo the wiring and get more plugs and fixtures for the extra lighting in the gallery. I estimate that it should take about a month for the renovations. We could go for a drink and discuss it more.”
“I can't tonight. I have plans.”
“Here's the quote.” He handed Claire a business card with a number on the back. “I'll take a rain check on that drink.”
Claire turns over the card and looked at the quote and back to him. “That's lower than I expected. When can you get started?”
“I can bring my team out tomorrow. Meet here, say, 9 a.m.? Oh just to let you know, the month that we are doing the renovations you can't stay at the apartment above for safety reasons.”
Claire froze at the news. She should have checked with everything before she had packed up all her stuff and put it in a truck. Her other apartment was empty except for her paintings and a few paint supplies. She put on a smile, not showing her stupidity in thinking that she could move in immediately. “That's fine. I have my own apartment.”
“Good. See you in the morning. Thank you.”
“No, thank you. I'm glad about this finally happening. I'll see you in the morning.” As she was about to leave, she remembered quickly, “Wait, can I work in the back as long as I don't go upstairs.”
“Should be fine most of the time. I just don't want anyone upstairs until I know that it's safe and sound. That should only take a week or two to have the upstairs finished up to code.” Mr. Peter Engberg smiled as he shook her hand and got into his work van.
Claire looked around the place. “Shit!” She kicked the solid pillar. She never thought that she would not be allowed to stay here during most of the renovations. She turned and saw Aidan standing there with his arms crossed, watching her.
“Problem?”
“No. It's all good. Meeting the contractor in the morning for them to start.” Claire plastered on the fake smile that she had used most of her life.
“But?”
“But nothing.”
“Don't lie.”
Claire rolled her eyes and huffed. She crossed her arms protectively in front of her. “I thought I could move in, but I have to wait until after the renovations. Just a letdown.”
“You really want out of that apartment you're in?”
“No, it's a good apartment I was just ready for this new... road.”
“Would you like me to talk to the contractor?”
“No.” Claire walked up to Aidan. “This is my job, my dream. Let me handle this.” She went up on her tiptoes and kissed him. “I'm ok with staying at my apartment another month.”
“You kissing me doesn't get you out of punishment for cursing.”
“You heard that?”
“Yes.”
“Well, you shouldn't eavesdrop. I think you are the one that told me that.”
“Come.” He held out his hand as they went up to the gallery apartment.
“Did you get your work stuff fixed?” Claire asked wanting to fill the silence. She did not want to be alone in her own mind.
“Of course.”
At the top of the stairs, he saw the apartment and the furniture. “Is all of your furniture here?”
“No, just most of it,” Claire said, squirming. She did not want to have him worry about her or know that she had so little after seeing his apartment. She bit the inside of her cheek. She knew what was coming.
“You're going to punish me.”
“I haven't decided.”
“I broke a rule.”
“True, but I wasn't supposed to hear it and you aren't on my time. I do hate
language though.”
“Why is that?”
“I just do.”
“I shall try my best. I'm used to cursing, a lot.”
“Why?”
“It helps me to explain how I feel.”
Aidan sat and pulled her to his lap. “How do you feel?”
“I don't know.”
“Describe it,” Aidan ordered.
“Confused.”
“Just confused?” Aidan had his hand on her arm. “Tell me, Claire. Tell me.”
“Fucking Confused! There are you happy?” Claire started to pace around the room. “I don't get why you'd be with someone like me. I mean your gorgeous yet you're with someone like me. You are sweet, nice, amazing, at least when you're behind closed doors but out in the world you are emotionless and mean.” Claire huffed. “It's like you are Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. I never know what your mood will be, and we've only been together less than a week. Half of me wants to run like I always run and the other half just...”
“Just what?”
Claire turned quickly towards him and kissed him, hard. He fell backward onto the bed at the surprise attack. He kept a tight hold on her the moment that she attacked him. She melted into his arms as he flipped them over to lay beside her, as he ran his hand up her leg. “You think that I'm gorgeous... do you not see yourself?” He whispered and kissed her ear. “You are breathtaking. You have bewitched me.” His hand ran down her breasts and to the top of her business pants and belt. “Men watch you; and women are jealous of you. Did you not see that at dinner last night?” Aidan asked as he undid her belt, slid it from the belt loops, unbuttoned the top of her pants and pulled down the zipper.
“No, they don't,” Claire breathed.
“You're blind. You are a goddess, Baby Bear.”
“Your goddess.”
“Yes, my goddess and mine alone.”
“There's no one else. Never has been,” Claire said as she reached up and touched his face, wrapping her hand around the back of his neck she pulled him down to her lips. He pulled her hand away from his neck. “First, you are in trouble for that language,” he smirked. She looked at him, hiding her nakedness, as he slid from the bed. Grabbing her legs, he pulled her to the edge of the bed and flipped her over, exposing her naked butt.