by Sadie Grubor
"Oh god!" I screamed out as he ravaged my body. I raised my hips to give him deeper access, allowing him to take all of me.
"Fuck, Lilli! I’ve missed you so fucking much, and this hot, wet…fuck!" He growled and slammed into me quickly. "I fucking crave you!"
"Fuck, Aidan…don’t stop! Harder!" My nails were digging into the skin of his upper arms.
Over and over, he thrust into me. All of our pent up anger, frustration, angst and want slamming against each other.
"Baby…I’m gonna…cum with me...please…fuck!"
I slid my hand down to where we were attached and rubbed myself. Aidan looked down at what I was doing.
"Fuck, baby, that is so hot!" He growled. "Fuck, Lilli…please!"
Falling over the edge, again, I screamed his name out. He yelled out for me before collapsing onto the bed next to me. He pulled me to him immediately, holding me tightly to his heaving chest.
"Promise to never leave me." He said in a hushed tone.
"I promise."
"You promise what?" He brushed away my damp hair and snuggled into my neck.
"I promise to never leave you."
We lay quietly, listening to each other breath, feeling close. I was even more set on the fact that I would fight for my husband, no matter who wanted to play games with us.
The rhythm of his breathing finally lulled me to sleep.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Aidan
Finally having her back, really back, made me come alive again. I craved Lilli. I just needed her in my life. What had started as intrigue, and infatuation, has turned into a constant need for her. For us.
I have always known that Lilli was strong, but that night, in the spare bedroom, proved to me how amazing she really was. She had never truly blamed me. She was just scared and confused. It was a relief to finally clear the air with her and just be.
When I surprised her in the bathroom, I really had no intentions of having sex with her. Of course I had thought about it, but, in the end, I only wanted to show her how much I loved, appreciated her, and the strength that she harbored inside. As soon as she had deepened our kiss and rubbed herself against my erection, there was nothing and no one that could have kept me from fucking the shit out of her that night. Want had turned into an immediate need to taste, hear and feel her.
A week following our reunion, Devlin arrived in my office. I called Liam and James to attend the meeting as well.
"Aidan." We shook hands and he sat down.
"Devlin." I corresponded.
Liam and James greeted him as well.
"Aidan, I have to tell you that if this child is legitimately yours, then the terms of the inheritance…"
"Wait, you are saying that this is considered unfaithful?" I asked.
Devlin nodded.
"Aidan, it shows proof that you slept with another woman."
"Even if he was drugged and basically raped?" Liam questioned.
"What?" Devlin looked shocked and appalled.
"I have the evidence, Devlin, and I’ve filed a police report." I sat back in my chair.
"I will need to get copies of everything, but…I think that this will negate any claim of unfaithful actions. Are you and Lilli?"
I nodded. "Lilli is still my wife. She is standing by my side one hundred percent. Not that I deserve that from her, but she is giving it."
We discussed what had happened on that disgusting night, but I could only offer small details. In conclusion, I had been raped. It seemed absurd to me, but I had not willingly slept with Loreley and she was still nowhere to be found.
Another week passed after the meeting with Devlin and Viola had planned a small party for Liam’s birthday. Lilli and I both attended together. I wouldn’t…oh, who am I kidding...I couldn’t keep my hands off of her. She kept scolding me and giggling at all of my touching and groping.
It was when we were all leaving the restaurant that we ran into a very distraught looking Gideon.
"What have you done to her?" He yelled at Lilli and me. I immediately took a protective stance in front of her.
"I have no idea what you are talking about." I spit out, ushering Lilli into the car. Soon, James was at my side, along with Oscar and Dixon.
"Oh, I bet you don’t!" He yelled sarcastically and lunged toward me.
"Okay, old man, that will be enough of that." Dixon had both hands on Gideon and was pushing him back as we all climbed into our cars.
"Get your hands off of me! You’ll pay Iverson!" I heard Gideon shout as we closed the car door and took off.
"I wonder what that was about." Lilli looked at me, shock still on her face.
I wrapped my arms around her. "I’m not sure, but I plan on finding out."
Having investigators look into what set Gideon off and keeping police on standby for anything that Gideon may do, I still didn’t have one clue on the whole situation. It was very frustrating, but, as long as I had Lilli to come home to every day, I didn’t let it get to me too much.
The twin’s second birthday was rapidly approaching and I couldn’t believe that our children were growing so quickly. Lilli was planning a small family party, but Phoebe and Viola had blown it up to large proportions. What was once a small family dinner with cake and presents had elevated into ball pits, clowns who made balloon art and a professional photographer.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Lilli
"I can’t believe I let you, and Phoebe, talk me into all of this for two year olds. I mean, come on!" I exclaimed in the back of the black car as we headed to lunch.
"Oh, come now, what’s the point in marrying a rich man if you can’t throw elaborate parties!" Viola giggled.
I looked at her with my mouth hanging wide open.
"I’m only teasing." She laughed. "Okay, they are only two, but so what? They are Aidan’s offspring. Do you think that if Phoebe had gotten a hold of him with ideas that it would be any less?" She raised an eyebrow at me.
"Oh god, you’re right! Except we would all be renting out Disney World for their party!" I rolled my eyes and laughed.
We pulled up to one of the familiar restaurants that Viola preferred. Once we were seated, I excused myself to quickly call Kimberly and check on the twins. I loved helping with the foundation but I hated not being home with them, too. It was such a bittersweet thing to love what you do, but to have the biggest loves of your life, home, waiting on you all day. Hell, if that were the worst choice I had to make, after everything, I’d take it.
It had been a few weeks since Loreley had popped into my thoughts. I couldn’t help but wonder if she was okay. If she was truly pregnant, would she just drop in out of nowhere on us? Claiming that her child was an Iverson heir?
"They are fine and have been fine all day, will you enjoy your days out of the house." Kimberly answered with a chuckle.
"I can’t help it." I whined.
"I know you can’t, but if something were to happen then I would definitely call you. You know that."
I sighed. "I know, but I feel guilty when…"
"Just stop it! You are a wonderful mother and they love you dearly, now get back to lunch with Viola!" Sometimes I felt like Kimberly was my nanny too.
I turned abruptly and smacked into a large dark figure. Stumbling, my heel broke and I waited to feel the concrete come into contact with my body. It never came. Instead, I felt myself pulled up tightly against someone, my hands landing on his chest.
My eyes widened. "Darian?" I choked out.
"Lilli." He had a large smile on his face and then he hugged me.
I pushed back, knowing that Aidan would be furious. "Darian, we shouldn’t…"
"Lilli, I’d like you to meet Lorna." He put his hand out and pulled a familiar red-haired woman to his side closely. "Lorna, this is Lilli."
"Lilli, I’ve heard so much about you." She smiled brightly and shook my hand.
"Lorna is my fiancé." Darian smiled at her adoringly.
"Fiancé?" I knew t
hat my whole face read shock.
"I know, I know…but as soon as I met her, she had me." He kissed the hand that he was holding while she smiled up at him in adoration and pride.
"Well…it’s nice to meet the woman who could tame the infamous Darian." I smiled and hugged Lorna. "And, you." I smacked his chest, "I am so happy for you." I threw my arms around his neck and squeezed.
"Thank you."
"Well, I should get back inside."
They both nodded to me. "It was a pleasure, a huge pleasure, to meet you, Lorna. Darian…it was…eh…" I winked at him.
They both laughed and climbed into an awaiting taxi.
I returned to Viola and told her about my little run in with Darian and his fiancé as we ate lunch together.
The twin’s birthday had finally arrived and everyone came to the house. The decorations were pink and blue puppy dogs. Phoebe had practically covered the entire house.
Liam and Viola came with Maggie, Jason, Abby and baby Ryan in tow. Aunt Anne, who was holding baby Jimmy, arrived with Elora and James. At first I stiffened, waiting to see Henry’s face, but it never appeared. Phoebe and Oscar arrived with Celia and Dixon. Celia was sporting her large diamond engagement ring. Other family members arrived and once most guests were settled we began the mingling.
Aidan walked Walsh around while I held our shy, little Livy. She immediately jumped to Dixon, whom she adored, and Celia was Walsh’s girlfriend. Walsh gave Celia a large kiss on the cheek.
"Hey there, are you trying to steal my woman?" Dixon smiled at Walsh who gave him his crooked smile in return. All the while, Livy hugged Dixon’s neck like he was her super hero.
"Lilli, can I speak with you?" Phoebe whispered into my ear.
I nodded and excused myself from the group.
"What’s wrong?" Phoebe’s face seemed pale and she looked nervous.
"Come with me." She grabbed my hand and pulled me out of the room and into the downstairs guest bathroom. Shutting the door, she leaned against it.
"What the heck is going on?" I half-laughed at her behavior.
Phoebe picked up her purse, opened it, and pulled out a white pen. I furrowed my brow at her.
"What is…Oh My God! That’s not a pen!" I shouted. While a smile formed on my face, I grabbed for the white stick.
"Shhh!" Phoebe hushed me.
"Seriously…really? Does Oscar know?"
"Will you keep it down? No, he doesn’t know!” Phoebe was twisting her fingers in knots.
"Phoebe, what’s wrong? You think that he won’t…be happy."
She shrugged and I saw tears forming.
"Oh, Phoebe, I’ m sure that he will be thrilled!" I exclaimed.
"Lilli, we haven’t even talked about living together yet. Let alone marriage, long term plans, or kids. How…I mean…what if—?"
"You won’t know until you talk to him."
She bit her lip nervously.
"Everything will be perfectly fine. I bet that when you tell Oscar that he will be over the moon."
"You think?" She took a deep breath and seemed to be calming down.
"Damn straight. Who wouldn’t want you to have their babies?" I winked and she giggled.
"I love you, Lilli. Thank you!" She hugged me as a knock sounded on the door.
"Um…I don’t mean to intrude, but, uh, we have a lot of people out here." I heard Aidan’s velvety but muffled by the door voice.
I swung the door open, forgetting what I had in my hand. Smiling at him, I spoke.
"I’m sorry." Then I wrapped my arms around him and kissed his cheek.
"What’s this?" He furrowed his brow and took the stick from my hands.
"Wait…it’s…" I tried to explain, but his expression went from confusion, to shock, before finally settling on a huge smile.
"Are you?" He sounded a little more eager than I expected he would.
"Uh…no, it’s not mine."
"Oh." Now he looked disappointed. He looked back up quickly at Phoebe. I looked over my shoulder and Phoebe gave a small wave. "Holy shit! Does Oscar..?"
"No." Phoebe almost shouted and grabbed the stick, shoving it back into her purse.
Aidan furrowed his brow at her.
"You know that he’ll be thrilled, right?" He smiled at her and I watched Phoebe’s face light up with a larger than life smile.
"Really?" She was almost bouncing now. Aidan nodded confidently. "Oh, thank you, Aidan!" She hugged him and pushed past us to get out of the bathroom. I was almost positive she was heading toward Oz.
I smiled at Aidan. "Thank you."
"For what?"
"For making her happy. She was really worried about Oscar."
Aidan snorted.
"Oscar is head over heels in love with that little energizer bunny." He laughed.
"Well, they haven’t really talked long term or babies, so she was nervous. You made her feel better." I shrugged and hugged him.
He snorted again. "I guess she hasn’t realized that Oz has been hinting at marriage and living together? "
"What?" I said, shocked. He nodded. "Well, tell him to step up his game!" I laughed and Aidan chuckled.
We headed back to the party.
"You know…I’m kind of disappointed that it wasn’t your test." Aidan confessed.
"Bite your tongue!" I playfully scolded him.
"I’d rather bite—" I kissed him before he could finish speaking.
The weekend following the party Phoebe confessed to Oscar that she was pregnant. She had still been nervous but when Oscar called Aidan to tell him the news, I assumed that he was good with it. And, when Phoebe told me that he had practically called everyone he knew to tell them, I knew that he was absolutely thrilled.
Oscar confessed that he had been trying to hint for her to move in with him. Now that she was pregnant, he demanded that she move into his place immediately. That following weekend a moving van arrived to move Phoebe into his house. The last I had heard from Phoebe, Oscar was picking out colors and themes for the baby's room.
A month later, I was on a three way phone call with Phoebe and Celia discussing Celia’s wedding plans when I walked into the house.
"Phoebe, I love you, but Celia gets to decide."
"See! My wedding, Phoebe!" Celia practically cheered.
"Fine! But I still say that roses would be perfect." Phoebe pouted.
I laughed and walked down the hall. As I passed Aidan’s study, I realized that the door was open. I leaned in and saw Aidan sitting at his desk.
"You both need to calm down." I laughed. Aidan’s head shot up, his face a mixture of sadness and anger.
I furrowed my brow at him. "Guys, I will call you back." I hung up. "What’s wrong?"
"Care to explain these?!" He tossed glossy photos across his desk at me, causing them to slip onto the floor.
I walked over, picked them up, and looked at it. It was a picture of Darian and me on a sidewalk, his arms around my waist and him leaning in to me. It looked inappropriate, but I knew when this was from. I recognized the restaurant in the background.
"Aidan this…" he cut me off.
"Look at the others." He growled.
I narrowed my eyes at him and grabbed the other photos. I looked at them, my arms wrapped around his neck, and the last with me looking back winking at him.
"This is…"
"Just tell me when you met with him, Lilli!" Aidan smacked his hand on the desk. "Was it while we were….you know…during that time." His eyes were fixated on me with anger.
I threw the pictures in his face, causing him to flinch back in his chair.
"How dare you!" I crossed my arms over my chest. "You fuck another woman and possibly have some bastard child out there somewhere, yet you are going to look at these photos of an innocent encounter made to look bad and make accusations of me? Fuck you, Aidan!"
"Just tell me when!"
"When I was at lunch with Viola before the twin’s birthday." Aidan blinked at me
rapidly with confusion. "You can call her right now if you would like to confirm it."
I leaned over his desk seductively.
"Viola and I like to have threesomes with other men when you and Liam think we are doing foundation work. Asshole!" I shouted the last word and walked out of the study.
I got to our bedroom, yanked off my damn heels and threw them harshly into the closet. Basically ripping at my clothes to get the shit off of me, I tossed everything onto the closet floor and slipped into some yoga pants and a t-shirt. I now had some pent up anger that I needed to work off. I headed to the gym after I kissed the napping twins.
I had been running for about thirty minutes when I felt Aidan behind me. I stopped running and panted.
"What?" I groaned.
"I-I’m sorry." He mumbled out.
"So, you called Viola to ‘check up on my story’ I see." I spat at him and stepped down from the treadmill.
"No, I didn’t…"
"So, what are you having me followed or something?" I turned on him fiercely. "Do you have a private investigator watching me?!"
He shook his head. "No, no, no. I don’t. I am not doing that."
"Then, why the photos?" I felt the confusion contort my face.
"I found them in my office today, at AIS. They were in a large white envelope on my desk." His head was down.
"Oh." I was still standing in a defensive position. "You really don’t trust me?" I asked in almost a hushed tone.
His head shot up. "No, I do. I just…" he sighed heavily "I know what Darian was to you and it just—"
"And what exactly was he, Aidan?" I raised an eyebrow.
I watched him swallow hard. "A, um, hook up." He looked at me from under his lashes.
I laughed loudly.
"Jesus, Aidan!" I threw my hands in the air. "Darian was a friend. Yes, we slept together, but it wasn’t like a serious relationship. It was two friends with the benefit of getting close once in a while." I stepped toward him. "Do you believe for one second that my past relationship with Darian compares at all to what we have?"
He shook his head. "I’m sorry. I just hate the thought of you with him. Fuck, the thought of you with anyone else is enough to drive me over the edge. I couldn’t imagine if you…"