by K E Osborn
"What happened, are you alright?"
"Yes, I'm fine. I got scared in the corridor, and then I bumped into some people and spilled their popcorn all over the floor."
"And in your hair apparently. What were you scared of?"
"It was dark, and there was a loud noise. That's all, just my overactive imagination."
He kisses my forehead.
"You guys ready to go?" Sarah interrupts.
We stand and walk down the stairs and out of the cinema; more people are in the corridor now, making me feel at ease.
We walk back to the car and drive back to Sarah's. We go inside to have a coffee and a general chat. Sarah and I make our way to the kitchen to make the coffee and the guys sit at the dining table. They chat to each other about cars as usual. Sarah puts on the kettle. I pull out four mugs from the cupboard, and Sarah looks at me, frowning.
"Are you alright?" she asks quietly.
"Yeah, fine, why?"
"You don't seem your normal chirpy self tonight, and I know that when you got here you'd been crying. I could see it in your eyes. Don't deny it." She casually looks over at Aiden, while I exhale and look toward the ground.
"Is everything okay?"
I shake my head.
"Then what is it? Is he cheating?" she asks, her eyes squinting and her brow furrowed.
"No, it's nothing like that. He ... he got a bit angry last night, and I saw a bit of his father in him, and that worries me."
"Jeni, is he hurting you or something?"
I shake my head in response. "No, it's hard to explain. He was different, that's all. It was something I didn't expect from him."
"As long as he's not hurting you or anything, but you let me know if he does, and even though they are buddy-buddy now, Chris will kick his ass if he hurts you."
"I know, thanks."
"I mean it. You can talk to me anytime you know."
I take Aiden's and my coffee as Sarah takes Chris' and hers.
We stay there for most of the night chatting. It gets late, and I start to get weary. Aiden watches me fading fast and decides it's time to go home.
"C'mon, Miss Taylor, let's get you home to bed."
I stand up and hug Sarah and Chris. "Thanks for a great night, guys," I say through a yawn.
He takes my hand, and we walk down the hallway, out the front door, and to the Aston Martin. He opens my door and helps me into the car. We don't even make it out the driveway before my eyes close, and I fall into a deep sleep.
***
As time goes by, we slowly get over the loss of our baby, and we seem to be back into our old routine. My fears of him becoming Alistair are being squashed by his efforts to prove to me how unlike his father he really is. We get up and go to work every weekday. I'm getting much better at my job now, and I don't have to rely on Brielle to help me so much, which is comforting. Alistair still taunts me every day behind Aiden's back, calling me horrible names. Now he tells me off for being too productive, rather than being slow. Either way, I can't win with him, and that's something I have to learn to deal with. It still hurts, but at least it's bearable at the moment. We are making love as often as possible, but never in the shower anymore. That's become off limits for me, the memory still haunting me to this day.
Chapter 13
"Happy birthday, babe," I say, leaning in to kiss him.
"Urgh, yeah, birthday," he says grumpily, making me giggle.
"Birthday means presents!"
"I have everything I need right here." He pulls me to him and kisses me once more.
His phone rings, disturbing our passionate kiss. He exhales and answers it.
"Hi, Mom." He places it on speakerphone for me to hear.
"Happy birthday to you, Happy birthday to you, Happy birthday, dear Aiden, Happy birthday to you, hip hip hooray. I love you, darling," Callie sings on the other end of the line.
"Thanks, Mom. Jeni's listening in."
"Hi, Callie."
"Oh, hi, darling. Sorry about my terrible singing. Aiden you should know better than to put me on speakerphone when I'm singing."
"Sorry, Mom."
"We're going to Vinchenzo's tomorrow. Is that right, honey?"
"Yes, seven p.m. They have reserved a table for us."
"Excellent and your mother is coming as well, I hear, Jeni."
"Yes, she is. She's very excited to see you again."
"I'm excited to see her too. Aiden my love, have a great day, and I'll see you both tomorrow night."
"Thanks, Mom, see you then."
"Bye, darlings."
He hangs up the phone; he shakes his head and goes to sit up. I pull him back to the bed and kiss him again. I feel him smiling when we kiss.
"Mmm ... Jeni, we have to go to work," he says, interrupting our kiss.
I frown at him. "At least let me give you your present first." I lean down under the bed and pull out a small box wrapped in blue wrapping paper with a little bow on top. He takes the small box and shakes it to see if he can hear anything. I shake my head at him.
"Just open it."
He unties the little blue bow, tears the paper and then opens the lid to find a business card-sized piece of cardboard. He pulls it from the box and looks at me curiously.
"Turn it over," I say, directing him.
He turns over the piece of cardboard, revealing a voucher for a romantic weekend stay at a bed and breakfast near the ocean.
"Do you like it?"
"Like it? I love it, Chris and I'll have a great time there." He laughs.
I pick up my pillow and hit him with it; he grabs the pillow, pulling it so I fall forward into him.
"Thank you, baby, I love it."
"Glad you like it. There are some available dates coming up in the next month or so."
"Cool, I'll look up when's best and pick a time for us. I'm excited." A cheeky, boyish grin appears on his face.
"Good I'm glad. Happy birthday, love you."
"Thanks, love you more."
We kiss one last time before we get ready for work and go through the usual routine.
Alistair was in meetings out of the office today; it was actually a pleasurable day. Walking up behind me, Aiden spins my chair and leans down, resting his hands on the arms of my chair. His face is exceptionally close to mine. I stare into his eyes, those mesmerizing, bright blue eyes as he leans in and kisses me.
"Get a room," Brielle yells out. We continue to kiss. It's almost like that saying when the teachers away, the children will play. That's how it feels with Alistair out of the office. Aiden, Brielle, and I are playing practical jokes on each other and generally having a good time. It's the best day I've had since I started here.
The elevator chimes, making him let go of the chair and break our kiss. He stands up and straightens himself out. The doors open, and Alistair walks into the foyer and straight past us into his office. He doesn't look like he's in a good mood. I sigh, along with Aiden and Brielle; we know our "play time" is over. I look at the time on my computer. It's four fifty-eight, nearly time to go home. I finish up on the computer and start to turn everything off. Brielle does the same while Aiden goes back to his office.
Alistair comes storming out of his office and yells at Brielle, "Come on, Brielle, it's time to go." She looks over at me, stands up, collects her bag, and walks with Alistair to the elevator. Aiden comes out and sees the two of them waiting for the doors to open. Brielle looks back at us, making a funny face. We both chuckle under our breaths as Alistair leads his daughter into the elevator.
"See you tomorrow, guys," Brielle yells out. Alistair looks down at her angrily. She rolls her eyes without him seeing, and the doors close.
"What was that about?"
"I don't know, probably a deal fell through or something. He'll be in a great mood for my dinner tomorrow by the looks of things."
"Yay," I say, rolling my eyes. He shakes his head at me despondently. I stand up from my chair, taking my handbag, and walk to
the elevator with my birthday boy in tow. The elevator opens, and we step in. The doors close, and he takes my hand. We walk through the main foyer.
"Good evening, Mr. O'Connell, happy birthday," Josie calls out. I look up at him, shocked that she knows it's his birthday.
"Thanks, Josie, have a good weekend."
As we reach the doors, I lean into him. "She knows it's your birthday. Stalker much?"
We walk out the sliding door and down the stairs to the parking garage where Mike is waiting for us.
"Are you having a good birthday, sir?" Mike asks Aiden as we approach.
"It's been one of the best so far." He winks at me, while Mike opens the door.
"Good to hear, sir." I slide into the car. Aiden follows in behind me, wraps his arm around my shoulders and pulls me into him. I rest my head on his shoulder.
"To the scope please, Mike."
"Sure thing, Miss Taylor."
"We're not going home?"
"Nope, I've got a little something planned."
We drive along a dirt track, through the gates, up the steep hill, and we're there. Mike pulls up, walks around, and opens the door. Aiden looks at me suspiciously then gets out of the car. I follow, and Mike shuts the door. Mike pulls out a blindfold and hands it to me.
"Thanks, Mike."
"What's going on?" Aiden asks, his brows furrowed.
Mike walks around to the driver's side, gets into the car, and leaves.
"Here, put this on."
"Hmm, role playing, huh? I didn't think you were into that, but I'm happy to oblige," he jokes, making me laugh.
"Just put it on!"
He wraps the black blindfold over his eyes, tying it in a knot at the back. I place my arm in his and guide him along.
"You're not going to walk me off the edge of the cliff, are you?"
"Yes, I am, now walk."
"Yes, ma'am," he says, faking a salute.
I guide him along to the telescope on the edge of the cliff, where a table and chairs are set up nicely for a surprise birthday dinner.
"Take off the blindfold," I chirp.
He takes it off, and he smiles brightly, his eyes widening. "Wow, when did you get time to set this up?"
"It was my idea, but Mike set it all up for me. Surprise!"
"Its lovely, thank you." He pulls out a seat for me to sit, and then he walks to the other side of the small table to sit down.
I wave my hand in the air, and the waitress comes over.
"Where did you hire her?" he says as she walks toward the table.
"She's a friend of your friend Frankie. He's cooking for us tonight. He has a catering van set up over there and is cooking the same meal we had on our first date."
He shakes his head in disbelief. "You're amazing, you know that? Wait, how did you get Frankie's number?"
"I borrowed your cell while you were in the shower."
"Hi, Mr. O'Connell. Happy birthday. Would you like something to drink?" the waitress asks.
"I'll have a Macallan, and, Jeni, what would you like?"
"I'll have a Moscato, thank you."
"No problem, I'll be right back with your drinks," she says and leaves. He shakes his head again.
"What?"
"This is truly amazing. No one has ever done anything like this for me."
"No one had done this sort of thing for me before I met you. I'm just returning the favor."
"This is the best birthday I've ever had, great day at work, dinner with my girl; it doesn't get any better than this."
I giggle.
The waitress comes back with our drinks and places them on the table in front of us.
"Dinner will be ready for you shortly, sir," she says and walks off.
The sun is starting to set in its usual hues of pink and turquoise. He takes my hand on the table and gently rubs my thumb with his. The waitress comes over and places the same garlic flat bread we had at the waterfall on our first date.
"Thank you."
"Not a problem," she says and then leaves.
We eat the flat bread and talk mainly about work. I'm finally starting to understand some of the terminology he uses. Aiden abruptly stands; I look at him, confused as he walks over to me. He puts out his hand; I take it and stand up. He walks with me to the edge of the cliff and holds me from behind while we watch the sun go down slowly, fading from serene colors until it's almost dark. I notice the waitress lighting little candles on the ground and a couple on the table, giving it a romantic ambience. She walks back to the catering van, and my attention is drawn to Aiden. I turn in his grasp so I'm facing him. He looks down at me, and we continue staring at each other. God, how I love this man.
The waitress comes over with our meals, places them on the table and walks away. She doesn't interrupt us like the waitress did on our first date.
"Guess we'd better eat before it goes cold."
"Guess so."
He lets go of me and we walk back to the table and sit down to eat. The food is absolutely delicious, just as it was the first time.
"Frankie's a great chef, but don't tell Chris I said that. How do you know Frankie anyway?"
"We went through school together," Aiden says then he places some more food into his mouth.
"I don't hear you talk much about your friends." I come to the realization that he never talks about his friends.
"I don't have many; I'm too busy with work."
"Oh, you always have me ... and Frankie."
"I guess Chris is my best friend?"
"Yeah, you two get along so well."
"Yeah, he's great and you're right we do get along well."
The waitress comes over to ask if we would like dessert. We both say no, and she leaves us again. I stand, make my way to him, and put my hand out. He takes my hand, standing up to meet me. We walk over to the telescope, where a blanket has been placed for us to lie on. I sit on the blanket as does Aiden, and then we lay down, looking at the stars. I cuddle into him like we did on our first date.
"Hey, love birds," we hear someone call out. We both sit up when Frankie walks toward us.
"Thanks for dinner again, Frankie. It was, as always, delicious."
"I know," he says with a smirk.
"You must be the beautiful Jeni that I spoke to on the phone?"
"That's me. I'm not sure about the beautiful part though."
"I'm sure," Frankie says, making me blush.
Aiden chuckles. "Hey, man, back off. She's mine, all right?"
"I know, I know, keep your panties on," Frankie teases.
"Thank you for this, Frankie. I appreciate it."
"For a beautiful young woman like you, Jeni, it's my pleasure. Aiden, happy birthday, dude. Twenty-nine today, huh? You'll be walking with a walker before you know it," he jokes.
"You're only ten months younger than me."
"Ah, details, details. Anyway, I'm going to leave you love birds to it. Have a good rest of your birthday, dude."
"Thanks again, Frankie."
"Anytime, sweetheart," he calls out walking back to the catering van.
I sigh and lie back down on the blanket, as does Aiden. I snuggle up to him again and we look up at the stars. I hear the catering van drive off out of the gate. Alone at last.
I breathe in slowly, smelling his masculine aroma as I prop myself up to see him. He looks at me casually as the candles flicker in the slight breeze.
"Happy birthday." I move in to kiss him; the night fades away around us as we lie on the blanket kissing intimately.
He lies on his back with his arms under his head. I sit up and reach over to a bag that's sitting next to the telescope.
"What cha doin?"
I decide to show him rather than tell. I pull out two pillows and a blanket from the bag. His eyes light up.
"We're sleeping here tonight?"
"Yup, just like our first date, but this time with pillows and a blanket."
He takes his pillow, propping it under
his head. "That's better."
I place mine under my head and pull the blanket over us. We lie under the blanket in each other's arms all night, staring at the stars.
Chapter 14
The sun is up, the birds are singing, and there's not a cloud in the sky as we snuggle into each other. The sun is almost blinding. I pull the blanket over my head.
Aiden chuckles. "Morning, beautiful. What's the weather like under there?" he jokes.
"Ha ha," I say sarcastically. "It's too bright for me."
He raises the blanket to look at me. "Is it time to go?"
"Yeah, I think so."
We both sit up, causing the blanket to fall. I fold it up, place it and the pillows into the bag, squinting. I'm obviously entertaining him again while he watches me. I stand and pick up the bag. Aiden stands and takes the bag from me.
We start to walk toward the car. "I wonder if Mike will still be asleep or not."
"No, I told him to come back at seven a.m. to pick us up. He went home last night. I felt guilty last time. I wasn't having him stay here again."
He shakes his head. "Always thinking of others."
We get to the car, and Mike opens the door for us. He takes the bag from Aiden and puts it in the trunk as we get into the car.
"Did you have a good night?" Mike asks entering the driver's side.
"Yes, thank you, Mike, for helping me set it up."
"Anytime, Miss Taylor." He dips his hat and turns around to start the car.
We drive back and make our way up to our apartment. He drops the bag on the floor, and we kick off our shoes. In one swift movement, he lifts me up off the ground.
"Whoa!" I giggle as he carries me into the bedroom. He throws me onto the bed and raises his eyebrows insinuatingly. He sits on the edge of the bed, and I move in behind him, wrapping my arms around his chest, my head resting on his shoulder. I slowly undo his top button and continue down his shirt until his chest is bare. He turns and moves up on the bed, shuffling out of his shirt. His hands find the bottom of my top and lift it up effortlessly over my head. We move so our bodies are touching. I position my head to kiss his neck while he undoes my bra, and my hands clench on his biceps.
He pulls my bra off and flings it to the floor. He grabs me, one hand on my waist and the other behind my head, and pulls me to the bed so he's hovering over me. I move my hands down to unbuckle his belt and unzip his fly. I pull his pants over his ass to the backs of his thighs. I grasp his naked ass. He inhales sharply shuffling out of his pants, kicking them to the floor. He kisses me from my neck down my breasts to my stomach and gently tugs on my skirt, taking it and my underwear off in one swift motion. He puts his weight on me as I wrap my arms around his back; he moves in to kiss me softly and seductively as his hand travels down there. My breath catches when his warm touch connects; his gentle movements making me crave every ounce of him. I can tell this is going to be gentle lovemaking, not a quick fuck. His tongue caresses mine while his finger gently massages my clitoris. He's slowly working me up, taking his time, so I'm fully ready for him. He circles his finger on me, making my breathing quicken with the feeling of welcomed pleasure starting to encompass me. Moaning softly against my wanting lips, he gently moves his fingers from my clitoris to inside me, slowly moving in and out and around, making my muscles come alive with his delicate touch. He plants chaste kisses on my mouth and jaw line.