by K E Osborn
"I worship you," he whispers then he nibbles on my ear lobe. I simply moan in response. The love and emotion I feel for him is erupting within me. His fingers start to move a little faster as he palms my clitoris at the same time. I love how he loves me. His fingers moving in and out, and 'round and 'round as my heart rate steadily increases. His tender lips find their way back to mine. He enters me a little deeper and pushes me almost to the edge instantly as his fingers work their magic on my core. I can feel it. The heat rises, and my back arches when he starts to quicken the pace at my reactions. I moan with each exhale as he moves his fingers. My breathing hitches and my body starts to shake. I grip his shoulder blades tightly as I reach my climax. His kiss deepens as I lose myself in him. His breathing catches when he positions himself over me, and I wrap my legs around his waist. He slowly eases himself into me, moving in to kiss me passionately with a moan, his length filling me completely. I move my hand to his cheek, caressing it while he starts to move slowly in me. His hand comes up to take mine, and he interlocks our fingers above my head. I can feel the electrical current flowing between us as he moves in me, my emotions surging as he thrusts deeply and slowly inside me. The friction of his passionate lovemaking is driving me wild. With every touch, every kiss, and every thrust, he sends me higher. His breathing turns into soft, deep moans, and I can tell he's close. I know he's feeling it too, that energy and undeniable link we share between us. I tighten my grip on his hand and his face scrunches in that delicious way. He's so close as he thrusts in and out of me, in and out, until he can't hold on any longer.
"Come for me, baby," I moan into his mouth as his breath catches. He plunges his tongue inside my mouth as he jolts into me, unloading everything he has.
"Ohh, Jeni," he moans resting his forehead against mine, our breathing is in staccato.
"I'm so in love with you," he whispers and gently kisses my quivering lips.
He slowly moves out of me and rolls onto his back. I move to his side and snuggle into him as we fall from the high. My core tingles, and even though our lovemaking was earth-shatteringly amazing, I need more. I move my hand to his length and start to re-awaken him. Aiden looks down at me with a smirk.
"You're insatiable Miss Taylor."
"You make me insatiable, Mr. O'Connell." I sit up and position myself over him.
***
Our stomachs tell us it's time to eat. Aiden gets up first. He puts on some sweatpants and heads to the kitchen. I slowly get up and put on a negligee and make my way out to meet him. He puts on some toast and coffee, standing by the coffee machine as it brews. I make my way to the dining table and sit down. The toast pops up, and he spreads it with peanut butter. He puts the toast on a plate and brings it and the two coffees over to the table. We eat our breakfast at four p.m., only having a slice each, because dinner is not that far off. Once finished, I decide to have a shower whilst Aiden puts the dishes in the sink. I make my way to the en-suite and take off the negligee and hop in. The water feels so nice on my skin.
I close my eyes and put my hair under the water. I hear him come into the en-suite. He's taken off his sweatpants and is naked standing outside the door of the shower. I look at him as he opens the door.
"Can I come in?" he asks, knowing we haven't had a shower together since the incident. I feel my heart race while he looks at me for my permission; I exhale and nod.
"Are you sure?"
"Yes," I say unsteadily. He slowly steps into the shower with me. Memories flood back, making me tense up instantly. He takes my hands in his.
"I'm never going to hurt you."
I lunge forward and hug him, our bodies connecting and he rests his head on mine. A powerful electric current surges through me at the contact of his body against me.
"I've missed this."
I let go of him. "Me too," I say quietly.
He leans in, and I watch his body glisten with water droplets beading on his masculine chest. He always looks so good. I take out the body wash, and he looks at me.
"I love you," he says, reassuring me. I squirt some of the body wash onto my hands. I rub them together, lathering up the gel, and he moves so he's out of the water. I feel nervous as I stare at his shoulders, gently rubbing the gel into his body, down his arms, and onto his chest. My breathing quickens from the mixture of excitement and fear, fear of him taking me aggressively once more. I get to his groin and stop. He looks at me and takes my shoulders, spinning us around so he's in the water and I'm out of it. I crease my brows because I failed to pleasure him. He smiles, easing my nerves. He lathers up the body wash and washes me thoroughly. At least this is progress.
We finish up in the shower, and he steps out, grabbing a towel from the towel rack and handing it to me. I wrap up my hair and he hands me another one, which I wrap it around myself, and then he takes one for himself. I look at him, feeling a mixture of emotions. Happy that I can let him back in but anxious about anything sexual happening in the shower.
He kisses my bare shoulder softly. "Thank you."
"For what?"
"For letting me back in."
"I'm sorry I stopped. I couldn't ... I mean I didn't—"
"Stop, it's completely fine. I don't want you to do anything you're not comfortable doing. I'm happy you let me in." He moves in to embrace me.
"Thank you."
"For what?"
"For understanding."
"I don't ever want you to feel the way you felt that night. If you had said no to me getting in the shower then, I would've been fine with that. I only want you to feel loved because you are—very much so—and I never want to disappoint you like that again."
I hold on to him tightly. Once we are dry and get dressed, it's time to head to Vinchenzo's for Aiden's birthday dinner. We have to pick Mom up on the way, so we head down to the parking garage where Mike is waiting for us. We get into the car and head to Mom's unit. Mike pulls up, Aiden hops out, followed by me, and we walk to the front door. I ring the doorbell, and Bella starts barking. I lean into him. Mom finally answers the door, holding a frantically happy Bella in her arms.
"Hi, honey. How are you?" She shoves Bella into my arms, and she licks my face while Aiden pats her on the head.
"I'm good, thanks, Mom. How are you?" She fumbles in her handbag to try to find her keys as Bella wags her tail manically.
"Good, thanks, honey. How are you, Aiden?" she asks, finally finding her keys. She takes Bella from me, gives her a kiss on the head, and puts her inside, shutting the door.
"Good thanks, Ev."
Mom turns around after locking the door and grabs us both into a giant bear hug, surprising us.
"Happy birthday," Mom says then she lets us go.
"Thanks."
Aiden leads us to the car and sits in the front with Mike, leaving Mom and I to catch up in the back. We arrive at Vinchenzo's ten minutes late. As we make our way inside, we see Sarah and Chris are already at the table, as well as Alistair, Callie, Brielle, Adam, Blair, Benjamin, Nana, and Bill. Everyone stands up to greet us when we walk in. Sarah looks at me and then shoots her eyes to Alistair and rolls them. I smile and give her a hug.
"Ev, you remember my mother, Callie, and this is my father, Alistair."
"Hi, guys, great to meet you Alistair."
"Great to see you again, Ev. You have a wonderful daughter," Callie says to my mother.
Alistair huffs when Mom puts her hand out for him to shake; he ignores her hand and sits down at the table.
"Can't even be on time," Alistair mumbles under his breath.
"Charming," Mom says, looking at me; I shrug and we make our way to the table.
Mom sits next to Alistair, which I think is a bad idea, but I can't say anything in case Alistair overhears. I sit next to her and Aiden next to me.
"Ev, I want to thank you for having such a wonderful daughter. She truly has made my Aiden happy," Callie says.
He takes my hand and kisses it." Yes, she has."
"I can
't take all the credit. She's a very bright, independent young woman, and she's made herself into the woman she is today."
I shake my head and roll my eyes.
"Yes, she's amazing." He takes my hand under the table, and I smirk at his use of our word.
"Are you kidding me?" Alistair mumbles.
"Alistair, behave," Callie snaps at him.
I look at Mom, who doesn't look amused.
"We should order," I say, interrupting the staring contest between my mother and Alistair.
"Yes, good idea," Aiden says, looking at me apologetically. Chris calls over a waitress, and we place our orders. She comes back with some drinks.
"Chris, it's nice to meet you. Jeni's told me so much about you. It's great Sarah has finally found someone worthy of her," Mom says making Sarah blush.
"Thanks, Ev."
"Great to meet you to," Chris says.
"Whose stupid idea was it to come to this dump, Aiden? Guess it was hers?"
Chris looks at Alistair and shakes his head. "Not even worth it."
"Father, for your information, this is where Chris works, and I love it. It was my choice to come here and if you don't like it, then leave. No one is stopping you."
I bite my lip, holding back a smile. I feel proud of my man for sticking up to his arrogant ass of a father. Alistair huffs, folds his arms, and sits back in his chair.
The tension mounts as silence engulfs the table. Everyone is waiting for someone to say something. I take a sip of my wine and look at Aiden, opening my eyes wide and tilting my head in a gesture for him to say something.
"Hey, guys, I want to thank everyone for coming tonight. It means a lot to me and Jeni that our families and friends could meet," He raises his glass.
"Happy birthday, Aiden," Brielle says, raising hers. Everyone except Alistair raises their glass.
"Happy birthday," we say in unison and clink our glasses together. We break off into smaller groups, talking amongst each other at the table. Everyone is having a good time except for Alistair, who is still sitting with his arms crossed, leaning back in his chair, frowning at the miserable world.
The waitress comes along with our plates of food, and we start to eat. Alistair plays with his spaghetti, twirling it around on his fork but never actually eating.
"What do you call this shit?" Alistair asks, looking down at his plate.
"Father, leave! If it's so horrible for you, then just go."
"I'm not going to leave my son's birthday just because the place is a shit hole."
"So he is your son now. Not just mine then?" Callie asks, shocking me.
"Don't talk to me like that, woman."
"That's enough!" Mike yells.
"What? Who do you think you are talking to me like that? You're just the lowly help," Alistair yells.
"Father leave. No one wants you here," Blair says.
"Shut your mouth. You're nothing but a raging poof. Who would take you seriously? I'm ashamed to call you my son," he yells at Blair. The rest of the restaurant is now looking over at us as the argument starts to escalate.
Benjamin stands up to talk, but Blair pulls him by the arm to quiet him. Blair stands up and they both walk off and leave the restaurant.
"Is this what you put up with, Jeni?" Mom asks, waving her hand at Alistair.
"Put up with? I'm the one that puts up with it. That thing you call a daughter is a leach. She's nothing more than a money-hungry slut who has taken control of my son and is going to drain him for all he's worth."
"Excuse me?" Mom yells back at him.
"Are you deaf as well as stupid?" Alistair retorts.
"Oh my god! Jeni told me you were bad, but she didn't tell me you were a complete moron."
"What did you call me?"
"Are you deaf as well as stupid?" Mom asks sarcastically.
"Listen here, wench; you and your stupid, parasitic daughter are the morons."
"Alistair!" Callie calls out, looking at my mom sympathetically.
"Shut up, Callie, this doesn't concern you," Alistair snaps at her.
"I've had enough of your crap." Callie stands up and walks off.
Mike jumps up and takes off after her.
"That's right. Leave when the going gets tough," Alistair calls out to them, standing when they walk off.
"Fuck you!" Mike yells out.
"You can't talk to me like that. Remember you're nothing but the help," Alistair yells mockingly.
"Oh, of course. Sorry. Fuck you, sir." Mike walks off.
I try to hide my smile, but Alistair sees it.
"What are you smiling at? You're the cause of all of this. Do you realize that, you little bitch?" he yells at me.
Mom stands up in front of Alistair.
"That's enough! My girl doesn't have to put up with this bullshit from a pathetic control freak like you."
"She does if she wants to keep her job." A smug grin appears on his face.
Mom picks up her glass of wine and throws it in Alistair's face. I can't help but laugh as he reacts. He huffs and picks up a napkin, wiping away the liquid.
"Listen here, you'll pay for that. Do you hear me?"
"Bring it on," Mom says, rubbing her hands together.
"Father, we're here for Aiden's birthday. Can't you calm down a bit?" Brielle asks softly, tugging on his arm.
"Brielle, stay out of this," he says then shakes her off violently. She falls and hits her head on the table, causing drinks to fall over and spill. Sarah rushes to her side and helps her up as Brielle starts to cry. She stands up, blood gushing, which is dripping to her chin from the wound on her head. When she stands up, she stumbles slightly. My hand rushes to my mouth with shock.
"Bree, are you alright?" Aiden asks, rushing to her side.
She stares at Alistair angrily, and he shrugs. Nana gets a napkin and holds it to Brielle's head.
"Come on, darling. I'll take you to the hospital." She wraps her arm around Brielle as Adam glares at Alistair.
"Alistair, I raised you better than this," Nana says harshly then they walk away.
"Are you serious? Now you're intentionally physically hurting the ones you supposedly love?" Aiden says.
"It's the only way I can get my point across."
"I think it's time you leave," Chris says, taking Alistair by the arm. He pulls out of Chris' grasp and pushes him hard. Chris shakes his head and comes toward Alistair, threatening to punch him.
"Don't you touch me, boy, or I'll have you arrested," Alistair yells at Chris as Sarah grabs his arm and holds him back. Chris looks at Sarah and calms down.
"You think you can come into my restaurant and act like a dick? Get out before I call the police," Chris says to Alistair.
He huffs. "Gladly."
The rest of the restaurant claps as Alistair storms out and makes his way to the parking lot.
"I'm sorry, Chris," Aiden says.
"It's all good, dude. Don't worry about it, and don't apologize for him."
Sarah takes Chris by the arm, and we walk out of the restaurant leaving our unfinished meals behind. We get to the parking lot, and Alistair is waiting by his chauffeured vehicle. We walk past and Mom can't help herself.
"You know; if you're that unhappy with your life, take it out on yourself, not other people. That's common sense. Oh, but that's right, you don't have any of that, do you?" she asks him while we walk past.
He storms over to us. "Listen here. You and your trashy daughter better stay away from my family or else—"
"Or else what, Father? I swear to God, if you're threatening Jeni and her mom, I'll leave the business and take all the clients with me."
"Don't you threaten me, boy. Know your place," Alistair yells.
"How about you know yours. Rot in hell, you worthless pig," Mom says back at him.
"Worthless pig? I'm wealthier than you could possibly imagine, bitch, at least I'm not a slum dog like you."
"I'm happy with my life. Sad that you're not happy wi
th yours. You think that you need to be this tough, superior person to be wealthy and successful? I tell you now, you may be wealthy, but you don't have anyone who loves you. Not one person in this world loves you the way you are; at least I have family and friends that I care about as equally as they care about me."
Alistair gulps and winces. "Look, I don't need people to love me, woman, and I look after number one. Me, myself, and I. As long as I do that, my life is great, thank you."
"You keep telling yourself that," Mom says.
"I will. Aiden, your slut is fired; I don't want her in my office ever again."
I look at him, my eyes wide and mouth open.
"Father, if she's fired, so am I."
Alistair's eyes open wide, as though he's struggling with his thoughts.
"Fine, she stays, but I swear to God, Aiden, if you don't start acting your age—"
"You'll what, Father?"
"Just act your age, son."
"How about you act your age, Alistair? Stop hurting the people you love just to keep up this bravado, or you'll end up alone and lonely for the rest of your God-forsaken life, and you and I both know you don't want that, do you?" Mom yells.