Logan looked at him, stood up to full height and barked, “Aiden, I will kick you out of this room if you don’t calm down!”
Aiden’s hands clenched into fists, then he left through the door like he was going to go chop down trees with his bare knuckles.
Logan sighed. “I’ve never seen him wound so tight. You apparently have that effect on him. To answer your question, no, we are not in the mob, although I can see where you might have gotten that impression. The armed guys out front, the cars and the suits, right?”
His hands were gently pressing at other areas of my head.
“Yeah, well, it was a good theory. So, you served with him in the military as well?” I asked.
“Yes. Aiden, Brock, Cade, Holden and myself were all in together.”
“And?”
“You’ll have to ask Aiden about the rest. Suffice it to say, we all needed out. We all left within a year of each other and frankly it was the best move for all of us. Aiden did a lot to help each of us afterward.”
The doctor didn’t seem like he wanted to talk about it much, but one thing was clear, Aiden was well respected by the men around him, despite their jokes and ribbing. They all seemed to be close in a way. I wondered if Aiden would talk about his time in the service with me sometime.
What am I thinking? Must be the head injury.
This relationship is not going anywhere. Period.
I sighed.
Logan smiled. “Looks like that head of yours is operating just fine. I can see the neurons firing from here. Let me tell you, Aiden is a great guy. Give him a chance.”
He finished up with my head and put the gauze he was using into his bag.
“Ok, Olivia I need to ask you some questions and can you please look my direction.”
He held up a small pen light. “Look right here and follow the light. Any dizziness or compulsion to vomit?”
“No.”
“Any headaches?”
“Maybe one a little earlier but not anymore.”
“Ok are you pregnant or any possibility?”
I looked at him like he was crazy. “What?”
He smiled. “You were in a wreck. I just need to know so I can prescribe you a little something or if we need to make a trip to the hospital. I don’t want to give you anything that would be harmful if you were pregnant.”
“Erm, no. That would be quite the miracle. Maybe alien implantation type of miracle.” I shook my head and looked away. An uneasy feeling about that subject went through me and I rolled my shoulders to shake it off. “I’m not.”
“I know that was an awkward question. You seem upset by it. None of my business, just needed to make sure.” He stood up and arranged the contents of his bag.
I looked over at him. “Sorry doc. Just not something I want to talk about.”
He gave me a sympathetic, almost sad look. “I think I understand. Well, I can make a guess anyway. I’m sorry. You should talk with Aiden.”
“Erm, no. I don’t think this is—well I don’t know what he’s doing, but I don’t think this is what he thinks it is. He’s going to wake up and I won’t be around.”
Logan laughed. “Riiiight. Good luck with that logic on Aiden. He’s the most stubborn man I’ve ever known and believe me Olivia, he’s hooked on you already. At the bar, he was literally driving everyone nuts talking about you after you left. I wouldn’t be surprised if he was at your house right now packing your things.”
I blinked at him. Oh my gawd.
No. Nope. The doctor was clearly delirious.
“It’s okay, breath. I promise he’s a good guy. I’m going to prescribe you something. The good thing is, it is a scratch although it bled a lot, but that’s typical in head injuries. However, you do have a little bit of tenderness and some bruising that I don’t like. Bed rest, liquids, sleep and meds for five days.”
“WHAT? You have got to be kidding me!”
Logan held up his hands. “Hey, hate the injury not the doctor.”
I heard heavy footsteps in the hallway.
Aiden came through the door like a tank. Holden and Dylan were on his heels.
I looked up at Logan. “You don’t understand. I can’t miss work. God knows what those crazy bitches are going to do. And I’ve got things I need to take care of.”
Priorities. I may not have been the most put together person sometimes, but I did have priorities. I left out the details with these guys all looking at me. I didn’t want them to know about the bills and the small dream I had of owning my own home. The “vampire crew” at work would probably try to get me fired with the new owner if I missed any days.
Aiden’s face was hard when he looked at Logan. “What’s wrong? Is she okay?”
“I’m right here Aiden.” He looked back at me. “I’m fine but I can’t do five days without work.”
Logan held up his hand and gestured for calm. “You look well enough Olivia but again, you’ve been in a major wreck and you have some tenderness around your temple. Your body needs rest and you are going to feel very sore tomorrow. I can prescribe you something for the soreness but I’m suggesting five days of bed rest—”
Scowling, Aiden interrupted him. “Do it. Call in the prescription and I’ll have someone pick it up.”
Logan held up his fingers and started counting off as he spoke to Aiden. “First, no strenuous activity. Second, rest and relaxation. Third, liquids and a full stomach on the meds. Fourth,” he eyed Aiden very seriously, “did I mention no strenuous activity?”
Holden and Dylan both smiled but didn’t say anything. They turned and shuffled out of the room, giving me a nod as they left.
Aiden gave the doctor a hard stare. “Yeah, I’ve got it.”
Logan smiled down at me. “Olivia, it was a pleasure. I’ll be by to see you soon.”
He turned back to Aiden and gestured toward the hall.
When they left, I let out a huge sigh. Of course this happened. Only I could manage to be in this weird situation.
My body was telling me I was tired and hungry. I had no idea what time it was because my satchel and my phone were still in the truck, unless someone had carried it in.
There was some yelling somewhere down the hall. By the sounds of it Aiden was ripping into someone. I hoped if it was the doctor, he was giving as good as he got.
I stood up and padded over to one of the doors on the other side of the room.
Bathroom. Bingo.
I switched on the light as I entered and went to the sink to wash my hands. It was a decent sized bathroom. Not overly large but large enough that two people could pass by each other without touching. There was a door in the corner that I assumed was a linen closet. The tile was in brown and red colors with two sinks set in a long vanity. The most significant thing was the shower, which was all glass and took up most of the wall across from the vanity.
I turned on the faucet and splashed some water on my face. The cool water felt good against my skin. Glancing up into the framed mirror above the sink, I gasped. My hair was bloody along the right side of my forehead and there was a dried blood smear on my cheek.
It didn’t look crazy bad. I knew what that looked like. Crazy bad was having a split lip. It was having bruises on your ribs and places you didn’t know you could bruise. Then pretending nothing had happened. That was crazy bad.
In comparison, this was actually okay.
Perspective. My therapist would be proud.
Aiden caught my attention in the mirror. He casually leaned against the door frame and crossed his arms. He had a distant, distracted look on his face as he watched me.
“Babe we need to get you cleaned up. I sent one of my men to your place to grab some things. Julia is meeting him there.”
Oh great.
I reached for a hand towel and patted my face. The doctor’s words came back to me about Aiden moving my things in.
I shook my head at him. “Aiden that isn’t necessary, I just need to get home. Really,
I’m fine. Well, kind of fine anyway. I look like I just got out of a Halloween party a few months late. But otherwise, good.”
I turned around to face him but didn’t move from the sink.
Aiden’s lips were set in a hard line as he walked toward me. He came to stand in front of me, placing his two large hands on either side of my hips. He squeezed them gently and slid his hands further around and up my back.
He pressed me against him. My head turned and my cheek settled on his chest. I could hear the steady beat of his heart. My arms slowly crept around him and my hands skimmed his shirt, settling on the hard muscles of his back.
We both stood there for a moment in our own worlds.
Aiden’s head bent down to my left ear, careful to avoid my right side. “Olivia, you’re staying here for the next few days. Get used to it, real quick. Otherwise, I’m going to tie you to my bed and give you a sponge bath.”
He pulled back to look me in the face and smirked. “Oh, and don’t think that I’ve forgotten about that payment. What was that, three or four kisses today for bad behavior? Hmm.”
I stiffened against him. “Uhm.”
Was he mental? Dropped on his head as a child?
Sweet and then right back to bossy. Shit.
“What was that?” Aiden asked, as he stepped away from me and headed to the humongous shower.
Did I say that out loud?
Seriously, why did he need a shower that could fit six people in it comfortably? Two showerheads, a bench and the entire front was made of glass.
Aiden leaned in and turned on the water at one end.
I thought of watching him in there. Naked, soaping his chest.
I shook my head. No. Nope.
“Clothes off princess and in the shower. Soap is in there, wash cloth. I’m going to go check on the ETA of your stuff.”
I stood there with my mouth slightly open.
He stopped by the door and turned back. His eyebrow arched. “Unless you’d like me to stay and join you.”
I looked over at the soap dish by the sink. There was a small wrapped package of designer soap I had seen earlier.
Yep.
I grabbed it and threw it in his direction. “Get out Aiden.”
It hit him in the chest and he let out a burst of laughter.
He held up his hands in peace. “Doc’s orders not to do anything strenuous sweetheart. I was just going to watch. I swear.”
I growled at him and gave him my best icy stare. Which probably wasn’t half as scary as I wanted it to be based on his smiling reaction.
He turned and exited the bathroom, still laughing.
Frustrating. Bossy. Overbearing. Charming. Sweet.
Ug. I liked him. A lot.
I stripped off my clothes and set them on the counter. My blouse had some blood noticeably on it. It might not be salvageable, which was disappointing. The skirt was black so I couldn’t tell about that one. Panties and bra on top were good.
Stepping into the shower I let the water pour over me. I was careful not to test the tenderness of the right side of my head, but I did very gently, wash the blood out as best as I could manage. I took my time rinsing and just enjoying a quiet moment.
I finished up, turned off the water and stepped out onto the bath mat. Looking around I couldn’t remember if he told me where the towels were.
My eyes slid over to the counter where I’d set my clothes and saw that they were gone. In place was a huge blue towel.
Shit.
Aiden. Had he snuck in here?
I looked over toward the door and noticed it was open. The bedroom beyond was lit only with the afternoon sun. If I went for the towel I would have to pass by it.
Shivering, I looked down and noticed I was making a small puddle.
I quickly walked to the towel, threw it around me, and tucked it in to cover everything. The soft feel of the fabric felt good against my skin.
There was a brush on the counter. Not mine, but one that would work on my tangles. I scooped it up and started gently running it through my hair as I looked in the mirror.
When I was done, I went toward the door, trying to locate my clothes in the bedroom. There was a very large green shirt on the bed that resembled the same type of shirt the men outside Aiden’s house were wearing. My underwear was sitting on top of it. No bra, no skirt, no blouse.
I would have preferred to put my own clothes on, but the alternative was walking around in a towel around Aiden. Anything was better than the towel.
Taking a quick glance around, I ran toward the bed, peeled off the towel and dressed myself. The shirt must have been Aiden’s. It nearly fell to my knees and I felt like I was drowning in it.
A deep voice behind me said, “Seriously wanted to see that towel on you sweetheart. You in my shirt though. Damn.”
I jumped and let out a squeal. That man was a ninja!
Chapter Eight
Aiden was coming in from the hallway with a glass of water when I turned to look at him. He ran his eyes over me and clenched his jaw.
I rolled my eyes. “Don’t scare me like that.”
He walked to me and handed me the glass. I took it still staring at him. That stormy, heated look he got before kissing me on the porch was there in his expression again. Eyebrows drawn together like he was thinking too hard.
“Meds,” he stated as he held up his fingers and thumbed my mouth open. He put a pill between my lips and said, “Drink.”
I swallowed it with a gulp of my water and without breaking eye contact from his face.
His eyes slipped to my mouth and he growled.
He reached out, set the glass on the nightstand, and hooked one arm around my waist. He pressed me closer to him as he turned to sit down on the bed.
I was standing in front of him, between his legs with his arms around my hips. My hands slid up and around the back of his shoulders.
He leaned forward slightly so that his face was against my neck and shoulder. I could feel the heat of him through the shirt. My breasts were pressed against him and tingling with the awareness that he was right there.
His mouth and tongue gently kissed me at the edge of the shirt line.
I shivered.
His hands moved, one going up and around my lower, the other travelling south, beyond the hem of my shirt. It touched my skin on the back of my leg and I nearly buckled. My senses were on overload. I could smell his musky scent, feel the hands that were touching me and I pressed into him more.
He raised his head from my neck and looked at me with a pained expression. “Olivia I want you right now. In every position imaginable. Screaming my name. Fuck.”
He moved his mouth to mine gently pressing a kiss on my lips. I opened my mouth slightly for him. He licked my bottom lip and slid in. His lips moved over mine in a soft way, while his hand at the back of my thigh, started squeezing and massaging. He moved further up and slipped a couple of fingers under the back of my panties.
I shivered against him and started to fall into him, pressing even closer.
Aiden sat back a bit and gave me one last quick kiss.
I frowned at him.
He chuckled. His hand slid down my thigh and started massaging again. My leg was in danger of orgasming all on its own from the attention he was giving it.
“You’re going to take a nap. When you get up we’ll talk. Later we’ll eat. Right now though, I have to tuck you in and take a cold shower.”
“Oh,” I said, trying not to sound like I was disappointed. “You know I hear they’re actually very good for the body. Healthy even.”
Aiden gave me a molten, sexy look and grabbed one of my hands. He drew is down between his legs and pressed my palm to him. He hissed. His shaft was rock hard, huge, and bulging in his pants.
Another shiver ran down my body.
“I’m not going to take a cold shower for my health. I’m taking it for yours. I want to be able to feed you in the kitchen without wanting to spread you on th
e countertop the entire time. And hear me right now Olivia, I will be doing that someday.”
I drew in a quick breath. My body felt too hot and my face started burning.
Aiden took my hand out of the danger zone and pressed his lips to my palm.
“I love it that I can make you blush,” he mumbled against my skin. “You are so beautiful Olivia. Thought about you while I was gone. Those lips swollen from my kiss on your porch, those cheeks red, and that look in your eyes.”
Yeah, I had thought about that kiss too. Every night and nearly all day long for five long days. It was addictive.
“Those texts about being busy last week, I get it babe. But I’m also not going anywhere so you might as well stop trying to brush me off.”
I shrugged at him like I had no idea what he was talking about.
He took hold of my hips then and moved me back. Standing up, he pulled down the covers on the bed.
Then he turned to me and picked me up by bending down and hooking two hands underneath my thighs. I held tight, my arms around his neck. My legs naturally had to go around his waist.
Naturally! And I had to admit it felt good.
I have no idea what came over me. Whether it was lack of sleep or just the circumstances. Maybe it was that I liked him and he turned me on. Turned me on, but wasn’t pressuring me. I shifted my hips slightly and gave him a soft kiss on his chin.
His growl went into a hum and then back to a growl again. An angry growl.
I felt the rumble in his chest between my legs and in the most sensitive areas. He affected me, but I was clearly affecting him as well by the sound of it. I liked the feeling that gave me.
He set me in bed rather abruptly, put a pillow under my head and pulled the comforter over me all the way to my neck.
I giggled. “I think I’ll be okay without the blanket smothering me, Mr. Bossy.”
He narrowed his eyes at me.
Leaning down to kiss my forehead he said, “Olivia, baby. Take a nap. I’ll wake you in a little while. And for fuck’s sake, behave. You’re killing me.”
I shrugged.
He sighed and gave me one last look before he walked to the bathroom and shut the door.
Curling up and feeling warm, my eyes drifted closed with a grin still on my face.
Run (Lakefield Book 1) Page 7