I need strong Jeni right now.
So strong Jeni is who I will be.
Fuck those bitches!
Standing taller, I push back my shoulders and stride out into the foyer. To my surprise, Aiden’s waiting for me, and I smile when I see him standing there in his suit, hands in his pockets. His foot’s resting on the wall behind him, his eyes studying the floor. I step up to him, and when he notices me, his face lights up as he reaches out, taking both my hands in his. “Are you really okay?” he asks me, concern etched in his tone.
“Yes, I’m fine.” I decide not to tell him about what happened in the bathroom, so I think of the next best thing to discuss. “It was all that talk of ‘dessert.’” I use air quotes. “You got me a little hot and flustered.” My eyes drop to the floor at my admission.
“I see.” He grins, pushing my chin up. Aiden stares deeply into my very soul with those smoldering and intense bright blue eyes, which make my knees weak for him. He leans in, softly and gently kissing me, and the whole world and everything in it disappears. His tongue gently caresses mine as my hand moves to his hair, drawing him closer to me. I can’t get enough of Aiden right now, and he seems to be enjoying this as much as I am.
The kiss becomes more heated as his hands find my waist pulling me to him, his hardening cock pressing against my dress only makes this even more difficult to stop as we kiss feverishly in the foyer of the Intercontinental Hotel. Our breaths are rushed and harsh as we lose ourselves in each other. My clit throbs, aching, needing to be with him more than anything while Aiden grips his fingers in my hair tighter showing more dominance.
I moan into his mouth.
Please, give me a little more.
“Woohoo! Go, big brother,” Brielle goads, walking past us to the bathroom, making our perfect moment fade, crashing me back to reality.
Shit! I forgot we were in public as I nuzzle my head into his chest, completely embarrassed.
“Thanks, Bree,” Aiden murmurs sarcastically.
I glance up and realize my lip gloss is smeared all over his lips. I smirk, then wipe it off slowly with my thumb. His eyes follow my finger in the tender moment as he purses his lips, kissing the tip of my thumb gently. A shiver rolls down my spine at just how undeniably sweet he is. “Guess we should head back in,” I murmur, slightly out of breath.
He does that to me—completely takes my breath away.
“Guess so,” he replies, sounding deflated that we have to head back and mingle when we would both rather be alone. Taking my arm in his, he walks me into the ballroom full of people. Like the gentleman he is, he pulls out my chair, then slides it back in when I sit. Then he pulls his chair closer to mine, once again holding my hand under the table as Niall joins us, sitting down with his wife on one side and his mother on the other.
“Tell me, Aiden, who’s your new squeeze?” Niall asks abruptly.
I don’t take offense, but I’m a little surprised at his blasé attitude toward his son and me.
Aiden rolls his eyes. “Father, this is Jenifer Taylor.”
Niall looks at me like I’m not worthy, with his lip raised on one side. I feel instantly uncomfortable and cheap, but I’m going to be pleasant. He’s not worth me getting myself upset over. I’ve let enough men walk over me in my life. “Mr. O’Connell, it’s nice to meet you,” I announce, ignoring his lack of manners.
Niall turns his head away like he’s disinterested. “I give it a week, and that’s being generous,” he mutters under his breath.
I scoff a little at his blatant rudeness. If he’s this forward with me in the same room as him, what the hell will he be like behind my back? Callie frowns, the strain on her face evident, so I force a fake smile to ease her concern and the tension in the room.
Aiden inhales deeply as his hand tightens in mine. “Father, please. Be civil for once in your life.”
Niall looks at Aiden with fierce intent. “Don’t talk to me like that! Know your place, boy.”
Aiden’s nostrils flare, and his free hand clenches into a fist as his breathing increases, the tension in the air palpable. “Don’t talk about Jeni like she’s not here. No one cares about your opinion, least of all me,” Aiden snaps through gritted teeth.
His father thumps his fist on the table, the loud bang making me jump slightly. “Jesus Christ, Aiden, if you want this promotion, you’re going about it the wrong way, boy! You’re showing a complete lack of maturity standing up to me like this in front of everyone. And for what? For this… this floozy?” he grunts, waving his hand at me dismissively.
I swallow hard. The one thing I’ve never been called in my life is a floozy. This time, I do take offense as I look down at my lap and our entwined fingers, not knowing whether to stand up and say something or to let it go for Aiden’s sake. Matthew chuckles, and I look over and see him smirking as though he thinks he’s already winning the race to become vice president. I take an instant dislike to him, much like this situation.
I don’t have to put up with this shit.
I just want to get out of here.
Aiden stands and opens his mouth to say something, but I grab his arm to stop him. He peers down at me with hurt evident in his eyes and pain written across his face.
“It’s okay. Don’t make matters worse. I’m a big girl, I can handle it,” I advise him quietly, trying not only to keep the peace but his promotion still in play.