“Oh, honey, I loved having you with me every day, but I know you belong in an office environment, not sweeping hair. It was only ever going to be a short-term thing.”
“Thanks, Mom, I really appreciate everything you’ve done for me,” I tell her honestly, feeling like I have the best mother in the world.
“Don’t be silly… I wouldn’t have it any other way. Now you tell that Niall to behave himself and don’t take any of his shit.” Her tone is stern as she talks, and I know she’s right. I have to be stronger if I am going to work with Niall again.
“I will, Mom. Have a good night.”
“Good night, sweetheart.”
Aiden takes my phone from me with a smirk. He reaches over and places it on my bedside table, turning back toward me. His bare masculine chest connects with mine as he leans in to kiss me. I welcome it as I quickly roll over, so I’m on top of him. I’m in a playful mood, and he chuckles, moving my hair away from his face, he then leans in kissing me gently.
“Aiden…”
“Mmm,” he murmurs in return.
“I love you.” I gaze into eyes, feeling such a deep connection with him it takes my breath away.
“I love you more.”
And that’s all we need for another deep passionate kiss.
I wake suddenly from a restless sleep. Dreams of Jason and what he did never seem to leave me.
Aiden’s softly snoring in my ear, curled up behind me, holding on with a tight grip. Reaching for the clock, I turn off the alarm, and he wakes with a start. His arms let go of me, making it easier to turn around to lay face to face with him.
“Morning, beautiful.”
I lean in kissing him. “Morning, babe.”
He places his arm around me again and pulls me to him. My head nuzzles into his neck while he yawns.
“Well, I guess we’d better get up.” Aiden unwraps his arm from around me, sits up in our bed, and I follow suit.
After getting ready fast and a quick breakfast, we head outside to greet Mike, who, as always, is patiently waiting for us. “Good morning, Miss Taylor, Mr. O’Connell.”
“Morning, Mike,” we both say in unison.
We enter the car, and Mike pulls out into the morning traffic. “We’ll be going straight to the office today, Mike. Jeni’s decided to come back and work with us again.”
I can’t help but notice Mike’s smile in the rearview mirror. “Well, that’s great news. I’m happy we can get back to a normal routine,” Mike replies chirpily.
“Sure is, and I couldn’t be happier. I’m a very lucky man, Mike.” Aiden wraps his arm around my shoulders pulling me closer to him, and I rest my head on his shoulder for the entire ride to work.
We step through the main foyer to the elevator after we arrive. For some reason, nerves flood me, and those damn pesky butterflies are wreaking havoc in my stomach today.
Aiden pushes the button for the elevator, and we step in.
“Will your father be in the office?” I nervously ask.
Aiden takes my hand in his, entwining our fingers. “I have no idea. I probably should’ve called him to see how he was doing, but with the way he treats you… honestly, I can’t be bothered with all the bullshit.” He shakes his head. “I’m over it. I want to quit and start up on my own.” He waves his hand through the air in frustration. “I can’t stand the way Father dictates everything, including who I should or shouldn’t be with. He has no right to talk to you, or me, the way he does. And to be perfectly clear…” Aiden’s still flicking his hands around while I simply listen, “… I’d rather have a company of my own that I could run the way I think it should be run.”
I certainly understand his reluctance to stay in the family business, but I’d feel responsible if he left. Seems all Aiden’s problems started when I arrived on the scene, and I don’t want him to be sorry later in our marriage when he realizes he left his father behind. Then perhaps, blame me for any issues Aiden might have following that huge decision.
“Guess we’ll find out if he’s here when we walk in.”
The doors open to the pristine office suite. Brielle’s sitting at her desk. She looks up casually, then her face alights in a glorious beaming smile a
s she jumps up and runs toward us. “Jeni, you’re here. Does this mean what I think it means?” She raises her eyebrows while gently biting her lip waiting patiently for my answer.