Aiden
I LEANED BACK in the tub, enjoying the feel of the warm water lapping at my skin. Or maybe it was the feel of Cami reclining into my chest, the way her hands drifted up and down my calves. Either way, the bathtub was more pleasurable than I had expected. The rain had returned, and we spent Saturday in the loft watching movies. Cami did some schoolwork, while I slowly made my way through some documents Bentley had sent over from the office. When she had stood, stretching, I had suggested a bath, and she agreed as long as I joined her.
I was good with that.
My phone rang, and I stiffened when I saw who was calling.
“Aiden Callaghan.”
“Mr. Callaghan, it’s Calvin Hob from the School of Design.”
“Yes, what can I do for you?”
“I wanted you to know we had a call from Miss Kershaw’s mother informing us she was withdrawing from the program and would not be returning.”
“When did she call?”
“Today, as a matter of fact. I was in my office, catching up on some work, and picked up the phone.”
“Are you sure it was her?”
He sounded surprised. “She identified herself as Louisa’s mother. I have no reason to suspect it was anyone else.”
“Did she say why Louisa was leaving?”
“She said it was for personal reasons, and that her ex-husband would be in contact shortly about the remaining tuition.” He cleared his throat. “There are no refunds on unused portions, but I will take that up with him.”
I rolled my eyes. “Did you see the number the call came from?”
He sighed. “No. It showed a transfer from the main line. I can inquire on Monday if they can look it up.”
“I would appreciate that. Thank you.”
Cami turned, meeting my gaze as I disconnected the call. “I heard the uncertainty in your voice. You don’t believe it?”
I shrugged. “I don’t know. It would explain why no one has seen or heard from her. Maybe she went home to her mother.”
“That would be good—she needs someone to care for her. And I could go home, put this behind me, and get back to my life.” She eased away from me, crawling out of the tub and reaching for a towel. She slid it around her body and tucked it closed.
For some reason, her actions and words rankled. As if she was closing me off from both her and her life. I shook my head over the stupid notion.
“Let’s not jump ahead of ourselves. I’ll call her parents again and check it out, okay?”
“Okay.”
Her phone buzzed, and she picked it up, reading the screen. “Emmy is inviting us for brunch tomorrow. She says Bentley is making coddled eggs.”
“Oh man, I love those. He only makes them on special occasions. He never makes enough, though.”
“I could make pancakes so you don’t go hungry.”
I stood, the water coursing down my body. Her gaze was intense as I stepped out onto the mat beside her. My cock stirred at her leer. With a grin, I tugged at the top of the towel that was hiding her curves from me. “I’m hungry now, Sunshine. I need you to feed me.”
I hung up the phone, frustrated. I hadn’t been able to reach either of Louisa’s parents. Her mother’s voice mail box was full, and her father hadn’t returned my messages.
Something felt off. If it was true that Louisa had left and gone to her mother’s, it was good news, although I still felt she needed to answer for what she had done to Cami. But it seemed too convenient. Reid had obtained the files on the missing spans of time, and there had been four cases of her odd behavior of fixating on another person. All four times she had to be stopped. She had never ended it voluntarily.
I paced around the room. I knew there was a possibility that, after my calls, one or both of her parents had come to town and taken her away. In fact, I hoped that had happened, but until I spoke with one of them and confirmed it, we still had to be careful.
Cami came into the room and stopped as soon as she saw my agitation. “Are you okay?”
“Yeah, I’m fine.”
“Did you–did you talk to them?”
“No, I can’t get ahold of either of them.”
“Oh.” She worried her lip.
“Sunshine.”
She looked up.
“Nothing changes. You’re with me until we confirm. You’re safe, okay?”
She pushed her hair away from her face. “I spoke with Dee. Things are still up in the air about when she’ll be home. She told me to listen to you.”
I smirked. “I always liked your sister. Smart woman.”
She rolled her eyes. “Are you ready to go to Bentley’s?”
I clapped my hands. “Yep. Coddled eggs, here I come.”
Bentley was in fine form when we arrived. With a grin that stretched from ear-to-ear, he sat back on the sofa in his massive living room, his feet kicked up on the coffee table. I had never seen him that relaxed. Delicious aromas filled the house, making my mouth water. I sipped the Bloody Mary Bent handed me and cocked my head.
“What’s up?”
He smirked. “What makes you think something is up?”
“The fact that you look like the cat that swallowed the canary. Plus, you’re making coddled eggs. I hope you made a lot, by the way.”
“You can have Maddox’s share.”
Maddox was sick with a wicked cold, so he decided not to come and infect us.
“He is missing out.”
A squeal from the kitchen interrupted us, and I was on my feet in an instant, relaxing when I realized it was a happy sound. I glanced at the table, taking in the flowers, then realized there were flowers everywhere.
“You did it, didn’t you?”
Cami came barreling into the room, heading straight for Bentley. She flung her arms around his neck, laughing and crying at the same time. “Congratulations!”
He patted her back awkwardly, but he couldn’t contain his smile. Emmy appeared, smiling and blushing. Lots of hugs and backslaps were exchanged, and Cami exclaimed in rapture over the ring.
It was perfect on Emmy’s hand, just as Darlene had described. The diamond was brilliant in the bright light of the room, and Emmy obviously loved it.
“Darlene did an amazing job.”
“It’s more than I ever expected,” Emmy said with a sigh.
“Gorgeous,” Cami gushed. “It’s one of the most beautiful rings I have ever seen.”
Bentley kissed Emmy’s head. “It was for the most beautiful woman in the world. It had to be.”
Emmy rolled her eyes and slapped his chest. “Rigid. Stop it.”
“Just speaking the truth, Freddy.”
She pretended to be annoyed, but like Bentley, her joy was evident. She tugged Cami’s hand. “Come on. We need to finish brunch.”
They disappeared into the kitchen, and we sat down.
“How’d you pop the question?” I asked.
Bentley laughed. “I had planned a whole thing. Dinner, champagne, violins, the whole works. Then I realized she would hate the whole idea. So I took her for a drive and had a florist come in and decorate the sunroom with flowers while we were out. When we got home, I surprised her. She was so overwhelmed with the flowers, it took her a moment to realize I was on one knee.” He chuckled. “Then she lunged so fast she knocked me right on my ass—and said yes.”
I raised my glass. “Congrats, Bent.”
He tilted his chin. “You’re my best man, right?”
“Absolutely.”
“Maddox is my second-in-command.”
I chuckled and reached for my phone. “We need to call and tell him.”
I put it on video, and Maddox answered after a few rings. His hair was mussed, his eyes heavy and bleary, his voice rough.
“What? I was sleeping.”
“Bentley’s been busy.”
He scowled in confusion.
“He completed that project we helped him with.”
A grin broke out on his face. “Hey, man,” he rasped. “Congrats.”
Bentley grinned. “Thanks, Mad Dog. You’ll stand up for me with Aiden, right?”
“Wouldn’t miss it for the world. I’ll take us all out to celebrate once I’m over this cold.” He coughed, the sound painful.
“Ouch.”
The girls entered and sat down, offering him sympathy over his cold. Emmy told him she would make him some chicken soup and send it over later.
He grinned. “Thanks, Emmy. Congrats on your engagement. Bent is a lucky man.”
“I am,” Bentley agreed.
Maddox coughed again. “I think I’m out for the next bit. Don’t want to spread this around the office.”
“No worries,” Bentley assured him. “We’ll figure it out. Get some rest.”
We hung up, and I drained my glass. “He sounds bad.”
“Yeah. Not to change the subject, but I need you tomorrow, Aiden.”
I huffed out a long breath, glancing at Cami.
She patted my knee. “Aiden, I’ll be fine. I’ll be at school. You can drop me there, and I’ll wait until you come back.”
“I’ll stick with her,” Emmy offered.
“You could just stay at the loft.”
“No,” she said. “I have a presentation tomorrow. I worked hard on it, and I am not letting her screw that up for me.”
Before I could protest, she leaned forward. “Aiden, her mother told the school she is gone. No one has seen her. I think I’ll be fine now. I’ll go back to school, and soon Dee will be home and things will get back to normal. You need to go back to work.” She smiled, although her eyes looked sad. “Bentley needs you. And we need to get back to reality.”
I heard her underlying words.
Reality meant she would leave me and go back home. We’d live two separate lives again because that was how it had to be.
Emmy laughed softly, and I looked over at them. Bentley was nuzzling her cheek and whispering something to her, adoration written all over his expression.
His reality was with her. A life together.
I had done what Cami needed and gotten her through a bad time. My reality was to be alone.
My gaze returned to Bentley. For the first time ever, I felt a flicker of resentment.
Cami
I felt as if the brunch would never end. Everything appeared normal. The food was great, and Aiden amused us with his retelling of the ring-shopping event. Emmy was almost in tears at his droll imitations, and I had to laugh with her. Bentley insisted on champagne, and I drank a few glasses, needing to relax. I was thrilled for their happiness, but I had to admit my heart ached watching them. I wanted that closeness, that absolute knowledge that the person you loved, loved you in return, and they would be there for you no matter what occurred.
I had felt Aiden’s emotions shut down. You wouldn’t know it unless you knew him the way I did. He did all the right things: smiled and laughed, offered toasts and well wishes. He ate as if he hadn’t seen food for a week. Yet, I knew his forced joviality hid his real feelings. His smile never reached his eyes, and his stiff posture belied his laughter. Once again, he was hiding his true self from the people he cared about the most because he didn’t know how to deal with what he was feeling. He was slipping away from me, and I wasn’t sure how to get him back. Or even if I could.
Bentley leaned back, sipping his coffee. “What if tomorrow Frank picks the girls up for school, and you drive us to the meeting? He can bring them back here after, and you won’t have to worry?”
“It’s the time in between I worry about.” Aiden scowled.
“Want to call in Joe or Simon?”
“No!” I exclaimed. “I’ll be surrounded by students. I’ll go in, go to class, do my presentation, then head to the cafeteria and wait for Emmy. I don’t even have to go outside. I will be fine.” I met Aiden’s gaze. “You can pick me up here after you’re done.” Hating the vacant look in his eyes, I added, “Or I can even bring my stuff here and stay until Dee comes home.”
The room stilled. Aiden sat straighter, his shoulders expanding as he inhaled. “If that’s what you want.”
I tried to lighten the tension by teasing him. “I thought maybe you were tired of me in your space and I’d give you a break.”
“It’s your decision,” he answered, his voice clipped.
I shrugged, noncommittal, unsure what to add or why I had even said it. It wasn’t as if I expected him to stand and declare his feelings for me.
Yet, a small part of me wished he would.
Bentley looked between us, setting down his coffee. “You’re always welcome here, Cami. I’ll leave that decision between the two of you. Whatever you feel is best is fine with Emmy and me.”
I could only nod, not trusting my voice.
“We should take Reid with us tomorrow,” Aiden announced out of the blue.
Bentley’s brow furrowed in confusion. “Oh?”
“Maddox usually makes notes and asks questions while I concentrate on the conversation. Then we discuss. Reid is a freaking typing whiz. He’d be able to transcribe the entire conversation on his tablet for us. It would come in handy. Since we’re meeting about specs and ideas, he would be in his element.”
“Does he have something decent to wear? I don’t want him walking in looking like we picked him up off the streets.”
Aiden shook his head. “I happen to know Sandy insisted he buy a suit. He’ll wear it if we tell him to. He’ll do a good job.”
“Okay. Call him.” Bentley laughed. “Sandy will have a great day. None of us there to bother her.”
Aiden stood. “Okay. I’ll call him when we get home and arrange it.” He bent down and kissed Emmy’s cheek. “Thanks for brunch, and congrats again.”
“Thanks, Tree Trunk.”
He shook Bentley’s hand. “All the best, bro. I mean it.”
Bentley slapped his shoulder. “I know.”
Aiden was quiet the rest of the day, not mentioning what had occurred at the table. He talked with Reid, walking to the far side of the loft, speaking low so I didn’t hear. I wasn’t an idiot, so I knew it had something to do with Louisa. He had some other calls and once disappeared into his room, shutting the door. When he emerged, he looked defeated, but he didn’t say anything. He was there in the loft with me, yet so far away it might as well have been the other side of the world.
I did some reading and checked my laptop, but I didn’t spend a lot of time on it. I did best when I didn’t cram for a test or overthink a presentation. I knew my facts; I had it all done and ready to go, and I would do a quick read-through in the morning once I got to school. I wouldn’t be able to concentrate now anyway. I was too tangled up in the knots of my own making. I never should have said anything about leaving, and I was too much of a coward to address it with Aiden, fearful of his reply.
Aiden worked out, and I couldn’t help but stare as he went through his routine. His muscles rippled and strained under his tight T-shirt as he hoisted weights. His calves bunched and sweat poured down his back as he pounded on the treadmill. I lost count of the number of push-ups he did. When he stopped, I was fascinated watching his Adam’s apple bob as he drank in long, heavy swallows.
Our eyes met, and my body heated at his intense gaze. Even across the room, I could feel his pull.
He tugged his T-shirt over his head and wiped his face. “I need to have a shower.”
I licked my lips and nodded.
“You done with your schoolwork?”
I could only nod again.
He held out his hand. “Come with me, Sunshine.”
Wordlessly, I stood and took his hand, letting him pull me with him. By the shower, he undressed me, his actions swift and certain. His fingers danced over my skin, caressing the spots he knew well. I pulled on the waistband of his shorts, pushing them over his firm ass. His cock jutted out, heavy and long, begging for my touch. I wrapped my hands around it, stroking the silky skin that belied the iron beneath it. His head fell back with a groan, and he yanked me to him, tugging us under the warm water. He crashed his mouth to mine, and I tasted the salt of his sweat and felt the desire race through his body. His kisses were desperate, almost bruising, and he left me breathless and yearning for him. He lifted me, and the cold tile pressed into my back. I gasped as he licked his way down my neck, biting at the juncture. I yanked his hair, moaning at the feel of his blunt tip nudging at my entrance.
How could someone break my heart, yet make me want them with just one look?
It was a power Aiden had over me—and one I was helpless to resist.
“Tell me you want me,” he demanded, his hands squeezing my ass. “Tell me.”
“Yes,” I gasped. “I want you.”
He pushed his cock in, teasing. “Tell me to fuck you.”
“Fuck me, Aiden. Please.”
“Hold tight, Sunshine.”
He slammed into me, and I cried out. Over and again, he thrust, his hips driving hard and fast. His mouth covered mine, muffling my noises, swallowing my cries. I clung to his shoulders, pinned between him and the wall, unable to move or stop him. Only to feel—his muscles straining, his tongue sliding on mine, his chest hairs rubbing my sensitive nipples, and his hands gripping me as though his life depended on it. My body tightened, and he dragged his lips to my ear.
“Yeah. That’s it baby. Give me what I want. Give it all to me.”
I shattered, crying out his name. He never relented, driving into me hard until he climaxed, and he dropped his head to my shoulder with a long groan.
The water poured over us, the air heavy with steam. He withdrew, setting me down on my feet. He cupped my face and kissed me. His mouth was gentle now, and I opened my eyes to meet his tormented gaze. Slowly he lowered his head and kissed me again.
I wasn’t sure if it was his tears or mine I could taste.
I sat in his bed, waiting, wondering if he would come into the room. I had the Kindle open where we had left off last night, but I wasn’t sure he would join me.
After he turned around in the shower and picked up the soap, I had slipped out. I’d dried off, and crawled under the covers, confused and weary.
He entered, toweling off his hair, naked. His body was glorious. There was no other way to describe it. Muscled and heavy. Powerful. Capable of inflicting pain, yet he always touched me with such gentleness it made me feel special.
For a moment, he hesitated, but I lifted his pillow to my lap, and he slid into the bed. Then, instead of laying his head down and facing away the way he did as I read to him, he curled up tight, wrapping his arms around my waist, facing me.
I ran my fingers through his damp hair. The utter dejection on his face broke my heart.
“Talk to me,” I whispered.
“There was a message from Louisa’s father. He said he and his ex-wife had talked, and she agreed she would come and take Louisa out of school.”
“So she’s gone.”
“It appears so.”
I drew in a shuddering breath and forced a smile. “It’s over. I can go home.”
“I don’t want you there alone.”
“Dee won’t be home for a while.”
“Maybe . . .” He swallowed, then continued in a resigned voice. “Maybe it would be best if you did go stay with Emmy until Dee got home.”
I felt my heart shatter.
“Cami, I have nothing. I can’t—”
“Don’t,” I said, interrupting him. I knew what he was going to say, and I didn’t want to hear it. Once again, I had been fooling myself.
“It’s fine, Aiden. I’ll take my bag in the morning. It’s best that way.”
“Yes.” He took the Kindle, laid it on the nightstand, and shut off the light. He settled back on my stomach, his arms wrapped around me.
Neither of us spoke. I stared into the darkness, too sad even to cry.
Morning came too soon and was tense, each of us lost to our own heartbreak, and unable to share. As I packed my small bag, I watched him.
He scowled as he dragged on his pants and tucked a dark green shirt into the waistband, his movements jerky.
Desperate to hear his voice, I spoke.
“Are you upset over Bent and Emmy getting married?”
“Don’t be ridiculous. Why would I be upset my best friend is getting married? I’m happy for him. Emmy is his perfect match.”
“The news seemed to set you off. I was simply wondering.”
I wished he would just talk to me. Yell. Anything. Despite what he said, I knew Bentley’s engagement had spooked him, reminding him we were getting too close. What I saw as progress, he saw as unacceptable. He had been so good, looking after me, taking time off and spending it with me. We had amazing chemistry, and I loved talking with him, listening to his thought process. He was kind, generous, with a mischievous boyishness about him that made me laugh. However, he was damaged. He couldn’t see how much he loved or was loved. Every time the light flickered, he was quick to extinguish it, refusing to admit it was possible. He had so much to give, but he was too afraid to try.
Even for me.
He dragged a hand through his hair. “It was hardly news since I knew it was going to happen soon. I have a lot on my mind. It’s not all fun and games, Cami.”
“I am aware of that.”
“I have this meeting today. Maddox is sick. Bentley is worried about Reid, so I need to make sure he behaves. I’m still worried about you. Bent is nervous over Emmy because of this crazy chick, even though it seems to be over. It’s all on me.” He grabbed a belt, threading it through his waistband. “Don’t turn this into something about us.”
“I wasn’t doing that.”
He turned his back, the tension evident in the set of his shoulders. I felt terrible, knowing how much he was handling. I reached out, placing my hand on his shoulder. He froze, and I stepped behind him, leaning into his back. He didn’t move, and I carefully slid my arm around him. With a sigh, he wrapped his hand around mine and spoke quietly.
“I’m sorry, Cami. I can’t be what you need, and I know it hurts you.”
“You don’t have to worry about me, Aiden.” I swallowed, tamping down my emotions. “I’ll be fine.”
“Cami, it’s not . . . I can’t—”
I closed my eyes, dreading what he was about to say. “No, Aiden. You don’t have to say anything.” I withdrew my hand. “I have to finish packing.”
He didn’t turn around.
The car pulled up, and Aiden took my bag, sliding it into the trunk. Knowing it was the last moment alone with him, I grabbed his hand.
“Thank you, Aiden, for everything.” I squeezed his fingers. “We’re good, okay?”
His eyes were tormented. Without a word, he pulled me in for a hug, his massive arms caging me in. I felt safe there.
He stood back. “If you need something, call me. Day or night.”
“I will.”
I slid into the car, meeting Emmy’s sad gaze. I shook my head slightly. If she said anything, I was going to burst into tears. Instead, I turned to Reid who was standing outside with Bentley. “You clean up nice.”
He preened, tugging at his collar. “I know.”
Everyone chuckled, and I pulled the door shut. They all climbed into Aiden’s car and drove away. Frank pulled away from the curb smoothly and followed. My eyes stayed on Aiden’s car until they disappeared around the corner.
I needed the day to be over.
I frowned as I scanned through the strange files. I didn’t understand. Where was my presentation folder? I checked again, cursing under my breath.
“What is it?” Emmy asked.
“My stuff is missing.” I yanked out the USB drive, studying it. “Shit.”
“What?”
“This is the wrong drive. It’s one of Aiden’s. I must have left mine at his place.” I checked my watch. “Damn it, they’ll already be in their meeting.”
“Don’t you have a key?”
“No,” I said despondently. “I left it this morning.”
“Oh.”
“Do you have another copy?”
“Yes. At home.” I stood. “I have to go get it.”
“You can’t!”
“Why? I can grab a cab and be there in ten minutes, get the drive, and be back long before my class starts.”
She looked around, nervous. “But Louisa . . .”
“She’s gone,” I said impatiently. “One of the girls in our group told me this morning Louisa had even sent her files on the project and told her she was taking a break. It’s over. We can all move on.”
“Aiden wouldn’t like this, Cami.”
“He has no say in the matter.”
“I’m coming with you.”
“No. You have class in a few minutes. I’ll be back soon.”
“Cami—”
“I don’t have time to argue. I’m going.” I hurried to my locker and grabbed my coat. I dreaded going back to the apartment, but I had no choice, and I’d only be there for a few minutes. Outside, I hailed a cab and jumped in. Feeling guilty, I called Aiden, and his voice mail picked up. I hesitated, then left him a message, knowing, no matter what, he would be furious I had left the school grounds. Yet, if I didn’t tell him, it would make it worse. I forced myself to sound chipper.
“Hey, everything is fine, but I brought the wrong drive, and I have to go home and get another one. I am heading there now and going straight back to the school. Don’t worry. I just wanted you to know.”
At the apartment, I asked the cab driver to wait. He didn’t look happy, but I paid the fare, and he agreed to wait five minutes.
“If you’re not back, I am leaving,” he snapped rudely.
“I will be,” I assured him.
I hurried upstairs, letting myself into the apartment. Silence surrounded me, but I felt uneasy. I hesitated in the doorway, giving myself a pep talk. The door was double-locked. Louisa no longer had a key. The spare set for Dee was still hanging on the hook where Aiden had left them. Everything was okay.
“Get a grip,” I murmured.
I rushed down the hall, snapped on the light, and headed to the dresser, locating the drive in the small basket. I huffed out a sigh of relief, just as the scent hit me. Once again, the overpowering fragrance of my perfume was in the air.
I looked in the mirror, gasping in shock at the sight on my bed.
Louisa, wearing one of my hoodies and sweat pants, stared at me. In her hands, she held a knife.
Scattered around her were streaks of bright fabric. My favorite umbrella was in ribbons, cut into shreds and discarded. The bright colors were tangled and unrecognizable, the images destroyed by her blade.
My blood went cold.