Chapter 21

Sierra

SITTING IN AARON’S TRUCK, MY heart was pounding so loudly I was sure he could hear it. Wringing my hands together, I stared out the window as Aaron drove to the country club. After tonight, it was back to reality. I wanted to stay down here with Aaron and never leave. It was soothing. My heart felt happy at the beach. I loved my beach house on South Padre, but it was so far away I never really got to go and enjoy it. I wondered what it would be like going there again. Knowing Aaron had been with Ryn in that house. Feeling my heart drop, I quickly pushed the thoughts away. That was in the past and I needed to leave it there.

Turning to Aaron, I smiled weakly. “I have to take a trip down to South Padre to check on my place. My father is going to meet me there. Would you . . . um . . . would you like to come with me? You and my father can get to know each other.”

Aaron gave me the sweetest smile as he took my hand in his. “I’d love to, Sierra. When were you thinking of heading down there?”

Shrugging my shoulders, I looked back out the window. “I dunno. I’m thinking of taking some time off of work.”

Aaron slowed his truck down and pulled over to the side of the road. Putting the truck in park, he turned and looked at me. “Are you running, Sierra?”

Pulling my head back, I stared at him. “What are you talking about?”

“It’s pretty simple; I’m asking you if you’re running? I know I moved really fast earlier today by asking you to marry me, but I hope you know I don’t expect you to turn around and marry me before the ink is dry on your divorce. The last thing I want to do is push you away.”

My pulse began to race as I looked at Aaron. He tried to appear calm, but I could tell he was freaked out. It warmed my heart to know he cared so much about my feelings. Reaching over for his hand, I brought it up to my lips and kissed the back of it.

“I’m not spooked, Aaron. I’m not running anywhere. It’s just everyone at the hospital knows what’s going on and questions are going to be asked, and I just didn’t want to deal with it. Ya know? I’ve already talked to my supervisor about taking a two-month leave of absence. I asked a few weeks ago, long before you and I happened.”

The relief that washed over Aaron’s face caused me to smile. “I love you, Aaron, and I promise you I’m not going anywhere.”

Aaron reached over and kissed my lips gently. “Good, because now that I’ve got you, there is no way in hell I’m letting you go.”

Wiggling my eyebrows, I said, “That’s what I wanted to hear. Come on, let’s get going. I’m sure your parents are waiting on us. Hey, are we going to tell your parents about us? You know, you asking me to marry you?”

Aaron’s face lit up. “I’d love to tell them, but if you want to wait, I completely understand.”

Shaking my head, I said, “No. No I think we should tell them. I’m tired of putting my life on hold.”

Ten minutes later and we were at the country club. As we were about to walk into the bar, I mentioned to Aaron how fun it would be to play golf in the dark. He laughed his ass off and dragged me in for a kiss. I wasn’t really sure what was so funny about that, but I went with it.

Spotting Brice and Kate, along with Grams, sitting at a table, Aaron quickly made his way over to them. Leaning down and kissing his grandmother first, Aaron then kissed his mother. Brice stood as I sat down and then shook Aaron’s hand. I don’t think I could ever get used to the chivalry these two men used on a daily basis.

After a few moments of talking about nothing, Aaron cleared his throat. “Mom, Dad, Grams, I wanted you all here so I could tell y’all something.”

Kate and Grams both leaned forward, as if eager to hear what Aaron was going to say. Brice sat back and took a drink of his scotch.

Reaching for my hand, Aaron smiled at me. My body trembled, feeling his love pouring into me through this simple touch.

“I wanted to let y’all know it’s finally happened.”

“What has?” Kate, Grams and I all asked at the same time.

Aaron and Brice both let out a small chuckle.

Aaron placed his other hand behind my neck and pulled me closer to him. My breathing increased, and I was totally lost in his blue eyes. Damn it all to hell. How does he do this to me? Even with his parents and Grams sitting there, my body was aching for him and my panties were wet with my desire.

“I’ve fallen in love with the most beautiful woman in the world.” Turning to his mother and Grams, Aaron said, “Well, besides the two other most beautiful women in the world sitting here at this table.”

“Nice recovery,” Brice mumbled under his breath.

My heart was slamming in my chest. Oh my word. Aaron was professing his love for me to his family. Could he be any more perfect?

Turning back to me, he brought me closer to him as he kissed me gently on the lips. “And someday, I’m going to marry her because she said . . . she said . . .”

Aaron’s voice cracked as his eyes filled with tears.

Smiling bigger, I said, “She said yes.”

Kate and Grams both jumped up and began crying as Aaron kissed me again. Pulling back slightly, he whispered against my lips, “I love you, short stack.”

Closing my eyes and shaking my head, I laughed. When I opened my eyes again, Kate was pushing Aaron out of the way and grabbing my hands to pull me up. Standing, Kate brought me in for one of the hugs you long for from your mother when you have good news. Grams was next. By the time they were both done taking turns hugging the hell out of me, it felt as if one of my left ribs was cracked. Brice had hugged and slapped Aaron on the back while he nodded his head and said, “Good job, Aaron.”

Kate pulled me over to the bar and began telling everyone her son was finally in love. The claps and cheers from total strangers caused me to feel like I was walking on cloud nine. A small part of me held back, though. I still needed to divorce Robert, and the sick aching feeling deep in the pit of my stomach told me the trial this week was not going to go as smoothly as Aaron and Brice thought.

Smiling from ear to ear, I spent the rest of the evening laughing and enjoying the company of Aaron and his family. I never wanted the night to end. The only other thing that could have made it perfect was if I was a part of this family.

Mrs. Aaron Walker. Yep. I liked the sound of that.

Feeling my phone buzz in my purse, I pulled it out.

Asshat: I’m missing you, Sierra. Baby let’s get together and talk.

My smile instantly faded as I looked down at Robert’s text message. Was he freaking kidding me?

Me: Robert, there is not working anything out. The best day of my life will be when that judge grants me a divorce from you.

Setting the phone down in my lap, I glanced around the table. Aaron and his father were talking about another case, and Grams and Kate were discussing last night’s benefit ball and how much money was raised for the American Cancer Society.

My phone buzzed again.

Feeling the anger begin to build up, I excused myself as I stood up and headed outside. Finding Robert’s number, I took a deep breath and tried to stay calm.

“Miss me, angel?” Robert purred over the phone.

Making a gagging sound, I laughed. “Please. Do you enjoy harassing me, Robert?”

“Where are you? You haven’t been back to your house in a few days.”

Taking in a shaky breath, I tried not to let him know he got to me. “You do know we are legally separated? Having me followed seems at little stalkerish, don’t you think?”

“You’re mine, Sierra and I want you back,” Robert said with a grunt.

Letting out a fake laugh, I said, “You should have thought of that before you pushed your dick into another pussy, asshole.”

“Always the one for elegant words.”

Looking over my shoulder, I saw Aaron walking out and making his way toward me. “Isn’t that why you married me, Robert?”

“Let’s meet tomorrow for lunch. Sierra, I know we can talk through this. You’ve just been angry, baby. I’ll make it up to you.”

“I don’t think so,” I said as Aaron mouthed, who is it?

“You need to come home, Sierra. I want to talk to you before the trial. Maybe we can work out some sort of agreement. I’m willing to take less than half of your trust. I’d be willing to take twenty-five percent. Just go to dinner with me. Let’s talk this over. Hell, maybe we can even work things out, baby. I miss you, Sierra. I miss that warm body up next to mine.”

Now I really truly started laughing. “You’re living in a dream world, asshole. I’d never take you back. Ever.”

Aaron pulled the phone from me and gave me a look. “Dr. Jackson, I’m going to ask you again, if you would like to communicate with my client, please do so through your lawyer.”

I could hear Robert screaming over the phone. Aaron pulled the phone away from his ear and hit End. “What did he say?” Aaron asked as he handed me back my phone.

Shaking my head to clear my thoughts, I said, “He wanted to meet for dinner. Talk about a settlement. He said he would take twenty-five percent of my trust if I would just meet with him. He mentioned getting back together.”

Aaron busted out laughing. “Fuck him, that fucking bastard.”

Kate placed her hands on her hips and said, “Language, Aaron Walker.”

Aaron shook his head and glanced over to his mother. “Sorry, Mom.” Turning back to me, Aaron’s smile faded. “You’re not thinking about his proposal, are you?”

Shaking my head, I said, “No! Of course not. It’s just . . . he knew I haven’t been home the last few days. I don’t understand why he is having me followed. What could he possibly gain from any of this?”

Brice walked up to us and looked at Aaron. “Aaron, I know you and Sierra have had a renewing experience here at the coast, but I think it is fair to say that once we get back to Austin, you both need to be careful about public affection toward each other. You’re playing with matches, son, and it could cause a terrible fire. Also, maybe I need to take over Sierra’s case.”

My whole body trembled. Why in the world was Robert doing this? It made no sense.

Aaron pushed his hand through his hair and cursed under his breath. “I know, Dad. I know. I don’t want to walk away from this case. Sierra and I will keep the relationship strictly business until after the trial.”

Brice blew out a long breath of air. “Fine. I’m entrusting both of you will keep your distance from each other.”

Nodding my head, I whispered, “I promise, Brice.”

“I won’t let Sierra or you down, Dad,” Aaron said.

“I think it’s time to call it a night,” Kate said as she walked up and kissed me on the cheek.

Aaron kissed his mother and Grams both on the cheek. “We’ll see y’all back at the house,” Aaron said as he took my arm and led me toward the parking lot. I couldn’t help but look around. Knowing there was someone out there following me. Watching me.

Lifting my hand to my mouth, I said, “Oh my God. Aaron, what if the guy following me was the one who broke into my house when I was home?” Stopping on a dime, I looked around. “What if there was a strange man in my home while I was in the bathtub?”

I could hear the panic in my voice and I didn’t care. I was scared shitless, but also angry as hell at Robert for making me feel this way.

“I hate him. I hate him so much,” I cried out as Aaron quickly pulled me closer to him and got me into his truck.

By the time we had pulled out of the parking lot, I had moved on from being scared. Now I was just pissed. Pulling out my phone, I pulled up Robert’s number.

“W-what are you doing?” Aaron asked me.

“Calling the fucker back.”

Aaron placed his hand on my leg and I dropped my hands to my lap. Taking in a few calming breaths, I turned to Aaron. “I swore to myself that night he hit me I would never allow him to make me feel like that again, Aaron, and he just did. He took a piece of my sanity and stripped it away from me.”

“I know, Sierra. He’s fucking around with your emotions but baby we are so close to trial. He wants you to freak out. He wants you to feel like you have to settle. Sierra, please trust me. He is going down.”

My heart rate was through the roof as I attempted to stop my hands from shaking.

“How can you be so sure?”

Smiling, Aaron pulled over on the side of the road and put his truck in park. “Your trust fund for one thing. It was set up by your grandfather right?”

Nodding my head, I said, “So?”

“After reading it a million times, there was something missing. It appeared to have more pages to it. Getting in touch with your father, he told me who drew up the paperwork originally. I requested it from them and I got it before we left to come down here. Earlier today was the first time I had a chance to read it over.”

My heart felt as if it was slamming against my chest. “A-and?”

“Robert can’t touch your trust, baby. It was set up so only blood relatives had any legal access to it.”

My mouth fell to the ground. “Shut up. So this whole time . . . this whole time I was worrying for nothing?”

Nodding his head, Aaron said, “I’m afraid so. The previous lawyer missed it, but I’ve got to say, it was kind of easy to miss.”

“Holy shit,” I mumbled as Aaron put his hand on my leg.

“Please trust me, baby. I’m going to win.”

Pressing my lips together, I nodded my head and whispered, “I trust you, Aaron.”

Minutes later, we were back at the beach house and Aaron was ushering me into the guesthouse. Shutting the door, he turned to me. “I swear to you, I won’t let him hurt you ever again. He is not going to win. I need you to trust me, Sierra.”

I instantly saw it in his eyes. Aaron was a man on a mission; he clearly knew he was going to win.

“You found something else out though earlier, didn’t you?” I asked.

Aaron’s face fell. “Sierra, it’s something I really don’t want to have to share with you or in front of the court, but I will if I have to.”

A part of me wanted to know what it was and the other part wanted to ignore what Aaron just said. “Will it make a difference in my case?”

Nodding his head slowly, he said, “It could.”

Swallowing hard, I barely spoke above a whisper. “I want to know.”

Pushing his fingers through his hair, Aaron dropped his head back and stared at the ceiling. I knew whatever it was, he was trying to keep it from me because he feared it would hurt me.

Dropping his head back down, Aaron looked me in the eyes. “Robert had other affairs.”

Standing up taller, I let it soak in.

Fucking dickwad, asshole, dirtbag . . . fucker!

Taking in a deep calming breath, I slowly blew it out. “It doesn’t matter at this point, because I discovered something this weekend.”

Aaron looked at me with a surprised look on his face. “What?” he asked.

“I thought I loved Robert when really what we shared was nothing at all like love. I know that because what I feel for you is completely different. What I feel for you is absolute true love.”

Aaron’s body instantly relaxed as he flashed me a smile that melted my insides. Pulling me into his arms, I let my body relax into his. Aaron pushed his hand into my hair and took in a deep breath as he held me close. “I want to make love to you, Sierra.”

Smiling, I pulled back and looked into his blue eyes. “Well, we are in the guesthouse.”