Touched (The Untouched Trilogy #2)(58)

What the f*ck just happened? I sat there motionless replaying the scene and a sudden chill ran through me. Is this how he always handled people who pissed him off? Was this how he handled business? I didn’t know whether to be relieved, terrified or turned on. I think it was a lot of all three.

Was he upset with me for this? Did he feel as if I was more trouble than I was worth? Would this change our relationship? Why did he leave so abruptly and with such distance? He was fine or seemingly fine when I initially told him about this. Was hearing it so different from dealing with it? I would imagine so. Hearing about Nadia was more abstract but seeing her and knowing she’d been intimate with Aiden made me want to vomit so I could only imagine how Aiden felt dealing with Dane.

Of two things, I was sure … that was the last I’d hear of Dane or Tiffany Patrick and second, my recent decision to change the way I lived my life had been long overdue. I’d thought I had all the answers and that I’d made logical choices by taking certain measures to protect myself and it had worked for a while but the recent back-fires verified the need for a different approach.

Men! Even when you gave them only sex, they still managed to f*ck you up somehow. I had wanted the detached sex but I never wanted to be someone’s mistress or break up families. Turns out, that’s exactly what I’d done. I truly felt bad for Tiffany because I had a strong feeling that I hadn’t been the only one.



*****



It was almost 6 o’clock when I traipsed back to my office. I walked slowly to my desk and sank into my chair … thinking about Aiden. Were we okay? Would this cause distance between us? Should I have handled the Patricks on my own? I had so many other questions but I feared I would never get the answers.

I looked at the picture on my desk. It was the one Mom had sent of the four of us in Disney World. She always made a fuss over everything; large or small. She wanted it all to be special. Everything was significant to her. When I had told of her of my promotion, she was so excited for me and extremely proud. She’d even remembered that my favorite flowers were orchids and had a beautiful bouquet delivered. A card had also been included, which reminded me that I wanted to take it home. I opened the drawer and pulled the card from the envelope and read it.



Congratulations Aria!

I’m very proud of the woman you’ve become and I’m happy that I have the opportunity to celebrate your success. You’ve ventured out on your own and created a wonderful life for yourself. You’ve always been strong and tenacious; I love that about you. I pray that you continue to make wise choices and that you have every happiness life has to offer. That’s all a parent can ask for. I know I’m far from perfect but when I look at you and your sisters, I know I got something perfectly right. I love you for all that you are, for all that you have been and for all you are yet to be.

Mom



I placed the card in my purse; I wanted to add it to my box of keepsakes. I glanced at my phone; it was almost 7 o’clock. Aiden had yet to call. Maybe he was taking some time to cool off after dealing with Dane and Tiffany; he was obviously more upset by this than he’d let on. I didn’t know if I liked him fighting my battles but f*ck was he ever good at it. I was constantly seeing sides of him that I didn’t know existed. Clearly, we had some things to discuss. I grabbed my purse and walked out of the office. I could only hope that tomorrow would be better than today.





CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

It was nearly midnight and still not a word from Aiden. I suppose I could call him but I didn’t know what state of mind I’d find him and I didn’t want to take the chance. Had the ordeal with the Patricks made him think less of me? Was he reconsidering our relationship? My head started to hurt as I considered possible outcomes … all of which left me without Aiden. I didn’t want that. I didn’t want to think any more about it. I flipped the TV off and headed to bed. Maybe I’d have my answers tomorrow.

I had settled into bed when my phone pinged. I nervously grabbed it to see a text from Aiden.

*I’m downstairs, I’m coming up.*

I didn’t reply. I climbed out of bed and walked towards the door. I didn’t know what to expect; I felt a wave of nausea in the pit of my stomach. There was a knock just as I reached the door. I slowly opened it and there he was … the gorgeous, sexy, intimidating CEO of Raine Industries.

The coldness I’d seen in his eyes earlier had thawed, giving way to the eyes that conspicuously ravished me. He pulled me to him, lowered his head and sealed his mouth over on mine. All of my worries vanished as his tongue expertly explored my mouth, removing all traces of doubt.

He moved us inside and closed the door behind him. Within the measure of a minute, we were both naked ... moments later he was shoving his huge cock into me.



*****



The next morning we were in the kitchen. I was preparing tea as he reached for coffee. Neither of us had mentioned the Patricks. I wanted to know more but I was hesitant to broach the subject.

“I’m flying home for the weekend. I would love for you to come with,” Aiden said.

“What?” I asked.

“Come home with me. I have a charity event and I would like for you to see where I grew up,” he said.

I smiled as I pictured a cute little green-eyed Aiden. I wondered if he’d been as challenging as a child as he is as an adult.