AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Syd tries to hide her smile. I narrow my eyes at her. “Why are you smiling?”
“You’re just being silly. Are you getting ready to start your period?”
“If you were a man, I’d hit you over the head,” I say, plopping back down on the couch. She laughs out loud. I can’t really be mad at her for asking. I had that same thought.
She reassures me that I have nothing to worry about before she heads home. As I lie in bed, I think about Aiden. I feel bad for not responding to him, so I fumble around for my phone on my nightstand. Finding it, I open up the texting app.
Me: I wish you were here right now. xoxo
Aiden: Me too, sweetheart. Is it tomorrow yet?
I smile wide. I wish it was. I don’t know why I’m feeling so needy. I place my phone back on my nightstand. Tomorrow can’t get here soon enough.
It’s tomorrow and it’s not any better than yesterday. People are going out of their way to avoid me. I feel like I should stand up and scream, “Aiden is not cheating on me.” I push back in my chair, staring up to the ceiling.
Happy birthday to me.
I rub my temples as a headache threatens to surface. At least I had a great morning. Syd came over with my favorite breakfast food—donuts—and sang Happy Birthday to me.
A smile spreads across my face remembering how excited Lexi was. She woke me up, jumping up and down on my bed. Her homemade card brought tears to my eyes. It was a picture of her standing with Aiden and me. We were all holding hands.
Syd took Lexi for the day to do girly stuff. I really wanted to play hooky with them, but with Harper taking vacation, I really need to be here. So now I’m stuck in rumor hell. I tap my spacebar to wake my computer. Two thirty-five. I blow out a breath, not much longer.
At four, I decide I’m done. I’ve finished everything so I tell CJ that I’m going to leave a little early. She’s more than happy to let me leave. She’s probably sick of the rumor mill, too. If I’m not here, at least the whispering might stop.
The only thing I’ve heard from Aiden today was in a text. It said to be ready at six-thirty and where we’re going is dressy, but not too dressy. Details,Aiden. I need more details. When he doesn’t answer my text, I guess I’m on my own.
I feel a little retail therapy will help my mood. I take a taxi to a small boutique that I love in SoHo. An hour later I have a dress in hand and some new Jimmy Choo, strappy, nude heels. My day is already getting better.
Syd texts me that she and Damon are taking Lexi to a movie and dinner so they’ll see us tomorrow. Huh. She and Damon? I chuckle to myself. That girl is going to give Aiden a heart attack. I get home and crank up the music, pour myself a huge glass of wine, and get ready for my date.
The knock on my door right at six-thirty makes my heart flutter. I’ve yearned to see Aiden and ache for his touch. It’s been too long. Yet it’s only been two days. Aiden is my addiction. And it’s time for a fix.
I open the door and my breath hitches seeing the gorgeous man standing in front of me. My heart beats faster. He has his hands in his black slacks. He’s wearing a white shirt and a gray freaking tie. I bite my lip as I appraise his body. When my eyes flash up to his, his nostrils flare. His gaze is burning with lust and desire. A shiver runs up my spine as he takes a step forward. A low, rumbling, deep throat growl erupts from his lips.
“Fuck me, Addison.” Yes, please. “You look stunning,” he says as he takes his hands out of his pockets. He grabs one hand, putting it over my head, and spins me around slowly. His other hand brushes my midsection as he turns me. I hear him exhale sharply when he gets to my backside.
My go-to dress is usually black. They’re simple, always in style, and you can never go wrong. But the sales girls swore this dress would look good on me. The halter dress contours my body, hitting me at the knees. It’s navy rosebud lace over a nude lining that isn’t as long as the lace. The back is exposed and gorgeous. I’m so happy she pulled me out of my comfort zone because the look on Aiden’s face right now is intoxicating.
“You like?” I flash a knowing smile.
“No,” he says, pulling me into him. “I fucking love.”
He presses his lips softly on mine. I can feel his hard body holding back. His restraint is evident as he growls again, taking a step back. His jaw clenches as he exhales sharply again. “We need to go. Now,” he demands.
“I love your tie,” I say seductively, running my hand down it. Memories of how the silk felt around my wrists excites me. It’s been eight months now and every gut-wrenching memory has now been replaced with Aiden’s loving touch. Unfortunately, those memories will never die, but they are buried. It’s one period in a book full of beautiful words.
“Sweetheart, you and that new tie fetish of yours is going to have to wait,” he rasps.
The restaurant is amazing. The Japanese brasserie’s dark red ambience and lit lanterns all around create the perfect romantic setting. We’re in a private semicircle booth, which allows us to sit really close. Aiden hasn’t stopped touching me since we sat down.
“That dress is my new favorite,” he says, leaning into me. “But right now, I hate it.” He squeezes my lace-covered thigh. Having a body-hugging dress down to one’s knees doesn’t make for easy access.
“Don’t you know good things come to those who wait?” I whisper in his ear as I slide my hand up his tie.
He nods his head. “Oh, I know, baby. I know.”
He glides his hand over my jaw then tugs me over to him. His lips are soft as he kisses me sweetly. When he pulls back, I let out a small whine.
