Only His Touch Part One (The Untouched #4) - Lilly Wilde

Only His Touch

Part One

Lilly Wilde

Only His Touch Only His Touch (Part One) Copyright 2016 by Lilly Wilde www.lillywilde.com First Edition Cover Design by Sara Eirew Editing by Help Me Edit This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are the product of the author ’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events or locales is entirely coincidental. The author does not have any control over and does not assume any responsibility for third—party websites or their content. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, scanned, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without prior written permission of the author, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law. Please do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of the author ’s rights. ISBN—13: 978-1310502637  

Dedication This book is dedicated to you, my fans. You believed in me. You encouraged me. You felt the depth of my story. You knew it was about more than sex. You fell in love with Aria and Aiden. You understood their connection. You endured their struggle, and still push for their happily ever after. For all of this, and more, I thank you!

Contents Copyright Dedication Contents Chapter One Chapter Two Chapter Three Chapter Four Chapter Five Chapter Six Chapter Seven Chapter Eight Chapter Nine Chapter Ten Chapter Eleven Chapter Twelve Chapter Thirteen Epilogue Discussion Questions Connect with Lilly Wilde Books by Lilly Wilde About the Author

Chapter One I lay naked on the floor of our bedroom, covered by the cashmere throw that was usually tossed across the back of the sofa. The soft intermittent crackles of the fire were the first sounds I registered —other than that, all was quiet. A blissful sigh escaped me as my eyes slowly opened and I reached for my lover, but I froze when I realized he wasn’t there. A tinge of sadness crept through me as I thought about last night—had it all been a dream? Had Aiden and I really shared the night and most of the morning in the throes of passion, or had our reconnection been a cruel joke my mind had played on me? “Good morning. I thought you were going to sleep the day away.” There it was—the deep, provocative voice that pulled at every carnal feeling known to woman. The hours of burning intimacy hadn’t been a dream. Every kiss, every touch, every orgasm—they had all happened. I smiled and turned over to face him. After last night, I would have thought Virginia to be off somewhere smoking a cigarette, but the soft throbs between my legs proved otherwise. I was filled with a deep longing the moment my eyes connected with Aiden’s. He lounged on the sofa in his robe, and he looked perfectly refreshed from our endless night of lovemaking. Aiden Raine was an insanely handsome man, with a body so outrageous it would cause a nun to renounce her chastity. But there was more to Aiden than what met the eye. There was an allure that completely disarmed me—both in bed and out. He was a confident, frustrating, and often arrogant man who just so happened to be the father of my child. I knew I was staring, but I didn’t care. It was easy to get lost in him simply because…well, because he was Aiden. He was the epitome of seduction. It was in the darkness of his eyes, the fullness of his lips, and the grace of his movement. To look at him was to eye-fuck him. It was just that simple —and it was just that complicated. “Good morning.” My voice was raspy with sleep. “What time is it?” “It’s almost noon,” he replied. I bolted upright. “Oh shit. Lyric!” “Wait,” Aiden said, motioning for me to calm down. “He’s not here.” “Where is he?” I asked, as I pulled the throw around me, covering my breasts. “Please tell me he’s not with your crazy parents.” Aiden laughed. I loved his rich throaty laugh—which as of late, I’d heard quite often, especially when he played with Lyric. “No. He isn’t with my crazy parents. I called Dianna, and she’s taken him for the day.”

Lyric was our nearly five-month-old son who’d become the center of our world. We doted on his every breath, gurgle, and cry. He was the very best parts of Aiden and me. “Dianna adores him,” I said. “I’m glad our little boy has her.” Dianna had been one of Aiden’s nannies. And despite the presence of his mother in his life, Aiden had developed somewhat of a maternal bond with Dianna. I’d come to have a great deal of affection for her myself. She was like a loving grandmother to Lyric, and she loved Aiden like her own son. “And just why did you send our child away?” I asked. “Because I want to spend the day with you—doing grown-up things.” I didn’t know why, but a nervous tickling traced my stomach. Aiden and I had not really done anything alone in the past few months. He regarded my expression. “What’s wrong? Are you afraid of being alone with me?” he teased. “I’m alone with you now. I was alone with you last night. Did I seem as though I was afraid?” “That doesn’t count. When we do things like we did last night, everything else falls to the background,” he said, his eyes coveting me. “We become consumed with each other.” I nearly stopped breathing as I looked into his eyes. His emerald gaze was a perfect blend of seduction and lust that heated my skin and melted my insides. I abruptly broke eye contact, and glanced around the room. “How long have you been awake?” I asked. “For a while. I got Lyric fed and dressed, called Dianna, made breakfast, showered, came back in here, and waited on you to wake up.” “Pretty impressive. Perhaps being a kept man really does suit you,” I said, grinning and thinking back to our very recent conversation. Aiden had joked about being a stay-at-home dad—or maybe he’d been serious at the time, but I couldn’t picture a man who’d once run one of the largest corporations in the world trading it all in just to stay home and change diapers. “Don’t think I didn’t notice you changed the subject,” he said. I didn’t plan on replying to that. “You didn’t watch me sleep, did you?” He cocked his head. “And what if I did?” “Did you?” I asked. “It’s a possibility,” he said. “I covered you after a while.” I pulled the throw to my chin. “What do you mean after a while?” “Have you ever awakened next to a naked Aria Cason?” he asked. “I can’t say that I have,” I replied. “She’s pretty damn difficult to resist.” “So what does one do when he wakes up next to a naked Aria Cason?” “He just may watch the beauty of her slumber…then again, he may trail his fingertip over the curves of her body until a certain part of his anatomy becomes hungry for hers.” “Is that what happened?” I asked.

“I’m pretty sure it did.” My nipples tightened beneath the throw as I held his gaze. “I wanted to wake you, but I knew you were tired, so I covered you, and let you sleep.” “Very interesting story, but I don’t know if I like that—especially since it’s not really fair. I didn’t have the same opportunity to observe you in all of your glorious nakedness.” “Baby, all you have to do is ask,” he said, with a cocky grin. He stood, untied his robe, and let it fall to the floor. He was naked. And very, very beautiful. I pulled my lower lip into my mouth, and bit down, fully appreciating the view. Aiden was an Adonis—my Adonis. My gaze swept over his six-foot-three inch frame a second time, and then rested on his face. “Do you have any idea how beautiful you are?” I asked. His dark brown hair was tousled in that sexy, just-fucked way. He had the slightest stubble outlining his angular jawline, and the deepest emerald green eyes I’d ever seen. He paid very close attention to his body, working out routinely—easily maintaining his washboard abs and that deliciously enticing loin of Apollo I had the pleasure of worshipping with my tongue just a few short hours ago. “What?” he asked. Even his voice seduced every part of my being. “You heard me.” “I’ve told you before…don’t do that.” “I can describe you however I want. You are beautiful.” I lowered my gaze to his manhood. “And since we’re both naked, how about we do what we did last December?” He cracked a smile. “What? Fuck like rabbits?” “Well that’s a given, but I was thinking more along the lines of our staying naked the entire time.” “Ordinarily, I’d say yes, but I have plans for us, and unfortunately clothing is required. I need you showered and dressed, princess.” “Ugh.” “Don’t get me wrong. I’d love nothing more than keeping you locked away, naked, and thoroughly fucked.” “I’m sure you would,” I replied, ogling the growth of his impressive package. “And just why are your eyes glued to Kingston?” “Because I’m still in love with him,” I replied. “I think I should tell him that.” “Why don’t you show him instead?” he said, extending his hand. I placed my hand in his, and was on my knees, facing the thickest and longest cock I’d ever seen. “I’m desperately in love you, Kingston,” I purred, and lightly kissed the tip. Aiden stroked my hair. “I know you can do better than that, princess.” I looked up at him. “I can…but I won’t.” I stood, and pulled his face down to mine, and gave him

a quick kiss. “I’ve been given instructions, so I guess I’d better hop in the shower.” “Wait. Are you really going to leave me like this?” I followed his gaze to his erection. “Yup.” “Okay, well, how about I join you?” “Nope,” I said, looking over my shoulder. “Since you’re not sharing the goods, why should I?” He grinned and replied, “I’m all about sharing.” I spun around to face him and started backing toward the bathroom. “But you’re not giving me what I want,” I said. The salacious glint in his eyes signaled I should run. Before I’d made two steps, he caught me and grabbed my waist. “Whatever you want—it’s yours,” he said, guiding me backward until I was trapped. “You should know that by now.” His palms rested on both sides of me. They were flush to the wall, caging me. He leaned in, and slid his tongue across my lip and then gently bit it. His hand moved over my breast, teasing my nipple, lightly touching it with the tip of his finger. I stifled a moan. “What are you doing?” “Just clarifying a few things.” I relaxed my head on the wall. “Such as?” He lowered his head to my breast, and moved his lips back and forth over the still erect bud. He then flicked his tongue over it and took it into his mouth, gently suckling. “Mmmm,” I moaned. My body instinctively arched toward the warm, wet seduction that was his mouth. “Are you sure I can’t convince you to make that shower for two?” he asked. His hand was between my thighs, cupping me as the pad of his thumb teased my clit. I summoned my reserve of will-power and reached down to remove his hand. “No. Besides, you’ve already showered,” I said, and kissed his cheek. “I need to get dressed. Maybe we can play later.” He chuckled and I smoothly ducked beneath his arm and dashed into the bathroom. I closed the door, and with nervous hands, I locked it before he could follow me inside. I shook off the remnants of the heady thing he’d pulled me into and then started the shower. We’d had sex before last night, but those needy moments had been filled with anger and resentment. Was it hot? Hell yes. Sex with Aiden was always hot…and it made me ache for more. But last night wasn’t the result of an angry need. It was a sweet and intimate connection, one that was ridiculously intense and full of a passion that consumed every part of me. Vivid images of last night, of our tender moments in front of the Christmas tree, flashed over and over in my mind as I stepped out of the shower. I found myself smiling at my reflection in the mirror

as I wrapped the towel around me. A cascade of long black hair flowed over my skin like dark waves. I grabbed the wet locks, and tossed them over my shoulders. I looked different somehow, and I even felt different than I had just a day ago. My amber eyes appeared brighter, and a silly smile was glued to my face. What did this mean? At twenty-eight, I was not at all the person I thought I’d be. I still wanted my career, and I felt strongly about being an independent woman. The number of my friendships remained in single digits —to be exact, I only had one—and I still over-analyzed every aspect of my life. But now, I was a single mother with a boyfriend or perhaps significant other was the best description for now. I never imagined that I’d be a mother, at all. Certainly not a happy mother who was head-over-heels with such an amazing guy. At best, I figured I would’ve climbed the corporate ladder while enjoying the single lifestyle to the fullest. After securing my towel, I opened the bathroom door, and peeked out. When I was sure the coast was clear, I rushed into the closet, and gasped when I saw Aiden already standing inside. “No need to sneak, Aria. I won’t touch you.” “Good. And I wasn’t sneaking,” I said, walking toward the back of the closet. “I’ve already selected your clothing,” he said. “What?” I spun around, and he was opening a drawer. He pulled out a box and placed it on the long bureau. I shook my head as I thought back to my first gift from him, and that silly schoolgirl smile again spread across my lips. “What are you up to?” I asked. “I didn’t have a chance to celebrate your birthday with you, so this is your delayed gift.” I squinted at him, trying to figure out what he’d planned. There was more to this than just a gift. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have sent Lyric away. His perfect lips fell into a frown. “It’s not very polite of you to greet gifts with such suspicion.” “You, paired with a gift that includes a box of clothes,” I said. “Usually mean trouble for me.” He slid the box further down the counter. “Aren’t you going to at least open it?” I grabbed my underwear from one of the drawers and then dropped my towel. When I looked up at him, my smile faded as I took in his expression. His eyes were on my stomach. “What’s wrong?” I asked. “Nothing,” he replied, flatly. “You looked really sad just now. Where’d you go?” “It’s nothing,” he said. “Open your gift.” “No.” I slid on my panties, and fastened my bra. “Not until you tell me what made you look at me like that.” He let out a long sigh. “I was thinking about Lyric.” “And that made you sad?”

“The thought of your pregnancy…I regret I wasn’t there to see it, to see your body change, to feel my son moving inside you.” My heart dropped. “I’m sorry.” I didn’t know what else to say. “I know that doesn’t really help.” I was riddled with so much guilt for having concealed my pregnancy and the birth of his son. He stepped around the bureau, and closed the distance between us. His palm was on my cheek, tracing his thumb back and forth as his eyes held mine. “Get dressed and meet me downstairs.” He turned away and I watched him stroll out of the closet. I knew he wanted to be at peace with what I’d done, but I doubted that would ever happen. This would be an ongoing issue between us—one that had the potential to drive us apart. We didn’t need that—we’d been through enough and it was time for us to have a chance at happiness…but would that chance ever come? Aiden and I were still living together with plans of moving to Boston. We were becoming closer as a family, spending most of our time on outings with Lyric. In doing so, it gave us the perfect excuse for avoiding a talk that was very much necessary—a talk that would reveal everything about our time apart—but I didn’t think we were ready for that. And then, there was the letter Aiden had written, revealing the depth of his feelings, and asking me to fully commit to him. I had yet to reply— at least not in the way I knew he wanted. And his reaction just now reminded me why I shouldn’t reply…not just yet. He wanted a total commitment. I’d attempted that before—both times I’d run away and convinced myself leaving him was for the best. I didn’t want that to happen again. I wanted to give him what he desired, but I needed time to figure out if that person was in me. Last night had been amazing. It was our first time being intimate since Nadia, Aiden’s deeply disturbed ex, had taken Lyric. Without really planning it or talking about it, we hadn’t had sex or even come close to it, since Lyric’s safe return. We’d cuddled at night and I’d felt his erection poking me in the wee hours, but beyond that and chaste kisses, there had been nothing remotely sexual. However, during those celibate times, we’d created a bond that had somehow connected us on an even deeper level. And today, he’d planned for us to spend some time together without Lyric. I was excited, but a part of me was really nervous about falling into the routine Aiden and I had before I’d learned of my pregnancy. I opened the gift and lifted its contents from the box—it was a black leather jumpsuit, and underneath that, were leather boots and gloves. His gifts were never simply gifts—they always tied into something, so what was he up to this time? After a few moments, I decided it really didn’t matter, so I quickly dressed, anxious to see my reflection. I zipped the suit, pulled on the boots, went to the rear of the closet and stepped in front of the mirror. Chic. Sexy. I liked it. It reminded me of the time Aiden had said I resembled a sexy biker chick. Wait. Was that the reason we had to wear clothes? Was he taking me for a ride on his bike? The last time we’d done that, we’d had sex outside underneath a large tree and pretty much surrounded by

his staff. I shook my head in disbelief as I thought back to the many things he’d talked me into. After another onceover, I decided I needed something to stand out in the midst of all the black, so I went to the bathroom, and applied some red lipstick. Once satisfied with my appearance, I grabbed my phone and headed downstairs to see what Aiden had in store for me. As I neared the bottom of the stairs, Aiden stepped into view and I stopped dead in my tracks. He was also wearing black leather, and holy hell was he ever hot. As if on cue, my lady part, better known as Virginia, bolted into fuck me mode. Aiden’s eyes devoured me just as mine took in every delectable part of him. And when he smiled, his charming lopsided grin stopped my heart. He extended his hand to me. “Come.” I resumed my descent and stepped into the waiting arms of my personal aphrodisiac. “I knew I’d love you in this, but I had no idea I’d want to undress you so quickly. You look very edible. Do you realize that?” he asked, and then released me from his embrace. “Then maybe you should eat,” I teased. “Later. I promise.” “When did you become such a party pooper?” “Is this what I have to listen to all day? Or do you intend to eventually let me do what I’ve planned?” I let out a sigh. “Yes, sir. I’ll be good. And thanks for the gift. It’s really sexy.” “That it is,” he said, and reached for my zipper. He eased it down until he could see the curve of my breasts. “Perfect,” he said, and then he lowered his head and kissed each one. “Mmmm.” I inhaled, absorbing his scent. “How is it that you smell so—” “So what?” he asked, and kissed my cheek. “I don’t know. It’s just…it makes me so hot for you. Are you sure we can’t stay here?” “We have plans. I’ve told you that…several times now.” He stepped back and the excitement in his eyes was almost contagious. “Okay, maybe we should get this surprise thing underway so I can get you back here and have my way with you.” “Careful. I’m starting to think you’re becoming obsessed with my friend Kingston.” “If I am, I consider him a healthy obsession. Besides, he’s very easy to get along with…doesn’t give me any of the trouble that you do.” “Is that right?” he asked. “Yes it is, Mr. Raine.”

Chapter Two After a quick breakfast, we took a short walk to the parking garage near the main house on the Raine family compound. Once Aiden entered a code and opened the door, he grasped my hand and led me toward the rear of the garage, behind the second row of cars. In the far corner were four motorcycles, one with a huge red bow. I dropped his hand and gawked as I put the pieces together. I turned to him. “Is this the other part of my belated birthday present?” “Yes.” “I thought I told you I didn’t want to do this.” “I don’t recall that.” He walked over to a shelf near the motorcycles and returned with two helmets. “Isn’t it too cold to be on a motorcycle?” I asked. “Not with the clothes you’re wearing. They’re especially designed for cold weather. Are you cold right now?” “Actually, no.” “And it’s only sixty-one degrees today. We’ll be fine, but if you think you’ll get cold…” He walked to a door close to the motorcycles and returned with a jacket and pants. “I come prepared— synergy heated gear.” I shook my head and sighed. As usual, he was prepared for my every point. “No, I’ll be fine in this. But I can’t ride,” I said, shrugging my shoulders. “I don’t know how.” “That’s the third part of your surprise.” “Oh God. There’s more?” As far as surprises went, his were usually spot on, but I wasn’t too eager to get in on this one. “Aria, give it a chance,” he said, frowning as he guided me closer. “Okay, okay. I’m sorry. So tell me more about part three,” I said, trying my best to sound enthusiastic. “We’ll get to that later, but for now…do you like your motorcycle?” I didn’t know enough to really determine whether I liked it or not, but it did look pretty cool. I stepped next to the sleek, terrifying gift and studied it. It was black, like his. And it looked dangerous, also like his. “It’s fast, but it handles really easy, which is one reason I wanted this particular bike for you.” “Okay,” I said, not really knowing what handling easy was as compared to one that was difficult to handle. “It also has an ergonomic fit,” he said. “So it will be very comfortable.”

I traced my fingers along the bike. Aiden was describing this machine with calm, reassuring words, but it didn’t lessen its intimidating look. “It’s a custom-made Ecosse ES1—uniquely designed just for you.” I glanced up at him. I didn’t know a damned thing about bikes, but I guessed that name meant something in the bikers’ world. “Thank you, Aiden. It really is an amazing bike. I’m just super nervous.” “I can tell. Hey, let’s see how you look on it.” He removed the ribbon and helped me straddle the seat. Once I was situated, he stepped back. He grinned and said, “It fits.” “Does it?” I asked, laughing. “You look really hot on that bike, babe.” “Why thank you kindly, sir.” He pulled out his phone and took a picture. “I want to show this to Lyric when he’s older—his mother, the wild woman.” I smiled and rolled my eyes. “Let’s not forget to tell him who made me this way.” “Who? Me?” he asked, feigning innocence. “Who else?” He chuckled. “You were this way when I found you.” As he snapped picture after picture, I reflected on his words and realized how little I resembled the person I was when he found me. Being in his world…being with him…it was as if I was being reprogrammed—constantly evolving and changing. And I couldn’t help but wonder what the final product would look like. After Aiden finished his wild woman photo shoot, we headed out to start our day. Since I didn’t know how to ride yet, we’d hopped on his motorcycle to go to my third surprise. Although I wasn’t quite the motorcycle enthusiast, I wasn’t complaining—I mean, why would I? I was a very lucky girl, being that I had the extreme pleasure of pressing my body against Aiden’s rock hard frame. My arms were wrapped tightly around his waist and my head lay against his back as we headed down the drive and off into the breezy December day. I looked at the blur of trees and houses as we sped past them. It was hard to believe that a few months ago I had planned to never see Aiden again, and here I was now—literally holding on tightly and never wanting to let go. After about twenty minutes or so, we slowed and turned into what looked like a stadium. Upon closer inspection, I saw that it was a deserted motorcycle riding academy. We stopped beside the track, and then Aiden turned off the motorcycle and removed his helmet. “We’re here,” he said. I reluctantly released him and dismounted the bike. After removing my helmet, I leaned forward

and flipped my hair, shaking it loose. Aiden was still on the bike, watching me, and winked when I caught his eye. “Now what?” I asked. “I’m going to teach you how to ride. But if you’d rather have someone certified do it, I have someone on standby.” “Aiden, so glad to see you made it,” came a voice from behind me. I turned to see a man dressed in biking gear approaching us. “How’s it going?” the man asked. “No complaints, my friend,” Aiden replied as he got off the bike. “Aria, this is Walt. He owns the riding academy.” “Hi, Walt. Nice to meet you,” I said. “Hello, Aria. Are you ready for your first lesson?” I glanced nervously at Aiden and he gave me a reassuring nod. I looked back at Walt and shrugged. “I guess I’m as ready as I’ll ever be.” I really wasn’t, and I didn’t want anyone except Aiden teaching me. “Walt, she’s a little nervous,” Aiden said. “Why don’t you let me get her started, and we’ll come get you if we need anything.” “No problem. And we’ll have someone out at your place to pick up her bike tomorrow.” “Sounds good, thanks,” Aiden replied. Walt left us to ourselves, and I turned back toward Aiden and the bike. “Don’t be nervous,” he said, grabbing my hand and walking me to the motorcycle. “Okay, first I want you to familiarize yourself with the different parts of the bike.” Aiden very astutely explained the purpose of every feature of his motorcycle. As he demonstrated, I nodded and took it all in. “Okay, I think I’ve got it,” I said once he’d finished. “Now what?” “Explain it all back to me.” “What?” I asked. “I want to make sure. I don’t want you making any mistakes and hurting yourself.” “Aiden, I said I’ve got it.” “Okay, well, just humor me. What’s this and what does it do?” he asked, pointing at the brake. I let out a sigh and shook my head. “I didn’t know I was going to be quizzed, Professor Raine.” “Don’t forget Professor Raine has a paddle and he knows how to use it. So stop being obstinate and tell me.” “Well, if my stubbornness leads to a spanking…I’m not saying anything.” “Aria,” he warned. Since he’d flipped into his no-nonsense mode, I decided to go along with his test. “Fine. This is

the brake, and we obviously know what it’s used for,” I started. We went through all of the features he’d described to me. I only confused three, but they weren’t that big of a deal, so he let it slide. “Now I want to show you how to brake and turn, and a little later, we’ll go over maneuvers like controlling skidding and surmounting obstacles.” He showed me how to start the bike and take off, and then he returned to let me do it. “So I’ll need to make sure I give it enough gas to get it moving. And it’s possible to have the throttle open while still decelerating.” “That’s right. Very good, Aria.” He kissed my forehead and resumed his instruction. “Keep a relaxed grip and never use the throttle to hold on to the bike. That would lead to jerky acceleration over bumps, and after some time it will cramp your hand.” “Got it.” “Are you ready to take a loop?” he asked. “Yes, I think so.” “And don’t go too fast. Just keep it at a pace that you’re comfortable.” “Yes, sir.” Aiden grabbed my helmet and passed it to me. After sliding it on and flipping the visor, I started the bike. I took a deep breath and took off. Now that I knew more about the motorcycle, I wasn’t nearly as nervous as I’d been earlier. I easily went one lap and saw Aiden motioning for me to brake as I approached him. I slowed to a stop, and lifted the visor on my helmet. “How’d I do?” “Perfect,” he said, smiling at me. “Did you like it?” “Yes, more than I thought,” I said, grinning at him like a kid who’d just had her first roller coaster ride. “I want to go again.” He laughed. “Go ahead. Be careful…and not too fast.” “Yeah, yeah, yeah. I know.” I lowered my visor and started another lap. Aiden always pushed me to do things I would never do, even something as simple as learning to ride a motorcycle. ***** After a long and exhilarating day of riding, Aiden and I eventually headed home. It wasn’t quite dark yet, but the temperature had dropped. I nuzzled up close to Aiden as he turned onto the drive, leading us to the garage. Several minutes later, we stepped inside the house. Aiden went over to the chair near the fireplace and took a seat. I glanced over at him, and he was watching me as I headed toward the sofa. “Come here,” he said, and patted his thighs, indicating he wanted me to sit in his lap. I paused, briefly considering his request.

When I didn’t move, he held up a hand and motioned with his index finger for me to come to him. “What do you want?” I asked, as I walked over and straddled his thighs. He reclined and rested his head on the back of the chair. “So did you have fun today?” “Yes.” “Good.” He reached for the zipper of my jumpsuit. “Dianna’s bringing Lyric home in about an hour.” He lifted his gaze to mine. “I seem to recall something about a spanking earlier.” A rush of nervous excitement sparked a wanton and ready Virginia. “I think I remember that, too.” He unzipped my suit and then placed his palms on my shoulders, sliding his hands between my skin and the leather, helping me out of my clothes. When he unclasped my bra, I shrugged it off and looked down at his large hands cupping my breasts. “Do you know how very much I appreciate the fullness of these?” he asked. “Why don’t you tell me about it?” “I was always better at the ‘show’ part of show and tell, so how about I demonstrate my appreciation instead?” He pulled me closer and sealed his mouth over my nipple and sucked it, pulling hard and then giving his attention to the other. He bit into my skin and I cried out, grabbing his head and clutching it tightly to my chest. “So you like the sharp sting?” he asked, looking up at me. “Maybe,” I replied, as I attempted to soothe my abused nipple, rotating it gently between my thumb and index finger. “Do you like the taste of breast milk?” I asked, wondering how much he’d swallowed. “Maybe,” he replied. “Stand up for me, princess.” I slid from his lap and he helped me out of the boots and the remainder of my clothing. Once I was naked, he grabbed me and swiftly positioned me over his knee. I squealed and squirmed in his lap, not yet ready for what was coming. Before I could catch my breath, his hand landed solidly on my behind. It wasn’t hard though—just enough to stir the heat of my desire. “Harder?” he asked. Yes, please,” I replied. He smacked my backside again—this time slightly harder than the last. “Like that?” he asked. “Or would you like it harder?” “Harder,” I said. He leaned back and unbuckled his belt, and in one swift movement, he drew it from his waist. Holy hell! I didn’t plan on him using that. He moved his hand over my behind, rubbing it and coaxing me with his words. “Since you were so anxious for a spanking, I think we should do this right.”

And slap! The belt came down across both cheeks. “Ah. Shit!” I wriggled in his lap, squeezing my thighs together as Virginia swirled with arousal. He smacked me twice more. “Oh, fuck!” I panted. I didn’t know if I could take this—my psyche was wavering between the pain radiating from my ass and the pleasure pulsing from my core. Each impact was harder than the last, but on the opposite end of the spectrum, each impact made me that much hotter for him. “Hold still and take it like a big girl,” he said, gruffly. Two more blows. I cried out again as he held me firmly in place. I was about to tell him to stop, but I bit into him, desperately clutching his legs, needing something to counter the pain. Another smack, and then another. I squeezed my eyes tight and absorbed it all. My pussy throbbed harder and harder, with each blow. My emotions were a violent mix of panic and lust, and they were starting to get the better of me—my eyes stung with tears, and my breathing was shallow and ragged. The belt slapped my skin twice more, and then I cried out, “Stop!” Aiden’s hand was on my behind, moving gently over my curves and smothering the fire he’d started. He lifted me from his lap and said, “Bend over.” Holy shit. “That was intense,” I breathed. “Did I hurt you?” “Yes, but I’m a big girl—I can take it.” “So you do like sharp stings. That’s good to know,” he said, caressing my burning cheeks and then spreading them apart. He groaned, and then seconds later, his mouth was on me. His tongue was between my legs, teasing my eager center, tracing upward and then circling the puckered tissue. I moaned and inched back toward his mouth. And then the doorbell rang. “Fuck,” he murmured. Who could that be? “Is it Dianna? I thought she wasn’t expected until an hour from now.” “Maybe she’s early,” he said. “Get dressed. I’ll answer the door.” I grabbed my clothing and quickly reassembled myself. I raised the zipper of my jumper to an acceptable level then followed the sound of voices. I heard Aiden speaking, followed by a second voice. It was Connor, Aiden’s dad. What the hell did he want?

Chapter Three I wasn’t exactly eager to exchange words with Connor, so I didn’t bother with a hello. Instead, I escaped to the bedroom to wait for Aiden. For the sake of family, Aiden and I were trying to get past Connor ’s recent disregard for Lyric’s safety, but whenever I spent too much time thinking about what had happened, my resentment for Connor returned with a vengeance. And after the recent closeness I’d shared with Aiden, I found myself thinking about Connor ’s lack of decency more and more, especially when I considered the many things that could ruin Aiden and me…and at the top of that list were Aiden’s parents. So of course, I had reservations about getting too cozy with either Connor or Sienna, Aiden’s mother. They were severely lacking in the parenting department, which was apparent whenever they were given the choice between Raine Industries and their children, or in Lyric’s case, their grandchild. I checked the time on my phone. Dianna would be back soon, and if Aiden didn’t rush Connor out the door, we’d have to wait until Lyric was settled to resume what the doorbell interrupted. After twenty minutes or so, I decided to call Dianna and ask her to keep Lyric a while longer. Just as I was about to hit the call button, Aiden stepped into the bedroom with our chubby little guy. “There he is,” I said, reaching for the baby. “Mommy has missed you so much, Lyric.” He gave me a toothless grin and I started unbundling him, slipping off his hat and then unzipping his outer suit. “So what did Connor want?” I asked Aiden. “He’s offered his assistance with raising funds for the new foundation,” Aiden replied. There was no way Connor would be willing to help with something he was against, and he was definitely against Aiden busying himself with anything that wasn’t Raine Industries. I looked up and saw Aiden studying me. Was he expecting me to react harshly to his news about Connor? “You can’t be serious,” I said. “And how does he know about it anyway?” “He said Allison mentioned it.” I’d started a foundation, The Heart of Wyatt, for Aiden as a Christmas gift. It was similar to the other charities Aiden spearheaded in that it provided support for disadvantaged youth, particularly those with musical aspirations. Aiden loved music and was an extremely gifted pianist, but he’d set aside his interests in order to join the family business. Connor never encouraged Aiden’s passion for music. As a matter of fact, he was adamant that Aiden turn away from it…which was why it was odd he would put forth any effort to support Aiden in this endeavor. “And he rushed over to offer his help? I’m sure there’s a catch…so what is it?” “He’s also asked if we would co-host a New Year ’s Eve gala.” I kissed Lyric’s plump cheek and then placed him in his walker. “Us?” Christmas with the Raines

was better than I’d anticipated, and I fully intended to remain cordial and engaged for Lyric’s sake, but there was such a thing as being too close to Sienna and Connor, and co-hosting parties was teetering on the edge of being too close. “Yes. Since you started the foundation, I’m hoping you’ll be closely involved with it.” My suspicions doubled. “What’s Connor ’s angle here?” “Isn’t it obvious? He puts on a good publicity stunt, displaying our solidarity to counter the negative press of our infighting. He knew I wouldn’t be a part of it, so he threw in a little incentive to sweeten the offer. He wants this, so much so that he’s encouraging my new venture.” “Ding, ding. We have a winner. I knew Connor wasn’t suddenly gung-ho about supporting you.” “You’ve been around him for just few months, and you’ve already come to recognize his schemes.” “Who wouldn’t? He’s very transparent when it comes to that company.” I shook my head in disbelief. “So basically, he wants us to put on a show.” “It’s been that way all my life. He’s leveraging something to get what he wants.” “You don’t have to go along with it,” I said. “I know, and I wouldn’t if I didn’t feel so strongly about having a good start for Heart of Wyatt.” There was always a reason to justify the manipulation. “So we’re back in?” “Not in the way you think,” he said. “What does that mean?” I asked. “Nothing.” “Then why say it?” Aiden quickly broke eye contact. “Have you seen Lyric walk forward yet?” he asked, his attention focused on the baby. Aiden didn’t need Connor ’s support to fund this project, and he knew that as well as I did. I eyed him suspiciously and then followed his gaze. I watched a frustrated Lyric try to scoot toward us, and I smiled when he moved in reverse. Aiden chuckled, and I glanced at him and wondered what he wasn’t saying. Not only did Connor have an ulterior motive, obviously Aiden had one himself. I was all too aware of Connor ’s, but what in the hell was Aiden up to? ***** Despite my hesitation to fall into old patterns, in a matter of days Aiden and I had easily returned to our own little world—the one that was designed especially for us, and I had to admit…it just felt right. Was I worried? I wouldn’t be me if I wasn’t, but obviously what he and I shared was stronger than the sum of my worries—it felt like everything had fallen back to its proper place. My sisters Lia and Bianca were headed to New York for New Year ’s Eve. I would have loved to

have gone with them, but Aiden and I decided to set aside our true feelings and co-host the party with Connor and Sienna. We figured it would serve the greater good. The networking would be great for our first Heart of Wyatt fundraiser. It afforded us the opportunity to pull on some deep pocket strings. Despite Connor ’s repeated texts, and although we were the co-hosts, Aiden and I arrived at the main house fashionably late. After delivering Lyric to Dianna in the upstairs nursery, Aiden and I joined the party. I surveyed the room as soon as we entered, and it was just as I’d expected. Stodgy middle-aged businessmen were paired off in discussion in almost every area. Bored and wealthy housewives were mingling amongst themselves, far away from the husbands who afforded them their elite lifestyles. I spotted Connor and studied him as he worked the room. His distinguished, handsome features were as striking as his eloquence. I would have been just as impressed as those who revered him as an upstanding titan of industry, had I not glimpsed the man behind the public image. Aiden and I were soon making our own rounds—saying hellos, making introductions and discussing Heart of Wyatt. Although the evening was shaping up to be uneventful, which was always a good thing when socializing with this exclusive group, it was dragging on forever. Midnight couldn’t come soon enough for me. I’d done the business hobnobbing countless times when I worked at Raine Publishing House, but it felt more contrived when it involved Connor, Sienna, and their social circle. Toward the end of the evening, Connor called upon Aiden to give an impromptu speech to attest to the solidarity of Raine Industries. All attention was focused on Aiden. I wasn’t at all surprised to see that a few select members of the press had been invited. Cameras flashed while everyone applauded during a pause in Aiden’s speech. He looked so handsome in his black suit and crisp white shirt. He was wearing the tie Lyric and I had given him for Christmas. He looked every bit the billionaire’s son, the confident businessman and irrefutable force that he was. He was sporting a light beard as of late, and I normally didn’t go for the bearded look, but it afforded him a sexy edge that he wore extremely well, and there was an added bonus…I was partial to the way it grazed over my skin when he was busying himself between my thighs. That was reason enough for me to jump on the beard bandwagon. I beamed with irrepressible fascination, unable to take my eyes off the man who had the ability to engage everyone in the room. When Aiden mentioned my name and motioned for me to join him, I looked over at Connor. He didn’t like Aiden’s digression to the foundation, which made me eager to grab some attention for Aiden’s charity work. Aiden continued his spiel as I made my way to the lectern. “I’d like to introduce my partner and the inspiration behind the foundation, Ms. Aria Cason.” Partner? That label, while accurate, seemed formal and I didn’t quite know what to make of it. I recovered from the surprise long enough to say a few words about the foundation, and then I returned the floor to Aiden.

I was at Aiden’s side the entire evening—listening, learning, and watching him work the room as I’d seen him do before. At times like these, Aiden’s resemblance to Connor was unnerving. This mode was second nature for him, and he did it with such finesse that everyone he spoke with seemed captivated by his presence. Aiden and I shook hands and mingled with one guest after another. It was exhausting. We eventually escaped upstairs to check on Lyric. We opened the nursery door and found Dianna singing a lullaby to our sweet boy, so we quietly retreated. I was grateful she’d taken on the role of Lyric’s nanny, and I was positive her presence would soften some of the edges that came with being a Raine, just as she’d done for Aiden. I cringed to think of who Aiden would be with only Sienna and Connor as role models. Sometime later, when we were downstairs again, I said, “I’m ready to call it quits—I’m pooped.” “So soon?” he asked, and glanced at his watch. “It’s too early for bed.” “A baby who doesn’t let you get a decent night’s sleep says otherwise,” I replied. “Please, let’s take a small break. Schmoozing is hard work.” “Go have a seat in my bedroom and I’ll join you in about five minutes,” he said. “Finally. That’s the best idea I’ve heard all evening.” I discreetly left the room and headed upstairs. Once I reached Aiden’s former bedroom, I slipped off my shoes and carried them inside, closing the door behind me. I went directly to the sitting area and heaved a sigh when I collapsed on the large chair. I closed my eyes and started to drift off almost as soon as I’d reclined. “Wake up, sleepy head.” I opened my eyes and a lazy smile traced my lips as I looked at Aiden. “Do I have to?” After having coaxed me from the chair and toward the bed, Aiden leaned down and planted a sweet kiss on my neck, his mouth lingering there as his tongue traced a pattern on my skin. “What are you up to?” I asked. “I’m not up to anything. I’m kissing my girlfriend—or is that not allowed?” “And here I thought I was your partner.” “Did that bother you?” he asked. “Should it?” “No,” I lied. “We’ve yet to define our relationship, and partner seemed most appropriate under the circumstances.” He kissed my neck once more and then looked down at me. “What would you prefer I call you?” “I don’t know.” I was about to joke and say baby mama, but I knew he wouldn’t think it funny at all. “When you come up with something, let me know.” He guided me against the bedpost and moved his lips across the tip of my earlobe.

I gently pushed him away. “We’re hosting a New Year ’s Eve party, or did you forget?” “Is that what you’re worried about? The guests?” “Yes. Aren’t you?” He traced his finger over my bottom lip. “No. Not at all. We’ve plied them with gourmet food and expensive alcohol—they’ll never notice we’re gone.” “But I’m sure Connor will.” “Not my problem. I upheld my part of the bargain,” he said. “Let’s propose a toast.” “To what?” I asked. “I’m getting there.” “Okay, well, hurry already. By the way, did you happen to notice we don’t have glasses? We can’t toast without glasses.” “We don’t need them.” He walked over to the bedside table and lifted a bottle of champagne. “We have this.” “Is that the reason you disappeared earlier?” “Maybe.” “So, we drink from the bottle? Okay, I can do that. So what are we toasting to?” “Get naked first and I’ll tell you.” All traces of my fatigue evaporated. “A naked New Year ’s Eve toast where we drink from the bottle? Interesting.” “Very.” He stalked closer, stopping when our bodies barely touched. He moved his hand to my waist, and I watched with bated breath as it unhurriedly trailed a path upward. He leaned down and touched his soft lips to the hollow of my neck. Aiden’s breath was warm and sultry against my skin as his fingertip slid back and forth over my cleavage. “Are you going to take this off, or do I have to?” he asked. “And what makes you think I’ll just let you take off my clothes?” He smirked and stepped away from me. He placed the bottle of champagne on the nightstand and then reached for his tie. “Why don’t you have a seat?” He motioned toward the bed and I stepped back, not tearing my eyes from his as he started to undress. He removed his tie, and a slow grin creased the corners of his mouth as he started to unbutton his shirt. I stared in awe and adulation when he reached the last button, removed the shirt, and exposed his panther-like physique. No matter how many times I saw his body, inflamed surges of lust coursed through me, sending direct messages to Virginia, who responded like the insatiable tigress she was. Although I was dying to step closer—dying to feel his hard body beneath my fingertips, I resisted and sat on the edge of the bed. Aiden unbuckled his belt and then the soft sound of the slow unzip of his pants pierced the silence. I met his gaze, my eyes locking with his for a brief moment, and then my full attention was on his bulge. He reached into his pants and lifted himself and there it was…

Kingston, my beautifully majestic instrument of pleasure. My prurient daze lingered as I watched him slip out of his clothes, giving me full view of his divine build. Aiden’s body was pure ambrosia, and I wanted to devour every inch of him. I wanted to dive on this devilishly tempting man and lose control. And there was nothing standing in the way of my doing just that. He was standing before me, grasping his masterful gift, offering himself to me. “You’re looking at it like you want it.” I eventually tore my eyes away from his enticing package and looked up at him. “And what if I do?” I asked. “Take it.” The rich timbre of his voice, coupled with his seductive command, was my undoing. I closed my eyes as the goosebumps moved over me, centering in my core. That was what he did to me. The seductive glint in his eyes, the salacious slip of his tongue across his lips, or just his words alone— and I was hypnotized, pulled into a sensuous trance that only he could sever. That’s the power he had over me. He stroked himself—once, then twice, and I swallowed the lump in my throat as he grew, the thick veins of his dick visibly protruding from the skin. The full, succulent head of his shaft was more tempting than any forbidden fruit, and it was calling for my mouth. He rubbed his finger over the tip of his erection as he stepped closer to me. When he was directly in front of me, he lifted my chin and then rubbed his wet fingertip across my lip. He lowered his head to my mouth, and traced his tongue over his sweet pre-come treat. I reached for his manhood as he sealed his lips over mine, kissing me deeply and already making me lose myself. I was going to come. I could feel it building inside me. When he pulled away I was breathing so deeply I felt light-headed. He backed away and looked at me. “I need you naked. Now.” I lifted my dress over my head, then removed my panties and bra, and sat on the edge of the bed. “Lie back.” I slid toward the middle of the bed and lay down. He stepped toward the nightstand and grabbed the bottle of champagne. He took a swig and then grinned at me. He moved closer to the bed and lifted the bottle above me and then poured the champagne on my naked body. I held up a palm in defense as the stream of alcohol fell over me, splashing everywhere. “What are you doing?” I asked, squealing as the cold liquid drenched me and the bed. “While the world’s busy celebrating a new year, I’ll be busy celebrating you.” He took another drink and then placed the bottle on the bedside table. He slid in bed and positioned his body over mine, his eyes on my face as he guided his cock between my legs. “Happy New Year, princess,” he said, before he kissed me. I moaned into his mouth as the sweetness of his champagne kisses melted my core.



Chapter Four “Let’s grab Lyric and get home, “Aiden said. “Shower first? I’m pretty sure it won’t rate well for our potential contributors to see us like this. We’re damp and sticky.” I tried to run my fingers through my hair. “And judging from the feel of this knotty mass, I’m a complete mess.” “You certainly didn’t taste like a mess.” Aiden grinned as he started to get dressed, pulling on his boxers, then his pants. “I’m ready for seconds.” “I don’t think there’s much of me left. You were like a man who hadn’t eaten or drunk in days.” “So what was with all the moaning? And your thighs had a death grip around my neck. Was that your way of registering a complaint?” “It was my way of encouraging you to keep licking.” “Good, because I’ll need an Aria-flavored nightcap.” “What about me?” I placed my hand at my throat. “I’m parched. I’ll need a drink, too.” “Don’t worry. I’ve got you covered, princess,” he said, as he slipped into his shirt. “Get dressed. We’ll leave through one of the side entrances.” “So you’re done for the night?” I climbed out of bed and grabbed my clothes. “Yes. We’ve done our part,” he said with a sneer. I caught the distaste in his tone. What had brought that on? I looked around the bed for my shoes and then remembered they were in the sitting area. I grabbed them and then headed back toward Aiden. “I wonder what the staff will think when they see the mess we’ve made of this bed.” Aiden smirked and slid his tie in his pocket. “They’ll think I whisked you upstairs for a quickie.” “Does that ever bother you?” I asked, pulling my dress over my head. “Having them know things like that?” “I’m used to it. I don’t really give it a second thought.” He buttoned his shirt and then slipped on his shoes. It was still odd for me to have someone tend to my every need, not to mention the lack of privacy. I didn’t think I’d ever get used to that. Once we were somewhat presentable, we went to the nursery to collect Lyric. We thanked Dianna for watching him and she excused herself, saying good night and reminding me to grab Lyric’s favorite teething ring. Based on the way she surveyed our disheveled appearance, I was sure she knew what we’d been up to. “Let’s not allow my parents too much alone-time with Lyric,” Aiden said, once Dianna left.

After bundling Lyric in his blanket, I looked up and saw Aiden standing in the doorway watching us. “Where did that come from?” I asked. Aiden stepped toward us, and once the baby was all swaddled, he reached for him. “I’m sure you don’t oppose.” “No. I don’t. I don’t like the way Connor looks at him. It gave me the creeps during Christmas, especially when I saw how Lyric took to him.” “Yeah, I noticed that, too,” Aiden replied, grimacing as he continued. “And I really don’t want my mother using him to make up for how she failed with her own children.” Had something else happened? “Is there anything you’d like to talk about?” I asked. “Nope.” The topic of his parents had always been a tender subject, even before I knew more about them. He loved them—I knew that, but the level of resentment he had for them became increasingly apparent, as evidenced by his departure from Raine Industries. “Are you ready?” he asked. “Yes.” I grabbed Lyric’s bag and followed Aiden out of the nursery. ***** Aiden had decided to leave Raine Industries, intending to only step in when his siblings Nicholas or Sloan, encountered issues that only he could circumvent. Other than that, he would be taking more of a hands-on approach with his many foundations and charities. I was busy reacquainting myself with Raine Publishing House, preparing to assume the CEO role from the interim executive. I was disappointed that my return to RPH would not include Raina Willis as my executive assistant. She and I would still work closely, but it wouldn’t be the same as when she was there for me every day. I’d come to rely on her far more than I should have. Although I didn’t think anyone could fill Raina’s shoes, one of my many pre-return tasks included reviewing countless resumes, and so far, none seemed promising. Lia and Bianca’s studies were going well at Ohio State. They were enjoying college life and their semi-independence. I was so proud of my sisters and I really missed them. I wished they were closer, especially since other than Lyric, they were the only family I had. I’d casually mentioned the possibility of their transferring to Boston State, but I didn’t want to coerce them, so I didn’t press the issue. I still hadn’t heard from, or made any attempts to connect with, my former best friend, April. I didn’t think I’d ever talk to or see her again, and while the thought of our broken friendship was a source of sadness, it wasn’t enough to make me forgive her for violating my trust. Communication between my ex-boyfriend Kellan and me had started to dwindle. He wasn’t really

an ex in the traditional sense. He’d been a friend, a lifeline, and a much needed source of emotional support during my pregnancy. He’d been the man with whom I thought I’d raise my son. We’d only spoken twice in the last few weeks, and both times, it was awkward. Regardless, I kept my word and continued sending updates and videos of Lyric to him. Kellan was moving on with his life, and while I missed our friendship, I understood why things had to be this way. Lyric was growing like a weed. He’d be five months old in a couple of days, and he was already teething. That meant a lot of sleepless nights for all three of us. Aiden and I typically rotated getting up with him. On more than one occasion, I’d awakened to find Aiden and Lyric asleep on the sofa in the rear of the nursery. I couldn’t resist the urge to capture some of those moments, so I’d snapped a few pictures and added them to my blog. A few nights ago, Aiden must have been exhausted, because he’d barely moved when I slipped Lyric from his chest. I’d placed the baby in his crib and watched him sleep. I guessed he was enjoying a sweet dream. His mouth curled up into a wee smile that was so adorable I wanted to pick him up and shower his plump little cheeks with kisses, but I knew that could result in hours of unrest, and no way did I want more of that. I reluctantly stepped away, walked to the rear of the nursery, and watched the love of my life asleep on the sofa. Both he and his son slept with partially spread lips. I was sure they’d have tons more in common as Lyric grew into a little mini-Aiden. Watch out world. I was enjoying my family life and I didn’t want anything to ruin it, but I could sense trouble brewing. Aiden was happy and engaged, I could easily see that, but I also noticed something was missing. The glint in his eyes that was ever present when he was working with Raine Industries had started to fade. As much as I hated to admit it, I think he and I were both wrong about the enjoyment he found working as the company’s chief executive. I wanted to casually introduce the topic, throw it out there and see if there was a nibble, but I was actually afraid there would be. If he confirmed my suspicions, it would mean a very different life than the one I was contemplating with him. Should I ignore the elephant in the room and hope it eventually walked away? If I went that route, I knew it wasn’t fair to him, but after remembering the disconnect and loneliness we’d experienced when he was CEO, I chose to keep quiet—I didn’t want that life again. I wanted to be selfish and keep him all to myself. But he wouldn’t be the man I fell in love with if his passions remained unfulfilled. He enjoyed his work with the foundations, but there was more to Aiden Raine than foundations, music, and family. They were all a part of him, and I was recognizing, regretfully so, that Raine Industries was a part of him, too. I didn’t want to ignore what I knew was staring over our shoulders, but I wasn’t ready to let go of what we’d started…not just yet. Aiden just needed something else to distract him, to stimulate him. So, I set out on making a list of things we could do together. Some I knew were more for him than me, but I saw it as the lesser of two evils.

***** I was in the kitchen when Aiden came in from his morning run. He removed his cap and I noticed drops of perspiration glistening on his brow. “Kiss me,” he said, stepping around the counter. I held up my palm to him and moved back. “No. Get away.” “So you only want me when I smell good?” he teased. “Something like that.” He chuckled and made another move toward me. “Aiden, I’m serious. Don’t.” “Is Lyric still asleep?” he asked, as he retreated. “Oh God, yes. Please don’t say his name too loudly. I’m convinced he cries just to torment us.” “The last few nights have been brutal,” Aiden said. “I know. And you’ve been so amazing.” “Hey, just doing my part.” “I made your favorite after-workout smoothie,” I said, as I started toward the fridge. “Thanks, babe.” He pulled his shirt over his head and tossed it on the stool. I watched the beads of sweat trickle down his chest as he grabbed the straw from the counter. He smirked when he caught me staring, and then he reached for the smoothie. I looked on as he tried my concoction, and was relieved when he smiled. “This is good.” He took another pull. “Really good. You know, I think I’ll keep you.” “That’s nice to know, although I didn’t think your ‘keeping me’ was up for debate.” “It won’t be once you finally reply to my letter,” he said, bringing up our unfinished exchange. He assessed my reaction to his reminder that he was awaiting my answer, but I still didn’t have the response he wanted. “I added some extra ingredients,” I said, dodging his prompt. “I thought you’d like it.” “I do. Thanks, princess.” He removed the straw and then gulped the remainder of the drink. “I’m going to grab a shower and then maybe, just maybe, you’ll grant me a kiss.” “Maybe,” I teased and made a kissing noise, and then laughed at his tiny frustration with me. I grabbed his cup and turned toward the sink, and he slapped my behind. “I like it tight like that,” he said, and then strolled out of the kitchen. I was about to start on a grocery list for dinner when Lyric’s cries poured through the baby monitor, so I rushed upstairs to the nursery. Thankfully, I was able to settle him down, and he was back asleep in no time. The doorbell rang as I stepped back into the kitchen. Dianna’s timing was perfect. I’d called her

earlier and filled her in on my plans for the day, asking her to watch Lyric, and she couldn’t have been more excited. After greeting Dianna, I went back upstairs to check on Aiden. As I entered the room, he stepped from the bathroom wearing only a towel, which momentarily distracted me from my surprise. He glanced at the empty bouncy gym. “Where’s my little guy?” he asked. “I heard him crying a little while ago, so I figured he was awake.” “He’s with Dianna. I asked her to watch him so I could do something with you.” He reached for the top of his towel. I shook my head. “Not that,” I said. “Why not that?” “Because we have plans. And by the way, your clothing for the day has been selected for you.” He laughed at my echoing him. “Are you attempting to take the reins?” “And if I am?” “Let’s see what you’ve selected for me.” He headed toward the closet, and I excitedly trailed behind him. “So where are they?” he asked. “Check that top one,” I said pointing at the bureau. He pulled the drawer open, and chuckled as he lifted the box and placed it on the counter. “There’s another one in the drawer to the left,” I said. “Open that one first.” He grabbed the second box. It was long and thin. Once he removed the lid, he looked up at me, his brows furrowed. He reached into the box and lifted a riding crop. “So. You want me to use this on you?” “Uh…no. Get your mind out of the gutter. Open the other box and it will all make sense.” A few moments later, when he pulled the riding gear from the box, I saw that my intentions were clear. “So you’re ready to do this now?” he asked. “Not really, but I figure it’s time. And I’d rather do it now, when it’s my idea, as opposed to when you bulldoze me into it.” “I’m shocked. You weren’t really up for this when I first asked.” “I know.” I remembered the last time he’d suggested we go for a ride, and the weather allowed me to ease out of it. I never told him I’d fallen from a horse years ago, and that I’d vowed to stay away from them from that point on. But since I was trying to find ways to keep his mind focused on us, I was going to bite the bullet…at least in part. After Aiden was dressed, he looked up at me. “Why aren’t you changing?” “Er…my plan was to watch you ride this time, and then next time I’ll do it.” “That’s not how it works. Come,” he said, extending his hand.

“I don’t think so.” “Why not?” he asked. “Because I’m not overly fond of falling.” “You’re not going to fall.” He gently cupped my face and lifted my gaze to meet his. “I’ll never let you fall. You know that, don’t you?” I knew he was referring to more than just horseback riding. “You’re not going to take no for an answer. Are you?” He grinned and planted a quick kiss on the tip of my nose. “What’s the smile for?” I asked. “I like that it’s becoming easier to open your mind to new experiences,” he said. “I’m sure you do.” “Why do you say that?” he asked. “Because you like controlling me.” “You’ve said that a few times. Do you really believe that?” “Yes,” I replied. “Perhaps I do, but only in certain situations. This is not about control, Aria. It’s about exploring and trying new things.” I sighed. “I’ll show you. You can ride with me first, and then you can try out Blue Diamond.” “Blue what?” “Blue Diamond. He’s one of my favorites. You’ll love him. He’s calm and gentle—excellent with novice riders. Let’s go.” We left the house hand in hand, walking toward the rear of the Raine property. Luckily we had another one of those days when it wasn’t too cold out. He pointed to a tree house near the stables and I was surprised to learn it was his. “You? In a tree house?” I smiled. The thought of him climbing the rope ladder to hang out with friends among the branches of the large oak tree didn’t mesh with the Aiden I knew, but I was glad some parts of his childhood were like that. It seemed normal, or at least as normal as could be for someone who’d grown up in the lap of luxury. “Yes. What’s so odd about that? I was a boy once.” “Really? I thought you skipped boyhood.” He looked into the distance as his lips fell into frown. “In some ways, I did.” “I’m sorry,” I quickly added. “I was just kidding.” “I know, just as you know my childhood wasn’t one I look back on with the best of memories.” I exhaled and thought about how it would feel to have it all, but still miss out on so much. His parents loved him. They loved all of their children. That was easy to see, but the way they displayed

their love left a lot to be desired. “Lyric will have great memories. Memories he can tell his kids about and his kids will tell their kids,” I said. A happy upbringing for Lyric was as important to Aiden as it was to me. Neither of us wanted our childhoods repeated. “Can we go to the tree house? I would love to see inside,” I said. Although I’d referred to it as a tree house, the multi-leveled structure nestled amongst the three large oaks was no ordinary childhood hangout. There were two points of entry—one that led to the area itself. It was a large stone walkway that stopped near the wooden bridge path that led to the three trees. At the foot of the path were two large tree stumps with lanterns atop each. On the largest tree was a rope ladder that led to the second entrance. The tree house had a bottom and top level, and the upper one even had a deck. “I would if I could,” Aiden said. “What do you mean? Is it unstable?” I asked. “No, it’s fully intact,” he said. “Then what’s the problem? Why can’t I go inside?” “Because you don’t have a penis.” “What the hell?” “It’s for boys only.” He laughed and pulled me behind him. “If you look right here, you’ll see the sign.” He pointed to a wooden carving on the front of the right tree stump. “But we both know you’re no longer a boy. And as you so eloquently stated, I don’t have a penis; therefore, I’m certainly not a boy so—” “Rules are rules. Aren’t you the one who insists on following the rules?” he asked. “And aren’t you the one who enticed me to break them all?” I replied. “Nope. I’m a changed man.” “Yeah right. So, according to your rules, you can no longer go into your own tree house. That makes no sense. Your silly rule can’t still apply.” “Oh, but it does. And it’s not my rule. There were five of us, and when we voted on this particular rule, we added the stipulation that it could never be amended. So looks like you’re out of luck, sweetheart.” “Surely there must be something that allows for an exception,” I said. He cocked his head. “Now that you mention it, there was one thing that permitted us to overlook our pact.” “I knew it. So what was this one thing?” “You had to agree to make out with one of us.” I rolled my eyes. “Was that the only way you geeks could get girls? Were there any takers? And what, exactly, did making out consist of?”

“There were several takers. They were lined up in fact. And the cost of entry was just a kiss…or maybe allowing one of us to grab her tits.” “Oh, well, I can do that.” I started toward the walk way. He grabbed my arm. “Wait. That was then. Making out now is much more than a kiss and a grope.” “Oh, really?” “Of course. The exceptions have to stay in line with the times…and times have changed, princess.” “Exactly what will I have to agree to in order to take a peek inside?” “The kiss and the grope are a standing protocol, but now it also includes a blowjob.” “Oh, is that all?” “One last thing. You also have to let me finger you until you come.” “Since there’s pleasure on both sides, I fail to see an issue here. I’m all in, Mr. Raine.” “Glad you agreed. And so easily. That will never cease to amaze me.” I waved him off. “Whatever.” “We can check out the tree house later. For now, I want to get you on a horse.” We turned away from the tree house and entered the stables. As I went to the tack house to change, Aiden instructed the stable hands on the two stallions he wanted. Once dressed, I walked out to find Aiden feeding apples to one of their many horses. Aiden rubbed his mane and then turned toward the sound of my approaching steps. “You look like quite the rider,” he said, assessing my appearance. “Too bad I don’t feel like one,” I replied, somberly as I watched the daunting animal devour the apple. “Oh, come on,” Aiden encouraged. “You had the same reaction to the motorcycle, and look how well that turned out. You’re going to love it. You have my word.” I watched Aiden feed the horse another apple. “Is this one of the horses we’ll be riding?” I asked. “No. This is Allison’s horse, Penelope,” Aiden replied. “Isn’t she a beauty?” Before I could reply, the stable hand walked in. “Mr. Raine, the horses are all ready for you,” he said. “Thank you, Rodney,” Aiden replied. He grasped my hand and led us out of the stable. “So you can ride with me first on Sebastian…to get a feel for it. Then we’ll come back and you can give Blue Diamond a try,” Aiden said. “Sure, sure. Lead me to my death.” He chuckled and smacked my backside. “Stop it.” I sighed. “Yes, sir.” We stepped out to the fence near the horses. Aiden went to the black horse and rubbed its head and

then turned to me and said, “Stay right there.” After he mounted Sebastian, he gently pulled the reins, then he reached out to me. “Ready?” “Sure,” I replied, with a ridiculously fake smile. “Let’s see how quickly I prove you wrong this time,” he said. We took a short ride across the perimeter of the grounds, toward the far edge of the property. I did enjoy being this close to him, having his smell envelope me, feeling the warmth of his breath against my neck. To be honest, I enjoyed that much more than the ride itself—which really wasn’t that bad. Once we’d returned to the spot where Blue Diamond was waiting, Aiden helped me down and then led me to my horse. “I can help you up or I can have Rodney bring the mounting block,” Aiden offered. “No. I can do it.” “Okay, so you should always mount on the left, near the side of the horse. Put your left hand on his mane, grasping firmly, while holding the front of the saddle. Then place your left foot into the stirrup and swing your right foot over, making sure not to kick him.” “Okay, I can do that.” I mounted the vast animal, and then nervously grabbed the reins. “Good. Now get comfortable in the saddle and make sure both feet are in the stirrups.” Blue Diamond moved forward slightly, and then he stepped back. Once he was still, I looked down at Aiden. “All done,” I said. “I’m such a good student.” “That you are, Ms. Cason.” The horse made a few more steps forward, and an anxious giggle escaped me. “You shouldn’t be nervous. From what I can tell, you do very well when large things are between your legs.” “Large things?” I repeated. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.” “Maybe you need to be reminded.” “Perhaps,” I replied, making a motion to dismount the horse. “No. You’re not getting down just yet.” “I was just following your lead.” “For now, my lead involves you following Sebastian and me. Can you keep Blue Diamond still?” “Yes, I’ve got it,” I replied. “Now that you’re settled, you can hold both reins in one hand, or hold one in each, whichever is most comfortable.” I stuck with what I had—one rein in each hand. That seemed the best idea somehow. “Are you good?” “Yes,” I replied, pulling back on the reins. Aiden hopped on Sebastian and then immediately returned his focus to me. “To get him going,

gently, but firmly, squeeze his side.” Aiden gave Sebastian a little nudge and they started moving. I mimicked Aiden’s gesture and was soon moving beside him. “Once you’re comfortable with this gait, let me know, and we can move on to a trot.” I looked at him and nodded. This was nothing like the experience I had during college spring break with April at the house of the guy she was dating at the time. I felt more at ease now. I strongly suspected that had to do with my instructor. For one, I loved hearing him talk about basically anything. His voice was deep and seductive, even when instructing me on something as mundane as how to handle Blue Diamond. Secondly, I didn’t want him to show me up. And lastly, I really wanted to get into this so we’d have something to do together that would hopefully keep his mind free of Raine Industries. We rode in silence for quite a while, starting out with a slow trot while Aiden looked protectively toward me ever so often. He motioned for me to stop, and I pulled back on the reins. “You’re doing very well. Do you like it?” he asked. “It’s not bad.” He smiled and shook his head. “Okay, we’re going to go a little faster. To make the horse jog, just kick gently with a clucking sound or press your legs into his sides. I don’t want you to go any faster than that, at least not today. But once you’ve gotten some more experience, I’m sure you’ll be racing across this place like it’s second nature to you.” “I think you forgot something,” I said. His eyebrows rose a notch. “How do I turn?” I asked. “Look the way you want to turn, and tighten the rein on the side you want to go.” He motioned for Sebastian to start walking, and I did the same with Blue Diamond. Once I gave Aiden a nod that I was good, we picked up the pace, and before I knew it, I was in a steady trot across the Raine property. And it did feel good. I would imagine it would only feel better when I could go faster. As I tried to keep up with Aiden, I imagined myself riding across the land like it was the most freeing thing in the world, my hair blowing in the wind, as all my worries faded behind me. In reality, however, Aiden had disappeared into the trees, and a memory of my recurring nightmare flashed before my eyes. It was déjà vu. I knew I wouldn’t see Aiden suddenly morph into my father, as what had happened in my dream, but the resemblance of this moment to my nightmare sent a chill through me. The nightmare always pulled forbidden memories to the surface. Even though I tried to blow them off, they made me question things I normally wouldn’t. Was there a reason they started after I’d met Aiden? Why were they about Dad, a man I’d tried desperately to erase from my thoughts? What

was the thing with the morphing? Initially, I didn’t get it, but after some time, I’d come to the conclusion that the nightmare symbolized my fear that Aiden would disappear on me like my father had. It was foreshadowing the confusion and pain I’d feel if I truly let down all my defenses. Maybe that was the reason I couldn’t reply to Aiden’s letter. On the other side of the coin, why the déjà vu? Why this precise moment? Perhaps this ride was more than a way to stimulate Aiden. What if it were a way to stimulate a part of me? A way to signify that I could let go of my fear and allow myself to truly be free…that I could let all of the worries fade into the background…that I could have a relationship that lasts. ***** After the ride, as promised, Aiden escorted me to his tree house. He climbed the ladder first and then I followed. I stepped inside and was completely stunned by what I saw. “Oh wow. This isn’t a tree house. It’s a Manhattan loft,” I said. There was a periscope in the center of the room, and I started walking toward it. Aiden grasped my arm before I could go too far. “Wait a minute. Aren’t you forgetting something?” “What are you talking about?” I asked. “Your cost of admission.” He motioned as though he were palming my breast, and then he held up two fingers and gestured as if he were fingering me. I looked up at him and his brows rose suggestively. Who am I to break the bro code? I started unbuttoning my shirt.

Chapter Five Dianna had taken Lyric to the Bump Club for a playdate. He was only five months old, and his social calendar was about to be as active as mine. It was odd to think of someone so small having a playdate, but Aiden insisted it was important to start Lyric’s socialization early, which reminded me that I needed to contact Aiden’s cousin, Brandy, to schedule a day to get our two little guys together before the move to Boston. The upcoming hours without Lyric gave Aiden and me the uninterrupted opportunity to really open up about our time apart and what, if anything, it meant for our future. I passed a glass of wine to Aiden and then joined him at the dining table. I was worried about the direction the conversation would go, and the look in his eyes revealed he was just as concerned, if not more so. “So,” he started, glancing at me after he’d taken a couple of sips of the burgundy. “Where do we begin?” I asked. “I don’t know.” He exhaled and placed his glass on the table. “I do have a question. I’ve read your blog, and you’ve told me bits and pieces, but how was it for you…being away from me? Tell me about the parts you left out.” For a guy who said he didn’t know where to start, he certainly fired off one of the tougher questions first. I shook my head as I thought back to the months and months we were separated. Even now, just thinking of the agony I’d carried with me every day made my heart hurt. I literally felt a stabbing pain in my chest. It had been hell for me. It was like you knew something was missing but you tried to block it out. You had to block it out, or it would crowd everything else, and you’d start to break. “It was the worst emotional pain I’d ever suffered. It was the combination of losing my dad, losing you, and then losing my mom all rolled up into one.” I took a sip of the wine and then studied the glass for a moment, avoiding his eyes. After a few seconds, I placed the goblet on the table and then looked up at him. Aiden moved his hand over his jaw and rested his chin in his palm. “I don’t know how you could have kept silent if it was that bad, but I guess that’s why April reached out to me. She knew you never would.” “I don’t want to talk about her,” I said in a rush. “I was just making a comment,” Aiden said, and reclined in his chair. “No need to bite my head off.” “I may not have reached out to you, but I never let go, not really. I wanted to, for the sake of my sanity, but I couldn’t. I was damn near stalking you…from a distance, of course. I subscribed to

business magazines just to read your comments, trying to imagine the words coming out of your mouth. I must have read hundreds of news articles about you. And then I wanted to hear your voice. I think I needed to hear it. And despite the self-warnings, I went online and watched countless videos of you at media appearances.” His brows rose. “Did you really?” “Yep,” I replied. “It was a bad idea.” “Why do you say that?” he asked. “Because it led to even more misery. So then I’d tried to forget everything—tried to erase your touch, your smell, the taste of your lips—but I couldn’t. It was all etched in my brain. There were days I wanted to curl up in a ball and cry my eyes out.” I looked past him and I was back in Belize, reliving one of the worst moments I’d had without him. “To be honest, I did do that once. I honestly don’t know how I would have made it without Kellan’s support.” “Good old reliable Kellan,” Aiden sneered. “You know I don’t want him around you or Lyric anymore, right?” “Look, I know Kellan isn’t your favorite person, but he’s a good friend, and I don’t have many of those.” I gauged Aiden’s reaction before I continued. I knew it would hurt him to hear what I was about to say, but I needed to be honest. “I love him, Aiden, and I’m not going to cut him out of my life.” The glimmer in Aiden’s eyes instantly dimmed. His face twisted in pain for a brief measure, and then just like that, it was gone, hiding his true feelings behind a mask of anger. I hated seeing the hurt my words obviously caused him, but unspoken truths had caused us to lose too much already. We needed to be honest if we wanted to avoid at least a few of the bumps in the road. Disbelief crossed his features. “You love him?” he repeated. “Yes,” I whispered. For a moment, he merely stared at me, his expression unreadable. “I don’t love him the way I love you. It doesn’t touch what I feel for you,” I said. “But I have no intention of ending that friendship. You don’t have to like it, but I need you to be okay with this.” Aiden stood and gulped most of his wine, then walked to the bar to top off his drink. I nervously watched as he returned to his seat. “Say something,” I urged. “Please say you can accept this.” He exhaled his objections and then nodded, more to himself than to me, as if agreeing to the resolution he’d formed in his head. I was forcing him to accept something that was the source of a tremendous amount of hurt. I gave him a meek smile, encouraging him to share his thoughts. His expression softened as he reached for my hand. “I will—for you. For our family.” “Thank you.” I’d been certain this would result in a heated debate. His acceptance gave me hope

that we’d survive this conversation. “I promise not to do anything to blur the lines. And if Kellan decides he wants to step away, that’s his choice, but I won’t force him. And Aiden, he’s really not a bad guy…in a perfect world, the two of you could even be friends.” “Don’t push it, Aria,” he warned. “I said in a perfect world, Aiden. I know it isn’t going to happen.” “Let’s not discuss Kellan any more right now,” he said. “Tell me the rest.” I sighed and thought back to the many days and nights without him. “Most of my time was spent preparing for the baby, but you read all that in my blog. I met with interior decorators for his nursery —I wanted it to be perfect. But as perfect as I wanted it to be, it never was—I was dying inside.” “When I saw you on the beach, I stood there for several minutes before I approached. You seemed happy,” Aiden said. “I was—with Lyric. He made everything better. As happy as I was, though, I was just as sad that you weren’t with me. Every day was a struggle. I had to put on this front…not to Kellan or my sisters, or even to April, but to myself. I told myself I was fine, and that I was doing what was best. I reminded myself of all the reasons my decision was right for me and the baby.” Tears spilled from my eyes and down my cheeks. I traced my fingertips across my face, wiping them away, and continued. “My heart was broken in a thousand pieces—there’re no words to describe that type of pain. I didn’t think I’d ever be whole again. I knew that no one could replace you…ever,” I whispered, as I glanced into his empathetic eyes. I stared at him, replaying what I’d just said, and memorizing his every facial feature, as though I would never see him again. Aiden sat patiently, waiting for me to continue. “There were some horrible days. There were some beautiful ones, too, but I don’t ever want to go through anything like that again,” I said. “I don’t know that I could do it.” The way my mother had withdrawn from her children when Dad left—I could totally relate to that now. My identifying with her in that way was rather pitiful, but it was the truth. “Would you like to stop?” I took a sip of wine before responding. “No,” I replied. “I’m okay. This will be a difficult conversation no matter when we have it.” “I agree,” he said, as he stroked his finger over the back of my hand. “I know we don’t want to discuss April or Kellan, but it’s unavoidable,” I said. I let out a sigh, and continued my story. “April came over for about two weeks, and that had helped. And then toward the end of my pregnancy, Kellan came over for an extended visit. He wanted to be there during the last weeks, just in case the baby was early, and also because I was literally freaking out.” I went on to tell Aiden more about my time in Belize—the parts that didn’t involve Kellan, and those that did. It was hard to separate the two. I told him about the weeks leading up to Lyric’s arrival,

and all the feelings associated with that, including the intimate details of Lyric’s birth. And I told him of all the days and nights he’d missed with his son. My story ended with the life-changing confrontation on the beach. He’d listened intently—soaking in every detail. I guessed he was trying to picture it all. Or maybe he was imagining himself in the story instead of Kellan. Either way, each word from my mouth felt like another turn of the knife—another stab that I was twisting into his soul. Aiden swallowed the last of his wine and then glanced toward the bar. “I need something stronger. What about you?” he asked, getting up and going toward the liquor. “I don’t do well when I mix alcohol, but I’m game. Dianna’s here all night, right?” He grinned. “Yeah. Do you think we’ll need her?” “Seeing that we just started the conversation and we’re already getting into the hard liquor…it’s a safe bet.” “And you have milk set aside?” he asked. I typically reserved breast milk so that Aiden could feed Lyric, and this was one of those times when I was glad I did. “Yes,” I replied. “Then we’re good,” he said, grabbing two glasses and a decanter of clear alcohol.

Chapter Six “And then I was back in Chicago, the one place I didn’t want to be.” I slid my palms down my thighs and rested them on my knees. After taking another nervous breath, I looked up and met Aiden’s tender gaze. “I hated the way you treated me, I wanted to claw your heart out—though I’d started to question if you actually had one at that point. You’d never been that cruel to me.” I stared past him as I recalled the cold darkness of those weeks. “I cried myself to sleep quite a few nights when I was in that house. With the exception of Nadia taking Lyric, the night we first had sex was the worst of all.” “How so?” he asked. “We weren’t speaking. We could barely stay in the same room together, yet we were fucking on the floor as if it was the last time in our lives we’d ever have sex. I felt like a piece of meat…and I felt weak. Then there was the fact that I’d wanted it, too. I hated that I wanted it.” I remembered how he’d come on my stomach and then dressed and left me on the floor. That was humiliating on so many levels. “What were you thinking that night?” “I wasn’t. Had I been thinking, it never would have happened like that.” He took a drink and shook his head. “That night was all emotion. I was desperate to taste you…to feel you.” I wasn’t at all surprised to hear he’d been as desperate for me as I’d been for him—I’d felt it with every touch. “When it was over, I was pissed at myself,” he said. “Like you, I hated that I wanted it…that I still wanted you.” “Aren’t we a pair?” “It would appear so,” he said. It was insane that we could so easily go from one extreme to the next in a matter of nanoseconds…but that’s who we were, and I didn’t see that changing. For now, I wanted us to get past this and move forward. “Well, that’s pretty much all of my story. You know the rest.” His dark brow arched. “Do I?” “Everything important. Yes.” Aiden was on drink number three and I was on my second, staring at the decanter, contemplating a third. “What about you? How was it for you? Dianna and Allison mentioned a couple of things in passing, but at the time I was too furious to ask for details.” “What did they tell you?” he asked. “Just that you were moody, mean, and focused. I suppose you left several victims in your wake.” “Victims? No one was my victim, Aria. I was hurt. That’s all there was to it, and I didn’t know the proper way of working through it.”

“Other than interviewing hot nannies and hanging out with JoJo,” I accused. “Just as you don’t choose to discuss April, I don’t feel particularly inclined to discuss Anja or JoJo.” “Okay. Fine.” I shook my head. Why was it always tit for tat with this man? “I can’t very well point a finger at you for handling some things improperly, can I? God knows I’ve done the same thing.” “Yes,” he said. “You have.” “I’ll never be able to apologize enough for what I did. I just hope we can make better decisions from now on.” “I know you didn’t do anything out of malice. I regret you didn’t trust me enough to come to me. As I explained in my letter, it’s I who failed you in that regard. My actions hadn’t been those of a person who you could completely trust.” “That’s no excuse,” I said. “But it means a lot just knowing you’re willing to look at it from every angle.” “It took quite a bit of time for me to be able to do that.” We fell silent. After a while, I broke the silence and asked, “Was there anything else? I mean, I know you were hurt…but what else did you feel when I left?” He finished off his drink and asked, “You really want to know?” “Yes.” “I was relieved. I no longer had to wait on the ax to fall. I knew you’d run again. No matter what you’d promised, I knew it was inevitable.” I flinched as his truth tore at me. That wasn’t something I’d expected to hear. “Let me explain. When you told me you loved me…” He started and then looked away. Was he thinking back to the day when I finally said the words—told him that I loved him? To the moments directly after when he was spinning me around like a crazy person? “I’d already known,” he said. “But I needed you to say it aloud …to fully accept what you’d wanted to reject. Every day after that, I felt we were more solid—that you were happy—that you trusted your feelings, but there were times when I saw the fear in your eyes. And I knew if I moved too much this way or that way, I’d lose you.” “I had no idea. That must have been horrible for you.” “I felt like I was walking on a tightrope. As I’m sure you’ve come to recognize, I don’t do well with tightropes.” I was quiet, reflecting on the days before I’d left Aiden. “What are you thinking?” he asked. “About my feelings when I found out I was pregnant. Why I was so afraid to come to you,

wondering what you’d say. Would you have been upset, would you have felt obligated, how your parents would react. Part of me considered the possibility of your parents accusing me of getting pregnant on purpose. That would have been yet another obstacle to deal with. There were so many different reasons why I left, but the most important was because I didn’t think you could give a child the love he’d need from a father. I left to protect him from what I thought would be a miserable childhood—one that could scar him for life. And a part of me left to protect you. I didn’t want to make you choose between your family and me, but I knew you’d eventually have to make a choice. And I knew that either choice would’ve been bad for Lyric.” “You made a lot of fucking assumptions.” He lashed out, his emerald eyes flashing with anger. “Look where all of your protection got us!” He bolted from his chair and walked away from me. Oh fuck! I was afraid this would happen. I swallowed the acid of his words and watched him stalk toward the window. He shoved his hands in his pockets and stared through the paned glass. I was hesitant to say anything, so I followed him. I placed my hand on his back, hoping to soften the words that were coming next. “I should have trusted what we had, but back then, my fear of being in a situation like my mom was greater than my trust—than my love for you, Aiden.” He spun around, a look of angry confusion distorting his face. “So my love wasn’t—isn’t enough?” “That’s not what I’m saying. Please don’t think that. Aiden, I had years and years for the crap with my mom to fester as compared to the time I had with you. What I felt—what I still feel for you is very powerful. But there was an internal tug of war for me. I tried to tell myself that I could do it, that I wanted it, but when the real test came, I failed. And I relied on what I did best—I ran and regrouped. Not until it was too late did I start to second-guess everything.” I wanted to draw him closer, to hug him, to embrace his hurt…but the tension radiating from his frame made me question if he would accept my comfort right now. So I waited for him to say something. Before I knew it, his hands were on the sides of my face, his lips were on mine, and he was stabbing his alcohol-laced tongue into my mouth. He was hurting—even now I could sense that. His kiss was rough and urgent, and I let him have it. I didn’t fight what he was trying to communicate. When he finally ended the kiss, he pulled me into his arms and held me—so tightly that it almost frightened me. He eventually loosened his hold and lifted my chin to meet his soft gaze. He lowered his head and kissed my cheek, and then he reached for my hand and led us back to the table. I didn’t know what to say. Was he okay? “I’m sorry,” he said, and lifted my hand to his lips. “As we both expected, this isn’t an easy conversation.” “It’s okay. Really.” “So I guess I need to fill you in on things from my side now,” he said.

“If you’re ready.” “I want to get this done so we can move on,” he said. “Okay,” I said, as we sat down for part two. “My world collapsed when you walked from my office that day. In spite of the devastation you’d wreaked on my heart, I was determined not to follow you—I was prepared to let you go. My anger gave me all the push I needed to do that. I was tired of trying to convince you of something you were determined to run from.” “What did you do?” I asked. “You didn’t seem too bad off when you were with JoJo. Or Anja. And whomever else.” “Those were coping mechanisms. Nothing more, I assure you.” “If you say so,” I replied. “Are you going to let me answer your question, or will you keep putting your spin on it?” “I’m sorry.” I pursed my lips and sat back. He shook his head, feigning exasperation, and then he resumed. “I tried to move on…eventually. That was next to impossible though, because all I saw when I looked at anyone was you. I couldn’t go anywhere.” He grabbed his glass and swallowed a mouthful of liquor. “Fuck, I could barely sleep. You invaded my dreams. You were everywhere. There was no escape.” I winced, absorbing the pain in his expression as he recalled what he’d gone through—of what I’d done to him. “I buried myself in work, even more so than usual. I worked out two or three hours most days. I started riding more, sailing, anything to block out thoughts of you. None of that really worked. After a while, the anger lessened, and with that layer removed, I was no longer able to deny the truth—that I still wanted you. I’d convinced myself that we could make us work. That whatever caused you to leave…we could sort through it. That’s when I called April, and she told me you were pregnant with another man’s child…and that’s what broke me.” And that’s when I lost it. My eyes gave no warning. A steady wave of tears spilled down my cheeks. I couldn’t stand to see it play out on his face, to hear the pain in his voice. His gaze was fixed on his glass, so he didn’t notice my quiet sobs. I wiped my face, erasing the water from my cheeks as the story of his heartbreak continued to unfold. “I was at work when I’d made that call. I got really drunk that night, and passed out at the office. I awoke the next morning with one hell of a hangover.” He lifted his gaze from the glass and looked at me. He noticed my tears and his brows puckered. I shook my head, indicating I was fine, and he went on with his story. “I think I went through most of the liquor in my office that night. My blood was probably pure alcohol. All I saw when I closed my eyes was that guy’s hands all over you—touching you in the most intimate of ways, filling you with his seed, and creating a child with you,” he said, with a grimace. “I

wanted to find him, and beat him to a pulp, but then I reminded myself that you’d chosen him, so the best thing for me to do was to back off…for good. I was incensed all over again. Some weeks later, April called me, and told me the baby was mine, and that he’d been born. And that’s when I really got mad.” I was starting to wonder why we’d wanted to have this discussion. This was very painful. And what was the point? We were together now, so did any of this stuff matter? Then I answered my own question. Yes, it mattered, and the only reason I was suddenly against it, was because I couldn’t bear to hear what I’d caused. “The first person I told about the baby was Dianna.” “And then you lawyered up,” I piped in. “Pretty much.” “Dianna told me you’d planned to take Lyric from me,” I said. “Is that true?” “Yes.” “And you had the means to do it?” “There’re very few things I can’t get, Aria. It was pretty much a done deal. I’d laid the groundwork to make it happen,” he said. “Yet you didn’t go through with it. Why?” I asked. “You know why.” “I have an idea, but I’m not sure.” He eyed me over the rim of his glass as he took a sip. “Because hurting you in theory is a hell of a lot easier than doing it in person. When I saw you, everything shifted out of place. I immediately wanted you. I knew I was still deeply in love with you, and I couldn’t do it—I couldn’t hurt you like that.” I’d made a mess of everything. “It’s amazing that we’re here right now,” I said in a small voice. “But we are,” he said. “And that’s what matters.” I nodded. “So…other than the rage and workouts, my time away from you wasn’t as eventful as yours.” Or was it? Had he excluded specific details, too? I was almost afraid to ask. “So you revised your plans once you were in Belize. Once we were all under one roof, did you regret your decision?” I asked. “I don’t know how to answer that, other than to say I knew I was doomed.” “What do you mean?” I asked. “I was your first love, which coincided with a long list of other firsts for you. Thing is, you were my first love, also, and it’s different for a man—especially when the man has feelings he’s obsessively trying to control. It was difficult to keep things in perspective when you were so close, as evidenced by the night on the floor. And then the night you came to my room—you have no idea how

badly I wanted to tell you to get out, but the words didn’t come.” Our bodies had spoken for us—telling us everything we didn’t want to admit aloud. He looked at the near empty glass and I followed his gaze. “My plan was falling apart minute by minute,” he said. “What exactly was your plan?” I asked. “To make you experience a loss like I had.” Although Dianna had said as much, my heart dropped when I heard the words come from his mouth. He’d really wanted to see me broken. “I see.” “And I couldn’t get a read on you at first. You were very guarded, and of course, I suspected you were in love with Kellan, but I didn’t really want to know. It would’ve been that much worse. I felt as though I was being torn apart from the inside, but I couldn’t let it show.” Watching the varying emotions play out on his face was killing me. I didn’t want to hear any more about our time apart, but we weren’t done. For a brief moment, I glimpsed the Aiden I’d tried to avoid when I was back in Chicago—the Aiden that wanted to hurt me as much as I’d hurt him. We were both quiet, the silence offering a small reprieve from the heartache. Aiden left the table and grabbed two bottles of water for us. When he returned, I decided to break the silence. “This is a little off topic. You’d never been in love, you didn’t have a string of girlfriends, and you’ve been adamant about not being a womanizer…yet you’re very talented in bed. How are you so skilled, if you didn’t have sex very much?” “I never said that. I had sex—plenty of it…it just came late. And because of who I was, it came easy.” “And love never was part of the equation?” I asked. “Not really,” he replied. “So…” “What are you asking, Aria?” He looked at me, waiting on me to ask him directly. He wasn’t about to volunteer any information without my asking. I wasn’t going to ask. I didn’t want to know. That wasn’t true—I did want to know, I just didn’t want to ask. “You know you can ask me anything. Don’t you?” “Just as you know you can tell me anything.” So why won’t you? Why make me ask what you know is eating me up inside? I took a long drink and then placed the bottle on the table, spinning it in circles, afraid to meet his eyes. He didn’t say anything, so I took another sip and then looked up at him. He wasn’t going to budge, so I figured I’d be the one to open Pandora’s Box. “Did you have sex with anyone while I was away?” “Do you think that’s any of your business?”

Well, damn. “You just said I could ask you anything.” “You can. But this…it’s not important,” he said, his lips falling into a hard line. “It is to me.” He sat back in his chair and replied, “First off, you weren’t away—you’d left me.” I looked down at the table. I had no reason to expect anything, and I really didn’t deserve a response…I knew that. Wondering what was next, I finally looked up, and his gaze was fixed on me. For several moments, our eyes were locked on each other. And he finally replied, “No, I didn’t.” The balloon of air in my chest slowly expelled, and I was able to breathe normally again. “The first night we had sex was the day you had lunch with JoJo. Was she the catalyst to what played out between you and me?” “What?” he asked, his brows furrowed in irritation. “Hell no. I wanted you. Why would you ask something like that?” It had all been so sudden. His unrelenting pursuit…my acquiescence…maybe I’d given in so quickly because I wanted to be the one who fulfilled Aiden’s needs instead of JoJo. “So her naked picture did nothing for you?” He squinted. “How did you know about that?” “I saw it. I sort of peeped at it when the text came. I was livid.” After that, my mind had gone crazy. I could barely tolerate the images of them I’d conjured in my head. I wanted to block them out, and swallow my jealousy, but I couldn’t. The thought of Aiden pleasuring someone else drove me mad. “I’m sorry about that,” he said. “It’s not your fault women throw themselves at you. Well, most of the time it’s not your fault,” I rephrased. “So answer the question. Did it turn you on?” “You and I had just had sex, Aria. No, it didn’t.” “But had you received the picture beforehand?” “I’m human, Aria.” “What about Nadia?” “Aria, I’m not sure what’s going on here, but the answer is no. I didn’t have sex with anyone when you were gone. Besides, no one stimulates me like you.” “What?” “My dick only gets hard for you.” I paused. I had to send a message to Virginia to calm the fuck down. But that sounded so hot. He had to be lying. Was that even possible? “I should clarify. It may get hard, but it doesn’t stay hard.” He studied me. “I did kiss someone, or rather I was kissed by someone.” “Who?”

“You don’t need to know that.” “Then why mention it, asshole?” I scowled at him. “Ah, there it is—my favorite term of endearment. How I’ve missed that,” he chuckled. I knew I’d hate whoever it was, but I still wanted to know. I’d bet money it was Anja. She was a brazen bitch. “Aria, since the day you left up until now, my dick hasn’t been inside anyone but you. That’s all you need to know.” He looked at me as if he was deciding whether to say more. “Has anyone been inside you?” The detail I’d skipped and foolishly hoped he would let slide had finally crept into the conversation. “I noticed you conveniently left that part out of your story,” he said. “Why?” “Because,” I replied, and cleared my throat. “I don’t think we should go there.” “But just now you wanted to go there when it applied to me,” he said. “What’s the difference?” “I guess there isn’t one, but it feels different coming from me.” “It’s not. I assure you. Honestly, the thought of you sharing something as intimate as childbirth and raising a child with Kellan bothers me far more than you having sex with him. Don’t get me wrong, both scenarios cause a vast amount of contempt for that fuck—” He inhaled, and shook his head. “For that guy.” “I didn’t say I slept with Kellan.” “And you didn’t say you didn’t,” he said, becoming impatient. “Don’t play games with me.” “Aiden, you do know he and I were trying to be together—as a couple. And couples do tend to have sex.” “So, you did?” “Well…” How could I explain this to him? His eyes narrowed. “You let him touch you? You did, didn’t you?” He looked both disgusted and confused. “You were naked with him. Your bodies touched,” he said, more to himself than to me. He was letting his imagination get the better of him. Surely he knew Kellan and I had been intimate. Just a few moments ago, he said he’d figured I was in love with Kellan, so this was hardly news to him. But his assumptions were one thing…hearing his assumptions confirmed caused this to take on an entirely different face. His phone rang, but he didn’t move. His eyes were zeroed in on me. “You should answer that,” I said. “It can go to voicemail.” “I’m not going anywhere, so please answer it.” His eyes became hard as he reached into his pocket for his phone. “Yeah?” he answered the caller. I didn’t like sitting under the heat of his angry gaze, so I started to get out of my chair. He

mouthed don’t move, and my heart thumped as I realized the details I’d intentionally bypassed were within moments of being revealed. “Can this wait?” He asked the person on the other end of the phone. Aiden listened to the caller, but his piercing green eyes didn’t leave mine. He didn’t appear hurt—he looked angry, but that was Aiden’s shield to disguise his pain, he’d just verified as much a few moments ago. He ended the call, and slowly lowered the phone from his ear. He looked down, and placed his phone on the table. His jaws flexed as he closed his eyes and then opened them, looking back up at me. “It was about a month after I’d moved to Belize. And again—a few days before you’d arrived.” He sank back in the chair. “A month? A fucking month?” “Aiden, you’ve got to understand where my mind was at the time. I was trying to do all I could to move on, and to accept the choices I’d made.” “You were six months pregnant with my child and having sex with that guy?” “Aiden, what did you expect me to do? Suddenly become celibate?” “You sure as hell sounded like that’s what you expected of me!” he accused in a raised voice. “But you, you get to do whatever the fuck you want, right? It’s okay that you went through these motions with him, right? That you left me? That you threw us away and jumped into bed with that guy?” “It wasn’t like that,” I said. “Don’t do this.” “Don’t do what?” he asked. “Feel?” “I didn’t know what else to do.” “You’re an extremely intelligent person. Surely you don’t expect me to believe that.” “If it were only that simple. I’m sure you can understand when I say this doesn’t boil down to intelligence. When the heart’s involved, education is irrelevant. And you sure as hell can’t compare it to work experience. I’ve learned in the last year that love is very different and often difficult, and we make all types of sacrifices for love. And I made a sacrifice for my child.” He abruptly left the table again, leaving me sitting there, not knowing what was next. Would this be the one thing that determined if we could move forward? Would this break us? Several minutes had passed and I didn’t know if he planned to return, so I went in search of him. I found him in Lyric’s room holding a picture of the three of us. I stepped beside him, and smiled at the family that was staring back at us. “Looking at Lyric, I understand. He’s the only reason I could ever give you up,” Aiden said, in a low voice. “After a child enters the picture, he should become the priority. I never had that as a child, and to a certain degree, neither did you, so I can understand how you didn’t want to repeat that with our son. But dammit, it cuts like a knife to hear about it.” “I’m so sorry. I know you realize the depth of my regret.” “I do. Just as you realize that I somewhat blame myself for your choices. You thought I was a piece of shit because of how I handled Nadia’s pregnancy.”

When he’d told me about Nadia’s abortion and his part in it…I was disappointed, but that disappointment became something else when I’d heard the words you’re pregnant. “And of course, my family and my position with Raine Industries brought on an entirely unwelcomed layer.” He grasped my hand and led me to the chair near Lyric’s crib, and pulled me into his lap. I kissed his cheek and placed my head on his shoulder. After a few quiet moments, he told me of his work with his charities and Raine Industries. He told me about the dates he’d had. That part both hurt and angered me. In the end, when we’d had our curiosity satisfied, and let out all of the painful parts, I sat up and we just stared at each other. “I fucked up,” he said. “We both did. But I love you, and I don’t want to spend another day of my life knowing you aren’t mine.” I still didn’t fully comprehend what that meant, because I was his, and I wanted a life with Aiden and Lyric—like a real family. But we had a lot of growing and healing to do. “Do you trust me?” “I can actually ask you the same question. I haven’t always been honest with you.” “Then how do we go from here to that picture perfect family we were just looking at? It’s safe to say we both want it, but we won’t work if we don’t have trust.” “Aria, I think you were honest with me until you felt you couldn’t be, and that was in part due to some of my poor choices and my deceit, not to mention the prompting from my mother. I think we’ve had a very hard lesson, and I know you’ll do whatever you need to in order to protect Lyric and to protect us. Is my trust at one-hundred percent? No. But not because I think you’re untrustworthy, but because I know you’re prone to running.” “I’m getting better at staying, I think.” “I hope so,” he said. “Trust has been broken on both sides—repeatedly. We’ll constantly be in turmoil until we’re able to just relax and trust in what we have.” I wanted that, too. “I close my eyes and see that picture, and it looks like a dream…a dream I’d never want to awaken from…but can we do it?” “I know we can.” “And the trust part?” I asked. “My trust was broken. So was yours. But if our trust was totally destroyed, I wouldn’t dare attempt a relationship with you,” he said. “We can get there.” “Then what?” I asked. “Then you’ll close your eyes and make your Christmas wish. And when you open them…I’ll be right here.”

Chapter Seven Our conversation left Aiden’s last words hanging in the air. I was both surprised and relieved when he didn’t push me to respond. I suppose our discussion was enough to digest at this point. We agreed it was best to step away from it all before coming to any final conclusions. If our being happy was a testament to our future, then no further discussion was really necessary, but us being us, I knew we needed to actually say the words, and one day soon, we would. I was relieved that our disclosure was out of the way and that we’d survived it all unscathed. Well, not entirely, but we were still intact and that was as good a sign as any. We still wanted us, and we were on the right track to get there. We were being honest and re-establishing our trust…both steps that strengthened Aiden’s resolve to secure our future. As the days rolled by and we basked in the joy of our newly formed family, Aiden and I established new routines. He kept busy with his foundations, and I was at home with Lyric while still bringing myself up to speed with RPH. It was uneventful in terms of family drama, and we couldn’t have been happier. We both felt strongly about moving back to Boston to place some distance between ourselves and his family, so I was looking forward to that. Aiden was typically out of the house every morning before or just as I was waking up. This morning, I’d overheard him on the phone, but I was half asleep at the time. From the sound of it, it had something to do with Raine Industries. He’d mentioned something about a necessary evil and making permanent changes. When he noticed I was listening, he lowered his voice and left the room. I’d started to doze off after that, but I was curious about the conversation and made a mental note to ask him what was going on. I hoped I was wrong and that it wasn’t anything involving that damned company, because I was dead set against him getting pulled in any deeper than he currently was. ***** It was a little after six o’clock when the doorbell rang. I dropped the RPH papers on the desk and headed to the foyer. I opened the door without asking who it was and was shocked to see a member of the Raine family smiling at me. “Connor. This is unexpected,” I said. “I apologize for dropping by unannounced, but I was hoping for a few minutes of your time.” What could he possibly want to speak with me about? “Come in.” I stepped aside to let him pass. “I see you’re somewhat confounded by my request,” Connor said. “You could say that.” I motioned for him to have a seat once we’d reached the living room.

“Would you like something to drink?” “Yes, scotch if you have it.” I walked toward the bar and considered the only reason Connor would be here—Raine Industries. I hoped Aiden wouldn’t be long, because I didn’t want to get mixed up with the two of them and their constant infighting. “Here you go,” I said, and passed the glass to Connor. “Thank you, Aria.” He studied me for a quick second and then took a sip. I sat opposite him and waited for him to explain his visit. “So, let me cut to the chase.” “Please.” “I was hoping you could tell me what my son is up to.” “That statement could yield a multitude of answers, so maybe a little more information could help me out here.” “In regard to my company.” “As far as I know, he’s out. But you already know that,” I replied. “It seems I don’t know as much as I should when it comes to Aiden these days,” he said. What the hell was going on now? I thought back to what I’d overheard this morning. Had Aiden really lowered his voice to avoid waking me, or was it to conceal his conversation? I did have my suspicions, but no way would I tell Connor that, not that I had very much to go on anyway. “I don’t think I follow you.” Connor eyed me, a suspicious glint in his eyes. “And here I thought we were all trying to make amends. Dishonesty doesn’t suit you, Aria.” “And I suppose you going behind Aiden’s back to pump me for information is more suitable?” “You are quite the feisty one. I can see why Aiden is so taken with you. You challenge him.” “I’m not trying to be feisty or challenging. I’m just being me.” “How’s my grandson? You know Sienna phoned Aiden to see if we could take him out this weekend,” he said, changing the subject. “No. I wasn’t aware of that.” “Perhaps Aiden forgot to mention it.” “Possibly.” Or maybe he didn’t mention it because he knew we both would say no. “I’m sure Aiden has told you some not-so-flattering stories about our family, more specifically me. And like him, I’m sure you won’t fully understand my position, so I’m not asking for that. What I am asking for is information I can use to stop Aiden from making a very foolish mistake.” “Connor, I’ve told you. I have no idea what you’re talking about, but whatever ’s going on, or whatever you think is going on, is none of my business. If you feel that someone else can clue you in, I suggest you go to that person.”

Connor sipped the scotch and then continued his inquisition. “You’re loyal to the man you love. I admire that.” “Then I’d better be careful. From what I’ve seen, the people you admire don’t fare too well.” He chuckled and reclined in his seat. “My, my. Your humor is quite refreshing. You know, I’m rather pleased you and my son have reconciled.” I knew Connor felt I was the reason Aiden was no longer his henchman, so his words were as insincere as the smile he was flashing at me. “Are you?” “Yes. And I’d hate to see anything halt that.” The mixed messages and his attempts to scare me were pissing me off. “I’m sure you don’t mean that as a threat, but it sure sounded like one.” “Of course not, Aria. That would be unwise—Aiden would have my head. That was simply a case of incorrect word choice.” “In that case, what did you mean?” “I will not lose my son, Aria.” Connor ’s voice was cold. “I’m not the person you should be approaching. It’s your son.” “Could it be that you really don’t know what he’s up to? Maybe I was foolish to think Aiden would be open with you.” “He is open with me. Why would you think anything different?” “So, do you think he’s told you everything you need to know?” “About what?” “I should not have asked that. I’m sure you already know he’ll always keep certain information to himself.” “Just what are you trying to say?” I asked. “Aria, you can’t possibly think Aiden will ever tell you everything, can you? This family, just like any family, has secrets. And from what I’ve seen Aiden only lets you in on them after you’ve stumbled across them yourself.” “Why are you doing this? You were the only one who accepted me when Aiden first learned of Lyric, but you’ve done a complete one-eighty.” “I disagree—nothing’s changed in that regard. When you arrived with Lyric, I offered my complete acceptance and support. And despite the tension that surrounded your return, everything with the Raines was falling into place, but then Nadia lost control of her faculties and disrupted the delicate balance. And as a result, my son has rejected the role he was to assume at R.I.” “Of course, it always comes back to the damned company.” “That damned company, as you call it, is my life’s work. It’s what I dreamed of passing on to my children. It’s a tradition—a legacy I want to pass on to my grandchildren.” “And let me guess…you figure the only way to get Aiden back is for me to persuade him, or for

me to just break up with him. Is that what you’re saying?” He tossed me a casual look, although this little conversation was anything but. “What I’m saying, Aria, is I don’t think it’s beneficial for your recently renewed relationship to be tested so soon. Perhaps you should make Aiden aware of that.” Whatever Aiden and Connor had going on now, I wanted no part of it. “Connor, I have to get Lyric bathed and ready for bed. I’m sure you can show yourself out.” I placed my drink on the table and stood to leave. “And by the way, I resent you bringing this to me. I’ll make sure Aiden is aware of that.” ***** I’d fallen asleep before Aiden came home. The next morning, I awoke to find him getting dressed. “A suit?” I asked. “Do you object? I thought you liked me in a suit.” My eyes glided over him. “No objections here.” I actually loved seeing him in his perfectly tailored business attire. It enhanced his muscular, lean build, and it accentuated the dominance that drew me to him the first time I’d seen him. He was looking in the mirror adjusting his tie, but stopped when he saw I was still watching him. “What is it, Aria?” “Nothing. It’s just that you don’t wear them anymore since leaving R.I.” He pulled the collar over his tie and then turned toward me. “You’ve seen me in suits more than you have out of them. Well, maybe that’s a little bit of an exaggeration,” he added, with a smirk. “True, but not very much lately. Well…not at all actually. What’s the special occasion?” “Since when did you start analyzing my clothing choices?” “That’s not what I’m doing.” I sat up in bed and rested on my elbows. “And why are you so freaking defensive?” “I’m meeting with some investors.” “Oh. Well, that’s all you had to say, Mr. Elusive. So maybe we can meet for lunch,” I suggested. “I don’t think so. I have a very full day.” “And you can’t manage to squeeze me in?” “Not today, Aria.” I studied him as the conversation with his father echoed in my head. “I don’t think the charity work is as fulfilling as you’d thought it would be. Maybe you should work with me at RPH?” “I have to admit, I’m getting a little restless, and as much as I’d enjoy the perks of working with you again, RPH is not the big fish I’d like to catch.”

“Well, if you ever change your mind.” “I know who to call,” he said. Well, that didn’t work. Maybe a different approach would fare better results. “Your dad was here,” I said. He paused before picking up his cuff links. “Really? When?” “Last night.” Aiden clasped one sleeve and then the other. “What did he want?” “Why don’t you tell me?” “What?” Aiden looked at me, the guise of confusion on his handsome face. “He seems to think you have something going on that’s all top secret. Any idea why he’d think that?” “Not at all.” Aiden lifted his watch from the valet on the dresser. “What did he say?” Aiden was playing this cool, perhaps too cool. Typically a vein pulsed in his forehead when the subject of his dad came up. “Something about dishonesty not suiting me, and that I should tell him before you do something foolish.” “And?” I shrugged. “What could I possibly tell him? I mean, I had no idea what he was talking about.” Aiden placed the jewelry on his wrist and then reached for his jacket. “It was probably nothing. Just Dad being Dad. I’ll talk to him.” I cocked my head, squinting as I assessed Aiden’s demeanor. “Unless there was more to it. I mean, think about it. Why would he come to me? I can’t imagine him approaching me about anything at all, unless it involved Raine Industries.” Aiden didn’t break eye contact as I expected he would. I was sure his deceptive façade came from years of practice. “So does it?” “How would I know?” he asked. “I don’t know.” I slid out of bed and walked over to him, panic flickering inside me as I realized I’d stumbled onto something. “But I get the feeling you do.” “Don’t worry over things that don’t exist. Like I said, I’ll talk with Dad and find out what his latest paranoia is about, and that will be the end of it. And good morning,” he added, kissing me on the cheek. Would there ever be an end to this? “Good morning to you, too. And when you do speak to Connor, promise me that you won’t let him get a rush out of you.” “What’s that supposed to mean?” “Connor knows what words to say…he knows how to push your buttons.” “Yeah, and I know how to push his.” I was quiet for several seconds as Aiden turned to the dresser to grab his phone. “He threatened me.”

Aiden froze. “Well, he said it wasn’t a threat, but it was obvious that he was issuing a warning.” Aiden spun around, and the pulsing vein that was oddly absent a few moments ago grabbed my attention. “What did he say to you, Aria?” “I’ve told you. He was fishing for some information he thought I had. That was pretty much the extent of it, since I had no idea what he was talking about.” “And the threat?” “He said it would be a shame to see us break up.” I took a seat on the edge of the bed. A flash of anger crossed Aiden’s face, but he quickly rearranged his expression, and slipped his phone into his pocket. “I’ll handle him. He won’t be coming to you again.” “What’s going on?” I asked. “Didn’t you ask me that a few minutes ago?” The air of irritation was clear in his tone. “Do you think my answer has changed?” “Don’t take your frustration out on me,” I said, standing to leave the room. “Aria. Wait. I’m sorry,” he said. “Nothing’s going on. It’s just Connor being Connor. How about we meet for dinner?” “Do you think you’ll have time?” I asked dryly. He stepped toward me and placed his hands on my shoulders, sliding his palms down my arms and then grasping my hands. “Yes, I will. I’m sorry about lunch.” He lifted my hands to his perfect lips and kissed each one. “Why don’t you arrange for Dianna to keep our little man, and you put on something special, and we meet at Alinea for dinner? If six o’clock is good for you, I’ll have Brooklyn make a reservation.” “Six is fine.” Something still didn’t seem quite kosher. I traced my palm over his jaw as my mind started to wonder. He was definitely keeping something from me. The last time he’d done this, all hell had broken loose. If my hunch was correct, I could only imagine what lay in wait for us this time. ***** I wrapped up my RPH work at four o’clock and headed upstairs to spend some time with Lyric before my evening with his father. I hadn’t really thought much of it until now, but my time with Aiden had become less and less over the last couple of weeks. Was there anything to our conversation this morning? Or was it simply a case of an overactive imagination on my part? But if Connor was right, and Aiden was up to something, it had to involve R.I. And if that were the case, Aiden would definitely hide it from me. But secrets were a source of a lot of pain for us. Aiden wouldn’t do that again, would he? No, he wouldn’t. I was certain of it. I dismissed my suspicions. My brain was just conjuring a wrinkle in our relationship. A wrinkle we definitely didn’t need.

As I watched Lyric, I recalled my conversation with Connor. I knew then that it would be impossible for me to shake my apprehension without having the facts. I needed to know more before I jumped to the wrong conclusions. I placed Lyric in his bouncy gym and then grabbed my phone. I tapped a message to Nicholas, asking when he and I could meet for lunch. Maybe he had the answers I couldn’t get from Aiden. ***** I arrived at Alinea promptly at six o’clock. I was sure Aiden would already be there, but was shocked when the maître d said otherwise. He showed me to a table and I ordered a glass of wine for Aiden and myself and then waited. I’d finished my wine before I realized it, and since Aiden was nowhere in sight, I started on his. What was keeping him? Had he forgotten? I started to get annoyed, so I quickly tapped out a message to him. Where are you? Did you forget about dinner? I sipped the wine and looked at my phone for a response from Aiden. When I didn’t get one, I called him. It went directly to voicemail. I shoved the phone into my purse and was about to leave when a man approached the table. “Excuse me for being presumptuous, but you look as if you’re waiting on someone who won’t make it.” I looked away from the stranger and then followed his gaze to the second wine glass and let out a sigh. “It appears I’ve been stood up.” “Who could possibly forget someone as beautiful as you?” the man asked. “Stranger things have happened.” “May I?” he asked, motioning toward the seat. I looked toward the entrance, again wondering what was keeping Aiden. “If you plan to wait a bit longer, maybe I can keep you company until your date arrives,” he said. “I don’t think so,” I replied. “You don’t remember me. Do you?” “Excuse me?” “I’m Miles Larson.” “I’m sorry. That name doesn’t ring a bell.” “I’m with Goubert Books. “So, you’re in publishing?” “Yes. We were introduced a couple of years ago at a release party for one of your authors, Chase Martin.”

“Oh, that was quite a while ago. Please have a seat.” Miles beckoned the waiter, who took his order and also topped off my wine. Miles and I were soon in deep conversation about the latest traditional publishing statistics. I’d forgotten how much I missed interacting face to face with others in the industry. I was laughing at something Miles said when someone approached our table. I looked up to see Aiden glowering down at me. He had some nerve. “I’m sorry. I had a late meeting.” He was talking to me, but his gaze rested on Miles. “And you couldn’t have called or replied to my text?” I asked. “Can we discuss this later?” he asked. He extended a hand to Miles, who’d stood politely upon Aiden’s arrival. “Aiden Raine, right?” Miles asked. “Yes. And you are?” “I’m a colleague of Aria’s. I’m Miles Larson, with Goubert Books,” he added. “Oh, I see.” “Well, Aria, it would appear that’s my cue to leave. Thank you for the pleasure of your company, and I do hope we can start on the collaboration we discussed,” he said, passing me his card. “I’ll be in touch,” I replied. Aiden cleared his throat, an obvious attempt to rush Miles along. “It was nice to meet you, Mr. Raine,” he nodded, and then he was off. “Is it okay if I sit? You’re not expecting anyone else are you?” Aiden asked, with a hint of sarcasm. “Sit. Stand. Whatever.” “You’re upset. I’m sorry,” he said. “There was a last minute addition to my schedule.” “So does that mean phones suddenly stopped working?” I asked. “My phone was in the car, and to be honest, I’d lost track of time until Brooklyn reminded me,” he said, as he unbuttoned his jacket and took a seat. “So you just forgot all about me?” “I could never forget about you, Aria. Don’t be ridiculous. I was buried in work.” “For the charity?” I asked. “What else?” The feeling I had this morning, that inkling of something that made me question Aiden’s story, was pulling at me. Something was going on. Connor wouldn’t risk alienating me had his suspicions been groundless. And for whatever reason, Aiden was keeping me in the dark. “I can’t believe you left me here waiting on you,” I said. “From the looks of what I saw when I came in, you didn’t mind half as much as you seem to

now.” I grabbed my purse and stood to leave. He was beside me before I could take a step. “Where are you going?” he asked. “Why don’t you take a wild guess?” “I apologized for my tardiness. I had a meeting with some additional investors I hadn’t anticipated.” He glanced over my shoulder and then briefly surveyed the room. “Don’t make a scene.” “I think you should tell yourself that. Now let go.” I pulled away. He eventually released my wrist, and I left him standing at the table. ***** I had a horrible night’s sleep and ended up waking before Aiden the next morning. I turned over and looked at him as I recalled our discord last night. After a while, I slid out of bed, crept over to his side, and grabbed his cell. I didn’t want to be the type who checked her man’s phone, and normally I wouldn’t, but I had to figure out what he was keeping from me. I started scrolling through his messages, and saw one from Chicago Bryant. I recognized his name so I clicked on the message. Connor stopped by my office yesterday. “See anything interesting?” I jumped, startled to see Aiden had awakened and was watching me. I tossed the phone at him and started toward the bathroom. After having washed my face and brushed my teeth, I went to the nursery to check on Lyric. I was sitting in the rocker feeding the baby. His eyes were wide and focused on my face. He looked so much like Aiden. Your father is keeping secrets from your mother. Why would Aiden go down this road again? Chicago Bryant was on the Raine Industries board. Why would he contact Aiden? And what did it matter that Connor came to Chicago’s office? Was Aiden back at R.I. in a capacity that would upset me? Was he worried I’d feel betrayed? Was that the reason he didn’t tell me? Aiden typically fed Lyric each morning. Perhaps that was why Lyric wouldn’t eat very much now. I set his bottle aside, and placed him back in his crib after I’d dressed him. I stepped into our bedroom and saw Aiden coming from the closet. “Another day with a suit?” I asked. “Good morning, Aria. Are you trying to ask me something?” “No. Just wondering why you’ve suddenly changed your routine.” “I told you why—” “I know, to meet with investors. That’s your answer for everything lately. What the hell is going on?” “Just making sure some things get off the ground. I’ve told you that.” His face was impassive—he

gave nothing away. “Yes, that’s about all you’ve told me.” Aiden disregarded my comment. “I’m glad to see you’re speaking to me. I hate that you wouldn’t let me touch you last night.” I rolled my eyes and pulled my nightie over my head. “I hope you’ve forgiven me,” he said. “Have you?” “No,” I said, and walked into the closet. “Why?” he asked, following me. “Because I’m still pissed at you.” “I came to dinner. You’re the one who walked out on me.” “And you’re lucky that’s all I did,” I replied. “I can’t believe you.” “Well, believe it.” I grabbed a pair of jeans and a shirt. “I’m upset, and I have every right to be.” “Why? Because I’m not perfect? I told you a long time ago I couldn’t give you one-hundred percent of me. Just as you can’t give me one-hundred percent of you. No one can do that…and you know it, yet you still expect it from me, and when I don’t measure up, I’m the bad guy.” “I didn’t think that expecting your boyfriend to show up for a date—one he requested I may add —was asking too much. Silly me. Guess I should be fine getting stood up.” “I didn’t stand you up, Aria. I was late. You’re conveniently discarding that distinction to prove some point.” “I don’t have any point to prove.” I shook my head as I watched him button his jacket. “This is precisely the reason…” I trailed off. “Precisely the reason for what?” “You want to know why I haven’t replied to your letter? This is why. There are at least three or four versions of Aiden Raine,” I said, and walked past him. “And the Aiden who wrote that beautiful letter to me isn’t the same Aiden who stood me up.” He followed me back to the bedroom. “Will you stop saying that?” he demanded. “I didn’t stand you up!” “Okay. Fine. You didn’t stand me up. But you were exceptionally late, and you’ve never done that to me before. So I know something isn’t right, Aiden, and you won’t tell me what it is.” “There’s nothing to tell. How many times must I say that? I’m starting to think you actually want to argue with me. You’re going from one preposterous topic to another.” “Why would I want to do that? Who in their right mind would ever want to argue with you?” “I can’t speak for other people, but maybe you’re doing it to avoid what you just mentioned… replying to my letter!” “Well, if that’s what you think, I’ll reply now. No. My answer is no. I don’t want anything more

with you than I have right now! And quite frankly, I’m questioning my judgment on that at this point!” When Lyric started to cry, Aiden tore his eyes from mine and glanced at the baby monitor. “I’ll get him,” he said. I saw the hurt in Aiden’s eyes when he turned to leave. “Aiden, wait. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean that.” He didn’t respond. He didn’t look back. He simply walked out of the room. I picked up the monitor, sat on the edge of the bed, and watched as Aiden entered the nursery and went over to our son. “Hey, little man,” Aiden said, as he lifted a bawling Lyric from the crib. “What’s all the fuss about?” he asked, and gently bounced the baby in his arms. Aiden reached into the crib for Lyric’s favorite stuffed animal, Mr. Bunny, and then sat in the rocker nearest the bottle warmer. Aiden held up the little rabbit and wiggled it in front of Lyric, and I laughed aloud when Aiden started speaking as though he were Mr. Bunny. Mr. Bunny went on to tell Lyric about a new song he’d written, and that it was a very special lullaby. The baby babbled as though he was talking back to Mr. Bunny, and then he grabbed it and started flinging it back and forth until finally dropping it to the floor. I could have watched the two of them all morning. It was as though he and Lyric were best friends already—something I knew they’d be in the future. I came terribly close to crying as I continued watching them. Lyric cooed and giggled with Aiden for a while longer, and then he became fussy. “Do you miss your mommy?” Aiden asked. “I know how that feels, and it’s no fun at all, is it? But Mommy’s right down the hall. She’ll always be here.” He cradled Lyric’s head in his palm and then kissed his forehead. “In the meantime, how about you let your dad feed you? I know it’s not the same as Mommy’s breast—trust me,” he murmured, as Lyric started to suck. I placed the monitor back on the stand, and finished getting dressed. Several minutes later, I went to the nursery to apologize to Aiden, but he was gone. Dianna was there, and she told me Aiden had left just a few minutes ago. He’d left without saying good-bye. Just as I was about to call Aiden, my phone rang. I felt a tinge of guilt when I saw Allison’s name on the display. I briefly considered sending it to voicemail, but thought better of it because she and I hadn’t spoken in a while. Once I’d finished my call with his sister, I’d fix things with Aiden. I didn’t want whatever business plans he had in the works to cause an issue between us.

Chapter Eight I’d been so preoccupied with Lyric, Aiden, RPH, and the move that I hadn’t made any effort to reestablish my friendship with Allison. “Hello,” I answered as I headed downstairs for breakfast. “Hi, Aria. I was hoping we could have lunch today,” Allison said. “Sure. Any special reason?” I asked. “Other than trying to make sure we’re still sisters, nope,” she replied, as I grabbed a protein shake from the fridge. “Of course we are, Allison,” I said. “I’m sorry I’ve been so distant.” “I’m sure you have a lot going on, so no worries. How about I pick you up at noon?” I took a seat at the counter and opened my liquid breakfast. “Sounds good. See you then.” I knew Allison was still feeling pretty guilty about what had happened to Lyric. I hoped she didn’t think I’d been distant because I was still upset with her. When I finished my drink, I decided to take a page out of Aiden’s book and send several flower bouquets to his office as an apology for this morning. Problem was I didn’t know which type of flower would best fit a man like Aiden Raine. The florist said exotic flowers were more masculine, and since I didn’t know anything about sending flowers to men, I trusted her judgment. An hour or so later, Aiden sent me a text—it was a picture of him surrounded by several colorful bouquets. Just as I was about to text a reply, I decided to call because I wanted him to actually hear my apology. “Hi, beautiful,” he answered. “Did you like the flowers?” I asked. “As much as any man can like flowers.” He chuckled. “But since they came from you, I’ll go as far as to say I love them. But let’s keep that between you and me.” He was making this too easy for me. “I’m really sorry for this morning…for what I said. I didn’t mean it.” “It’s forgotten,” he replied. Then I heard someone talking in the background, so we ended our call, but he assured me he’d be home in time for dinner. ***** Allison and I were shown to a table, and she grabbed the drink menu almost as soon as we sat

down. It was just a little after noon—did she already want something stronger than water or soda? When the waiter asked for her order, she opened her mouth to speak and then looked at me. “What is it?” I asked. “I don’t want you to think I’m some crazy drinking girl who wouldn’t make wise choices around my nephew,” she said, as she placed the menu on the table. “But after the morning of dealing with Mom, I really need something stronger than tea.” “Then order it, Allison. And stop thinking I’m upset with you, or that I’m judging you.” She let out a sigh of relief. “Okay,” she replied and grabbed the cocktail menu again. “So, how are your plans for the move to New York going?” I asked. “Great,” she replied, her silver-green eyes lighting up. “I’ve never been more ready for anything in my life.” I laughed. “Is Sienna still giving you a hard time?” “Like you wouldn’t believe.” She rolled her eyes and then glanced at the waiter to place her order. “I can only imagine,” I replied, as I reviewed the menu. “I’m ready to place some distance between myself and my family, especially now with Aiden and Daddy at odds…again.” I gave the waiter my order and then I was quiet, lost in my thoughts as I stared at the glass of sparkling water. “What’s wrong?” Allison asked. “Oh. Nothing.” I waved it off. “Just some work stuff running through my head.” She gave me a yeah right look. “What’s my brother done now?” “What makes you think Aiden has done anything?” “You have that weird look on your face, and you don’t sound very happy. And since I’ve known you, you’ve only been like this when it involves him.” “My world doesn’t revolve around your brother. I do have a little Aiden to take care of, you know,” I replied. “Stop stalling. Tell me,” she said. “Maybe I can help.” “I don’t want to burden you with my problems,” I said. “I owe you, so your burden is my burden.” “Stop thinking you owe me anything. None of that was your fault,” I said. “Thank you for saying that,” she said. “But I still want to help, if I can. So spill.” “Okay, but don’t say I didn’t warn you.” I took a sip of water and then started to fill her in. “I can’t figure out what, but I think something other than your siblings is leading Aiden back to R.I. He says it’s only to help out Sloan and Nicholas…you know, kind of like part-time, but I know that’s a lie.” “Why do you say that?” she asked.

“We both know there’s no such thing as part-time when it comes to Connor and Raine Industries,” I said. “And I’m worried. I don’t want whatever this is to come between us. I don’t want it to be like it was before, when his existence was so tied up in that company…when he let Connor pull him in.” “I don’t see him letting Daddy do that,” she defended. “Aiden’s pretty smart.” “Normally, yes. But not with his parents. He lets them manipulate him and, no offense, but Connor seems to have an ungodly hold over his kids.” “Aiden made a huge point about stepping down. He’s never done that before,” she pointed out. “Yeah, that may be true, but something just seems off.” “Like what?” she asked. “That’s just it…I don’t know. But I get the feeling he’s hiding something from me.” “Why would he do that?” she asked. “I’m not sure,” I said, shaking my head. “But for him to do something like this so soon after our reconnecting…I think it’s something he knows will cause problems for us.” “Have you asked him?” “Of course I have.” “And?” “You know your brother. He only says what he wants to say. He just dances around the truth.” “What are you going to do?” she asked as our food arrived. I shrugged. “I don’t know. Based on the little pieces I’ve grabbed, Aiden’s not in this by himself. And since he’s working so closely with Nicholas—I wonder if he knows something.” “I could try to find out.” “I hate to pull you into anything that may explode in both our faces,” I said. “But in this case, two is better than one,” Allison said. “And if something is up, you need all the help you can get. Trust me.” “I don’t want this to come between Aiden and me, especially now, when things are so much better between us.” “It won’t,” she said, and sipped her drink. “He loves you too much.” “I know he does, but I still feel as if I could lose him.” ***** After lunch, Allison popped in and spent some time with Lyric. She went on and on about how shocking it was that her brother had a baby. Not to mention he was living with his girlfriend and child. Allison and Lyric were on the floor in the play area, and I watched as she passed the baby one toy after another. Lyric dropped each toy as soon as she held up a new one. “You and Lyric have changed him. He’s so different when it comes to you.” She looked up at me.

“But he’s still my brother, and all that entails.” “Don’t I know it,” I replied. “He loves you like crazy, but whenever it comes to Dad, there’s a whole other level of shit to deal with. Aiden doesn’t need the trouble that comes along with Raine Industries and Dad. What he needs is you…and you need him. And I will do all I can to make sure you stay together.” “Allison, that’s on us. Not you.” “Aiden has always been there for me, and now it’s my turn to really be here for him. Besides, you’re like the sister I never had.” “Sister you never had? Have you forgotten about Sloan?” I asked, and sat down on the floor with them. “Oh geez, no. Sloan is great and all, but she’s such a bore. She’s always focused on doing what’s appropriate in accordance with the Raine Bylaws. She doesn’t know how to let loose, and she’s the one my parents can count on to never really rock the boat.” “I can see that. She’s the good daughter,” I said. “Not that you’re the bad one,” I added and laughed. “I know what you mean,” she smiled. “Sloan and I are a definite mismatch, but you’re more like me. You don’t color within the lines the way my parents would want. You aren’t afraid to speak your mind, and you aren’t afraid to be yourself. And that’s exactly the type of girl my brother needs…not some delicate socialite robot.” “Thank you, Allison…I think.” She got on her knees beside Lyric and crawled alongside him. “I know you’re really worried about Aiden and Dad. And I want you to be wrong, but every part of me knows you’re right. There’s always something going on between those two, and it’s typically a huge source of tension in our family.” “Any ideas on how you can find out what it is?” I asked. “Not really,” she sighed. “No way would Aiden and Dad ever include me in business matters… which leaves Nicholas and Sloan. Nicholas is out—if he does know something, he wouldn’t betray Aiden by telling me. So that leaves Sloan, but she’s so anxious to remain neutral that she’ll keep quiet, too.” “What about Sienna?” I asked. “She wouldn’t do much at all to upset the balance any more than it already is, unless…” She trailed off. “What?” “Unless I fudge the truth a little and hint that I won’t move to New York.” She shook her head after giving it more thought. “No. I’d better save that lie for something I’ll need later. So, that means I can’t go to anyone in my family.”

“Exactly.” I let out a sigh. “I guess we’ll have to just wait and see, and then hope there isn’t too much fallout.” “What if I told Dad I was finally considering coming into the business? He gave up on that years ago, but I know he wants us all there. He’s made no secret of that. Maybe he’ll drop his guard—or better yet, loosen his hold on Aiden—if he knows I’m finally all in.” Allison became quiet, as if mulling over her options. “That’s the only card I can play,” she said. “Are you sure you want to do this?” I asked. She reached for her signature ponytail and tossed it over her shoulder, out of Lyric’s reach. “Yes. I do, but my move to New York couldn’t come at a better time. This family will drive the sanest person into an insane asylum. Well, it’s more Dad than the family itself. I thought after his heart attack, things would change, that our lives would become almost normal, but maybe the Raines aren’t cut out for normal.” ***** It was great to catch up with Allison. After committing to her plan of subterfuge with Connor— which I knew wouldn’t work—we talked more about Lyric, my sisters, and her social life. She invited me to catch a movie with her friend Libbey and her later in the week, and we also made plans for a spa day. My phone pinged thirty minutes after she’d left. It was a text from Allison. Aiden’s here. Where? The main house. He’s in Dad’s office. I’m going to see if I can hear what they’re saying. Give me a sec. Okay. Two minutes passed and another text. I pressed my ear against the door, but I could only hear a few words, and the rest was just mumblings I couldn’t make sense of. Now what? I waited but nothing. And then ping. There’s an entrance from the study that’s usually unlocked. If I can get in there, maybe I figure this all out without resorting to my half-assed offer to join the family business. I was sitting in my office wondering if I should just let this drop when I received another text. It’s unlocked. I’m going to slide my phone inside to record them, so don’t text or call. I’ll send it to you once they’re done. This was insane, like something from a girl detective novel.

Okay. Be careful. Fifteen minutes later, I received a message from Allison—it was the recording. Thanks, Allison. I’ve got it. I’ll listen to it a little later. Maybe we can compare notes afterward. Okay. I took a deep breath and pressed the play indicator on the video image, but it wouldn’t load. “Shit.” I was about to send it to my email when Lyric started to cry, so I put it aside and went to check on him. ***** I was standing at the counter chopping vegetables when I heard Aiden enter the kitchen. He was soon standing behind me, his arms enveloping my waist. “I love you,” he said. I looked over my shoulder at him and noted his strange expression. “I love you, too.” Something wasn’t right. “What is it, Aiden?” “I have to leave for Mumbai tomorrow,” he tossed out casually, as he reached for a carrot. “What? Why?” “Loose ends I need to tie up for R.I.” “I knew it!” I dropped the knife on the counter and spun around to face him. “I fucking knew it!” “Wait. Let me explain,” he said, calmly as he grasped my shoulders. “I don’t want to hear it,” I replied and shrugged away from him. “When you told me you were done, I refused to buy it. I just couldn’t fathom you not working for that company. And if this were something different, like your deciding to open a law practice or something involving medicine, you’d have my full support. But this is not me disapproving of you following your dreams—this is me wondering why you would want to subject us to the one thing you said you never wanted to be. Everything you hated about that company, about what it stole from your family…from you. Now you’re willing to impose that on us.” “I promise I’m not doing that. As a matter of fact, I want you and Lyric to come with.” I stepped past him. “No. We’re not going.” “But, babe—” “No, Aiden. I won’t have Lyric flying across the world just to sit in a hotel and wait for his dad to make time for us. Just go without Lyric and me. Go over there, take care of this crap for Connor, and hurry back home to us.” *****

After a quiet and awkward dinner with Aiden, I received a text from Allison. I’m coming over. I haven’t had a chance to listen to the video yet. I have and I want to talk to Aiden. Is he there? Yes. In his office. A short while later the doorbell rang, and as I was about to step from the kitchen, Aiden called out that he would get it. I was sure Allison wanted to talk to him about the video. I headed to Aiden’s office, stopped next to the door, and listened. “What does Daddy have on you?” Allison asked him. “What?” “Don’t play stupid, Aiden.” “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he replied. “I’m talking about the conversation you had with Dad earlier. I kind of…overheard parts of it.” “Allison, I don’t know what you think you heard, but you need to mind your own business. Aren’t you getting ready to move? You should focus on that,” he said. “And you need to focus on what you claim is most important to you before you lose it for good.” “There you go, obsessing again. You’ve always been one to do that, but I think this is one subject you should leave alone.” “Go ahead. Pretend I’m blowing smoke,” she said. “You really need to stay out of this. Not that there’s much of anything to stay out of. Don’t make a big deal over nothing.” “Let me save you the trouble of adding more lies to this conversation and tell you a little secret. I didn’t really kind of hear bits and pieces from the other side of a door. I was actually in Dad’s office. I heard everything.” “What are you talking about?” he asked. “When I saw the two of you looking all weird and angry, I snuck in from the back door of the study.” “Seriously, Allie?” “Yes. So be honest with me. What did Daddy mean about your secrets? And what acquisition? What investigation? And what does any of that have to do with Aria?” That was a very good question. What does any of that have to do with me? “It would be best for everyone if you didn’t worry about any of that. I’ll handle our father.” “Is that what I heard? You handling Dad? It sounded the other way around.” “Allison, I’m telling you to forget about it.” “Why? Why shouldn’t I just go to him and tell him to stop?”

“Do you think he’ll listen to you? Come on, Allie. We’re talking about Connor Raine.” “Aria is worried that whatever is going on, will be the end of the two of you.” I was curious as to how Aiden would respond to that. I leaned closer to hear his reply. “Did she say that? Or is this another case of you being overdramatic?” he asked. “What? Overdramatic?” “Just answer me,” he demanded. “Yes. She said that.” “And like you, she’s worried about nothing. I’ll speak with Aria and remind her that her attention should be on our son.” There he goes again—expecting everyone to just do as he says. “Are you delusional? She never listens to you. And I’m starting to think I should follow her lead and—” “And nothing. Stay out of this, Allison,” he warned. “I don’t think so.” “Haven’t I always handled things for you with him? Didn’t he agree to let you be you without pulling you into this shit?” “And after overhearing your conversation with him earlier, I’m starting to wonder how that even happened.” “You really want to know?” he asked. “Yeah.” “I sacrificed myself for you. I told him I’d sign on to do whatever he wanted if he let you go.” They were both quiet. I guessed Allison was absorbing the blow of Aiden’s confession. As stunned as I was, I was sure my shock paled in comparison to hers. “Why would you do that?” she asked. “Because you’re my little sister, and because I didn’t want you to see the side of him we all saw. I wanted you to follow your dreams, and not just play a part in someone else’s.” “I can’t believe it. A small part of me had hoped it was because he trusted my judgment,” she said, in a small voice. “Don’t ever kid yourself into believing anything like that when it comes to him,” Aiden said bitterly. “I knew Dad could be stubborn and bossy, but what I overheard, it was like he was someone I didn’t know,” she said. “That was nothing, Allison. You have no idea how far he goes to get what he wants.” “Someone needs to put an end to it. It may just be me,” she replied, her words heated with anger. “Don’t try to go head-to-head with him. You’re not ready for that. And besides, if you push him too far, he’s going to cut you off.”

“You have your own money. More than enough to spot me a loan so I can continue to live in the style to which I’m accustomed.” Aiden chuckled. “Oh, is that right?” “Yes.” “You know, Allie, this just may be the time for you to think about your future. Branch out, and be your own person, independent of this shit.” They were silent again and then Allison said, “Maybe you’re right.” “Just forget what you heard. Move to New York and be happy.” “But what about you? You’re not happy. And what do I tell Aria?” “I am happy, Allie. And as for Aria, you won’t tell her anything.” Was he fucking kidding? Did we not just have a very painful discussion about trust? How dare he do this to us…again! “I have to tell her something,” Allison said. “Just tell her she misread some things, and that my involvement with the company is temporary.” “What are you hiding? Why are you lying to her?” “Allison, I’m not lying to her,” he replied. “Well, what do you call it?” she asked. I wondered the same thing. “Aren’t there things you’ve done you wish no one knew?” Aiden asked, his tone filled with remorse. “Things you know would change someone’s view of you, or would push someone away?” “Well, yeah. I guess. Is that what you’re afraid of? That she won’t feel the same about you?” “Maybe. My relationship with Aria isn’t at a point where I would feel comfortable telling her some of this. So for the sake of my keeping her, just do as I say.” “This sounds big. And I have a feeling that if she leaves this time, she isn’t coming back.” “That’s what I’m afraid of,” Aiden replied. “I’m trying to help you. Let me,” she pleaded. “You’ve always looked out for me. Made everything better.” “I’m your big brother. It’s what I’m supposed to do.” “And he’s my dad. Not some controlling dictator who blackmails his kids.” “I didn’t want you to know this side of him. I wanted you to have some normalcy. I wanted you to look at him like a daughter should look at her father.” “Who are you kidding?” she asked. “I’ve never done that.” “Yeah, but you never had the complete veil of truth removed until now. I didn’t want that for you.” “See, this is why you’re my favorite.” “So I’m still your favorite?” he asked. “Always and forever,” she replied.

“Our childhood motto,” Aiden said. “Yup, that we’d always be here for each other—that we’d always have each other ’s backs, no matter what…always and forever.” “And that still stands,” Aiden said. “I know. So you obviously have a plan. What is it? What are you going to do?” she asked. “The only thing a man like Connor Raine can understand. He claims all of his ploys and efforts are for family. Let’s see how he copes when family does to him what he’s done to family.” “Aiden, don’t forget he’s our father.” “I won’t. Just like he didn’t forget I’m his son.” “It sounds like you’re going to start a war with our dad. This is a bad idea, Aiden.” “Duly noted.” “And Aria’s gonna be pissed,” she said. “Don’t you think I know that?” “Then why risk it? Why do this?” “Because I don’t have a choice!” he blasted. “There’s always a choice, Aiden. You’ve taught me that.” “Yeah, not in this case. Not with Aria.” “You’re going to lose her,” Allison warned. “And after everything you’ve gone through to get back to each other, I can’t say I’d blame her if she left this time.” Before he could say anything to defend his decision, Allison walked out the door. She was shocked to find me standing outside Aiden’s office. She mouthed I’m sorry and then she disappeared into the foyer. A few seconds later, I heard the front door close. Secrets, threats, and blackmail—those strategies weren’t anything new to Aiden. He’d used threats and blackmail to even control me in the past…and he’d felt perfectly justified in doing so. So while Aiden and Connor ’s dynamic may have surprised Allison, it didn’t surprise me in the least. This was just another day to Aiden. The conversation I’d just overheard pretty much confirmed a couple of things—Aiden had devised a calculated plot against his father, and it not only threatened to break Connor, but to break Aiden and me as well. I knew I couldn’t talk to Aiden about any of this—at least not yet. He wasn’t planning to tell me anything, anyway. And If I asked, he’d just give me more half-truths. He was knowingly placing our relationship at risk. Did he not value me enough? Value us enough to be honest? To let all of the drama with Connor go? He was apparently fine with lying to me and was advocating for Allison to do the same. This was the Aiden I had to determine if I could be with. All of this, regardless of his reasons, was who he was. Could I accept that? I stepped away from the door pondering the answer to that question. And if the answer was no, how could I possibly live without him?



Chapter Nine The next morning, Aiden and I awoke at the crack of dawn. He gave a sleeping Lyric a good-bye kiss and then it was my turn. “Don’t be sad,” Aiden said, once we were in the foyer. “I’ll be back in no time.” I reached up and traced a finger along the line of his jaw. Although Aiden was standing directly in front of me, I felt bereft already. “I love you.” “I love you more,” he said. He pulled me to his chest and wrapped his arms around me—I didn’t want to let go. When he finally released me, he kissed my forehead, and promised we’d do something special when he returned, and then he walked out the front door. I traipsed back to bed after that, but I couldn’t sleep, so I pretty much stared at the ceiling, following the grid patterns back and forth, until Lyric pulled me out of my reverie. After feeding him and getting him settled, I tried again to listen to the video Allison had sent to me. For some reason, it still wouldn’t load on my phone, so I forwarded it to my email, and went to my office. At my desk, with wracked nerves, I awakened my laptop and opened my email. It felt wrong to have eavesdropped on Aiden’s conversation last night, and this was just more of the same. Part of me thought better of listening to the recording for just that reason. Then there was another part of me that was hesitant for fear of what I’d hear. I stared at the computer screen, warring with myself, contemplating the sense of right and wrong and then wondering if I should let it all go. After a minute or two more, my curiosity won out. Taking a deep breath and then slowly exhaling my worry, I pressed the play arrow. There were some shuffling noises, and then the image of the ceiling in Connor ’s office appeared on the screen. A few seconds later, the conversation started. “The only thing that matters to you anymore is Aria. And Lyric of course,” Connor said. “As it should be,” Aiden solemnly replied. “Don’t get me wrong. Your devotion to them is commendable. You’ve shown me how important they are to you. Hell, you’ve shown all of us. But who are we kidding here? This zero tolerance you have for Raine Industries isn’t going to last. You may object to your role with this company, but it’s who you are. It’s in your blood. You can’t run from it any more than you can run from your mother and me.” “I don’t have anything to prove to you. You can think whatever you want, I told you—I’m done,” Aiden said. “Why do you think you’re so good at this? It’s because you were born for it. All the news articles

about your talent, about your business model…Ivy League Schools have fashioned their business curriculums from derivatives of your Harvard thesis. This is your purpose, son. Truth be told, your only real opposition to this is your opposition to me.” “You always seem to think you know your children better than we know ourselves,” Aiden said. “And that fool logic backfires on you time and time again.” “Is there zero truth to my logic?” Connor asked. “I will give you this much—you hit the nail on the head with the bit about the opposition,” Aiden said. “I was invigorated by my position, but there’re certain aspects of it that have given me a distaste for it.” “Distaste for it? Or distaste for me?” Connor asked. “Does it matter? It’s one in the same. And it’s enough to make me walk away and never look back.” “And do what? Aria fell in love with a rich, powerful man—not some charity organizer. Do you really think she’s going to stick around for a guy who raises money for music in his spare time? Don’t be ridiculous, Aiden.” “You’re projecting, Dad. You have the misguided notion that Aria is materialistic like Mother. It’s actually quite sad that you’ve accepted that she only sticks around because of what you are instead of who you are.” There was a short, brittle silence. “This is our dynamic—the one we always fall back to, isn’t it? I pull, you push. We argue. We exchange insults. Yet, the end is the same, Aiden.” “Not this time,” Aiden said. “I wouldn’t be so sure.” “If this is what you summoned me for,” Aiden said. “it’s proved to be a huge waste of my time.” “I need your help,” Connor said. “Raine Industries needs your help.” “You’ve told me that. And I’ve said, no,” Aiden replied dryly. “So, if that’s all.” “Is this because of Aria? Are you worried she’ll walk away if you come back to what you really love?” Aiden didn’t respond. “Maybe I should talk to her. Maybe give her more of an insight as to who Aiden Raine really is.” “What the hell is that supposed to mean?” Aiden asked. “You know exactly what it means,” Connor replied. “So you’re going to blackmail me into working for you?” “Blackmail is such a nasty word, son. This is just a way to persuade you back to your senses.” “I know you haven’t considered every angle of that threat.” “What makes you think that?” Connor asked.

“If you had, we wouldn’t be having this discussion,” Aiden replied. “So…is that how you plan to play this? With threats?” “Just taking a page from your play book,” Aiden replied, in a flippant tone. “I have a few threats of my own, son.” “You don’t want me as an adversary. I assure you.” “You’re right. I don’t,” Connor replied. “So let’s determine a way to make this work for both of us.” “I’m out of here. I don’t have time for this. But I need to make it perfectly clear…you are to stay away from Aria. No more of your calculated visits and cryptic messages.” There was a brief silence as if Aiden began walking away before Connor called after him. “Do you think I’m unaware of your recent acquisition? Of the results of your investigation? What do you think Aria will do once she finds out? Once she learns you still have so many secrets?” Aiden didn’t say anything. “Ah, so I finally have your attention,” Connor said. “I was hoping it wouldn’t have to come to this, son.” “Spare me your bullshit!” Aiden exclaimed. “What do you want?” “I need you on that plane to Mumbai tomorrow. If you need to take Aria and Lyric along with you —do it. But either way, you need to handle those negotiations.” “You’re just as able-bodied as I am. You do it,” Aiden spit out. “You’re the one who’s worked with them, and you’re the one who can secure this deal. Thousands of jobs depend on this.” “And if I refuse?” “You won’t. You have too much to lose.” “Does Mother know about this?” Aiden asked. “You’ve never run to your mother before. Why would you do it now?” “You know damned well that I resolve any complications with you on my own. And if I were ever in a position to need help, I wouldn’t dare go to her. Not that it would change a damned thing anyway. But since you included her in on your last sordid move, I can’t help but wonder.” “Sordid, was it?” “What the hell would you call it?” Aiden demanded. “I’m not going to rehash the past with you, Aiden. And don’t go pointing a misguided finger at your mother. There wasn’t a need to bring her into this, and there still isn’t. We’re two equally determined men—we can settle this ourselves.” “So she doesn’t know, then?” “Does Aria know every move you make? Does she know about the string of messes I’ve cleaned up for you?”

“You’re pulling out every trick you have. You’d do this? To your own son?” “You ask that of me when you’ve threatened to destroy my life’s work?” Connor asked, in a raised voice. “Obviously you didn’t take me too seriously, or I’d be the last person you’d want on the inside of that company. Aren’t you worried I’ll make good on that threat?” “Are you referring to your claim you’ll destroy Raine Industries? Ha. That was anger and the protectiveness of your son talking. That was passion, and I want you to pour that same passion into our company, to make it greater than it already is. We’ve experienced adversity many times. And every time, we’ve come to an amicable resolution. We always have and we always will. We’re family— sometimes families don’t get along. You were angry. I understand that. And once the anger subsides, we’ll make it back to father and son again.” Aiden didn’t reply. “I’ll have Katrina contact your assistant to get everything lined up for tomorrow.” There was an extended silence, followed by Connor ’s phone call and then a lot of rumbling. Finally, the video ended. I couldn’t believe what I’d heard. Aiden always emerged from those closed door meetings pissed at Connor. Now, I knew why. How could he do this to his own son? And what had Connor meant by secrets? What investigation? And why would I be involved in any way? I thought back to my initial suspicions, and then considered everything I’d learned up until now. After a futile attempt to put it all together, I started to wonder what I should do next. Part of me wanted to do exactly as I’d said to Allison…wait and see how it all played out. After having eavesdropped on Aiden and Allison’s conversation last night, I was left with even more apprehension. But despite my growing sense of unease, I’d somehow managed to keep quiet. And although Aiden’s conversation with Connor gave me even more reason to worry, I didn’t know if it was wise to bring that up, either. I wasn’t the type to keep quiet for too long though, so it was anyone’s guess as to how this would play out. Connor had coerced Aiden into working for him—that much was clear. But what leverage was so compelling it would force Aiden’s hand? And as Aiden had questioned, why would Connor want Aiden at R.I. after he’d threatened to destroy it? Obviously Connor figured he held enough cards to warrant a cease-fire…but I knew different. How could Aiden dive right back into what we’d barely clawed our way out of? He’d accused me of not trusting in our love, yet he was now doing the same thing. His actions and his words were contradictions, but in spite of it all, I still wanted him, and I had every intention of protecting our relationship…I just needed to figure out how. In the midst of so many unknowns, there was one thing I did know—I didn’t like what this had already done to me. The spying and sneaking…that was not me. I didn’t want to be that person. Aiden

and I both wanted trust, but how could we have that if he was keeping things from me, and I, in turn, was spying on him? I wanted to cultivate a trust that allowed us to come to each other with anything… to know that whatever it was—it wouldn’t break us. As badly as I wanted Aiden to tell me himself…to be honest with me, I knew that wasn’t going to happen. I stared at the laptop until the screensaver appeared—it was a heartwarming picture of Aiden, Lyric and me at Little Beans Cafe. Sadness—that’s what I felt, because the image on my screen reminded me that pictures and reality don’t always align. ***** Aiden had been out of town only a few days, but his absence had already started to affect me. I’d found myself thinking back to my time in Belize. Of course it wasn’t under the same circumstances, but I felt some of the same loneliness. I missed Aiden more than I’d expected, and I knew Lyric missed him, too. Although Lyric was just down the hall, I didn’t want to be too far from him, and at the same time, I wanted to feel close to his father, so I’d moved Lyric’s bassinette into our bedroom. At times when I held him, he would look up as though expecting his dad to stroll into the room…I’d expected the same thing. It was day number six without Aiden, and I was sitting in my home office after just ending a video call with my sisters when he walked in. I hadn’t expected him and I couldn’t believe he was finally home. I rushed over, jumped into his arms, and wrapped my legs around his waist. “Why didn’t you call?” I asked. “I was anxious to get back to you and Lyric. Where is he?” “I just put him down for a nap.” Aiden kissed me for what seemed like forever, and then I motioned for him to set me on my feet. It felt as though I hadn’t seen him in weeks, and I just wanted to look at him. “Well, since Lyric’s asleep, I guess that means I can concentrate all my attention on giving you a proper welcome home.” He grinned and went for my breasts, pinching my nipples. “There’s nothing proper about the kind of welcome I want.” I squealed as he again lifted me in his arms…but this time, he carried me upstairs.

Chapter Ten Since Aiden’s return from Mumbai, his involvement with Raine Industries gradually changed— he was at the office more and more, often working well into the night. There were abrupt business trips and missed dinners, and he and I were having one argument after another about it. He insisted his involvement with R.I. was temporary, but it had already taken a toll on our relationship. When Aiden was in town though, he made sure he was the one to feed the baby every morning, and regardless of the hour he came home, he went directly to the nursery to spend time with Lyric. And since Lyric wasn’t yet sleeping through the night, Aiden often woke up in the wee hours to get him settled again. ***** Aiden had arrived home late last night after another week-long trip, and quite frankly, I was growing tired of his absence. The following morning, I found him in the kitchen, dressed for work, and getting a cup of coffee. I didn’t bother with a good morning. “You promised you were done with this—that things wouldn’t be like they were before. That you’d be here for Lyric.” “And I am here for him,” Aiden replied. “Don’t insinuate anything different.” I knew this was a sensitive topic because Connor had always placed Aiden on the backburner when it came to work. I hated to bring it up, but I couldn’t just blow this off…the stories Aiden had shared with me about his father ’s absence in his childhood were starting to hit too close to home. Aiden let out a sigh. “What’s the problem?” he asked. “As you’ve said countless times over the last few weeks—there isn’t one.” “Then why are you looking at me like that?” he asked. “Like what?” “Like you don’t know me,” he said. Because I no longer recognized him. That’s why. “I thought I did.” “I’m pressed for time, so can we talk about this later?” “Sure,” I replied, waving him off. He walked over to me and placed his palm on my cheek, rubbing his thumb back and forth as he stared into my eyes. “You know who I am. You know me better than anyone. I’m the man who loves you, who adores you. I’m the man who wants to give you everything you ever wanted.” He kissed my forehead. And then he was gone.

***** I hadn’t heard from Aiden all day. The sense of disconnect was an all too familiar feeling, and if I was worried before, I was on high alert now. I’d started dinner and set the table for two, thinking Aiden would be home to join me, but I ended up eating alone as I reviewed RPH reports. The new imprint was off to a good start, but we’d have to push out some deadlines because one of the new authors had to step away from his book to attend to some pressing family matters. I was trying to figure a way around that when my phone pinged. It was a text from Aiden. I just finished a business dinner. Headed back to the office to get some work done. Don’t wait up for me. Looks like it’s going be a late night. Again? Please don’t start in on me. Yeah. Whatever. I tossed the phone on the table and stared at it like it was my enemy. Why would he stay late at R.I. when he could just as easily work from his home office? Unless his reason for staying away was to protect his secrets. He didn’t want me to see or hear anything. This wasn’t working for me and I wasn’t sure how long I’d go along with it. But then again, this was something I was supposed to do, right? Hang in there and weather the storm? But what if the storm tossed me overboard? After a long night of mental anguish, I finally headed upstairs to bed. Aiden still wasn’t home, and therefore I had a hard time falling asleep. After an endless spell of tossing and turning, and missing Aiden, I wandered downstairs for a cup of tea. I was surprised to find Aiden was already home. Why hadn’t he come to bed? I walked into the living room and there he was—sitting at the piano. He pressed one key, and the tone danced across the room. Then he pressed another, a lower tone this time. It sounded as ominous as I’d been feeling lately. I stepped further into view, and he looked up. There was something in his expression that I didn’t recognize. “Are you okay?” I asked. “Why didn’t you come to bed?” “Too wired to sleep,” he replied, and rested his arms over the top of the piano. “Same here.” “Maybe we’re both in need of a nightcap and a lullaby. Why don’t you pour us a drink and I’ll play something. Anything you like. How about something classical? Mozart, Bach, Puccini?” “Surprise me.” I prepared our drinks and turned toward him just as the beginning of one of my favorite pieces filled the room. I sat on the bench beside Aiden, and watched his fingers caress the keys with a magnificence that continued to astound me. I glanced at him, and noticed that he seemed to relax more

with each stanza. The Aiden I recognized and adored had taken the place of the distant and moody Aiden I’d been sharing a home with as of late. He pressed one final key, and as the sound faded, he reached for his drink. “That was beautiful.” “Thank you.” He gulped his liquor and placed the glass on the piano. “Are you ready to start your lessons again?” How was that possible when he was hardly ever home? “Are you planning to be here to teach me, or do I need to call Vincent?” I spit out. “Aria, please.” He shook his head and tossed me a warning look. I didn’t want to fight either, so I simply replied, “I’d love that.” He gently grasped the back of my head and leaned forward, touching his forehead to mine. He let out a sigh and then looked at me. His gaze was tender, yet powerful, and it pulled me into a world that made me forget everything else. “Let me love you,” he whispered. “Yes.” And with that, he lifted me from the bench and carried me to a night of sweet and gentle kisses, a night of deep and tender love that reestablished our connection and left me yearning for more. ***** The next morning Aiden casually announced he was headed out of town for a couple of days on business. So he’d returned from his last trip only to be home for a day? Why not just stay gone? I didn’t bother saying anything beyond wishing him a good trip. But dammit, I’d had enough—I was going straight to the source of the problem this time. As soon as Aiden left, I called the main house for Connor, but was told he was at R.I. My next move was to phone Dianna and ask her to watch Lyric. Once she arrived, I headed for Raine Towers. ***** I stepped from the elevators, and without allowing his assistant the opportunity to announce me, I stormed into Connor ’s office. “Why are you doing this? Why can’t you just let Aiden go? Why can’t you let him be happy?” I demanded. Connor looked at me, and although irritated by my unexpected arrival, he was the image of calm. Like every member of the Raine family, he was very attractive, and he carried himself with the same steely, almost intimidating, control as Aiden.

He gave me a patronizing smile, and then glanced at the two gentlemen sitting in his office. “Let’s table this for now. We can meet next week to discuss your progress,” Connor said. “Yes sir,” said one of the men, and they filed out of his office, closing the door behind them. Connor looked up at me and gestured for me to have a seat. When I didn’t move, he asked, “Aria, what do you think I’ve done?” “Don’t play games with me, Connor.” “Can I tell you, in all the years I’ve had this company, no one has ever entered my office unannounced, nor have they spoken to me in this fashion.” “Well, maybe they should have. But I’m not here to discuss your history of business etiquette.” Connor reclined in his seat and placed his hands on the armrest. “So tell me…why do you think I should let my son go?” “He has a right to have his own life, free of this company if he so chooses. He was trying to do that, to let this side of his life go, but you’ve done something to pull him back in. Why?” I asked, searching Connor ’s eyes. “Aiden has a son, my grandson,” Connor replied, as he pointed to himself. “Raine Industries is his birthright. Aiden should be here, protecting his son’s legacy, not overseeing charities or playing instruments. I don’t want that kind of life for my son or my grandson.” I threw my hands up, exasperated by the lunacy. “And here we go. You can’t control people like that.” “You say control, but I like to think of it as guidance.” “With you, it’s one in the same, Connor, and Aiden doesn’t need that.” “Do you think Aiden would be the man he is today without my guidance? When you look at Aiden, who do you see? Do you see some struggling piano player who’s trying to find his way? No. You see the strong, powerful, and very wealthy man who captured your heart.” “He can be whoever he wants to be. Aiden is his own man.” “A man I shaped and molded, so don’t fool yourself…if you think for one instant that a great deal of Connor Raine isn’t in your Aiden, you’re mistaken.” “What are you trying to say?” “I’m not saying anything you don’t already know. You’ve seen Aiden when things don’t go the way he wants, or the way he thinks they should.” “Just as I’ve seen you when things don’t go the way you want,” I shot back. “And as I have…Aiden’s done some things that weren’t always aboveboard for what he saw as the greater good. He’s just like me.” I shook my head at his comparison. “That’s where you’re wrong. Aiden’s not just like you.” “Sure he is. Has he even once said that what he’s doing is for the sake of his son? That he’s protecting his son?”

I glared at Connor, refusing to dignify his question with a response. How dare he sit there all high and mighty passing judgment, and rendering decisions as if he were some omnipotent being. “If he hasn’t yet, give him time—he will.” Connor leaned forward, his fingers interlaced and his elbows on his desk. “And you may not think so, but that’s exactly what I was doing the night we’d discovered Lyric had been taken from us—I made a decision to protect my son and my grandson. It was best handled privately—not in the public eye like some type of media circus.” I wasn’t falling for this bull. He wasn’t protecting Lyric, he was protecting his image, his company…once again proving that R.I. was the most important thing to him. “You can spin this however you want. I really don’t care. My only concern is for Aiden and his happiness, which you seem determined to destroy. What kind of a father does that?” Connor was quiet. He appeared contemplative, not of my words, of course, but on his next attempt to defend his contemptible tactics. “Aria, whether you know it or not, you’re changing the dynamic of this entire family. I didn’t quite know what to make of it initially. And then you gave me a grandson, and I was overjoyed and full of hope for the future, hopeful that at least my grandson could look at me and appreciate what his father couldn’t.” “I wouldn’t say Aiden feels that way.” “Aiden feels I’ve taken from him, and he resents me for it. While my methods may not have been the best, I did what was necessary—to make him strong, to make him the person he is today. And yes, he’s very much indeed his own man.” “As long as he doesn’t test the limits of his manhood with you?” He chuckled. “Aiden’s knocked me on my ass quite a few times, more than even he realizes.” Connor cocked his head and sat back in the large leather chair, and as if he’d made a decision, he said, “Aria, I want to entrust you with some information. Something that stays between you and me.” “Your son and I don’t have secrets.” “See, that’s where you’re wrong. Everyone has secrets, Aria. Even your precious Aiden.” I was very much aware Aiden was keeping things from me, but since Connor didn’t know I knew, I was intrigued as to where this may lead. I took the seat to which he’d gestured earlier, and let him continue. “Everyone is so quick to persecute Connor Raine, to criticize me for protecting my family and my business, but no one is giving away any of the privileges that my way has provided for them. I’m surrounded by contempt and blame by my ungrateful children…and now you. So quick to sum me up in a few short phrases, without knowing who I really am or why I’m the person sitting before you. I’d like to tell you a story if I may.” I nodded. “Please.” I’d listen, but if he thought any story could suddenly make me join Team Connor, he was wasting both his time and mine.

“My father, or the man who I thought was my father, was a miserable son of a bitch. I was the second of four children. I needed a bone marrow transplant when I was younger, and after a series of tests, it turned out that my father wasn’t a match, which is how it was discovered he could in no way be my father. My mother was then forced to admit she’d had an affair—that I was the product of infidelity. After that, nothing was the same. From that moment on, Charles—that was his name—was a complete piece of shit to me. He was harder on me than he was any of the other children. We all knew it, but no one dared mention it. He punished me very severely for even the slightest of shortcomings. My mother knew about it, but she did nothing. She behaved as if it didn’t exist.” “He beat you?” I asked, horrified by his revelation. “No, he never did, but I often thought I’d be better off if he had. His punishments were more psychological in nature. His way of rearing me, the way he spoke to me…it was as if I were nothing. He’d ground me for weeks on end for things that didn’t warrant a second look. He forced me to do excessive chores or banished me to my room…only allowing me to come out for the basic necessities. I’d be in the house looking out the window as the rest of the family played in the backyard, or I’d be home eating a microwave dinner as they all went out for a meal. He wouldn’t even allow me go to church with the family. He said God wouldn’t want such a sinful person in His house. Charles’ goal was to break my spirit, and I let him think he had.” Connor pushed away from his desk and stepped toward the large windows along the side of his office. He looked at the Chicago skyline as he continued his story. “He often called me weak and said I would never measure up to anything—that I was a loser. He called me loser so many times that I started to think it was my name. His insults, while hurtful, were my driving force. I wanted to prove him wrong. And I tested every limit I had. I pushed myself with everything in me to be the person he swore I never could.” Connor paused. He appeared lost in memories that had transported him to another time and place…a place far away from Raine Industries. “And one day, I was,” Connor finally said. He turned away from the window and slid his hands in his pockets. “I was strong. I was resilient and I was powerful. I wanted to instill those traits in my own son. I wanted to give him what I didn’t always have…I wanted him to have the power and drive to crush his enemies. You see, I slept only a few feet from my greatest adversary, and I had no power to challenge him at all. In that aspect, I was weak. But not Aiden, he can beat me at my own game, sometimes on my best day. I do have the occasional win. So, there is that,” he added with a reflective smile. “But that’s what I wanted for him. That’s what I gave him. He has it all. He will never let anyone best him, never will he be viewed as weak, and never will anyone dare attempt to break his spirit the way my father tried to break mine.” I was speechless. When Connor said he wanted to tell me a story, I had no idea it would be one so personal or so horrific.

“My father—I don’t know why I still refer to him as such. He worked in a factory and had an accident there that nearly killed him. He was rushed to the hospital for emergency surgery. Something went wrong and he suffered severe brain damage. I remember him being in the hospital and my praying that he would die. But the worthless bastard survived. From then on, my mother had to take care of him. She waited on him hand and foot until it became too much for her. He was eventually moved to a convalescent center, and that’s where he died. I didn’t even go to the funeral.” I studied Connor…waiting on even the slightest of breaks in his decorum, but there wasn’t one. Even in the midst of such a personal conversation, he seemed guarded. His posture was rigid and his expression was blank. His jaws were set in a firm line and his eyes were hard. As I watched him, I couldn’t help but notice his dark brown curls had grayed a little more over the last year or so, which had somehow enhanced his handsome features. He stepped back to his desk and resumed his seat. “While my child-rearing methods may have been less than ideal, my son is not lacking anything that I was as a child. He’s intelligent, he’s relentless, and he’s cunning—he’s damn near brilliant. He has strength and he has respect—some may even say he’s feared. No one will ever talk down to him or make him feel less than the dominant man he is. And he has the power to crush any and every one with the inclination to cross him…even his own father.” I was sitting there stunned by everything Connor just revealed. My mind was trying to put it all together…trying to plug in the pieces of who I thought the Raines were and who the Raines really were. “And Aiden doesn’t know any of this?” I asked. “He does not.” “Do you think maybe you should tell him? It could be the remedy to a lot of your issues.” Connor shook his head. “He doesn’t need to know.” “But maybe if he did know, he’d understand you a little better—he’d sympathize.” Connor held up a hand. “Let me stop you right there. I don’t need my son’s sympathy.” “I didn’t say you needed it, but I think it will go a long way to tear down some of the crap that’s between you. Don’t you and Sienna understand what you’ve done? You’ve perpetuated all of your pain and insecurities. You’ve passed all of that along to your children. And while they may have this strength, confidence, and drive you wanted them to have, they also have issues that could have been avoided.” “Are you saying you don’t have issues that could have been avoided? I think you do. I would even go as far as to say that one of those issues is the reason you ran off with my grandson, is it not?” He was just as aggravating as Aiden. That was for damn sure. “You don’t have to answer that,” he said. “All families have dysfunction, Aria. Some may not recognize it, and some simply deny it, but it’s still there. You try to outrun it…you try to re-purpose it in hopes of creating a story that’s far different than your parents’, but it only results in a transformed

type of dysfunction. It’s a cycle that will never be escaped.” “You really have this all figured out, don’t you?” “So you don’t approve. I didn’t think you would. Well, Aria, you’re a parent now, and you’ll soon see that sometimes you have to do what you think is best, even when others won’t approve, or when your methods are a bit unorthodox. You take the chance that it’s the right thing, and that’s what I did, and I stand behind all of my decisions.” Connor didn’t want to ever look at Aiden and see the little boy he used to be, the little boy who’d been abused. The little boy who’d been weak and broken. The way I saw it, this was all about Connor, and it had very little to do with Aiden. This entire family could stand with some counseling, but I knew that was something they’d never all agree to, so I didn’t bother to mention it. “Okay. Fine. Obviously, Aiden has proven himself, so why not let him go?” “The stronger and more revered Raine Industries is, the stronger and more revered my son is. And Aiden has the business acumen to take this company to heights unknown.” “So you think Aiden’s strength is tied into Raine Industries….it’s not.” Connor didn’t respond. “And you think Aiden can’t be this person you feel he should be, if he steps away from this company,” I said. “I didn’t say that, but I will say this much. He certainly won’t garner the respect and power he deserves playing the piano.” “Do you have any idea how condescending that is? Do you even care?” Again, he didn’t reply. “So you don’t want sympathy,” I said. “You’re not looking for approval. Why did you tell me all this?” “Because I think if you know the why, you’ll be more sensitive to my cause, you’ll not continue to steer Aiden from what I’ve tried to lead him toward all these years.” “Not that I agree with any of this, but why Aiden? Why not Nicholas or Sloan?” I asked. “They don’t have what Aiden does. Aiden has a gift, and that gift doesn’t come without responsibility.” “And that’s the belief you’ve whispered in his ear for years, haven’t you?” I asked. “He belongs at the helm of this company. He can lead the next generation of Raines to the same power and acclaim he holds. That’s what I want for my family…for all of my family…you included, Aria.” “If that’s what Aiden wants, he can make the choice himself. It’s not for me to steer him one way or the other, because as you’ve said…Aiden is his own man.” “Indeed he is, but when it comes to you, the game changes entirely.” “So he’s his own man, except when it comes to me? If you think that, you don’t know Aiden as

well as you think.” “He’s not the same. He’s not the Aiden he was before meeting you.” “Is that a bad thing?” I asked. “I didn’t say that.” “You’re never going to let him go, are you?” I asked. Connor looked at me as if I’d just said the most absurd thing in the world. “Would you ever let your son go?” he asked. My demands…my reasoning meant nothing to Connor. I could see that. He was vested in his belief that Aiden should run this company, no matter the consequences. “I wish you hadn’t told me any of this, and whether you want it or not, you have gained my sympathy. But you’ve also gained even more of my contempt.” “I’m sorry you see things as you do, Aria, but I trust you will keep this between us.” I stood to leave, but stopped and looked Connor dead in the eye. “You don’t have to browbeat your children to make them strong. Just give them stability, love, and support, and from there, that’s where they’ll pull their strength.” I walked away, leaving Connor with a pensive look on his handsome face.

Chapter Eleven Although Aiden was back in town, I could hardly tell the difference—he was still buried in work. While I had become increasingly resentful, I still hadn’t ended my crusade to find out what was going on. Allison had come up empty, and it was obvious Connor didn’t know what was in the works, but I had a sneaking suspicion that Nicholas did. He’d agreed to meet for lunch—maybe I’d walk away from our date with an idea of what Aiden’s end game was. ***** Sitting across from a very charismatic Raine sibling, I was being charmed to no end but I was getting nowhere with my subtle interrogation. “You know, sometimes when I speak with you or your sisters, I see you, but I swear Aiden’s words are coming out of your mouth,” I said. “I take that as a compliment,” came Aiden’s voice from behind me. I rolled my eyes and sighed. What the hell was he doing here? “So you have time to pop in unwanted, but when you have reservations with someone, you can’t seem to break away from work.” “Nick, you don’t mind if I join you, do you?” Aiden asked his brother. I turned back toward Nicholas. “You told him about our lunch,” I accused. “Aria. Look. I don’t want to get involved with whatever is going on between the two of you, and nothing good ever results from keeping Aiden in the dark about something that concerns him. So yes, I told him.” “Unbelievable,” I said. “What do you expect? He’s my brother,” Nicholas defended. “And he’s always looked out for me. So I do the same for him.” “I wasn’t aware that my inviting you to lunch warranted your having to look out for your brother. He’s pretty good at taking care of himself.” “That he is. But I knew he wouldn’t be a fan of a lunch that was clearly intended as fishing expedition.” I glanced at Aiden. “So everyone just bows to whatever you want.” “Not everyone.” Aiden took a seat and stared at me. “So what were you hoping to get out of Nick that you couldn’t get out of me?” “Hey, bro,” Nicholas said. “I’m going to let you two deal with this.” With his eyes still locked on mine, Aiden replied, “Thanks, Nick.”

“Don’t mention it,” Nicholas replied and then turned to me. “I’m sorry, Aria. If you ever want to grab lunch just to grab lunch, I’m in.” I tore my eyes away from Aiden and cast a disapproving look at his brother. “I’ll make sure I clear it with Master Aiden first.” Nicholas grinned and glanced at Aiden. “Good luck, bro.” He then leaned down and before I could stop him, he swiftly kissed my cheek and then left us alone. “You know he likes you, right?” “He has a funny way of showing it,” I offered in rebuttal. I grabbed my purse, preparing to leave the table. “What are you doing?” Aiden asked. “My lunch date left, so I’m following his lead,” I replied. “Why can’t I be your lunch date?” “Because I really don’t have the appetite for lies and deception.” “Stay. Please,” he implored. I let out a sigh and asked, “What’s in it for me?” He smirked and replied, “Pleasant conversation.” “I can get that anywhere.” “Oh, okay. Well, how about this?” He leaned toward me and lowered his voice. “I just happen to have a pretty decent-sized vehicle parked outside. Once we’re done here, maybe I can convince you to let me escort you to it so I can really eat. Or can you just get that anywhere, also?” I loosened my grip on my bag. “Well…I could stand to have an orgasm.” His tongue slid coolly across his bottom lip before he reclined in his seat. “So does that mean I can be your date?” “Make it two orgasms, and you just may have yourself a deal.” His eyes slid down the front of my shirt. “Consider it done.” The arrogant confidence in his sexual prowess was so fucking hot. I watched as his eyes darkened with the salacious hint of seduction, forcing me to relinquish everything else and completely submit to his will. My irritation with the two brothers took a temporary nose-dive as I contemplated the exquisite feel of being spread open and licked by Aiden Raine. Aiden and I made polite conversation about RPH and Lyric as we started our meal. I was pretty unresponsive during most of our lunch, though—my mind navigating from Aiden’s tongue to Aiden’s secrets. “Why aren’t you eating?” he asked. “You’ve hardly touched your lunch. And you’re never this quiet.” And you know why I’m quiet. “I just have a lot of my mind.” “I hope one of those things is a response to my letter.”

“Maybe.” “Okay, princess. What’s wrong?” “How did Connor pull you back into that company?” He didn’t blink an eye as he spit out his lie. “No one is pulling anyone into anything. You’ve known for some weeks now that I’m helping out my siblings.” “Don’t lie to me. There’s more to this. The secret meetings, the texts from board members, the late nights at the office, and then Connor ’s cryptic messages to me. And if Connor threatened me without so much as blinking an eye, I’m scared to even think of what he said or did to get you back into that company. As a matter of fact, I think you’re back in one-hundred percent, but you’re not willing to tell me. Why? Is he holding something over your head?” “What?” “Is he blackmailing you?” I asked. “What would he possibly have to blackmail me with? Do you really think my father would do something like that?” After the video and my talk with Connor, I knew there was no limit to what Connor would do to get what he wanted. His way of thinking was totally warped. “I think he’d do just about anything for what he thought was the greater good, and to him the greater good is always Raine Industries.” “Babe, come on.” “So you’re going to deny it?” I asked. “There’s nothing to deny,” he said. He was flat-out lying to me. “Fine. But I know there’s something more to this, and the longer you keep this from me, the more you and I will bump heads, and that will only create a wall between us. Is that what you want?” “Oh course not, Aria.” He sighed. “To be honest, I’ve found that I miss the company and that it’s quite possible my resentment of it was due more to the pressure and expectations.” “So you do want to go back?” “I didn’t say that.” “You’re not actually saying anything. So just tell me. What is it? What are you doing?” “Dammit. Don’t you understand this is not me? It’s my father. He’s gotten in your head.” “Stop it! Just stop it. Stop placing this on Connor. It’s you. He only has power if you give it to him. And you do that every time you enter the ring with him. You are the architect of your own unhappiness. Can’t you see that? Just walk away.” “Aria, I need you to trust me.” “Trust you? When you keep me in the dark? You’ve been so strange lately. I look at you sometimes and there’s nothing familiar. Your face and your eyes become so hard. It’s like I’m looking into the crazed irises of an obsessed man. And that scares me.”

“You’re overreacting,” he said, casually. “And you’re being dishonest.” “That’s it! Aria, I want this to stop, and I want it to stop now. It’s gone on long enough.” “If you think I’m going to sit back and—” “That’s exactly what you’re going to do,” he said, his voice low and firm. “Are you seriously speaking to me as though I’m your subordinate?” “You need to trust that whatever I do, it’s for the good of my family—for you, me, and Lyric. Stop second-guessing me, stop snooping through my phone, and stop trying to pull phantom information from my brother. You need to focus on your son, me, and RPH. Not this inconsequential bullshit that only serves to upset you. I’ll handle everything else. Are we clear?” “Crystal.” Yes, we’re clear as mud, asshole. He glanced at my half-eaten food and then at me. “I doubt you’ll eat any more than you already have. Let’s get out of here. I want to see if those two orgasms can calm you down.” As pissed as I was, it wasn’t so much that I’d turn down the pleasure of his mouth between my legs. He tossed some bills on the table, grasped my hand, and led me out of the restaurant. “Why are you in that?” I asked, when I saw we were headed toward the limo. “It’s more efficient to have a driver when my agenda involves several out-of-office meetings.” The chauffeur opened the door, and Aiden told him to take a walk and that he’d call him once we finished our conversation. I slid in with Aiden directly behind me. He didn’t waste any time. He guided me so that I was lying down on the seat, and then his hands were at my waist, unbuttoning my jeans. I lifted my body, enabling him to slide my pants and underwear down my legs. His eyes glided over my body, and a wicked smile met his lips when he yanked my clothes off and dropped them to the floor. He pushed his hand between my thighs and moved his fingers over my sex. “Mmmm. Already wet,” he murmured. He ran his skilled fingers through my cleft and then spread the moisture over my clit. Aiden sat back and then hauled me onto his lap, positioning one of my legs on either side of him. He then placed his palm on my chest and guided me back so that my head was in his lap. In the next moment, he grabbed my thighs, pulled me forward, and lifted me up to his mouth. He kissed my lips and then lightly blew his warm breath across my wet center. “You requested two orgasms, right?” “Uh hmm,” I moaned, desperate for his mouth. He tenderly caressed my lips and then he tightened his grasp on my thighs and pushed his tongue inside me, his mouth flush with my skin as he licked long and deep inside my pussy. “Ah. Shit,” I panted. “That feels so…ah…good.” He lightly probed my ass, and then he eased the tip of his finger through the snug flesh while he teased and toyed with my clit, his tongue flicking rapidly over the erect tissue before pulling it back into his hungry mouth, sucking…hard.

“Ah….” I was right at the edge of my release, so close to spilling into his mouth and then he released the suction on my clit. “Who wears the pants in this relationship, princess?” he asked. Huh? “Oh God, no. Don’t do this,” I panted. “Please.” His response was to sweep his tongue lightly over my lips. “Answer me, and I won’t,” he taunted. When I didn’t reply, his mouth was back on me, his shameless tongue spearing viciously into my over-stimulated cleft. My legs betrayed me, trembling as my orgasm rushed to the surface again, hovering at the edge, desperate to be set free, and then Aiden stopped again. My body was his. I was in a sinful paradise, completely at his mercy, and he knew it. “You. Dammit. You,” I cried. “I what?” he whispered. “You wear the pants,” I breathed. I clenched my hands and started pounding his thighs, furious he would suppress what I was desperate to release. “Good girl,” he said. He pulled me closer to his mouth and then one arm encircled my waist. With his free hand, he placed two fingers on my pussy, spreading me open and tracing his tongue around my clit. Blood rushed to my head, and I started to lose all concepts of time and place. We were in the front of a restaurant, a chauffeur and patrons mere feet away, but none of that mattered. He lifted his mouth from my flesh, and then surprised me when he spit on my pussy. Here he was —Aiden Raine, a billionaire, sitting in the back of a stretch limousine, dressed in an insanely expensive suit…a man of great authority and influence, a man who had the reverence of the entire business world, a man who was proper and refined…a man who was being so dirty and raw with me…virtually in public, concealed from the world only by the tinted windows. “Oh, shit. Oh, Aiden,” I moaned. He spanked my flesh, as if it were an unruly child, delivering quick stinging blows to the soaking ocean that was my pussy, taking me closer to what I wanted, to what my body ached for. I couldn’t move…he’d completely immobilized me, clutching me tightly as though I were the only sustenance he would ever have, his tongue and lips worshipping my flesh with the slight tinge of desperation. His mouth surrounded my clit, pulling it into his mouth, and then he withdrew and spit on me again, and again, and then he was slapping the sensitive tissue over and over, repeatedly taking me to the brink of orgasm and then quickly snatching it away. “Do you want me to let you come?” “Why are you doing this, you asshole?” “Ah, ah, ah. You know I don’t approve of name-calling. You should apologize.” His lips covered my clit, just enough to where his sucking elicited a cool air over the tiny bud, and that’s when I lost it. It felt as if my clit was about to explode. “I’m sorry. I’m sorry. I’m sorry.

Fuck! I’m sorry.” My head was spinning, and my eyes were starting to water. “What do you want me to say? Tell me. I’ll say it. Please. I need to come.” I was damned near mindless—only able to focus on letting out what he had stirred inside me. I had to give in—to give him what he wanted…my compliance. He usurped all my power, affording me only the option to agree. And I did—to letting go of my fixation on R.I., to letting him do what he felt was best for us, to maintaining focus on Lyric and RPH and then finally, he let me come. My sex rippled and quaked, my orgasm flooding me with an intensity I’d never before experienced. I screamed aloud, unable to maintain myself. I was sure the driver and everyone else in the parking lot heard me. I’d lost all control—I had none. And at that moment, I didn’t care. His mouth was still on me, licking tirelessly until I climaxed a second time, gripping his legs and gasping his name. Once I’d stilled, he placed me on the seat. My heart was racing so fiercely that I didn’t think it would ever drop to its normal rate. I looked up at him as he watched me, his lips shiny and wet with my essence. When my breathing finally settled, I sat up and glared at my tormentor. “You should get dressed, and meet Dianna at Lyric’s doctor ’s appointment,” he said. “You should fuck off!” He looked at me, feigning confusion by my response, although he knew damn well I’d be infuriated by his tactics. I placed my feet on the floor. “Why did you do that?” I demanded. “I gave you what you asked for,” he replied, reaching for his handkerchief and wiping his mouth. “Yeah, with a side of torture thrown in for good measure.” “I would hardly describe the act of pleasing that decadent pussy as torture…for either of us.” I angrily reached for my clothes and said, “I certainly hope you don’t take any of what I was coerced into saying at face value. I was under duress when I made those statements.” “Oh, to the contrary. I fully expect you to honor every word.” “Well, your expectations are going to be shattered.” I slipped on my panties and then tossed him a look of defiance. “Do you see a smile on my face? I’m dead serious, Aria. No more of your fixations and interrogations.” “You can’t use sex to get me to do what you want.” He leaned toward me and moved his finger over my bottom lip. “Sure I can. If you can’t be reasonable and do as I ask, I’ll get the results I want one way or another. You’ll do good to remember that.” “Why? Why would you do that to me?” “Because it’s the only way I can get someone like you to understand.” He slid his finger over my cheek and then placed his palm there. I slapped his hand away from my face and started to pull on my jeans. “You mean someone who

doesn’t roll over and fawn at your feet? You egotistical bastard!” After slipping on my shoes, I grabbed my purse. “It was cruel and unnecessary.” “I didn’t do anything to be cruel. I did it to show you how much pleasure you can have, how much more pleasure I can give to you if you just let go of those things that upset you.” “I don’t care how you pretty it up,” I said. “What you did was cruel.” “That was not my intent.” “Wasn’t it?” “Do you think I would receive any pleasure in being unpleasant to you in that way? I love you, Aria, and I only want you to be happy—not obsessing over something that serves no purpose.” “So I should just stand by and let Raine Industries slink in like a blood-sucking vampire and pull us apart?” “If you think, even for a moment, that I’ll let anyone or anything remove my focus from what’s most important, you’re mistaken. You and Lyric are my world. You take precedence over everything else, and I’ll do whatever I have to do to keep us together.” I turned and reached for the door handle. I had no desire to be around him any longer. He was obviously fine with what he’d done. I opened the door and he called after me, “I’ll see you at home, princess.” I stormed off in the direction of the valet for my car. He’d see me at home all right.

Chapter Twelve Lyric, Dianna, and I arrived back at the house just before five o’clock. We stepped from the foyer into a room full of flowers, wrapped gifts, and a card. I knew they were all from Aiden. He knew I was fighting mad, and he was hoping to soften the blow before he came home. Well, that wasn’t going to happen. “Looks like Mr. Aiden’s in the dog house,” Dianna said, when she noticed that I flung Aiden’s card on the table. “When is he not?” I looked up and saw the sympathy in Dianna’s eyes. I knew she wanted to defend any and everything that Aiden had done, but this was not a subject I would dare discuss with her or anyone else. My gaze settled on the huge bouquet of balloons floating near the window. I carried the baby over to them and saw they were actually for Lyric, as evidenced by the new teething ring attached to one of the strings. I pulled them down, bringing them to the baby’s eye level. He reached his chubby little hand out and tried to grab one of the balloons. It floated away and he reached for another one, only to have it move from his distance, too. I watched with a smile as he enjoyed his gift from Daddy. After a while, he became frustrated with them and burst into tears. When it appeared Lyric would never calm down, we went upstairs to ready him for bed. I hated to see him like this. I wished I could take his pain away. The shots this afternoon, combined with the teething meant a miserable night for my sweet baby. After a bath, some pain medication, and his bottle, he managed to drift off pretty easily. He’d been so irritable lately that I already had my mind set that tonight promised more of the same, but I was relieved when he easily surrendered to sleep. I was still in Lyric’s nursery, sitting near the window, staring at the evening skyline and lost in thoughts of Aiden when I heard someone approaching from behind. I was certain it was the subject of my thoughts, so I didn’t turn to look. Seconds later, a single-stemmed yellow rose appeared in front of me. The grin on my face was almost involuntary, but I bit my lip to conceal my elation. Aiden stepped around and crouched in front of me. “At least you’re not still upset with me.” “What makes you think that?” I asked. “You didn’t grab my peace offering and throw it in my face. Secondly, you’re speaking to me— that’s always a good sign.” I rolled my eyes and sighed as I reached for the flower. “I’m sorry,” he offered. “Each time I think you can’t do anything to shock me, you always prove me wrong. Today was

insane.” He glanced toward the crib. “Let’s not wake him. Can we talk in the bedroom?” he asked, extending his hand to me. I placed my palm in his as he stood and then led us down the hall. As soon as we’d settled in the chair beside the bed, he said, “I want to share some things with you that will put your mind at ease, but I’m not going to discuss parts that I feel you’re better off not knowing. You’re just going to have to trust me.” “Trust you to do what? Dismantle your father ’s company as you’ve threatened? Is that what all of this is about? Aiden, that will rip your family apart—not to mention the ripple effect on us.” “Are you going to let me talk?” “I’m sorry,” I said. After having imagined so many ominous scenarios, which had yet to be proven right or wrong, my impatience had gotten the better of me. “Go ahead.” “Do you have any idea how many birthdays my siblings and I spent without a father? Or the number of Thanksgivings, or Christmas holidays?” I didn’t know where this conversation was going, but I was certainly shocked that he started with a story about his childhood. Like me, he preferred to keep that side of himself tucked away. “I know that must have been horrible for you and your family, but you can’t let your resentment for Connor dictate your decisions. You’ve allowed him to take so much already.” “I agree, and since he’ll never make any changes of his own accord, I’m making them for him. I won’t let my son be collateral damage to my father ’s views. For the next several years, you and I have the opportunity to steer Lyric down the right path. Once he’s of age, we lose that. Then what? His name alone will lure him to R. I., and if the company is run the way my father wants, it will change the very essence of Lyric’s life, same as it has for all of us. I want Lyric to be a part of something great, something better than that. Something that he won’t resent or hate.” “But if you plan to destroy the company—” “I didn’t say I was doing that.” “So you’re secretly making changes then? Changes you know your father will disapprove of, which will only lead to more infighting. Why walk into that? The more you involve yourself, even in secret—the more room for disaster, the more he’s going to pull you in. And then poof, we’re right back to weeks and weeks apart, leaving me without the man I love and Lyric without his father. That sounds all too familiar. And I know how that story ends, and it’s not what I want for myself, and most definitely not for our son.” “There you go again, drawing your own conclusions,” he said. “You’re playing this so close to the vest that I can only go by the bits and pieces I’ve managed to put together. So the latest story is that whatever you’re doing, it’s for Lyric?” Connor was right—he said Aiden would tell me that whatever he was doing—it was for Lyric’s protection.

“Aria, would you have Lyric grow up to be like me? To have his choices removed because of what was expected of him? To have him resent his parents for not actually being parents?” I couldn’t refute his logic. “I thought not,” he said, when I didn’t respond. “But we aren’t planning to raise Lyric that way. And you know what? We can move, Aiden,” I suggested. “Out of the country if need be. We don’t have to be around any of this.” “If it’s one thing I’ve learned, you can’t outrun the Raine name—no matter how hard you try. Sooner or later, it always catches up to you.” “You say that like it’s a curse. Are you sure this plan of yours isn’t your way of exacting revenge on Connor for what you think he’s done to you?” He looked at me as if I had suddenly sprouted horns. “What I think he’s done to me? Are you serious?” “You know I didn’t mean that the way it sounded.” “There’s a lot about me you still don’t know, things that are a part of me because of how I was raised, and because of how I was molded to be the future of Raine Industries. Don’t get me wrong. I’m not someone whose life spiraled downward or who can’t function in society because of my parents. My childhood wasn’t all bad. I mean, I pretty much had everything, except the one thing all children need.” “What do you mean?” I asked. “Deprivation. I was raised with emotionally unresponsive parents, and because of that, I could have been just as damaged as a child who was frequently beaten. And I honestly think I would have been seriously fucked up, had it not been for Dianna.” There was hurt in his tone that mirrored the sadness in his eyes. “Are you sure you want to talk about this? You don’t have to, you know.” “No. I don’t want to talk about it, but if I expect you to trust me, you need to know a little more about me.” “I do trust you, Aiden. It’s Connor and your mother that worry me.” “Don’t let them. My parents have their own shit to worry about.” “What does that mean?” Aiden took a deep breath and then exhaled. “My siblings and I were emotionally deprived by our parents—they would pretty much ignore us in those times when we needed them most. They weren’t there for the highs or the lows. So we quickly learned not to look to our parents for comfort and support, which is why I always look out for my brother and sisters, especially Allison. I once told you that Dad let her do her own thing, but he only backed off because I intervened on her behalf. I guess you can say I brokered a deal with him, and Allison didn’t know about it until recently. No one else in the family knows.”

I felt guilty for not telling him I’d known also, but I didn’t want to admit I’d been eavesdropping. “I get that parents may want their children to follow in their footsteps, but this is beyond ridiculous. How can he be okay with this? Why would he take so much from you?” “Because I was the special one. I was the one he saw as the next Raine mogul. But I was also the one who did things a little differently—the handful. Consequently, Dianna spent more time mothering me than she did the other kids, and in doing so, my secure attachment was to her, much to my mother ’s disapproval. To be honest, I think Mom was psychologically unavailable as a mother, which is why I often gave in to so many things to keep her happy.” “You’ve had to carry so much on your shoulders. You once told me your life was not your own, and I didn’t really get why you let that happen—until now.” “You know…my past is what enabled me to understand yours—to understand you.” “Why didn’t you ever tell me?” I asked. “I don’t know. I guess I didn’t see the point. And maybe because I never discuss it with anyone… even my siblings. We all know it, but it’s something we don’t mention.” Connor told me something similar about his childhood, about how they all knew what was going on, but no one said anything about it. “Thank God for Dianna,” I murmured. “Who knows what you would have had to put up with had it not been for her chiseling me into the masterpiece I am today,” he replied, grinning. “Masterpiece? Yeah, right,” I replied. “Seriously though, I know all too well how a parent’s lack of emotional responsiveness can affect you. Most people don’t realize that it’s a devastating form of abuse.” I was thinking back to my childhood, to how I had to pretty much be my own parent. “The effects of psychological unavailability on a child’s development are as serious as the effects of physical abuse and neglect, which is why I’m determined to be here for Lyric. When I found out I had a child, one of my first thoughts was of my childhood and how I wanted to ensure Lyric’s was nothing like mine.” “He has two very determined parents,” I pointed out. “Yes, he does. I want Lyric to feel happy, safe, and loved…every day.” “I can somewhat understand why your mom is the way she is—she lost both of her parents at such a young age.” “Yes, and she’s emotionally very needy, perhaps because she was reared by psychologically unavailable caregivers herself. I don’t think she knows how to be nurturing. She’s always looked to us, mostly me, to satisfy her own needs for nurturance and love, and that’s why I gave up the fight to Dad—to give my mother some of what she needed. Dad sure as hell wasn’t going to do it.” Poor Sienna. I felt bad for having categorized her as an evil bitch, but to give her credit—she wore that hat quite well. “Are you okay?” Aiden asked, stroking my back. “I haven’t frightened you, have I?”

“No, just thinking about all of this, and applying it to what I knew—or what I thought I knew about you and your family. I seem to be doing that a lot lately.” “Oh, don’t let all of this skew your overall view of my mother. She can be pretty tough at times— she’s had to be with a husband like Connor.” “I’m sure. And she seems to dote on you.” At least I had some love and nurturing from my parents before Dad disappeared. I can’t imagine the larger mess I would have been had I never had any of it. “Mother loves me. I know that, but she’s very much into appearances. I’m sure you’ve noticed. She has the successful husband, the disciplined kids, and the picture perfect house.” She had all of that, but I could see how it was all a charade. “Every once in a while, a part of her…I guess you’d call it maternal instinct,” he said with a sneer, “would kick in and she’d actually go head to head with Dad.” “Like with your music? When she encouraged you to play?” “Yeah, but it was always an argument she couldn’t win. He very easily made her feel as though she was wrong—reduced her to tears most times. Who knows? Maybe she wanted to be different, but couldn’t be, and maybe she thought it was less stressful to be the person my father expected her to be, even when it came to us.” I remembered her giving me that little Raine expectation speech. I kissed Aiden’s cheek and stared into his dark green eyes. “It sounds like we’re all products of similar circumstances.” “Yes. And someone has to make a stand if we want anything to change.” Before I could ask him to explain, he said, “Not only did we have to cope with less than stellar parenting, my father has used manipulation and threats to control all of us. Forcing his will on us… he’s always said it was because he loved us, because he loved his family. But it’s always been about that company, his reputation, his empire…which he was too busy running to be a real parent to his kids. If he’d been more concerned about us instead of that business, maybe we would have actually been the family that the world thinks we are.” I couldn’t help but agree, but in Connor ’s eyes, everything he’d done was because of his concern for his kids. “So how does all of this relate to your plan?” “My father ’s ways are embedded in that company…in his mission statement. He places that company above everything else, and he expects the same of all of his employees—of his family. That’s not the legacy I want Lyric to inherit.” “So that’s where the changes come in? Why all the plotting? Just go to him directly. Maybe he’ll see the value in making some fundamental changes that can make the company bigger and brighter than ever. There’s a chance of that, right?” “Have you met Connor Raine?” “Then what can you do?” I asked.

“More than he realizes. I won’t allow another generation to rely on nannies, or to strip their kids of childhoods.” He was quiet for several seconds, lost in his thoughts, and then he said,” You know, Dianna’s the one who taught me to tie my shoes. When I lost my first tooth, she’s the one I ran to.” He smiled to himself. “And I’m pretty sure she was my tooth fairy, too.” Although he was smiling, I sensed the sadness in his words. I’d already known he was thankful for Dianna, and it was obvious how much this had hurt him—how much it still hurts him. “He’s never going to let up, Aria. Even with Lyric.” “What do you mean?” I asked. “The document that Dad gave to Lyric at Christmas was one of his recent moves. At first glance, it appeared they were shares to Raine Industries. But I read the fine print. Upon Lyric’s twenty-fifth birthday, he inherits control of R.I., upon the condition that he succeeds his father, who had to have been the CEO of the company for at least ten consecutive years prior to Lyric’s birthday. If the conditions aren’t met, the company is to be dissolved, so no more Raine Industries. The only outlet is if I were to be rendered incapacitated or dead.” What the hell? This was unbelievable. I remained quiet, waiting to see where the conversation would go. “So you see Aria, he’ll never stop trying to control us. He needs to realize he can’t play God with people’s lives like this. I did some digging and discovered he has similar conditions for all of us. He’s planned to continue his plot, even from the grave. And I’ll be damned if I let that happen to anyone in our family, least of all, my son!” Aiden’s reasoning while compelling, was also laced with anger. And part of me wondered how much of this was for the good of the company, and how much of it was to pay his dad back for what he’d taken from them. “Lyric’s not even one yet. We have a few years to sort this out. You don’t have to do anything now.” “If not now, when? He’s not going to pull my son into this cycle. Do you realize how much of my life I missed because of this company? And you know what’s funny? For years, I wanted nothing to do with it, but now—for the first time— I don’t want to step away. I want to make it something more than what it is.” “Whatever you’re planning, do you really think it’s worth it, Aiden? You’ve opened the door to leaving it behind, so do that. Stay away from it.” “And let my father continue to corrupt it?” “It’s his to corrupt.” “That may be, but he insists it’s our legacy. But if we don’t do things his way, we lose it. All the time, effort, and pain would have been for nothing. This isn’t about just me. It’s about all of his children—it’s about the next generation of Raines. My father doesn’t see he’s doing anything wrong,

and as long as he lives by that, we’re all in for more of the same. This needs to end, and I’m the only one who can make that happen.” I knew he wasn’t going to let this go, and Connor wasn’t going to let his agenda go, either. “So your mind is made up.” “I have to see this through,” he replied. “What about us? This can break us. You’re willing to risk what we have.” “I would never do anything to jeopardize what we have. I turned away from my family for you. I left R.I. for you. You and Lyric are my entire life, and that’s all I want…you’re all that matters. And everything I’m doing now is to preserve what we have, and to preserve our future.” “It doesn’t matter what I say, you’re just going to do whatever you want. Even if it means losing me.” “I won’t lose you. I’m never going to lose you.” I was afraid for us. But there was nothing more I could say. “This is where the trust comes in. I need you to let go of it all. I didn’t confirm or deny any of what you’ve tried to figure out, because I don’t want you to worry about any of that. I want you to trust that I’ll do what’s right for us. Can you do that?” I sighed as I looked into his hopeful eyes. “I really don’t have a choice.” “I guess that’s as close to yes as I’ll get from you.” “I guess it is. And just so you know, it wouldn’t be so bad if Lyric grew up to be like you. The person I’ve come to know is intelligent, driven, moody, and controlling. But you’re also affectionate, supportive, strong, funny…although you rarely show that side, and very loving. You’re not half bad, you know. I think Lyric would do well to take after his dad.”



Chapter Thirteen “Aria. Aria, wake up!” Aiden’s hands were on my shoulders, gently shaking me from the remnants of the same dream that had haunted me for months. I opened my eyes and then focused on Aiden’s face. I rushed into his arms, clinging to what was real as I pushed out what wasn’t. “It’s okay. It was just a dream.” He drew me into his lap and held me until I’d calmed. “Was it the same one? About your father?” he asked. “Yeah. I don’t understand it. It seemed so real. It was more like a memory than a dream.” He kissed my hair and then said, “Recurring dreams are assumed to reveal the presence of unresolved conflicts.” “What are you saying? That I’m still battling the issues surrounding my childhood?” “If you are, it’s perfectly understandable. Do you want to talk about it, try to figure out what’s going on?” No, I didn’t want to talk about it. I slid out of his lap and removed my nightie, revealing my very naked body. Aiden’s gaze dropped to my breasts. I cupped them and then tugged my nipples. “The only thing I’m trying to figure out is why we’re talking instead of fucking.” ***** Aiden and I were at the main house waiting on Allison. After a while, she came sashaying toward us with a weird grin plastered on her face. Her long, brunette hair, which was usually pulled into a ponytail, cascaded over her shoulders. She brushed a loose strand from her face and asked, “Are you guys ready?” Confused by Allison’s giddiness, I glanced at Aiden and he shrugged. “Sure,” I replied, looking back at her. Allison had planned some huge surprise for us. She was still on her crusade to make amends for her part in what happened to Lyric. Aiden and I both told her she didn’t need to worry about making up for anything, but she insisted she did. After my talk with Aiden, I’d told her to forget about her plan to uncover Aiden’s plot. I didn’t need the stress of it all. I’d find out in due time, and I’d handle it as it came. “I know this doesn’t erase my lapse in judgment, but I wanted to do something special for you.” She turned toward the door and glanced over her shoulder at us. “Follow me.” Allison led us outside to the rear of the Raine estate. It was an unpleasantly cold evening. I pulled

my collar up closer to my neck to shield me from winter ’s breath, and hurried behind a jubilant Allison. We walked briskly along the crushed-stone path that wound its way to Aiden’s pond. In the distance, I saw lights that became brighter and brighter as we approached. Several feet from the pond was a large tent surrounded by heated lamps. Lights were everywhere—dozens of them floating on the pond, and oil lanterns illuminating the tent’s perimeter. We stepped inside the tent, and it was like something from a storybook. There was an open mesh top that revealed a canopy of luminous stars that gave light to the moonless night. There were also small sparkling lights along the edges that dangled over into the space below, each stream of lights draped directly above large glass standing bowls adorned with orchid petals. I scanned the tent again, a bit slower to capture all the details I’d missed. “Oh wow! This is beautiful, Allison.” “Do you really like it?” she asked, smiling as though she’d just scored big. “Yes, Allison,” Aiden replied. “It’s lovely.” He looked cautiously at Allison and then he reached for my hand. “I’m really sorry, Aiden. And I hope you guys know you can trust me with Lyric. I’ll never place anything above his safety again,” Allison said. I was pretty nervous about Lyric being alone with anyone other than Dianna. I knew Allison hadn’t had any reason to distrust Nadia with Lyric. What Nadia had done shocked all of us, so I couldn’t blame Allison…not really. “We’ll get there, Allison. We want you to spend as much time with your nephew as possible, but we’re a little nervous for the time being,” I said. She frowned. “I understand.” I hated seeing the disappointment on her face. “Okay, so what’s next, Allie,” Aiden prompted. “Dinner and music,” she said, as she escorted us to our seats. In the middle of the tent was a candlelit table with a bottle of wine chilling beside it. The table setting was stunning, with bowls filled with different hues of red, pink, and white orchids. As we took our seats, three members of the Raine staff entered with trays of food. “I think I will leave you two now. Enjoy,” Allison said. “Not too shabby,” Aiden said. “Thanks, Allie.” “Yes, thank you. This is amazing,” I added. As one of the staff poured the wine, a violin started to play. I looked up to see a violinist and cellist positioned toward the rear of the tent. Our candlelit meal included prawns and Alaskan crab on organic greens with cocktail sauce and Oscietra caviar. I wasn’t a huge fan of caviar, but Aiden insisted this was the best and that I’d love it. I

tried it, and while I wasn’t put off by it, I wasn’t as much a fan as Aiden apparently was. After dinner, Aiden asked me to dance, and I happily obliged. I was already thoroughly enjoying this evening. It was a beautiful night with a beautiful man. I was blissfully happy, enclosed in his strong, yet tender embrace as the soft music washed away all my worries. I no longer cared what Aiden had planned for his dad or for that godforsaken company. All that mattered was this night with the man I loved. “I think Allison’s working extra hard to gain your forgiveness,” I said. “She already has it,” Aiden said. “She just doesn’t know it yet.” “You’re horrible. Why would you do that to her?” I asked. “So she’ll know to be more careful in the future.” “You should let her off the hook. I can see this is especially hard on her.” “I’m sure it is. I very seldom have discord with Allie. And if I do, it’s usually her claiming I’m the bad guy, and then she guilts me into doing something.” “Yes, she’s like a one-person campaign,” I said, thinking back to how she’d continued to plead Aiden’s case when he and I were on less than stellar terms. “When you and I were at odds, she was pushing me almost every day to talk to you.” “I figured as much, but I never asked her about you. I didn’t want to give her anymore ammunition to further her goals.” I laughed. “What’s so funny?” he asked. “I never asked her about you, either.” “We’re quite the couple,” he said, a smile on his sexy lips. “Yes. We are.” He stopped moving and looked down at me. “I love you, Aria.” He was staring at me with such conviction that I was almost too nervous to reply. “I love you, too. So much.” “I can’t believe how close I came to losing you forever. It cuts me like a knife to even think about it.” “Then don’t.” I reached up and stroked his cheek. “Why haven’t you responded to my letter?” he asked. “I didn’t know there was a time stipulation on a response. Besides, don’t my actions show you?” “You know I want more than that. I want to hear the words.” I shook my head at him and grinned. “Of course you’re my wish, you silly man. How could you not be?” “Finally,” he exhaled. “You really know how to make a guy question himself.” “You’ve got to be kidding. You? Question yourself? Perish the thought.”

“You give me too much credit, princess. We all have those moments, especially when someone like you is in the picture.” “Someone like me?” “The woman of my dreams.” My heart started to pitter-patter as he smiled down at me. He was so freaking sexy, and the flickering lights of this enchanted evening cast shadows across his perfectly chiseled features, adding a mysterious allure to his beauty. “If someone had told me that we’d be here tonight, I never would have believed them,” he said. “A few months ago, I was so consumed with anger, and it drove pretty much all of my decisions. And when I saw you on the beach with my son—my son—I wanted to grab you both in my arms and never let go, but when you looked at me, it triggered all the anger I’d been carrying with me, and I wanted to hurt you. I wanted you to feel what I felt. And look at me now, head over heels in love with you. You’re all I want. You and our son—our family.” “And you have that,” I affirmed. “You have us.” “You and Lyric complete me in a way I would have never imagined. I don’t ever want to lose you.” He searched my eyes and then reached to cradle my face. “Marry me, Aria.” Did he really just say that? I stiffened, my eyes bulging, staring at him as if he were an alien. “Say something,” he whispered. If I could, I would. I knew I needed to speak, but I was drawing a blank, so I just stood there in shock, staring at him until I started to feel woozy. “You have my heart in the palm of your hands, and so does Lyric, for that matter,” he said. “We’re together in every way. I want to make it official.” Me and Aiden Raine? Married? Oh, that would be the union to end all unions. We’d kill each other. What was he thinking? “Breathe, Aria,” he said, and grinned. “I didn’t intend for you to pass out on me.” I focused on his face and tried to remember how to take air into my lungs. I was still unable to speak, totally stunned, as random words bounced around in my head. “Are you planning to ever talk to me again?” he teased. “I don’t know what to say,” I replied, shocked that I’d found my voice. “Well, a yes would be nice,” he urged. “Are you sure you aren’t just caught up in the moment?” I asked. “I’m positive.” He reached into his pocket and then lifted a small black box toward me. I stepped away from him, my eyes glued to the box in his palm. So all of this was planned? He wanted this. He really wanted me to marry him. And Allison—she was in on it. “Princess, let’s give Lyric a real family in every sense—the family he deserves.” I pulled my attention from the frightening little box and met his gaze. “Is that why you want to

marry me? Because of Lyric?” “I’m not proposing because of Lyric—I’m proposing because I love you. And I’ve tried, but I can’t control how much I love you. I’m proposing because I don’t know how to be—I don’t know how to live without you. And I don’t want to stumble through the rest of my life trying to figure it out. I love who I am when I’m with you. It’s natural—it’s right. There’s no pretending. I don’t have to try to make someone happy at my expense. I’m being the person I was meant to be. I want to be your husband. I want to walk this life with you at my side, as my wife.” I went from not breathing to damned near a panic attack. “Aria, focus on me. Look at me. Breathe,” he said, as he demonstrated inhaling and exhaling with me. Once my breathing leveled out, my mind started racing again. “I know that look.” He reached for my hand. “Don’t be afraid,” he whispered. But I am afraid…afraid one of us will get hurt again. We’d scarred each other, very deeply. And giving in to our hearts like this again only opened the door to the possibility of more damage. No matter what he said, I knew that very thought was flashing in his head just as brightly as it was in mine. “You and I together,” I started. “We’re extremely volatile. Haven’t you learned that?” “I’ve learned how to forgive, and I’ve learned that I’ll never stop loving you.” Just as I would never stop loving him. I’d learned that love offers no guarantees, but the type of love Aiden and I shared was different—it’s a forever kind of love. It wasn’t the tame, careful love in romance movies. No, never that. Our love was raw, and it was fierce, and at times it was frighteningly explosive. And that explosion could be disastrous—not only for the two of us. We now had a very dependent third party to consider. “Stop analyzing the reasons you should say no.” “What makes you think I’m doing that?” “I think I know by now how your mind works,” he said. I wanted him in my life—I knew that. Just as I knew if I were to ever leave, he would follow me to the ends of the earth. “What about your parents? They won’t approve.” “I really don’t care if they do or don’t at this point, but trust me when I say they do. They’re actually as anxious for your answer as I am,” he said, motioning toward the house. “My entire family is here, so don’t keep us waiting. Don’t keep me waiting.” What a way to put a girl on the spot. “I told them I was going to marry you. I’m sure they knew this was inevitable, and they do like you, Aria.” “So now they like me?” “They liked you before. Their resistance was because I didn’t choose…how shall I put this?

Strategically. You aren’t the debutante they tried to coerce me into loving. Who cares? But since you’re so worried, I want to assure you there was zero opposition. And the fact that you’ve given them an amazing grandson doesn’t hurt.” Would a relationship with Aiden be worse with their approval or without? I looked toward the house and again suppressed the instinct to run. I glanced back at Aiden. “I’m not letting you run, not this time. Besides where would you go? There’s no way to escape us. And if you did somehow manage to leave, who’s going to love you like I do?” I wanted to fall into his arms and never let go, yet I still hesitated. “The day I laid eyes on you, everything changed—I broke, you broke me. In that moment, I knew I wanted you and that I’d never stop wanting you. “You’ve opened the door to those parts of me that I didn’t think mattered to anyone but me. You’re my world. You’re my everything. You’re my always and forever, Aria, and I give you my solemn vow that will never change.” My eyes pooled with tears, and I knew I’d be a blubbering mess if he didn’t stop. Two single drops managed to escape despite my freakish blinking. “I hope those are happy tears, princess.” He cradled my face and with his thumbs gently wiped my tears away. “They are,” I whispered. “Whatever I have to do to prove my love, to prove that you are my priority—tell me and it’s done.” “There’s nothing, Aiden. You’ve removed every doubt I ever had. My hesitation has nothing to do with that. It’s me and my insane musings that have me tongue-tied.” “You can do a lot more pleasurable things with that delightful tongue, but not until you answer me. So answer. You’ve bruised my ego enough.” Can anything bruise your monstrous ego? He extended his opened palm to me. I swallowed my growing lump of fear and looked into his shining green eyes. “Open it.” I reached for the box and took note of my trembling fingers. I squeezed them into a fist and laughed nervously. I re-extended my hand and slowly lifted the box from his hand. I opened it and saw three red orchid petals. I looked up at him. “Look beneath the flowers.” I moved the beautiful satiny petals, and when I saw the ring, my heart felt as though it stopped beating. “Oh wow.” I nearly stumbled. I raised a palm to my chest, ineffectively muffling the flutter of my heart. Lying at the bottom of the box was the most stunningly beautiful ring. I was blinded by its elegance. And even more fascinated by the huge red diamond that blended with the petals of my

favorite flower. The stone was enormous. There were smaller white diamonds lining the princess cut ring, sparkling brilliantly, even in the dim light of our twinkling stars. “Does your silence mean that—” “I love it. It’s amazing, Aiden. I mean…I’m speechless.” He reached for the box, and removed the ring. He then got down on one knee and extended the ring to me. “You’re beautiful. And I’m not referring to the obvious. There’s so much more to you than the world knows, than your family knows, and you’ve shared that with me. You’ve given your time, your body, your patience, and your love to me. You’ve given me a son, and I want to make more babies with you. You’re what I need, and what I want, and I want to be all you need. I want you to have all of me. Aria, will you be my wife?” He reached for my hand, and I searched his eyes. I swallowed and then nervously placed my hand in his—it was trembling right along with my heart. I nodded. He smiled, flashing his perfect teeth. “I need to hear the word.” “Yes. Yes, you beautiful, insane man—I’ll be your wife.” He sighed and wiped a hand across his forehead. “Damn, you really know how to make a guy sweat.” He slid the exquisite piece of jewelry onto my finger and we both marveled at it as I held it at an angle. It was the most beautiful ring I’d ever seen. “It’s perfect,” Aiden said. “A little large, though, huh?” “Are you complaining?” he asked. “Of course not. I love it. I love you.” “I love you more.” His hands were on either side of my face, gently cradling it as the sensuality of his gaze instantly captured every part of me. He lowered his head and pressed his mouth to mine, caressing me with lips that were soft and sweet. A low moan escaped me as he pulled me closer and parted my lips with his. His tongue was in my mouth, stroking slow and deep, seducing me with a skillful touch that left me breathless. After he severed our kiss, he hugged me tightly to his chest, picking me up and spinning me around. I was immersed in this moment, totally lost in him, my heart filled to overflowing as I basked in the radiance of Aiden’s love. He set me on my feet and then looked past me and shouted, “She said yes!” Then there were claps and screams from his family as they came rushing over to join us, offering congratulations and hugs. “Let’s see that ring,” Sloan said. “It’s absolutely beautiful. I love it.” “Thank you,” I replied. “Good job, Aiden,” she said, spinning around to hug her brother. Sienna was next in line, and I could have fallen over when I looked up to see her eyes glistening. Are those tears of joy?

“It is a lovely ring, but it’s not very traditional, Aiden. Why don’t you let Connor call in our jeweler?” “Mom, who cares if it’s traditional?” Allison asked, as she grasped my hand. “We’re really going to be sisters now,” she squealed. She looked at the ring and then pulled me into a hug. “Aria loves the ring…as I knew she would. Besides we don’t have a traditional relationship,” Aiden said. “We didn’t start that way, and I highly doubt we’ll ever have one, if such a thing even exists.” “Aria, welcome to the family. I can’t believe my little boy is getting married.” Sienna stepped closer and leaned in to embrace me. I didn’t quite know how to handle this side of Sienna. I looked over at Aiden, and he was shaking hands with Connor as Nicholas gave him a congratulatory slap on the back. Aiden was smiling from ear to ear. I did this. I made him this happy. And he did the exact same for me. Next, Connor and Nicholas came over and hugged me. “You’re going to be a Raine now, Aria,” Connor said. “I hope you know what means.” “Dad, if that doesn’t scare her off, nothing will,” Nicholas said. “Welcome to the family, Ms. Aria.” He lifted me and spun me around, knowing his gesture would get under Aiden’s skin. “Thank you, Nicholas,” I said. “You really did choose the wrong brother, but I’m happy Aiden had the good sense to not let you get away. And although it may be hard to believe at times, it’s not all bad being a part of the Raine clan.” I glimpsed Aiden over Nicholas’ shoulder. His mother was releasing him from an embrace, and she actually looked happy. I glanced at the others, and they were brimming with an exuberance I would have never expected. But the sum total of their good spirits paled in comparison to the elation I saw on Aiden’s face, and to the feeling of completeness in my heart.

THE END

ARIA AND AIDEN’S STORY CONTINUES IN THE UPCOMING SEQUEL IN THE UNTOUCHED SERIES

ONLY HIS TOUCH Part Two Coming Soon from Lilly Wilde!

Epilogue “Wait. You’ve known about this for over a year. Why are you just now telling me?” Aiden exhaled and shook his head. “You weren’t going to tell me. Were you?” “Didn’t I start this conversation off by saying I wanted to help you heal? The only way to do that was to tell you.” “But if you really meant that, you would have told me long before now. Which leads me to ask… why today?” “I was always planning to tell you.” “No. You weren’t. This was going to be another one of your secrets. You know—the ones you say are to protect me. And the only time you’ve ever come clean is when you’ve had to. So that means someone else knew. Am I right?” “Aria, listen.” I raised my voice and asked again. “Am I right?” “Yes,” he replied. “Connor?” “Yes.” “What’s going on with you two, Aiden? And why would you use information about my father, very personal and painful information, in this game you and he play? What the fuck is wrong with this family?” “Please, let me explain—” I jumped from my seat. “Get out. Just get out!” “Aria, please calm down and hear me out.” “No. I need some time to think. I can’t do that with you here.” “I’ve just given you information that changes the outlook of your entire childhood. Being alone is not what’s best for you right now.” “Aiden, I don’t need you to tell me what’s best for me. I need you to go. I need time alone to reconcile what I thought to be true and what I now know, and I can’t do that here with you hovering over me. I can’t believe you knew all this time…that your father knew. He was using this information against you. Wasn’t he?” Aiden’s silence was the only answer I needed. “And you only told me today to beat him to the punch, to stay one foot ahead of him. Unbelievable! This family—you all just play with people’s lives like it’s a game. I thought the

sickness stopped with Sienna and Connor, but you’re just as fucked up as they are. Please just go.”

Discussion Questions 1. In the beginning of Only His Touch, why do you think Aria was nervous about being alone with Aiden? 2. If you were Aria, would you have been supportive of Aiden’s return, even temporarily, to Raine Industries? 3. When Connor visited Aria with the intent to gather information on Aiden’s plans, do you think he was really there for the reason he’d said or did he want to make Aria feel uneasy about her relationship with Aiden? 4. What really prompted Sienna to see a therapist? Her hurt over the fallout from Lyric’s abduction or the fact that Aiden was shutting her out? 5. Do you think Aria will tell (or should have told) Aiden about Connor ’s upbringing? 6. Will or should Allison confront Connor about his treatment of his kids? 7. Sienna didn’t seem to care for Dianna. Why did she not fire her? 8. Would Aiden have proposed if Lyric was not in the picture? 9. What did you think of Sienna and Aria’s relationship? 10. Connor had a plan for his children, even after his death. If you were his heir, would you have gone along with it or challenged it? 11. Why did Aria take so long to reply to Aiden’s letter? 12. Do you think Aria and Aiden will actually get married? 13. Why did Aiden’s tolerance of his parents lessen? 14. What’s Aiden hiding from Connor? 15. Will Aria and Aiden have a happily ever after?

Connect with Lilly Wilde Facebook at Lilly Wilde Twitter at @authorlilly Good Reads Google Plus Linked In YouTube Pinterest Instagram Thank you for reading Only His Touch (Part One). If you enjoyed it, I would love to hear from you! Please take a moment to leave a review at your favorite retailer. Thanks! Only His Touch (Part One) is available as an eBook and in print edition at most online retailers. Please subscribe to Letters with Lilly, a monthly newsletter from your author and friend, Lilly Wilde. You can subscribe on the newsletter tab on Lilly’s website: www.lillywilde.com If you would like to join the street team, please contact the author on Facebook or by commenting on Lilly’s website: www.lillywilde.com

Books by Lilly Wilde Untouched—Book One of The Untouched Series Touched—Book Two of The Untouched Series Touched by Him—Book Three of The Untouched Series Only His Touch (Part One)—Book Four of The Untouched Series Only His Touch (Part Two)—Book Five of The Untouched Series Forever Touched—Book Six of The Untouched Series What readers are saying about Untouched: “Simply Exquisite!! This book is amazing! The description of the characters is so vivid and extremely catching. I felt like I was actually living the story. I was so drawn to Aria, Aiden, and April. The communication between Aiden and Aria is so touching… I laughed throughout the book and cried at the end. Cannot wait to read more… I love the sensuality of it all. One of the best breathtaking books I have read so far. Can’t wait for the next one. Great writer! Awesome Job Lilly!”~ Review from Amazon “Lilly Wilde gives you the same excitement we got from Fifty Shades and The Crossfire Series. Except Lilly delivered it to us in a whole new way. It was so much more realistic than the others that you not only finished it yearning for your own Aiden, but you actually think it’s possible to find him. You are captured from the beginning to the end. You fall in love with this couple. This couple is so sexy, and your mind takes you away to forbidden places and feelings. It’s a great story and a sexy read. You don’t want to miss out on this!!!!!” ~ Review from Amazon “I loved your book! Aiden was a perfect cross between Christian Grey and Jesse Ward…The perfect man.” ~ Review from Amazon “I’ve read a lot of books, many from this genre—Fifty Shades, Crossfire Series, This Man, etc.— and in a word this book is AMAZING. You immediately become invested in the characters and take this emotional roller coaster ride with them. I found this book to have more real life undertones than some of the others I’ve read, making the characters more relatable. It has been said that every story has been told. Well, that may be, but definitely not in this fashion. It's a must read!” ~ Review from Amazon

“What else can be said about a phenomenal writer who brought to life two amazing people in a story that is not only emotionally charged, but is realistic? Aria and Aiden will capture you from the beginning and won’t let you go. I can’t get enough of them. Reading this, I had every emotion possible. I was happy, pissed, sad, and curious, but mostly I was captivated by their story…”~ Review from Amazon What readers are saying about Touched: “Once again author Lilly Wilde has delivered an amazing story of love, lust, romance, intrigue, heartache, and suspense. From the first sentence of Touched to the last, the author’s way with words pulls you right into the story and leaves you wanting and wondering…craving more. Great job Lilly Wilde. Looking forward to the next step in Aria’s and Aiden’s journey.” ~ Review from Amazon “Lilly Wilde, you are truly AMAZING. I couldn’t and wouldn’t put this book down. I fell in love with Aiden and Aria in the first book of the trilogy (Untouched) and I fell in love with them even more in Touched. I had probably every emotion a person could have. It had twist and turns in every chapter. I could see Aiden and Aria in my mind and hear them talking in my head. I want Touched by Him out NOW. I can’t wait to see how all the twist and turns play out. I can’t believe you just started writing not long ago. I am a HUGE fan of yours now and for life. Your books have me shocked and amazed. Thank you for writing these books and taking me away. I will be searching for my Aiden while I wait for Touched by Him” ~ Review from Amazon “After reading Untouched (Book 1)…I was hooked and (Book 2) Touched certainly didn't disappoint me… Wow, the story line is amazing and so real. Lilly Wilde has smashed it again. Personally I now think 50 Shades is rubbish! (Sorry to you 50 Shades lovers; yes, I used to be one myself. ) Touched is way more realistic, and has so much more to offer. The main characters are brilliant, the story line is so gripping. Loads of drama, and as for the hot sex, this will not disappoint you. I couldn’t put my Kindle down! Seriously this is a must read!" ~ Review from Amazon “ABSOUTELY LOVE THE UNTOUCHED SERIES. I love every detail about Aiden and Aria, who are both strong, confident, career—driven people with a love and passion so strong it’s unbreakable. I was so entranced from beginning to end that I didn’t want to stop reading. I enjoyed Untouched so much, and I knew would fall in love with Touched as well. The story unravels detail by juicy detail, and I love it…A LOT! This book will have you crying, screaming, and begging for more, all in one chapter. I haven’t cried after reading a book since I read FSOG and this book did it…. The waterworks flooded my sheets. If you’re looking for a book that has a great story line and some steamy scenes…

then look no further. This is the book for you.” ~ Review from Amazon “Wow, I knew this series was good but I’m floored by just how good. I could hardly put Touched down; each chapter is like candy. Aria and Aiden are hot as lava together, and you’ll be on the edge till “The End.” I can’t wait for the third book. I will read anything written by Lilly Wilde. Anything!" ~Review from Kobo “Lilly Wilde has ruined me for other authors. Her style draws you in from the first sentence. The story of Aria and Aiden is one that I just cannot get enough of. Touched and Untouched (the first book in this trilogy) made me experience every emotion possible. I feel like I am part of this story. Part of these characters’ lives. And that is what a great book is supposed to do. The heat and passion in this book is intense. Once I started it, I found it difficult to put down. I simply cannot wait to read more of their story. I need more of Aria and Aiden in my life.” ~Review from Barnes & Noble “Wow, Lilly, I just want to say how amazing this was. I was hooked after book one, but now I can't wait until book three. You grab the reader and don’t let go. Please hurry with #3!!!” ~Review from Barnes & Noble “I cannot believe it!!!! I never thought a book could leave me in such a state! I’m an emotional wreck, but Miss Lilly, you have done this to me with Aria and Aiden’s story. I’m forever changed. I fell in love with Aiden and Aria within the first few pages of Untouched. In the beginning, I thought this typically would be a hot, kinky, sex—craved story, but boy was I wrong!!!! It’s soooooo much more than that. I was instantly hooked. Lilly pulled me deeper down the rabbit hole, curious to know more. I couldn’t stop myself!!!! I had no control to put this book down. I felt like I was living in this story and feeling every emotion with it. I laughed, I really cried, my jaw dropped as to how much I was turned on, and I do mean a lot!!!!! I’ve been exposed to all things that are Aiden and like a starved, crazed woman I want more. I need more Lilly. I’ll be pulling my hair out waiting for the next installment to be released. This is one trilogy you’ll want in your collection, ladies! This is one trilogy I will never forget, and I know a group of ladies that never will, either. I applaud you, Lilly, on a fantastically awesome job. I’m sooooo happy that I got to experience this. You truly are an amazing writer. I’ll be waiting for what’s to come next!”~Review from Barnes & Noble “Lilly Wilde did it again! The second installment of Aiden and Aria’s story was even more emotional than the first. I cannot wait for the third. This book will have you laughing and crying all on the same chapter. Lilly is an amazing writer with a talent for telling a story that is a steamy and fun to read. She makes you feel like you are a part of the story and the characters are long—time friends.”

~Review from Smashwords “This book series really makes you feel like you are a part of the action. I cried, I laughed, I got mad. You will fall deep into this series and will not want to come back to reality. Lilly Wilde takes you on a rollercoaster of emotions, and you will forever love it. To be so entwined with them is great. You will not want to put the book down, and when it’s over you will literally be begging for more. I can’t wait for the release of the last book.” ~Review from Smashwords What readers are saying about Touched by Him: “Lilly Wilde, there aren't enough words to describe how I felt while reading Touched By Him. I am completely Blown Away! The emotions that I felt are and WERE indescribable - I cried, I yelled, I laughed and almost threw my IPad a time or two. What an emotional roller coaster Touched By Him was. 5++++++ STARS!!!! Aiden Raine is by far my ONE AND ONLY BOOK BOYFRIEND. He is domineering, arrogant, sexy and sweet all rolled into one - A TOTAL ALPHA MALE!!! Touched by Him brought me to my knees! I read a lot of books…I love all types of genre but I don't think I have ever been as emotionally invested in characters as I am with those in The Untouched Series. Lilly Wilde has created a world I wish I lived in. Aiden Raine is one sexy Alpha Male - even with all his idiosyncrasies I have fallen in love with him. Touched by Him is a must read!!! Lilly Wilde, you did an amazing job and I cannot wait for Aiden, Aria and Lyric's journey to continue in Only His Touch!!!” ~ Review from Goodreads "OMG!!! What a page turner!!! An intoxicating breathtaking, ground shaking continuance of the most amazing love story ever told!!! The story’s turns and twists and the emotions run raw from page to page! Aiden and Aria on their amazing journey! Lilly captured me from Untouched - threw me to the wall with Touched - and brought me to my knees with Touched by him! A page turner, crying-youreyes-out continuance of our amazing story!” ~ Review from Goodreads “When you are anxious to read the next book in a series, you sometimes don’t like it or it does not live up to your expectations. But OMG author Lilly Wilde did it again! I absolutely loved reading this book. It gripped me from beginning until the end. Sometimes I really wanted to smack Aiden upside the head. It was a beautiful, heart-wrenching story. Emotional, loving and HOT! Up until now Touched was my favorite, but Touched by Him just topped it. It really was worth the read and well written. I cannot wait to read the next one in this series! This one was worth more than 5 stars!” ~ Review from Amazon

"Touched by Him is by far the best of Lilly Wilde's Untouched Series to date! Be prepared for twists and turns in the plot that you would never see coming and pure emotion that connects you with the characters more than ever while you laugh and cry along with them. With the introduction of a new character, Lyric, this installment of the Untouched Series will leave you blindsided in this book's underlying resonance of pure love as Aiden Raine and Aria Cason learn to explore new aspects and vulnerabilities of their relationship they never saw coming. As a reader, I took my time reading the first two installments of the Untouched Series, though Touched by Him had me always yearning for more and unable to stay away from the story for longer than a day at a time. If you think you have read all the variety available in modern erotica/romance, then be sure to put The Untouched Series to the test as Lilly Wilde will take your mind and heart to new and unexpected situations that will have you impressed that this story came together from the mind of one single author. The Untouched Series is a story you will not be sorry you picked up." ~ Review from Barnes & Noble “Once again Lilly-Wilde has proven why she is untouchable as an author. I was completely enthralled in Touched By Him from the first sentence. Never would I ever think I could read not one, not two but THREE books that absolutely captured me and held me through to the words THE END!!! I cried, I laughed, I was so upset I almost through my kindle across the room and I wanted to fight!! Never have I ever read the work of an author who could reach me on so many levels and pull me thru so many emotions. When I started my journey in Untouched (Book1) and then Touched (Book2) I was captured from the start and Touched by Him did not let me down. Lilly-Wilde has a phenomenal way with words and the gift of storytelling that no one could hold a candle to. I cannot wait for the next release. Thank you the beautiful gift that is the story of Aiden and Aria. Chomping at the bit to see where their journey leads to next!!! 5 stars from one of your biggest fans.” ~ Review from Amazon

About the Author Lilly Wilde is the Author of The Untouched Series (Untouched, Touched, Touched By Him, Only His Touch and Forever Touched). She is a wife and mom who loves to fill each day with happiness and laughter. Lilly loves to dream, get lost in fantasy, and create alternate worlds in which we can escape ever so often. She’s down-to-earth, engaging, and compassionate, with a great sense of humor. Her laughter is one of the first qualities that you’ll notice; you’ll become instantly drawn to her witty and fun-loving spirit. Lilly spent a lot of time daydreaming as a child, which led to numerous hours of reading and eventually the writing of poetry. The first story Lilly began writing was entitled He Lied To Me, a novel she plans to complete in the near future. After years of starting and stopping several novels, she eventually set a goal to complete her debut novel, Untouched. Her stories are of strength, growth, facing demons, and stepping outside your comfort zone. They often surround topics of family and love and the beauty of both.