Aedan: Harrison Ambush – Erotic Tiger Shapeshifter Romance (14 page)

“Its Dyana with a ‘y.’” Nikki was still trying to figure that out when the woman rolled her eyes and said she had to use the ladies’ room. “I thought for sure that we’d be eating by now. I’ve been with the hairdresser all day. Who does your hair, if you don’t mind me asking?”

“My hair? I guess that would be me. When it gets too long or won’t stay in one of those rubbery things, I hack it off until it’s out of my face, but that’s about all I do to it.” It was a lie. Nikki had her hair done by a professional when it needed cutting. But the look on the other woman’s face was just what she needed to keep her from being bored. “The last time I was at Wally World getting me some new clothes—by the way, don’t you just love this dress? Anyway, they had a two-fer coupon. You know, buy a haircut, get one for free? But since I was alone, I didn’t bother then. Maybe you and I can go back sometime and share the cost. I’m sure they can fix you up like you are now.”

The woman was horrified. Whether it was at her suggestion that she go to get their hair cut at a department store or that they use a coupon, Nikki wasn’t sure, but they were coming out of the bathroom together when she saw her uncle in the next room. Shit was about to get real.

Ellison was talking to Aedan. Or more like, at him. He was telling him all the bad things that came with being the governor. No time to do things. There weren’t late night dinners with friends. And no long vacations when the job was too much. Aedan took her hand in his before he spoke to the governor.

“Really? I heard that just two weeks ago you and someone went on a long cruise and had a wonderful time. I think I might have even heard that you were having a little too much fun, if you know what I mean.” Ellison did not look happy about that. “As for late night dinners, I know for a fact that you have had more parties at your home than the last several governors have had their entire terms combined.”

He blustered. Ellison was clearly embarrassed and upset, but Aedan only smiled at him and waited. Sometimes, she told him, less really was more. When the waitress told them that their table was ready, Ellison moved in front of them, cutting them off when he thought he knew where they were headed. When the waitress stopped him, Ellison was confused.

“No, I was told that we’d be sitting over there. Near the fireplace. Where it was quiet.” Aedan said nothing but she watched his face. Here was a man who knew the ropes. And he had Ellison right where he wanted him. “I’m sure that there has been some sort of mistake.”

“Hello, darling.” When Uncle Howard joined them, Ellison was dumbstruck. And when he kissed her on the cheek and then hugged Aedan, Dyana smiled like she’d been awarded Miss Universe. “Hello. You must be Dyana Ellison. I’m Howard Wayneright, President of the United States. And you must be Dewey Ellison. I’ve heard so many things about you.”

“Yes, yes. I’m so glad you could…you two know each other?” Aedan said that they did and left it at that. “I mean, you seem to know each other really well. I thought…that ad, I thought for sure you’d paid him to do that for you.”

“Oh no, I can’t be bought, like some people.” There was a tone there, one that implied that they all knew that Ellison was taking bribes. Which he was. “I thought that since I was in town, I’d join my niece and her new husband and talk about things. I’m sure you don’t mind me joining you, do you?”

“Oh no. Niece? Mrs. Harrison is your niece? That would make Aedan here your....” Ellison looked at her. “You’re his niece?”

“I am. And yes, because of our marriage, Aedan is his nephew. Nice how that works out, don’t you think?” He nodded, but she was sure he was still trying to process things. “Can he join us for dinner?”

Dyana nearly knocked her husband over getting herself close to Uncle Howard. “You can come and have dinner with us any time you want.”

“But I had things set up out here.” Aedan asked Ellison what he might have had to set up and he flushed. “Nothing. Nothing at all. Of course, sir, you can join us. I’m sure that we can make room at our table. Do you have a place for the five of us?”

“We’ve set up a room, sir. Private.” Ellison nodded, but he obviously wasn’t thrilled about having his plans thwarted, and by the president no less, Nikki noticed. But there was little to nothing he could do about it now. The host leading them to the room continued, and Nikki nearly burst out laughing when Ellison looked crestfallen. “We’ve done a sweep, sir, as you have asked. All devices have been taken out. Thank you for letting us know to check on that. It was quite shocking.”

They weren’t the only people in the large room. The men standing around the outside of the room were all wearing the same type of suit, and she’d bet anything that they were armed not just with the guns that she could see, but more. As soon as they were seated, food was brought to them, large platters of appetizers, and their drink orders were taken.

“So, you said you wanted to talk to me about the debate.” Aedan was filling his plate with potato skins, so he missed the look on Ellison’s face. It was pure terror. “I have been giving it a lot of thought, the reasons you gave me about me not wanting to be governor, and I think I can handle them.”

“You gave him reasons for not wanting your job?” Uncle Howard winked at her as he asked Ellison the question. “What sort of reasons might that be? And so you know, I think that Aedan here would make a great governor. It’s a good starting point in his career, don’t you think?”

“We have a second debate the week after Thanksgiving, and he wanted to give me a heads up on some of the things that he’s not taken care of in his term. You know, promises that he made to the people and hasn’t followed through on as yet.” Uncle Howard nodded and asked what Aedan would do about them. “Well, he made a promise for more jobs. I was wondering about that one most of all.”

“I’ve one company in the works that I can’t discuss just yet.” Uncle Howard just stared at Ellison, as if to say “You’re seriously not going to tell the leader of the free world?” “There are people involved in this that would like to remain anonymous for a little while longer.”

“All right. But what sort of business? How many people are they planning to hire? Have you suggested tax breaks? And if so, for how long?” Aedan leaned back in his chair as he continued firing questions at the other man. “Will they be using people here to build, or do they have their own companies? I’m assuming that they’ll be using our highways as well as some of the other things we have to offer. Is there something in their package for that as well? The unemployment rate in Ohio and the nation is at four point nine percent. In some counties here, it’s almost as much as thirteen percent. We need more than just one company coming in here to help out, we need a lot of them.”

“There is just the one company.” Ellison pulled at his collar and then drank a glass of water before continuing. “It’s still in the infant stages for the moment.”

“Infant? You’ve served two terms. Eight years, and you’ve still only got to the baby part of getting jobs for the state?” Aedan shook his head as if he was shocked. But she knew for a fact that he knew who the company was, how many they were hiring, and the answers to all of his questions to Ellison. “I’m sorely disappointed, Ellison. I certainly am. I’m thinking that the people are going to be upset with you, running on the same ticket and no more than baby steps in fulfilling even one of your promises.”

“And I suppose you could do better? Tell me, Aedan of the great Harrison family, what is it you’d do?” Ellison’s face turned bright red in his anger. “I suppose you’d pay people whatever they wanted to come here, set up, and just go away after you were elected. That won’t work.”

“I would guess you figured that out as well, didn’t you? How do you plan to replace the money that had been earmarked for education and roads? You did dip deeply in that fund, didn’t you, Ellison? And for what? Nothing so far as I can see. The land that you promised those men is still sitting there, with nothing more to show for your thievery than scrub and trash.” Ellison looked around; he knew he was caught. “What I would do, and have started the process regardless of my getting into the governor position, is hire a team to look for jobs. Not just here, but the entire state. You’d be surprised at how many people are willing to not just let our people build their plants, but work in them as well. It cost me very little when you think of all the money that it will bring here. Jobs are just the tip of the iceberg. There will be money for education and programs for the elderly. Bus lines in the lower income areas that will help workers get back and forth to work. In addition to the jobs, my research has shown that welfare costs will go down, small businesses and boot strappers starting new businesses will have a chance to grow and hire more. Businesses beget business, my dad always told me. And sometimes you have to spend a little of your own money to make more.”

Ellison said nothing. Nikki wasn’t sure what he could have said other than to congratulate Aedan on his thinking outside of the box and doing the job he’d been paid to do. Of course that wasn’t going to happen, but it would have been nice.

“I think, Dewey, that you’d be better off just conceding that you’ve lost this race and back off now.” Ellison looked at Uncle Howard when he spoke quietly. “You’ve lost this war, but you don’t have to be made to look foolish any longer if you just back off.”

“No. I won’t. I’m going to win this.” Ellison looked at Aedan. “You give me that list of names so I can use them. I’m the governor of this state, and it’s my responsibility to get businesses here, not some upstart like you. Give it all to me and I won’t follow through on my other plans about you and your family.”

“I’m assuming you’re talking about the tax lean you plan on putting against my sister’s restaurant and bakery? Or do you mean my brother’s practice being fined large sums of money for things that we can’t find in any books anywhere? Why would a doctor who only has a small practice have to have a vault bigger than the local bank for drugs? Or do you mean trying to ruin me with recordings of this meeting? I think you missed that boat when I had someone come in and sweep for the devices that you put in here. Also, so you know, I’m pressing charges on that. Your men, they were very helpful in telling us not only who had given them the orders to illegally record a private meeting, but also showed me the paperwork with your signature on it.” Ellison stood up, but before he could move, three of the men around the room moved as one and stopped him. “You’re being detained, Ellison. For reasons I’m sure you don’t need me to list.”

“No. You can’t do this to me. I have plans. A great many of them. You’ll see. Give me the list and I’ll look good, and then I’ll cut you a deal on…on whatever you want. Just don’t do this.”

He was taken away, his hands in cuffs, and his wife, Dyana with a “y,” was right behind him. She kept talking about the mansion and asking how was she going to be there without him. When the door closed behind them, Aedan let out a long breath and Nikki reached for his hand.

Chapter 12

Aedan wasn’t sure what he was supposed to do now. Food was brought to them; he supposed that he ate it, but when his plate was taken away, he had no idea what he’d eaten or how much. Looking at Howard when he laughed, Aedan felt his face heat up.

“You did well. Are you back with me now?” He nodded and looked around for Nikki. “She went to the ladies’ room. I asked her if I may have a private word or two with you.”

“I think I just made a very powerful enemy in that man.” Howard told him that he might have, but it mattered little. “Really? Because with the shit I found out, I’m pretty sure that he can ruin me and my family without any trouble.”

“He’s no longer governor.” Aedan looked around, then back at the president. “You did that very well. The things that you brought up, some of them I’d not found as yet. I would have, but you did a wonderful job of not just outing him, but bringing to light a great many things.”

“They were easy to find once I started looking. And Storm helped me. She, as you know, knows someone who knows someone.” Howard nodded and pulled out a cigar and chewed on the end. “Do you ever light that thing? I mean, every time I see you, you have one that you simply chew up and then toss out.”

“At one time I smoked them regularly. But since there is no more smoking in public places, I stopped. I’d be a hypocrite if I felt that I was above such laws, don’t you think?” Aedan nodded. “But back to Ellison. You played him well. And knowing that he’d bugged this place? That was brilliant. How did you know?”

“Nikki. She told me when I set this meeting up that he would use whatever he could to make me look bad. She’s going to help with a few projects in the downtown area here.” Howard nodded and smiled. “We’re not married, as you know. My mom is working on it. She said that we need huge, not a wedding at home like we were planning.”

“Yes, the world will need to know that you’re really married, as well as family and friends there to make you look like a good family man. You’re going to make a fine president, Aedan.” He wasn’t so sure and said as much. “I think so. You’re brave…it took a lot of guts to do what you did tonight. Smart…looking into Ellison was something I would do, but I’ve been bitten by that kind of bug before and not come out so well. And you’re willing to ask for help when you think you might need it. Stormy told me that you went to her almost as soon as you hung up the phone with Ellison.”

“I’m not Superman like some people are.” They both laughed. “Do you know what happens now? I mean, the seat is vacant.”

“You take it over. Run the state like you want for the end of the term. Use that for your next term. I don’t think you’ll have any trouble. Then after that, you move up and into where I am.” Aedan said nothing. He wasn’t sure what to say or to even think. “I can’t come to you again, you know that, don’t you? Not to say I won’t help you. But from a distance from now on.”

“I appreciate everything that you’ve done for us so far. You have no idea how much.” Howard nodded. “To be honest with you, when you first spoke to me about this, all I could think about was how much I wanted this. It never entered my mind what I might do once I got there. But then I started looking at the things that others before me had done and not done. By the way, that list is longer than the first one. They promised a great deal but came through on very little, if any of it.”

“It’s why I think you’ll be good at this. The governorship is the perfect place for you to start too.” The cigar was put on the ashtray that had been provided and he stood up. Nikki came in the room then, and Aedan stood as well, pulling her into his arms. “The two of you are going to be good for this state. I can’t wait to see you in action when you get things going.”

When he left them, Aedan sat down with Nikki in his lap and realized that two of the men were still there. When asked, they said that they’d been ordered to protect the new governor until things were settled. Aedan just needed a minute.

“You do know that once we’re home, things will be quiet. For a little while anyway. Your mom needs me to help her with the big dinner.” Aedan grinned. “Yeah, I explained to her the extent of my cooking abilities and she said I’d be fine. Just what is it I have to look forward to?”

“Washing dishes? Setting the table? I bet she makes sure you’re a part of things.” They stood and made their way to the front door. “What I’d really like to think about is taking you home and ravishing you for about two hours, then making love to you the rest of the night.”

“I like that plan.” On the ride home, he told her what Howard had said. “He told you before, when you were zoned out eating. I had no idea where you had gone, but you were really spaced out.”

“I don’t think I know what I was thinking either. Just blank.” He looked out the window at the things around the town that he’d been here to see begin. The new restaurant that Stormy had going before he knew her was doing very well. More shops were opening downtown now, so there were simply more people moving around the sidewalks. Ennis’s offices would be open in a few weeks and he’d be seeing more new patients. Darcy had purchased a large closed up hotel and was living in part of it while he renovated the rest. Liam was working hard at his projects, whatever they might be, while working at the family business too. Aedan wondered what else was in store for the Harrison ambush, and was looking forward to finding out.

~~~

Nikki wasn’t afraid of being found…her white tiger coat against all the snow was helping her hide very well. Besides, if Aedan should find her, he’d just tell her to try harder at keeping hidden from him and they’d start again. She thought she had the perfect place this time…in the open and as still as she could be.

Did you know that every time you touch something, you leave your scent? It fades after a while, so unless you’re smelling every twig you’ve brushed by it might be harder.
She said nothing to him, knowing that he was trying to make her worry so he’d feel that too.
Also, when you just lay still, as you are right now, your scent gets stronger around you.

It does not.
He laughed and told her that it did. Standing up now, she saw him, sitting in the snow about five feet from her.
You’re not helping me at all, did you know that?

Yes.
That took the wind out of her kite.
I want to be able to find you. However, if a human came upon you, in the snow, they’d never see you until it was too late.

Have you ever killed anyone?
When he didn’t answer her right away, she moved to where he was. Rubbing her body over his, she could smell what he meant. His scent was stronger where he stood.
I love you very much.

And I love you. My cat wants you. Then I’d very much love to take you as well.
The purring sounds startled her; the cat, it seemed, liked that idea as well.
Run for us.

She took off running as soon as he told her to. There was no point in hiding now; she was as needy as her cat and knew that he could smell it. She did, however, make sure that she touched the least amount of branches as she could, and tried not to brush up against any trees. When he caught her, tumbling her ass over head, she laid there thinking that there could be worse things in life.

His cat loved to dominate her. Nikki didn’t mind so much so long as he made her come several times as a person. When he mounted her from behind, his big body pressing her smaller cat to the ground, the cat snarled at him and tried to knock him off. Of course, it never paid to be easy either.

His cat took hers hard. It was quick too, too fast for her to have enjoyed it, but that was fine. Nikki knew that he’d more than make up for it when he took her human part. Shifting when he told her to, she rolled to her back and watched the big cat move around her, as if he were trying to decide where to begin.

Christ, he wants you
. She told him to get on with it then.
He’s trying to decide if he wants me to have you first or him. I have no idea why it matters. We’re both going to enjoy you as much as we can.
Nikki spread her legs, then slid her fingers into her pussy. Offering her fingers to the big beast, she laughed when he took her entire hand in his mouth.
You’re teasing a monster, you know that, don’t you?

“I don’t care. Eat me or fuck me as Aedan, but do something before I do it myself.” To prove that she could, Nikki put her fingers at her clit and stroked herself. “I’m so wet. And needy. Did you know that when I touch myself this way, all I can think about is your thick tongue touching me?”

His cat moved her hand and licked her from gate to clit. When he was satisfied that she wasn’t playing in his toy box, she let him have her. Christ, the things this cat could do with his tongue made her think there wasn’t anything better in the world.

She came two times before he slid his tongue inside of her. Each time he touched that special part of her, the area that would make her scream for more, she’d bow up off the ground. The roughness of it, the thickness of it took her to heights that gave her body such pleasure. And when she felt hands on her instead of paws, she looked down at Aedan.

“One of these days I’m going to tie you to the bed and have all of you.” She told him he did now. “Not like I want when you’re unable to touch me. I’d eat you for hours on end, never stopping, not even when you beg.”

“You do that well enough now.” He sucked her clit into his mouth and she screamed. “More. Please, I want more.”

He played with her for twenty minutes. Bringing her so close to the edge that she was sure that she was going to die from the pleasure of it. And then he’d back off, bringing her no less pleasure but never giving her just what she wanted. When he sat up, his cock in his hand, she watched him fist himself as he watched her.

“Show me what you need. Touch your pussy for me.” She moved her fingers over her swollen lips and spread them wide for him. “You’re so wet. I can see how dewy you are from here.”

“You make me that way. If I come will you come all over me?” He said yes, his voice strained with his need. “Then you have to fuck me. I want you to take me hard and painfully.”

His cum set off her own body. She screamed through the climax, feeling it come from her very toes. And when he fell atop her, his cock didn’t slide into her but pounded into her, making her think he wanted to become a part of her. He brought her twice more before he leaned into her throat and bit her.

Nikki knew that he was strong, but the way he was taking her; she knew that he had no idea how strong he really was. And she loved every minute of it. When she came again, this time biting him in the shoulder as he filled her, Nikki once again fell in love with the man above her and knew that for as long as she lived, he would be the only man she loved.

“Are you all right?” She turned in his arms; they’d been spooned together like this for half an hour or more. “I didn’t hurt you, did I? I’m really sorry. I don’t know what came over me.”

“You were fantastic. I don’t think I’ll be able to walk right for a week.” He kissed her and she rolled to her back while he looked down at her. “You are the best thing that has ever happened to me, you know that, don’t you?”

“Yes. Because I feel the same way about you. I can’t.... When I first figured out what you were to me, I was such a fuck up. Christ, the things I said to you, it’s a wonder that you wanted to even be in the same state as me, much less let me love you.” She grinned. “I’m surprised every day that you didn’t shoot me.”

“Me too, now that you mention it. You were such a prick.” He kissed her again, this time taking her breath away. “Aedan, what do we do now? I just wanted to live a normal life, but I’m thinking that’s out the door. Not that I don’t want you to be governor or the president—I know you’d do a good job at both—but our lives and those of any children we have are going to be open to everyone that wants to see them.”

“I’ve been thinking about that too. I really don’t know. Howard told me that it’s difficult but not impossible to have a real life. And as you can tell by Ellison and his wife, it can be too much fun too.” They both laughed. “We’re not going to let this rule us. Yes, we’ll be careful, but not to the point where we hurt those around us. We’ll raise our children the way we think best, and not let the world interfere with us. As much as we can.” She nodded.

“Speaking of Ellison, what do we do about the mansion? To be honest with you, I’d rather just stay here. I know that it’s there for us to use, but I love this house.” He said he did as well and asked her what she suggested. “Well, this might sound stupid, but why not open it up? Let people go in, charge them a little that would go to keeping the place up, and let them see what they’re paying for.”

“I like that idea. We’ll have to have security tightened up. And we’ll have to make sure that anyone that comes to the house knows that too.” She asked him who that would be. “I have no idea, but that was one of the things on the list that Storm gave me for being in politics. She also said to make sure that we don’t do anything stupid. I wasn’t sure what she meant by that, but I promised her we’d try.”

Getting up and getting dressed, she thought of the buildings downtown, the shops that she wanted to get open. Her grandda had already bought one of them using his pension, and she was sure that he was going to live above the shop after renovating it into a nice little apartment for himself.