Touched (17 page)

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

My life was now unabridged chaos; there had been so many unwanted alterations to my life and my head was spinning. Everything was different; my career, my family, my household, my sex life.  I was a strict creature of habit.  If it wasn’t written down or planned, then it simply wasn’t happening!  I had found comfort in that. I no longer had that comfort and I hadn’t processed how I was managing without it. I’d been carefully placing one foot in front of the other hoping I didn’t fall, afraid I would disintegrate if I took the time to come to terms with it all.  There was a time, in the very recent past, when I would have eagerly rushed to the familiar comfort and isolation the condo provided, but not today.  I longed for a distraction from those norms but not just any distraction, a distraction that could only be provided by one extremely hot and sexual man. It wasn’t just the physical distraction that I craved.  I honestly needed some time away from the surroundings that no longer felt as familiar and comforting as they once did. I needed time away from what my life had become ... away from the vulnerability of my current reality. 

I was meeting Aiden at the penthouse within the hour. I needed to see him. I needed to be with him ... to be in his arms, to simply be in his presence. My sisters had left for Dayton earlier this morning and I had spent the afternoon at the spa. I was in dire need of some deep relaxation.  I partook of a massage, facial and a full body wax.

I was entering the condo when my phone pinged. It was Kellan. I was absolutely giddy that he and I were maintaining a friendship despite my growing relationship with Aiden.  I hadn’t broached the topic of defining my relationship with Kellan because I felt as if I had once again tossed him aside for Aiden. He hadn’t mentioned it and neither had I. I knew that I should feel guilty but I didn’t. I couldn’t control my feelings … nor would I bother with the pretense of controlling them as I had done in the past. I was doing the one thing Aiden had asked me to do on several occasions – I was
going with it
. And as for Kellan, I wanted him in my life.  I couldn’t explain why but I didn’t want to say goodbye to him nor did I feel I should. 

I excitedly read his text to see that he had great news about his recent hedge fund development. He was on track to becoming a portfolio manager.  I replied to his text and dashed to my bedroom to pack a bag. 

I was at the penthouse within the next hour. Aiden opened the door and I pounced on him, jumping into his arms.  He picked me up and I wrapped my legs around his waist and pressed my lips against his. He opened his mouth and I slid my tongue inside. Our tongues danced as our breathing became heavy and labored. My hands were in his hair, my fingers twisting … I wanted him closer. Fuck, I wanted him naked. I reached for his shirt and started to unbutton it but he pulled my hands away.

“What?” I asked, panting as I looked down at him.

“As far as homecomings go, I couldn’t have asked for anything better but I think we should close the door first,” he said, smiling. “Dianna dropped by to pick up some things before she heads back to Chicago so …”

“Oh,” I said, embarrassed.

He placed me back on my feet and reached in his pants to readjust himself.

“Let me do that,” I offered.

“Damn, you really want to be fucked don’t you?” he asked.

“More than you can imagine. I’ve missed you.”

“I’ve missed you too, Princess.”

“I think this is everything,” Dianna said, walking into the room with a box.

“Let me get that for you Dianna,” Aiden offered, grabbing the box from her.

“Hello Miss Cason,” she said, smiling. “It’s nice to see you again.”

“Hi Dianna, it’s nice to see you too.”

“I’d better get going. I’m flying back to Chicago today. My sister is doing much better.”

“That’s wonderful news, Dianna,” I said.

“It certainly is. Well, hopefully I’ll see you at Mr. Aiden’s birthday party in a few months. Take care, Miss Cason.”

“You too, Dianna.” I watched as Aiden helped her out with the box.

“I’ll be right back Aria. Make yourself at home,” he said, following Dianna out the door.

Birthday party? Aiden’s birthday was six months away. I walked in and took a seat beside the fireplace and waited for him to come back.

“You’re having a birthday party?” I asked, when he entered the room. I was a little hurt that he hadn’t mentioned it to me.

“Apparently,” he replied walking closer, pulling me into an embrace that I slightly resisted.

“What’s wrong?” he asked.

“Why was I not invited?” I asked.

“I just learned of it this morning, Aria.”

“What do you mean?” I asked.

“Mother.”

“What?” I asked.

“I’ll show you. Give me a second,” he said, and walked toward the study.

My phone rang. I looked at the screen but didn’t recognize the number.  I considered not answering but thought better of it since Lia and Bianca were traveling; I didn’t know whose phone they could be using so I quickly pressed answer. “Hello.”

“Is this Aria Cason?” the caller asked. I didn’t recognize the voice.

“Yes. To whom am I speaking?” I asked.

Silence.

“Hello,” I said, again.

“Yes, I’m here.
I thought I was prepared to hear the voice of the woman who slept with my husband, but apparently I was wrong.
”

“Excuse me? Who is this?” I asked.

“If what I previously said doesn’t clue you in, then you’ve obviously made a habit of fucking married men. I guess I should make it clear ... this is Tiffany Patrick.”

I choked back what I really wanted to say because I needed to keep this situation contained. “Tiffany, the only reason I’m not replying to your insult in the way it deserves is because we both were victims in this situation but if you continue to speak to me like that, I have no problem forgoing my calm and letting you know exactly what I think of you and this bullshit.”

“I’m sure your calm has more to do with your need to keep this quiet than a commonality of wounds,” she replied.

I stepped into the foyer hoping I was out of Aiden’s hearing range. “Listen bitch, don’t give the pretense of knowing shit about me.”

“I may not know you but I know women
like
you.”

“Women like me? Oh, you mean women who’ve met men who’ve lied about being married to horrid bitches like you? Maybe this is how you get your kicks but I have better things to do with my time so if you would like for this conversation to continue, I suggest you drop the insults and get to the point of this fucking phone call.”

“I’m sure your friend explained that my attorney is planning to subpoena you,” she stated.

“Actually no, she didn’t. Your marriage … or divorce rather, has nothing to do with me.”

“Isn’t it too bad you didn’t feel that way before you had my husband’s dick inside you?”

“You’re a childish bitch. This is my last time telling you to watch your fucking mouth.”

“What’s going on Aria?” Aiden asked, having stepped behind me.

I spun around to face him. “Nothing. Can I have some privacy please?” I asked, hoping he hadn’t heard too much.

“Who is that?” he implored. I could see that he wasn’t exactly overflowing with patience.

“No one important,” I replied, as I pressed end on the phone call. I was sure I hadn’t heard the last of that bitch. She would definitely call back later.

“What?” I asked, scowling at Aiden.

“You already know what. I’ll ask once more Aria. Who was that?”

“And I will tell you one time Aiden, it’s of no concern to you,” I replied, pushing past him. I switched my phone to vibrate. Aiden was on my heels. He was not going to let this go. I sat on the couch and watched him as he pulled his phone from his pocket. He pressed something on his phone and walked over to me and grabbed mine. I reached to get it from him but it was of no use.

“Run a trace on this number and let me know exactly who it is.  Yes, as soon as possible,” he said, speaking into the phone as he watched me.

I grabbed my phone from his hand as he passed it back to me. “How dare you! If I wanted you to know who I was speaking to, I would have told you.”

“If you speak to anyone the way you were speaking to the person on the other end of that call, it’s because they’ve stepped out of line with you and I won’t allow anyone to do that.”

“You step out of line with me on a regular basis,” I retorted.

“That’s because I’m allowed,” he stated, matter of factly.

“Like hell you are.”

“Aria, I’m not going to argue about this. I’ll have the information I need soon enough.”

“Please stay out of this Aiden,” I pleaded.

His phone rang. “If you’ll excuse me. Yes? Anything else? No, that will be all.” He pressed end on the call and coolly placed his phone back into his pocket.

“Why is Dane Patrick’s wife calling you?” he asked, walking towards me.

“What? What are you talking about?”

“You know exactly what I’m talking about. What’s going on Aria?” he demanded.

“Why don’t you just pick me up and shake the details from me Aiden? You can’t just insert yourself into matters that do not involve you.”

“Is there something you need to tell me?”

“You sound as if you already know.  You can’t continue to invade my fucking privacy!”

“Can we forego the dramatics Aria? Just once? What the hell is going on?”

He already knew enough and if I didn’t tell him now he would know within the next twenty-four hours. Quite frankly I was worried. What if I couldn’t keep this mistake quiet?

“You can tell me now or not. Either way I
will
find out.”

“Fine!” I replied. I exhaled and reluctantly began explaining the entire situation to him. I paid close attention to his demeanor. I didn’t want him to judge me for this. Had this come up a few months ago, I wouldn’t have given his reaction a second thought; I didn’t care what anyone thought regarding the way I chose to live my life. Now that I have him ... it matters. What he thinks of me matters. I found myself feeling embarrassed but I knew I needed to tell him everything.

I explained how I’d met Dane and what had happened in Venezuela. I told him that I had later learned that Dane was married and was going through a divorce. I went on to tell him that Dane had showed up at RPH one day out of the blue and had contacted me again recently. I further explained that Tiffany had called April some time ago but her first call to me was the call he’d just interrupted. Both Dane and Tiffany presented a threat but of a different type. Dane pretty much wanted me to keep quiet or lie and Tiffany wanted me to shout the truth to the mountain tops. Either way could be damaging for my career ... and Raine Industries. I had no idea how to handle this effectively, yet quietly. I had been in contact with my attorney but when I hadn’t heard anything from Tiffany, I had let it drop thinking they had resolved the situation without involving me.

“And that’s everything,” I said, concluding the story.

His jaws hardened and he shoved his hands through his hair. “I’ll take care of it.”

“What do you mean?” I asked.

“I mean I’ll take care of it.” He walked into the study and closed the door behind him.

What the hell was this? Several minutes later he emerged from the study and strolled directly to the bar. I watched as he poured two drinks.  He faced me and walked towards the couch. 

“Have a drink,” he said, extending the glass to me.

What just happened? Was he upset with me? 

“Aiden what’s going on?”

“Nothing that I can’t handle, now drink. You need to relax.”

I reached for the glass and sipped as I watched him, waiting for him to reveal the details of how it was being handled.  I could see that he didn’t plan to divulge anything.

“What’s this?” I asked, looking at the glass.

“It’s apple cider cognac.”

“So are you planning to keep me in the dark?” I asked, taking a sip.

“The only thing I want you to be assured of is that the situation with the Patricks will be resolved. And as soon as there is an update, you’ll be the first to know. Now let’s set that aside for now and focus on us.”

What was he doing?  How was he handling this?

“Stop worrying,” he said, and took a drink.

I needed to know what was going on. What had he done? What was he thinking of me?

My heart rate accelerated. He placed his drink on the table and cradled my face between his strong capable hands. “Stop it, Aria.”

“Aiden, you can’t just –”

“Look at me,” he commanded. He wasn’t playing fair. I stubbornly glanced into his dark fluid emeralds. “Stop it,” he whispered, leaning in, placing a kiss on my cheek. He moved his lips slowly back and forth across mine and softly kissed me, the taste of cognac on his lips. I moaned into his mouth. The taste of alcohol on his tongue and the intoxicating scent of just him … it was overkill. I was done.