Trust Me? The Trust Me? Trilogy (17 page)

“Are you okay, baby?” he asks, moving his hand to touch my arm. I pull away from him.

“I’m fine, just really tired.”

He looks at me, confused, trying to judge my mood swing.
“You can talk to me.”

I manage a half-smile as I catch a glimpse of his bright blue smoldering eyes staring fiercely into mine. I look away quickly so I’m not mesmerized by their brilliance.

“I know, I swear, I’m just tired.” I lie to him as he watches me intently.

“You would tell me if there was anything wrong, Jeni, wouldn’t you?”

I smile at him, trying to hide my fears and doubts. “Of
course,” I say as I push him toward his car.

“Now go, before I force you to change your mind about leaving me.” I should win an Oscar for my acting skills. I feel my heart pounding out of my chest, my head is heavy, and I feel physically sick to my
stomach. I want him gone so I can think and regroup. I need a couple of days without him, to bring myself back under control. I need control. Control will help with distance, and distance will ensure I don’t get hurt. He kisses me
softly on my forehead and walks back to his car.

“I’ll see you Friday?” he asks more like a question than a statement.

“See you Friday,” I say, reassuring him.

Mike drives off with a confused Aiden in the back seat. I
turn around to face the door, searching for my keys. I search frantically for them as tears well in my eyes.

“Stupid subconscious,” I say to myself. I cannot contain my tears any longer. Stupid, scorching-hot tears run down my cheeks, flooding my
face and pooling at my chin then dripping off to the ground. Why did I treat him like that? I shouldn’t have been so cold with him. What if he thinks I’ve changed my mind about him? I immediately stop searching for my keys and instead
reach for my cell phone. I dial his number.

“Babe?” Aiden says, sounding concerned.

“Aiden, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to act like that. I can’t believe I pushed you aside. I’m so sorry; I hope you can forgive me? I was
stupid to doubt myself and my feelings for you. I think it’s overwhelming me, you know, the way I feel...”

“Mike, turn around. Baby, it’s okay. I knew something was wrong. I shouldn’t have left you. I’ll be right back. There’s no need to cry.”

I sob uncontrollably into the cell phone, not really saying anything intelligible. I lean up against the door and slowly slide down into a heap on the ground.

“Jeni, Jeni, are you okay? God talk to me...
Jeni?
”

I hear him talking to me, but I can’t manage to say a word through my uncontrollable sobs.

The car pulls up in the driveway, and Aiden pushes open the
door, running to me before the car has even stopped.

“Oh God, look at me,” he says, kneeling down beside me, taking my hand in his. I look up at him through my cold, wet lashes.

“Don’t leave me,” I plead with him.

“Baby, I’m here, and I’m not going anywhere. Please believe me.”

I sniff as he wipes away my tears with his hand.

“What’s this about?” he asks.

I try to calm myself down. “I’m happy. You make me so
happy,” I murmur.

“Then why are you crying?” he asks, looking bewildered as I sniff.

“Because it’s far too soon to be feeling this way.”

He looks at me as though I’m speaking another language.
“What way?”

I swallow a lump down my throat. “I like you, I mean
really
like you, and I shouldn’t. I barely know you, Aiden, but you have some kind of hold over me, making me feel things I haven’t before. You make me feel wanted
and cherished, and you put your trust in me. I want to trust you, I really do, but how can I when I don’t even know you? I feel like I’m falling for you, big time, and I don’t know how to deal with it. You’re everything I ever wanted and
more, but I can’t seem to get it out of my head that you’re going to leave me.” I exhale with relief that I managed to get that out into the open.

“Ditto,” he says matter-of-factly.

I look up at him in shock; I can’t help it as I exhale a small laugh. “Did you just say ditto?”

“Yes, ditto in the way that I feel like I’m falling for you too and that you’re everything I ever wanted and more. I’m not going to leave
you, Jeni, or cheat on you or hurt you; I’m going to love you the best way I know how.”

I look at him in shock. “Love?” I question.

He smiles at me, taking my hands and pulling me from the
ground. “Yes, Jeni, love,” he says, pulling me into his safe arms.

My breath catches. He loves me. Is that what this feeling is? I’m in love?

“See, when a man tells you that he loves you, you’re meant
to say something in return.”

I laugh and shake my head. “Oh sorry!”

He stares at me intently, holding me at arms’ length as he swallows a lump in his throat. I come to the realization that it’s groundbreaking,
revolutionary, and world-shatteringly obvious. I’m
in
love
.

“I love you, Aiden,” I say, staring straight into his beautiful, calm blue eyes. He kisses me tenderly, pulling me close to him.

“Is this too soon?” I mutter through the kiss as he pulls
back.

“I think we are two people who happened to fall for each other, yes, very quickly, but what’s wrong with that?”

I see Mike standing at the driver’s side door, looking at us
curiously. “I think Mike is worried,” I say, tilting my head toward him.

“He was definitely concerned when I told him to turn around.”

“Oh,” I say. “Maybe I should tell him I’m okay?” I bite my
bottom lip.

“Always thinking of others,” Aiden says as he takes my hand and we head toward Mike.

“Everything’s fine, Mike, I had a hormonal moment,” I say to him.

“Oh,” he says, looking embarrassed to be talking about
hormones. “I’m glad you’re okay now, Miss Taylor,” he says, tipping his hat and smiling.

“Mike, I’ll be staying here tonight. Can you pick me up at six thirty in the morning?”

“You’re staying?”

“You’re very good at convincing me, Jenifer.”

“Yes, sir, I’ll be here at six thirty in the morning. Have a good night, Miss Taylor, Mr. O’Connell,” Mike says as he enters the car. He
starts the ignition and drives away, leaving us alone in my front yard.

“I meant it you know,” Aiden says, facing me in the pale moonlight.

“Meant what?” I ask curiously.

“That I love you.”

I kiss him, wrapping my arms around his neck. “Love you too.”

He interlaces my fingers with his, and we walk to the front door, hand in hand. I search my handbag for the keys, this time finding them
and letting us inside.

“Thank you for staying. I know you didn’t want to.”

He turns me to look at him. “Oh, I wanted to stay, believe me. It’s easier to get ready for work from home. I’ll have to wake early in the
morning. That’s why Mike is picking me up at six thirty, baby.”

“Thank you, I don’t want to make life harder for you though.”

He shakes his head. “You make my life easier, not harder.” He looks around the empty house.

“Where’s Sarah?” he asks, obviously with something in mind.

“Um, I don’t know, probably at Chris’ place. Why?”

“We’re home alone? I’m sure I can think of something to
occupy our time,” he says, pulling me close to him and holding my hips.

“Oh, really? And what might that be?” I ask with a smirk.

He swiftly bends over and picks me up so I’m dangling like a rag doll over his shoulder.

“Ah, Aiden, put me down,” I shriek.

He walks toward the bedroom, smacking me on the ass and making me squeal as he shuts the door behind him. He throws me onto the mattress and lies down on the bed, lying slightly over me. I swallow with
anticipation as he leans into me. His touch is electrifying, and every sense, every fiber of my being is charged with lustful tension. He leans down and kisses me, his lips slowly becoming more forceful and more dominant on mine,
kissing me with such passion it ignites us into lustful motion.

His lips are still on mine as his hand slowly skims my thigh, pulling my skirt up to my waist. Aiden moves his lips to graze my shoulder, sending a tingle down my spine. My breathing escalates as his touch
becomes more obvious, trailing his hand at the top of my underwear line under my skirt. I start to unbutton his shirt one by one, baring his chest. His lips meet mine again as he rustles out of his shirt, throwing it to the floor. I
slowly sit up, as does he, and our lips part, his eyes staring at me. His hands skim the bottom of my top, swiftly pulling it up over my head. We lie back down. He tenderly kisses my collarbone, working his way down to my breasts,
with his index finger pulling the top of my bra so my breast is exposed.

He kisses his way down to my breast, slowly, tantalizingly slowly, and delicately, causing every nerve to be heightened. He reaches my nipple and starts lazy circles with his tongue then softly blowing on my nipple. I feel
the scorching heat of his mouth mixed with cool air. His touch is soft, leaving me wanting, practically panting with pleasure at his every move. Swiftly his hand is under my back, and in an instant, my bra is off and thrown to the
floor. He moves his bare chest on mine, skin to skin. It doesn’t feel any better than this. His legs push mine open underneath him. His hips move as we kiss passionately, my hands holding onto his arms. He moves to the side and
slowly traces his fingers up my thigh to the top of my underwear and pulls them down. He throws them to the floor. I unbuckle his belt, undo his zipper, freeing him, and to my surprise, he’s wearing no underwear. I smile at him as he raises an eyebrow at me.

He throws his pants to the floor as he pulls my skirt off over my legs. We are both naked in the moonlight once more. He moves his body to my side. I feel his erection growing. His breathing grows at a steady pace
as his hand finds its way down
there
. Gently he massages my clitoris as he kisses my collarbone then my neck and eventually up to meet my lips. The feeling is overwhelming as he effortlessly runs circles with his finger. I moan slightly as his pace quickens, and his finger moves down and then into me
gently, motioning in and out. My breathing hitches as I move to take him in my hand. He’s rock-hard within my grasp; I slowly move my hand up and down his shaft while he relentlessly moves his finger in and out of me. He hisses
through his teeth at the feelings engulfing him.

“I want you,” he says abruptly, pulling his finger out of me and moving so he’s on top, pushing me to the bed with the weight of his body. Moving in between my legs, he slowly eases into me, and a welcomed feeling of
fullness enters my body. My hands find their way to his back, pulling him close to me. His lips find mine as he drives himself into me, slowly at first then building into a rhythm. I moan as his speed increases.

“Oh, Jeni,” he murmurs through our kisses. His hips meet with mine as he thrusts into me again and again, deeper and deeper. Our kissing stops, but our lips still touch as we breathe unsteadily. His hands are on
either side of my head, clutching at the quilt cover as he starts to kiss me again, forcefully and full of lust. I feel it; the heat starts its way up my body as I arch my back.

“C’mon, baby,” he whispers as my breathing hitches. My
fingers start to claw at his back. He moans as I am overcome by my climax.

“Aiden.” I scream out his name with pleasure as I unravel around him. He doesn’t slow his pace at all, and his face clenches in the most delicious way.

“Your turn,” I murmur through staggered breaths.

His breathing catches. “Oh, Jeni,” he says as his pace quickens. His hips thrust against mine. He exhales as he releases into me.

“Ooh.” His voice is muffled as his forehead touches mine.
Our breathing is uncontrolled as we fall, crashing back to earth. He rolls away from me, making me wince as he exits. I roll over so I’m lying on his chest. This is my safe place; this is home. We lay silently, me resting on his chest,
he stroking my arm, our legs entangled.

“What’s the time?” I ask casually, breaking the silence.

“I have no idea, baby, but we should probably get some sleep,” he says, making me giggle.

“Yeah, you’re right,” I say as I slowly sit up and pull the covers over us. The feel of the soft cotton against my skin mixed with the feel of Aiden’s naked body next to mine is invigorating. What a perfect way to end the night. I get comfortable in Aiden’s arms as he moves.

“Sorry, baby, I have to set my alarm.”

“Or we could take a sick day,” I suggest.

“Are you trying to tempt me again?”

“Of course not. I’d never do such a thing,” I say teasingly.

He leans out of the bed and retrieves his cell phone from his pants pocket, sets his alarm for six fifteen in the morning. He looks at the time on the cell phone.

“We better get some sleep.” He shows me the time. Eleven p.m.

“Oh, yeah, night, babe,” I say as he slips back under the covers, taking me in his strong arms.

“I love you, Jenifer Taylor,” he says, brushing his nose in
my hair.

“I love you too, Aiden O’Connell,” I say, turning to kiss him goodnight.

I wake to the sound of Aiden’s alarm buzzing as he sleeps soundly next to me. I’m still cuddled in the same position I was when I went to
sleep. I feel as though I should let him be, but I think better of it. I lightly kiss him on his slightly parted lips. His eyes slowly open, and he realizes it’s morning.

“Morning, beautiful,” he says as touches my face.

“Morning, my gorgeous boyfriend,” I say as I kiss him again.
He reaches for his cell phone and turns the alarm off.

“Waking up to you kissing me is the perfect way to start my day,” he says, nuzzling his nose against mine.

I move in and kiss him again. “Wish we could start every day with a kiss.”

He kisses my forehead. “Me too, but for now I need to get dressed. Mike will be here soon,” he says, kissing me once more before getting
out of bed.

I sit up in bed, watching him put his clothes on, fantasizing about taking them off again. He looks at me.

“Enjoying the view?” he asks.

“Yeah, it’s okay, nothing to rave about though.”

“Hey!” he says as he throws his shirt at me. He comes over to the bed to retrieve it. Holding on to the shirt, he goes to take it from my grasp, but I hold it tightly so he has to try harder to obtain it.

“Hmm, playing a game, are we?”

I grin at him mischievously.

“Two can play that game, Miss Taylor,” he says as he lunges toward me, pushing me back to the bed and kissing me feverishly. I let go of
the shirt and put my arms around him. He quickly snatches the shirt and stops kissing me, pulling away to put the shirt on.

“Hey, I don’t like this game anymore,” I say childishly.

He grins. “No one likes a sore loser,” he says jokingly.

I sit up in bed with folded arms, pretending to be angry, all pouty-mouthed.

“You’re cute when you pretend to be angry,” he says. Now fully dressed, he comes and sits on the edge of the bed next to me. “Baby, I
have to go. Mike will be here soon.”

I move to get up.

“No, don’t get up. Stay in bed and go back to sleep until you have to go to work. I know the way out,” he says, moving in for an embrace.

“Don’t go! Please stay here with me. We can both call in sick and spend the day together.”

He exhales. “Baby, you know I’d love to, but my office is hectic at the moment, and we need all hands on deck. Plus you’ve met my father;
he would be suspicious. I’ve never taken a sick day.”

“Yeah, guess you’re right.” I sigh.

Aiden’s cell phone beeps, telling him there is a message. “It’s Mike. He’s out front. Baby, have a great day at work, and I’ll talk to
you tonight. Okay?”

“Okay,” I say as he gives me a goodbye kiss.

“Love you.”

“Love you too,” I say as he walks out of my room.

I fall back on the bed and sigh. Rolling over, I take his pillow and cuddle into it. His sweet masculine smell covers the pillow. I take in a long, deep breath, inhaling his aroma. Slowly relaxing again, I slip into unconsciousness.

* * *

I spend most of the night on the cell phone to Aiden, talking about my boring day at work and how much I wish he was in my bed next to me. He talks only momentarily about his day at work, which was filled with
meetings.

The next day I receive my usual morning text from Aiden.
Beep.

Morning, beautiful. Hope you slept well when we finally got off the phone and got some sleep. Xoxo

I hit
Reply.

Good morning, babe. I slept so well. Last time I looked at the clock it was after one thirty in the morning when we finally stopped talking. I hope you slept well and are not too tired today. I hope you have a
good day at work, love you. xoxo

I hit
Send.
A few minutes pass.
Beep.

I knew it was late when we stopped talking. Doesn’t matter. I’d rather have endless nights staying up talking to you than not being able to talk to you at all. Love you too. xoxo

I finish my day at work and hurry home to pack a bag of things for the weekend, including something to wear to Skye’s birthday party on
Saturday night. I pull up to the driveway and see Chris’ car out front as usual. Walking through the front door, I proceed down the hallway, placing my bag and keys on the buffet. I walk into the kitchen and bump into Chris,
completely naked, looking in the fridge.

I clear my throat, trying not to look at him. He freezes and looks straight at me, shooting his hands down to cover his groin.

“Hi, Chris,” I say as I continue walking to my bedroom,
laughing.

“Sorry, Jeni, lost track of time,” he yells as I enter my room.

“Don’t worry. I didn’t see anything,” I lie, yelling back at him.

“Oh thank God.” I hear him say to himself.

Kicking off my shoes, I walk to my closet and take out my overnight bag, putting in some casual clothes, jeans, and a little purple flowing top. My outfit for Skye’s party is chosen and goes in the bag, and I grab other bits and pieces to wear over the weekend. I move to the bathroom and
gather my essential cosmetics. Walking out with my bag to the dining room, I see Sarah is sitting on a fully clothed Chris’ lap.

“Been checking out my man’s junk, huh?”

Chris turns bright red before my eyes.

“Yeah, I couldn’t help myself,” I say jokingly.

“Okay, okay, let’s change subject. Where are you going?” Chris interjects.

“I’m staying at Aiden’s over the weekend. You guys will have
the house to yourselves.”

“Hmm, could be handy,” Chris says, kissing Sarah on the cheek and making her smile.

“Just don’t go sitting your naked butt on our sofa,” I say
sternly, focusing on Chris. They both laugh.

“Okay, deal.”

The doorbell rings, I grab my bags and wander down the hallway.

“Have a good weekend, guys,” I call out.

“You too,” Sarah says through a muffled kissing sound.

I open the door, and it’s Mike.

“Hi, Mike, how are you today?” I ask him as he closes the door behind me.

“I’m good, thanks. Can I take your bag?”

“Sure.” I hand him my overnight bag but keep my handbag.

“Have you had a busy day?” I question Mike as he puts my bag into the trunk of the car.

“Yes, quite a busy day, Miss Taylor.” He moves around to open the back passenger door for me. I look at him with an eyebrow raised. He understands my facial expression immediately and opens the front passenger door instead. I get into the car, and Mike shuts the door. He gets in and starts the
engine.

“Aiden’s been keeping you busy then?” I ask to strike up a conversation.

“Yes, ma’am, I’ve driven him all over the place today.”

“Oh, anywhere in particular?”

“Oh, you know. To the office, to lunch, to the detectives’ office, then back to the—”

“Detectives? Why does he need to see them?” I interject.

“Oh, he hasn’t told you? Sorry, Miss Taylor, I shouldn’t
have said anything,” he says, looking mortified.

“It’s okay, Mike. I won’t say anything to him about it, I promise.”

He nods and swallows a lump in his throat. “I’d very much
appreciate that, Miss Taylor, thank you.”

We continue the rest of the trip in silence. The car pulls into the underground parking garage, the gates slide open, and we proceed to the usual parking spot by the elevators. Mike opens my door and takes my hand
to help me out. He then proceeds to take the bag out of the trunk as I press the button for the elevator. The doors open, we get in, and Mike swipes his card as he pushes the button for the top floor. The doors open to Aiden’s
gorgeous living room; we step out, and Mike puts the bags down on the floor. I see Mike’s face is full of worry as he steps back into the elevator.

“Please don’t worry, Mike. I won’t say anything,” I whisper.
He nods as the doors shut.

Aiden comes out of his bedroom, a towel wrapped around his waist as he’s scrunching his hair dry using another towel. He spots me gawking at him.

“Didn’t hear you come in, baby,” he says, moving toward me.

“Hmm,” is all I manage to say.

He stands in front of me practically naked. I sigh as he reaches me.

“You okay?” he asks curiously as he kisses me softly.

“Just amazed.”

His head tilts slightly. “Amazed?”

“Yes, amazed that you’re so unbelievably gorgeous.”

“I could say the same about you,” he says, pulling me into
an embrace. The towel he was drying his hair with drops to the ground. His hot flesh against my body radiates through me, making me break into a sweat.

“I see you’ve brought some things with you,” he says, glancing to the bag on the floor.

“Yup,” I say matter-of-factly. I walk my fingers across the edge of the towel around his abdomen. He looks down.

“Hmm, and what are you up to, Miss Taylor?” I lick my top lip seductively, making him bite his bottom lip. My hand skims the towel’s edge,
and as I slowly start to undo it, revealing him, his mouth creases with a half smile
.
The elevator chimes, and he quickly grabs hold of the towel, covering himself. I look at him and giggle as he pulls me toward him in an
embrace.

Mike walks out of the elevator. “Sorry to interrupt you, sir, but your father is here.”

Aiden rolls his eyes and exhales. “Let him up. I’ll go and get into something a bit... ah... less revealing.”

I giggle as he lets go of me and walks briskly to the bedroom. I look at Mike as he makes his way to the elevator.

“Is it okay for me to be here?” I ask Mike quickly.

“I assume so, Miss Taylor,” he says as the doors close.

I make my way to the sofa and sit. I find I’m nervous about seeing his father again. Last time I saw him was no picnic. He intimidates me. Hopefully this time he’ll be in a better mood.

The elevator chimes, and I stand up as the doors open.

“Hi, Mr. O’Connell,” I say politely.

He looks me up and down. “You again,” he says as he walks to the middle of the living room.

I look down at my hands.
Why is he so mean?

“Aiden, where are you?”
he shouts, making me jump at the sudden volume of his voice.

“I’m here, Father. There is no need to shout,” he says,
walking out of the bedroom.

“Why is
that
here?” His father points in my direction.

I see Aiden’s face turn red. “Father, she’s here to see me. She’s my girlfriend, and you need to get used to it and treat her with
respect.”

His father huffs as I sit back on the sofa. “Can’t
it
go somewhere? I need to talk to you about today,” Alistair says, acknowledging my presence.

“Father, Jeni is not an
it
. Don’t be so ridiculous.”

“Whatever, just go away, little girl,” Alistair says, causing Aiden to exhale abruptly.

I stand and walk toward Aiden’s bedroom.

“Don’t you listen in either, girlie,” he says to me.

I look at Aiden with a deflated look. He gives me a sympathetic half smile and mouths, “sorry.” I nod in acknowledgement. I walk into his bedroom and close the frosted doors. My subconscious decides she wants
to hear what Alistair has to say. I sit against the wall next to the doors, listening intently.

“What are you doing?” he says loudly. “I told you she’s no good for you or your career
.
”

“Father, I thought you were here to talk about what happened today, not my love life.”

“That’s the point, Aiden. You shouldn’t have a love life! You’re too young, and if you want the vice president position, you have to earn
it, not expect it. Having her in your life is a total distraction. I want you to achieve your goals, son.”

“Your goals, Father, not mine.” Aiden raises his voice. “I don’t expect it. I never have. I know I have to earn it. The distraction is not
Jeni; it’s that detective breathing down my neck.”

“We’re all being investigated, Aiden, not just you! You don’t see Matthew wasting his time with meaningless women.”

“Jeni’s not meaningless, Father. I love her, and I’m not
going to jeopardize my relationship with her to make you happy.”

I can’t help but smile as he defends my honor.

“Love. There is no such thing as love. There is only convenience,
and at the moment, she’s a convenient distraction. It won’t last.”

“No such thing as love? What are you talking about? What about Mom? Don’t you love her?”

“Convenience, Aiden. It’s all a matter of convenience.”

“What? You’re full of shit, you know that!”

“Don’t you talk to me like that! I put you where you are today, boy, and I can take it all back in an instant if I wish to. I’m guessing your girl won’t stick around for long once you’re a poor man living in a
trailer.”

“You patronizing son of a...” Aiden’s voice calms before he begins talking again. “Father, listen. Thank you for bringing me up the way you have. I appreciate it. However, I have worked hard to get to where I am today.
Yes, you may pay my wage, but I still work for it, and damned hard too. As for Jeni, I trust that she doesn’t care about my money and would stick by me no matter what.”

“You’re a bigger fool than I thought you were. Women like
only one thing in a man—money. That’s all she’s after, Aiden.”

“Father, why are you here?” Aiden sounds defeated.

“What did they say to you?” Alistair asks.

“That they’re getting closer to the culprit. They said that when they find out who it is they are going to take them down. That’s basically it.”

“Did they say who they suspect?”

“They seem to suspect us all. That’s why we’re all being
questioned.”

“All right, keep your guard up and get rid of the girl.”

“Father... Jeni stays.” Aiden exhales.

“Whatever. Don’t say I haven’t warned you. She’s no good for
you. She’s too much of a distraction, son.”