Chapter 63

I try to soothe the beating of my heart as Aiden and I arrive in the bedroom. “Aiden, remember, you promised not to push yourself,” I remind him. “You really shouldn’t be moving too much.”

“Oh, I’m not going to be moving.“ He leans his crutches against the wall and lays back against the bed. He looks up at me with a seductive expression. “Come here.“

My heart practically leaps into my throat. I take a few steps toward the bed, but he raises a hand.

“Isn’t there is something you should take off first?” He rumbles.

I looked down at my outfit -- I’m wearing a nice blouse and skirt that barely reaches my knees. Since it’s still a bit chilly outside, I paired the outfit with black thigh highs that give the illusion of tights.

I slowly slip my hands beneath my skirt, practically quivering with anticipation. To Aiden’s evident surprise, I don’t have to pull down a pair of tights – instead, I simply have to slip off my underwear. Aiden’s eyes widen

“Oh?” He hums. “I guess you really are a bad girl.”

I feel my body flush. “Do you want me to take the stockings off, too?” I ask. Aiden shakes his head.

“No need. All you have to do is lift up your skirt for me.”

I feel my need for Aiden become undeniable. Even though his boldness would typically embarrass me, I find that I am feeling just as desperate as he is. Aiden lays flat on the bed, and I slowly crawl onto it, soon enough straddling his hips. He shakes his head again.

“As much as I’d love that, sweetheart, I don’t want you doing any work tonight,“ he says. “Why don’t you move a little closer?“

I feel like I’m going to erupt in the flames when I realize what he means. “Are you sure?” I ask nervously. Although Aiden has used his mouth on me before, we’ve never done it in this position.

Aiden smile is gentle, but passionate. “Yes. Please.“

I fight down a wave of anxiety. Aiden has always been a sweet and passionate lover — I remind myself to get past my anxieties and begin to move to where Aiden wants me.

The sensation sends a warmth throughout my body. I let out a gasp, and my hands instinctively go to Aiden’s hair. It’s unsurprising how much attention he puts into my pleasure — still, it delights me every time.

It doesn’t take long for Aiden to completely satisfy me. As my body shakes from the aftermath, I curl up in bed beside him.

“Can I help you, now?” I whisper against his neck. Aiden shakes his head and holds me tighter.

“Not tonight, sweetheart. I want to do this for you. Just get some rest.”

I want to protest, but the day has been long and tiring. Soon enough, sleep claims me. I drift off with a satisfied smile on my face.

Aiden’s POV

Carol is awoken early the next morning by her phone ringing. The sound shakes both of us from our groggy sleep. I keep my arm wrapped around her torso as she turns over and picks up her phone.

“This is Carol Miller speaking,” she says. She manages to make her voice sound completely ordinary despite her being woken up only moments before. A fond smile tugs at my lips.

For a moment, she listens to the other side of the call. Her eyebrows pull together with concern. “Really?... I see. Okay… Okay.”

My eyebrow furrows. Judging by her side of the conversation, it isn’t the most pleasant one. Eventually, Carol nods. “Right. I’ll see you soon.” She hangs up the phone and turns over to face me.

“Everything alright?” I murmur. She runs a hand through her auburn hair and sighs.

“There’s been an issue with the leger. Mr. Whitlock says that it’s urgent. He’s asking me if I can stop by his office for an hour or so.”

I sit up in bed and rub the sleep out of my eyes. “He’s really doing that to you on a Sunday, huh?” I chuckle. Carol shrugs helplessly.

“Well… it sounds like it’s important…” Carol traits off. I can tell from the way she’s fidgeting with her hair that she feels guilty. I let out a quiet huff.

“You don’t need to feel bad,” I say softly. “Do what you need. Would you like me to come with you?”

She shakes her head quickly. “No, you don’t have to do that!” She climbs out of bed and leans down to give me a kiss. I happily return it. “I’ll be back soon, ‘kay?”

I smile reassuringly at Carol and rub her shoulder. She gets into some more formal clothing and rushes out the door. It’s amazing to me how hard she works — I just hope she knows she can take a break, I think.

I’m about to climb out of bed and begin my physical therapy when my phone rings, this time. To my surprise, Oliver is giving me a call. I answer the phone with a grin.

“Oliver! I didn’t expect you to call.”

“What, you don’t want to talk to your old best friend? You wound me,” Oliver’s voice comes crackling through the phone speaker.

“Of course I do. I’m surprised you even want to talk to me when Carol is your new best friend,” I tease. Carol told me all about their dinner together, and it warms my heart to know the two of them are getting along.

“Wait, is Carol there? You should definitely give the phone to her,” he snarks. I chuckle.

“She’s actually busy right now. Guess you’re stuck with me. What did you need?”

“I wanted to give you some updates about what’s been happening in the Capital,” Oliver says. “You should know what Katrina has been up to.”

Katrina. My brow furrows. I haven’t thought about her since my family’s party. I had lost any respect I had for her after the way she acted around Carol.

“I can’t imagine it’s anything good,” I sigh.

“I’m afraid you’re right. She’s been breaking her neck trying to get people to turn against Carol here in the Capital.”

That makes me sit at attention. “Really? Still?” I mutter.

“Yep. You’d think she has something better to do, but she’ll clearly take any opportunity she has to interfere with your relationship.”

“Is the smear campaign working?” I ask.

“Not really. Your parents have completely bought in, of course. They’ve done nothing to tamp down the rumors she’s been stirring up. From the way she talks, you’d think Carol was some vindictive harpy.”

I bristle with irritation at the idea. I can feel my typical overprotective mess begin to well up inside of me. “She’s not,” I say instinctively.

“Of course she’s not. Do you think I’m blind?” Oliver snorts. “You know that I approve of her. She’s good for you. Not like Katrina. Don’t worry, I’ve been doing everything that I can to disprove her nonsense.”

“Thank you,” I say genuinely.

“Don’t sweat it. I just wanted to warn you in case you hear anything down the grapevine.”

“Speaking of hearing things down the grapevine… Have you heard anything about my family’s business troubles?” I ask, a hint of uncertainty in my voice.

“Oh, no. I know what’s happening. I’d recognize the sound of your guilty voice anywhere,” Oliver says dryly. “Don’t worry about that right now. Focus on your recovery. You’re doing the right thing.”

I’m about to thank Oliver for his kindness when I see that I’m getting another call. I pull the phone away from my head and take a look at the caller ID. As soon as I see who it is, my stomach drops.

“Aiden? Are you okay?” I hear Oliver say on the other side. I put the phone against my ear again.

“I’m sorry — I’m going to have to call you back,” I say. My voice must be solemn, because Oliver becomes more serious.

“What is it?”

I take in a deep breath. “I’m getting a call from the Statford Police Department.”