Chapter 7 #2
In the small space, Aidyn’s presence invades my mind and body. I want him so much. “Should I try harder?”
He groans, and I place my hand on the side of his face, my fingers brushing his short beard. “I can barely resist you now.” He kisses the palm of my hand. It’s sweet. Tender. Now my heart is getting the wrong idea.
Proposing now would be a mistake. But my heart pounds, demanding I listen. The ache to say the words—to ask him to be mine forever and break this limbo—is insistent. Overwhelming. I have the ring. Why can’t I just do it?
“Don’t fret, love.” He pulls back and catches my gaze. The moment and my courage are gone. “We’re starting with one of your favorite things to do.”
“I agree.” I kiss him, showing him what I can’t say aloud.
Regret burns through my chest. Why am I such a fucking coward? But it’s surpassed by a sense of relief. Now is not the time. But that’s not the real reason.
If Aidyn says no, where would that leave us?
“Not that, you perv.” He chuckles and grabs my wandering hand. “We’re going shopping.”
“Shopping?” It’s always been a huge part of my life, but that was the marketing aspect. “We talked about this, Aidyn. Christmas is so commercialized—”
“Shut your cakehole,” he says, putting his thumb over my mouth. “We don’t have time for an hour-long rant on the evils of capitalism and Christmas. You love taking charge. Fixing problems. Your house has to be Christmas-ready in less than two weeks. Are you up for the challenge or not?”
Excitement surges through me at the thought. Going all in. Making this the best Christmas ever. Making Lanie happy. And my parents.
Damn him.
“It’s never been a question of whether I can do it…”
He raises a bushy red brow. “Yes or no, darlin’?”
I’m in, of course. What choice do I have? But the challenge in his eyes, his voice, and the shift of his body has me hesitant to admit he’s right. We’re both stubborn. It makes things difficult at times. And other times, when we both fight for dominance, it’s explosive and so fucking hot.
“Fine, yes.” I trace my thumb over his brow, wanting to do more. “You don’t know everything.”
“I know fucking you in this TARDIS like your eyes are begging me to do with your employees on the other side of an unlocked door is a terrible idea.”
He’s not wrong. I nod, and he takes my hand and leads me out of the TARDIS.
I blink against the bright lights of my office. And then Aidyn’s arms wrap around me. This kiss isn’t needy or insistent like before. I blink again, but it’s not the lights. Emotion clogs my throat at the care in his embrace.
“I’m here for you, love. What do you need?”
“This—” I clear my throat. “This is good.”
A quick knock is our only warning.
We jump apart as the door opens. “Hey, boss—” Nat stares, looking from me to Aidyn and back.
Shit. What is she seeing? Sensing?
I cross my arms. “Do you need something?” I try not to move, but my body prickles with nerves. I stuff my hands in my pockets. The ring is there. Taunting me.
“I have a few things…” The amusement in her eyes is impossible to miss. “But none of that seems important now.”
Aidyn studies the books on my bookshelf. Will Nat believe he’s interested in the macroeconomics of a postindustrial age? Doubtful.
“You’re supposed to wait for a ‘come in,’ Nat,” I say, belatedly.
“My bad.” She grins. “Whatcha guys doing?”
“None of your business.” I don’t mean to snap, but feeling so much in the last five minutes—love, lust, need, hope, embarrassment, and now fear—makes me cranky. And it’s the last one that I’m not sure about.
Am I afraid Nat will figure out we’re together? Or am I afraid of Aidyn’s reaction if she does? If. Ha. The grin on her face tells me I’m too late to stop that trainwreck.
She waves the stack of papers in her hands. “Last-minute things to sign.”
“You usually email those—”
“And you usually sign them. But I did, and you didn’t, so here we are.” She raises an eyebrow.
Out of the corner of my eye, I can see Aidyn watching our exchange. I grab the papers out of her hand and stomp over to my desk. I scribble my name on the first one and slap it on my desk. Each paper gets the same treatment. It’s aggressive and a bit over the top, but I can’t seem to help myself.
I shove the papers at her, not daring to look at Aidyn.
“Thanks, boss. Sorry to interrupt.” Her eyes shift to Aidyn, and the smirk on her face tells me everything I need to know.
She leaves, closing the door with a click. After locking it, I turn to Aidyn. His brows are raised as if to say that was interesting. But I don’t see any traces of worry or fear. “I’m sorry.” I gesture to the door and then slip my hands in my pockets. “I think she knows.”
“Ya think?” He chuckles and kisses me softly.
But I can’t stop at one, and the kisses turn from sweet to searing so fast that I become dizzy with want.
It’s been too fucking long since I’ve seen this man naked.
Aidyn puts his hands on my chest and gently pushes me away. “Maybe I should wait in the car.”
“If you want me to actually focus on getting out of here.” I wrap my hand possessively around his nape and squeeze.
Aidyn groans. “Not helping.” A few moments and scattered kisses later, he’s out the door with a warning that I have fifteen minutes before he drags me out.
I rush to complete necessary tasks and gather my belongings. The things I can’t finish or need to do later are thrown in my satchel. I can’t drop everything on Nat. This is my business. Everyone depends on me.
Nat almost runs into me as I exit my office. “Finally.”
I ignore her sass and head toward the employee entrance. We talk about work as she follows me. Which mostly consists of me thinking of last-minute things and Nat assuring me she has it covered.
“Thanks, Nat.” I turn to face her. She can be annoying, but I couldn’t ask for a more efficient or loyal assistant. “Call me if you need me.”
“Will do, boss. And likewise, if you need anything, like advice or a pep talk…”
“It’s just Christmas. I’ll be fine.”
“Uh-huh.” She glances past me, and I follow her gaze. Through the small window on the exit door, I can see the white van with Christy’s Café on the side. “So, you and the grumpy Irishman? I should have guessed.”
Her voice is low, but I still check the area. No one else is around. “It’s not…” I start to deny it, but I can’t. I’m tired of denying this thing between us. “It’s complicated.”
“I bet. Enjoy Christmas with your family. And if your secret boyfriend becomes your secret fiancé, I expect to be notified immediately.”