Chapter Fifteen
A fter a long day at work, professionally as well as personally, Aiden left the office, his mood better than it had been in a while.
Though he hadn’t planned on having a conversation about the past, he and Brooke had crossed the most difficult barrier, and she was open to a relationship of some kind.
After hearing her perspective on their history, he was damned lucky to get a second chance.
That he’d hurt her had been obvious. He’d known it for years. But understanding he’d taken away her autonomy by making choices for her killed him because he’d also disrespected her in the process.
She’d wanted a long-distance relationship and deep down, so had he.
He should have let her make that choice and acknowledged his desires too.
And he knew now that the long hours on the road, the dangerous situations, and the lonely hotel rooms would have been more bearable if he’d had her waiting for him.
As much as he wished things could be easy from here on out, he had work to do to fix things. Sex wasn’t the answer, though he hoped they’d get there soon. Most importantly, he’d have to earn her trust back over time.
Leaving work, he decided to ramp up his efforts to break through her walls and he had an idea.
Time might change things about a person, but there were always constants.
When it came to Brooke, he knew she’d always had a sweet tooth.
There was no way that had changed, so he decided the first step to wooing her could be surprising her with a sweet treat.
Her favorite chocolate shop was located close to the family home in the suburbs of Westchester County. He drove home from work, stopping at the shopping center where the store was located on the way.
Once inside, he knew exactly what to buy. Caramel.
The memory that popped into his mind had been from a long time ago. Brooke had just gotten her driver’s license, and her mom had saved up to buy her a car. She’d had her license for a week and was eager to drive anywhere, so she’d agreed to do the grocery shopping for her mother.
Aiden had helped her unload the groceries.
As they brought in the last bags and placed them on the kitchen counter, Brooke reached into one of the paper bags and pulled out a purple and gold bag when Lizzie wasn’t looking.
Brooke winked at him and strolled out of the kitchen, bag in hand, Aiden hot on her heels.
Catching up to her in the living room, Aiden plucked the bag out of her hands, eyeing the individually wrapped caramel-filled chocolates.
“Was this on the shopping list?” he asked with a smirk, holding the bag over her head when she tried to snatch it back.
She grinned. “No, but call it my shopping and delivery fee,” she said, a defiant glint in her eye. “Are you going to rat me out?”
Aiden opened the bag and pulled out one of the wrapped candies before handing the bag back to her. Unwrapping the chocolate, he ignored her annoyed glare as he popped it into his mouth. “Your secret is safe with me.”
Brooke loved caramel chocolates, and now, he was going to use that knowledge to his advantage.
The selection of caramel options at the chocolate shop was impressive.
Dark and milk chocolate. With and without nuts.
Chewy or soft caramel. Some had sea salt and others didn’t.
He grabbed a box and filled it with basic milk-chocolate candies filled with caramel.
After paying, he stepped out of the store. It was still light out, normal for summer, and he strode across the lot toward his car. The shop was in a strip mall with other stores, and the lot had a myriad of people coming and going.
Out of an abundance of caution, Aiden glanced around, seeking out the guy who’d paid him a visit the other night or anyone else who might be looking his way.
But all the people seemed to be going about their business, not paying anyone extra attention.
Aiden couldn’t explain why, but he had the same unsettling feeling he’d experienced at the coffee shop with John.
He was being watched.
He expected whoever wanted him to pull the story wouldn’t give up, but as Aiden hadn’t seen the stranger since after his walk in the park, he’d been trying to convince himself nothing would come of the man’s threats.
Shaking off the uneasy feeling that raised the little hairs on the back of his neck, he made his way across the lot toward his car, digging his keys out of his jacket pocket. He was only about halfway there when the roar of an engine caught his attention and he glanced to the right.
A car was racing toward him. His heart stopped, his breath stalled in his lungs, and his mind struggled to understand what was happening.
His brain kicked in as the vehicle accelerated and he dove to the side, landing on the hard asphalt between two sedans just as the vehicle sped past, whizzing through the spot where he’d been standing.
Dammit.
He started to get to his feet, but as he pushed against the ground, pain sliced through both hands. He winced and glanced at his bleeding palms. His less-than-graceful landing had scraped up his skin. Thanks to the adrenaline rush, he hadn’t felt the pain, but he did now.
What were the chances the driver of the SUV had just been careless, in too big of a hurry? He shook his head. More likely, they were trying to shut him up for good.
***
Two hours later, Aiden sat on the couch at home, waiting for Brooke to arrive. Tonight was her first night living in the main house until the plumbing at the gatehouse was fixed and he’d been looking forward to their forced proximity.
Even better, his father had texted him while the paramedic was wrapping his palms, informing Aiden that he and Lizzie were going out for dinner. Their night out was welcome. Aiden wouldn’t have to answer questions about the bandages on his hands.
He didn’t need the painful reminder. He’d been reliving the moment since it happened. The sound of the engine echoed in his mind and his just-in-time dive out of the way. Such a close call. His heart rate sped up in his chest.
Rising, he walked to the kitchen. His hands shook as he pulled scotch from the cabinet above the stove, where his dad stashed the good stuff, although he wasn’t partaking much anymore because of his heart.
Using his fingers and being careful not to drop the bottle, he poured a glass and took a long sip.
He’d tried to stay calm after the incident, to think rationally and not jump to conclusions about who had been behind the wheel, but as he took another sip of whisky, feeling it burn down his throat, he had to admit he was shaken.
He hadn’t thought they’d try and kill him… until now. It didn’t make sense. The article would run no matter what happened to him.
But, his death would send a message, the same as when they’d killed Ingrid. But her murder hadn’t stopped him. If anything, he’d been more driven to bring the corruption to light. No matter what happened to Ingrid or to him, once the world became aware, the investigation would continue.
All he knew was that the threat to his life felt very real, and he needed to be more careful from now on.
This couldn’t last forever, and with luck, the article’s release would put an end to the danger.
There was the potential for revenge once the story ran, but whoever was after him would be too busy with avoiding arrest. The police were now involved, not that they were convinced it was anything other than a speeding driver, but they would investigate.
Before he could continue to let his thoughts spin in his head, he heard the front door open and the sound of footsteps in the hall.
He strode out of the kitchen to see Brooke walking through the entryway, her leather tote slung over one shoulder, purse over the other, dragging a suitcase behind her. She paused where she stood.
Brooke had been in this house many times over the years, hanging out with him, having sleepovers with Fallon, and for family gatherings which always included her and Lizzie.
Her hesitation now surprised him. “What’s wrong?” he asked, setting his empty glass onto the foyer table.
She closed the door behind her and set her briefcase on the same table. “I just… feel weird about staying here. Like I’m intruding.”
Though he understood, he didn’t want her to feel uncomfortable. “Don’t be silly,” he said lightly.
Brooke narrowed her gaze. “Don’t call me silly. It’s just strange. I’m going to be living here. At least, temporarily.”
Aiden raised his hands up in a gesture of surrender, and Brooke’s annoyed expression faded away.
Instead, her eyes grew wide, and she rushed toward him. “Oh my God. What happened?” she asked, grabbing his wrists and staring at the white bandages.
Shit. He hadn’t been thinking about the bandages when he showed her his palms. “Nothing to worry about. I just have to leave them wrapped overnight to prevent infection,” he said, avoiding what she was really asking.
“But… what happened ?” A concerned look settled on her face, and despite the seriousness of the situation, he appreciated her worry.
A couple of weeks ago, he’d been sure she hated him, so he was grateful for any sign of her caring.
He’d thought about what to tell her when she asked, had even considered lying, but he couldn’t do it.
They wouldn’t make progress together if he withheld information now.
He just didn’t want her to freak out when she heard.
“I was almost run down in a shopping center parking lot earlier. I dove out of the way and did a number on my palms.”
“Run down?” she asked, her voice rising.
She gripped his wrists tighter and the blood rushed from her face, leaving her pale.
“I can’t believe this. People are in too big a hurry sometimes.
I mean, if they were going so fast they almost hit you…
” She trailed off, studying his face. “Wait a minute. You don’t think someone was trying to hit you on purpose, do you? ”
He didn’t know what she saw in his expression, but she knew how to read him.
He shrugged. “To be honest, I don’t know what to think.
I was working on a story before I came home and there was definitely danger involved,” he hedged, holding back information.
There was no reason to scare her further with the details of his article and the other incidents.
She’d panic if she knew someone had actually threatened him.
And maybe he didn’t want to admit the truth out loud.
“What did the police say?” she asked, her voice trembling.
He wished he had more information there. “They retrieved security footage from one of the stores nearby and did get a plate number. I just have a feeling they won’t come up with anything.” These people were too smart.
“Well, we’ll just have to wait and see.”
He liked how she said we when it came to his situation.
“What were you doing at the shopping center, anyway?” she asked, releasing his wrists.
Aiden’s eyes shifted to the coffee table in front of the couch, where the plastic bag from the chocolate shop was sitting. “I went to buy you something.”
Brooke turned and saw the bag with the logo from the chocolate shop printed on the side. She walked over and picked up the bag. Reaching inside, she pulled out the now half-smashed box of chocolates.
“I landed on it,” he explained.
“Caramels?” she asked, reading the label on the box. “You got me chocolate caramels?” Her voice was soft, her eyes warm with appreciation.
“They’re your favorites, right?”
Brooke smiled. “If I remember correctly, you like them too.” She opened the box and picked up one of the small, rose-shaped chocolates, popping it into her mouth and moaning at the taste.
The sound reminded him of her noises when they made love and Aiden’s dick hardened with the memory.
“Would you like one?” she asked, holding out the box to him.
He wanted something much sweeter than chocolate. He wanted the delicious satisfaction of being with Brooke. At the thought, desire pumped through his veins.
He nodded anyway. “I’d love one. But… I can’t grab it with my wrapped hands.” He lied, and he was pretty sure she knew that, something she confirmed with a shake of her head and an amused smirk. “Feed me.”
She lifted another chocolate from the box and held it up to his mouth.
Holding her gaze, he parted his lips, and as she slid the chocolate in he swiped his tongue over her fingers. Her breath hitched, and she leaned close. Only inches separated them, the warmth of her body and her light coconut scent overwhelming him.
Swallowing the chocolate, he dipped his head and pressed his lips to hers in a kiss that turned his desire into something deeper, a need to be inside her with a desperation he’d never felt before.
Breaking their connection, he looked deep into her eyes. “Come to my bed, Brooke.”