Chapter 4
CHAPTER 4
JAMISON
My mind frantically searches for an excuse for why Dori’s defending herself to me. “Aiden, before you jump to conclusions, you need to remember Dori and I work together.”
“And how does that factor into the equation? Is it because that’s where you decided to go against everything we’ve ever talked about?” Aiden’s pulse visibly races through the thick vein in his neck.
I knew seeing her with him around would be disastrous, but my eyes stay pinned to Aiden’s. If I look at her, I won’t be able to hide how I feel about her.
“Dori and I aren’t in a relationship. We never have been, so relax.” I take a calming breath.
He holds my gaze, glaring while he tries to detect the smallest crack in my expression that would expose my lie.
Dori reaches over and touches his arm. “Aiden, where is this coming from?”
His head spins her way. “The guilt was screaming off you when you explained why you had stayed the weekend with your boss. Why would you feel guilty, Dori?”
She gestures in my direction. “Because I was supposed to work all weekend with Jami to make sure everything for our upcoming launch was completed. I bailed on him and left him high and dry. We’ve been strained since then.”
My shoulders relax. “As you can see, Aiden, it wasn’t what you thought.”
He analyzes Dori and me. We both have our professional masks on, hiding our deceit.
Melanie steps in. “I can vouch for them. Jami and I go out a lot. If you’re getting a dating vibe, it’s probably because of us.”
As much as that will bother Dori, it’s the best thing anyone here could’ve said.
Aiden pulls back in his chair, wide-eyed. “Then why were you just hitting on me?”
“Simple. I don’t want anything serious. Everyone knows that, and I won’t change who I am based on who’s around me. If I want someone, I’m going to go for it.” She shrugs.
Half of Aiden’s face contorts and bunches together. “And you’re alright with this, Jami?”
“I’m not looking for a relationship either. Melanie’s free to be with whomever she wants. If that’s you, she has my blessing.” I glance at Dori.
She’s giving both Melanie and me some major stink eye, so I address Aiden. “You should know, Melanie and I have never done anything sexual. If you two should hook up, there’s nothing weird you need to worry about.”
“See, there’s nothing stopping us, but we can talk about the specifics once we leave here. They don’t need to hear what I have in store for you.” Melanie smiles at Aiden with an invitation slipping off her lips.
Dori’s face pales as Melanie hits on her brother. It’s interesting that Dori reacts as negatively about them dating as Aiden does about us dating.
Aiden shifts toward Melanie with a gleam in his eyes. “You are one hell of a sexy woman. ”
I’m not shocked he hit on her because he goes through women like water. He’s not afraid of picking up women in front of Dori or me, so I’m taking this as a big win. With the spotlight off us, we can breathe again.
But Dori has other plans. “Wait a minute. If you go out with her, you can’t stop me from going out with…”
And it hits her. She just marched us right back into enemy territory. She can be so reckless when it comes to getting what she wants. My stomach clenches as I subtly shake my head. She got us into this so she can get us out.
Aiden’s head whips to Dori. “With Jami? Is that who you were going to say?”
She blinks and sits back. “Well, yes. But only because you’ve always made such a big deal about us never dating. If you can date my best friend, I can date yours.”
“So you’re saying that out of spite? Jami and I have been friends since we were in grade school. He’s like my brother, so it’s very different.” Aiden’s shoulders widen as he stares her down.
She shrinks in her chair and caves. “Okay. I see your point, but I don’t want to hear about it if you go out with Melanie.”
“Oh, we won’t share the details. Will we, Aiden?” Melanie laughs seductively.
“My lips are sealed.” His gaze finds hers and I want to roll my eyes.
Together, those two would either fall desperately in love or tear each other apart with their sexual play for dominance. After all, he is the one who introduced me to the concept of control in the bedroom.
Granted, I’m far more skilled in it because of my experiences at Mateo’s clubs, but I’m not going to bring that up with Dori sitting here with us. My mind wanders back to my time in Miami.
I went to Mateo’s sex clubs a few times just to check out the concept. His right-hand man, Justin, is a regular there. When he asked about my dating life, I told him I’m particular about my interests, so it’s hard to find someone who shares them.
He assured me I would find someone there, so I went to see if he was right. Sure enough, I met a couple of women who were accepting of my desire to control the scene in the bedroom.
The sexual parameters take a while to be laid out. Once they are, heaven and hell, love and war, dominance and submission become a work of art.
Sexual bliss painted in sin, lust, control, and ruled by trust. It’s the most powerful, pleasurable thing between two lovers if they get to the point where they both understand that’s the goal.
Lovemaking comes after all that. That’s when two lovers become one in the bedroom. It’s a dance of give and take.
Both partners are willing to go to the edge of their limit while the other delicately holds the space for them to do it safely. It’s beautiful when you get it right.
While Aiden and Melanie flirt, I try to figure out how Dori’s feeling physically. The color in her cheeks is better, but she hasn’t touched much of her dinner.
She’s more interested in the wine, which makes me want to spill it so she can’t drink it. But Aiden’s already watching us closely. Neither of us needs any more stress.
Aiden picks up his beer and motions to me like he’s acknowledging me. “Speaking of dating. Have you heard back from your girlfriend?”
I zoned out for most of the conversation, so I’m spitting water out of my nose with his question. It takes me a minute to stop coughing and regain my composure.
Dori’s arms are crossed. She’s glaring at me across the table as if she has any right. My insides tighten to the core. Lauren needs to stay out of this conversation no matter what .
I shake my head, bracing myself for a deadly impact. “I don’t have a girlfriend. Where do you get this stuff from?”
Aiden's eyebrows bunch together. “You were just fighting with her. You spent fifteen minutes before we went to Dori’s texting her.”
Fuck, this is bad. I’ve been hit in a major artery and I’m about to bleed out. I need an excellent doctor to help stitch me up and heal from this mess.
“The woman I was fighting with through text messages is not my girlfriend.” I pick up my whiskey and slam it back.
Dori, looking very justified, leans to me from across the table. “Maybe it was one of the women you’ve been seeing off that dating app you’re on. How many women from that app are you not dating?”
I take in a deep, cleansing breath and curse Hunter for his threats. That makes two he’s pulled the trigger on—only four more to go until my life blows up in smoke.
“I thought you said you weren’t going to respond to Julie.” Melanie hits my arm with the back of her hand, clearly hurt I’ve left her out on my secret decision to text Julie.
Which isn’t a secret at all because it didn’t happen. I don’t even know what to do, so my eyes sweep the restaurant as I search for our server. I need another drink, stat.
Dori shifts toward Melanie, red-faced as if she has steam coming out of her ears. “Julie? How do you know about this Julie woman?”
Dori’s jealousy is blaring, but she doesn’t seem to care. Aiden’s studying her like he knows she’s got feelings for me. It’s the second time she’s thrown us right into his feeding dish.
I’m about to own up to it all because I can’t handle the stress. I’m worried sick about Dori’s possible pregnancy. She’s already high-risk, so this tension isn’t good for her or the baby.
With all this talk about me dating, her fiery temper rages. She’s armed with every reason she needs to leave me and raise this baby with Hunter .
Fuck.
She’s more than livid with me right now. I don’t think she would, but she could tell him it was his just out of spite. I shouldn't have gone on those dates, but my heart was crushed by an eighteen-wheeler with a vengeance.
Melanie answers Dori’s question like it’s old news. “I saw a message Julie sent Jamison on his phone.”
Mel makes eye contact with our server and waves him over. Dori scoots forward so she’s on the edge of her chair.
“What were you doing with his phone?” She glares at Mel. “Don’t you think that’s intrusive?”
Just in time, the server stops by the table and saves us from further destruction. We all order another drink, even Dori. This time, when she does, I can’t stop myself.
“Dori, that’s enough with the wine,” I growl.
This has got to be the most unhinged dinner I’ve ever attended. We’re a bunch of lunatics with no self-control over our emotions.
“I’m a big girl who can make her own decisions. If I want wine, I’ll have it. Now, let’s get back to the previous discussion.”
She’s scowling at me as if she’s about to slink across the table like the demonic creature from the movie The Ring did when she crawled out of the TV. It’s enough to freak me out into half submission.
I grip the arms of my chair. “I understand, but you’ve been sick for the last few days. Wine won’t help.”
Aiden shocks me with his advice.
“Jami’s right. If you blew him off all weekend and didn’t do any work that needed to get done, the last thing you should be doing is drinking. You’ll end up sick again. I know how much the success of this app means to both of you, so take it easy on the alcohol.”
“You always take Jami’s side.” She shoots Aiden a dirty look .
“Because Jami doesn’t fight me on things. He listens to my guidance.” Aiden picks up his fork and plays with his remaining food.
“No, that’s not what Jami does. What he does is let you control him and every decision he makes.” She marches right back into the line of fire.
“Dori, Jami’s a man with a mind of his own. He doesn’t need me to control him. He’s got enough self-restraint. You’re the reckless one of the bunch, so you can’t blame me for trying to give you some solid advice. One day you might take it like Jami does and save yourself a lot of heartache.”
Aiden keeps his eyes trained on her as if waiting to fight her if she comes back at him.
I can’t stand seeing her like this when she knows I’m the chickenshit in this situation. “Take it easy on her, Aiden. I’m far from perfect, and you’re pushing her buttons. I’d like to enjoy the rest of the night and it’s headed in a bad direction. Let’s drop it.”
He glances around the table and then relaxes. “Sorry, Dori. I didn’t mean to upset you.”
“Thank you. I accept your apology. I don’t want to spend our time together arguing over silly things.” Her voice cracks, and her eyes get red like she’s about to cry.
Her emotions are all over the board. If it’s not another sign she’s pregnant, I don’t know what is. And the thought of telling Aiden is enough to ruin my appetite.
Somehow, we made it through the rest of the dinner without any more hiccups.
I’ve left Aiden at my place for the day. He thinks Dori is working at the office and needs time to focus, given our upcoming launch. I hope he’s squared away long enough for the time we need.
This next part is going to be tricky. I rattle my knuckles against Dori’s door. After last night, I pray with my entire heart she opens it.
As it swings inward, she comes into view. “What are you doing here?”
“I’m taking you to your appointment.” I place my foot in the doorway so she can’t jam it shut.
“You and Melanie set me up. I should’ve known this would happen.” Dori’s shoulders square.
“Don’t blame her. It was all my idea.” I stare at the woman I’m desperately in love with. “I want to be there if you’ll let me.”
She glances at the floor and considers it, then relaxes her stance. It’s a good sign. She takes in a bouncy breath like she’s holding herself together by a string. She nods without looking up.
“You have a right to be there. Let me get my purse and a jacket.” She turns and grabs her belongings off her kitchen counter.
We walk to my car in silence. There are a lot of things we should discuss, but we’re both just trying to remember to breathe.
I’m forcing myself to hold in all my excitement. I thought I’d be terrified of the horrible things we’ll have to face, but I want her to be pregnant. It feels right.
I open the car door for her and she slides in. Once I’m in and she tells me where we’re going, we start on our way to find out the answers to our questions.
She stares out the window, hiding her eyes. “They’re going to ask if you want to come in the room with me.”
“How do you feel about that?” I grip the wheel tighter.
I hope she doesn’t keep me out. It would send me out of the galaxy, waiting for her .
“You can come in if you want. Just be warned, they’re going to want to do a pelvic exam. I’m not sure what else they’ll do, but I don’t want you to feel uncomfortable.” Her voice is monotone. She’s shut down, and a huge part of me understands why.
“I won’t feel uncomfortable. And I’d like to go in with you. Both for myself and you.”
“Okay, now that we have that settled.” She faces me. “I’m glad you’re going in. I didn’t want you to feel pressured, but I’m not sure I can do this alone.”
Her worry and vulnerability stab me in the heart. I spend the next fifteen minutes trying to soothe her discomfort. To wrap my one true love in a blanket of support. She has me to hold and love her all the way through this.
I stress again if she is pregnant, I want it. I want it more than anything. Her emerald eyes stare my way, thanking me for my dedication.
She twists her finger around a lock of auburn curls and quietly hums “The Itsy Bitsy Spider” as we pull into the parking lot.
Does she know she’s doing it?
Once we’re inside the office, she disappears to use the bathroom. After a few minutes, the nurse comes and gets me. When I step into the room, I find Dori sitting on a table in a hospital gown, covered from the waist down by a paper blanket.
Her legs are crossed at her ankles and swing back and forth. Her hands are in her lap and her eyes flit nervously around the room as she checks out all the contents in the office. I sit in a chair next to Dori’s side.
The nurse, with an overly kind smile, begins the questions as she looks over the medical information Dori completed.
“It appears you’re late, but you haven’t taken a test until today. Is that correct?” The nurse glances up .
“Yes, that’s correct.” Dori’s voice is as timid as a frightened child.
Instinctively, I reach for her hand. She peeks at it and then quickly slides her hand into mine.
“Tell me about the symptoms and the pain you’re experiencing.” The nurse places the notes on her lap and gives Dori her full attention.
“Um… I’ve been tired and I’m late. My breasts are tender, and I’m bloated and nauseous.” Dori waits for the nurse.
It’s the first I’ve heard about the sore breasts, but I’m not surprised. It reminds me of some other symptoms she’s forgotten to mention.
I disclose more in a hurry. “She nearly fainted and has little appetite.”
The nurse takes notes as Dori’s eyes meet mine. “Thanks. I forgot about that.”
“That’s why we always like it when the dad comes along.” The nurse is still writing, but I don’t miss it.
I don’t think she was supposed to say it because it should’ve come from Dori’s doctor, but I heard it.
Dad.
Did she just say I’m going to be a father?