Chapter Fourteen
“You’re coming with me,” Aiden says as I step into the kitchen. He rakes his eyes over my messy hair and sweatpants. Honestly, I hadn’t expected him to still be here when I got up—and I don’t know why.
I’m still angry, and I feel sore.
“Where are we going?” I ask wearily, wrapping my arms around myself.
“On a hike,” Aiden answers flatly, pushing a plate of scrambled eggs, toast, and sausage links in front of me.
“A hike?” I ask, sliding onto the stool at the bar. “I don’t know about that. I’m not really the type to do—”
“To do anything other than watch out for everyone else and work,” Aiden finishes, shaking his head at me. “You deserve something better than that. I’ll show you that you can have it.”
“And yet, you keep me captive here,” I bite back, narrowing my eyes at him. We might’ve had an intimate moment in the woods, but that didn’t mean that I was going to give in to him. That’s not how life worked. That’s not how this would work.
Aiden’s smile fades. “Not forever, Sara. I have to tie up the loose ends, and I have to know that I can trust you before things change.”
I want to press him on the matter but choose not to. I don’t know if I want to know what the loose ends are that need to be tied up. “Fine.”
“Good,” he says, suddenly sounding more chipper. “Eat your breakfast, and then go change into some appropriate clothing.”
“Is this not good enough?” I snap back, my tone cold.
“Of course not. We’re going hiking. You’ll be sweating your ass off in a sweatshirt and pants. You need clothing that can breathe.” He doesn’t seem to want to play into my fiery mood, and honestly, it shuts me down.
I finish my breakfast in silence as he hovers around, cleaning up the dishes as if he’s more than happy to do it. I frown as he swipes my empty plate, not even grumbling about having to pick up after me. It’s strange to be treated this way—as if I’m not a burden. I feel as if I lived a life like this once upon a time, but too much has happened for me to remember those days.
“Go ahead, run up and change. I’ll see you back down here.”
I nod, once again opting for silence. I charge up the stairs and head for the bedroom where I pull out a pair of jean shorts, a tank top, and surprisingly, hiking boots. I don’t question it and change into the clothes. Stopping at the mirror in the bathroom, I brush my hair and pull it up into a bun on the top of my head.
Good enough.
I head back downstairs and find Aiden waiting in the kitchen. I hadn’t even realized he was already ready to go. He’s wearing a pair of khaki shorts, a white T-shirt, and boots. I bite back a smile, struck by how different he looks in this outfit.
“Okay, let’s go,” I say, clearing my throat.
He looks up, his eyes scanning over me. “You used to look cute, you know? But now, now you’re a fucking hottie even in that,” Aiden grunts, grabbing my hand and pulling me toward the exit into the courtyard.
“Are we not driving?” I ask stupidly as he punches in a code, and we step into the fresh air.
“Nope, I have plenty of places to hike from here—for now, anyway.” Aiden looks over his shoulder at me as he drags me across the perfectly landscaped yard area, complete with a fountain and lots of stone. I admire it as we pass, appreciating it for what it is.
“Did you have someone design all this?” I look up at him as we reach the gate.
“I did it myself.” He gives me a surprisingly shy smile. “I just wanted you to have everything you could ever want. I remember that time we went to the Myriad Gardens. You talked about how much you loved the fountains and the pretty courtyard. I thought I’d do my best to bring it back to you.”
I swallow the lump in my throat, unable to do anything other than nod. The moment leaves me longing for the old Aiden—the one that I didn’t feel slightly fearful of.
“Come on.” Aiden squeezes my hand and tugs me out to a trail, instantly bringing back thoughts of last night. However, I push the intimacy away. I don’t want to give into my sexual desires for Aiden—even if it’s easier said than done.
Especially when he’s trying to connect with me on this level.
“You know, I always thought it was unfair that you had to start working in the store so early on. I don’t think your dad…” Aiden’s voice trails off as he catches my eye—and the look that I’m giving him.
I don’t want to talk about my dad.
“I just think you need more time to discover who you are outside of work and when you are not taking care of everyone else. That’s what I intend to give to you. I want you to do anything and everything for yourself while you’re here.”
“Except leave,” I deadpan, trying to pull my hand away.
“No, you can’t leave, but if I let you leave, you’d run right back to your old life, and that’s not what you need. You don’t see it now, Sara, but I do—just like you always saw me.” He adds the last bit in an almost inaudible voice, and I find my heart aching for him again.
And this time, it’s not sexual at all.
It’s just the Aiden that I know and love…
But he still left you, Sahara. He broke promises. Don’t forget that.
Conflict overwhelms me as we trek along, making our way through the woods. We are on the other side of the property—not the side that he chased me on or where he fucked me. I can’t help but admire his strong frame and golden-brown hair as we walk. His appearance is neater than it used to be, but somehow, the ruggedness is still there. The sight of Aiden in the woods is almost mesmerizing, and I take a deep breath again, filling my lungs with fresh air and the scent of cedar and pine.
Maybe I can just enjoy this. Worry about everything else later.
I finally begin to relax, as the sticks and leaves crunch pleasingly beneath my boots. I don’t remember the last time I took any time to just enjoy the moment, and I have to admit that it’s more relaxing than I thought it’d be.
“It’s nice, isn’t it?” Aiden asks, like he can read my mind.
I fall in step beside him. “It’s not so bad.” I don’t want to tell him the truth that I’m enjoying it or that, as we break through the trees and I catch sight of a large, clear pond, I’m no longer thinking about anything other than how amazing the moment is.
“Beautiful, huh?” Aiden nudges me, and then tugs me toward the edge of the water.
“How is it so clear?” I toe the edge of the water with the tip of my boot. Tiny frogs jump around, diving into the clearness and swimming away from me.
“I’ve spent a lot of money to treat it, but don’t worry, I didn’t use anything that would harm the wildlife or fish. I just wanted it to be perfect for you.” His voice softens, and I can’t bring my eyes up to his.
I don’t want him to see what I’m feeling.
Instead, I take another step into the water, nearly soaking my entire boot. A little frog jumps onto it, and I let out a childish giggle, unable to hold it in.
“You’re such a nerd,” Aiden says from behind me. “I knew you’d love it down here.”
I glance over my shoulder at him. “I’m not a nerd.”
“I don’t mean it like that,” he shoots back, a smile on his face. “I just mean, like… I don’t know how to explain it, really. The smallest things in life seem to make you happy. I knew the big house, the fancy cars, and the house staff wouldn’t reach you as much as this place. I knew this place would make you smile.” His eyes hold mine so intently that I have to look away.
Why does he still seem to know me so well? Is it because I haven’t changed in all these years?
Or is it because Aiden and I are the same soul, torn into two?
I bite down on my lip, my gaze dropping back to the tiny frog on my boot. I reach down quickly and scoop it up into my hands, wanting a chance to admire it up close. Carefully, I lift my hand, just enough to get a peek. I smile at just how small it is.
“It’s so cute,” I murmur, and suddenly, I catch my breath, as I feel Aiden right beside me. I jerk my head up at him, a streak of panic mixed with excitement thrumming through me.
“I just want to see,” he says quietly. I nod, tilting my hands to show him. He peers down and smiles. “It’s tiny.”
“I know,” I chime. “But I guess I should let him go.”
“You could keep it as a pet?”
“No.” I shake my head. “I don’t think the answer to everything we admire is to lock it up and keep it for ourselves.”
He leans away from me, his eyes suddenly darkening. “I see.”
I swallow hard and then let the frog go, watching it swim through the clear waters. “He’s happier being free.”
“He’s still confined to this pond. He’ll never leave it.”
I glance over at Aiden, not sure if this conversation is a metaphorical one. “I don’t know. He’s just a frog. I’m sure this pond is plenty big.”
Aiden smiles. “Yeah, just like this house. Let’s get back.”
Ouch. Moment ruined.
After we get back to the house, Aiden takes off for the day, telling me he won’t be back until late that night but there’s food for me in the fridge. It leaves me with some much-needed alone time. As I explore the house, I realize most of the doors are locked from the outside. I’m not sure if something I said upset him, or if he’s truly just a busy man. Regardless, I try to push everything away as I lose myself in the movies and books that I find in the bedroom.
Evening rolls around, and sure enough, Aiden is still not back. I crawl into bed feeling surprisingly disappointed. Did he take me out into the woods just to give me a glimpse of what it could be like? It feels as though I am in prison, and he merely gifted me with some outdoor recreation.
But now, I find myself longing for more of it.