Chapter 8
Chapter Eight
Laney
When Ayden asked about my marriage, I fully intended to tell him the truth.
If Serena hadn’t interrupted, I would’ve, but now I don’t know how to bring up the subject without ruining our time together.
It’s a secret that has eaten at me since we reunited.
I plan to tell him before he leaves, but I’m not sure how.
I’m not worried about him not understanding.
I’m more concerned with how he’ll retaliate and the consequences of his actions.
Today’s a day Serena’s been looking forward to, so I don’t want anything to wreck it. She loves the zoo, and we spent an hour this morning packing our lunches.
“Are you excited, Dad?” Serena asks as she bounces in the back seat. She’s been calling him that all morning, and it warms my heart. She’s known about Ayden for so long. It’s surreal she finally gets to have him here.
“So excited,” he exclaims. “I can’t wait to pet a hippo.”
“What?” she screeches, giggling. “You can’t pet them!”
“I can’t? Why not?”
She giggles again, shaking her head as if he doesn’t know better.
“They’ll eat you!”
Their banter is the cutest thing I’ve ever witnessed.
Howie had a great relationship with Serena. He was the male role model in her life that she needed at the time, and I know he’d be so happy and proud that Ayden’s back in our lives.
I just wish he were alive now to see it.
Five hours and an exhausted child later, we walk into the house. Serena fell asleep on the drive home, and Ayden offered to carry her in so we didn’t have to wake her. He’s slipped so easily into this dad role, it’s going to be even harder when he has to leave.
As I unpack our leftovers, I talk to my mom on the phone, who wanted an update about our family day out. I gave her the condensed version of everything we did and how much fun we had. When I hear Ayden coming down the hallway, I tell her goodbye and hang up.
“Alright, she’s tucked in and snorin’ away.” Ayden walks into the kitchen in a change of comfy clothes.
He looks worn out, too, though I don’t blame him.
Serena’s energy can take a while to get used to.
She had us walking all over the place, to the gift shop and then back around for a second lap.
We each held Serena’s hands as she talked nonstop about hippos, monkeys, and snakes.
She loves to read, so bringing her to the boutique with me was always easy.
She’d stay in my office and get lost in animal books.
“She had the best day with you today,” I tell him, wiping down the counter.
He leans against the doorframe with a smile on his too-perfect face. “So did I, and now I can’t wait to show her ’round the ranch.”
“She’s gonna love it so much,” I agree.
“Mallory’s a couple years older, and she’ll enjoy showin’ her the ropes.”
“The niece, right?”
“Yep. She lost both of her parents last year, and being around horses has been therapeutic for her. Noah tells me she’s still grieving pretty hard, but she puts on a strong front.”
“Wow. How sad.” I’d be devastated to lose my mom. I can’t even imagine losing both parents at once.
He pushes off the doorframe and stalks toward me. “So what do you do for yourself?”
“What do you mean?” I ask nervously, wondering if he’s going to put that needy mouth back on mine.
He tilts up my chin with a smolder that makes me want to drop my guard and smash my lips to his. When he’d done it yesterday at the airport, I was taken off guard and not prepared. Next time he does, I want to be ready.
“I see how much time and effort you put into being a mom and how busy you are with the store. So...what do you do that’s just for yourself?”
Is this where I tell him I use a bullet vibrator in the tub until I orgasm three times and then pass out for seven hours?
Yeah...I’m not admitting that.
“Between Serena and the shop, there’s not much time for anything else.” I shrug. “When I tried datin’ after the divorce, it got too hard balancin’ it all. So I just stopped lookin’.”
“I have no doubts you’ve been the most amazin’ mother, but I wish you’d take some time to do something just for you. That way, you don’t burn out tryin’ to do it all.”
“My mom and Howie were very helpful whenever I needed it,” I explain, hoping to use this as an opening to tell him the truth about his best friend.
“Well, I’m here now. Let me do something for you.” He holds out his hand, and I skeptically give him mine.
“What’re you doin’?” I ask as he leads me out of the kitchen.
“You’ll see.”
He walks us into the master bathroom, and I gasp when I see what he’s done.
“Ayden...”
The lights are off, but candles are spread around on the vanity and counters, giving just enough dim lighting to see he drew me a bubble bath.
“What’s this?” I ask in disbelief. “When did you do this?”
“Earlier when you were on the phone with your mom. I’ve not been able to take care of you for ten years.
When I found your candles and bubble bath stuff, I decided you deserved a break and some time to yourself.
I’ll clean up the kitchen and do whatever else needs to be done.
As long as you promise to relax in this tub for at least an hour. ”
Opening my mouth, I shoot my gaze to his. He wraps a hand around my neck and pulls me into his chest when I try to argue. My palms flatten against him as my breath hitches. His eyes never leave mine as the corner of his lips tilts up in amusement, his mouth torturously close to mine.
“I found your little toy under the sink and thought you might wanna use it, so I placed it on a stack of towels next to the tub for you.” His low voice sends shivers down my spine, and then the reality of his words smacks me in my face.
Oh my God. I’m mortified.
Then he kisses my forehead and walks away, shutting the door behind him.
I don’t claim to be perfect, but when I slipped into the hot water and looked at the bullet he so nicely set out for me, I folded.
I won’t admit it to him, though.
He’ll just have to use his imagination if I did or not.
But goddamn, I’d never made myself come so many times in a row before.
That kiss, the sentiment of what he’d done for me, the teasing.
My body exploded.
Once I dry off and tie on my robe, I walk into my bedroom, fully expecting to see him waiting for me there.
What I get is so much better.
“What is this?”
“Thought you’d like some dessert after your orgasmic bath.”
“Ayden Carson, that’s not funny...” My cheeks heat as a blush crawls down my neck.
“You don’t like peach cobbler?” He raises a brow, knowing damn well that’s not what I’m talking about.
“You know I do. How’d you get that anyway?”
“There’s this fancy little delivery app y’all have here...”
Laughing, I sit on the bed next to him with our dessert between us. “Y’all don’t have that on the ranch, I suppose?”
“Not unless Mrs. Hollis counts.”
I snicker, taking the fork when he hands it over. Then I take a bite and moan.
“Good, huh?”
“So good,” I hum. “I haven’t had this in ages.”
“It’s all yours, darlin’. Wanna Coke with that?” He stands.
“Wait, you aren’t havin’ some? I don’t mind sharin’.”
“I wanted to spoil you.” He leans down, brushing his nose against mine. “So just enjoy it.” The low drawl of his voice nearly has me begging him to kiss me again. Touch me. Anything to put me out of my misery.
Instead, I swallow hard and nod. “Thanks. I’ll just take some sweet tea.”
“You got it.” Then he kisses my forehead and goes to the kitchen.
Jesus. My forehead’s gotten more action in two days than the rest of my body has in a decade.
He texted me every night since I visited the ranch—some sweet and some dirty. Now he’s here, dangling his charm and hotness in my face but not giving in to what we both want.
He’s going to make me fucking beg, isn’t he?
Well, I won’t. Yet.
Not until I’ve told him the truth about Howie and our past.
But goddamn, do I want to break my rules for just one more kiss.
Telling him tonight would ruin everything he’s done for me, so for now, I’ll wait.
We made plans to go to Howie’s grave tomorrow, and I’ll tell him then.
I just hope he forgives me once I do.