Chapter 9
CHAPTER NINE
TALK ABOUT SWEET TORTURE
Aldrich
Aldrich was three days into his holiday, enjoying the tranquility and peace of his time off.
He had flown to Trinidad in the early hours of the morning and, upon arriving, went straight to bed, eager to rest. Although he owned the same model bed in his home in Rotterdam, it lacked the comforting familiarity of this one.
The first day was spent in blissful solitude, with Aldrich drifting in and out of sleep. Being back in Trinidad felt deeply right; it was unmistakably home. Ten years ago, he had had a house built here, solidifying his connection to the place.
He indulged in a captivating mystery series on a well-known streaming platform, a show Sorinah had repeatedly praised.
Initially skeptical, he was soon drawn into its intricate plot twists and well-crafted character arcs.
During their last conversation, he had dismissed the idea of watching a mystery where the identity of the killer was already revealed.
Like Sorinah, he quickly pinpointed the culprit but was fascinated by the enigmatic motive, which kept him guessing until the very end.
The show’s masterful ability to build suspense and deliver a satisfying resolution left him thoroughly entertained.
However, he resolved to keep his newfound appreciation for the series a secret.
Miss know-it-all would never learn of his enjoyment.
That power would be dangerous in her hands.
“What are you smiling about?” his mother asked, pulling him from his thoughts.
Had he been smiling? “Just leaning into being on holiday.”
His parents had come over for breakfast.
“That’s wonderful. Have you been liming with the guys?” his father asked.
“Not yet. I have spent the last two days relaxing all by my lonesome.”
His mother frowned. “Is everything all right?”
“Yes.” He nodded. “I was taking the wonderful advice of my amazing boss and relaxing.”
She beamed at him and patted his hand. “Good. Now if only you would listen to her about other things.”
Please, God. Let her spare me the lecture.
You would think his mother would be satisfied that one of her sons was married and that she had a grandchild on the way.
Honestly, Aldrich thought his mother’s focus on Nakinah’s pregnancy took the heat off him.
However, he noticed the meddling gleam in her eyes was back.
The breakfast he had taken the time to prepare didn’t look as appealing.
Unless something saved him…
“I booked some tee time tomorrow,” his father announced.
“Why would you do that?” His mother narrowed her eyes at her husband.
Yes! God bless you, Dad. Jumping on the grenade for me.
“It wasn’t for me, Darling. I’m being a good host. The gentlemen can bond on the golf course and get out of you ladies’ hair for a while.” He leaned over and kissed his wife’s cheeks.
The conversation veered away from Aldrich as they discussed their guests and their accommodations.
Some of the extended family had already arrived, and some still had to fly in for the holidays.
Even Rohan would attend and stay at the hotel.
His mother detailed all the plans. Even though he was certain a detailed email would arrive later with all the information.
“This afternoon I am getting my hair done, then we have to pick up Sorinah and Mars,” his mother informed him.
“You’re picking them up?” Aldrich asked. That was odd. “I thought Ambrose was grabbing them.”
“He was, but I figured since we had to switch some accommodations around and they are staying with us, then we would do it.”
Well, that was new information. Sorinah hadn’t mentioned it.
“Ambrose started working on the baby’s room early, so now they’re short a room. So, I offered to have Sorinah and Mars at our place.”
“That was nice of you,” Aldrich mused.
That was a hell of a lot of temptation, within walking distance.
A ten-minute walk, about six by bike and three driving.
They agreed the holidays would be off limits.
That was before she was practically in his lap.
Aldrich wondered how adventurous his Kitten truly was…
they would discuss it. He wasn’t above goading her to his will.
Aldrich was so lost in his thoughts that he hadn’t realised his mother had circled back to the topic he hoped to dodge.
“Sweetheart, I think it is time,” she said, patting his hand.
God no. It took all his power not to roll his eyes.
Despite his frustration and his age, his annoyance didn’t make him lose his common sense.
If he rolled his eyes at his father’s wife, his mother, the mild-mannered man sitting across from him would transform and jump over the table to beat his tail.
Ambrose had tried it when he was fourteen, and it was a lesson that Aldrich never found necessary to learn firsthand. “Son or no son, no one disrespects my wife and gets away with it.”
“Mama, I am fine.” He smiled at her reassuringly. Not reassuring enough.
She shook her head. “Fine is okay for some, but I want my baby to be happy.”
“I am,” Aldrich insisted. He even nodded once for emphasis.
“I want my baby to love and be loved.” She pressed her hand to her chest.
“I am.”
“Don’t be obtuse, Sweetheart. Don’t give up on finding your forever person.”
“It isn’t for everyone, Mama.” He had no intention of telling his mother that was the furthest thing from his mind. She looked crushed enough at his declaration.
“I’m going to make you some cocoa tea,” he told her, excusing himself from the table and her sadness. It was her favourite, and he wanted to make her smile because that was all he could offer her.
His phone buzzed the moment he took the cocoa out of his cabinet.
Feral Kitten
Caught you.
What exactly was she on about?
Delusional much?
Feral Kitten
I saw what you were watching.
There was only one way Sorinah could know that.
Get the hell out of my profile.
So much for his secret.
Feral Kitten
But you said I could use your service whenever I wanted
Aldrich allowed her to use his streaming service and had no issue with it. Sorinah, however, insisted on separate profiles to avoid their watch histories mixing. She had no reason to access his profile except to be nosy.
Maco
Feral Kitten
You watched it all, and you liked it. I sang that like Katy Perry.
Something was wrong with her.
Grow up.
Feral Kitten
See you
“You’re smiling again.”
Aldrich hadn’t heard his mother approach.
“Sorry for the wait, I got distracted by my phone.”
“I see.”
Aldrich often saw Sorinah, whose impeccable sense of style never failed to impress.
However, since arriving on the island, her outfits had taken on a new level of allure.
The vibrant colours, daring cutouts, and flowing fabrics highlighted her deepening bronzed complexion, creating a reaction that was inconvenient, especially with their family always nearby.
The hard-ons were a problem.
Sorinah stood in the kitchen, her green and yellow two-piece bathing suit hugging her curves, the white sheer cover-up doing little to hide the smooth, sun-kissed honey-brown skin beneath.
The soft fabric swayed as she moved, and the faint scent of coconut sunscreen filled the air.
The sight of her alone in the bright, sunlit room felt like an early Christmas gift, and the reckless part of him wanted to close the distance between them, press her against the cool marble counter, or drag her to his bedroom then lose himself in her warmth.
But he reminded himself that, although she was in the kitchen by herself, the house wasn’t empty.
Earlier, his mother had called to ask if she could bring the kids over to use his pool.
“Hello, Kitten,” Aldrich said, glancing around the room. He stuffed his hands into his pockets, hesitating for a moment before he could pull her close. “Where is everyone?”
“Out by the pool. Your mom sent me in to grab some popsicles for the kids. Is that okay?”
“Yes, of course. Why wouldn’t it be?”
“I don’t know.” Her shoulders rose and fell slowly. “It is your home, and you weren’t here, so I wanted to double-check.”
“I had already planned to play football with the guys. Otherwise, I would have stayed to welcome you all when my mom called.” He crowded her, trapping her between himself and the fridge.
Reaching around her, he opened it and grabbed a bottle of water, encroaching on her space.
The coverup draped low on one side, revealing a hint of skin.
Even with the knowledge that his mother and the children were out by the pool, he couldn’t resist the urge to press a kiss on her shoulder, his lips lingering just a moment too long.
She sighed with satisfaction for a moment, her breath soft and slow, before gently cautioning him to, “Step back.” She raised her hand, slender fingers splayed, and pressed it lightly against his chest. “Not the time or place.”
“This is my place.” Aldrich smirked, his voice amused, but he took a step back, giving her room.
She tilted her head slightly, her expression unreadable, and said, “But not the time. You have company.”
“Who else is here?” Knowing who was over would help him decide if they could sneak away.
“Of course, besides Aadi and Asha, your mom invited Dinah, Nakinah, and me to join you as well.”
Crap. A moment alone would be scarce, but that didn’t mean he wouldn’t try.
The adult-to-child ratio was far from ideal, and the risk of being caught was high.
One adult could easily wander off and stumble upon him, ruining everything.
Still, he was determined to find a way, no matter how slim the chances seemed.
“Why don’t you bring the popsicles out for the kids? I’ll shower and then show you around,” he suggested, knowing that while his mother had brought them over to use the pool, she wouldn’t have offered a tour unless he was there.
“Does that offer extend to everyone?”
“Yes, but first, to you alone.” Aldrich brushed his hand down her arm.