Chapter 26
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
WHAT’S THE CATCH
Aldrich
For Aldrich, the news that he was about to become a father meant putting Sorinah, Mars, and the baby first. The meeting he scheduled for later in the morning was a testament to how committed he was to accomplishing that goal.
Hell, he’d rather be anywhere but in that meeting, but it was an important step in his plans to relocate before the baby arrived. The only thing that made this tolerable was benefiting from his favourite side effect of Sorinah being pregnant—her libido was through the roof.
She had kindly offered to take the edge off before Aldrich’s meeting.
“You look like you’re off to swallow glass today.” Her tone teased, but there was a hint of sympathy in her voice.
“That’s because I am. Having to go hat in hand to Aaron Ma is total bullshit. I’m going to get Ambrose, I promise you.” His jaw clenched, and he ran a hand through his hair in frustration.
“My poor DH.”
He didn’t appreciate the laughter in her voice, but he grumbled something incoherent under his breath.
“First off, like I’ve told you, you don’t have to say his first and last name together every time. I know who you are referring to.”
“Well, I don’t have to say his name in the meeting at all,” Aldrich replied, his irritation still clear.
“You know what you need?” Sorinah said, reaching under his towel and stroking his dick, her grip tight.
“What?” he groaned, his body tensing at her touch, the tightness in his shoulders easing slightly.
Her laughter mingled with his groan, and for a moment, the weight of the day ahead lifted.
“For me to help you get rid of the tension.” She sank to her knees in the walk-in closet, her movement fluid and confident.
Even if he had a protest on his lips, it was soon forgotten as his towel fell to the floor and the head of his dick was engulfed by her warm, talented mouth. Her tongue worked expertly, and he gripped the edge of the counter to steady himself, a low groan escaping him.
She was about to bring him close to completion sooner than he would like, but as enjoyable as it was having his length slide in and out of her mouth, that wasn’t where he wanted to finish. He pulled away, depriving her of her treat by sliding his dick from her lips.
“Hey,” she protested, her breath slightly ragged, “I was enjoying that.”
He pulled her to her feet, spun her around, and bent her over the island where her accessories were stored. The clatter of jewellery and trinkets being pushed aside added to the urgency of the moment.
“And you will enjoy this even more,” he promised, his voice low and husky. His dick was already aligned with her slit, and her wet core seemed to suck him in as he thrust into her.
Aldrich’s mind went completely blank. Being inside her bare was a completely indescribable sensation—another perk of her being pregnant.
Her moans filled the room as he stroked steadily and urgently, his hand rubbing her slick, hardened pearl while the other cradled her barely-there baby bump.
He wanted to grab her breast, but she had declared them too tender a week ago.
So not every cloud had a silver lining, but he was coping like a trooper. His focus was entirely on her pleasure as the sensations overwhelmed them both. The intimacy of the moment was heightened by their physical connection and the emotional undercurrent of what they were building towards.
“Fuck, DH,” she moaned, her voice breathy.
Every stroke felt like it tightened her walls, her body responding in perfect sync to his movements.
They were both so close. It only took a few more strokes for them to release together, their breaths mingling in the air as the tension broke.
She kissed him before heading to her shower, her lips soft and teasing. “There, now you’re all ready for your big man meeting.”
She kissed him again before he could give a retort and headed to the washroom, leaving him standing there with a dazed smile, the scent of their intimacy lingering in the air.
Her playful comment lightened the moment, even as the warmth of their connection stayed with him, giving him a much-needed boost for the challenge ahead.
Of course, he was going to do what needed to be done without Sorinah’s extra incentive, but who was he to look a gift horse in the mouth?
They had little time before the baby came. He had spoken to his mother and gotten her approval to have his office—where he ran his everyday operations—relocated to Toronto. Aldrich had totally leveraged the fact that his boss had grandbaby mania to his advantage and felt no guilt about it.
However, it had been up to him to figure out the logistics. Determining which staff would remain at Rottendam and who he needed onsite in Toronto were details he was still working through. Trying to locate the perfect space had been hell.
Why hadn’t warning bells gone off when his brother insisted, “Nakinah and I have decided to spend more time in Toronto, so I’m going to need an office as well.”
Aldrich didn’t have a problem with that once he found the right location.
“Have you found a space yet?” Ambrose probed.
Another warning bell missed. He should have known Ambrose was up to something. Aldrich had told his brother no.
“Then I might have a location for you,” his brother offered. Ambrose had gone over the building’s location, amenities, and floor plan. The location ticked all the boxes.
“And when would this place be available? And how long would it take to have it up and running?” The timing would be key. Aldrich had come close to finding the right location before, but the timing had been way off.
“It is available, and you can start renovations immediately. You can see not much is needed.”
Something tugged at Aldrich. “What’s the catch?”
His brother’s shrug finally brought on the full alarm. “Where is the space located?” he repeated more sternly.
“Before I tell you, remember how perfect you think it is.”
“Where?” Aldrich demanded, his patience thinning.
“Ma’s Kitchen headquarters.”
“You know how I feel about Aaron Ma.”
“Since when do you allow your feelings to determine how you conduct business?”
Ambrose had the nerve to use the tone of a knowing big brother, but the thing was, he was correct.
Aldrich needed an office in Toronto sooner rather than later.
Being prepared for the baby’s arrival was his priority, even if it meant swallowing his pride and working out of a space tied to Aaron Ma.
The tension of the decision weighed on him, but he couldn’t deny the practicality of the solution.
Family and business were colliding, and he had to adapt, even if it grated on him.
Hell, he had already made concessions. Moving into the house his woman bought hadn’t felt great, but he couldn’t relocate Sorinah and Mars.
Mars was going to be starting his last year of high school next month, and Sorinah was already picking out furniture for the baby’s room.
It didn’t feel right to mess with the stability of their home.
That’s why he offered to relocate from Rottendam.
However, Sorinah had recognised his sacrifice. “When you need to be there for long stretches of time once Mars is out of school, I’ll make my schedule work to be there with you,” she’d offered.
It turned out that a pregnant Sorinah wasn’t as ferocious a kitten. Mostly, her personality had undergone a 180. She was a content ray of sunshine that walked on clouds. Aldrich didn’t want to examine why he kind of missed her pricklier side, but a happy pregnant woman worked for him.
Ma’s Kitchen headquarters location was perfect, and everything about it screamed prestige. The design was modern and sleek, and the building was fully integrated with technology.
Aldrich arrived early for his meeting with Aaron Ma. At least he had to hand it to the Chef—he was ushered in to see him at the exact time of the appointment.
The meeting wasn’t what Aldrich expected. Aaron got straight to the point. “You know, this meeting wasn’t really necessary?” His brow rose.
No, Aldrich hadn’t known that, but he suspected Ambrose was aware of it. They were going to have words.
“Ma’s Kitchen has already agreed to lease the space to Velkomst.”
“I see.” Aldrich nodded. “Then why did you agree to this meeting?”
“We obviously don’t care for each other, but this is my building, and we will more than likely run into each other. I want to confirm that won’t be an issue for you.” Aaron smirked.
He was a straight shooter. If the man hadn’t been unbearable when they first met, they might have gotten along. Yes, Aaron Ma got under his skin, but Aldrich wouldn’t allow him to become a distraction in his daily life. He had a business to run.
“Not at all,” Aldrich responded, his tone measured.
“Good. Glad to know we’re on the same page. Business affairs will assist you with the contract. They will be available in twenty minutes.” Aaron nodded.
Well, Aldrich guessed this meeting was productive, even if it wasn’t what he anticipated.
The undercurrent of tension between him and Aaron was still there, but he wouldn’t let it consume him.
He had bigger priorities, his family, his business, and the baby on the way.
Aaron Ma might be an irritant, but he wouldn’t be a roadblock.
“Before you head out, I was curious about something. I hear you are the one who had Veto Panger blacklisted.” Aaron’s tone was one of disapproval.
“Sure did.” Aldrich met his gaze squarely, his nod firm and unapologetic.
“And you don’t have any shame in ruining a man’s life over what I’m sure is a petty vendetta?”
“I don’t give a shit what you think about me, Ma. Panger had it coming.”
“And you get to decide whose life you destroy?”
“Yes.” Aldrich nodded again, his eyes hardening.
Predators deserved a special place in hell, and if he could make their lives a special hell here on earth until they got there, it was Aldrich’s pleasure to deliver it.
“When that person uses his position as a power play to sexually harass my woman, I sure the fuck do.” Aldrich explained himself, not because he felt he owed Ma an explanation, but because he didn’t want him undoing the work Aldrich had done to get Veto Panger blacklisted.
While Aldrich didn’t like Ma, he figured the man could understand not standing by and allowing someone to harass a woman.
“When I asked around and realised my woman wasn’t the first, and if someone didn’t step in, she wouldn’t be the last, I had to do something. ”
Aldrich watched as understanding dawned in Ma’s eyes. His expression turned thunderous, his jaw clenching, and then it morphed into what looked like begrudging respect. The man gave a single, slow nod.
“Well, that’s good to know.” Aaron held his gaze, and Aldrich was certain they had come to an understanding.
“I’ve been speaking with Ramsey about looking for another partner in the hospitality industry now that our contract with Lancaster has ended.
Your brother mentioned Velkomst was still looking for a new partner as well.
Ramsey oversees that part of the business.
Would you be interested in having a sit-down with him? ”
Aldrich’s expression softened slightly, the tension in his shoulders easing. He hadn’t expected any kind of respect from Ma, much less a business opportunity. It was a small victory, but one that reinforced his decision to stand by Sorinah, no matter the cost. “I’d be open to that.”
The room seemed to hold its breath for a moment, the air thick with unspoken understanding. Aldrich’s resolve was steeled further—he would protect Sorinah and his family, and if that meant burning bridges or building unexpected alliances, so be it.