Chapter 18
AADEN
The start of the workweek has brought a dusting of snow to the D.C.
area, making everything look festive and new.
Although I complained, I allowed Leah to change my radio station to an all-Christmas music one, and she’s singing along to ‘Santa Baby’ as I navigate the busy downtown streets.
Listening to her sing slightly off-key has me smiling as I steal quick glances in her direction.
She’s adorable without trying. Once the song ends, because God forbid I interrupt this moment of cuteness, I reach over and turn the radio down. She immediately looks at me.
“What do you think of throwing a New Year’s Eve party?” I ask.
“At your house?”
I glance over at her, flashing a knowing grin.
The expression on her face makes me want to laugh, but I bite it back. She clears her throat and shifts in her seat. “A formal party?”
I take her hand and lift it to my lips, pressing a soft kiss to the back of it. “I wouldn’t mind seeing you in a little black dress.” I wink, and her cheeks flush pink. I love seeing her react to me like that.
She bites her lip and directs her attention back out the front window. “I think it’s a great idea.”
“Good.” I drop our hands onto the center console but don’t let go. I stroke my thumb over the back of hers. “I’ll call the caterer today.”
After we park and walk inside, I head to my office as Leah goes to her desk. I smirk when I see Madison waiting to bombard her with questions. She certainly has a lot to fill her friend in on, and I shake my head when I catch Leah’s red face as she approaches Madison.
“Why don’t the two of you talk in the conference room. Less chance of anyone over hearing your conversation.”
Madison grabs her hand and pulls her towards the private room. I can’t help but chuckle. As much as I’d love to hear their conversation, I have to make a call to my New York client.
A half an hour later, I’m rolling the sleeves up on my dress shirt after setting up another meeting next month.
Sitting back with a loud sigh, my mind drifts back to Tennessee, to the first time I claimed Leah’s body and how it felt like nothing I’d ever experienced before.
Even after the dozens of times I’ve had her since, it’s still the best sex I’ve ever had because it’s not just the sex, it’s the connection I feel with her.
Unable to stay away from her a moment longer, I shove away from my desk and make my way out to her.
She’s still not at her desk, so I head to the conference room.
As soon as I enter I freeze.Noah and Tyler have joined Leah and Madison, and the four of them are laughing like they don’t have a care in the world.
My shoulders tense, and my fists clench as I take in the scene before me.
My eyes bounce between Tyler and Leah, looking for any sign that she’s uncomfortable.
She looks calm as they continue their conversation.
“I’m just glad you and Noah are on speaking terms with Aaden again,” Leah says.
“Yeah, well, we’ve been through some crazy shit, but we always have each other’s back, you know.” Tyler winks at Noah.
“Truth.” Noah smiles.
“Am I missing something?” I ask as I close the door behind me. All heads turn to me and I stare at Tyler as I make my way towards Leah.
“I was just telling them about our New Year’s Eve party,” Leah says cautiously.
My eyes move to her, and I smile despite my irritation with Tyler. “Already the gracious hostess.”
“So, formal? As in black-tie formal?” Tyler asks with a half-grin.
I stare at him again. Leah slips her hand into mine and gently squeezes.
My body instantly relaxes from her touch.
Tyler isn’t the bad guy, and I have no reason to be defensive here.
I let out a deep breath, and a crooked smile replaces the frown on my face.
“Nobody wants to see your ass in a monkey suit, Ty,” I tease. Like flipping a switch, the mood lightens. I can feel the tension fade as we fall back into our snarky routine.
“I beg to differ, bro. There are a lot of ladies who would like to be on this arm,” Tyler says as he flexes his muscles.
“Bullshit!” Noah coughs.
Madison and Leah giggle at the expression on Tyler’s face.
I’m done with being angry at my friends.
I miss them. Having them back in my life along with Leah makes it damn near perfect.
I reach out to offer my hand to Tyler, ready to bury the hatchet.
Ty grins, then grasps my hand and slaps my shoulder.
“Have you told her yet?” Noah asks as I shut the door to my office.
My heart drops into my stomach. I feel guilty for not telling her, but I want this Christmas to be special for her and her mother.
They both deserve that. “No. I don’t want to ruin Christmas for her and her mom.
It’s the last Christmas they’ll have together.
” I run my hand through my hair as I cross the room to stand behind my desk.
“She has enough to deal with making this Christmas special for the two of them.”
“I can’t believe you don’t remember any of it,” Tyler says, taking a seat in front of my desk.
I look at him, shaking my head. “Not a thing. I was fucked up that night.” I slump down into my chair and lean back in frustration. “I can’t lose this girl, Ty. I love her.”
Tyler looks at Noah, who gives him a huge grin. “Told ya.”
Wide-eyed, Tyler takes a deep breath, letting it out loudly. “Man, I never thought I’d ever hear you say that.”
I pinch the bridge of my nose. “God, I can’t believe I may have fucked this all up.”
Tyler leans forward in his chair, resting his elbows on his knees as he studies me. “Damn, you are serious. Does Nikki know about this?”
I drop my hand to my desk as my eyes find Tyler. My brows draw together, and my neck stiffens as I stare at him. “Why does that matter?”
Noah moves to claim the last empty chair. He settles down into it but doesn’t sit back. “Uh, I’m pretty sure Nik thinks you and she are an item.”
I glance between the two of them like they’re crazy before answering, “I only see her every few months. She knows there isn’t anything serious between us. We both agreed to that a long time ago.”
“I’m not too sure that’s how she sees things anymore,” Noah sighs. “Hell, even I thought if you ever got serious, it would be with her. You guys have been messing around for years.”
I shake my head. “Nikki? No way! She is certainly not the marrying kind.”
“Dude, I agree,” Tyler says, crossing his right ankle over his left knee. “I just don’t think she will.”
I roll my eyes. “She’ll be fine. It’s not like I’m her only toy. Nik has her own little black book.”
Noah shakes his head as he finally sits back. “If you say so.” He relaxes in his chair and grins. “Now, tell us about this party.”
***
After lunch, I ask Madison and Leah to join me in my office. “Are we in trouble?” Madison asks as they sit in the two chairs in front of my desk.
“Not at all,” I say, shutting the door and moving to stand in front of them.
I fold my arms as I lean back against my desk.
“I wanted to talk to the two of you about becoming permanent fixtures around here.” Madison’s face lights up as she scoots to the edge of her seat, but the expression on Leah’s has me rushing to explain.
“I want you both to know that this decision wasn’t made by only me.
The board members are very much in agreement on you two.
” I focus my attention on Madison. “Madison, you have really impressed everyone. Your passion and fresh ideas have made an impact on the company.” She wiggles excitedly in her seat.
I can’t help but smile at her enthusiasm. “We’d be fools to not keep you.”
She jumps up and throws her arms around my neck. “Thank you!” she squeals, then quickly releases me as she realizes what she’s done. Her eyes widen as her hands drop to her sides like lead pipes.
“You’re very welcome.” I laugh. “And you, Leah,” I say as I shift my gaze to her.
“Your attention to detail has been vital to picking up on things that the rest of us have missed. A lot of the issues we’ve had with some of our investments have been holding us back, but you’ve been able to find and fix the problems.”
She smiles appreciatively. “Thank you.”
“The point is,” I continue, undeterred by her reluctance, “you both have proven yourselves as hard workers who would be an asset to this company. We want to offer you both a permanent position here at Stone Investments.”
“This is so exciting!” Madison squeals.
“Thank you, Aaden.” Leah smiles, but it doesn’t reach her eyes. Something’s bothering her, and I have a feeling I know what it is. I turn my attention back to Madison.
“Why don’t you head down to Human Resources and have them get you set up with your new position. I’d like to talk to Leah a moment.”
“Of course,” Madison says, standing. “And thank you again.” She walks out of the office, leaving the two of us alone.
I reach down and take Leah’s hand in mine. “What’s the matter, baby?”
She sighs as she looks up at me. “Did you convince the board to make me this offer? Or did I actually earn it?”
Taking a deep breath, I stand up straighter.
“This decision was brought to me by the board, not the other way around. You were offered this job because you’re good at what you do.
You’re very smart and have made a big difference in the short time that you’ve been here.
” I cross my arms across my chest as I glare down at her.
“I’m very capable of separating business from pleasure, Miss Ward.
” My tone comes out firm with a hint of annoyance.
As much as she’s come to mean to me, I know how to make good business decisions, and hiring the two of them is simply good business.
Her body finally relaxes, and a small smile slips onto her face. “I have no doubt about that, Mr. Stone.” She stands and places her hands on my chest. “You wouldn’t be as successful if you couldn’t.”
That touch breaks my resolve. I slide my arms around her waist, pulling her into me. “Does this mean you’ll accept the offer?” We’re so close, I can feel her lips lightly brush across mine. My body instantly comes alive.
“I may need a little more convincing,” she teases.
***
“Madison, can I see you for a minute?” I ask as she walks by my office after coming back from Human Resources.
“Of course.”
“Close the door, please,” I tell her. Madison does as instructed, and I move to stand in front of her as she walks further into my office.
I reach into my pocket, my hand wrapping around the small black velvet box.
My heart rate spikes as I pull it from my pocket.
Madison’s eyes go wide as her head jerks up to gape me.
“I wanted your opinion,” I say as I open the box.
“Holy shit!” she gasps.
“Do you think she’ll say yes?”
“If she doesn’t, I will!” Madison breathes out.
It’s a square cut stone in a rose gold setting.
A beautiful, unique design swirls along both sides of the large stone.
Several smaller stones are set throughout the design.
“It’s absolutely stunning,” she says as she takes the box and turns it around to catch the light. “How many carats is this?”
“Four.”
Her mouth falls open as she looks up at me. “I think she’s gonna flip, Aaden, I really do.” She looks back down at the ring, then closes the box and hands it back. I take it and return it to my pocket.
“Flip in a good way or a bad way?” I ask.
She blows out a deep breath. “Well, I think she’ll resist at first. I mean, you guys haven’t been dating that long.”
I stare at her, my hands shaking, but not from nerves. “I’m one hundred percent sure I want to marry her.”
A smile spreads across her face. “Then, I don’t think you’ll have any problem convincing her to say yes. When are you asking her?”
I move to stand behind my desk. “I was thinking New Year’s Eve.”
Madison perks up. “At the party?”
I smile. “Yeah, what do you think?”
She clasps her hands together with a huge grin. “I think it’s perfect.”