Chapter 30 Katie
KATIE
There are no words for it. None. I had to double-check that I was in the right house when I came downstairs this morning. Rows and rows of beautiful, vibrant roses decorate every surface of the hallway, living room, and kitchen.
Aiden greeted me in nothing but his boxers, a wide grin on his face as he handed me a cup of coffee, kissed my crown, and led me to the kitchen for a breakfast I can only describe as a feast fit for royalty.
Now I’m sitting here, three hours later, still bloated from indulging in pancakes, eggs, bacon, and fresh fruit, watching Ciara’s jaw drop as she takes in the sight of the rose-covered house. “Are you pregnant?” she finally blurts out.
“No chance, " I reply with a laugh.
“Did he propose?” Lowering herself into the seat across from me, she cranes her neck into the back garden, at my piggies in the run Aiden had made for them. The outside is just as adorned as the inside, with flower arrangements everywhere.
“Nope,” I answer, putting emphasis on the P and shaking my head.
Ciara finally pulls her gaze from the backyard and looks at me, a puzzled expression on her face. “Then what sort of deep-throated tonsil massage did you give him to make him do all this?”
Dragging my teeth over my bottom lip, I feel myself blushing, and Ciara pounces. “It was a sex thing then?” She grins like the cat that got the cream. “What sort of kinky, fifty shades of AJ shit did you get up to?”
I duck my head, squealing into my hands, Ciara laughs. “No bondage, no pegging, no pony shows, if that’s what you’re asking.”
She gestures to our surroundings as if I could miss the thousands of euros worth of flowers and champagne. “Yeah, because this just screams that he’s Mr. Vanilla.”
I shake my head, still blushing. “We…” Oh God, I can’t believe I’m about to say this. “Had sex on his bike.”
Ciara’s bursts out laughing. “On his bike? That’s it? I don’t get what the—”
My face burns even hotter as I quickly add, “While he was driving.”
Ciara’s laughter turns into a shocked gasp. “You did not! That’s insane!”
I nod, finding out that my sister’s squeal is even higher-pitched than my own. “You had sex on that thing?”
I nod again, this time owning my decision to allow my boyfriend to raw dog me on his Kawasaki Ninja H2R.
“Isn’t that like one of the fastest bikes in the world?” Ciara asks, her eyes wide with disbelief.
“I believe it is the fastest.” I laugh hysterically at her horrified expression. “We weren’t doing more than sixty!” I reassure her. “It’s not like we were boning down the motorway or anything.”
Ciara’s jaw drops even further. “You guys are crazy!”
If she thinks that’s bad, what led to us taking the bike out in the first place was even crazier.
I still can’t believe I killed someone. I actually killed someone, and what’s even more surreal is that part of me doesn’t even feel bad about it.
How can I? For one, what Aiden said was just fact.
Carl did use me; he did everything he could to make me vulnerable and take advantage of me.
He raped me and left me with scars that took years to heal.
I thought I would be terrified to watch him die, but instead, I felt a sense of relief and pure, unadulterated arousal as Aiden teased me, kissed me, and whispered in my ear the entire time.
All I could think of was Aiden. Not the body on the table, not the fact that I was about to murder my rapist—Aiden’s overwhelming predatory gaze made me feel safe and protected.
My boyfriend is a serial killer, and I’ve never felt more alive and secure than I do when I’m with him. I’ve stopped trying to understand it and have just embraced the thrill of being with someone who truly understands me in ways no one else ever has.
Most men claim they would kill for their loved ones, but Aiden will actually do it, without hesitation or remorse. And I find that both comforting and insanely arousing.
When we got back to the warehouse, we showered together, washing away the evidence of our latest conquest. He had the back room adorned with fairy lights, candles, and rose petals.
Slow music played in the background as he poured us both a glass of champagne, and we danced the night away, lost in each other’s arms.
He’s currently out disposing of the body; I’ve no idea what his plans are. All I know is that he took cat litter and a shovel with him.
“I bet he didn’t leave with that trademark scowl on his face when he left for work this morning,” Ciara muses, a sly smile playing on her lips.
My phone buzzes, interrupting our conversation.
Aiden: Settle this argument! Champagne, pink, blue, green, or purple?
Katie: What are you up to?
Aiden: Pick a colour, bug.
Katie: Hmm, I do like greens and blues; champagne and pink are nice too.
Aiden: Not helping!
Katie: Champagne, then, it’s neutral and goes with everything. Why?
He doesn’t respond. So I resort to badgering him.
Katie: Aiden??
Katie: What the hell are you doing?
Katie: Aiden James Quinn!
Katie: I hope you like your hand, because you’re about to become well acquainted with it!
Aiden: I think Robbie has crotch lice. He hasn’t stopped scratching all day.
Katie: The fuck?
Robbie: Do not believe a word he says, your boyfriend is a filthy liar!
I give up.
“What’s all that about?” Ciara asks, curious about my continuously buzzing phone.
“God only knows,” I sigh, tossing it back down on the table. “He’s with Robbie at the moment and wanted to know what colours I like.”
“He’s probably buying some slutty lingerie for you to wear later,” Ciara jokes. “He seems like a black lace kind of guy.”
“Red is more his style,” I reply with a smirk. “Bare is even better.”
Ciara twirls a lock of hair around her finger. “Well, at least he’s putting some thought into it.” Her finger pauses mid-twirl and says, “You seem disgustingly happy with him. I’ve never seen you like this before.”
“He’s different,” I admit, feeling a warmth spread through me at the thought of him.
“Uh-huh,” Ciara responds, raising a knowing eyebrow. “You’re glowing. Then again, I would too if I had full access to a millionaire’s bank card.”
“It’s not about the money; I mean, yeah, I’m not going to lie and say that it isn’t amazing to be so spoiled by him.
Anything I want—hair, makeup, clothes—I don’t think he’d even bat an eyelid if I bought myself a new car.
I mean, his bike alone is nearly the same price as I paid for my house!
” Getting to my feet, I round the kitchen island and get to work making us coffees.
“But he didn’t need the money to make me fall for him.
He could be broke, and I’d still love him.
I’d still want to be with him.” Locking eyes with my sister, I ask, “Do you know he is the first man that I’ve ever opened up to?
I told him everything; all my crazy just laid out in the open.
I gave him ample chance to run like the wind; instead, he stayed and held me closer. ”
My phone buzzes again with a text from Aiden. I finish making our mochas and click into the message, a smile spreading across my face as I see the photos he’s sent.
There are four different, very provocative outfits that he wants me to choose from for our date night.
Katie: Are they crotchless panties?”
Aiden: They’re the serving platter for my dinner ;)
Katie: Babe, I think they go better on girls with a neat slit, not my ham roll.
He takes a moment to respond. I watch the dots dance across the screen, vanish, and then start dancing again.
Aiden: What is it every guy wants after a night out? A big, juicy kebab! Now shut up and pick a colour so you can sit on my face when I get home.
I bark a laugh, almost dropping the phone before I respond.
Katie: The blue one.
Aiden: The same colour as my balls right now; good choice! Xx
My god, he’s an idiot. A beautiful, powerful, dangerous, sexy idiot. Though he only ever acts this way around me, he’s a bit laid back with Robbie, more so when they’re alone. I get Aiden, while the rest of the world gets AJ Quinn.
While I’m lavished with flowers, lingerie, jewellery, and anything else my heart desires, the rest of the world gets a scowl, missing person advertisements, and possibly a dead body or two if he wants them found.
He is my prince charming mixed with a touch of darkness, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.