Love Me? The Trust Me? Trilogy (20 page)

"Thanks, Mike."

"What's going on?" Aiden asks, his brows furrowed.

Mike walks around to the driver's side, gets into the car, and leaves.

"Here, put this on."

"Hmm, role playing, huh? I didn't think you were into that, but I'm happy to oblige," he jokes, making me laugh.

"Just put it on!"

He wraps the black blindfold over his eyes, tying it in a knot at the back. I place my arm in his and guide him along.

"You're not going to walk me off the edge of the cliff, are you?"

"Yes, I am, now walk."

"Yes, ma'am," he says, faking a salute.

I guide him along to the telescope on the edge of the cliff, where a table and chairs are set up nicely for a surprise birthday dinner.

"Take off the blindfold," I chirp.

He takes it off, and he smiles brightly, his eyes widening. "Wow, when did you get time to set this up?"

"It was my idea, but Mike set it all up for me. Surprise!"

"Its lovely, thank you." He pulls out a seat for me to sit, and then he walks to the other side of the small table to sit down.

I wave my hand in the air, and the waitress comes over.

"Where did you hire her?" he says as she walks toward the table.

"She's a friend of your friend Frankie. He's cooking for us tonight. He has a catering van set up over there and is cooking the same meal we had on our first date."

He shakes his head in disbelief. "You're amazing, you know that? Wait, how did you get Frankie's number?"

"I borrowed your cell while you were in the shower."

"Hi, Mr. O'Connell. Happy birthday. Would you like something to drink?" the waitress asks.

"I'll have a Macallan, and, Jeni, what would you like?"

"I'll have a Moscato, thank you."

"No problem, I'll be right back with your drinks," she says and leaves. He shakes his head again.

"What?"

"This is truly amazing. No one has ever done anything like this for me."

"No one had done this sort of thing for me before I met you. I'm just returning the favor."

"This is the best birthday I've ever had, great day at work, dinner with my girl; it doesn't get any better than this."

I giggle.

The waitress comes back with our drinks and places them on the table in front of us.

"Dinner will be ready for you shortly, sir," she says and walks off.

The sun is starting to set in its usual hues of pink and turquoise. He takes my hand on the table and gently rubs my thumb with his. The waitress comes over and places the same garlic flat bread we had at the waterfall on our first date.

"Thank you."

"Not a problem," she says and then leaves.

We eat the flat bread and talk mainly about work. I'm finally starting to understand some of the terminology he uses. Aiden abruptly stands; I look at him, confused as he walks over to me. He puts out his hand; I take it and stand up. He walks with me to the edge of the cliff and holds me from behind while we watch the sun go down slowly, fading from serene colors until it's almost dark. I notice the waitress lighting little candles on the ground and a couple on the table, giving it a romantic ambience. She walks back to the catering van, and my attention is drawn to Aiden. I turn in his grasp so I'm facing him. He looks down at me, and we continue staring at each other. God, how I love this man.

The waitress comes over with our meals, places them on the table and walks away. She doesn't interrupt us like the waitress did on our first date.

"Guess we'd better eat before it goes cold."

"Guess so."

He lets go of me and we walk back to the table and sit down to eat. The food is absolutely delicious, just as it was the first time.

"Frankie's a great chef, but don't tell Chris I said that. How do you know Frankie anyway?"

"We went through school together," Aiden says then he places some more food into his mouth.

"I don't hear you talk much about your friends." I come to the realization that he never talks about his friends.

"I don't have many; I'm too busy with work."

"Oh, you always have me ... and Frankie."

"I guess Chris is my best friend?"

"Yeah, you two get along so well."

"Yeah, he's great and you're right we do get along well."

The waitress comes over to ask if we would like dessert. We both say no, and she leaves us again. I stand, make my way to him, and put my hand out. He takes my hand, standing up to meet me. We walk over to the telescope, where a blanket has been placed for us to lie on. I sit on the blanket as does Aiden, and then we lay down, looking at the stars. I cuddle into him like we did on our first date.

"Hey, love birds," we hear someone call out. We both sit up when Frankie walks toward us.

"Thanks for dinner again, Frankie. It was, as always, delicious."

"I know," he says with a smirk.

"You must be the beautiful Jeni that I spoke to on the phone?"

"That's me. I'm not sure about the beautiful part though."

"I'm sure," Frankie says, making me blush.

Aiden chuckles. "Hey, man, back off. She's mine, all right?"

"I know, I know, keep your panties on," Frankie teases.

"Thank you for this, Frankie. I appreciate it."

"For a beautiful young woman like you, Jeni, it's my pleasure. Aiden, happy birthday, dude. Twenty-nine today, huh? You'll be walking with a walker before you know it," he jokes.

"You're only ten months younger than me."

"Ah, details, details. Anyway, I'm going to leave you love birds to it. Have a good rest of your birthday, dude."

"Thanks again, Frankie."

"Anytime, sweetheart," he calls out walking back to the catering van.

I sigh and lie back down on the blanket, as does Aiden. I snuggle up to him again and we look up at the stars. I hear the catering van drive off out of the gate.
Alone at last.

I breathe in slowly, smelling his masculine aroma as I prop myself up to see him. He looks at me casually as the candles flicker in the slight breeze.

"Happy birthday." I move in to kiss him; the night fades away around us as we lie on the blanket kissing intimately.

He lies on his back with his arms under his head. I sit up and reach over to a bag that's sitting next to the telescope.

"What cha doin?"

I decide to show him rather than tell. I pull out two pillows and a blanket from the bag. His eyes light up.

"We're sleeping here tonight?"

"Yup, just like our first date, but this time with pillows and a blanket."

He takes his pillow, propping it under his head. "That's better."

I place mine under my head and pull the blanket over us. We lie under the blanket in each other's arms all night, staring at the stars.

Chapter 14

The sun is up, the birds are singing, and there's not a cloud in the sky as we snuggle into each other. The sun is almost blinding. I pull the blanket over my head.

Aiden chuckles. "Morning, beautiful. What's the weather like under there?" he jokes.

"Ha ha," I say sarcastically. "It's too bright for me."

He raises the blanket to look at me. "Is it time to go?"

"Yeah, I think so."

We both sit up, causing the blanket to fall. I fold it up, place it and the pillows into the bag, squinting. I'm obviously entertaining him again while he watches me. I stand and pick up the bag. Aiden stands and takes the bag from me.

We start to walk toward the car. "I wonder if Mike will still be asleep or not."

"No, I told him to come back at seven a.m. to pick us up. He went home last night. I felt guilty last time. I wasn't having him stay here again."

He shakes his head. "Always thinking of others."

We get to the car, and Mike opens the door for us. He takes the bag from Aiden and puts it in the trunk as we get into the car.

"Did you have a good night?" Mike asks entering the driver's side.

"Yes, thank you, Mike, for helping me set it up."

"Anytime, Miss Taylor." He dips his hat and turns around to start the car.

We drive back and make our way up to our apartment. He drops the bag on the floor, and we kick off our shoes. In one swift movement, he lifts me up off the ground.

"Whoa!" I giggle as he carries me into the bedroom. He throws me onto the bed and raises his eyebrows insinuatingly. He sits on the edge of the bed, and I move in behind him, wrapping my arms around his chest, my head resting on his shoulder. I slowly undo his top button and continue down his shirt until his chest is bare. He turns and moves up on the bed, shuffling out of his shirt. His hands find the bottom of my top and lift it up effortlessly over my head. We move so our bodies are touching. I position my head to kiss his neck while he undoes my bra, and my hands clench on his biceps.

He pulls my bra off and flings it to the floor. He grabs me, one hand on my waist and the other behind my head, and pulls me to the bed so he's hovering over me. I move my hands down to unbuckle his belt and unzip his fly. I pull his pants over his ass to the backs of his thighs. I grasp his naked ass. He inhales sharply shuffling out of his pants, kicking them to the floor. He kisses me from my neck down my breasts to my stomach and gently tugs on my skirt, taking it and my underwear off in one swift motion. He puts his weight on me as I wrap my arms around his back; he moves in to kiss me softly and seductively as his hand travels down
there.
My breath catches when his warm touch connects; his gentle movements making me crave every ounce of him. I can tell this is going to be gentle lovemaking, not a quick
fuck
. His tongue caresses mine while his finger gently massages my clitoris. He's slowly working me up, taking his time, so I'm fully ready for him. He circles his finger on me, making my breathing quicken with the feeling of welcomed pleasure starting to encompass me. Moaning softly against my wanting lips, he gently moves his fingers from my clitoris to inside me, slowly moving in and out and around, making my muscles come alive with his delicate touch. He plants chaste kisses on my mouth and jaw line.

"I worship you," he whispers then he nibbles on my ear lobe. I simply moan in response. The love and emotion I feel for him is erupting within me. His fingers start to move a little faster as he palms my clitoris at the same time. I love how he loves me. His fingers moving in and out, and 'round and 'round as my heart rate steadily increases. His tender lips find their way back to mine. He enters me a little deeper and pushes me almost to the edge instantly as his fingers work their magic on my core. I can feel it. The heat rises, and my back arches when he starts to quicken the pace at my reactions. I moan with each exhale as he moves his fingers. My breathing hitches and my body starts to shake. I grip his shoulder blades tightly as I reach my climax. His kiss deepens as I lose myself in him. His breathing catches when he positions himself over me, and I wrap my legs around his waist. He slowly eases himself into me, moving in to kiss me passionately with a moan, his length filling me completely. I move my hand to his cheek, caressing it while he starts to move slowly in me. His hand comes up to take mine, and he interlocks our fingers above my head. I can feel the electrical current flowing between us as he moves in me, my emotions surging as he thrusts deeply and slowly inside me. The friction of his passionate lovemaking is driving me wild. With every touch, every kiss, and every thrust, he sends me higher. His breathing turns into soft, deep moans, and I can tell he's close. I know he's feeling it too, that energy and undeniable link we share between us. I tighten my grip on his hand and his face scrunches in that delicious way. He's so close as he thrusts in and out of me, in and out, until he can't hold on any longer.

"Come for me, baby," I moan into his mouth as his breath catches. He plunges his tongue inside my mouth as he jolts into me, unloading everything he has.

"Ohh, Jeni," he moans resting his forehead against mine, our breathing is in staccato.

"I'm so in love with you," he whispers and gently kisses my quivering lips.

He slowly moves out of me and rolls onto his back. I move to his side and snuggle into him as we fall from the high. My core tingles, and even though our lovemaking was earth-shatteringly amazing, I need more. I move my hand to his length and start to re-awaken him. Aiden looks down at me with a smirk.

"You're insatiable Miss Taylor."

"You make me insatiable, Mr. O'Connell." I sit up and position myself over him.

***

Our stomachs tell us it's time to eat. Aiden gets up first. He puts on some sweatpants and heads to the kitchen. I slowly get up and put on a negligee and make my way out to meet him. He puts on some toast and coffee, standing by the coffee machine as it brews. I make my way to the dining table and sit down. The toast pops up, and he spreads it with peanut butter. He puts the toast on a plate and brings it and the two coffees over to the table. We eat our breakfast at four p.m., only having a slice each, because dinner is not that far off. Once finished, I decide to have a shower whilst Aiden puts the dishes in the sink. I make my way to the en-suite and take off the negligee and hop in. The water feels so nice on my skin.

I close my eyes and put my hair under the water. I hear him come into the en-suite. He's taken off his sweatpants and is naked standing outside the door of the shower. I look at him as he opens the door.

"Can I come in?" he asks, knowing we haven't had a shower together since the
incident
. I feel my heart race while he looks at me for my permission; I exhale and nod.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes," I say unsteadily. He slowly steps into the shower with me. Memories flood back, making me tense up instantly. He takes my hands in his.

"I'm never going to hurt you."

I lunge forward and hug him, our bodies connecting and he rests his head on mine. A powerful electric current surges through me at the contact of his body against me.

"I've missed this."

I let go of him. "Me too," I say quietly.

He leans in, and I watch his body glisten with water droplets beading on his masculine chest. He always looks so good. I take out the body wash, and he looks at me.