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Aidan's laugh bubbles up, a surprise in the space between us. "Believe me: Vanessa and I are purely professional. She's talented, but together, we're about as exciting as watching paint dry." His gaze softens, grows serious. "But, Lacey, it is your business. Because you're my business now. And not in a 'quarterly earnings discussion' kind of way."
Suddenly, the stars seem to realign. Or maybe it's just my stomach flipping. The authenticity of Aidan. The leap from a painful past to an awkward present and then to a potential future...
And for a job I can't lose.
I need a laugh, desperately. "Wow," I say, laying on the drama. "I never knew I was such a crucial asset to your company."
Aidan laughs, eyes crinkling with amusement. "You are one in a million, Lacey. Any ungrateful jerk would be lucky to have you."
"So, you admit it?" I lean in. "You were an ungrateful jerk when we met?"
"I was...obstinate."
"Stubborn."
"Full of myself."
"And slowly changing, thanks to me," I conclude. "We might make a prince out of you yet, Beast."
"Is that a reference to that 'Bold and the Beautiful' Disney movie you love?"
"It's Beauty and the Beast, Mr. Lived-in-Trees, and it's a classic." I pull back, grinning. "But yes, you're on your way to being cured of your beastly ways, thanks to my magical touch."
Aidan rolls his eyes but can't help smiling. "You're really something, Lacey Alvarez."
"Is that a compliment or an insult?"
"It's both," he says, voice dropping. "But mostly a compliment."
My cheeks warm at the sincerity in his tone. This isn't a conversation for a boardroom, and that's what makes it dangerous.
Sitting beside Aidan on his massive balcony, wrapped in the soft embrace of the night, I'm hyper-aware of our surroundings.
The scent of his woodsy cologne blends into this unforgettable moment. Although the light is dim, the outline of his face is just visible enough to send my heart racing. The cool night air carries the salty scent of Seattle's Puget Sound, mingled with something uniquely Aidan.
I've never wanted to kiss anyone so much.
The tingling in my body and the warmth between my thighs nearly drive me to act on it, until reality crashes in like a cold wave off the coast.
I grab my phone to check the time. "I gotta go," I murmur, more to myself. "It's late, and the bus isn't running."
Aidan's look of disappointment is quickly replaced by a rare smile as he stands. "I'll walk you."
Following him through the French doors and down to the street, a sleek black car catches my eye. I freeze.
"Is that your car?" I ask.
He shoves his hands in his sweatpants pockets. "Nope. It's for you. Didn't want you waiting for the bus."
"And how long has it been waiting?"
He glances at the car, then back at me. "A while." He opens the car door for me. "Let's get you home."
Brushing against his torso as I climb in, my cheeks flush. I settle into the plush seat.
"Thank you," I say, meeting his dark gaze. He grins, closes the door, and says something to the driver.
As the car pulls away, I can't take my eyes off Aidan as he walks back to his house, hands in his pockets again. He looks back once before the car turns the corner.
