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Good thing Aiden never lies, or I’d say this was a ploy.
I nod. “Okay. Sounds good.”
Truth be told, I want to see his house, and he said it overlooks the mountains. I’ve been missing them, so I’m actually really excited. Not that I would admit that to him.
“Why don’t you bring a change of clothes? There’s a good steakhouse close by. Let’s have dinner there afterward. I promise you’ll like it.”
I bite my lip as my heart pitter patters loudly in my chest. I’m sure I’d like it too, but it doesn’t change the fact that I ought to stay away from him.
I turn to continue packing. “Ade, I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
“It’s just dinner, Sunshine. Trust me, after that class you’ll be hungry,” he cajoles. “You know you want to say yes. Plus, I have to go to Chicago for a few days on Sunday for client training. So you’ll get a break from me then,” he jokes.
I stare at him, taken aback by the news. Then I realize something—I don’t want him to leave.I’ve seen him every day since I arrived in America, but even though I bemoan it, it’s the highlight of my day. The awareness is sobering.
“You’re right. I want to say yes, Ade… very much. But I just don’t think we should get more involved with each other. I come with a lot of baggage. And I don’t want you to get involved in it. It’s too dangerous.”
“You’re aware of my background. I can look after myself.”
“Tiero is dangerous. You shouldn’t underestimate him. He comes in numbers. And he doesn’t play by the rules.”
“You shouldn’t underestimate me,” he counters. It makes me smile.“Now I suggest you come to my house tomorrow for a tour and the spectacular mountain views. Then we go to my class and to dinner afterward.”
“A blond guy once touched me in a bar in Sicily. I don’t know if he’s still alive,” I throw in, but Aiden is unperturbed.
“Freemont has numbers too,” is all he says.
“Fine then,” I relent. “And what happens afterward?” I ask, my stomach somersaulting at the possibilities.
“Well, I wouldn’t want to you to drive back to Atlanta on all those winding roads in the dark. I have a comfortable guest bedroom. It’s all yours. And I promise, there are no bobcats in that room.” He grins at me.
My stomach is doing multiple backflips now. Sleeping over? That’s a terrible idea.
Mind reader that Aiden is, he says, “Nothing is going to happen between you and me until you are sure that’s what you want.
“But just to be clear, I want a relationship with you, Ella… and not a platonic one. I want you badly. But there’s two people in a relationship and both have to be on the same page.
“I don’t do things by half. That means I’m fully in, and I want you to be fully in too. And until you are, there will be no hanky-panky, even though I am very, very good at hanky-panky.”
My eyes go wide. What? He’s not trying to seduce me?
“That’s a bit of a gamble, isn’t it? Or are you that certain I will come around?”
“I am certain. The chemistry between us… it was there from the moment we met. I’ve never experienced anything like it, and I doubt I will again. It’s rare… as rare as rocking horse shit. So yes, I’m confident.” Aiden steps closer and takes my hands in his, rubbing his thumbs over my fingers.
“I know you’ve been through a lot and need time. You need to learn to trust your own judgment again, before you can fully trust others. I have time. And I’m patient. I’m not going anywhere, lucida… besides Chicago next week.” He winks.
He bends and rests his forehead on mine. I close my eyes and soak him in. So close I’m enveloped once more in that blanket of love and protection he so easily weaves around us.
My arms snake around his waist and I hold on.
“Thank you,” I whisper into the air.
Thank you to Aiden for not giving up on me or on us, even though it would be the best thing for him. And thank you, universe, for bringing this wonderful man into my life even though it has put his life in danger.
The drive to Aiden’s house the next day is stunning.
Gary has lent me one of the company cars to use until I can get my own wheels. He’s so generous to me; it blows me away.
