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“Right on time for me to show you this. Come and see.” The excitement in his voice is clear. I make my way around his desk to stand behind him.
“What do you think?” He pulls up an email with photographs attached.
I scroll through the pictures of our house—first the concrete slab, then the framework, and then another with walls erected. It’s huge and looks incredible. The last photograph is a view from a window overlooking the city from the cliff at the Scope. It’s magnificent. I smile broadly while clicking through each and every one.
“Wow! We should take a drive up there and see it firsthand,” I say excitedly.
He smiles. “I was hoping you’d say that. Want to go tonight?”
“Yes, absolutely!”
Aiden swivels his computer chair to face me, and I bend down so my face is level with his. “I’ll love you as long as the earth revolves around the sun,” I say, repeating his word on the card.
“They’re here already?” He leans in to kiss me then pulls, twisting me onto his lap. “I’m so happy right now,” he mumbles, kissing my cheek repeatedly. I laugh at his playfulness and turn my face, so he kisses my lips, then rest my forehead on his.
“I’m so happy, too. Being engaged to you. Our house being built where we can start our lives together. My life couldn’t be more perfect.”
Suddenly the door swings open and slams back on its hinges. Niall’s standing in the doorway. I quickly jump up from Aiden’s lap and straighten out my skirt.
“What the hell is going on in here?” Niall’s voice booms so the entire office can hear.
Aiden stands, taking my hand in his. I look down at the floor to avoid eye contact with the asshole. I’m embarrassed he caught me sitting on his son’s lap, but I’m more worried about the backlash I am about to get. He walks in and throws some papers on the desk.
“Father, nothing’s going on. Jeni was thanking me for the flowers I sent her. That’s all. And anyway, it’s honestly none of your damn business,” Aiden grunts out harshly.
“Well, she can thank you on her own time, not on mine. I’m not paying you to throw yourself at my son like a complete whore while you’re in my building. While you’re here, you’ll work and not jerk off my son’s ego,” he sneers.
Jesus Christ! That shocked me, and I can see by Aiden’s eyes he’s shocked too.
“Get out! Get out, now!” Aiden yells, pointing to the door.
“I own you, son. You’d do well to remember that.”
I look at Aiden, weakly smile, and turn to leave his office.
“Jeni, don’t leave,” Aiden says.
Niall huffs. “She should leave. I don’t know why you insist on keeping her here.”
Aiden glares at his father, anger swarms through him, fury is written all over his face. Adrenaline courses through his veins, and it’s obvious as they protrude from his neck, pulsing with his frantic heartbeat. He’s raging, and I don’t want to be here for the explosion.
“It’s fine. I have work to do anyway,” I mumble and try to leave the office.
“That’s right! Work… that’s what I pay you to do,” Niall yells as I walk past him.
I shut the door and sigh as I scurry back to my desk. Niall always knows how to ruin a moment. I hear Aiden shouting at his father, but I tune out when I hear the usual banter about Aiden leaving the business. It takes a few minutes, but Niall storms out of Aiden’s office, slamming his door shut so fiercely the walls shake.
I sit on my chair knowing I’m the cause and effect.
One man’s willing to fight for me to the bitter end.
One man’s willing to fight to end me.
By the time Mike picks us up, I can barely keep still or contain the grin on my face. I can’t wait to see our new home for the first time. As we drive up the dirt track, through the gates, and climb up the steep hill, a massive two-story construction site comes into view.
When Mike opens the door, we slide out and walk hand in hand to a grinning middle-aged man. His skin is leathery from too many hours in the sun. He’s well over six feet and has a rotund stomach. His gray beard rounds out his odd appearance.
“Ah… Mr. O’Connell. Nice to see you again.” He shakes Aiden’s hand, then turns to me. “And you must be the lovely Jenifer I’ve heard so much about,” the man chimes.
