Forever Touched Read online

  “Hey,” I said, finding Aiden standing alone in a corner of the kitchen.

  “Are you going to fuss at me again?”

  “I’m not doing that. I just want this day to be special. It’s for our son. Everything else can wait.”

  He exhaled a sigh. “You’re right. I’m sorry. That guy just gets under my skin.”

  “I know, but shake it off for the day.” I grasped his hands and pulled them to my chest. “What do I have to do to get the happy husband and ecstatic father of my child back?”

  Aiden cocked his head. “You can start with a kiss.”

  “Consider it done,” I said, and reached up to touch my lips to his.

  *****

  Lyric’s high-spirited mood came to a halt when his smiles and giggles evolved into grunts and cries. We surrounded him with a last bout of birthday hugs and kisses, most of which he turned away from. Soon after, Dianna carried him off for a nap as the other kids and adults carried on with the party. A few hours later, the other children were either gone or in the pool house with the staff as the day spilled over into a star-filled night for the adults.

  When the D.J. announced the music would be slowing down, a pair of large hands was suddenly at my waist. I’d been captured by my husband, who pulled me into his arms and nibbled on my ear as he guided me to the much slower beats that filled the air.

  “We never did discuss our last visit to Seducente,” I said, after we’d danced to one song.

  “What’s to discuss?” Aiden asked, looking down at me.

  “I’d like to go back.”

  “Why?”

  “To use every apparatus in that dungeon room.”

  “You’re up for that?” he asked.

  “Oh, maybe I should make my intentions clear. I was referring to continuing my research on you.”

  “Hell no.”

  “Why?” I asked.

  “That’s not happening.”

  “That’s what you said the last time we were there, but look how well it turned out.”

  I could sense his unease with the direction in which the conversation was going, but I persisted. “Let me tame you.”

  He threw his head back with a throaty laugh. “That’s not possible.”

  “Oh, but I think it is,” I said.

  “And why do you think that?”

  “We both know you liked it. So let me do things to you to make it even better.”

  “Aria, you really need to drop this,” he said, all traces of laugher evaporated. “I’m not doing it.”

  Ignoring him, I continued my spiel. “I did quite a bit of research for that night and I’d actually planned on doing a lot more to you, but I saw early on that you weren’t having it. So I took what I could get. Baby steps, you know.”

  His brows rose. “Do you think letting you lick and fuck my ass was a baby step?” he whispered.

  “But you liked it. I’d never felt your cock so hard before, and that’s saying a lot because you’re always hard as hell.”

  “Drop it, Aria. Besides, this conversation is not appropriate for a one-year old’s party.”

  “Neither is the way we’re dancing,” I retorted.

  “Touché’” he replied, and put a little space between us.

  I dropped the topic of Seducente and continued the dance. Once the song ended, we grabbed a couple of drinks and headed to the table with the others.

  “If you two weren’t so adorable, it would be sickening,” Allison said when Aiden and I joined them.

  “Yeah, are you gearing up for kid number two?” Nicholas asked, grinning at his brother.

  The child-like innocence of the party was definitely over. The day had been amazing and Lyric had gone to bed a much loved and very tired one-year old.

  *****

  “Aiden, can you get the door?” I yelled, as I stepped out of the closet.

  He didn’t reply. “Aiden, the doorbell is ringing and I’m not dressed. Can you get it?”

  Still no answer.

  Dropping my towel, I grabbed a robe and rushed to the nursery.

  Aiden was stepping from the bathroom with a naked Lyric and a wet shirt.

  We routinely bathed Lyric at bedtime, so why was Aiden doing it just before dinner? “Why did you give him a bath now of all times?” I asked.

  “I didn’t. Before I could get his diaper on, he sprayed me.” Aiden was holding Lyric up and away from him, in midair, away from the wet fabric.

  I giggled as I pictured Aiden trying to dodge Lyric’s stream. That little kid had gotten me a time or two as well. He thought it was the funniest thing.

  “Did I laugh when he did this to you?” Aiden asked, a tinge of frustration in his voice.

  “No, but I could tell you wanted to,” I said. “Oh hell, the doorbell. I can’t get it like this. I’ll take Lyric, and you grab a shirt and get the door.” Aiden passed Lyric to me and I got him diapered and then sat him on the floor as I stepped into his closet.

  “If we had someone here to help, you wouldn’t be running around naked and I wouldn’t be soaked in my son’s urine,” Aiden mumbled as he headed out of the nursery.

  Oh God, not again. I hadn’t made offers to the housekeepers yet, and I’d also put off selecting a second nanny. Aiden had been bugging me to schedule interviews with the three I was on the fence about. I made a mental note to make a decision next week. This was one of those times when I wished Dianna was here, but she was spending the evening with her sister, so Lyric would be joining us for dinner.

  Once the baby was dressed, I carried him to my bedroom and placed him in the playpen in the rear of our room as I scrambled to find some clothes for myself.

  Arriving downstairs a few minutes later, I saw Allison and her brother in a hug.

  “What’s that smell?” Allison asked.

  “A mix of your nephew’s urine and my cologne.”

  “What?”

  “He peed all over me. And smiled as he did so,” Aiden said, shaking his head. “I changed shirts, but I guess that wasn’t enough,” he added.

  “Score for Lyric,” Allison said laughing. “Hi, Aria, and there’s my amazing nephew. Let me hold him.”

  I gave Allison a quick once-over. She looked absolutely incredible in a sleeveless metallic Chantilly lace cocktail dress. She was wearing a necklace like the one Sienna had given me which drew attention to the scalloped v-neckline of the dress. “Hi, Allison. Don’t you look amazing?”

  “Thanks, Aria,” she said as she reached for the baby.

  “Allison, you can close the door, you know,” Aiden said.

  “I brought someone with me. We forgot the wine, so he went back to the car.”

  “I didn’t know you were bringing a date,” Aiden said. “Will I like him?”

  “I hope so,” Allison said. “I really do, Aiden. So be nice.”

  “Nice is my middle name,” Aiden replied.

  “I’ll go clean up and join you all in a few,” Aiden said and he stepped away, leaving Allison, Lyric and me waiting for her date.

  Minutes later, after Allison’s date had come in, the four of us were all seated in the family room when Aiden entered. He froze when he saw Allison’s date.

  “This is William Holt,” Allison said. “Well, it’s actually Liam. I don’t think anyone calls him William anymore.”

  Liam looked at Allison who offered a smile of reassurance.

  Aiden’s eyes had yet to leave Liam’s face. “Help yourself to a drink,” he said, gesturing toward the bar. “I need to speak with my wife and sister. Family matter.”

  “Why were you so rude?” I asked, when we were in Aiden’s office.

  Aiden didn’t acknowledge my question. Instead, he started in on his sister. “Do you know who that is, Allie?”

  She let out a sigh. “I know exactly who he is, so don’t start anything, please.”

  “He’s at least ten years your senior, and not only that, he has quite a reputation,” Aiden said.

  “So
do you, but you’re not as bad as everyone thinks,” she defended. “Same goes for Liam.”

  “I went to school with that guy. It’s not just gossip.”

  “I know all about his past,” Allison replied. “He’s not like that anymore.”

  “Is that what he told you?”

  “It’s what I know.”

  “How did this happen?” Aiden asked.

  “How did what happen? How did we meet? The same as everyone else.”

  “Answer me, Allie.”

  Allison shook her head with a sigh. “Libbey and I were with a group of friends doing a bar crawl. She met this guy and she left me at the bar. I met Liam a few drinks later and we went back to his place.”

  Aiden’s brows scrunched. “A bar crawl? Seriously, Allison? Haven’t you listened to anything I’ve told you over the years?”

  “Nothing happened, Aiden. I fell asleep on his sofa and woke up the next morning to coffee and breakfast. He was a perfect gentleman. Do you think I’d be with him if he wasn’t?”

  “He’s a low-life, and you will not date him.”

  “Just watch me,” she said and turned to leave. Aiden grabbed her arm. “It’s not up to you,” Allison said.

  “Let go of her, Aiden,” I said.

  Allison jerked from her brother’s grasp and stormed out of the room.

  “She’s a grown woman,” I said watching Aiden stare after his sister. “She can make her own decisions about who she wants to date.”

  “Yeah, but not someone like him. Do you think I’ll allow that?” he asked.

  “As if you could stop her. Geez. Get over yourself already.”

  “Aria, I think you know me well enough—and my little sister certainly does—to know that if I want to stop something, I will.”

  “No. I will not let you interfere. I mean it, Aiden. Besides, as far as I know, he’s a pretty good guy.”

  “Wait. You knew about this?” he asked, turning toward me. “Why didn’t you say anything?”

  “She asked me not to,” I said, placing Lyric on the floor.

  “Why did she tell you at all? So you could plead her case when the time came?” he asked.

  “What can I say? She knows her brother.”

  “Yeah, well, she should know her brother well enough to not bring that fucker into my home. This ends tonight.”

  “Aiden. Don’t. She really likes him, and it’s important to her that you like him, too.”

  “Zero chance of that happening. What’s she thinking? That guy’s a piece of shit, and he will not date my kid sister.”

  “You’re sounding a hell of a lot like your parents,” I said.

  “What?” he asked, his dark brows furrowed. “Don’t be ridiculous, Aria.”

  “So you don’t see the similarity?”

  “This is different. I’m looking out for my sister.”

  “That’s the same load of bull Sienna and Connor spewed, and look what it did to us. Do you want Allison to go through that?”

  “Aria, stay out of this.”

  “I will not stay out of it, and don’t you dare say that to me again.”

  “You’re right. I shouldn’t because it’s a waste of time. You never listen to shit I say.”

  “Oh, please. I listen to everything you say. How can I not when you insist on doing things your way all the time?”

  “Why are we arguing?” he asked. “This has nothing to do with us.”

  “Ugh. You’re so aggravating and it’s a shame Allison has to walk on eggshells hoping for your approval. Do you really want to be that kind of brother to her?”

  “Aria, you’ve constantly said I was a great brother, now you’re putting that into question. Make up your mind. Either I’m a great brother or a commandeering jerk.”

  “Maybe you’re a whole lot of both. And every time I forget how spoiled you can be, you’re quick to remind me. Everything has to go your way, doesn’t it? If not, we’d all better watch out.”

  “I don’t understand my sisters,” he said, ignoring my accusation. “First this shit with Sloan and now Allie. It’s obvious I need to do something before they end up in situations they can’t get out of.”

  “What? You mean pregnant? Like me? Is that what happened to you? Were you in a situation you couldn’t get out of?”

  “Don’t put words in my mouth,” he replied, dismissing my insinuation. “They don’t see what I see.”

  “Oh my God. Do you even hear yourself? These are their lives to lead. They’ve really given you too much power over them.”

  “What about you? Have you given me too much power over you?” he stepped closer to me and slid his hand into the top of my blouse, cupping my breast.

  “What are you doing? Go away.”

  “Do you really want me to stop?” he asked. His finger was tracing the tip of my nipple.

  “Yes.”

  “No, you don’t,” he said. “You’re as turned on as I am.”

  He leaned down and his tongue traced over the sensitive area near my ear. “Mmm,” I moaned. How could this feel so good?

  “Is that the spot?” he asked.

  “Most definitely. But we need to stop. We have guests.”

  “Don’t remind me,” Aiden said, and he pulled away.

  “Besides, I don’t think we should train our son to be a voyeur.”

  We both looked around to see Lyric watching us. He watched us all the time—focused and attentive, as if he were learning something new. He certainly didn’t need to learn any more of his father’s ways. But there he was—taking it all in. He’d found one of his toys and was sitting on the floor with it in his mouth as he observed his parents’ inappropriate behavior.

  “Come on, let’s get this night over with,” Aiden said, as he lifted Lyric and led us back to the family room.

  “Promise you’ll behave.”

  “Yeah, yeah. I’ll do what I can.”

  I let out a sigh as we stepped in to join Liam and Allison.

  *****

  Dinner was served with a nice dose of tension, dashed with a sprinkle of rudeness and a sliver of condescension—all courtesy of Aiden. I was surprised Allison and Liam didn’t just up and leave. I felt horribly for Allison, and did all I could to mitigate the awkwardness of an evening that was clearly a very bad idea. Lyric must have wanted to help his aunt as well, because his outbursts made for great distractions.

  Liam needed to prepare for a legal case, so he left just after dessert. But even after the mockery of a dinner, Allison stayed overnight, giving us time to catch up and hatch a plan to bring Aiden over to her side.

  The next morning, Allison, Aiden, Lyric and I were at the kitchen table having breakfast. As expected, Aiden not so subtly introduced the subject of Liam.

  “Have you given any thought to what I said last night, Allie,” he asked.

  “No, I wasn’t aware I was supposed to,” she said, taking a bite of a whole wheat bagel.

  “That guy isn’t good enough for you. He’s bedded more women than he can probably count,” Aiden said.

  “Oh God. Is this the part where you start ragging on Liam again? Please let me know so I can fling myself into traffic,” Allison said.

  “If I were you, I’d take my words a little more seriously, Allie.”

  She glared at her brother. “Are you threatening me, Aiden? Is that what you’re doing here?”

  “Did it sound like a threat?”

  “I swear, if you do anything to cause problems for Liam and me …”

  “What? You’ll be angry with me? You’ve been upset with me before. You’ll get over it,” he said, and left the table.

  As hard as she’d tried to hold her own with Aiden, it appeared as though Allison was near tears.

  “I tried,” I said. “I thought I’d gotten through to him last night. I’m sorry.”

  “It’s okay. I guess I expected him to be more supportive. He’s always been that for me,” she said, her face falling into a frown.

>   “I know. But has it ever involved guys?” I asked.

  “Once or twice, but he liked them, so it was easier.”

  “You’re his favorite, so he’s just doing what he thinks is best for you,” I said.

  “Honestly, I know that, which is why I’m not totally going off on him.”

  “We’ll keep working at it. He’ll come around,” I said. I wasn’t so sure he would, but for the sake of maintaining harmony within a family that was so easily knocked off balance, I really hoped he would.

  Chapter Three

  My family. As difficult as it was to fathom, something I’d once so vehemently avoided had become the center of my life. My family was everything to me. How I wished Mom could see the person, the woman, her daughter had become. To see the life I was living. A far cry from the sullen teenager who’d abandoned her and my sisters at the first opportunity. Why couldn’t I have been more sympathetic? Could I have made things better—easier—for her? I’d never know the answer to that question. And I feared that my leaving them behind would be one of the assortment of regrets that plagued the memories of my youth.

  From time to time, I permitted myself to muse—to think about Mom, to fantasize about Dad. While I gave in to my daydreams, I knew it was unwise to prolong them because they were laced with sadness. I hid it from Aiden—I didn’t want to worry him. But I was starting to worry myself. Was this normal? Did I need to talk to someone? But what would I say? That I was saddened by the fact that I couldn’t be with the parent who was presumed dead or the one who was officially dead? Both of whom, I recently learned, had been in witness protection? As implausible as it sounded—that was my reality.

  Sighing, I pressed the stop button on the stroll down memory lane and headed to my home office. With each step, alerts chimed steadily on my phone—signaling the start of another day. Sitting behind my desk, I tapped one of the alerts … and I nearly fell off my chair when I realized what was scrolling across my screen.

  How? Why? Before I could start deliberating about it, I jumped from my chair and rushed upstairs to the only man who had the answers.

  What the hell? Was that what he’d done behind my back? So many explosions were headed for Aiden, starting with mine. I stormed into the bedroom and he was lying in bed—still asleep. Was he kidding me? How could he possibly think sleeping in was the appropriate response to a day like this? I noticed a half full glass of water on the bedside table. Without thinking, I grabbed the glass and sloshed the liquid over his face.