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Chapter 7
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2024-02-20 07:28:31“You really are relentless. You know that, right?” At this, Jessie simply shot her a grin.
“I know. Its both my most toxic trait and my most endearing quality.” Aiden shook her head and disappeared into the bathroom to scrub her face, reapply some deodorant, and brush out her hair. Already feeling better, she next headed for her closet to see what she had left behind that was both appropriate and comfortable. But Jessie was way ahead of her, up like a shot and sifting through what was there. “Ohhh, this one is perfect!” She exclaimed, pulling out a pretty, fit and flare sundress, pale pink and covered in a delicate flower pattern. It was perfect for the warm summer evening they were headed for. But Aiden shook her head. “Nope. I am not dressing for a date, Jess.” “Oh stop. Its cute, you’ll look casual and sexy, and it’ll give Mitch all the right ideas.” “No thank you!” she said firmly, starting to look through her drawers instead. Eventually, she pulled out a pair of light blue capris and a loose white blouse. “There.” “Ugh, you’re absolutely impossible, Aiden Matthews! But it won’t matter. He’s going to get ideas either way,” she teased. “You know, if you weren’t knocked up, I’d totally throw something at you.” She tossed the outfit she’d picked next to the dress and sighed, suddenly having second thoughts. Her lips pursed slightly as she considered. Were the capris too casual? “Come onnnnn, you know you wanna wear the dress.” All Aiden did was shoot her a look before disappearing back into the bathroom with it to at least try it on. And as she emerged to look into the full length mirror, even she had to admit that it looked good on her. It had been ages since she’d bought it, and she couldn’t remember if she’d ever worn it anywhere. Jessie let out a low whistle. “Whoa, Foxy Mommaaaaaa,” she said with a satisfied grin. “Seriously, you look amazing. Mitch isn’t going to be able to keep his hands to himself.” “You’re the worst!” Aiden said with a laugh and a shake of her head. “And OKAY, you were right.” “AHA! Keep talking.” “Seriously. Staaaaahp. You got your way. You’re right, it looks better than the capris and blouse.” “Perfect. Now make sure you get the guy.” “JESSICA.” “Okay, okay. I’m sorry. I know there are… messy logistics involved. But you deserve to be happy. So does he. And I can’t deny I’m heavily invested in you becoming my sister for real.” She shrugged. “Look. It’s been a silly teenage crush for as long as I can remember. Maybe we’re finally on the same page, maybe we’re not. But I don’t want to overthink this, and nor do I want to ruin our current relationships with each other and you and the rest of the family. It's not just logistics. What if things don't work out?" Jessie moved to stand behind her best friend in the entire world, her hands resting on her shoulders as her mood at last went serious and she met her gaze in the glass. "Oh, but my darling Aiden… what if they do?" #"What if they do…" Even as the four of them sat around the living room, three out of the group with a beer in hand and laughter filling the air, Jessie's words still echoed in the backdrop of her thoughts. Aiden was doing her best to shake them off, but they were consuming her focus, even with the pain in her hand becoming a bit more insistent, until she was almost wincing. "Time for more painkillers?" Mitch asked, practically reading her thoughts. Or maybe the pain was really starting to register again. Either way, she gave a grateful nod as he stood to grab another packet from his kit before she glanced at the clock. "So as much as I love having you guys here, I know we're stalling a bit. Maybe it's time to head over." Mitch handed her the two small pills and nodded in agreement. "Aiden's right. Mom is going to be banging the door down soon. We should head over. I'm good to drive, but we could walk if you guys prefer." "Thanks," she murmured with a relieved smile, popping the pills into her mouth and chasing them with the last of her beer. "Driving is fine, this way we don't have to leave the luggage and you guys can still head out later,"Jessie piped up from her position of leaning back against Jacob. Once she'd found out they actually had made some plans, she'd been playing up the 'exhausted pregnant person’ routine, shooting Aiden a wink almost every time. "Alright," she breathed out, finally standing to stretch as she reached for Jacob's hands. "Come on. Time to face the music." Within minutes they'd headed outside and made their way to the Jeep. Jessie and Jacob hopped in as Aiden locked up the house, and Mitch hovered close by. He offered his arm as they walked down the stairs, a grin touching the corners of his lips as he walked her to the passenger door. "You look beautiful, by the way," he said. She couldn't help the smile that crossed her lips in return. "Thanks. All Jessie," she replied with a laugh. "She somehow made me feel like Red Sky required dressier attire." He tossed his head back with a laugh at that as he opened her door for her. "Jessie treats every outing like a fashion-forward event, you know that." "Damn right I do," Jessie called from inside the car. Aiden just shook her head and hopped in, thanking him before he slid into his seat and they smoothly headed up the road and around the corner. Two more blocks and the Davis house was clearly in sight. Aiden turned to face the couple in the back. Even though the excitement was unmistakable, Aiden knew that her best friend's nerves were starting to fray. "Hey. Everything's going to be okay. And if for some reason it's not, in case it needs saying, you guys are welcome at the house. The guest room and bathroom are all set. Okay?" Jessie took a deep, bracing breath before she gave Aiden's good hand a squeeze and shot her a wan smile as they pulled into the driveway. "Okay," she whispered, just before a familiar voice sounded from the front porch. "Jessica Marie Davis, just what is going on?!" Planting a firm smile on her lips and taking a deep breath, Jessie got out of the car and headed up the steps, Jacob just behind her. "Hi, Mom! You remember Jacob…"
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"That could have gone worse," Aiden quipped as she and Mitch headed back out the door a few hours later. "To be honest, I figured once they knew a grandkid was on the way, they'd be alright." "True," Aiden agreed, shaking her head with a laugh.Cynthia had been all geared up to go off on Jessie's lack of notice about a guest, but Jessie artfully intercepted her mother's protests as she pulled Jacob inside to speak with both her parents. Cynthia simply raised her hands to the heavens with a shake of her head and followed them inside after pausing to greet Jacob. Because if there was one truth about Cynthia, she was a stickler for good manners and being a good hostess, and no family uproar would detract from that.Aiden and Mitch had hung back to allow them a few moments, making small talk, and after a happy cry sounded from inside, they exchanged a grin and headed in to find both parents hugging and kissing Jessie and Jacob, their excitement quickly palpable. Cynthia and Paul next ma
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“So, my grandparents met right here in this bar. I’m not sure she ever told anyone else the story. But they hated each other at first, or at least, she hated him, and it was hilarious.”“I know you never met him - hell, I barely remember him - but from what my parents say, they were head over heels for each other. So that does not track at all. I can’t wait to hear this.” He leaned on his elbow and rested his chin in his palm, all ears.“So he was new to town, and was just getting his shop set up. He came here one night to blow off some steam after a particularly hot day. Sunburn plus a few too many beers equals…”“Extra drunk,” Mitch finished with a laugh.“Especially for someone not used to the summer sun out here,” Aiden said with a laugh of her own. “Nan was on a date with someone else. The way she tells it, she was trying to get over someone, though, come to think of it, she never mentioned who. But anyway. Grandad was a little too happy go lucky and when Nan’s date went to the r
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“That was… interesting,” Aiden said, still looking at the photo. In it, her Nan was holding the soldier’s hand with both of hers and making doe eyes at him while he was smiling adoringly down at her. She hadn’t been a short woman, but the soldier, a darkly handsome, clean-shaven man of about twenty, towered over her. Mitch moved to look over her shoulder, pressing closer than she would call strictly platonic and she felt her breath hitch deliciously in her throat as she pressed just slightly against him in turn. He felt warm, and sturdy, and was just enough of a distraction for the moment from the photo in her hands. She placed it down on the table and turned to look up at him, questions pouring from her gaze as it met his, but she only found a content, determined look there in return. “What are we even doing?” She breathed out, finally putting words to the flirtatious but evasive feeling that had permeated throughout the entire day and evening.“This,” he said, simply, before slidin
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This time when he kissed her, the world stood still as the heat crackled between them, the blissful feeling of need and want coming together and slipping through her veins to coil somewhere deep in her core. Blindly, she set her glass down beside his on the side table before her fingers delved into his hair, pulling him close. The embrace grew insistent, hungrier by the moment as he pulled her tight against him, his fingers possessively gripping her upper thighs as she moved, boldly, to straddle his lap. As they inched higher to hook into the delicate, lacy band of her underwear before he gave a playful tug, a gasp slipped past her lips. Her own mindless fingers were already eagerly unbuttoning his shirt, pulling it off his shoulders as she went, before one hand snaked back to unzip her dress. He stopped then, just for a moment, breaking the kiss off as her breath left her in short, sharp bursts, her entire body trembling with pending disappointment that warred with hope all the whi
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Aiden's eyes cracked open on the dimly lit bedroom as she gave a delicious stretch - as much as she could muster without disturbing Mitch, anyway. She was stiff and sore in all the right places and a fresh thrill tiptoed down her spine when her mind drifted back to why. A little glow of delight spread through her to see him still there with her. They'd drifted off together, snuggled up on the couch and under a fluffy blanket before they'd moved upstairs to her bedroom at some point in the wee hours. To her delighted surprise, he'd scooped her and their discarded clothing up and carried her, half asleep, to their current destination. A murmured "stay?" had left her lips without thought and she had been warmly gratified that it hadn't taken any convincing at all for him to slip beneath the sheets beside her. They'd shared another searing kiss before they'd settled in for the night, wrapped around one another as if it was something they'd been doing their whole lives. A soft smile curle
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"Girl, how are you even walking right now?" Jessie exclaimed in a gleeful, teasing tone as she dangled Mitch's duffle between them, while Jacob turned faintly pink before greeting Aiden good morning. "Ha HA. Good morning to you, too," was all she replied as she snatched the bag, staring daggers before she shot a smirk at Jessie and headed back to Mitch. “I know that look, Aiden Matthews!” she sang out as Aiden disappeared up the stairs with a shake of her head. He reluctantly rose from the bed when she reappeared, but accepted his things gratefully and slipped into the bathroom to change. Just before he did, he pressed another sweet kiss, one full of promise, to her mouth. "See you downstairs in a minute," he breathed to her lips with a content grin. "Don't be too long," Aiden teased, certain he would be taking some time to marshal his thoughts and resign himself to dealing with his sister. With equal reluctance, she drew in a deep breath, working to keep the goofy, sated grin
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"Whoa!" Aiden exclaimed as they jumped back just in time, steadying themselves against the back of the loveseat."Holy shit. A secret passage," Mitch said, peering inside the dark space. "Did you have any idea this existed?" Aiden shook her head, more than a little interested but also a little freaked out. How had she never known about this, in her own home no less? "No way. I don't think my Nan ever mentioned anything about this." She took a step closer, grabbing her phone and turning the flashlight on, trying to see further inside the extremely narrow passage. "Look, there's a small staircase, just ahead."They exchanged a look. "Do you want to check it out?" Mitch asked, sensing her hesitation. Aiden nodded, but held up one finger. "Yeah, but let me text Jessie first… just in case." "Good call."After she was sure the text went through, Aiden clicked the flashlight back on and they siddled through the narrow passage, toward the short stair. Mitch went first, ducking slightly due
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A few hours later, they had both stirred at last and Aiden gave a delicious, delicate stretch with a soft, satisfied grin playing on her lips. Her body ached with muscle memories, still sore in all the right places, and she realized, all at once, that she wanted to feel that way every day she could. She couldn’t recall a time she’d felt happier, safer, more content than she did now. Usually, she was ready to bolt right around this time of a new thing, but this time… this time, she only knew she wanted more, could not get enough. And it wasn’t just the sex, either… it was all of it. She wanted to be near him all the time, hang on to his undivided attention, continue wading through all the discoveries to be had, both self and otherwise, with him at her side. That alone should have had her running for the hills, or right back to the City, but she knew it had to be because it was him. Her Mitch, her familiar, comfortable, solid Mitch, who also happened to be a great person in general, hot
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A short while later, she stirred against him from where they’d collapsed back on the sofa. She felt him give a twitch from deep inside her, sending off another throb of pleasure to spill down her spine. She couldn’t help but arch her hips back, a move that had him springing back to life before she could even so much as gasp. “Hey Mitch?” she murmured dreamily, rocking gently against his lap, feeling his hands slide to cup her breasts and pull her tighter against him before one worked its way down to toy with her clit again. “Hm?” He barely replied, but didn’t stop his relentless work, sending little shockwaves through her as she drew it out as long as she could, slowly and steadily building the friction that she just couldn’t get enough of. “We’re not gonna make it to the beach, are we?” He gave a short, hoarse laugh at that, leaning up to press a kiss to the nape of her neck. “I don’t think so, but I’m still bent on taking you out tonight,” he breathed, unable to keep his hands o
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This time, when he kissed her, it was slow and sweet, full of promise. She blindly set her coffee down and turned in his arms, clinging to him for all she was worth. She kissed him back with fervent need, an urge to seal her confession with something stronger than words.She inched further up, moving to straddle his lap, never breaking off the kiss. Her arms snaked around his neck as she rocked gently against him, her body making its silent request of his.Both his hands cupped her face, fingers delving into her hair as his mouth searched hers, never quite able to get enough of what he sought from her.“Fuck you taste so good,” he growled, sending a thrill to trip down her spine, her fingers already working at his shirt and his shorts, desperate to feel his skin beneath her touch.
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Mitch read over her shoulder, pensive. “I think we should start making a list of all the things we or a private investigator should look further into. I know just the guy, if you want me to reach out to him. Former cop, he lives in town.”Aiden nodded in agreement, drawing in a slow breath as she reached for a notebook and Mitch handed her a pen. She smiled, grateful, as she accepted and began to sketch out a basic list of leads to look into.“First thing, the lease agreement for that beach house,” she said. “The police reports from all the incidents. My parents’ accident report. Maybe talk to Vinnie, the mechanic. I think he’s still alive…”Mitch nodded. “And maybe tal
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The morning sun was brilliant in its greeting the next day, but Aiden barely registered that it had risen at all, in favor of snuggling in deep against the man who was starting to feel like he’d always been there. At the very least, like he belonged there. They had had their fair share of all-night conversations over the years, had woken up on the squashy sofa in the Davis’ sunroom on mornings just like this, curled up next to one another where someone had kindly tucked them in with cozy blankets sometime in the early hours. But this morning, she was wrapped around the man in question, under her very own soft, warm duvet. Something she had let herself do in her sleep again, and something she was quite unwilling to undo. He was still fast asleep; exhaustion had won out over the appeal of sex and they’d passed out before she could even count to ten. She kept her eyes closed as everything from the prior day slipped around her mind. There was so much to process, so many moving parts. Some
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“So… If money were no object, how and where would you plan your wedding? What would be the ideal dream day?” Aiden asked her best friend with a lackadaisical expression on her face, a relaxed slant to her posture. Her body language was giving nothing away, but Mitch, the only one of the group who knew what she was about to share, caught the mischievous glint in her eye and couldn’t help the smile he quickly hid behind his napkin. The meal of tapas-style small plates had been nearly finished and the most recent round of wine had been drained from oversized glasses. Jessie had been happily downing virgin mocktails all night, trying the most interesting concoctions on offer and had declared about halfway through that they were so good, she didn’t even miss having a glass of wine with dinner. And now, as they waited for dessert, Aiden finally broached the subject she’d been dying to share with them. Having thought over the best way to tell them, the wedding had crossed her mind more tha
