Page 68 of Stained Hearts
I shifted a little closer. “But you’re keeping up with your other orders, right? That’s fine. The window can wait until you’ve got time.”
He sat up a little. “How about if I give it to you for Christmas?”
“That works. What do you want me to give you?”
His cheeks flushed. “I’d like for you to take me to Chicago. I’d love to see one of these clubs you know about.” Before I could object, he leaned in and kissed me. “I promise to keep my clothes on the whole time. I just… I wanna see, you know?”
“Is there something you’re trying to tell me?”
He heaved a sigh. “I don’t know. Sometimes I feel as though I’m missing out on something. It’s like it’s right below the surface. Think of it as an itch I can’t scratch. I’m not sure what it is, but I want to find out.”
Very few people I knew were total vanilla. Almost everyone liked a little bit of sprinkles added to their life. Aiden was no different, despite what he seemed to think.
“Do you think I’m a freak?”
“What? Hell no.” I pulled him close. “I’ve got a friend, probably the most straitlaced person you’re ever going to want to meet. He works in an office from nine to five, Monday through Friday. He goes out to eat once during the workweek, orders the same thing every time. There are no variations in his life. Until Friday night.”
He leaned closer. “What does he do on Friday?”
I was glad I had his attention, because this lesson was important. “He gets home at six, strips out of his business suit, then showers. Once he’s finished, he shaves his body before he dresses in his most gorgeous evening gown, complete with opera gloves. He spends the whole weekend as a woman who likes to go out and be wild and free. The restaurant he dines at? He’ll go there and order something different. He’ll go out dancing. It gives him the chance to let loose, away from the confines of his structured world. Now tell me, do you think he’s a freak?”
“What? No!”
“It helps him get through the grind, because he knows that as soon as Friday night hits, he’s no longer Calvin, he’s Callie, who likes to be the life of the party. It’s forty-eight hours of freedom for him before he has to be back at work on Monday.”
“But how does he stand it? The whole week must kill him, not being who he is.”
“You’re missing the point. He’s Calvin, the one who loves his job and has responsibilities, and she’s Callie, who is a free spirit. Each of them fills a need for the other. Just like Calvin, there doesn’t have to be one Aiden. Who you are is up to you. If you think going to the club will help you find out who you are, then we’ll go. At least as long as you remember to keep your clothes on.”
His smile was radiant. “I swear. No clothes will leave my body.” He gave me a saucy wink. “That is, unless you take them off me.”
As tempting as that thought was, I got up and grabbed my car keys. Aiden and I had some shopping to do, plus I had a friend to ask for a favor.
I was going to make this a Halloween Aiden would never forget.
OLIVIA TUCKEDthe blanket around Aiden’s legs. She reached up and brushed some hair from his forehead, then smiled at him. “Are you comfortable?”
“Yes, mother.” He rolled his eyes. “How many times are you going to ask me that? I’m fine. Stop fussing.”
She stepped back and scowled at him. “I get dressed up to take part in your prison fantasy, and you’re going to be a jerk? Nice to see I was missed.”
His annoyance bled out almost instantly. “Oh, Livvy….” He held out his arms. “Come give me a hug.”
She swooped in and wrapped her arms around him. “The house is quiet without you there.”
“Funny, mine is a lot noisier.”
They both looked at me, Olivia trying to bite back a laugh and Aiden with a sneer.
“You never mind my noises in the bedroom.”
All right, I admit, I didn’t. “Aiden….”
“Oh, what? You don’t want Olivia to hear how you make me scream your name? Should I give her a demonstration?”
He opened his mouth, but I slapped a hand over it before he could utter a word.
“You are the rudest little shit. I swear.” Behind my hand, the muffled sounds of laughter emanated. “Fine, you win. You’re the perfect housemate, roommate, and lover all rolled into one sexy-as-fuck package.” I pulled my hand away. “How’s that?”
