After a longday at work, professionally as well as personally, Aiden left the office, his mood better than it had been in a while.Though he hadn’t planned on having a conversation about the past, he and Brooke had crossed the most difficult barrier, and she was open to a relationship of some kind.After hearing her perspective on their history, he was damned lucky to get a second chance.
That he’d hurt her had been obvious.He’d known it for years.But understanding he’d taken away her autonomy by making choices for her killed him because he’d also disrespected her in the process.
She’d wanted a long-distance relationship and deep down, so had he.He should have let her make that choice and acknowledged his desires too.And he knew now that the long hours on the road, the dangerous situations, and the lonely hotel rooms would have been more bearable if he’d had her waiting for him.
As much as he wished things could be easy from here on out, he had work to do to fix things.Sex wasn’t the answer, though he hoped they’d get there soon.Most importantly, he’d have to earn her trust back over time.
Leaving work, he decided to ramp up his efforts to break through her walls and he had an idea.Time might change things about a person, but there were always constants.When it came to Brooke, he knew she’dalwayshad a sweet tooth.There was no way that had changed, so he decided the first step to wooing her could be surprising her with a sweet treat.
Her favorite chocolate shop was located close to the family home in the suburbs of Westchester County.He drove home from work, stopping at the shopping center where the store was located on the way.
Once inside, he knew exactly what to buy.Caramel.
The memory that popped into his mind had been from a long time ago.Brooke had just gotten her driver’s license, and her mom had saved up to buy her a car.She’d had her license for a week and was eager to drive anywhere, so she’d agreed to do the grocery shopping for her mother.
Aiden had helped her unload the groceries.As they brought in the last bags and placed them on the kitchen counter, Brooke reached into one of the paper bags and pulled out a purple and gold bag when Lizzie wasn’t looking.Brooke winked at him and strolled out of the kitchen, bag in hand, Aiden hot on her heels.
Catching up to her in the living room, Aiden plucked the bag out of her hands, eyeing the individually wrapped caramel-filled chocolates.
“Was this on the shopping list?”he asked with a smirk, holding the bag over her head when she tried to snatch it back.
She grinned.“No, but call it my shopping and delivery fee,” she said, a defiant glint in her eye.“Are you going to rat me out?”
Aiden opened the bag and pulled out one of the wrapped candies before handing the bag back to her.Unwrapping the chocolate, he ignored her annoyed glare as he popped it into his mouth.“Your secret is safe with me.”
Brooke loved caramel chocolates, and now, he was going to use that knowledge to his advantage.The selection of caramel options at the chocolate shop was impressive.Dark and milk chocolate.With and without nuts.Chewy or soft caramel.Some had sea salt and others didn’t.He grabbed a box and filled it with basic milk-chocolate candies filled with caramel.
After paying, he stepped out of the store.It was still light out, normal for summer, and he strode across the lot toward his car.The shop was in a strip mall with other stores, and the lot had a myriad of people coming and going.
Out of an abundance of caution, Aiden glanced around, seeking out the guy who’d paid him a visit the other night or anyone else who might be looking his way.But all the people seemed to be going about their business, not paying anyone extra attention.Aiden couldn’t explain why, but he had the same unsettling feeling he’d experienced at the coffee shop with John.
He was being watched.
He expected whoever wanted him to pull the story wouldn’t give up, but as Aiden hadn’t seen the stranger since after his walk in the park, he’d been trying to convince himself nothing would come of the man’s threats.
Shaking off the uneasy feeling that raised the little hairs on the back of his neck, he made his way across the lot toward his car, digging his keys out of his jacket pocket.He was only about halfway there when the roar of an engine caught his attention and he glanced to the right.
A car was racing toward him.His heart stopped, his breath stalled in his lungs, and his mind struggled to understand what was happening.His brain kicked in as the vehicle accelerated and he dove to the side, landing on the hard asphalt between two sedans just as the vehicle sped past, whizzing through the spot where he’d been standing.
Dammit.
He started to get to his feet, but as he pushed against the ground, pain sliced through both hands.He winced and glanced at his bleeding palms.His less-than-graceful landing had scraped up his skin.Thanks to the adrenaline rush, he hadn’t felt the pain, but he did now.
What were the chances the driver of the SUV had just been careless, in too big of a hurry?He shook his head.More likely, they were trying to shut him up for good.
***
Two hours later,Aiden sat on the couch at home, waiting for Brooke to arrive.Tonight was her first night living in the main house until the plumbing at the gatehouse was fixed and he’d been looking forward to their forced proximity.
Even better, his father had texted him while the paramedic was wrapping his palms, informing Aiden that he and Lizzie were going out for dinner.Their night out was welcome.Aiden wouldn’t have to answer questions about the bandages on his hands.
He didn’t need the painful reminder.He’d been reliving the moment since it happened.The sound of the engine echoed in his mind and his just-in-time dive out of the way.Such a close call.His heart rate sped up in his chest.
Rising, he walked to the kitchen.His hands shook as he pulled scotch from the cabinet above the stove, where his dad stashed the good stuff, although he wasn’t partaking much anymore because of his heart.Using his fingers and being careful not to drop the bottle, he poured a glass and took a long sip.
He’d tried to stay calm after the incident, to think rationally and not jump to conclusions about who had been behind the wheel, but as he took another sip of whisky, feeling it burn down his throat, he had to admit he was shaken.
He hadn’t thought they’d try and kill him… until now.It didn’t make sense.The article would run no matter what happened to him.
