Chapter 60

FREYA

I took a moment to compose myself before finding Connor. He was talking to some men. He excused himself once he saw me waiting.

“Hey, I was about to leave, if that’s okay?” I desperately hoped he’d agree, as I was ready to go home and let Aiden… well, you know.

“Yeah, go on,” he shrugged. “Oh, and we need to sit down to decide on the next locations.”

It took me a second to process that. Next locations? For Sips and Stories?

“I thought we were supposed to give this some time, see if it works out,” I said, my voice confused, mirroring my feelings.

“Tonight tells me it will,” he said with a smile.

“Hold your horses,” I muttered, though I couldn’t help returning the smile. Tonight was a success. People loved it. Success felt good, I had to admit. But I still wanted to wait and see how things played out. Putting so much faith in opening day seemed… unwise. Then again, Connor knew far more about this than I did; he understood the market better.

Still, I felt like he was rushing. My anxiety must have been evident. “We’ll talk about it later,” he said, taking a breath, and I couldn’t have agreed more.

“Okay, goodnight.”

“Goodnight, Freya.”

I looked around for Avery. I wanted to tell someone… My breath hitched as I froze. I looked back. No one was there. But I could have sworn I saw Noah by the French window. He was saying goodbye, but she wasn't in sight. I was scanning the room when a hand rested on my shoulder.

My heart pounded against my ribs. It was Aiden. I almost jumped! I thought it was Noah! Was I getting paranoid?

“Hey, you okay?” His forehead furrowed with worry. His eyes quickly scanned me for injuries.

I breathed shakily. “Yeah, I’m just tired.”

Yeah, that was probably it. Why else would Noah be here? It didn’t make sense. Aiden still looked concerned but nodded. “Okay. Let’s get you home. Avery’s in the car with Gia. We’ll drop her off on our way.”

I took his hand. “Okay.”

AIDEN

We lay there, staring at the ceiling, still catching our breath. Sex with her was addictive. I craved her constantly; I’d never get enough.

I pulled her close.

“God! How are you doing that again?” she groaned, feeling my cock against her ass. I kissed her shoulder, running my hand up and down her arm. “If you…” I murmured, the words low and husky, “I can’t think of anything else.” And it was true. My mind short-circuited every time I looked at her, every time I touched her. It was intense, but I’d accepted it.

“Connor! I saw…”

She let out a small, amused huff, shifting slightly. “Fine,” she said nonchalantly. “Tell me about how it went with Connor. You guys talking?”

I frowned, the mention of him breaking the happy bubble. Connor was the last person I wanted to think about right now, especially with her lying beside me, her face still flushed from our multiple orgasms.

“Fuck no,” I muttered, moving closer. “I don’t want to talk about him while I’m naked and in bed with you.” I felt her chuckle through the shiver that ran down her body.

“Then let’s talk about your parents,” she suggested casually, as if it didn’t weigh heavily on my chest.

I groaned, burying my face in her neck, inhaling her scent—coffee mixed with the smell of sex. “Yeah,” I said with a muffled laugh. “That’s much better.”

“Just tell me why you hate them so much,” she murmured, her voice softening, the teasing replaced with earnestness. “Your father, I get it. He’s unbearable. But your mother?” She tried to meet my eyes, but I kept them fixed on the ceiling. We were venturing into territory I wanted to avoid.

I swallowed, a hollow feeling settling in my stomach. I wasn’t ready to discuss this, especially not here, not now, and especially not with her watching me so intently, making me feel exposed. I could feel her reaching for something buried deep inside me, something raw and tender.

“We’re not discussing this,” I said, my voice sharper than intended. I saw her face fall, disappointment crossing her features.

“Aiden…”

“Let it go, Freya.” My tone was firmer, making it clear this was non-negotiable. Silence stretched between us before she pulled away.

“Fine,” Freya grunted, heading to the bathroom. I watched her disappear. I’d shut her down, and I hadn’t been gentle.

I hated that this had come up while I was enjoying the moment. Frustrated, I ran my fingers through my hair. This wasn’t how the day was supposed to end.