~Brie~

“Which one?”

I averted my eyes away from the book I was reading and looked up at Aiden.

“The Hulk or Spiderman? Or maybe I could just buy her a STARWARS t-shirt.”

My brows knitted in a frown. But I was also surprised. Aiden liked comics and t-shirts? Meaning he had other clothing apart from his expensive suits.

“No” I objected.

His forehead puckered.

“You're not getting your sister comic books... or a STARWARS t-shirt” I laughed. “She's flying from Ottawa... c'mon.”

He sighed and placed them back on the rack

“Then what do you suggest? A Canadian-themed hockey bat?”

I giggled.

“Did the grumpy Aiden Corleone just make a joke?”

He chortled.

“Don't forget I'm still your boss and this is a rare moment, so cherish it.”

I returned the book I was holding to its shelf and gave a light shrug.

“Well, what does your sister like?”

He jammed his hands into his pockets and shrugged.

“Not sure” his eyes roamed the shelves.

“C'mon dig deep. She's your sister, you've gotta know what she likes. I mean sisters are the easiest right?”

He arched a sly brow at me.

“Except my sister of course. That one's just pure evil.”

Aiden laughed.

“What about color? You should at least know her favorite color.”

He brought out his fingers except his thumb from his pocket and spread them on his thigh.

“Green.”

I nodded.

“Perfect, we'll just find her something Canadian that screams green.”

“Or was it fuchsia?”

I looked over my shoulder at him.

“You've got to be kidding me Aiden. Which one is it?”

“I think it's cobalt blue... no definitely orange.”

I turned to face him fully and crossed my arms.

“I suck at this too don't I?” he asked, a guilty look in his eyes.

I smiled softly.

“Yeah. You do suck at something after all.”

He chuckled.

“So favorite color is out,” I said dryly as I was out of ideas.

“You could just help me pick out a nice piece of jewelry.”

“Or...” I stated, edging closer to him, an idea coming to mind.

“Or?” he raised a brow, moving in close.

I could feel the heat emitting from his body. The closeness was intense. I felt slightly flushed. His look was intense.

“What's her favorite fruit,” I asked, clearing my throat and stepping away from the book aisle.

“Her favorite fruit?” he asked, coming after me.

“Uh-huh. Or you have no clue.”

“I actually do,” he said as we both reached the fruits and vegetables section. “Apples.”

I grabbed an apple and smiled at it.

“Perfect” I whispered to it.

“You're excited about an apple?” he asked.

I looked away, at nothing in particular; just lost in my thoughts.

“It reminds me of a time when my sister and I used to pick apples from our grandfather's orchard,” I said. “We were inseparable back then.”

“And now?”

His voice pricked my brain and I snapped out of it.

“Now, I can't even stand breathing the same air she does” I confessed. “But anyway, enough talk about my evil twin,” I said, reaching for a basket and filling it with apples.

“So we get her apples then?” Aiden asked helping me with the basket.

“Your sister, not mine,” I said just for clarification. “And I never said anything about getting your sister apples as a welcome gift.”

“Then what are getting them for?”

I turned to him with a mischievous smile.

“C'mon.”

He followed me.

“Why are we in the drinks section?”

“You see how you can tell a lot about a person from what they drink?”

“Well no, not really.”

I looked over my shoulder and laughed.

“Well you can... like how your personality fits your coffee taste... black and bitter.”

“Okay ouch!” he chortles, faking a hit in his chest.

I scanned my fingers over the alcohol on the shelf and stopped at the one I was looking for.

“Bingo” I whispered bringing it down and hugging it to my chest.

“Bourbon?” Aiden asked.

“Bourbon” I grinned.

He folded his arms, his muscles bulging from the suit he wore.

Does he ever not wear that?

“You like bourbon?”

What is that supposed to mean?

“Well before I married a scumbag and became a mom.”

He chuckled.

“So apples and a drink? What's next? Mangoes?”

My eyes lit up.

“Hey, that's actually a great idea,” I said and gave him a pat on the arm before heading back to the fruit and vegetables section.

°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°

“Okay, what are we doing?”

I bit the tip of my plastic nail in thought.

“Hey, could you please get the raisins for me? Oh, and the apricot preserves?”

He sighed and got them off the shelf and into the basket.

“Thank you.”

“Are you going to tell me what's happening?” he laughed. “I don't wanna be a part of this unless you're planning on making a bomb.”

I turned to him.

“For a multi-billionaire as you are, you sure surprise me with this side of you.”

He scowled playfully.

“We are going to make her a pie” I grinned.

“Pie?”

“Mmhm” I answered. “Everybody loves pie.”

He nodded.

“I'm down for it. But do you know how to bake?” he moved towards me.

I gave him a look.

“What?” he laughed.

“Are you doubting me, Mr. Corleone?”

“I'm only asking Ms. Nolan.”

I smiled.

“Well I'll have you know, that I make the best pie in the world,” I said, poking him in the chest.

“Really? What kind?” he looked down at me.

“All kinds” I replied in almost a whisper.

“Even the most difficult ones?” he leaned in.

“They are no match for my baking expertise.”

He smiled softly. Before I realized what was happening, Aiden had backed me up against a shelf, leaning over me with a strange hunger in his eyes. He lowered his eyes to my mouth.

Uh oh.

“And now we've gotta hop to it if we're going to finish in time,” I said nervously pushing him off me.

I moved towards the payment counter. Shortly after I heard him clear his throat. 

“When is she arriving?” I asked.

“Tonight.”

“Great,” I said, setting the basket I was holding on to the counter.

The lady behind the counter smiled at me and started packing up the items.

“How long is she staying?” I asked.

“Not sure. You're not planning on turning my kitchen into a pie shop, are you?”

I laughed.

“Well that's tempting but, I was just thinking. Maybe you could come with her to the wedding.”

“I never said I was going to come.”

“Right, you just insulted me.”

“Hey, I thought I apologized. And why are you so psyched about this wedding?”

“Here you go, ma'am. That'll be $75.99” the lady said.

I pulled out my purse and began to count the money.

“Seventy-five dollars and ninety-nine cents.”

“I got it,” Aiden said, slipping a hundred-dollar bill onto the counter. “Keep the change,” he said to the lady and grabbed the grocery bags.

We headed out.

“So my question,” he said, bending his arm towards me.

“Yeah?” I said, linking my arm through his.

“You're really excited to see your twin sister get married to your ex-husband?”

We stepped outside the mall and strolled to our cars.

“I just want it to be over. So I can be at peace with my son and maybe even find happiness of my own” I said, stealing a glance at him.

He caught me looking and I don't look away. His smile at me reached his eyes.

“Ohh so you are searching.”

I laughed.

“Well, not exactly but I'm open to suggestions.”

He laughed nervously and looked away.

“Here we are,” he said, unlinking our arms. “I'll take these to my car and drive ahead okay?”

I nodded.

“And I'll be right behind you.”

He nodded.

“I'll see you then.”

He walked off. I got in my car and waited for him to drive off. Then I followed.

°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°

About forty-five minutes later, he slowed down in front of a large iron gate. It slowly slid open. My eyes nearly popped out of its circuit when he drove in and an enormous breathtaking mansion came into view.

The song playing on the radio suddenly faded away; as I took in the view. I quickly checked my GPS to see if we were still in Virginia and heck yes we were.

A honk startled me and I was driven away from my thoughts. Aiden was down from his car, waving at me.

“Right, this is the part where I drive in,” I said to myself.

I drove slowly in and the iron gate automatically shut behind me. The dark-colored fancy path made pleasant sounds underneath my tires as I drove along. I circled a majestic fountain before making a stop. I turned off the engine and ejected the key from the ignition.

Then slowly and dramatically, I stepped out of my car.

“So I'm not seeing things?” I asked, confirming the view I saw.

“You're not going to go crazy so soon” he smirked.

I looked at him. The wind was in my hair.

“Wait so you actually live here?”

“Yep.”

“Are you sure you're not some kind of prince or in line to a throne somewhere?”

He shrugged.

“You never know” he smirked at me in a whisper. “C'mon. This way” he moved towards the house.

I looked at him then up at the mansion again.

That was meant to be a joke right?

“Remind me never to bring my son here, please?” I said going after him.

“Why not?”

“Your house starts off with a freaking gigantic fountain, c'mon!” I laughed.

“He likes fountains?”

“Obsessed with anything that involves water.”

Aiden chuckled.

“Well then, you've got your hands full.”

You have no idea.

A man standing beside the front door held it open for us. I paused. I wasn't joking when I said he had people to do everything for him.

“After you” he gestured.

I walked in and I heard myself gasp. It was like a dollhouse mansion, except everything was not pink. I stared, rooted to the spot.

Aiden felt the silence and turned back.

“What's wrong?”

My eyes searched his face.

“Are you sure you're not a prince?”

He chortled, scratching his cheek.

“I'm not royalty Breanna. Please c'mon,” he reached out to me.

I took his hand as he balanced the entire grocery bag all in one hand. Just then about four maids scurried in quickly taking the bags from him. I watched as they scurried off again.

Aiden walked ahead but I didn't budge. He looked at me.

“Breanna I am not royalty, c'mon” he chortled.

“Oh, so it's funny?” I asked. “You seriously want me to believe that you're just like really really rich and nothing else? You have people who do everything for you. You only have to bask in the glory.”

I paused, and then my eyes went wide at the realization.

“Oh my gosh, I'm one of those people who do everything for you” I murmured.

He grabbed my hands and tugged me to his chest and then stared into my eyes.

“For the last time, I'm not royalty” he whispered. “And you're not just an employee... you mean a lot more than that to me.”

I felt slightly numb at the closeness of our bodies pressed together.

“Now stop complaining. Breathe and come with me” he finished and strolled off, disappearing through a large French door.

I released the breath I didn't know I was holding and pulled myself together.

Snap out of it Brie! You can't let him do this to your body! You're in control.

I clawed at the air and calmed myself down, before following in his track. I entered the kitchen and... seriously, it shouldn't have surprised me anymore but it did.

Why would anyone want such a large kitchen space?

I spotted an elderly-looking woman.

Head chef maybe?

“C'mere,” Aiden said holding out his hand.

I didn't hesitate to take it. His hands were warm, soft, and very welcoming. And we had been mildly flirting so holding hands wasn't any worse.

“I'd like you to meet someone,” he said, walking towards the elderly woman.

Please don't tell me he's going to make me take a cooking class because he thinks I can't cook.

“Juanita...” he called “...please meet Breanna. And Breanna, meet Juanita, the housekeeper.”

Oh... housekeeper.

“Hi,” I greeted with a smile.

She smiled back and gave me a nice hug.

So this is better than the mean chef intro I pictured.

“Oh Aiden finally brought a girl home!” the woman squealed.

Huh?

My eyes widened at Aiden who seemed to have been knocked down by a truck.

“No, no, no Juanita. We're not dating” he explained nervously.

I pulled away from the hug and brushed a strand of hair away from my face.

“Yeah. He's my boss. I couldn't possibly date him. It's against the rules” I added, avoiding his gaze.

Who was I kidding? I had been dying to find out what his lips tasted like since the day I met him.

Juanita gave both of us a look.

“I never said anything about you two dating. I just said, and I quote,  'Oh Aiden finally brought a girl home'. I never mentioned dating” she said clearly amused.

Aiden and I exchanged looks as Juanita strolled to the refrigerator with a smile on her face.

I cleared my throat.

“We should start,” I said, dropping my purse on the counter.

“What?” he asked in surprise.

A smile was plastered on his face.

“Why do you have that look on your face?” I asked. “We should totally start. There's no time to waste.”

He was grinning now.

“Yeah, we should. Would you like that?”

I raised a brow and chuckled at his sudden excitement.

“What is with you?”

Then I realized what he was talking about.

“I meant the baking not dating!” I let out.

He cracked up, his face falling a little.

“Sorry,” I apologized, totally ashamed.

“Don't be. I might take you up on that offer someday” he winked at me. “I'll go change.”

He walked away. I was left standing there. He kept doing that to my body and I couldn't control it. I groaned and turned around, seeing the housekeeper behind me.

“Goodness, Juanita ma'am you scared me” I clutched at my chest.

She smiled.

“I'm sorry. Is it okay if we use your kitchen? I forgot to ask. I kinda offered to make Bourbon Apple Pie for Aiden's sister.”

She arched a brow.

“He told you about his sister? And you call him by his first name. No employee has ever been allowed to.”

“Oh right sorry, Mr. Corleone. I'm sorry, I keep forgetting I'm working for him when he has me calling him Aiden.”

“He asked you to call him Aiden?”

I looked at Juanita in curiosity.

“Yeah. Is something wrong?”

“Oh of course not dear. And you don't have to have to apologize. Neither do you need my permission to use the kitchen. Because if my boy has told you about his sister, brought you to his house, and asked you to call him Aiden, then you must be very special to him.”

I smiled nervously.

“You know something? I think he likes you very much, and not just because you're pretty” she whispered to me.

I shook my head.

“No... I'm just an employee who ran into him at the mall and decided to help make something special for his sister's arrival.”

Juanita grinned.

“I'm not sure that all there is,” she said. “But just don't leave him alone please?”

“I...”

“What are you two whispering about?” Aiden asked from behind us.

“Oh, nothing. Just making sure you're in capable hands” Juanita said, winking at me.

I turned away, my back towards them.

“Really?” he asked with a chuckle. “And what's your diagnosis?”

“Very capable.”

He laughed.

“I'll leave you to your pie.”

I heard the door close. I was freaking out. My knuckles were white from the clenching I was doing.

“Hey? You okay?”

I turned and glided away before he got close.

“Yep,” I quickly responded.

I finally met his gaze and he was looking at me like he was missing something.

“I'll get the Bourbon,” I said.

“And I'll get the apples.”

°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°

The hours passed, and finally, the pie got in the oven. We used the waiting time to make a few coconut mango muffins and some blackberry chocolate truffle ice cream.

“Ooh, this looks so good” I moaned as Aiden placed the pie onto a neat tray. “And nothing got burnt!”

He chuckled.

“Your face has got to disagree with that one.”

I looked at him.

“What are you talking about?”

I felt my face and looked at my hands.

“You just made it worse” he complained, taking off his oven mitts.

“I must look horrible.”

“C'mere.”

He tugged me to his side and lifted me onto the counter.

“Hey!”

“Shush!” he whispered and stepped in between my legs, holding a wet towel inches away from my lips.

I fought the growing urge to wrap my legs around his torso and kiss him.

This wasn't happening right now.

“Breathe” he whispered, touching the corner of my lips with the towel.

The coldness collided with my adrenaline rush and I exhaled deeply. I tightened my grip on the edge of the counter. He moved the towel across my cheeks, down my jawline to my neck and all I wanted to do was grip his shirt and throw my head back.

I steadied my breathing and watched him. He was trying to look serious, but I could feel he wanted the same thing I did.

“Close your eyes” he whispered and my eyes obeyed.

He was controlling me, without even trying. I bit my lip and waited. The towel located my forehead, and my nose and grazed against my lips. Then I felt his hot breath on my face.

“I've been trying to resist you Breanna. Telling myself it's not right but I fantasize about you and heaven knows I want you right now”.

His forehead was against mine now.

“I can't hold it back anymore.”

My eyes snapped open. Why was he telling me this now?

“I need you Breanna” he whispered, looking into my eyes. “Please.”

I smiled and bit the corner of my lip, bringing my face closer to his. I inhaled his scent. He chuckled and lifted his face, his lips grazing against mine.

Then a sharp ring cuts through the moment. I could almost cry. I lowered my head onto his shoulder and he pulled me in for a hug. I hugged him back.

“You should probably answer the phone” he whispered, pressing a kiss to my ear.

He pulled away. I tucked my lips inside and nodded.

“I need a drink.”

He walked away. I sighed and picked up my purse. I frowned at the caller ID as I jumped off the counter.

“Give me one good reason why I shouldn't stab you the second I get home?!” I yelled. “I was in the middle of a very important project and you just had to ruin it like you do with everything in my life!”

“Look, can you just shut up for a second? I'm not interested in talking to you either okay?”

“Then what do you want Aubree? Your voice is giving me a rash.”

She chuckled.

“You'll thank me later because this is about your son.”

I folded an arm.

“Aubree, I know you didn't call to ask about my son because you hate me.”

“I couldn't have said that any better,” she says and I swear I feel her smirking. “But I love that little boy... and in one way or the other I'm not going to be only his favorite aunt but his stepmother too.”

“Spare me the crap. What do you want?”

She sighed. I closed my purse and took a seat.

“Roman is not... looking so good right now.”

I perked up.

“Aubree, what did you say to him?”

“Oh, will you stop blaming me all the time? I'm telling you your son's not okay and somehow I'm involved with it?”

I breathed.

“Where's Mom?”

“I don't know. Everyone's out.”

In the background, I heard wheezing.

“Aubree, get his inhaler” I instructed.

“His what?”

“Inhaler!”

“Hey, I'm not your babysitter.”

I paused.

“Aren't you a doctor?” I yelled.

“A surgeon is not a pediatrician, Breanna.”

I clenched my fist.

“Aubree quit playing games with me and get him his inhaler! Please!”

“Stop yelling at me okay?!”

“Check his astronaut toy! I always put backups in there!”

“I haven't seen him with that ridiculous plush toy today!”

I groaned.

I could strangle someone right now.

The wheezing becomes louder.

“Where's Fawn?” I ask, suddenly terrified that my sister's incompetence would cost me my son's life.

“Who?”

“The help.”

“Oh, I sent them all away,” she said. “Roman please calm down! Your mother is on the phone and you're making me nervous!”

“Aubree don't shout at him!”

“Well, I'm nervous!”

“And why would you send the help away?!”

“Well you see, I'm having my friends come over and why let them stay in a hotel when my parents own a huge house? And because that Fawn is unbearable.”

My chin trembled and I lowered my head. I had to calm down.

“Breanna, what do I do? He's starting to turn blue and it's scaring me now. Hey Roman calm down, please. Don't cry. Breanna, say something.”

I began to think.

“Okay, take him to the freezer,” I said, moving away from the kitchen.

“I don't think he's hungry right now.”

“I know that!” I snapped.

I forgot my purse and turned back for it.

“It's just that the cold air” I swallowed my anger. “Breathing in the cold air helps. Hurry.”

“Roman c'mon...” she said to him.

“I want my Mommy.”

My heart tightened.

“Breanna he doesn't...”

“Sweetheart please listen to your aunt and go with her to the freezer,” I said calmly. “Please, my love.”

The line goes dead and after a while, Aubree speaks up again.

“I think his breathing is starting to get better.”

Relief washed over me and I rubbed my forehead.

“I'm on my way,” I said as Roman's cries reached my ear.

“Hey, I got your text! What's wrong?”

It was Beck in the background. I groaned quietly.

“I don't like the color on his face Breanna. I'm taking him to the ER.”

I nodded.

“Yeah, I'll be right there.”

“Where's Mommy?” he asked again.

Tempted into making out with her boss.

“I'm on my way baby. Mommy's coming.”

I hung up and raced for the door.

“Breanna?” Aiden called.

He stepped away from the sidebar and moved towards me.

“I'm sorry I have to go. I've been a terrible mother today. My son had an attack and I wasn't even there because I was busily letting my emotions get the best of me.”

“Hey, hey, hey... calm down!” he hushed.

I lowered my head and looked away.

“I'm sorry. I've really gotta go.”

He pulled me back.

“I'll drive you.”

I shook my head.

“No. I can't concentrate when I'm around you. You do things to my body and as much as I hate it, I love it. So no. You're not coming with me.”

He smiled softly and brushed his thumb across my cheek. I tilted my head towards his hand and closed my eyes as pleasure surged through me. Just a touch did this?

This is toxic, Breanna!

“I'm coming, and I don't have to convince you because I know you want me to come with you.”

I pulled away.

“You're enjoying this aren't you?” I inquired, very pissed.

He smirked.

“You have no idea. I'll go get my keys.”

I groaned as he walked away.

What have you gotten yourself into Breanna?

Thank you for reading! ✨

Comments?

Until the next update

#stayhomestaysafe