Untouched (13 page)

CHAPTER TEN

The remainder of my trip was an anxious blur. Aiden had left my room with the promise of my not regretting him and I hadn’t heard anything from him since. When April had returned to the villa, I filled her in on everything, well not everything just select parts. I basically told her that he liked me and wanted me to have a sexually monogamous relationship with him for the next four weeks. She was – well she was April. She was excited, turned on and insistent that this was an ideal agreement. I, on the other hand, knew differently. I skipped over the parts about the excessive masturbation that he’d inspired. I also somehow left out the incidents that had occurred in the elevator, my office and the dinner cruise. I’d tell her all of that later when the shock of my even considering this wore off.

Later that evening, April and I joined Kellan and Blaine at one of the local clubs, which in the end was not the remedy I had hoped. I was barely attentive to the conversations or Kellan’s attention to me. I apologized for my rudeness and explained that it was work-related. Being a bit of a workaholic himself, he offered his understanding.

This trip was so unlike our previous trips. We never entangled ourselves with guys to this degree. Well, at least I didn’t. It was Aiden. He had thrown everything out of whack. He was filtering over into every part of me. I didn’t like it. I actually hated it and I was frightened as to what was coming next.

The next morning we had breakfast, grabbed a shuttle to the welcome center and checked out. April and I headed to the airport in silence. I was lost in thoughts of what was awaiting me in Boston; April, all goo-goo over Blaine, was in the midst of texting back and forth with him. We arrived at the airport, hugged and said our tearful goodbyes. She told me that she knew better than anyone why I had my walls up with Aiden or with any man for that matter as she assured me that everything would be okay with him. She also made me promise not to renege on my agreement with him and to keep her up to date.

My return flight was uneventful but long. I was in need of my go-to-remedy, my music. I donned my headphones and loaded one of my favorite playlists. I arrived at Boston Logan International Airport at 3 o’clock, grabbed a cab and headed to the condo. The doorman welcomed me home. Odd how it didn’t seem as though I had escaped at all since my problem had ultimately followed me to St. Barts. I was even more rattled now than when I had left.

As I headed to the elevator, Silas, the front desk attendant, greeted me and walked over to pass a package to me. I didn’t pay much attention to it. He secured my luggage and escorted me to my door. I thanked him and he left.

I opened my door and was immediately embraced by a lovely saccharine fragrance; the room was filled with Phal Sogo Rose orchids. Orchids were my favorite flowers and these arrangements were breathtakingly beautiful. Some of the flowers were in vases, others floating in water in glass cylinders. I walked over to the bar and retrieved the envelope sitting next to one of the glass cylinders. There was nothing on the front. I opened it.

Welcome home Aria. I recently learned these were your favorite. They are exquisite but pale in comparison to you.

A.

I read the card again and looked around the room in disbelief at the dozens of deep red orchids. I closed my eyes inhaling the wonderful fragrance. I found myself smiling and unwillingly thinking warmly of him. He had invaded every part of my life. Even if I wanted to forget all about him, he was obviously not going to allow it. 

I called Silas and asked about the flower delivery. Apparently, they had been delivered by the florist an hour before my arrival home. I was relieved to know that Silas had opened the door to allow the delivery person in. I was sure that was the case but after walking in on Aiden in my villa in St. Barts, I wanted to be certain.

I walked over to the iPod in-wall mount control and gently tapped on the multi-touch display swiping through a range of applications to locate my music files. I selected an upbeat playlist and headed to the bathroom to start a bath. I was surprised to find two additional orchid bouquets on the bathroom counter- an envelope similar to the one I opened earlier was lying beside the glass cylinder. I couldn’t help but feel excited; I was actually nervous. I picked it up and was disturbed to see my fingers trembling. What had this man done to me?

Aria,

I’m sure you’ve noticed that orchids have been placed in every room of your home. Each time you see an orchid now, you’ll think of me. I’m most assuredly thinking of you.

A.

My heart felt as though it skipped a beat. Even in his absence, I felt his presence. I ran my fingers across the words on the note. Smiling at his handwriting; pleased that he had taken the time to write the note himself. I didn’t know what I quite expected from Aiden but I knew I didn’t expect to be wooed or courted. I’d never experienced that before. Not because there weren’t many eager men but because I never allowed anyone to get close enough to do so. This feeling was new to me. Surprisingly I didn’t repel the sentiment; I actually liked it but I recognized that part of me surfacing that didn’t want or expect to. In as much excitement this feeling offered, it also presented an abundance of fear which resonated as the piercing intensity of warning bells sounded in the background.

I admired the flowers for a few moments longer as various Aiden-filled scenarios raced through my head. I returned the note to the counter before turning to start my bath as the sounds of Alec Blaac’s song,
I’m The Man
, filled the room. That song could be considered a tribute to Aiden Wyatt as he was undeniably a man who broke the mold. He exuded strength and there were no signs of surrender or retreat on the horizon. 

I left the bathroom in search of a bottle of white wine. Entering the kitchen, there were more orchids in vases and glass cylinders and yet another note. I opened it.

Aria,

Text me when you have read all four notes. I’m anxious to hear your reply.

A
.

Four notes? What fourth note? I poured a glass of wine and walked to the bedroom. There were orchids on each nightstand but no note. I checked the guest room and the guest bath… again more flowers but I didn’t see a note. I walked downstairs…more flowers; no note. I returned to the bedroom passing my luggage and the package from Silas. I slowed and turned, focusing on the package. My home phone rang; it never rang unless someone was calling from downstairs. I answered and heard Silas on the other end. He explained that the package he’d given me earlier was delivered today and he had signed for it in my absence.

I picked it up and walked to the bathroom. I sat at the bureau and began opening the box. I opened it to see another box with Bergdorf Goodman logo. It was an order I had placed before leaving for my trip. Bewildered by the mention of a fourth note that I had not yet located, I decided to forego the note-search for now and relax in the bath.

After a long soak and two glasses of wine, I was relaxed and tired when I finally emerged from the tub. I later finished the bottle of wine and fell asleep in bed watching TV. I awoke the next morning enveloped with the fragrance of orchids. I smiled and sighed happily, thinking about the person responsible for my concentrated olfactory impressions.

I had planned to work from home today. I was glad I did because I wasn’t quite ready to face Aiden. The doorbell rang. I wondered who that would be at this hour. It was 8 o’clock in the morning. I got out of bed, donned my robe and headed to the door. I looked at the monitor and saw that it was a delivery man. Maybe it’s something from work regarding the merger. I opened the door.

“Package for Miss Aria Cason,” he said.

“Yes. I’m Miss Cason.”

“Can you please sign here ma’am?”

I signed and he passed the package to me. I reached toward my purse sitting on the table to give him a tip.

“Thanks Miss Cason but the sender has more than covered the cost of a tip. Have a great day Miss.”

“Thank you…” I looked to see his name tag on his shirt. “Henry”.

“You’re welcome,” he smiled and turned to leave.

Rather perplexed, I closed the door and looked at the package. It was a box; I shook it and heard slight movement. I doubted this was from work. I took a seat on the couch, unwrapped it and atop white gift wrap tissue, was a note. I opened it and immediately recognized the handwriting. It was from Aiden. It was the fourth note! I smiled and silently scolded myself for feeling this unwanted elation.

Aria,

I had initially thought we should enjoy a quiet dinner at my place but I ultimately opted for something a little different. Please meet me outside your building promptly at 7:00 this evening. Your attire is enclosed. Looking forward to our evening.

A.

I placed the note on the sofa and removed the tissue from the box. The first item was a white short-sleeved sheer voile shirt.  He had good taste. I placed the shirt on the sofa and quickly retracted my statement about his good taste when I held up a very short plaid skirt. I quickly reviewed the other contents: a pair of Chloe wedged sneakers, white knee high socks, a black ultra sheer lace bra. How would he know my size? Confident that it was the wrong size, I held it up. 36C…damn he picked the right size. Should I be pleased that he knew my body so well? I wasn’t. In a relatively short amount of time, he had gotten to know me on such an intimate level which translated to his being only more of a complication. The last thing in the box was matching lace boy shorts. I placed them beside the bra. They really were sexy. I ran my fingers over the soft material searching for the tags and was surprised to see that they were Kiki De Montparnasse. The only place that I had seen these was Barney’s in New York. I analyzed the other items. What the fuck? Each with designer name tags. Something didn’t add up. I knew his salary didn’t support routine shopping at Barneys. I held up the skirt again. The skirt was super short…if I were to bend over even in the slightest, my ass would be exposed. I’m sure that was his intent. I felt a twinge in my lady parts. Damn you Virginia…must you always betray me when it comes to that man?  I dropped the clothes in the box and headed to the kitchen to get a cup of tea.

Although I hated to admit it, I was extremely excited and curious. I couldn’t imagine what he had planned or where he would be taking me in which those clothes would be appropriate. On second thought, perhaps I should be less excited and a little bit worried. Where
would
he take me in which he felt the need to purchase these types of clothes? Should I text him and get some details? Nah. He would frown on that. He was constantly telling me that I was too uptight and overly cautious. I couldn’t let him see how right he was by trying to wrangle information from him about tonight. Should I just go with it? Could I even do that? If I would be wearing that scant outfit, I was definitely intrigued about his attire. He was so fucking hot. It was unreal that he could be so gorgeous. There she went again; Virginia clenched. I was really starting to think that she had a mind of her own. The fact that she faithfully betrayed me offered further proof that Virginia was full of estrogen; I tended to have heated relationships with females. And Virginia and I feud…often!  I get along much better with men. Women are such bitches. I should know...because I was one or so I’d been told. I giggled to myself. I decided to “go with the flow” as Aiden put it. I realized a goofy smile was plastered on my face and tried to mask it by biting my lip. He really was quite amazing.

I went about drinking my tea. It was absolutely delicious. Every since I read Fifty Shades of Grey, I had been hooked on Chai Tea. The protagonist in her book drank the breakfast tea, weak with no sugar. I however drank the French Vanilla Chai with a little milk and a teaspoon of sugar. I loved this tea. Thanks E.L. James.

My phone was somewhere buzzing. Damn, where did I leave it? I finally located it on my bathroom sink but by that time, it had stopped buzzing. I never remember to change it from vibrate when I awake or when I leave the office. Glancing at the miss call log, I saw two missed calls. One from April and the most recent was from Aiden.

Ping. A text. It was Aiden.

*I just called your cell; no answer. Checking to see if you received the gift.*

I quickly replied.

*Gift? Is that what it was? I thought it was delivered to the wrong address. Looks like it should have been delivered to a boarding school student. Judging from the length of the skirt, I would say a 5th grader?*

His reply was instant. 

*Is that a sense of humor? Didn’t know you had one of those. Oh, I forgot, it was in the box too. Glad to see that it fits.*

I laughed out loud and replied.

*Speaking of fitting…how did you know my bra size?*

He replied.

*I‘ll tell you tonight.*

*Tell me now.*

*No...tonight. I’ll pick you up at 7:00.*

*I’m not sure about this.*

*Just go with it Aria.*

I look up at myself in the mirror. Could I do this?

Ping. Another text from Aiden.

*Don’t analyze this Aria
.*

Fuck it. I replied to his text.

*I’ll see you at 7:00, fully dressed in my grade-school attire.*