Total pages in book: 56
Estimated words: 52227 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 261(@200wpm)___ 209(@250wpm)___ 174(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 52227 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 261(@200wpm)___ 209(@250wpm)___ 174(@300wpm)
Her climax tipped him over the edge and with his balls drawn up tight, he came hard and long. Nothing felt as good as Brooke, him bare inside her. He never wanted it to end.
Eventually, she slid off him and lay breathing heavily on the mattress at his side. Quiet surrounded them as he caught his breath, Brooke doing the same.
Needing a connection, he reached over and grasped her hand. She intertwined their fingers, and he knew. This was it for him. No matter what happened, there was no one else. He was already aware of his feelings, but this moment cemented them in his mind.
His love for her consumed him and he almost said the words. But for her, it might be too soon. When he admitted his feelings, it had to be at a time when she would believe him. Not in the aftermath of explosive, amazing sex.
Soon, he thought. He’d tell her soon.
Chapter Twenty-Four
The next day at work, Aiden loaded up his briefcase with everything he would need to meet with executives at the bank they were looking to purchase.
“Are you sure you don’t want me to come?” Jared asked.
“No need,” Aiden assured him. “I’ll have Brooke with me. Between the two of us, I’m sure we can handle it. Besides, how do you plan to go on paternity leave if you can’t trust me to do the job?”
Jared held up his hands in an I surrender gesture. “Okay, okay. I get it. But this will be our first step into private banking, and I want it to go well.”
“I understand, but you know anything unfamiliar to me Brooke can deal with. Just focus on your beautiful family. Charlie is due soon. That’s what’s important.”
Jared grinned, some of the worry bleeding out of his features. “Yeah. She’s ready for it to be done, I think. We’re both eager to meet our baby girl.”
Aiden put a hand on his brother’s shoulder. “We all are,” he said, as he closed his suitcase.
“Before you go, have you given any thought to whether you’ll stay with the company after I return from leave?”
Aiden met Jared’s gaze. “I’m not sure yet. You know that working here was never my dream. I appreciate that this place is a part of Dad’s legacy, but I’m not sure it’s the right place for me. Being behind a desk and working corporate?” He shook his head.
“I can respect that. You know I appreciate you filling in.”
Aiden didn’t want his brother thinking it was a burden. “I’m more than happy to help out. I’ll tell you this, though. I’m not leaving home again. I’m done with that lifestyle and ready to settle down. I’m just not sure what I’ll do career-wise, but travel journalism is a thing of the past.”
Relief crossed Jared’s features. “Good. We all missed you. Another question. Would your decision have anything to do with Brooke?”
That was something Aiden had been wanting to discuss with his sibling. He didn’t want Jared finding out he and Brooke were trying to make a go of things by accident. His brother already sensed the deep history he and Brooke shared. The news shouldn’t come as a surprise.
“It’s as much for me as it is because of Brooke. We’ve been rehashing our past and trying to make things work. I have a lot to make up to her. A lot of trust to regain.” And he intended to do so.
Jared grinned. “I’m happy for you both. I’ve always hated seeing you two so miserable around each other. You might think you’ve hidden things from the family, but, as I’ve said, we all sensed there had been something serious between you and then a big fallout. I’m just glad it’s over.”
“Same, big brother. Same.”
Aiden left the office, meeting up with Brooke in the lobby. They took his car to the bank in Great Neck. Today was an initial meeting, a chance to introduce themselves and go over details of the bank’s financial records and day-to-day operations.
Brooke was more experienced in this sort of thing, having worked closely with Jared for years, so he let her take the lead as they met with the executives. Watching her in action was illuminating. She was brilliant. She spoke with confidence and asked all the right questions. Aiden chimed in where he could, but his talents were more useful in evaluating the financial records for the bank and he had no problem acting as her second.
The meeting lasted about an hour, and when they left, they had a better insight into the bank’s business.
“I think we need to go further back than two years when checking their financials,” Aiden said as they walked to the car. “Just to get a better idea of how they got to this point. There’s a reason this place is for sale, and the clearer the picture is, the better off we’ll be. I’d rather cover our asses now than play catch-up later.”