Page 184 of Forget
Aisling’s hair is wild with curls today, her ear muffs around her neck while we’re inside. She looks gorgeous in her new coat and violet dress, and I can’t stop staring at her. Obsession and love don’t seem enough to cover how I feel.
“I won’t even shed a tear,” Aisling says with a small chuckle. “Besides, Dad’s garden is beautiful in the summer. It’s nice to know revenge is the reason why.”
“You really are your father’s daughter and perfect for us,” I say with a grin.
Inclining her head as she takes a bite of her lunch, her eyes close briefly. This is a Greek inspired restaurant, and the food is delicious.
“I didn’t mean for you to feel the way you did—” Aisling begins, but I shake my head.
“I’m responsible for my emotions and how they affect others,” I growl. “I assumed and royally fucked up. End of story.”
Exasperated, Aisling glares at me but nods.
“So you have a large family?” she asks.
“Yes,” I drawl. “The thing is, the guys and I all grew up together, so there’s my family mixed with all of theirs. Family dinners are always filled with whoever can come, loud, and everyone is in each other's business.”
“Sounds lovely,” Aisling says, looking like she means it. Even though she has her father, grandparents, and extended family, she didn’t grow up with them all.
“How was it living with your mother?” I ask, interested.
“She was amazing,” Aisling says. “Mom was patient, understanding, and worked her ass off. We moved a lot, but I always thought it was because she thought my dad was looking for her.”
“As far as I know, Cian let her go when she left,” I tell her. “She rejected him since they weren’t bonded, and while he always missed her, he moved on. I wonder if there was another reason why Bea left. We’ll never know why now, unfortunately, but it’s a possibility.”
“Mom had a lot of secrets,” Aisling admits. “It was a shock to find her dead when I came home from school, but I managedto take a few photos with me before I was kicked out of the apartment.”
“Domh may have killed Coons, your landlord,” I confess. At her wide eyes, I blow out a breath. “Okay, he definitely did. The way that you were kicked out pissed him off, and when he saw Coons hitting on someone else, he snapped.”
Standing, she leans over and throws her arms around me. Hesitantly, I wrap my arms around her waist, breathing in her sweet scent.
“I’ll thank Domh for his public service, but thank you for telling me,” she says, returning to her seat. “He was a creepy asshole.”
Smiling, I nod. “You’re welcome,” I say, relaxing. Looks like I won’t fuck this date up with my word vomit after all.
Aisling
“Where did you park?” Aiden rumbles, eyebrow raised as he opens the restaurant door.
He’s going to hate my answer.Killing time, I let my gaze trail over his heavy gray coat, navy blue sweater, and dark gray pants. Maybe that was why I decided I hated navy blue during my heat a couple of months ago…
This alpha is sexy, and by his smirk with his perfect teeth, he knows I’m stalling. Damn.
“A couple of blocks down in a garage,” I tell him. “Parking is always rough in the city.”
“I’m parked in the other direction,” he says with a sigh. “Can I walk you?”
“I’ll be fine to walk alone,” I reassure him, walking over and rising on my toes to kiss his jaw. His purr makes me sigh incontentment, and I smile up at him. “Dad gave me a high voltage stun gun the other day.”
Chuckling under his breath, Aiden smirks. “Of course he did. Always aim for the knot, Princess, or the throat. Anyone grabbing at you deserves it,” he says. “Though, the guys want to chase you once it’s warmer through the woods one night. You’d know ahead of time that it’s coming, just not when, if you’re game. I’m warning you because I prefer our men’s knots to stay intact.”
“You can’t just say that in the middle of the day!” I squeal, jaw dropping. God, why is that such a turn on?
“There are no rules for my mouth, Princess. Off you go,” he says with a lazy grin. “Have a good rest of your day. You’re sure you don’t want company?”
“Promise, pumpkin,” I tell him, giggling as I step back. His face is perfect as he wrinkles his nose at me.
Leaving him to think about that, I turn and start the walk back to my car. I have a couple of calls to return when I get back, a staff meeting, and?—