Spark (34 page)

“My ex-boyfriend, Alex, really did a number on me. It was probably my fault. I wasn’t coping with losing my friendship with Jon, and things were completely fucked up with my parents. Alex was a lot older, and I put myself in a position with him that I wouldn’t have with a clear head. It’s just, I’d wanted to be with someone for so long … I missed out on so much being stuck at home, and the one thing I wanted was for my first time to be special.
With
someone special. I didn’t think there was someone out there for me. I gave up, Aidan.” I wipe a tear from my cheek.

“Don’t cry, baby girl.”

I draw in a shaky breath, determined to tell him the rest. “I was about to sleep with him. It was literally seconds away from happening, and a woman let herself into his apartment. I had no idea he was in an open relationship. He didn’t even apologise; if anything, he was pissed that I’d found out. She knew about me. He knew I was a virgin, but he didn’t give a fuck. As much as it hurt, it was the best thing that could have happened. I saw him for what he was before I made a mistake. I found out later that he’s bisexual, and into this whole other kinky shit. I can’t believe I trusted him.”

“Wow,” he says. After a moment he shakes his head. “He’s the world’s biggest fuckwit, if you ask me. He couldn’t see what he had. He didn’t deserve you, and you don’t deserve to be treated like that.”

“You know … I felt something for you from the moment we’d met, but I never thought you were an option. You were off limits, and I accepted that.”

“I wish I knew when you broke up with Jon. I would’ve made my move a helluva lot earlier.” He runs his hands through his hair, his chest expanding as he draws in a long breath.

“Me too, but we’ve got each other now. That’s all that matters. You’re everything I ever wanted, Aidan. You’re my sun and moon, and everything in between.”

“So are you, baby girl.”

I pull him close, and kiss his sweet lips. “Promise me something?”

“Anything, baby.”

“Every day, you’ll tell me something about you.”

“Like what?”

“Anything. I wanna know anything and everything that makes you, you.”

“Okay.” He pauses, and furrows his brow. His mouth slowly curls at the sides, flashing me his perfect teeth. “I make a mean pavlova.”

“Really?”

“Is that so surprising? I won first prize at the Country Fair when I was eleven. Of course, it’s not common knowledge. I don’t go yappin’ it to the boys on the track.”

“
Seriously
, is there anything you can’t do?”

“Probably not. Now, your turn.” His eyes sparkle with hope.

I tap my finger against my lips.
Where do I start?

“In primary school, I was Queen Bee in the annual spelling competition for two years running.”

He grins. “So, basically, you’re a nerd.”

A soft giggle bubbles up my throat. “Yeah. It’s about time you knew the truth. Hey, I was gonna ask you a while ago. You’ve never told me your middle name.”

“No, I haven’t,” he says simply.

“What is it?” I raise an eyebrow.

“I’ll tell you one day.”

Why won’t he say? Is it something ghastly? “Fine then. But rest assured, I’ll get it out of you.”

Aidan chuckles. “I’m sure you will.” He sighs loudly. “I’m gonna have fun thinkin’ about tomorrow’s ‘somethin’’.” Aidan holds me close, every part of him telling me we’re okay.

“Me too.”

****

My phone rings from the bedroom, and Aidan springs off the lounge to answer it. When he returns, he hands me the phone.

“It’s Doctor Taylor.”
Oh boy
. I take in a deep, shuddery breath.

“Hello.” My voice breaks. This phone call will either make or break me.

“Miss Lawson, Doctor Taylor here. I’ve got the results back.”

“Okay.” Aidan’s eyes drill into me, the suspense killing both of us. He sits beside me and holds my free hand, running his thumb lovingly over the back of my hand.

“How are you feeling today?”

“Fine, I guess. Still a bit of a headache, and I’m pretty tired.”

“This is normal. If you don’t feel much better tomorrow, you best go visit your GP for a follow-up. Just get as much rest as possible over the next few days, lots of fluids and Panadol.”
Can you just get to the point, please?

“The results?” I ask.

“Yes, of course. The tests came back negative. There was no evidence of rape from the samples taken. I’ve referred them to the police, and they’ll be in touch with you.” A loud beeping noise shrills in my ear. “Sorry, I’ve got to go, take care.” As I blink, tears fall down my cheeks, each one laced with relief. I wasn’t raped.

“Bye.” I drop the phone and launch myself at Aidan. I bury my head in his chest, and cry.
Hard
. Aidan holds me tight, his arms shaking. I’ve never been so relieved in all my life.

Negative.

No chance of being pregnant. I silently thank God for answering my prayers. He must have known I wouldn’t have been strong enough.

“What did she say?”

“It was negative.”

“Thank fucking Christ for that. You had me worried.” He squeezes me tight. “Listen, I’m gonna take a few days off, at least until I know you’re okay.”

I lean back, and trace my fingers over the deep lines across his forehead. “But you’re so busy at work.”

“I’m always busy, so what’s the difference? I don’t think I’ve ever taken a sick day, so I’m sure they’ll survive.”

“What are you gonna do? Wait on me hand and foot?” I raise an eyebrow, and run my hands through his messy hair.

“Whatever you need.”
All I need is you. Beside me. Always.

“Cuddles. I need lots of cuddles.”

“Come ’ere then,” he says warmly, pulling me in close and tight.

“Oh, and just one more thing,” I add.

“Anything.”

“I really need M&M’s.”

“No worries. I’ll pick up a pack when I shoot out for something for dinner.”

A pack? I won’t even taste a pack. “No, I need a lot more than a pack.”

“How many?”

“When you fill up the trolley and think ‘that’s a fuckload of M&M’s’, throw in a couple more.”

He smiles, and kisses me on the forehead. “Done.”

****

After an hour or so of resting on the couch, my phone rings again. I answer it, even though it’s a blocked number.

“Hello.”

“It’s Senior Constable Williams here,” she says, her tone all business.

“Oh, hi.”

“Just letting you know we’ve received the kit results from the hospital. We’ll refer the matter to the Public Prosecutor, and they’ll make a decision as to whether they’ll proceed with criminal charges. Given there was no evidence of rape taking place, and next to no physical injuries, it is unlikely they’ll look to prosecute, but they may consider an offence relating to administering a prohibited drug.”

“Okay, thanks for letting me know.”

“I’ll be in touch. Rest up, okay. Is Mr Stone with you?”

“Yes.”

“May I speak with him please?”

“Sure.” I hand Aidan the phone.

“Aidan Stone,” he says, his voice stern. He listens intently, answering with the occasional
yes
, or
uh-huh
.

“What was that about?” I ask once he ends the call.

He rubs the back of his neck—his tell-tale
I’m worried or nervous about something
sign.

“You might not be ready to hear it.”

CHAPTER NINETEEN

“Tell me.” I plead with my eyes. I may not want to hear it, but today I’m dealing with this shit. Do I need to remind him that he’s the one being strong today?

He shakes his head. “That arsehole. He told the cops he was under the influence of drugs at the time of the incident, and denied assaulting you. Apparently, he grew a fucking conscience when you passed out.”

“So he said that nothing happened?” If anything, I’m relieved to hear it. “He seemed drunk or something at the bar, but I didn’t know he did drugs.”

“I don’t think any of us knew, if that’s the truth, anyway.”

Wow, you think you know someone. Explains why Dean was looking pretty rough around the edges.

“Would you mind calling Cassie now? Tell her what happened, and that I’m okay, but I won’t be in for a few days.”

“Sure.” Aidan gets me a glass of water, even though I didn’t ask for one, and goes out to the back courtyard. I’m relieved he’s doing it for me. I don’t think I could tell her myself. I know she’ll take the news hard. If I had to tell her that I might have been raped, it might make it all the more real. Just thinking those words is like a knife twisting in my gut. Saying them out loud would be a whole different type of hurt.

Aidan is on the phone for about ten minutes before he returns inside.

Cassie arrives in the next half an hour. She must have literally dropped the phone and drove here. She bowls me over, tears streaming down her face.

“Don’t, Cassie … don’t cry. I’m okay. It didn’t happen.”

“But it could have.” She chokes on her tears. “You’re the closest thing I have to a sister, and I love you, and it would just kill me if it happened to you. I wouldn’t want you to have to go through what I did.” She buries her head in the crook of my neck, and cries.

I’d thought I was out of tears.

Clearly, I wasn’t.

Deep down, I knew there was a reason for why she’s always at me to
be safe
. I thought maybe it was a big sister thing, but I didn’t imagine this. Now, I feel for Cassie more than I ever thought I could.
Now
, I understand.

After talking and hugging it out, Cassie decides it’s time to go home. Aidan appears as she reaches the front door. The poor guy probably didn’t know where to go—two grown women ugly-crying their eyes out. It must have been hard for him to hear.

Cassie pulls Aidan into a hug, catching him off-guard. “I can’t thank you enough,” she says shakily.

He nods, a simple acknowledgment of her words. “Thanks for comin’, Cassie.”

After a tumultuous day, Aidan orders pizza for dinner, and we head to bed shortly after. Snuggled deep in his arms, every last bit of energy sapped, it doesn’t take long to find sleep.

****

I hear a scream, but it sounds familiar. My body sways back and forth, like I’m in a tiny boat in rough seas. I hear my name being called, faint in the distance, becoming louder each time.

“Eevie!” A deep voice calls.

My eyes spring open. The light blinds me before resting on Aidan, hovering over me. My body is covered in sweat, the sheets beneath me soaked. My heart is practically pounding out of my chest, the sound of it deafening.

“You were havin’ a nightmare,” Aidan says shakily, his face pale. “Are you okay?”

It takes me a moment to get my bearings. A vision of Dean on top of me flashes before me. I sob, covering my eyes. They are wet with tears. I rub them, trying to erase the picture, but all it does is sting.
Goddamn fucker
.

“I’m okay, it was just … never mind.” I don’t want to put the image in his head. I’m sure seeing Dean above me in the laneway is already etched in his memory. I brush my damp hair from my forehead, and draw air deep into my lungs, then blow out through my mouth, trying to erase the picture from my mind.

“I fuckin’
hate
that he did this to you,” Aidan’s voice rumbles. “I hate it, Eevie. I promise I won’t
ever
let anything like this happen to you again.”

“You can’t be everywhere I am, Aidan.”
My nightmare could have been a billion times worse if it weren’t for you.

“I know.” He shakes his head, “I’d just feel better if you stayed here for a while.”
Who am I to argue?

“Okay. I don’t want to be alone, especially if I’m gonna wake up like this.”

“Good. Just so you know, I wasn’t going to let you leave.”

“I’ll have to go home eventually.”

“I know, I know, I’m just not ready to let you go,” he says, his voice strained.

Tears spill down my cheeks. I tremble as I pull him close, holding him as tight as my weary body is able. Aidan enfolds me in his warm embrace, his strength in so many ways calming me.

“Don’t ever let me go, Aidan.”

“Never, baby girl … never.”

****

“Shit, Eevie, there’s enough spaghetti and meatballs here to last a week,” Aidan says and chuckles.

“Well, I can’t have you going hungry.” I flash him a wide smile as I stir the pan. “What’d you do today?”

“Made cabinets.”

“No shit, Sherlock.”

I slap the back of his hand, as he tries to steal a meatball from the bubbling tomato sauce. “It’ll be ready in a minute. I’m just waiting on the garlic bread.”

Aidan pouts his bottom lip at me.
Even sulking, he turns me on. Goddamn gorgeous pouty lips.

“Do you want me to ban you from the kitchen while I’m cooking, because I will …” I warn.

“Whatever ya gotta do, baby,” he taunts, and lands a loud kiss on my lips.

The oven-timer chimes. I slip on an oven mitt, and bend down to take the bread out.

Crack!

“Ouch!” I yell out, my eyes darting to Aidan.

Wrapped around his fist is the tea towel he just flicked my arse with—
which is now stinging
. Aidan laughs as I rub my hand over my cheek. And then he laughs louder. Come to think of it, I don’t think I’ve ever heard him laugh like this. Biting down on my bottom lip, I slowly take off the oven mitt, ready to attack. Aidan’s eyes open wider as I spring towards him, but he’s agile, and scoots around the opposite side of the island bench before I can blink. It doesn’t stop me from chasing him, his laugh taunting me to try harder. After a few laps, nearly out of breath, I change direction and he gives in, wrapping his arms around me and lifting me off the ground.

“Aidan
whatever-your-middle-name-is
Stone! When you least expect it, you’re gonna cop it.” I scowl before playfully biting his lower lip.

“And I can’t wait, Genevieve
Paige
Lawson,” he teases. “Come on. Let’s eat.”

After a big serving of pasta and bread, we move to the living room. We get comfy on the lounge, and snuggle amongst the cushions.