The Awakening Aidan

Chapter Five


Jaylin tapped the end of her pen on the oversize calendar on the top of her desk, staring at the many empty appointments she’d yet to fill. If things didn’t take a drastic turn, she’d be forced to seriously consider closing the practice.

God, she didn’t want that. She’d opened the practice just weeks after graduating from college and had been here ever since with a thriving clientele—of shifters.

Could she have made a mistake by changing focus?

She didn’t want to think so. She could still remember her relief when she’d finally made the decision to go strictly human after months of back-and-forth.

Unfortunately, time had proven that shifters were where the money was and she’d pretty much cut herself off at the knees when she’d weeded them from her client list. Money was necessary. Without it, she was screwed. Left with nothing to live off. With it, she was still screwed. Stuck working in an area of therapy she no longer wanted to be a part of.

The question was, which was worse?

Flicking her pen on the calendar, she leaned back in her chair and groaned. Why did life have to be so damn hard? Everything had been going fine until she’d decided to take her practice in a different direction. Then boom. Humans had no need for her counsel. Shifters were still coming out of the woodwork for therapy. And Aidan O’Connell was working her last nerve.

Why?

Because she hadn’t seen hide nor hair of the man since Monday.

Whatever his plan was—it was working. His absence caused him to be in her thoughts more than when he’d been constantly around, which was saying a lot.

Even then, she’d always been thinking of him.

Instead, he’d done a Houdini act and disappeared, which had left her jumpy and moody, expecting to find him suddenly just there. The Drall should be pushing him to seek her out, but he’d surprised her by fighting an instinct that most shifters immediately caved to.

How?

She didn’t get it.

If things had gone as she’d expected, Aidan would’ve chased after her when she’d left his house. A few more nasty words would’ve been exchanged before she’d escaped. But no, she’d made it to her car, cranked it, and driven away without one sign of him following her.

Shock number one.

Then she’d expected him to pop up here to start the second round of denying Aidan. Never showed.

Shock number two.

And the surprises kept mounting. No calls. No unexpected visits. No flowers or chocolates. Not a damn peep. In three days.

Apparently, she’d gotten through to him. Why, then, wasn’t she more relieved?

What was even scarier was she actually missed the ass.

Somewhat.

She didn’t miss having to continuously remind him they had no future, which in turn left her emotionally exhausted. Mostly because she needed to remind herself as much as him.

However, she did miss his smile, his voice…and that little flutter in her stomach every time he looked at her. Which meant Aidan O’Connell had gotten under her skin, and she didn’t like it.

She shouldn’t be wishing he’d call, or pop up unexpected, or wishing…

Yeah, she could admit it.

Wishing he was human.

The intercom buzzed, and Jaylin sighed. “Yes?”

“There’s a lady here wishing to speak with you,” Pam’s voice flowed through the speaker.

Jaylin frowned. She didn’t like surprise visits, but it wasn’t as if she was booked to the gills with appointments anymore. She lifted the receiver. “In regards to?”

“She won’t say. Just keeps repeating it’s an urgent matter.”

Maybe this would result in a new client. “Send her in.”

A few seconds later, an older woman walked in and closed the door behind her. A unique woodsy scent teased her nose and Jaylin tensed.

This was all she needed—another damn half shifter.

As the lady walked across the room, Jaylin studied her. She could’ve passed for a Shirley MacLaine lookalike. She wore designer cream slacks and an expensive blue silk shirt that set off the copper highlights in her blondish-red hair. Diamond earrings sparkled from her earlobes. And Jaylin couldn’t help but appreciate the matching diamond necklace and bracelet.

This woman had money. Lots of it.

Too bad she’d have to send her away.

“Dr. Avgar.” The woman settled her startling blue eyes on Jaylin. The friendly smile on her lips melted away the regal air she had about her, and made her suddenly seem like she was someone’s grandma. “Thank you for seeing me with no notice.”

“It was no problem at all.” Standing, Jaylin offered her hand. “It’s nice to meet you, Mrs….?”

“Biggerstaff.” After shaking her hand, the woman sat in the chair across from Jaylin’s desk.

“How can I help you, Mrs. Biggerstaff?” Jaylin asked, sitting as well.

“I need you to accompany me to Cancun to help my son.”

Jaylin blinked. There was no way she’d heard her correctly. “You want me to go where?”

“Cancun, Dr. Avgar.”

Yeah, that was exactly what she’d said the first time. It didn’t sound any more believable the second time around.

Leaning forward, Jaylin threaded her fingers together on top of her desk. “I’m sorry. I have a practice to run. I can’t leave my clients.” What clients? “Besides,” she continued. “I no longer work with shifters.”

“I know, but you came highly recommended. I flew all the way from Cancun just to speak with you.”

“I’m sorry about that, but you should’ve called and we would’ve saved you the trip.” Jaylin pushed back her chair and rose. “I do appreciate your time.”

The woman slammed a manila folder on the desk. “I will not be dismissed.”

Wow, the sweet smiling woman was gone. Mother bear was out in full force. Jaylin put on her practiced patient smile. “I understand your frustration, Mrs. Biggerstaff. But I stopped taking anyone from the shifter community as clients months ago.”

Her anger magically morphed into tears, which magnified the blue in the woman’s eyes. “P-please just look at h-his file.” She took a shaky breath. “If you can still say no, I’ll leave with no further argument.” Mrs. Biggerstaff dabbed her eyes with a silk handkerchief that probably cost more than Jaylin made in an entire month before the woman’s face crumpled even further and she cupped her head in her hands, sobbing.

Jaylin bit the inside of her lip as she slowly sat down and reached for the file. Gawd. She was such a sucker. But the woman was crying. She could at least look at the blasted file.

She opened it, and a picture of a young man with the same coppery-colored hair as the woman’s highlights was clipped to the inside of the folder. Jasper Biggerstaff. He looked to be in his late twenties. She ran her thumb over the picture. So young. He was smiling with blue eyes that held a charming twinkle. So innocent.

“Which one?” Jaylin asked.

The woman lifted her head. “W-what?”

“Dsershon or Wydowed?

“Neither.”

Jaylin blinked. “Then what’s the problem?”

“The Drall was awakened.”

Ah. Okay. “Did she reject him before he could Fewse to her?”

“Yes.”

Jaylin closed the file, her mind immediately going to Aidan. “Listen, Mrs. Biggerstaff, I understand he’s upset, but he doesn’t realize the bullet he dodged. Had he mated to her and then she rejected him, he’d be going through something a hundred times worse.”

Like Aidan would. Her heart twisted.

“You tell his Drall that, why don’t you? He’s miserable right now and won’t talk to us because ‘we don’t get it.’ He needs someone who does.”

She opened her mouth to politely refuse again, but the woman held up her hand. “A few days tops. Just go. Let him talk to you, open up, see his life isn’t over.”

Inwardly, Jaylin snorted. How was she to do that when life as he knew it was over? All he could do was make a new life.

Like. Aidan.

Damn it. She couldn’t think of him.

“…we’ll pay all your expenses and make sure you have some time to enjoy the beach.” She inhaled, dug in her purse and withdrew a bulky envelope and placed it on the desk. “If nothing else, maybe this will change your mind.”

Jaylin eyed the package, having an idea of exactly what was inside, and her heart jumped at the thickness. She swallowed. “And what’s that?”

“Seven thousand dollars.”

“H-h—” she cleared her throat. “How much?”

“Seven. Grand. Paid up front. You can’t tell me you’d make that in the few days you’ll be gone.”

No. She couldn’t. Heck, she barely made that in a month. Especially after she’d paid Pam a portion that in no way covered what she should be making, paid the office bills and some of her own debts. A bonus like this would really help out right now.

Lord, when had she become such a money slut?

When she suddenly didn’t have it anymore, that was when.

“That’s a little too generous, don’t you think?”

The woman squared her shoulders and sat straight. “He’s my son.”

It was all she said, but it said everything.

She stared at the envelope, chewing her lip. Seven grand would keep the practice open for a couple more months, buy her some time to drag herself out of the mess she’d made of her career. It would help Pam, too. So much. All Jaylin had to do was go to Cancun and help another shifter. The pros far outweighed the cons.

“When do you want me to go?”

The woman’s pinched expression relaxed and a relieved smile tilted up her lips. “Thank you.” She gathered up her purse and files. “I’m flying back as soon as I leave here. I can’t stay away from Jasper for too long. He’s just so…depressed. I’ll send my jet back to get you tomorrow morning. Plan for a ten o’clock departure. That should give you enough time to sort your schedule out.”

“Your jet?”

“Oh, honey. I don’t do commercial. Private is the only way to go.”

Jaylin had no idea how to even respond to that, so she went with, “Yes, that should give me enough time to get everything together.”

If she went into Tasmanian Devil mode.

“Good.” The woman stood. “I’ll see you tomorrow afternoon then.”

Jaylin also stood. “Have a safe flight.”

After she left, Jaylin sagged in her chair. Maybe this case was a blessing in disguise. It’d put thousands of miles between her and Aidan. She wouldn’t be all jumpy and worried that he’d just pop up…not that he had. Instead it was as though he’d completely forgotten her, and surprisingly, she didn’t like that.

She didn’t like that she didn’t like that. God, she was a mess.

Wanting to get away from her thoughts, she grabbed the envelope and hurried from her office. “I have a present for you.”

Pam spun around in her chair. “Oh! I love surprises.”

Jaylin lifted the wad of cash from the packet and fanned herself with the money.

Her friend’s mouth dropped open. “Girl, what were you doing back there?”

“Good Lord, Pam, does your mind always go to the gutter?”

“Of course. Seriously though, where did that come from?”

“Mrs. Biggerstaff. I’ll need for you to cancel my appointments for the rest of the week.”

“You mean all four of them?”

Jaylin grimaced. “I thought I had seven.”

“You did. Miss Pratt got a new boyfriend, so her depression vanished. Mr. Potter finally called his son and they had a long heart-to-heart, and Mr. Jones just canceled, stating a conflict with his tee time.”

“I guess this came at a great time then.” She split the money. “Here’s your half.”

“No way.” Pam held up her hands. “You were paid that to do a job, not me.”

“We’re a team, Pam. Take it.” When she still refused, Jaylin added, “I’ll be in Cancun.”

Pam gasped then snatched the money. “Well in that case.”

Jaylin laughed, then started back to her office.

“Hey, Jay?”

She looked over her shoulder. “Yeah?”

“Do you ever worry you made a mistake by cutting the shifter community from your client list? They were a majority of your patients and the human list isn’t really growing.”

That was the question of the day.

“Yeah, I do,” she admitted.

“Do you think you’ll add them back in?”

“I don’t think I have it in me to, Pam.”

“Why not? You were a superb therapist, and everyone knew it.”

“I probably would’ve agreed with you not even a week ago. But what kind of therapist am I really? Yeah, I talk a great game, but who am I to counsel others on what they should do when I failed to do the same?”

“What in the world are you talking about? Failed what?”

“Not what, Pam. Who. I failed Aidan. I, Dr. Jaylin Avgar, esteemed therapist, ruined a shifter’s life. I knew what was happening, and I didn’t stop it. I’ll never be able to forget or forgive myself for that. How am I supposed to ask someone else to put their faith in me after that?”

…

Jaylin checked the ticket once more as she hurried through the airport, dragging her one piece of luggage behind her.

The itinerary Mrs. Biggerstaff had given her for the next four days actually left quite a bit of time for Jaylin to enjoy herself, but she’d packed light anyway. A few business outfits for when she was in session with Jasper, including the gray skirt suit she wore now, a couple of pairs of shorts and shirts, and a few sundresses. She’d been indecisive on the bathing suit, feeling very unprofessional in packing it for a business trip, but in the end she’d tossed it in, reminding herself that she wouldn’t be with Jasper 24-7.

As she reached the desk, she handed her ticket to the flight attendant, who looked it over, then allowed her to enter the terminal. When she stepped inside the jet, she froze.

Holy. Shit.

How much money did this woman actually have? The walls were made of black reflective paneling that made the oversize silver leather seats and sofa stand out. Everything was sleek, stylish, and expensive, including the top-of-the-line entertainment system mounted on one wall. What a way to start off the trip.

She shoved her suitcase in one of the overhead compartments, then slumped into a seat. Tension seeped from her body and she closed her eyes, sinking deeper into the luxurious cushions.

Even though she knew this was a working trip, she felt as if she was going on vacation. In a way, she guessed she was. The change in scenery and a few days of tropical air should help her come back ready and focused. At least she hoped it did.

The sealing of the door announced they were about to depart. Paradise, here I come.

She smiled.

“One day you’ll smile at me that way.”

Her eyes snapped opened and she shot a glance to her side.

Un. Be. Lievable.

Aidan had traded his jeans and T-shirt for an expensive bespoke suit. His hair was immaculate, groomed in a way that was so unlike him that it was almost laughable, if he hadn’t appeared as comfortable in those duds as he did in casual clothes. She sat up straight. “What the hell are you doing here?”

He held out his hand. She eyed it but didn’t take it.

“I’d like to introduce myself. I’m Jasper Biggerstaff.”

Air gushed out of her mouth. “You set me up!”

Aidan sat down in the seat across the aisle from hers. “Now, Jaylin, to set you up would entail having you take the fall for something. This was merely using the power of surprise to my advantage to get you to myself.”

“I—I can’t believe you did this!”

“I don’t take no for an answer, Jaylin. By now, you should know that.”

Who was this man?

Gone was the laid-back, infuriatingly smiley Aidan. A new determined glint shone in his green eyes, and his jaw was set with a harsh, no-argument-would-be-tolerated stiffness. Right now, he looked the epitome of a man who didn’t take no for an answer. He also looked rich. Very rich.

She glanced around the plane, seeing it as Aidan’s instead of Mrs. Biggerstaff’s, who she’d known had money. The luxurious inside was even more shocking now, and it did scream male. A powerful, wealthy male.

“Who are you? Some freaking James Bond?”

A wicked twist she’d never seen before quirked the corners of his lips, making him appear all the more dangerous. “I’m not the good guy, Jaylin. I’m the villain.”

Aidan? Bad? Not the Aidan she knew.

The engine revved. She shot to her feet. “I’m getting off this plane.”

She moved no more than two steps before he grabbed her forearm and pulled her back against him. The back of her shoulders pressed against his chest, and immediately her body responded, nipples puckering, heartbeat racing, those reactions skyrocketing when his lips brushed her ear as he whispered, “You’re not going anywhere, Jaylin.” He released her. “Unless you plan on donning a parachute and leaping to freedom, I’d suggest you put on your seat belt and enjoy the ride.”

She jerked at the command in his voice. If he expected her to just do his bidding, he had another think coming. She crossed her arms and leveled him with a “get real” look. His easy amused smile didn’t spread to the rest of his face; if anything, his expression hardened even more before he shrugged and sat down, buckling his seat belt. “If you want to end up on the floor, fine by me, but you’re not getting off the plane. The pilot has already been compensated not to stop.”

The plane moved and she stumbled forward. She grabbed on to the nearest headrest to maintain her balance. Without looking at him, she plopped back on the seat and buckled. “Fine. I’ll just catch a flight back once we land.”

“Every out has been closed. You might as well accept that now. You’ll leave when I say you can.”

She gasped. “How dare you bully me like this!”

He made no apology for his behavior. He didn’t even seem remorseful, just exuded an arrogant determination that grated on her nerves. She didn’t like this Aidan. Not one bit.

Crossing her arms, she shifted on the seat so her back was toward him and stared at the passing runway. How hadn’t she seen this coming?

Pretty damn simple. Aidan having an endless supply of money never even crossed her mind. The Aidan she knew drove a truck, owned a modest log cabin, and wore “Kiss Me I’m Irish” shirts. This Aidan?

She shot a glance at him over her shoulder. Everything about him was unapproachable. The unyielding way he sat in the chair, the precise way he pulled a phone from his pocket, even the stiff way he then sat back against the cushion and placed his ankle on his knee. It was as if he was on his way to an important business deal, instead of heading for a tropical beach resort.

Maybe that was how he was treating this.

“What do you possibly think to gain from taking me hostage?” she asked, unable to keep the question to herself.

“Think of it as you will, but you’re not a hostage, you’re a conquest.”

She twisted in her seat. “Are you kidding me? I’m not something you can acquire, Aidan.”

“People and business are all the same. Sometimes you have to force them to see what is best for them, even if they kick and scream the entire time. You, Dr. Avgar, will be my biggest acquisition to date.” He never glanced up from his phone. As though it was a done deal.

What the hell ever.

“Let me help deflate that big head of yours. You got lucky with getting me on this plane.”

“Luck had nothing to do with it. I observed your weaknesses and I used them against you.”

“I don’t have any weaknesses!”

“But you do.” He lowered his phone and looked at her. “Shifters in pain get to you even if you don’t want them to. Liam being a prime example. You didn’t have to help that first night, but you did. Besides, you’ve proven you’d go back on a vow if given the right amount of money.”

She recoiled from his words, hating the way it made her sound. “I-is that how you think of me? As someone who can be bought?”

His face softened for a fraction of a second before the hardness returned. “You weren’t bought. You needed the money. I knew this and I used your circumstances against you for my gain. I don’t apologize for that. I got what I wanted.”

“From this moment forward, getting me on this plane will be all you ever get,” she spat. “And don’t worry, you will get your bribe money back. I don’t want anything of yours and I don’t want anything to do with you.”

She closed her eyes, realizing she’d already split the money with Pam. She couldn’t take that back from her, not when she knew how badly her friend needed it. Jaylin would repay it, out of her own pocket. Somehow.

“Don’t worry about the money. Let’s just call it an investment in my future. Besides, I’d have never made my fortune if I caved every time someone threw an obstacle in my way.” Aidan leaned forward. “Let me be extremely clear, no previous takeover will have given me the wealth this one will. Failure is not an option.”

His words hit her right in the chest, squeezing her heart. He was so dead serious, she worried he might actually be able to change her mind, make her forget everything she’d witnessed. Make her believe she could be happy—until he died, and she was left with nothing.

She couldn’t chance it. She’d have to find a way to leave. He might believe he’d closed every avenue of escape, but no one was that good. There had to be a loophole somewhere. If there was, she was going to find it.

…

He was that good.

Six hours later, Jaylin watched the helicopter take off from the private tarmac, leaving her stranded. She sighed. They weren’t in Cancun. She didn’t even know where “here” was. It was tropical. A small island. With one luxurious thatched-roof house sitting before a sandy white beach and turquoise waters. She’d be in awe, if she weren’t so pissed off. She grabbed her bag and stalked toward a gravel path that led to the house from the tarmac. Her heels clicked on the asphalt.

Even when they’d switched to the helicopter, she hadn’t been able to escape. As her hair whipped around from the spinning blades, Aidan had gripped her upper arm and ushered her across the tarmac straight into the aircraft. The transition had lasted one minute max. She’d felt like some important person under CIA protection.

Aidan hadn’t said a word to her since they’d taken off, seemingly indifferent to her anger, which only made her angrier. As she wobbled down the path, her heels sinking awkwardly into the loose rock, she dragged her bag behind her. He didn’t offer to help like the old Aidan might have, and she refused to ask. When she reached the clearing, she climbed a long, stone staircase that led to a wraparound sundeck made of the same light stone. Then she hurried to the door and grabbed the handle, wanting to get as far away from him as possible. Of course, the damn thing was locked.

Why? There wasn’t another blasted soul on the godforsaken island to rob it.

Aidan dug in his pocket and withdrew a set of keys. Without a word, he unlocked the door. She shoved past him and into the house. She blinked, then set her face to not show any reaction. She wouldn’t give him the satisfaction of knowing he’d impressed her. But, damn it, she was impressed. The door led into a huge gourmet kitchen with cherry cabinets and granite countertops. The walls were painted a calming beige—which did absolutely nothing to calm her shredded nerves.

Keep walking. Don’t stop to gawk.

She opened the first door she encountered, not giving two wits if it was a closet. She slammed the door behind her, then gasped.

It wasn’t a closet.

A king-size bed with a white plush bedspread surrounded by the same-colored mosquito netting sat in the middle of the room against the far wall to the left. Red pillows placed on top of the mattress and on the chairs brought color into the room. Two wall-size shutters across from the bed had been folded back, opening the room to the salty air and revealing a small deck with two lounge chairs positioned to face the ocean with a petite wood table between them. The suitcase handle slipped from her hand and the bag clattered to the floor.

She’d never seen anything so breathtaking. She stepped farther into the room, noting that the wall beside the bed was made completely of thick glass and looked out onto a private outdoor terrace—complete with an outside Jacuzzi, shower, and sink—all surrounded by high, smooth stone walls. A generator hummed in the background.

She could live in here forever—which was a huge possibility considering she had to keep Aidan at a distance. But, boy, the man knew how to go all-out. She hurried around the room taking in everything. A door led to a private indoor bathroom. She glanced down. A business suit was certainly not the attire for the setting.

After grabbing a pale yellow tube-top sundress from her suitcase and quickly changing, she hurried over to the fully stocked bar stationed in one corner. She quickly opened a bottle, poured herself a glass of wine and gulped it down, enjoying the little tingles that erupted in her belly. She refilled her glass, then walked around the room. She didn’t know if Aidan meant for this room to be hers, but it officially was. He could have the couch for all she cared. She had everything she needed, including a lock on the door.

A grumble came from her belly.

She frowned. Well, except food.

She hadn’t eaten since early this morning. And she so wasn’t venturing out in search of a meal. She’d just power through until she figured out what she was going to do. And she needed to figure it out quickly. This house screamed romance. A couple. Love. And she’d only seen the freaking kitchen and bedroom. God only knew what the rest of the place looked like.

She figured Aidan had planned it that way. Take her off guard. Spoil her. Show her what she’d be missing. The thing was, all the money in the world didn’t get rid of the major problem between them.

He was a shifter. In Drall.

She stepped out on the deck. Tilting her head up toward the sun, she soaked in its warmth and inhaled that special salty smell only the ocean created. Her stomach growled again.

Sighing, she opened her eyes. Why did one need food to survive? Couldn’t wine and a gorgeous setting be enough? If only.

A flash of movement caught her attention by a thicket of palm trees down on the beach. The greenery moved and shimmied before a cougar burst out of the foliage and raced down the white sand.

Her breath caught tight.

Muscles bunched and expanded along its furred back as it sprinted down the beach, its paws hitting the lapping water, the spray glistening off its pelt. The animal didn’t slow as it reached the other end and tore into the tropical trees on that side. She listened to the rustling of the foliage before it charged back out. It made it about halfway across the sand before it stopped suddenly, sensing something. Its feline head turned toward her and stared.

Even from a distance, she felt the human staring at her from inside, felt the raw determination, and her heart pounded against her breast.

Aidan’s beast was a cougar—gorgeous, all slick lines and strong muscle that moved with a deadly grace. He was breathtaking in animal form.

Aidan then turned his back on her and continued his run.

Something about his rejection hurt. Why was that? Wasn’t getting him to let her go what she wanted? Swallowing, she went back inside as her belly protested again. She might as well get something to eat while she had the chance. If he was running, he’d be at it for a while.

She slipped from the room into the kitchen. Opening the fridge, she saw that they were well stocked up on food. She grabbed the roast beef and mayo. As she closed the door, a man walked into the kitchen. She screamed, which made him scream.

Throwing the meat at him, she took off for the door and was outside within seconds. Aidan’s cougar was already up the stairs running toward her, but he shifted to human form without missing a step as he neared. She stumbled to a halt, her fear vanishing as he sprinted to her across the deck…naked.

She couldn’t breathe, swallow, do anything but gawk.

She’d seen naked men before, but when the Dea had created Aidan she’d had perfection in mind. His body came together with powerful muscles that flexed with each movement. His sculpted abdomen and well-defined pecs appeared carved from stone. He had shoulders that screamed dominator. And his arms? Bulging, veiny, and lethal.

Her gaze dipped down and she almost lost the ability to stand. Even hanging flaccid among manscaped ginger hair, he was large.

When he reached her, he didn’t hesitate to thrust her behind him. “What’s the matter?”

She was reminded of why she ran out here in the first place. “There was a man in the kitchen.”

The growl vibrating from his body comforted her, but she wasn’t afraid anymore. Hadn’t been since she saw him. She was beginning to wonder if it was from the shock of seeing him naked for the first time or simply because he hadn’t hesitated to come to her rescue the moment he’d heard her scream. Probably a little of both, actually.

She felt safe. Protected.

With all her fear gone, she was conscious of only Aidan. How close he stood to her, his woodsy scent driving her mad. Steps came from inside the house. Growling again, Aidan shifted his body back toward her, bringing an arm behind him to shield her, eyes never leaving the door, and she felt the overwhelming need to lean in to his body, touch him. She really needed to step away, break this hold he had on her, but she couldn’t.

His back rubbed against her breasts, making her nipple tighten. The tense muscles between his shoulder blades begged to be kissed. Lust rushed through her, pooling low in her belly. Aidan stiffened and glanced over his shoulder, questions in his eyes.

The man poked his head out of the door. “I’m sorry, Mr. O’Connell. I didn’t mean to frighten the lady.”

Aidan relaxed and chuckled. The sound sent a shiver through her, and she realized how much she actually loved that sound, how much it was so Aidan.

He turned and pulled her in front of him. “Jaylin, I’d like you to met Rafael. He’ll be our personal chief slash housekeeper for the next few days.”

“Oh. I’m sorry, you scared me.” On second glance, he shouldn’t have. He was older, maybe fifties with graying brown hair. Muscular, but nothing menacing about him.

“You scared me too. I was finishing up some last-minute preparations for your arrival and had my earbuds in.” He held up an iPod, a contrite grimace on his face. “I hadn’t realized you were already here.”

She caught the scent in the air. “You’re a shifter.”

The man nodded.

She quirked a brow at Aidan. “How did you ensure getting a shifter?”

“I have my ways.”

She frowned. That cocky edge was back on his face, reminding her of how she got here in the first place, reminding her she had to keep her distance from him, because this Aidan was capable of anything. “I’m going back to my room.”

“You will not spend our time here hiding in your room, Jaylin. If need be, every lock in this house will be removed. Do you understand?”

She crossed her arms over her chest. “A*shole doesn’t suit you, Aidan.”

He stepped closer to her. She tilted her head back, refusing to move away as his naked chest brushed her forearms. “Coward doesn’t suit you.”

That did make her step back. “I’m not being a coward!”

“Really? Go on, then. Hide in your room and then tell me you’re not being one.”

“You’re misinterpreting rejection for cowardice.”

His jaw tightened; blue flashed in his eyes. “Rafael. The locks will be removed on the master suite. The other bedrooms will be bolted shut,” he said while never taking his gaze off her.

“Yes, sir.”

“And Rafael?” He paused, a twitch going to town in his cheek. “Move my luggage to Dr. Avgar’s room.”

“You wouldn’t!”

“Oh yes, my love, I would.”

With that, he turned away and walked back into the house.

Jaylin stood gaping after him. The shock of his audacity was nothing compared to his last words.

My love.

Even more shocking was the shiver of pleasure that phrase induced. Escaping Aidan was going to be hard enough, but how was she supposed to escape herself?