Sweet Collide (Saints of Redville)

by Ava Harrison

“That was before. And there wasn’t any sleeping,”

“We’re both adults. We can sleep in a bed together without touching each other.” I arch a brow in challenge. “Seriously, though. You had a long game; you need your rest.”

“Fine. But I doubt I’...

I listen to see if he’s awake like me. The only sound I hear is that of Aiden’s soft inhaling and exhaling. Guess he was wrong. He did fall asleep.

I haven’t slept this well in years, and it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to know why.

It’s her. The moment I laid down beside her, I passed out.

She’s placed a small pillow between us, and I can’t help but laugh. If she thinks that would stop me, she has another thing coming. The only reason I didn’t make a move is because I’m her employer, but shit, if I weren’t, no pillow would stop me from having her.

It's true, it's all Cassidy.

Although nothing has happened with her, being in bed, near her has certainly worked its magic.

I don't know what it is about this girl, but one thing is for certain, bringing her on was the b...

“How do I end this, Mike? I’m out of my element here.” “You’re really hung up on this. You know it’s not healthy, Aiden. You have to focus on hockey. Your team needs you.”

“I know my job, Mike. I’m more than capable of handling my shit.”

don’t think you are. This was supposed to be easy. Something...

She’s got a hold on you that’s not healthy. You need to let her go.” Aiden sighs. “You’re probably right.” Mike chuckles. “Not for nothing, you’re kind of a big deal. You should’ve seen this coming a mile away. Just do wha...

“You’re late,” he says, grinning down at me. “And you’re a bull,” I quip, allowing him to help me stand. I run my hands down my dress to straighten out any wrinkles. “A bull?”

“Yeah, a raging bull. You came through that like I was a matador holding the handkerchief.” He laughs. “Where have you been?” “Well, this is the city, and traffic at this time of night is not exactly light. Then it took me a moment to find the entrance.” I sigh heavily.

“I’m sorry. I should’ve called to check on you.” He shakes his head. “I could’ve met you at the door.” “You’re right. You ...

“I really am sorry, Cassidy. I got stuck talking to the senator, and then Mike found me. I lost track of time.” “You don’t need to apologize to me. I’m the hired help. It’s just business.”

“What’s going on with you? Are you all right?” “Yes,”

“Let’s go. You have places to be and peo...

“Hockey is like some sort of mix between MMA and golf.” Aiden snorts next to me. “Seriously, those are your comparisons?”

“Has Aiden told you your ass looks fabulous in that dress?”

“Aiden wouldn’t be so crass.”

“Aiden is a moron. Although…maybe he’s not,” he says, tapping his chin. “He has you to take care of his every need. Are you a girlfriend or a glorified ho?”

“Don’t you dare say anot...

“You had the audacity to comment on my ass, which was mistake number one. But you and I both know if I were to tell Aiden everything that’s been said here tonight, your ass would be laid out across the floo...

“You overestimate Aiden’s level of care for you. You...

“These women would take him away in a heartbeat if he gav...

“Aiden isn’t the god he thinks he is.” “Let me tell you something right now, dickhead. I don’t need Aiden to fight my battles. You touch me…you come near me…you say one fucking word I don’t like, and I’ll end your career so fast.” I hold his stare. ...

“You will apologize in a manner that I deem worthy, or tomorrow, you won’t have a fucking job. I’ll have your name plastered

all over the papers. Sexual harassment. Misogyny. You name it, and I’ll ensure every newspaper and media outlet in this fucking city smears your name so gloriously, you’ll never work again.”

“Everything all right, Cassidy?”

“Let me help you up.” His arms reach out, and then he's lifting me until I'm on my feet. The moment I am, my ankle gives under the weight.

That's when I realize that Aiden's strong arms have wrapped around me. Before I can object, he's lifting me effortlessly off the ground.

“What are you doing?” I squeak out. “Making sure you get back home in one piece.”

Something is going on with him. He’s always been an asshole, but he’s been abnormally bad lately. He wants her. Too fucking bad. Never happening.

There’s only one problem, I can’t stop thinking about touching her. Kissing her. Fucking her.

Last night, when I held her in my arms, I almost lost it. The way her dress clung to her, the way her perfect nipples pebbled under my touch. Fuck.

You like her. I do. And that’s the fucking scary part.

“Pasta Bolognese. Your fav—” I slam my mouth closed,

“It’s one of my favorites,” I amend. “I hope you like it. I should’ve asked before.”

“I haven’t had pasta Bolognese in a long time,” he says, eyes zeroing in on me.

“This is incredible. I knew you could cook, but this is something else.” “I learned early on,” I admit. “I spent most of my life cooking.”

“You’ve clearly mastered cooking. It’s so good,”

“That comes with a lot of ...

“I want to work in child welfare or provide therapy to kids who come from abused and neglected homes.” “Why?”

“Where I grew up, it made me have a special appreciation for the homeless. One of my first days here, walking through Redville, I saw a mother with a small child. The little girl most likely had only one outfit to her name. A pair of holey pants, dirty shoes, and a tattered coat. Her only other possession, a raggedy teddy bear.”

“I hoped that the money I handed her would go toward food for the little girl.”

“Anyway, I started volunteering at a local foster care agency and just saw more devastating situations. I heard horrific stories from the children there, and I wanted to make a difference.” I inhale. “So yeah… that’s why I’m here pretending to be your girlfriend,” I say, shrugging one shoulder. “I figure all the lies are worth it in the end.”

“Children don’t deserve to be punished for the actions of adults. They deserve love.” His eyes drop to the table. “Unconditional love.”