Sweet Collide (Saints of Redville)

by Ava Harrison

“Children deserve their parents’ time and effort. I hope to ensure that for many children, including my own one day.”

“I’m sure your parents are proud, Cassidy.”

“I doubt that. Good or bad. I’m on my own. I have been for a long time.” His eyes narrow. “I’m sorry if I hit a nerve.”

I groan at the way her knuckles knead my aching muscles. For not being a licensed massage therapist, this woman does it expertly. Her touch removes all of my worries and the need to organize or sort. I’m able to relax and melt into the couch.

My concentration is solely on the way her nimble fingers move across my shoulders and down my back. My cock hardens, and I shift slightly to hide my reaction to her touch.

Tonight, it doesn’t feel right to order her around. “You’re off duty starting now,” I say as she looks at me.

“Are you sure? I mean…” For a second, I expect my need to win out, but as I stare at her, I find that I don’t at all regret my decision. I lick my bottom lip, thinking about how cute she is at this moment. Unsure. Confused. Beautiful. “Positive.”

“Die Hard? I love this movie,” she squeals. Fuck. Me. “You’ve seen this?” “Who hasn’t? This is a classic.”

“What?” she asks, incredulity clear. “I like movies, Aiden, and this one is special.” She looks away, but before she does, I catch a glimmer of something resembling trepidation. “Anyway, let’s watch the movie,”

“I don’t personally think of it as a Christmas movie, but then again, it wasn’t something I watched around Christmas. You and me—”

“You and me,” I press, but she swallows and waves her hand. “We’re just different.”

At some point Cassidy nestles into my side, laying her head on my shoulder, and all feels right in the world. My mind eases and eventually clears; all I can focus on is her steady breathing. This feels familiar. Like home. I grind my teeth, so fucking tired of thinking of the past. Right now, I’m just going to bask in the moment with Cassidy’s warm body next to me. Because at the end of the day, this is what my life is now, and nothing can change that.

“I’m supposed to be doing these things for you,” I say, and he smiles. “You were sleeping pretty peacefully. I didn’t wanna disturb you.” “That’s my job.”

“You’ve taken such great care of me, Cassidy. It’s the least I can do.” He flips bacon on the stove, looking like he’s done this a thousand times. “If you want to get ready, it’ll be done in a couple of minutes.”

“Whatever you need, Cassidy, just use my name and my credit card. If anyone gives you a hard time, I’ll reach out.”

“This isn’t Pretty Woman, Aiden. I’ll be fine.”

“I know you could do your own hair and makeup and look gorgeous, Cassidy. I just don’t want you to have to worry about it. It’s so last minute, I’m willing to pay for someone else to take that stress off you.”

“You deserve to be pampered just as well as every other woman who will be there. More so. Go all out. Get a manicure and a pedicure. A wax.”

“Whatever you...

“I know this is asking a lot. Are you okay with it? If not, I can make up an excuse for you not to go.”

“No, I can definitely make this happen. I was just thinking about everything that needs to be done before Sunday. I could kill you for waiting until now.”

When my eyes open, he’s staring at my lips, eyes dark and turning with something that looks a lot like desire. My lips part, and my chest rises and falls quickly. “Cassidy.” He says my name like a prayer, and I know without a doubt he’s thinking what I’m thinking. This is meant to happen. I lean up on my tiptoes, and everything happens quickly from there. He grabs me around my waist, pulling me taut against him. Our mouths crash together, a tango of teeth and tongues.

There’s nothing soft about this kiss. It’s pure need and desire wrapped up in a tiny bomb that’s just detonated, burning us both. The flames lick up my legs and over my belly, up my spine and across my shoulders. I feel his touch everywhere, but it’s not enough.

I’m lost in the moment, wholly prepared to throw our agreement to the wind and gi...

Aiden groans, pulling away slightly. Our breaths mingle, my heart beating out of my chest. “I…I don’t want to...

“It’s not like that. It’s not about our agreement. It’s…” He rocks back on his heels, eyes shifting around the room. At the mess.

My days with Aiden are numbered, and that makes me want to cry more than anything. I’ve enjoyed being with him again, and I don’t doubt that when the truth of who I am is revealed, I’ll lose much more than this job. I’ll lose Aiden. Again.

know you’re finally getting settled and feel good about how things are, but this has to end. It wasn’t supposed to be a long-term deal, Aiden.” I huff out a breath. “I’m tired, and I don’t wanna talk about this tonight, Mike. Call me tomorrow.”

“That’s not acceptable. Do you have any idea how much damage it could cause if this got out?” “I’ll take care of it,” I say, trying to move past him. I just wanna be home. “No, you won’t. You’ll allow me to handle it. You can’t give her any reason to out your personal life.”

“Give me time to dig something up on her. Something we can use to get her to go away.” What if I don’...

“Aiden,” Mike drawls, likely seeing the look on my face.

“I will take care of it, Mike. I promise.”

“Fine. I’ll allow you to handle this, but make it fast, Aiden.”

“She’s a loose cannon. Desperate women will do heinous stuff to get what they want. You have ...

Except the truth is, I do care. I want him to look at me like he has before. Like I’m the only one in the room. Something he wants to own. Possess. I want him to ask me to crawl to him. To take him in my mouth. To—

“Cassidy, I…” His eyebrows furrow and his mouth pinches. The shift in Aiden comes so quickly that I’m left a little off-kilter. “We need to get going,”

“No. I mean…yes. Everything’s fine. You just…caught me off guard.”

“I caught you off guard. How?”

“I just…you look…” He shakes his head again. “Ready?”

“Is there something wrong, Aiden? Did I…do something to upset you?” His eyes narrow in on me, lips pursing. “No, why do you ask?” I huff out a laugh. “Well, you just got weird back there.” When it appears he doesn’t know what I’m talking about, I explain. “Back at the hotel. You were rude, Aiden.”

sorry, Cassidy. I’m having some current issues, and they rattled me.” “Do you want to talk about it?”

“Not really. I don’t want the night to be ruined.” “Di...

back. “No. This has nothing to do with you. It’s a personal matter. Something to do with my family.”

“I have a complicated relationship with my dad. I understand how family drama can eat away at a person.” “I’m sorry to hear that, Cassidy. Truly. I wouldn’t wish it on anyone.” “I got out. I ran so far away from that life and never looked back,” I admit.

“By the way, you look incredible.” I blush under his compliment. “I should’ve told you that earlier. Family drama or not, there’s no excuse.”

“Thank you. They did a pretty impressive job. That’s for sure.” He narrows his eyes and slams his lips together. “What?” I ask. “You don’t see it. Do you?” I lick my bottom lip. “See what?”

“How gorgeous you are. Every day. It’s not about what they did, Cassidy. They simply highlighted what you look like every mornin...

“What should I expect tonight?” I ask, the need to change the subject immediate.

“It’s a good thing we’re just pretending then. Isn’t it?” As soon as the words slip from my mouth, I regret them. Why do I always find a way to ruin a good moment? Aiden’s smile drops from his face. “I guess you’re right.”

“What’s wrong?” I lean in so that others won’t overhear. “I…can’t dance. Not like that.” He lets out a breath. “You’ll be fine. Just allow me to lead.”