Chapter 40

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Aiden looked down at the mug in his hands. It made me realize what the real reason for his sadness today was.

"You're going to be alone, aren't you? Just you in an empty house on holidays, because it won't be the first time it happened," I said it almost to myself because Aiden's reaction didn't leave much room for the doubt.

"Ellie, you have your family, and it's a family holiday. You have to spend time with them and go wherever Thierry will invite you to go. I'll figure it out like I always did."

"It feels wrong to leave you on your own when you have me, and we are together." I put my empty mug on the nightstand and took Aiden's from his hands.

"Ellie?" he questioned as I got up from the bed and stood in front of him. I gently placed my hands on Aiden's shoulders.

"I don't want to be away from you, and even less so if I know, you're here alone. I also love you, you know? I was dreaming about spending our first holidays together. It won't be the same if you're not with me."

"Come here," he said, his voice thick with emotion. I moved closer, and in an instant, Aiden's hands pulled me to him until both of us were on the bed. He got up quickly, though, and drew the curtains making the room almost dark.

"I'm dying to kiss you," he said softly, "it's everything I've been able to think about since our date. I just don't want anyone to see in case some creep is outside." He nodded at the window.

Before I had a chance to reply, Aiden was back on the bed next to me. His warm mouth closed over mine, and gentle arms encased me in a tight embrace. I kissed him back hungrily, aware of the warmth spreading inside me. Aiden slid his hands under my sweater, caressing my back.

"Take it off," I said, surprising myself. He did, just as I did the same with his t-shirt. The feeling of Aiden's skin on mine made my breath hitch. It must've had the same effect on him as his lips turned impatient and he pressed his mouth to my neck.

"Tell me if you want me to stop," he whispered, not quite tearing his lips away from my skin.

I didn't. I closed my eyes, taking in the wonderful feeling of Aiden's kisses. My hands pressed into his shoulder blades as he moved lower, kissing the place over my heart.

"Ellie." He looked up at me. "I want to do something, but only if you want it as well, you know I—"

"Yes," I let out a whisper, not letting him speak, and almost immediately, Aiden's fingers trailed up my back before unclasping my bra. He removed the straps from my shoulders, watching me quietly as though he was waiting for me to change my mind.

I felt the thin material slide down my arms before it was discarded. Aiden swallowed, looking down on me, seeing me like that for the first time. I didn't know who was more nervous, him or me, as I caressed his arms all the way up to his shoulders and felt him shake under my fingertips.

His mouth was on mine again, and I pressed my eyes shut when his fingers moved over my neck, shoulder, and then my chest. I let him explore, his touch gentle and slow, but enough to make me desperate for more. I tangled my hand in his hair, pulling lightly, lost in the moment we were sharing for the first time.

"Look at me." Aiden broke the kiss. I opened my eyes just to see him watch me, his gaze filled with warmth.

"What?" I whispered when he said nothing.

"I love you." Aiden caressed the side of my face before his lips landed on my neck. I felt his tender kisses on my skin, the feeling so intense it made me grip his shoulders. I thought nothing could live up to that until Aiden's mouth closed over my breast. I arched my back, leaning into him, wanting something I couldn't quite name. He seemed to have felt it, too, his kisses growing impatient, his skin getting hotter by the minute.

A sharp noise broke the silence.

"You promised there wouldn't be phones next time," I whispered when I found my voice.

"Dammit," Aiden cursed, resting his forehead against my chest and sliding his arms beneath me as he tried to slow down his breathing. "It's the alarm, baby; I set it so that we wouldn't be late for dinner. I just didn't think, didn't expect us to...I'm sorry."

"Is it almost six?"

Aiden hummed his answer, not opening his eyes neither moving away from me.

"You'll have to let me get up, then. And get dressed," I said, caressing his face. He begrudgingly pulled away from me in a couple of minutes. I reached for my clothes, but Aiden stopped me.

"Don't. Let me." He took them from me and started to dress me. I shivered when Aiden's fingers grazed my chest. He noticed, kissing my shoulder.

"Was it too much before?"

"I liked it." I turned to him. It could've lasted longer."

"Point taken." He smiled, helping me slide into my oversized sweater.

"What about you?" I nodded at Aiden's bare chest. He reached across the bed to get his t-shirt and handed it to me. We laughed at my ability to get him tangled in a piece of clothes like that.

Half an hour later, we entered my house. Thierry was already there, chatting with my uncle and my mom. He stopped the conversation as soon as he heard our footsteps in the kitchen and turned to face us, grinning.

"There you are, just in time to eat."

"Sorry," I said, "we didn't mean to be late."

"You're not." Thierry winked.

When we sat at the table and started eating, he put down his fork and looked at us.

"Do you have any plans for your winter break? You've got no classes at school, right?"

I watched Aiden out of the corner of my eye. He was too focused on cutting his meat, but the frown didn't escape me.

"Honey?" Louise spoke to me when I said nothing.

"Yeah, we're on vacation." I nodded. "No plans, I guess. Right, mom?" I looked at her.

"Aiden, what about you?" Thierry's eyes locked on Aiden's face.

"Some ski resort, for sure, or vacation on the beach. Who would stay here having the means to travel?" My uncle smirked.

"Well, I'm staying here." Aiden stared at the fork in his hand.

"Any plans with your family?" Thierry asked again, unaware of the discomfort the question caused.

"Not really."

"Great!" My mom's boyfriend rubbed his hands. "I have a cabin in the mountains. Technically it's more like a house because it's big and has lots of rooms. It's quite a long drive from here, but once you get there, it's worth it."

"Does it snow?" Louise's face lit up like a Christmas tree.

"It does. A lot." Thierry smiled at her endearingly. "It snows, it's usually quite cold as the place is up in the mountains and is surrounded by a forest, pretty much lost in the woods. I don't get to go there as often as I'd like to, because of the bistro and the fact I was alone until now. But I want these holidays to be different. I'd love all of you to come and spend the two weeks there with me."

I noticed that Aiden continued to stare at his food, and my heart broke a little.

"Aiden, you're invited as well, of course. It's Ellie's birthday just after Christmas, and I thought you wouldn't be thrilled to spend it away from your girl." Thierry winked. "Plus, cooking alone is not my favorite thing. So, are you in? Of course, if you've made plans already, just tell me."

"Thank you; I'd love to go." Aiden's smile was so contagious I grinned myself, taking his hand under the table.

"I don't think it's appropriate." Uncle Steve gave Thierry a warning glare.

"I don't see why not. Ellie and Aiden will be stuck in the middle of nowhere with a bunch of adults. This way, at least they'll enjoy each other's company. Studying is hard enough; they deserve some fun."

"We all do." Louise looked at my uncle. "Thierry's right. It's better for Ellie than getting bored with the three of us, and Aiden doesn't plan on celebrating with his family either. So, everybody wins!"

My uncle was unhappy with the arrangement, but he didn't say anything for once, distracted by his phone vibrating on the kitchen table.

"Hutches," he greeted sharply, "about damn time." He rose from his chair and left the kitchen. I had the chance to figure out what was going on at my fingertips, and I was determined to use it.

"I'm going to the bathroom." I stood up and walked out of the room. My uncle must have been in his bedroom. I opened the bathroom door quietly, but instead of going there, I pressed my ear to uncle Steve's bedroom door. He was, indeed, talking on the phone inside.

"What you've told me is more than enough. What the hell have they been doing all this time?"

Whatever the detective said made uncle Steve angry. "No, you listen. I've been down this road. One mistake, one wrong step, and it will all go to hell again. It's now or never, Hutches, make sure your people realize what we're dealing with here. They cannot fail. Yes, I still keep the folder. Are you going to lecture me on what's legal now? Thought so." He paused, listening to his colleague. "Keep me updated. And don't screw it up."

He ended the call, and I stepped into the bathroom. They didn't speak about Aiden and me, I was sure, but the fact he kept working despite being on vacation unsettled me. In a minute, I went back to the kitchen.

"More salad, Ellie?" Thierry asked, attentive as usual.

"I'm already full, thanks." Aiden had finished his food as well, I noticed.

"Aiden and I will be in my room upstairs." I clasped Aiden's hand in mine and led the way to my bedroom.

"Bathroom, huh?" Aiden smiled, crossing his arms once I shut the door behind us.

"I needed to know what that was about." I hugged his waist.

"And?"

"Some random things that didn't make sense. Nothing about you and me."

"He won't say much knowing you could hear, baby. Don't dig into that; it was probably nothing. He doesn't like me, but guess what? Tough luck. Your uncle will have to get used to us being together."

"And you'll have to get used to this." I kissed Aiden, nibbling at his bottom lip until he kissed me back desperately.

"It's unfair that the universe seems to conspire against my girl getting her loving." Aiden grinned, giving my lips a tender peck.

A knock on my door made us pull apart.

I opened it, surprised to see Thierry.

"Sorry to interrupt." He chuckled, making me blush. "Aiden, I just wanted to tell you we're leaving early on Friday afternoon right after lunch. Is that a problem?"

"No, we only have one class in the morning and a meeting with our tutor to get the grades."

"Okay. Make sure to take warm clothes and some boots; it's cold there."

"Done, and thanks again for inviting me. It means a lot."

"It's a pleasure. Get your butts downstairs, kids, before a certain man gets nervous." Thierry went back to the kitchen, us following him closely behind.

:) Things seem to be heating up🔥🔥🔥
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Are you excited about the holiday chapters? I am!:)
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