Free Heart of Stone by Noree Kahika Page B

whisper
absently lost in contemplation of such a poignant subject.
    Aidan’s body stiffens, his hand completely
stills as an awkward silence unfolds.
    “Is it a cause that’s personal to you?” I
hesitantly ask holding my breath wondering why his body is so tense
all of a sudden.
    “Yes Gabriella it is a very personal topic.
My mother committed suicide when I was five.” He unemotionally
sates, his tone detached and cold.
    My heart hurts at the thought of a five year
old Aidan loosing his mother. At twenty-five it was excruciatingly
painful to loose my mom. I can’t fathom a small child going through
something like that.
    I peer up into his vivid emerald eyes, his
face an impassive mask. “I’m so sorry Aidan for your loss.” I say
with heartfelt sincerity.
    “It was a long time ago Gabriella and I don’t
discuss it. Ever,” he says tersely, his eyes hard and face
carefully blank.
    “Okay,” I whisper nodding my head. I nestle
my head down on his shoulder once more.
    Anxiety encroaches through my thoughts, have
I said something to possibly offend him?
    Empathy engulfs me and I have an overwhelming
desire to erase any pain he may feel.
    He squeezes my hip than continues trailing
his fingers in a slow soothing pattern on my skin, both of us
silent, deep in our own thoughts.
    Alarm suddenly surges through me. “Umm…the
Benefit, it’s a black tie event isn’t it?” I asked in a slightly
panicked voice.
    “Yes, it is a formal charity event my company
hosts annually,” he warily replies.
    “With all the who’s who of LA in attendance,”
I squeak.
    “Well I wouldn’t say that but yes there are a
number of influential guests invited with generously deep pockets
as well as members of the press. This is the general concept of a
Charity Benefit Gabriella,” he says in sardonically.
    “Hmm.” I absently agree.
    Aidan Stone has asked me to be his date for
the Benefit – why? I’m not sophisticate, polished or wealthy. I’m
not of his world, what if I embarrass him or myself. This event is
obviously important for his company to host every year not to
mention innately personal from his recent admission.
    Aidan is this articulately glorious enigmatic
man who controls his empire with unrestrained grace, confidence and
charisma. A few meals in public and dinner in the privacy of his
home is one thing but to be his date at such a high profile event
is another matter entirely.
    Just a few short moments ago I was relishing
his intimate touch - now a wave of insecurities besiege me. And I
will be there completely alone – well that’s not entirely true –
Jeremiah will be there too behind the scenes coordinating the
event, making sure every little details goes according to plan. At
least I’ll have an ally, a friendly face that I’ll already know at
the benefit. I wish Mia were going.
    Then another unpleasant thought occurs to
me.
    Flipping heck, how am I ever going to find
the perfect knock out formal gown to wear to such an important
event like this one in just one day.
    “I guess an emergency shopping trip with Mia
is on the agenda for tomorrow,” I sigh.
    As if reading my thoughts Aidan adds, “I’m
sure whatever you wear Sunday night will be beautiful Gabriella
because you are beautiful baby.”
    And instantaneously all concerns about what
I’m going to wear to the benefit disappears.
     
    With a smile I gaze up at his breathtakingly
handsome face running my finger across his soft full bottom lip.
Aidan lips part and he draws my finger into the warmth of his mouth
sucking sensually. My body heats at his touch and with a
mischievous smirk he bites down – hard – on my finger.
    “Ow!” I gripe as Aidan chuckles darkly.
    Aidan rolls me fully on my back and lifts up
over me with a sexy glint twinkling in his eyes. He slowly lowers
his head trailing is warm wet tongue along my jaw up to my earlobe
then bites.
    “I bet you were a bitter as a child?” I
tease.
    “I’m not sure if I was as a child