Free Deceived by Thayer King Page B

Aidan showed up with two tubs of ice cream. Janelle bit her lip to hold back tears of gratitude and he noticed. “What is it?”
    She waved her hand. “Ignore it. It’s more of the crying over everything. I’m just happy.”
    “Over ice cream?” His eyebrows rose in incredulity.
    “Yes.” She laughed and took the plastic bags from his hands. “Now aren’t you glad you’re not living with me?” She opened the freezer and placed a tub inside.
    He followed her into the kitchen. “No.”
    She turned to find him eyeing her hips. He leaned against her countertop, his suit black and impeccably cut, as always. He’d loosened his tie, but he still looked like he could have been posing for a gentleman’s suit ad. “You flatter me,” she murmured.
    “I enjoy taking care of you. It’s my responsibility.”
    Responsibility, she thought, sounded a lot like obligation. And she didn’t want to be an obligation that weighed on him and held him back in life. “Do you want some?” She opened the second container of ice cream and took bowls out of the cabinet.
    “Janelle, marry me. I promise I won’t pressure you to…do anything you’re not ready for.”
    Sex. He meant sex. Her hands shook, causing the ceramic bowls she held to clink together. She put them on the counter before she dropped them. If he only knew. Whenever she touched herself, it was always with the memory of their night together. “Aidan, I don’t want to ruin your life or mine. Let’s give it awhile.”
    “Are you always so cautious?”
    “Yes.”
    “Well, I’m not. I go with my gut. I wanted you the second I saw you and I haven’t changed my mind.” He dug a hand in his pocket and pulled out a Tiffany blue box. Tipping up the lid, he revealed a two-carat round stone surrounded by bead-set diamonds set in platinum. It was stunning. He took her hand and slid it onto finger. “Perfect fit.” He smiled, but his determination was clear in his gaze and in his words as he continued. “I’m not going to stop asking. Marry me, Janelle.”
    “Yes,” she said, trusting in his gut and committing the first impetuous act of her life.
    * * * *
    Saying yes to Aidan was like setting a steamroller in motion. He set the wedding date, giving her only a month to complete her dress. He hired a wedding planner and gave her strict instructions to relax and allow the woman to do her job. He didn’t want her tiring herself out.
    The planner, a middle-aged woman named Rose, proved to be a whirlwind and did not seem to be concerned about the tight deadline. Rose met her at the boutique the day after Janelle accepted Aidan’s proposal. They discussed the cake, flowers, music, and venues until Janelle’s head began to spin. Aidan had to work, but said whatever choices she made would be fine by him. He trusted her taste.
    A few nights before the wedding, Aidan hosted an engagement dinner at his house. The only person she had invited was Dionne. Her sister Della wouldn’t make it to the dinner, but she promised to drive down from Virginia for the wedding. Their parents had passed away years ago. Their mother died of cancer when they were in high school and their father died from a heart attack two years ago.
    Aidan invited his best friend Timothy and his mother and her husband. Guests were supposed to arrive at five. Janelle arrived at Aidan’s at four. He greeted her with a kiss on the cheek. He wore a black dress shirt without a tie and black dress slacks. The open collar of his shirt allowed her to get a glimpse of chest hair. Janelle hid a smile. She’d dressed to complement him in a white dress with black tulips on it. “How are you?”
    “Nervous.”
    “There’s no need to be.”
    She bit her lip. “Suppose your mother doesn’t like me?”
    Aidan shrugged broad shoulders. “Then that’s her problem. I love my mother, but I’m a grown man. I make my own decisions. I don’t need her permission to marry you.” He reached out and touched a lock of her