Aidan: The Rescue Chapter Two

Felicity noticed the front door open, and her gaze locked with Aidan’s. Smiling, she forced herself to turn away from the gorgeous dark-haired guy she simply couldn’t stop looking at. It was crazy how she still remembered the feel of the muscular chest she’d had the fortune of stumbling into, and her knees weakened again at the memory of his smoking brown eyes staring into hers with concern.

In the last three and a half years, she’d avoided men who wanted to date her. She was enjoying her freedom as a single girl too much. Plus, she knew she needed to focus on herself after walking—or, more accurately, running—away from Nolan West and their problematic relationship. That was why she was surprised at just how ridiculously attracted she was to Aidan.

“You look so pretty when you blush,” Kerrod said.

Felicity laughed louder than she usually did. “Stop teasing me,” she told Kerrod who, like his twin, had become one of her close friends. 

“Frankly, Fel, I think you should make the first move.”

“What? No. I’ll just be embarrassing myself.”

“What are you talking about? He can’t take his eyes off you.”

“You think so?” she asked in an almost whisper.

“Isn’t it obvious? So, go ahead and talk to him.”

She scrunched her nose. “He’s only into casuals, apparently.”

“Oh? Who told you that?”

“Isla.”

“Hm.” Kerrod pursed his lips. “Kallan did tell me that Aidan works very long hours. Probably one of those people married to their jobs.”

“Are you sure you’re not talking about yourself?” she asked jokingly.

Kerrod snorted. “I might be, but I’m not the one flirting with you with my eyes right now.”

At Kerrod’s words, Felicity found herself glancing in Aidan’s direction—again.

And, yes, he was looking at her, too. Again!

Aidan walked away the moment their eyes met.

Felicity furrowed her brows. If he was truly interested, why was Aidan avoiding her?

Kerrod chuckled. “Even I saw the sparks that just flew off the two of you. Feel this air.” He waved his hand. “It’s still sizzling.”

She scoffed.

Kallan turned up by her side. “Hey, Fel. Feeling all right?”

“I’m fine. No signs of sprains or broken bones.”

“Good,” Kallan said with a laugh.

“Hey, bro,” Kerrod said. “Tell me you’ve noticed the fireworks happening between our Fel here and your friend Aidan.”

Felicity didn’t miss the warning look Kallan threw Kerrod.

“He’s not looking for a relationship, unfortunately,” Kallan said to her.

She suppressed a sigh. “I know. He’s a bit of a playboy, huh?” 

Kallan shrugged. “Aidan’s a great guy, but…not for you.”

“Of course. Of course,” she said lightly.

Isla came to join them. “Hey, peeps. What’s going on?”

“These guys are just helping me see the light,” Felicity said.

Isla lifted her brows.

“Just reiterating that Aidan’s not for her,” Kallan murmured, putting an arm around Isla’s shoulders and kissing her on the temple.

Isla nodded. “Okay.”

“Hey,” Kerrod said to Felicity. “How about I set you up with one of my buddies to make you forget about Aidan?”

“Who?” both Isla and Kallan asked suspiciously.

Felicity chuckled. “No, thanks, Kerrod. I’m good. You guys don’t need to worry about me. Goodness, it’s just a little crush. That’s all. And for the record, I’m happy being single. In fact, I know I’ll be fine if I remain single for the rest of my life.”

Isla’s smile was a mixture of dismay and understanding.

Felicity grinned widely to let her friends know she was totally okay. And, really, she wasn’t in a hurry to find a special someone.

Dance music started playing again, and Kallan and Kerrod’s father, Julius, pulled Isla away from their group.

“I thought I’d get a last dance with the birthday girl before the night ends,” Julius said.

“My pleasure, Dad,” Isla said, to Julius’s obvious delight.

The rest of the guests started to join them on the dance floor, and Kallan turned to Felicity, holding out a hand.

Felicity smiled. “Mind if I sit this one out? I actually feel like grabbing another piece of the birthday cake. Luckily, there’s some more, considering I wasted a bit of it earlier on.”

“Okay. Maybe I’ll dance with this guy.” Kallan indicated Kerrod.

“Sure!” Kerrod said, already moving to the music. “It’s time to show everyone who’s better at this.”

Kallan narrowed his eyes. “You’re on!”

Felicity laughed at the twins’ antics as she walked to the almost empty buffet table. She’d thought the enormous amount of food Kallan had ordered wouldn’t be finished, but there was little left.

She used a pair of tongs to grab a small piece of cake and put it on a paper napkin. After breaking several dessert plates earlier, she wasn’t going to touch another one tonight.

She turned around to watch guests on the makeshift dance floor, and her gaze once again landed on Aidan, who was dancing with Isla’s mother. Gah. What was wrong with her eyes? Or did Aidan have a homing beacon for her? She shook her head, annoyed and amused at herself at the same time.

Fortunately, she’d recovered from the deep wounds caused by her ex. Thanks to three years of help from Isla and her therapist, a lot of self-initiated personal development, and her work with the women in the New Again circle, she was now equipped with courage and confidence she hadn’t had before.

She didn’t think she was ready to make herself vulnerable again in a romantic sense, though—that was why dating was still off the table.

Not that it mattered. Aidan wasn’t interested in dating anyone anyway, by the sounds of it. And she’d never been into one-night stands.

Pity.

* * *

A week later…

Felicity walked towards the room situated at the back of the Bayside Council’s premises where she conducted the New Again workshops every Sunday afternoon. The space was pretty much just a big box with no windows, so hardly anyone hired the room due to it not having much of an atmosphere. That was great for the New Again circle, because the council had allowed them to utilise it for free indefinitely. They could even leave behind the items they were working on, as long as they were prepared to clear the place up quickly if it was needed by a paying customer. So far, that hadn’t happened.

It definitely helped that she worked in the council as an administrative coordinator. The bosses had been so impressed to learn that one of their employees helped vulnerable women rebuild their lives that they’d said yes straight away when Felicity had asked for the use of this particular room. Since then, her employers had continued to help the New Again circle in many other ways, and she’d been so touched by their support.

She unlocked the door to the workshop, flicked the switch for the rows of fluorescent lights, switched on the aircon, and dropped the packets of paint protector sheets she’d brought on a large rectangular table in the middle of the room. She smiled as she looked around. Apart from the table, some folding chairs, and two metal filing cabinets where they kept their power tools, paints, and other materials, there was no other furniture in sight. Last week, every single member had finished upcycling their pieces. Then, during the course of the week, every item had been sold through online channels and word of mouth.

Felicity shivered in delight. There was no thrill better than having all of their handiwork valued enough for people to pay for them. Today, they would be starting work on another batch of preloved pieces, most of it donated and some she’d bought herself from various sources.

She checked her watch. Kallan and Isla should be here soon. They’d be delivering six bedside tables, eight chairs, four bookcases, three wooden crates, and a wooden headboard with intricate carvings, all of which had been kept in the couple’s garage. With the workshop space not big enough to store all of the pieces they’d acquired, Isla and Kallan were happy for New Again to keep using their garage for storage.

How lucky was she to have such helpful, supportive friends—Isla, most of all? That dear, incredible, wonderful woman had started New Again specifically to help Felicity heal from her horrendous experience with her ex. Now, Felicity was heading the group, and she was incredibly grateful.

Her phone rang. “Hey, Kallan,” she greeted.

“Hey. We’re here at the car park.”

“Great. I’ll come around to help.”

“Cool.”

She left the room and walked briskly towards the parking lot behind the building, instantly spotting Kallan opening the back of a borrowed truck. Then another person came into view—

Her steps faltered, and she righted herself just in time. Luckily, she didn’t completely trip.

Honestly, Felicity! It’s only Aidan—the guy not for you, remember?

Shaking her head at herself, she walked slower towards the truck. What was Aidan doing here? And where was Isla? “Hello,” she said as she neared the guys.

“Hi,” Kallan said with a rather apologetic grin. “Isla has some urgent work to do, so Aidan volunteered to help. Not that I can’t do everything myself.”

“Let’s see you carry that heavy headboard by yourself,” Aidan said before turning to Felicity.  “Hi. How’s it going?”

She grinned, heart hammering. “I’m good. Thanks for helping out.”

“No worries. I happened to be at their place and saw that Kallan needed another pair of hands. It’ll be good to see your workshop, too, if you wouldn’t mind me having a quick snoop before the others arrive. I like woodworking.”

“You do? That’s great! And, of course, you can have a look around.”

“I haven’t touched power tools in a long while, though,” Aidan said as he carried a bedside table. “So where do we go?”

“Over there.” She picked up a vintage chair with ornate legs and started walking back towards the room, hyper-aware of Aidan following her. It was as if she could feel his breath on her neck even though he was a respectable distance away. Or was it that she wanted to feel his breath on her neck?

Stop it, Felicity!

Couldn’t Kallan hurry up and distract her from these ridiculous thoughts? But, God, how long had it been since she’d felt this way towards a man?

Actually, never.

That was right. She hadn’t felt attraction this strong, this fast, towards anybody.

The realisation started to scare her. How did people prevent losing themselves in a relationship with partners who had this much effect on them?

Thoughts of her past started to flood in, and she tensed. She pushed them away by recalling an image of herself with a paintbrush in her hand, decorating a wooden breakfast tray—the very first item she’d restored. That person was the new, courageous, confident Felicity, and the new Fel didn’t have to worry about her emotions. Because no matter what she was feeling, she was in control of her decisions.

Honestly, though, she had no idea how she’d handle it if Aidan happened to flirt with her. She’d probably be torn between throwing herself at him and hiding somewhere she couldn’t be found.

What she really had to do about this stupid crush was to…well…just feel it until it dissipated, she guessed. Hopefully, that would happen sooner rather than later.

She opened the door to the workshop and walked inside. “Here we are. We can line them all up against this wall.” She put down the chair she was carrying at the corner nearest the door.

Aidan placed the side table next to it. “How do you determine which person gets to work on what?”

“We hold a draw. Those who get small items like this chair can end up working with two or more pieces before someone working on something like the headboard finishes with theirs. I bet everyone will want to work on that headboard. It’s so beautiful.  I’ll keep my fingers crossed that it ends up with me.”

“I’ll keep my fingers crossed for you,” Aidan said with a smile before leaving the room.

Unbidden, she let out a sigh. How sweet of Aidan to say that.

Shaking her head, she walked out of the room. Instead of standing here and swooning, she’d better help bring more of the stuff in.

“Felicity!”

She turned her head towards the caller and grinned. “Sophie! Hi! Ready to join us today?”

“You have spares for me to work on?”

“Absolutely!”

“Great! Can’t wait to start.”

Felicity made little claps, thrilled. This gorgeous police officer who shared her birthday—they'd both turned thirty a couple of months ago—had worked on the domestic violence cases of most of the members of the group, including hers. “The girls will be so happy that you’re joining us, especially after last week,” she said, sobering. “Tessa still couldn’t believe that her ex would be so brazen as to send his brother here to spy on her.”

“Yeah. It’s great that the council is letting you use this hall for free, but the downside is the grounds are a public place, so those idiots think they can make up excuses for being here and get away with it.”

“I’ve actually started researching where we could move our workshop. But it’s next to impossible to find a room big enough for our needs as well as free to use indefinitely.”

Sophie placed a hand on her arm. “No need to keep looking. That’s why I’m here. I’m not doing anything most Sundays, anyway, and I’m really keen to learn how to upcycle furniture. The only thing is, I don’t meet the requirements for membership to New Again,” she said with a laugh.

“Hey, you know we’re more than happy to make you an honorary member.” Felicity was humbled and extremely grateful that this woman would choose to spend part of her free time with their group to help protect them from partners or exes who dared break apprehended violence orders. Unfortunately, it had happened more than once for a couple of the girls. Sophie’s presence in their workshops, albeit as an off-duty cop, was more than welcome.

Kallan and Aidan appeared from around the corner, carrying the headboard.

Felicity made the introductions. “Sophie, this is Aidan, and that’s Kallan. They’re friends of mine helping out with delivering our stuff. Guys, this is Sophie. She’s a police officer friend of the New Again circle. Actually, she’s a detective now. We’re granting her an honorary membership.”

“Hi, Sophie,” the men said in unison.

“Good to meet you, guys,” answered Sophie, eyeing the piece the men were carefully placing down. “That’s a beautiful headboard.”

“Felicity’s keeping her fingers crossed for this,” Aidan quipped. “She said all of you would probably want it.”

Sophie chuckled. “I think I’ll stick to something very simple. I’m new at this, and I wouldn’t want to ruin that. Anyway, I can help carry some stuff.”

“Thanks, but we can manage,” Aidan said.

“Are you saying I’m not strong enough to carry something like that?” Sophie asked with narrowed eyes.

The shock on Aidan’s face was comical. “I didn’t mean that at all. I just meant we can manage. But if you want to help, that’s fine, too.”

Sophie laughed. “I was kidding.”

Aidan chuckled, shaking his forefinger at Sophie as he and Kallan went back to the truck.

Felicity hid a sigh. Even though she smiled along with the others, she felt a stirring in her chest that made her want to pout.

Whoa, was she jealous? She pushed the feeling down.

Soon, Aidan was back, his arm muscles bulging as he carried a bookcase over his shoulder.

Felicity’s heart skipped a beat, and butterflies in her stomach madly flapped their wings. Argh.

As he put his load down, Aidan looked at Sophie. “There are chairs you can carry.”

Sophie shook her head. “I’m sure you can manage.”

Aidan chuckled.

“So what do you do for a living, Aidan?” Sophie prodded in a friendly tone.

“I’m an IT consultant,” Aidan said.

Sophie’s brows rose. “My dad needs a good IT guy. What do you specialise in?”

Aidan smiled. “Unfortunately, I’m pretty busy right now, so I’m not looking for any new business. Thanks, anyway.”

Sophie watched Aidan leave the room. “Don’t you find it interesting that he didn’t ask for my contact number in case he finds an empty slot in his schedule in the future?”

Felicity shrugged. “Maybe he has a long waiting list already.”

“Maybe. How well do you know him?”

“Not well. I just met him last week at Isla’s birthday. You remember Isla, right? My lawyer best friend who helped put Nolan in jail?”

“Yes.”

“Kallan is Isla’s fiancé. Isla and Kallan are the ones who usually deliver our stuff because they’re stored in their garage, and they borrow the truck from a neighbour down their street. But Isla couldn’t make it at the last minute, and Aidan happened to be available.”

“Oh, right.”

“So, do you think Aidan’s hot?” Felicity asked, keeping her voice light. “Or are you thinking he could be here to spy on our members?”

Sophie chuckled. “Both, maybe.”

Oh, no. Felicity didn’t want Sophie to be interested in Aidan. “Well, apparently he’s anti-commitment.”

“Really?”

“Uh-huh.”

Sophie wrinkled her nose. “Shame. He’s a hunk, isn’t he? Just like Kallan. Pity Kallan’s already engaged.”

“Hey, Kallan’s got an identical twin—and I mean identical. Those two look so alike it’s not funny. And Kerrod’s single—a workaholic, but a nice guy.”

“Does Aidan have a twin?”

“I’m afraid not.”

“Don’t worry, then,” Sophie said with a laugh.

Felicity kept the smile on her face even though Sophie’s attraction to Aidan was bugging the hell out of her. It shouldn’t, since she didn’t plan to date Aidan, but she couldn’t help how she felt.

Could she blame herself, though? Aidan was truly divine.

Divine? What a word to describe someone so…masculine.

Sophie cocked her head. “You okay?”

“Huh?”

“You’re blushing.”

Felicity felt her cheeks burn further. “I think it’s just the heat.”

“It’s not that hot. Aha! I bet it’s Aidan. Well, you saw him first, so don’t mind me.” Sophie winked.

Felicity laughed, neither confirming nor denying Sophie’s guess. She was relieved, though, that Sophie seemed to be bowing out. Not that they were in a race for Aidan’s attention.

Sophie turned to the furniture. “Hey, you’ll give me something really simple to work on today, right?”

“Sure. You can take your pick.” As long as it’s not Aidan.

Ugh! What on earth was going on with her?

Experiencing basic human wants.

Her lips tugged up. Of course, she wasn’t immune to lust. It was just that the strength of it for Aidan kept blowing her away.

Hey, wait…

Since she didn’t think she was ready for a relationship, and Aidan wasn’t into commitment, what would be the problem in considering something casual? Yes, she’d always said she wasn’t built for anything like that, but she wasn’t the old Felicity anymore, right?

She let the thought sink in, not pushing against it at all, as she watched Sophie run her fingers along a bookcase.

Hm, she wasn’t totally opposed to the idea. What was more, she’d hate it if Aidan started giving Sophie lingering looks instead of directing those smoking hot gazes towards her.

Perhaps she should take a forward step while Sophie was backing off.

**END OF CHAPTER TWO**

Aidan: The Rescue releases on the 24th of September, 2020 and can be bought from the following stores:

Amazon | Apple iBooks | Barnes & Noble | Kobo

(Link to Google Play will be available on release day.)