Chapter Twenty-One
After a grueling day traveling back to the East Coast, Aidan left Bethany at the door to her condo with a soft kiss. “I’ll be shooting late into the night, so I won’t call. Sleep well, luv.”
This was fine with Bethany; her body was fighting a war and all she wanted was a heating pad and tea.
That evening Bethany sulked as she sipped on tea sweetened with honey. She pressed her heating pad to her cramping stomach and reached for the phone.
“Aidan Shannon’s service.”
“Serena?”
“Bethany? Hey! What’s up?”
“Would you mind telling Aidan not to bother coming over tonight?”
“You can tell him, he just walked in.”
Bethany groaned. How did she explain to Aidan that, on a night like this, she was not fit for company? The entire year she had gone out with Mike she never had to explain any further than ‘I’m not feeling well,’ and he got the hint and did not come over. Perhaps that would work with Aidan.
“What’s the matter, luv? Why don’t you want me over?”
“I’m not feeling well.” She gave the words an emphasis so he would get the hint.
“What’s the matter?” he repeated innocently.
Bethany groaned. “My stomach hurts. You know, like cramps and stuff?” Great, Bethany, you have a fantastic command of the English language.
“You’re bleeding, is it? Menstruating?”
“Yes that is it, thank you for making sure to use the grossest word possible,” she said, moodily.
“Ah, poor darlin’. You are in a bit of a temper, aren’t you? I’ll be right over.”
“No, I don’t—hello?” Aidan had hung up on her. Crap! Now she would have to get into her nice nightgown and wear her nice undies, instead of the yucky ones she kept for period week.
Bethany paused in mid-freak. Wait just a darn minute. He is coming over even though I told him I was on my period. Guess what, Mr. Movie Star? You get to see me in all my menstrual glory.
A quick glance at the mirror told her perhaps it would behoove her to wear a dash of makeup; full menstrual glory could be saved for another time, or perhaps never. And the underwear? She definitely needed to get rid of her underwear.
Walking to the kitchen, she wondered if he would be hungry. Perhaps some fresh-baked scones would—Yow. Cramps. Really bad. Couch. Heating pad. Ibuprofen. Dear God, it is the pits being a girl sometimes. Maybe a teensy nap would make her feel better, and then she would change her underwear and put on some mascara. Bethany fell asleep, clutching her heating pad and whimpering.
When Aidan knocked on her door an hour later, she was so upset that she had fallen asleep and forgotten the underwear and other grooming plans that she answered the door frowning. He seemed to read her mind, scooping her up and sitting with her on the sofa. Bethany sighed as she curled up with Aidan on the couch. Unlike Mike, Aidan seemed not to fear a woman suffering from her period. He wrapped her in his arms and placed a warm hand on the most painful part of her stomach. “There, does that feel better, sweetheart?” He rubbed her belly gently, making her purr and sigh. They watched TV, and Bethany felt comfortable enough to drift off to sleep.
****
Aidan closed his eyes as he continued to rub her belly. He should never have come over once he knew she was menstruating. It would have been the perfect time to re-establish the whole in it for the sex thing. But no, what did he do? He came running and fussed over her like a mother hen. She was in pain, and he had to make her feel better.
Aidan snorted. Who was this guy who rubbed tummies and made tea? Aidan Shannon had never cared for a girl on “first night woes.” Even his ex-wife was left to her own room for the first night. Pain, heavy bleeding, nasty bit that. But Beth? She was too delicate, too sweet to deal with this kind of pain by herself.
Lifting her up, he walked to her bedroom and slipped her into her sheets. Aidan took off all his clothes, slid in on the other side, and then wrapped her body in his arms.
Throughout the night, she woke up to use the bathroom and take more Ibuprofen, then slip back into his arms. She nestled her soft bottom between his thighs and brought his warm hand back to her tummy, sighing in comfort.
He was really glad she was comforted because he was suffering the torments of the damned having her hot little ass that close to his overheated cock. The old nightgown and that God-awful underwear were the only things keeping him from glory. Aidan fell asleep cursing his instinct to take care of her, fearing what his actions really meant.
He woke up sometime in the middle of the night to the sounds of her slight whimpers. Still asleep, her face a mask of agony, she rocked back and forth in a vain attempt to avoid her aching stomach.
He held her and began to softly sing as he took over the gentle rocking motion.
“There, luv”—he whispered—“rest easy.”
When his eyes opened again, it was daylight and Bethany forced a grin as she slipped out of bed.
“I’m going to take a shower.” She grabbed more pills and drank them down with some water.
“Do you need help?” he asked, eyeing her pill intake. She never took anything, not even for a headache. These cramps must be something else.
Bethany stared at him. “I’m fine, Aidan.”
“All right then. I’ll start breakfast.”
“I’m not hungry.”
“You’ll eat. You can’t have those pills rattling around in your stomach without something.”
He walked in the kitchen and decided that eggs and toast might be upsetting to a painful stomach. When he found oatmeal, he smiled. That would be bland enough for any kind of sensitivity.
****
Later, as Bethany drove to work, she smiled. Aidan took such sweet care of her. Never in a million years would she have imagined he would be such a loving caregiver. He made the worst oatmeal she had ever eaten, but she happily ate every single bite because he made it specifically for her.
When she arrived at work, Michelle asked, “Are you feeling better?”
“Why do you ask?” Bethany asked, horrified that Michelle might know she called in sick to spend more time with Aidan last week.
“You weren’t feeling well on Friday morning, you left early, called in on Monday… Any of this ringing a bell for you?” Michelle asked, eying her with concern as she sipped her coffee. “Perhaps you should go back home, honey.”
“No. I’m fine. Really. Seriously.” Bethany walked over to her desk and looked at the box of Godiva chocolates next to a small bouquet of pink roses. “What’s this?” she asked, her heart pounding. Could they be from Aidan?
“Oh, they came this morning. Open up that card, girl, and tell me who sent you the yummy chocolate, which you will be sharing, and the pretty roses.”
So much for privacy. She opened the card and smiled.
Beth,
I hear chocolate helps in your condition. I know these roses will put a smile on that sweet mouth of yours. Cheers, luv, see you soon.
Aidan
“What the heck is he talking about? Condition?” Michelle asked, as she blatantly looked over Bethany’s shoulder and read the card.
Bethany looked at her friend and prepared for hurt feelings. “I have my period.”
“Why would he—hold up,” Michelle said as she put her coffee down. “You’re having sex with Aidan Shannon, and you weren’t going to tell me?”
“I just wanted to keep it to myself for a little bit. Please don’t be mad,” Bethany said as she rounded the table toward her friend. Michelle stepped away from her, the hurt evident on her face.
“I’m not mad! My God, Bethany, I’m thrilled for you. Way to finally get some.” She brought her hands up for a high-five.
Bethany half-heartedly returned the hand slap and sat down.
“Wow. I mean, I saw the way he was looking at you when we were touring the set, but now you’re dating him!”
Bethany dropped her head down and breathed deeply.
“No. We are having an affair, okay? It isn’t long-term, it’s just for the time he is here shooting the movie. I… After Mike, I sort of needed to know what I was missing. He is showing me…”
Michelle grabbed Bethany’s chin and looked at her sternly. “Showing you what, Bethany? You’re selling yourself short.” Michelle shook her head. “You are worth so much more than a simple affair.”
Bethany looked at her for the first time since beginning their conversation. “Maybe I am. And it’s not even his fault. He was honest with me about what he wanted and I…” she hesitated, blushing. “I agreed to a short-term sexual relationship. But what’s worse is that I love him, Michelle, I really do. And when he leaves, I’m going to be devastated.”
Michelle walked over and hugged her. “Obviously, I may have to kill him for you.”
“Stop that,” Bethany said, half smiling as she wiped away tears.