Burn me once, I burn you back

The next morning, Mina was feeling positively lively as she stepped into the shower. After reconciling with her grandmother and falling asleep in Aiden's arms she was feeling better than ever. She hummed softly to herself as she lathered up her body.

So lost in her joy, she didn't hear the shower door open. It wasn't until she felt strong arms wrapping around her slim waist that she became aware of another presence in the room. Aiden chuckled behind her as she jumped, he softly kissed her neck at her pulse point. He could feel it hammering away.

"You scared me!" she chastised him with a smile.

"Sorry, couldn't help it," he smirked against her skin. "You seem in a good mood."

Mina nodded and sighed happily leaning back into his embrace. She was indeed happy and it's something she never thought she would be again. After leaving her family, she had convinced herself she was happy just being with Ben. However, seeing her grandmother and being here with Aiden had quickly disproved that.

"I am," she said simply with a smile.

It took Mina longer to get herself ready than she had planned and that had been down to Aiden pleasuring her in the shower whilst she tried to clean herself. His hands had insisted on helping to wash her body but they seemed only to concern themselves with her breasts and her mound. Mina had moaned loudly in pleasure as he rubbed her clit, whilst massaging her breasts and nipping at her neck. She came with a cry and became like jelly in his arms. Once she was able to move Mina playfully glared at him as she dried herself and got dressed.

They left for work together, thankfully, in separate cars. Mina had insisted when she started working there that they couldn't be seen arriving together. Though his windows were tinted and his assigned parking was in a very secluded part of the car park, she knew it was a risk. Aiden had complained but eventually relented, begrudgingly.

"Good Morning!" she called out to everyone she passed and they happily called back.

Everyone greeted her with a warm smile and a friendly face. She loved her job here even more so than when she had worked for her families business. Clay had chatted happily away at her until his phone stopped him. She was happy for the little bit of relief. However, she became concerned when she saw his face contort.

"... I can't promise anything but I will ask. Yes, yes I know give me a second," he said before tapping his phone and looking at Mina.

"The jerk wants to invite you to dinner this evening. He has booked an Italian restaurant. Shall I tell him to fuck off?" he asked.

Mina frowned a little looking at his phone. Clay seemed to understand.

"Don't worry it's on mute he won't hear anything."

She nodded and sighed "Tell him I will meet him. Get the details of when and where."

Clay looked both shocked and disgusted before he went back onto the phone to relay her message. Once he had gotten all of the details and hung up he stared at Mina as if she had grown three heads. Mina could feel his gaze boring into her, she sighed and stopped working to face him.

"I can't keep putting him off otherwise he will get suspicious. I will make sure it's only a meal and you will be there too. Call the restaurant and make sure you can get a table close by, ok?"

Clay nodded but still looked like he'd sucked a lemon. He left the office to make the call and it allowed Mina a moment of peace. Though that was short-lived as not half an hour later Aiden came in. His face told her Clay had either told Daniel who had then told him or told him directly she was going for a meal with Ben.

"It's not what you think," she started as she stood and walked around her desk to him. "If I keep refusing him and making excuses Ben will become suspicious. At least if I go for this meal with him I can plant some more seeds in his head about my family. Clay will be there too and will make sure nothing happens except eating and talking."

Aiden still looked upset but he seemed to understand. He wrapped his arms around her and kissed her briefly before she gently pushed him away. She teased that someone might walk in and see them. Mina then laughed at his pouting and told him to stop slacking and get back to work. He had laughed as he left and it made her heart soar.

When Clay returned she gave him a light glare but laughed when he stuck his tongue out at her and folded his arms. He really was like a child sometimes, it made her wonder how someone as silly as Clay could be with someone as serious as Daniel.

----

Mina made it home in time to get a shower and change before leaving to meet Ben. She had decided to wear a very simple black sleeveless dress that shaped her body beautifully. Clay had suggested it to show Ben what an idiot he has been. Aiden had pouted and tried insisting he come as well. He could have a business dinner with Daniel.

However, Clay had teased that the only man who has dinner with Daniel would be him. Clay then suggested that Daniel come with him so he had someone to sit with whilst he watched Mina. Aiden had been all for that idea but Mina reminded them that Daniel was just as recognisable as Aiden was and if Ben saw Daniel and Clay together then he would start hounding Clay for Daniels details and then, in turn, Daniel for Aiden's.

Mina chuckled as she kissed Aiden goodnight before leaving, she promised him she wouldn't be out too late. Clay sulked after her and refused to talk in the car.

"Come on Clay, you know I'm right. If he sees you with Daniel he will force an introduction and hound you both until he could see Aiden. Plus, if he knows you have ties to Aiden through Daniel he may come unexpectantly to the hospital and see me there," she tried to make him understand.

When his face softened she was sure she had achieved it. He smiled at her and she sighed in relief, she hated the idea of him eating alone but there wasn't any other choice.

They arrived at the restaurant exactly at half-past seven, the time Ben said the booking was for. She couldn't see him outside so she assumed he was already inside.

"Reservation for Kramer and one for Rodgers," he said politely.

The hostess looked down and smiled. "This way please."

She guided Clay to his small table first and then Mina to hers. Clay was only a few tables away so he would be able to keep an eye on her. Ben wasn't there yet which she wasn't surprised at. Mina took the offered seat and took the menus the hostess offered before leaving. A young waiter arrived and asked her what she would like to drink.

Mina opted for a glass of wine whilst she waited. After twenty minutes he had still not arrived. She glanced over at Clay who mouthed 'What the fuck!' at her. Mina chuckled to herself as the waiter came back for the third time and asked if she was ready to order. She politely asked for a few more minutes and tried ringing Ben.

When she received no answer she motioned Clay over and told him to sit down. When the waiter came back they ordered and had a pleasant meal. Mina wasn't about to keep waiting or calling after him so she decided to enjoy herself with a friend instead.

Two hours later, both Mina and Clay were full and headed home. It was then that she received a call from Ben.

"Mina? Where are you?" he asked.

"I am on my way home," she said with a sigh.

"What! Why?" he demanded.

"What do you mean why? You didn't arrive so I ate and then left," she explained as if she was talking to a petulant child.

"What time did you arrive? I told you half nine," he demanded.

"Half nine? You told Clay half seven, which was the time I arrived and the time in which the hostess had us down for," she reminded him.

"Oh! Did I? I must have forgotten, why didn't you remind me or call me?" he asked as if it was her fault.

"I did call you and you were the one to set the time, it's not my job to remind you," Mina's happy and sated mood was quickly disappearing.

"Yes, yes that's right. Did you eat alone? or were you with someone?" He asked and both Mina and Clay smirked at each other.

Before leaving the restaurant, they had tipped the waiter and hostess quite considerably and asked them to tell a little white lie to anyone that asks who she had been with. Not wanting to be misinterpreted she had explained that she and Clay were friends, plus Clay was gay and that the person she had been waiting for had been her fiance. Clay had then explained that he was a bit power hungry and in need of a lesson. They had agreed to tell anyone that asked that Mina had been joined by an elderly rich-looking woman. They both had seemed quite excited to do it.

"Oh! My grandmother surprised me. She had called Clay earlier and learnt that I was eating out with you so she came to join us. It's a shame you missed her," she spoke with an even sounding voice but inside she was screaming in joy.

Mina could imagine the slacked jawed look he would have right then and she couldn't help it. She moved the phone away to cough out a small chuckle.

"Your grandmother?" he asked after a moment of shock.

"Yes, we had a great time catching up. There is even talk of me attending one of my families functions at the end of the month," she explained. "It will be nice to see everyone again."

Mina could imagine the twinkle in his eyes as he started planning ways in which to get in with her family as well as all the potential contacts that will be going to that event.

"Oh! That's great Mina! Let me know the date and time and I will be there," he was practically shouting with excitement.

Mina had missed the part where she had said he was invited but the wheels in her head started spinning as a plan started to form. Her grandmother had indeed invited her to an event towards the end of the month after she had been unable to stay silent.

She had called Mina that morning telling her she was sorry, that she hadn't been able to contain her excitement and had told Mina's mother and father. She had assured Mina that her parents understood what she was doing and were happy that she was getting her spirit back, as her grandmother had said. They wanted to see her at an event they were hosting and that was when Mina would strike her final blow.

"I will do Ben, goodnight," she said before hanging up not waiting for his reply.

She gave Clay a wide smirk and knew he was thinking along the same lines as she was. Aiden was sitting in bed reading when she finally returned. She told him everything that happened and the plan she was working out.

"Are you sure Mina, it would mean everyone learning of us? I know you said at the beginning that you wanted this to remain between us and my grandmother," he asked worriedly.

Mina smiled softly before gently stroking his cheek. She placed a soft kiss on his lips before pulling back.

"Aiden, my intention was never to keep this a secret for long. I wanted to wait, only to find a way to regain some of what I had lost when I left with him. I wanted my job and confidence back, as well as my family. I wanted to be happy and in a good place. Plus, I also wanted to humiliate him in such a way he regrets what he did to me for the rest of his life and he feels how I felt."

She moved the book he was reading and straddled his waist. Aiden instinctively wrapped his arms around her waist as her hands trailed through his hair.

"I have a job I love, and I feel confidant again," she started.

Mina lowered her gaze a bit before speaking the rest.

"I have you and I'm happy. I never thought I could be happy again, not after how stupid I had been. Especially not with something I barely knew or knew me, but you make me feel happy, beautiful and confident Aiden. I owe all of that to you and through you, I was able to start to mend my relationship with my family. I have my grandmother back in my life and soon my parents too. Now all I need is for Ben to know he messed with the wrong woman and for him to know that I will never be his! I belong to you."

Mina ducked her head as she finished, feeling slightly shy, she may have felt more confident but confessing how she felt to this man was the scariest thing she had done in a long time. Aiden gently lifted her head, forcing her to look at him. He smiled gently at her and pulled her in for a slow passionate kiss. She was breathless when he finally moved back.

"I am happy with you too Mina, and I am ready for the world to know you are mine!"