Stronger than I look

Mina awoke to the sun shining across her face. She slowly stretched her limbs and smiled. Her body felt stiff and sore but she had never been happier. After she rode him until they both climaxed Aiden allowed her a small breather before it was his turn to kiss and lick all over her body.

He had her writhing and moaning in pleasure until she couldn't think or form words. Aiden then turned her around so she was face down on the bed and entered her from behind. The new angle had sent shockwaves throughout her body. She came screaming his name as he followed after her. They had collapsed in a heap of limbs and succumb to exhaustion.

Mina slowly became aware that she was in bed alone. She sat up and looked around. Last night, she had failed to notice the actual room when they came in, the Eiffel Tower had taken all her focus before his body had. The decor was in various hues of white, grey and black. It looked simple and elegant and she loved it.

On one of the chairs in the room, she noticed Aiden's shirt. With a wicked smile, she got up and put it on. The shirt reached her thighs and she made sure to leave a few buttons undone at the top. Mina looked in the mirror and fluffed out her hair a little. Never before had she thought of herself as sexy but as she looked at her reflection, right then, she did.

Aiden was on the phone in the small kitchen, dining area. From what he was saying Mina assumed he was talking to Daniel. She frowned slightly. Hadn't he said that Daniel was taking care of things for him. He had assured her neither of them would be working on this trip.

When Aiden noticed her, he froze, his eyes widened and his mouth hung open. Mina smiled as she sauntered into the room and leaned over the small counter that separated the two areas. She noticed Aiden's eyes fall to her chest which he had a full view of from where he stood.

"Yes, Daniel go ahead, I'm listening," he said his voice low and husky.

Mina wondered if Daniel could hear the change of tone in his voice. The old Mina would have felt embarrassed by the thought of someone else hearing how aroused she made her husband but now she hoped he did.

"When was this?"

With that one question, Aiden's face instantly turned from lust-filled to serious. Mina too stood up looking concerned.

"Ok, let me know what happens," Aiden spoke after listening for quite a while, then he hung up.

He turned to Mina with a very serious expression on his face. She instantly moved around the counter and came up to him. Mina wrapped her arms around his waist and gave him a look that said 'tell me.'

"Your ex has been bothering Clay, calling him none stop," he started.

Mina nodded, he had done that before she had left. Aiden sighed as he wrapped his arms around her waist.

"He wanted to know where you were, despite being told you would be away for a week on business. Clay eventually stopped answering allowing it to go to voicemail. Then he, somehow, found out where Clay was going to be that night. Clay had planned to meet up with Daniel for a date, but he had arrived at the restaurant earlier than planned. So, whilst he was waiting at the bar for Daniel your ex walked up."

Mina chuckled as she imagined the snarky responses that Clay would have given Ben. However, her face fell when Aiden didn't chuckle with her.

"What happened?"

"Ben demanded to know where exactly you were and when Clay refused he started to make a scene. Apparently, he shouted some derogatory words about Clay's sexual preference, then about how Clay was a pathetic assistant if he didn't know where you were. The restaurant was packed so naturally Clay remained calm and tried to leave."

Mina felt anger, embarrassment and shame. Her anger and shame were aimed at Ben, she couldn't believe he would speak to someone like that and the embarrassment was for Clay. She knew he would probably just brush it off with a glass of wine and a bubble bath, and probably with a bit of therapy from Daniel, but still, her heart ached for him.

"Ben followed him outside and confronted him. When Clay again refused to tell him, he hit him."

Mina gasped and tears started to swell in her eyes. Aiden rushed to reassure her.

"He's fine, Daniel arrived at that point and intervened. Then the police arrived and Ben was arrested. Daniel said he was released on bail a few hours later. Clay is ok, he has a small cut on his lip."

Mina immediately left Aiden's side and searched for her phone in the bedroom. Aiden walked in just as she started the video call. Clay's smiling face came on the screen almost a second after she pressed the call button.

"Now what are you doing calling me? You should be either out exploring Paris or wrapped around your hunk of a husband in bed," he teased before leaning closer to the phone screen. "Oh, My, God! Are you wearing his shirt? You go girl!"

Mina didn't even blush or register what he said. Instead, her eyes were glued to the ugly, red cut on his lower lip and the small bruise under it. Her hand came up to her mouth as her eyes widened and tears started to fall.

Clay's smirk turned into a smile.

"Now, now! None of that crying stuff. I'm ok, my big, strong handsome boyfriend came to my rescue."

Clay moved the phone back a little so that Daniel was now in view behind him. They looked like they were lying in bed and for once Daniel looked relaxed.

"Hello Miss Mina," he smiled. "Trust me, Clay is stronger than he looks."

"You're too right I am," he said moving the camera back to him. "I sassed the ass off that idiot and enjoyed every bit of it. This here," he said pointing to his cut, "Is my badge of honour, it's proof I got under the jerk's skin."

Mina managed a weak smile and nodded. Aiden came and sat down next to her. Daniel moved the phone back to face him.

"If it helps, I punched him for hitting Clay."

Mina started to laugh feeling better.

"Yeah that does, Daniel. If only you had a picture," she chuckled.

"I would have if I had realised what was happening in time," Clay pouted bringing the phone back to him. "He was so handsome and chivalrous that I practically pounced on him when we got home."

Mina saw Daniel's hand come and tap Clay on the head before saying goodbye and hanging up. Aiden chuckled as he shook his head. He pulled Mina onto his lap as she fiddled with her phone. He could imagine what she was about to do. Aiden placed a hand over hers forcing her to look up at him.

"You don't have to," he said and Mina sighed.

"Yes I do," she said resolutely. "I need to do it now."

"Ok."

She smiled at him and gave him a quick kiss. Mina had been worried for a moment that he would insist he does it for her, or that she should leave it, that was what Ben always did. Anytime there was an issue or something that upset Mina, he would take over and make it worse or tell her to forget it.

Mina gave him a deeper kiss. She knew she needed to stop expecting Aiden to be like Ben. Even before Ben showed his true colours he wasn't anywhere as kind or supporting as Aiden.

She pulled back and gave a deep sigh before dialling his number. Mina placed it on speaker so Aiden could hear. He didn't answer straight away. It went to voicemail so Mina hung up and called again, this time he answered.

"Mina! Finally! I've been worried sick! Do you have any idea how concerned I've been? No one would tell me where you were, you could have been dead for all I knew," he ranted, Mina rolled her eyes.

"Ben, you knew full well I was going on a business trip. You didn't have to know where I was. Just like I never did when you went on yours," she spoke with a calm voice.

Ben went silent on the other end and Mina was sure she could hear someone moving around. However, she wasn't sure if it was Ben or someone else.

"I'm your fiance, I was just worried about you," he cooed which made her feel nauseous.

Mina wanted to scream at him 'Since when?' but instead she shook her head.

"I could understand that if I was going on a vacation without you, but you knew this was business. I've not gone sightseeing or exploring, I've been in meetings most of the time."

"I know but I just worry about you, I don't want anyone to take advantage of you. This is your first business trip, they will think you're inexperienced, which you are, and take over," his voice was sickly sweet.

'Only you are the one that thinks that,' she thought as she saw Aiden shake his head as if to tell her not to listen to him.

"Well, that's where you are wrong," she smirked at Aiden. "Everyone's been amazing and they value my opinion. They don't wait for me to give it, they ask what I think. They listen and have even changed what they were going to do to what I suggested."

Mina knew she was lying but it wasn't far from the truth. That had happened during her first week working at the hospital and it's only gotten better.

"Oh, well ... well that's good," he stammered as if he didn't believe her.

"Yes, it is," Aiden kissed her neck with a smile. "Anyway Ben, that wasn't why I called."

"Really? What did you want to talk about? Is your families event still on or has it been cancelled?"

She rolled her eyes, of course, that would be what he was worried about.

"Did you really think I wouldn't find out?" she asked.

Ben went silent. Mina imagined many things were running through his mind about what she could be referring to. The affair? The deceit? The attack? She was sure there would be other things he kept from her but those were the ones she knew of.

"What do you mean?" he asked weakly.

"You attacked Clay!" she gritted her teeth to prevent her from screaming.

"Oh well, that wasn't anything too serious," his voice sounded relieved.

"Wasn't too serious?" she demanded. "First you call and call him after you know I'm away on business, then you actually follow him and make a scene in a public place. I'm sure I don't want to imagine what horrible things you called him. Then, to make matters worse, when he leaves to defuse the hostile situation, which you created, you attack him."

"Well ... Well ..." he stammered.

"Well, what Ben? Clay is my friend and assistant. Do you think my family will take kindly to the person that attacks someone they employ simply for doing their job? You are not a part of the company, you didn't need to know where I was. I've seen the damage you've done to him. What would you have done if someone hadn't stepped in?" she asked seething.

"Amina, it's not that serious. I'm sure your family won't mind, after all, I only punched him once and ..."

"Only punched him once!" Mina interrupted with a shout, whilst Aiden gripped her tightly. "You shouldn't have punched him at all! You shouldn't have been at that restaurant or called his phone as much as you did! I have no idea what my family will say or do."

"What do you mean? You'll make them understand, won't you? After all, I was only concerned about you and he wasn't being helpful. He was ..." he pleaded but was cut short.

"Doing his job!" she finished for him.

Mina took a few deep breaths as Aiden raked his fingers through her hair to calm her. It was slowly working, slowly. Eventually, Mina made a dramatic sigh that confused Aiden at first until she winked at him.

"I will see what they say and talk with them, try to make them understand. I can't promise they will listen," she told him.

You could hear the instant relief in his voice and they both could imagine the smirk slowly coming into place as he believed he had her wrapped around his finger once again.

"That's good, make them understand how much I care for you and that I only want the best for you," he insisted.

"Ok, I will try. I have to go now," she said before hanging up, not giving him a chance to reply.

Aiden took the phone from her and tossed it behind them. She crushed her body against his as his arms tightened around her waist. Small tears fell down her face, but she refused to weep.

Soon, he would understand the pain and suffering she has been through thanks to him. Soon, he would see he underestimated her and soon, he would pay.