Sydney

I couldn't believe what I was seeing. "Its your birthday?"

Aiden then produced his driver's licence, which he proudly displayed to me.

"Why didn't you inform me earlier? I don't even have a present for you on your birthday." I was a little ashamed when I said it. What kind of wife is unaware of her husband's birthday ? The contractual wife?

"It's fine," he murmured softly, "I don't celebrate my birthday, and I already have my gift." I averted my gaze to avoid the heat on my face as he stared at me so intently.

"Happy birthday, Aiden," I said.

When he smiled boyishly, his face lit up.

"Thank you so much. Is it time to place our order?" He made a suggestion.

"Sure, let's do it." I remarked this as I shifted my gaze to the menu.

We placed our orders, and he immediately returned his gaze to me.

"Have I mentioned how lovely you look tonight?" His tone was kind, almost caressing. He took my hand in his and raised it slowly to his lips, kissing my fingers. It had the sensation of being on fire. I attempted, but failed, to pull it back.

"Please, Aiden..." I begged him to reconsider. He just let out a gentle laugh.

As he served our food, the waiter didn't seem to notice anything. Aiden let go of my hand, and I went back to eating my Coquilles Saint-Jacques. I moaned as the butter flavour spread across my tongue as the scallops melted in my mouth. Aiden raised his glass of chardonnay his left hand.

"I should be making a toast to you," I remarked.

His eyes never left mine as he smiled and clinked his glass to mine. I'm not sure why I was so nervous. We ate while taking pleasure in the cuisine. I could feel the heat of his eyes on my flesh. He appeared to be in a good mood overall, and he even fed me a couple spoonfuls of his peach souffle. I picked up a spoonful of my lemon souffle when Aiden suddenly said. " Feed me."

I was taken aback and looked around, everyone was busy at their table.

"No, there are people around," I said.

" I fed you, no one cares, please it's my birthday," he pouted and I couldn't resist laughing.
I scooped a spoonful of souffle and held it up, but he grabbed my hand and ate it. His blue eyes never left mine as his tongue licked his lips. I was almost heating up by this point, and I could feel the moisture between my thighs. There was still some wine left in the bottle. I downed the entire thing in one gulp.
Maybe I just wanted to get wasted. I didn't give a damn. He refilled my glass and smiled at me with his customary devious grin. I was already buzzed, but I breezed through this one as well.

He said, "I think we should leave."

I nodded and sprung to my feet, only to have the entire room swirl around me. Aiden immediately caught my waist and studied me. I wasn't drunk, just a bit tipsy.

"Easy, are you alright?" He asked.

"Yes, I am fine. Can we go home please?" I almost pleaded.

He continued to pull me along with his hand on my waist.

A cool air caressed my back while we waited for the car, and I shivered. He sensed my discomfort and drew me in closer. I laid my head on his shoulder and smelled his tangy aftershave.
We returned in silence. I had enough and grabbed his neck, dragging him down to capture his lips as we approached our room. As he replied to my kiss by probing my mouth with his tongue, I could hear him chuckle. His heated kisses scorched my flesh, sending a bolt of electricity soaring through my veins. I tried to get air into my lungs as he searched for a way inside my mouth.
I shuddered as the heat from his mouth seeped into my own body and he drew in for a deeper kiss. Aiden kissed me as I was whimpering. He dropped his mouth to my throat and nuzzled, I groaned in delight. "Oh god," I muttered as he tormented me further.
"You're so sexy." As the words poured out of my mouth, I froze in disbelief.

I could hear him laugh softly "Thank you very much. It appears that the wine is having its effect."

Damm! I didn't mean to say that loud. He looked down at my flushed face and said.

"I wanted you the instant I spotted you at the traffic signal." He whispered as he bent his head to kiss me once again.

"Wait, what traffic signal?" I retorted.

He grinned and gently brushed his thumb across my cheek. "Do you want to hear the whole tale right now? We may move on to more enjoyable activities." In a hoarse tone, he said.

My knees felt weak, so I rethought my alternatives. I was immediately drawn to him, but my curiosity won out.

"Now," I replied anxiously, "tell me."

He cocked his brow and smiled at me with a sly grin. He took my hand in his and brought me to the bed, stepping away from me. He forced me to sit on it, removing his jacket and kneeling in front of me.

"Several months ago, I was driving to my office through the usual route. I saw you crossing the street, you were wearing a red blouse, blue jeans, and your feet was bandaged, you were limping. You stopped right in front of my car to adjust your shoes. I am not sure if you remember, but you looked straight into my eyes, I have never believed in love at first sight. But, I think that is how it must feel......." he was talking softly as if talking to himself.

I remembered that day. It was my second day in San Francisco, I had no idea Aiden was also there. There were so many cars, I didn't realize I caught anyone's eye. 

"I tried looking for you, but it was like looking for a needle in a haystack because I didn't know anything about you. Then I noticed you in the coffee shop and purposefully ran into you." He smiled.

"You did that on purpose? How to mean! You were so annoying....and then you...., how could you do that ?" I asked aghast.
"I am sorry, I deserved that slap," he caught my hand and brought it to his lips. I was still in shock over these revelations.
"So, you have been stalking me all this while ?" My head was reeling, what else had he planned?
"Yes and No, I tried to ignore you, stay away from you, I am not the romantic sort, it took me a while to realize that......" He paused.
"Realize what Aiden ?"
"That I'm in love with you!" He stated.
My heart skipped a beat at the sound of those words, but I waited to hear more.
"We have something real and rare, Syd. I know I have been an ass most of the time, I am sorry." He said lowly.
I wasn't going to experience the powerful, dominant  Aiden tonight. I was going to experience yet another new part of him, a raw, honest, and sorrowful part, that I was completely unprepared to handle.
"You love me?" I asked, nearly a whisper. He sadly smiled and nodded. 
"You've been the centre of my world since that very first day we met. Surely you realize that now."
I tentatively reached for him and gently ran my fingers on his cheeks. I could feel his body tense, but he relaxed once I stroked them.
"You love me," I said again, slightly testing the words. They felt overwhelming and frightening, but also powerful and glorious.
"With everything that I am and everything that I hope to be," he replied.
I brought my eyes directly to his, and I felt captivated by his gaze. 
"Why did you offer a contract marriage?" I asked.

He appeared to be uneasy. He dipped his head for a brief moment before returning his eyes to my face.

"Because if it hadn't been for you, I would have gone insane. I was hoping to keep you all to myself. And I hoped that after making you mine, I would ultimately get tired of you. It was egotistical. It's not something I'm proud of." Aiden remarked. Despite the fact that his speech was hardly audible, I was vividly aware of his words and tone.

"Say something, Sydney," he said after I had been silent for a while.

"Are you tired of me?" I inquired, still stunned.

"You know I'll never be able to get enough of you. I'm hoping you love me back, but I'm not going to push it. Please take your time."

"What if Aiden, I never love you back?" I inquired.

"Then I still want you to vow that you would pursue your happiness....hopefully one day you will love me." His hands were gently pressing the flesh through my silk dress as I felt them on my waist.

He said nonchalantly, "I guess we should go to bed."

"How are we going to spend our time in bed?" Innocently, I inquired.

"Just sleep," he said, a smirk on his lips indicating that his humour had returned.

I huskily muttered into his mouth, "I don't want to sleep, I want you Aiden."

As he grabbed my lips, he muttered back to me, "I thought you'd never ask."