Read Online Beyond Chance by Karice Bolton - Free Book Online Page B

pressed for more answers.
    “So how did you meet Aaron?” I asked.
    Her expression hardened slightly. “We were
in the military together.”
    I nodded, feeling more confused than ever.
Getting just these tiny bits and pieces almost made it worse.
    “Before he went into Special Forces, we
started dating,” she continued.
    My blood chilled. Aaron was in the Special
Forces?
    Elizabeth let out a sigh and shook her head.
“He didn’t tell you that either?”
    “No,” my voice barely squeaked. “Aaron and I
apparently have a lot of catching up to do.”
    Elizabeth reached for my hand and squeezed
it. “I shouldn’t have come by. I just hadn’t seen him in a while
and debated about stopping by. Listen, he really loves you. He lost
sight of what was important to him. You showed him that again. With
everything you’ve been through, I’m sure he didn’t want to burden
you.”
    “It wouldn’t be a burden,” I whispered,
looking into Elizabeth’s eyes.
    “You and I both know that, but that’s not
how it works for a certain kind of man. He sees himself as a
protector. That’s how he was wired.”
    I nodded.
    “Don’t hold it against him. I promise you
have yourself a good man. He might need a little bit of work around
the edges. I shouldn’t be saying this but have you Googled
him?”
    My cheeks blushed and I smiled.
    She laughed. “Who hasn’t, right?”
    “I didn’t find anything though…I mean other
than all the beautiful women he’s dated over the years. It was all
pictures from the social pages and the events he either sponsored
or escorted someone too. Nothing that would give me reason—”
    Elizabeth looked perplexed and then a wry
smile surfaced. “You looked up Aaron Sullivan.”
    I nodded.
    “Try Thatcher. That’s what he went by in the
service. He changed it briefly to Bernie’s last name.”
    I felt absolutely gobsmacked.
    “When did he change it back to Sullivan?” I
asked.
    “When Mr. Sullivan decided to start speaking
to him again. He figured it would be better for business. Bernie
might have been his biological father, but he didn’t raise him.
Aaron said it didn’t feel right to turn his back on the man who
had.”
    “But Mr. Sullivan turned his back on Aaron
when he found out. He stopped speaking to his own son.”
    Elizabeth nodded. “Yeah, but he did
eventually come around.”
    I shook my head. “It just never occurred to
me.”
    “I only knew because I was there during all
the turmoil.”
    “So you must know Jason?” I asked
    She smiled. “Absolutely.”
    The click of the door opening alarmed
Elizabeth, and she spun around and took off before I even had a
chance to say goodbye. I glanced up the steps and saw Aaron poke
his head out.
    “Everything okay?” he asked.
    “I have no idea,” I said, walking up the
steps. “But I have a feeling it will get a lot more intriguing
soon.”
    Aaron gave me a quick peck on the cheek as
he slid his hand into mine. “I was getting really lonely.”
    Guilt worked its way through me and I
smiled, taking another flute of champagne off the tray as we
entered the foyer.
    “Are we okay?” Aaron whispered, his eyes
connecting with mine.
    “We’re always okay,” I said, sipping my
champagne. “But I think it’s time we both start sharing a little
more.”
    Beautiful music began funneling through the
hallway, and as if on command, I watched as all of the people began
trickling out of the sitting room, following the beautiful melody
down the hall. I finished my champagne and placed the flute on an
empty table as the music poured into all my senses. I absolutely
loved waltzes. It sounded as if a small symphony had joined the
evening’s festivities.
    Aaron slid his arm around my waist and
pulled me to him.
    “I’m sorry for not telling you everything.
Do you forgive me?” he whispered next to my ear. My skin tingled as
his lips lightly touched my ear lobe before his hand slid up my
back.
    I looked into his eyes, feeling dizzy