Read Online Letting go of Grace by Ellie Meade - Free Book Online Page B

on me. It’s on all of us. We only have each other.”
    “So you thought it was right to sleep with her?”
    “At the time, yes. I needed her to sign on and work for us. I don’t know any other way, Hannah.”
    “That’s bullshit, Aiden.”
    “No it’s not. Sex has gotten me everywhere. And might I add that you left me, not the other way around, so we weren’t together.”
    I ignore his comment and ask, “How has sex gotten you everywhere?”
    “I slept with the majority of my female professors to pass my course and graduate. I learned then, that I could use it as a tool to get what I want.” It’s amazing how men can sleep around and people view them as powerful, but women do it and we are sluts.
    “You knew Grant was with Ava in Rome, didn’t you? And don’t lie to me.”
    “John told me.”
    “Then why set me up? Why couldn’t you just tell me?”
    “I wanted you to see how he is. I wanted you back so I thought I could use it to my advantage. I’m sorry.”
    “So you thought if you showed up after, you could save me?”
    “It’s not like that, Hannah. I love you, and I think you love me, too.”
    “I don’t know what I think anymore. I would like to take you up on the offer to use a car.” I get up and walk into the house. I head into the kitchen and get my phone out. I see three missed calls from Grant. I ignore them and call my mom. I need to hear the kids’ voices. I need to be brought back to my life. It finally hits me. I don’t matter, the kids matter, they matter more than anyone or anything. I have to live my life trying to make theirs the best I can. Bringing one of the Grace men into my life will make them suffer. They’re too much work, and I don’t think they would be there for the kids the way I need them to be. Hunter is silly on the phone and I wish I was there to hug and kiss them both. When I hang up I know it’s the right thing to do by leaving. I didn’t hear Aiden come in, but when I turn he is sitting at the island behind me.
    “I want to do this Hannah.”
    “No you don’t. You think you want to.”
    “I want you, all of it, you and the kids.”
    “Then tell me this. Do you want kids of your own?”
    “Yes.”
    “Well, what if I tell you I don’t? Can you love my kids like they are your own? Do you have that in you?”
    “What do you mean you don’t want more kids?”
    “Answer the question first. Can you love my kids like they are your own?”
    “Yes.”
    “You have no idea what it’s like to have kids.”
    “Why are you making this so difficult?”
    “Because it is. I don’t want you in my kids’ lives toying with their hearts like you do mine. I might be able to forgive and forget, but you will break their hearts if you leave. You slept with Becca and thought it was just business. They are babies; God only knows what you would do to them.”
    “You think I’m like my father?” I see the storm form in his eyes.
    “God no, Aiden. That came out wrong. I would never insinuated that. I would never think that of you. I’m concerned about you sleeping with someone else and breaking my heart, because theirs would break too.”
    “You have to trust me then.”
    “Trust isn’t something I give out. It’s something you have to earn.” I learned that lesson with Grant.
    “Then let me earn it.” He gets up and walks over to me and kisses me softly on the lips. I pull back and turn to walk away, but he backs me up against the wall leaving me trapped. The heat coming off of him is a sure sign of his lust and anger entwined. When his arms cage me in I feel his warm breath caress my ear and I know I’m in trouble.
    “Does he fuck you like I do, Hannah?” My eyes snap open and lock onto his. My body moves on its own accord as if on command. I watch as frustration boils over as red creeps up his neck and onto his face setting off the color of his blue eyes.
    “Does me make you comes as fast as I can?” His body being so close to mine is making heat