No Strings Attached

Chapter Five

“It’s worth a try,” she pouted, “I’m out of options, I’ve tried everything! It feels like he doesn’t even want me anymore!”

Huffing, Tori threw herself back against the cushioned sun lounger, and Shannon chuckled in disbelief, “He adores you, what the hell is the matter with you? You used to say he was controlling and ...”

“I know, I know, I just ... He drives me mad, but that’s him, you know? But I want him to be happy, I don’t want him to think that he can’t ... you know, do that stuff with me.”

“He’s already done that stuff with you, Tor,” Shannon drawled, nodding her head towards the very peaceful product of aforementioned ... stuff.

“Thanks a bunch,” Tori chuckled, “Don’t ever become a therapist!”

“Wasn’t planning on it,” Shannon closed her eyes, leaning back against the cushions, “But, seriously, Tor, Jayden will treat you like glass because right now ... you’re fragile to him. The whole thing – you, Ava – it’s like his dreams have come true. You’re enough for him, he probably just doesn’t want to push his luck.”

Tori sighed dejected, “I suppose you’re right,” she grumbled, “I just don’t want him to think that I’m not willing or able to do that for him ...”

Shannon didn’t say anything. Jayden was more or less bound to behaving like that before – it would have been a leftover from his childhood and the brutality he’d faced – but whether or not it was his true nature was an entirely different thing altogether. Sure, he’d always be overprotective, and dominant, but was it a sexual thing, or a matter of instinct and adoration – that would probably remain to be seen.

When you’re like Jayden, when you’re trying to push everybody away, then games like that would be easy to hide behind.

“So, anyway,” Tori broke into her thoughts, “I need to go over to the city to get a new dress for Ava’s christening, I know it’s not booked yet or anything, but I just want to be ready. Do you fancy a glitzy, glamorous Hollywood shopping spree? Because I’ve seen these amazing Jimmy Choo’s online that would look just fabulous on you!” Her voice ended on a melodic pitch, as she sung out about shoes, and all sorts of things glittery. She was worse than a magpie for anything that sparkled!

“You’re such a bad influence on my bank balance,” she muttered, with a smirk, “So you’re going for the whole christening thing? You’re the least religious person I know!”

Both girls shifted to the side, Ava’s basket between them, to look at each other, “I know, but Jayden’s hell bent on it,” Tori said softly, peeking under the gauze material, “The Sins of the Father, you know? He wants to save her soul or something ...”

Shannon sighed, watching her friend grimace, Jayden’s past still a bone of contention between them – not because of how she felt about it, but because of the guilt and shame he was carrying.

He’d promised Tori a clean slate, but how clean can it be when he still feels as though he has blood on his own hands?