Bottom Line: Callaghan Brothers, Book 8 by Abbie Zanders Page A

to second-guess Daideo .  Ian said he’s known for sixth sense about those kinds of things.”
    “What kind of things?”
    “People.  Who’s meant for whom.  That kind of thing.  Keely says he’s the one who basically set her and Mick Connelly up.  Did Daideo say you should ask her out?”
    Aidan thought back.  “Not exactly.  He did warn me not to hurt her, though.”
    Lexi nodded.  “That’s good.  If he didn’t think there was something there he would have told you flat out to leave her alone.”
    “You think?”
    “I do.  So.  You’re bringing her here for your date, right?”
    Aidan shook his head.  “No.  I’m helping her out with something at her place.  I said I’d bring dinner.  You’ll help me out, right?”
    “Of course I will, you big goof.  But why not bring her here?  You know, dazzle her a little?  Impress her with some of that Aidan Harrison magic?”
    “Because.  She doesn’t know about any of this,” he confessed, waving his hand in the air, symbolically encompassing the Goddess.  “She thinks I’m a regular guy.”
    “You are a regular guy,” Lexi told him.  “You just happen to be an insanely wealthy, powerful one, too.”
    “Yeah, well, she doesn’t need to know that yet.  It’s kind of nice thinking she likes me for just me, you know?”
    Lexi’s eyes softened.  “Wow.  You really like this one, huh?”
    “Yeah.”
    “You think she might be The One?”
    “I don’t know,” he answered honestly.  It was too early for that, and to be truthful, he didn’t know if there even was such a thing.  On the surface, he wanted what every other man wanted - a loving, devoted woman who cared more for him than anything else.  But underneath, Aidan had a darkness that needed to be fed regularly.  He’d always hoped that if he could find a woman that satisfied everything else, he’d be strong enough to keep that other part of him in check, but he feared otherwise.  And as promising as Mary seemed, it was simply too much to hope that underneath her milk-and-honey exterior, she was a closet submissive who would not only be capable of satisfying his needs, but wanting and needing it every bit as much as he did.
    “I do know that I haven’t been able to stop thinking about her.  That she’s unlike anyone I’ve ever met.”
    “That’s a good start,” Lexi said, smiling.  “Now let’s see what we can do about keeping it going.  What are we making for her this weekend?”
    * * *
    M ary rearranged the colorful planter.  Again.  She cast a critical eye into every last nook and crevice, but she already knew the place was immaculate.  She’d been cleaning like a fiend since about two minutes after Aidan had left, wanting everything to be absolutely perfect.
    Assuming he showed up.
    Pushing the niggling doubts to the back of her mind, she paced from one room to the next, making final inspections.  Everything glowed, shined, and smelled fresh.  The heat was at a comfortable seventy-two degrees.  The fridge and cupboards were packed with everything a man might want to snack on.  Every offbeat British comedy and parody she had in her possession was dusted and placed where it could be readily snagged.
    With a heavy exhale, she realized there was nothing else she could do.  She looked at her watch.
    Five a.m.
    Only another eight hours to go.
    Time to start getting herself ready.
    On her way to the bathroom, she paused to pet Max, who’d been watching her from beneath half-closed lids since she gave up on the idea of sleep around three.  She briefly considered unplugging the phone, rationalizating that if he couldn’t reach her, he’d be less likely to cancel.  It was tempting, but she forced herself to do the mature thing and just cross her fingers and knock on whatever wooden surface was within reach.
    She gave herself a facial.  Plucked her eyebrows.  Waxed her legs.  Used a hot oil treatment on her hair.  Gave herself a mani and a pedi, then