“Why did you come out here?”
“I don’t know. I mean if you wanted to flirt, be my guest,” He grumbles, contradicting himself when he pulls me closer.
I roll my eyes. “Ian wanted to talk, and I told him to never contact me again. But why do you care?” I wonder if he’ll admit he’s interested.
He has to feel this connection we have; I know I do. I’m doing things I never do, like chase angry guys outside of clubs when I think they’re upset with me. I even catch myself batting my eyelashes at this man.
Taking a deep breath, he tilts his face to meet mine. “Isn’t it obvious? I haven’t taken my eyes off you since I first saw you.” His confession sends a swirl of butterflies through my stomach. His strong hands tighten on my hip, causing chills to rake down my body.
“I only talked to him because I was worried you would hit him.” I mumble, looking away from his smoldering gaze.
He chuckles and lifts my chin, forcing me to meet his striking green eyes. “You don’t need to worry about that.”
“I didn’t want you to get hurt.”
And truthfully, I don’t want Ian to get hurt. He may be an absolute idiot, but I don’t like violence. Aiden is massive, and with him being so protective tonight, Ian could get seriously hurt.
His shoulders bounce from laughter. “I wouldn’t be the one to get hurt, babe.”
I blush at his bold choice of word. “I know but...”
A warm hand wraps gently around the nape of my neck, halting all rational thought. His gentle eyes bore into mine, as though seeking permission.
Hesitantly, I nod once, biting my lip. “You really should stay away from me.” He tells me and then slowly, as if to not scare me away, he closes the distance between us. Our lips touch, light as a feather, soft as a whisper.
Anticipation fills me as I wait for our lips to collide.
“I should have punched Ian in the face!” Ashley’s drunken declaration shatters the moment.
I sigh.
Aiden hesitates to release me as I wiggle away.
“Fuck,” he curses under his breath, it’s the first time I’ve seen his impenetrable persona slightly crumble.
Ash must not have seen us, or she doesn’t care. She mumbles about Ian while yanking the front door of the car open.
I giggle as I watch her fumble into the seat. She’s all talk, and no bite. Thinking about how she ran to the bathroom to get away from the situation makes me laugh harder.
“That’s Emma’s seat.” Aiden states flatly.
I shoot him a warning glare, though secretly happy.
“Oh my God! You two can sit apart for five minutes. I swear you will live.” She cackles at her joke before climbing over the leather seat and sinking into the back with a smirk.
I blush as Aiden smiles down at me before helping me into his car. I peek at the rearview to see Ash is already passed out as we take the short drive home.
Aiden’s warm hand settles on my thigh and my body heats underneath his touch. I admire the way his large hand covers my leg. I bite my bottom lip when his fingers gently dig into my skin. Darting my glossy eyes in his direction, I note that his own glossy eyes are trained on me.
“Look at the road!” I chide quietly.
He laughs and tightens his grip on my leg, sending fire to my core. I bite my lip harder and he smiles, bringing his eyes back to the dark road ahead. We pull into the driveway seconds later, and he walks around to help me out.
“Can you pick her up?” I whisper, gesturing to Ashley who is now snoring away.
“I can carry you inside,” He offers.
I shake my head and his shoulders slump.
“Fine.” He sighs before gently lifting her off the backseat.
I stumble into the kitchen, in search of water, while Aiden brings Ashley to her room. I need something in my stomach besides liquor.
“Eat this.” Aiden holds out an apple, I didn’t even hear him walk into the kitchen.
“I’m fine. I’ll just drink this,” I gesture to my glass of water, pushing the apple away.
“Eat,” He demands.
I roll my eyes at his commanding tone. I grab the apple and take a bite.
“Happy?” I ask sarcastically.
His eyes narrow darkly. “You should be happy I’m not putting something else in your mouth right now.” He steps toward me as my mouth drops. He brings his hand up, tapping my cheek. “Is this an invitation, babe?”
His dirty words make my body shiver involuntarily.
“Wha...what?” I stutter.
“I’m trying to be nice, even though I’m still pissed about Ian and the random dude you were dancing with. So, don’t push it.” He states dryly.
“You don’t own me,” I huff, crossing my arms over my chest.
“Point taken.” Shaking his head as though to rid all thoughts of me, he leaves the kitchen.
∞∞∞
“Wait.”
Aiden’s sharp jaw is clenched but as his irate eyes meet mine, he softens. “What? You said it yourself. I don’t own you. Go to bed.” His tone is serious as he gestures to the hallway.
“Fine.” Screw it.
I spin on my heels and head for my room. Shutting my door with a little more force than necessary, I strip my dress off, throw on a big T-shirt and climb into bed.
I fall into a light drunken sleep until my door creaks open and my comforter is peeled off of me. As a warm body snuggles up against mine, I tip my head back to see Aiden’s crooked grin.
“Thought you didn’t want to be around me?” I question sleepily.
“Don’t push it,” He warns, though I can tell he’s teasing.
His warm breath makes my body tingle. He snakes his arm around me, his body heat warming every inch of my body. The sexual tension between us grows. At least to me, and I
