Mom smiles, giving me a sideways glance. Hopefully, she won’t ask about that for a while.
Being the amazing woman she is, she leaves to give us some privacy and tend to her garden. But she leaves us with a parting sentence.
“Regina called and said Caleb invited us to dinner tomorrow night when you saw him earlier. I thought that was sweet. Why didn’t you tell me? It’s been years since we’ve been there for dinner.” She smiles.
I shrug. Thanks, Mom.
Aiden raises his brow at me, but I shake my head. It isn’t a conversation we need to have right now.
A very happy Rex jumps on Aiden when Mom opens the backdoor and steps outside.
I laugh as he prances around foolishly. “Get down, Rex.”
Aiden sets his food down and gets on the floor, hugging the wagging pup.
It makes me melt. I admire how Aiden, with his long and lean body, covered in tattoos, and a powerhouse of a man is sitting on my kitchen floor, telling Rex how good of a boy he is a million times.
Finally, he sits next to me, his happy demeanor morphing into something different. Sadder and darker.
After a few moments of silence, his green eyes glide over me. “Why did you leave?” His deep voice is stern, demanding answers.
I gulp. “I got scared, and I didn’t want to be a burden.” I admit, cursing myself for thinking I have the strength to stay away from him. All my thoughts have been utterly consumed by everything that he is since I last saw him.
He laughs shortly. “You are never a burden. I already told you, you’re mine. You can’t separate us. You can’t make that decision on your own.” He looks out of the kitchen window and back to me. “I won’t allow it, Emma,” He states with finality.
I want to smooth the worry lines between his black brows. I did this to him. I feel awful; I knew I couldn’t stay away from him. I know I’m his.
“I’m sorry.” I lean towards him.
He checks the window, making sure Mom is still outside.
Such a gentleman.
Then he grabs my face in his large hands and crashes his mouth to mine.
I lose myself in him as he kisses me passionately. The moment last mere seconds, but I feel better than I have in days. Just from his touch.
He doesn’t bother asking if we are okay, if I am okay with us being together, or whatever it is we are. It’s as if he already knows what’s in my heart. And to be truthful, he doesn’t need to ask.
He pulls away, pushing a stray hair behind my ear. “By the way, who is Caleb?”
I hesitate. I could lie, it’s not like it matters. No one matters but him, but I can’t lie to him…I never will. If my parents’ marriage taught me anything, it was that communication is key. That’s why they stayed together for so long. I need to remind myself that whenever I doubt him.
I flip my hand carelessly in the air, keeping my tone nonchalant. “An ex from high school.”
His jaw twitches and he lifts a brow. “And your mom wants you to go to dinner at your ex’s house because?”
I sigh. “She doesn’t know we dated. It’s a long story, but to make it short, our parents have been friends for years and we dated in high school. He cheated on me on my birthday. That’s it.” I smile but his perfectly controlled face doesn’t waver.
“Why doesn’t she know you two dated?” He asks the question I hoped he wouldn’t ask.
I shrug. “She would let him stay over really late when I was in high school because she thought we were best friends.”
He shakes his head. “Fucking wonderful. Did he do anything to you back then?” His green eyes bearing into mine.
I look at him confused. “No, of course not. Only you, I’ve never done anything with anyone but you. You know this,” I remind him.
His body relaxes before tensing up again. “So, you never did anything with him at all?”
I hesitate and he leans in closer.
“We kissed,” I admit.
Aiden’s fist clenches.
I grin. “Honestly, it’s cute that you’re jealous, but you’re the first guy I’ve ever done anything serious with. And you’re a lot more...experienced. If I see one more girl whom you’ve slept with, I’m going to go fucking crazy.”
He laughs, his eyes softening. “First off, hearing you say fuck is hilarious. Truth be told, I don’t like imagining anyone other than me touching you, let alone kissing you. It makes me want to put a hole through a wall. As for me, no one compares to you.” He leans in closer, kissing my cheek. “No one can do what you do to me.”
I smile. “Well, don’t worry, because I have no interest in anyone else.”
He stands up, towering over me as he snakes his large hands through my hair, pulling me closer. “I know you don’t, or I’ll fucking kill any man who even so much as breathes the same air as you.”
He kisses my lips before sitting back down and crossing his arms. “So why did he invite you to dinner?”
How can he do that to me and then just change the subject? I’m literally panting over here, and he looks calm and collected. Damn him.
I shrug. “Don’t know. Don’t care.”
“Good girl.” He scoots closer.
My body heats from his proximity, his scent giving me a heady high.
Aiden’s features darken as his eyes drink me in. He looks like he’s about to attack me, like I’m his prey. He growls lowly before I feel his hand on my neck, gently but protectively squeezing, letting me know how much he owns me.
I know I’m in for it later.
I grin.
I can’t wait.
∞∞∞
The rest of the night goes smoothly.
While he refused to cuddle with me during the movie out of respect for my
