Things are a little awkward when Raegan and Simone finally rejoin the group but leave it to the men to have no clue. Eventually, the girls relax and start talking with the others. Throughout all the chatter and laughter and the background noise of the television, I focus on Aidan. He’s sitting apart from everyone else in one of those fancy velvet chairs—Simone tookhis favorite spot when his back was turned, but he never said a word—and even though he’s contributing to the conversation, he appears overwhelmed by it. I’ve never taken Aidan to be a social butterfly, but I think he’s a bit shy. I hadn’t noticed it before, but now that I know him better, I can’t stop seeing it.
He hovers in the background but watches everyone carefully. His eyes keep track of everything around him, preparing for any situation. I wonder if he’s always been this way, or if something happened to make him so on edge around this many people.
He catches my stare, but I look away quickly, only adding to my embarrassment. I look back to find him still looking my way. He cocks his head, when he sees my expression. Either I’ve got a resting bitch face, or he can see my worry. Aidan’s brows draw together, then he gets up casually, jerking his head for me to follow him down the hall.
Is he really that concerned about me?
I stand up and pretend like I’m going to the bathroom, and no one bats an eye. I have no clue where I’m going in the dark, and I’ve never been in this part of the house, so I reach out to feel along the wall.
Out of nowhere, a hand shoots out of the blackness and grabs my arm. I nearly shout, but another hand covers my mouth. I’m dragged backward until I am squished into what feels like thick winter jackets, then I hear the door clicking shut.
“You’re in a closet,” Aidan informs me in a low whisper. He’s right beside me, his breath fanning against my cheek.
“What the fuck are you doing?” I hiss.
He moves closer to me, his chest pressing firmly against my back. “You looked upset.”
It’s extremely cramped in here, and I have zero interest in talking about what just happened in the kitchen with Simone, so I focus on the jackets hanging behind me. They’re extremely soft.I absentmindedly stroke the sleeve closest to me with my fingers. “What’s this material?”
Aidan takes my hand in his, moving it away from the clothing, and spins me around to face him. I can barely make out the details of his face, but his frown lines are apparent even in the shadows. “What’s wrong?”
I scoff. “Did you seriously pull me away from everyone just to ask me that?” I try to adjust my eyes in the dark, but the only thing that comes into focus is Aidan’s concerned features. “And why a closet?”
His hand reaches up to cover his mouth as he strokes his chin thoughtfully. “I heard what you said…in the kitchen.”
My chest caves, and I clutch my stomach.
“I hate your stupid vampire hearing,” I murmur, but Aidan’s hands are already on my back, rubbing soothing circles. It’s too much, so I back away as much as I can.
He stands very still, allowing me to feel my feelings for another few seconds, then he reaches out to pinch my chin and lift my head. His gray eyes might be muted in the darkness, but they feel as if they’re staring into my soul. “Why do you hate talking about yourself so much?”
I’ve never been asked that question before, and I have no idea what to say. My fingers feel tingly as I scrape a hand through my hair. “I-I don’t…”
Instead of fumbling for the right answer, I crash my lips against his.
My kiss is nothing like Aidan’s—slow and methodical—I am frenzied and desperate as I suck his bottom lip between my teeth. His tongue sweeps out to meet mine, and I sigh with relief. He tastes like bourbon and something minty, and it feels like tiny fireworks popping on my tongue.
Aidan’s hand glides up my chest and rests against my throat—that same claiming gesture I’ve gotten used to. I happily allowit, knowing there’s no point denying that right now, in this closet with just the two of us, I am irrevocably his.
I feel him smile as he presses his cheek to mine, and his hand moves back down my body, over my stomach and down to the waistband of my pants. I drop my forehead to the base of his throat, muffling my heavy breaths in the fabric of his sweater as he teases the skin below my belly button.
“I want you to distract me,” I beg him in a breathy whisper.
“We don’t have much time,” he whispers back. But I don’t care. I take his hand and shove it under my panties.
Aidan groans, impossibly deep, and I hear him swallow. “You’re already wet.”
I squirm with anticipation, and he holds me still, pressing me as close as possible while leaving space for his hand to move freely.
I stifle a sigh, my core already tightening just from the lightest touch.
“You want me to make you feel good,hmm?” he murmurs against my jaw. I nod my head. His tongue sweeps out to lick beneath my ear, then he pulls my lobe between his teeth. “You want me to make you come so hard you forget about everything else? I can smell how much you want it, just like sweet strawberries. You’re making my mouth water.”
“Mmmhmm,” I agree quietly. His finger is just sitting there against my clit, and I want him to press down so badly.
But he grabs my jaw lightly with his other hand and lifts my chin. “What’s that,ma douce?”
“Yes,” I say breathily. “Please make me come.”
