I shrug. “I never claimed to like him but that doesn’t mean I want to hear you badmouthing him.”
“You’re about to fall down a rabbit hole if you’re not careful. He’s a bad weed.”
“Alice experienced many interesting and life-changing adventures when she fell into the rabbit hole,” I joke, laughing when he shakes his head.
“You’re not Alice.”
“And he’s not a bad weed.”
As much as I want to deny it, I’m actually enjoying my time with Aiden. Chatting with him is fun, but I can’t help thinking about the previous evening and how eager Andrew had been to sink his fangs into my neck.
I wonder just how far he’s willing to go if I let him.
Not that I will. I have no intention of getting involved with him beyond finding out if he’s the one nightstand.
I check the time on my wrist and bite the inside of my cheek. “Unfortunately, I have an appointment later tonight. Hope you don’t mind cutting this hang out short.”
“You’re abandoning me for someone else?” he asks, feigning indignation. “It better not be him.”
My thoughts wander to memories of Andrew and the bulge drawn through the seam of his pants. “Whomever I’m seeing is none of your business, Aiden.”
His eyes narrow on my face, inspecting it for answers. “You struck me as a careful and serious person. Sure, you’re a cock tease but I didn’t think you’d be that reckless.”
“You assumed a whole lot on your own. Can’t blame me for ruining your illusions.” I gulp down my coffee in one go and stuff myself with more pastries before standing up. “It’s on me.”
“I can’t let you pay,” he counters, stopping me from reaching into my pocket. “What sort of man doesn’t pay for his date?”
“Not a date.” I roll my eyes. “I insist. You did me a favor and I even made you reschedule. This is the least I can do. You can pay next time.”
“Next time?” he asks, as though he didn’t expect there to be one. “I knew you were just playing hard to get.”
“Shut up, you idiot.” I grab my phone, unlocking it to pay. “I admit talking to you was fun, so yeah, next time.”
He smirks, running a hand over his face and waddles over to me. “Can I kiss you? You look so damn cute right now.”
“Are you nuts? Absolutely not.”
A huff of disappointment leaves his lips, but his smug expression betrays him. “Shame. Maybe next time.”
I sigh, massaging my temple, and walking up to the counter. Before we can leave, the lady at the front stops Aiden in his tracks. “Excuse me Mr. Morgan, could I take a picture with you?”
He shoots me a glance that says, ‘see what I have to deal with?’ and I hold in a chuckle as he accepts her request. He smiles for thepicture, and I notice how beautiful his smile is. Yet, I catch myself finding a certain honey eyed man’s smile superior.
On the way to our respective cars he speaks up, “Do you have to go tonight? Can’t you stay longer? I promise I’ll make it worthwhile.”
“I appreciate the offer, but I can’t cancel last minute. That’d be extremely rude, and in all honesty, I’m looking forward to this date.”
He frowns and takes my hand. “Who is he? Are you seriously meeting Andrew tonight?”
“Yes, I am.”
“Why?” he asks, more confused than upset. “Why him? You could haveanyonein the world–me in other words–but you’re choosinghim? I don’t understand.”
“What’s there not to understand?” I laugh at his sulky expression. “He’s handsome and he asked me out. Nothing more, nothing less.”
“It’s that easy?”
“I’m not very picky.”
