Wrapping my arms around Nova, I hug her against me, settling my hand on her bare ass cheek with a squeeze. “The only charity case here is you,” I say to Mackenzie. “Go find someone who’s feeling charitable and choke on their cock.”
I release Nova and lead her to the sofa. Sitting on the chair, I force her to sit on my lap before she can take a seat beside me. She squeaks and peeks at me over her shoulder, eyebrows raised in question.
I tilt my head and smirk. “You ready?”
TWENTY-THREE
NOVA
Putting on a brave face,I nod and return his smile, though mine is wobbly and unsure. What those women said still haunts me, and their insults bang around in my head.
“You’re withher?”
I wince at the memory of the blonde’s fake laugh, bordering on mocking.“Howcute. I didn’t realize you were taking on charity cases.”
My shoulders tense, and I pluck a strand of hair at my nape.
I’m not the only one noticing Aiden’s preferences. It shouldn’t bug me as much as it does, yet here I am, stewing over their words.
“Come back to me, pretty girl.” Aiden taps my stomach, drawing me out of my head. I blink and turn toward him as he rests his chin on my shoulder. “I can have those women taken care of. Just say the word.”
My stomach drops, right along with my jaw.
Of course he figured out what they said was messing with me. Aiden is quick at figuring out what’s soured my mood. He started when we were kids, when Mickey’s comments made me shut down. I didn’t tell Aiden right away, but he’s smart and observant, despite him saying the opposite and being self-deprecating.
“That’s unnecessary,” I say, forcing a smile. “I’m sure seeing me with you has already hurt them where it matters.”
Their egos took a punch. How could they not? Aiden is gorgeous, and his personality makes him that much more attractive. He can be with whatever beautiful woman he wants. And he was seen withme—a curvy woman.
My grin turns sharper, and glee fills my chest.
Now that I’ve had that epiphany, I feel better. I hope those women are in existential crisis, wondering what I have that they don’t.
With that thought in mind, I settle in Aiden’s lap and wiggle my hips to grind my bottom against his crotch. He squeezes my waist, urging me to keep going.
I’m unsure what all to do. It’s not like I can kiss all over his face and neck. Aiden made his boundaries clear with his flings. Even our usual cuddles are too much.
“You’re still tense. You need to relax.” Aiden shifts as he digs into his pocket with his free hand, pulling out a small tin and a lighter.
“I’m trying,” I mutter.
“I know, however, you look seconds away from running out of here.” He tilts his head. “Do you wanna leave?”
“No. I want to help you, and I’m not backing out of my end of the deal.” I blow out a breath, releasing the tension from my chest and tightening muscles.
He huffs a half-hearted laugh and kisses a spot directly behind the headphones, sending heat through my body to settle between my legs. “You’re already helping me.”
“Don’t lie, pretty boy.”
Heat flares in his eyes, and his nostrils widen with a sharp intake of air.
That look—it’s the same one from the other night when he caught me using his helmet to ride my toy.
I avert my gaze and pretend to be more interested in the party. “It’s hard when I don’t know what I’m supposed to do or how to treat you. That’s why I’m tense.”
“I told you to be yourself with me.”
“So you’re okay with me cuddling you or kissing your throat to make those chicks jealous?”
