Aaron stepped closer, and again I was drowning in the heady mix of his cologne and skin.
“I have another show coming up,” Aaron said in a low voice that suddenly hushed the room into a close intimacy I couldn’t ignore. “I’d like you to be there.”
“Why?” The question came out hoarse, affected.
“Youknowwhy,” he pressed. Aaron’s eyes searched mine with fervor as his brows knit in pleading distress.
He wanted me to come forhim.
Even without speaking, Aaron broadcasted his need. He wasn’t over me any more than I was over him. His finger lifted under mine so it parted my knuckles, wedging it there. I fought the urge to shut my eyes. I swallowed hard, throat clicking in the silence. How long had it been since I’d touched anyone much less the man I’d been left haunted by for the last three years? Four years since Vegas, since the warmth of his skin met mine, and now even his vampire’s touch burned cold fire up my arm, igniting my every desire and want.
I stepped back abruptly, the very skin on my hand aching and screaming as I separated it from Aaron’s.
“You are bonded to Seth,” I said, more to remind myself.
One crack in my resolve, and Seth would pry it open wide enough to topple everything I had been entrusted to guard.
Or worse, if Seth caught even a whiff that Aaron mattered to me, he would weaponize him against me in an instant. He’d dangle Aaron as bait, or snap him like kindling, whatever broke me faster.
Aaron’s face shuttered. The heat in his gaze vanished all at once, leaving nothing behind.
Ice filled my chest as I was transported to that morning at my place. He wore the very same expression as he told me he was leaving Vegas.
“I should go,” he finally muttered.
“Yes,” I said. “You should.” My heart hurled itself against my ribcage in protest, not wanting to let him go.
Aaron left. The door shut behind him as final as a closed tomb.
On numb legs, I walked to sit behind my desk. My hand closed around the now-cooled coffee cup. I didn’t bring it to my lips, just held it.
Everything in me was tearing in two.
Should I have said yes?
Should I stay close to him to better keep tabs on Seth?
Should I stay away from Aaron to make sure Seth never finds out what he is to me?
I stared at the cup in my hand, willing myself to chuck it at the far wall, so that the milk and espresso exploded everywhere in a furious outburst. But no matter how I tried, it remained on the desk, in my hand.
Controlled, secure.
It’s what I did. It’s who I was.
And suddenly, I hated it.
5
AARON
My chin rose over the pull-up bar, my back and biceps straining with fire.
I should stay away from Timothy. It’s for the best.
Lowering my body slowly, my thoughts did a one-eighty as I pulled myself up again.
Now that I’ve seen him, I can’t stay away! Irefuseto stay away.
