Aiden’s hips shuffle beneath me, and I feel his fingers inch slightly higher up my thigh. “I know that she is a natural redhead, but being auburn, it’s not red enough for her liking, and she’s contemplating dying it. I know she’s an animal lover and has more time for animals than people because people “are colossal thundercunts,” in her words, not mine. I know that she needs a new front door because the one out there isn’t worth piss,” his grip tightens on me as he continues, “I know she’s a fighter with a wicked sense of dark humour.” He brushes the hair away from my face, his voice dropping to a low growl. “And I know that she’s never been with a man before in her entire life because if she was, she’d never allow herself to think that she was anything other than perfect.” He leans in closer, looking at me as if I were the only other person in the room. “But what I don’t know is if she’ll ever let me in, if she’ll ever trust me enough to share her world with me.”
I wish I could hold his gaze. I try to force myself to meet his intense stare, but my eyes involuntarily dart away. I glance at Maria and see that the ice witch herself is thawing before myvery eyes. If he can get to Maria, I have no chance.
“Hmm.” Maria pauses, her expression softening. “I stand corrected.”
“Can I get that in writing?” I joke, trying to lighten the mood.
Maria chuckles, her laughter breaking through the remaining walls of scepticism.
Aiden’s fingers brush over the sunflower tattoo on my left forearm and I flinch. Wondering if he can see the scars hidden under the bright ink.
Maria reaches for her phone, starts scrolling, and pretty soon her sour puss is back in force. “These arseholes,” she says, sliding her phone in my direction. Both Aiden and I glimpse the latest story about a lad in his thirties being caught with hundreds of videos and photos of child pornography. “Should be sent to the front lines in the next war.”
“So they can catch a bullet?” Aiden asks, trying to follow her train of thought.
“So they can be used as human shields,” Maria replies with a sinister smile.
“I like her,” he chuckles.
“Why wait for a war?” I ask, relaxing into Aiden’s hold when his hands drop back to my legs. “Why not just use them as speed bumps? That still counts as community service, right?”
Aiden’s head falls back with a laugh. “So angry, bug.” He squeezes me tighter, causing me to giggle. “I love it.” He finishes his tea, then slides me from his lap so he can get to his feet. “I better make tracks, or I’ll be stuck in rush hour traffic.” He rinses his cup and leaves it in the sink, then reaches into his pocket for his keys and turns for the door.
“Your wallet,” I call after him, grabbing it from the counterand chasing him down the hallway.
He turns with a grin and takes the wallet from my hand. “Thanks, bug,” he says, tucking it back into his pocket.
“Working late?”
Something about the look he gives me makes me pause. “I’m always working late, bug,” he grabs my hand, pulling me closer. His fingers brush the hair from my face with painfully slow gentleness. “You smell divine,” he whispers, his voice husky.
“It’s called a shower; you should try it sometime.”
Why? Why do I do this? I should not be allowed to open my mouth.
His eyes darken as he chuckles—a mix of amusement and something else I can’t quite decipher. “I should, shouldn’t I?” He leans in closer, his breath warm against my ear. “Are you offering to join me?” he asks, his lips grazing my earlobe.
I swallow hard, feeling a rush of heat spread through my body and pool between my thighs. My mind races, trying to come up with a witty response, but all I manage is a nervous laugh.
Aiden, you need to stop doing this, or I will resort to stalking you.
“No witty comebacks?” He teases, his thumb tracing my lower lip as he waits for my response. “Too busy picturing me naked?”
Well, now I am!
“I’ll be more than happy to show you. All you need to do is ask.”
“You can stop trying to wind me up,” I say, trying to regain my composure.
“Katie.”
Oh God, I can practically feel my knickers drop. Why does he have to say my name like that?
“I’m going to be deathly honest with you, bug. You don’t seem to grasp the fact that when I say you’re fucking beautiful, I mean it with every fibre of my being. When I say that I can’t stop thinking about you, it’s because you’ve haunted my every waking moment since the day we met.” He clutches my jaw in his hand, forcing me to look deep into his intense, piercing eyes. “I’d be lying if I said I didn’t want you, Katie. But you’re not ready for me yet. I can see the fear in your eyes and hear the hesitation in your voice.” His fingers tangle in my hair, and he tugs back gently. “But when the time is right, you let me know, bug.” His nose skims along my cheekbone, his warm breath sending tingles across my skin. “Not a moment before.”
“Why?” I ask, my voice barely a whisper as confusion and longing intertwine within me.
His lips brush against mine, and he whispers back, “Because the second I get between those legs is the second you become mine. And if anyone else touches you…”
