Chapter 26
The door opening let out a wall of music and laughter before it shut again, muffling the chorus of activity to a faint hum
I didn’t bother looking up, assuming it was just Tammy checking on me.
“I’m fine, Tammy.“1 called, shifting my weight from one leg to the other.
“Tammy?” The familiar deep voice made me gasp. “I’ve not been called that before.”
I looked up when Aiden came to stand next to me, towering over me in all his adonis–like glory. He was standing so close I could feel his body heat caressing my skin. His aftershave invaded my senses with a soft hint of cigarettes following it. It was addictive and I tried to steady my breath, my heart thrumming in my chest like a caged bird. Swallowing against my dry throat, I shifted to try and relax myself.
“Sorry about your shirt.” I finally spoke up, watching the tall blonde from the corner of my eye.
“That’s okay. You look good in it.” Aiden replied, the rich baritone of his voice curled around me, sending a chill down my spine. “You can keep it if you’d like.”
“Oh I don’t know, I feel bad that Tammy stole it from your room.”
“Keep it. It looks good on you.” Aiden repeated turned to look at me. “Why are you out here anyway?”
“I was feeling warm and a little overwhelmed I think.” I blushed, looking down. “I figured fresh air would help.”
“And is it?” Aiden asked.
I glanced up, freezing when I saw how close Aiden really was. Despite it being dark with only a small light above the door, I could still make out the flecks of blue and greens of his eyes, their hypnotic brilliance pulling me in. I felt the heat in my cheeks intensify as I froze under the weight of Aiden’s gaze. I took a shaky breath, Aiden’s scent engulfing me.
“Sorry…” I stuttered when I realised I was staring, moving to put space between us.
But before I could move, Aiden’s arm snaked around my waist, pulling me closer. I gasped, the feeling of his body against mine sending chills across my skin. My senses were going crazy as I drowned in the physical contact.
“You’re cold.” It was more of a statement than a question.
“Yeah, I…” I glanced up, lost for words when I realised how close Aiden’s face was to mine, my eyes drawn to his full lips as his breath fanned my face, a hint of peppermint mingling with the subtle scent of cigarettes.
His warmth had me melting like an ice cube on a hot summer’s day and yet I was horrifically aware that Aiden could probably feel every inch of my body pressed against his, including my chest where my heart was beating out of control, racing like a thoroughbred on the home stretch. Did he have any idea what he was doing to me? Did he even care? I felt the pang of bitterness in my gut, my blood heating as I came to the conclusion that Aiden was either playing me like a cat with a mouse or he was utterly oblivious of the crush his best friend’s sister had on him.
Or so I thought.
“I should go.” I whispered but I couldn’t bring myself to move, half of me wanting him to step away and the other half of me begging that he didn’t. And yet Aiden didn’t respond. “Aiden?”
1/2
Chapter 26
For a moment there was nothing, he just looked at me as if he was trying to figure something out. A was seemed to be going on behind his eyes that I couldn’t fathom.
And then without warning, he seemed to come to a decision only he was privy to.
“Fuck it.” He muttered and before I could react his lips crashed into mine. 2
