senses are tuned to his confident strides, his all-powerful presence, and even his scent. I can smell it, clean and male and all him.
There’s no ounce of hesitation about where he’s heading. All the people in the cafeteria cease to exist in his eyes. It’s cruel, but it’s true.
Aiden doesn’t and won’t ever care about them.
However, he cares about me.
It’s in the way his features lighten upon seeing me even though his expression is still vastly unreadable. The way his entire body language points in my direction.
How could I have been so blind not to see it before?
Since we were children and even now, Aiden’s features only light up when I’m around.
You’re the only thing who breaks the endless vicious cycle.
He told me that once, but I was at a point where I doubted everything about him.
Did I ever believe a word he said? How did that make him feel?
True, he doesn’t act like a trustworthy person, and he pisses me off with his manipulations, but it’s also true that he never looks at anyone else the way he looks at me.
I was always trapped in my head and never thought of the situation from his perspective. Even when I did, I used it to outsmart him, not to actually understand him.
He stops in front of us. All tall and broad and... sexy.
Yes. He’s sexy and I can finally admit it to myself without him having to touch me.
Aiden is the sexiest person I know. Doesn’t matter if he’s the only sexual partner I had. No one in the world can emulate his intensity and dominance with my body.
The way I react to him has to do with his person as much as his touch.
“King!” Ronan taps the seat beside him. “Viens par ici.”
He doesn’t even acknowledge him, his entire attention settles firmly on my face. “Come with me.”
I stop pretending that I care about the food and glance at him. At how his uniform moulds to his muscular arms and thighs. At how the first button is open, revealing a hint of his tanned skin.
Shaking my head, I ask, “Come with you?”
“You’ll understand on the way.”
“Hello?” Ronan jumps to his feet and waves in Aiden’s direction. “I’m over here.”
“Move that pretty arse, sweetheart.”
I grab my bag and stand up.
Could be because of hearing him calling me sweetheart again.
Could be because of his damn authoritative tone that has my core all slippery.
Could be both.
Aiden remains motionless for a beat. He probably didn’t expect me to agree this willingly. I surprised myself, too, but I can’t fight it anymore.
At least not now.
Aiden’s pause lasts for a mere second before he wraps his hand around mine and leads me out of the cafeteria.
“Nice talk!” Ronan shouts after us.
I stare at Aiden’s hand surrounding mine. It brings back memories of the time when we were children.
Back then, I was always the one who held his hand and clung to him. I also shamelessly snuggled to his side and laid my head on his shoulder.
Who knew there would be a day when our roles would be reversed?
We slide into Aiden’s Ferrari and fly out of the school’s car park.
“Where are we going?” I finally ask, holding the backpack close to my chest.
Aiden concentrates on the road. “The Meet Up.”
“Why?”
“Nash asked to meet us there.”
Oh.
I try to fight the wave of disappointment but lose. We’re only going to the Meet Up because of Cole. Not that I should be disappointed.
I shouldn’t.
“Why did you come with me willingly?” he asks out of the blue.
“I… don’t know.” And I really don’t. I wasn’t in the right state of mind.
Maybe it’s because I was worried about him and was remembering the past.
Or maybe it’s because I miss him. I’m like a beggar, pleading for crumbs and glimpses of him to satiate the thirst and craving inside of me.
I hate myself for missing him. Why is it impossible to not miss him?
Tilting sideways, I watch him closely, his black hair and irresistible eyes that could tell a thousand stories. His built and his easy confidence.
He must have something alien in his blood. No. I’m sure he does. Otherwise, how come he draws me in so effortlessly?
“Do you remember the time we spent together ten years ago?” I ask before I can stop myself.
He nods, eyes darkening. “And you don’t.”
My heart skips a beat. He hates it. Oh, my God. He hates that I don’t remember him from back then. It must be why he’s been such a dick all