Entangled (The Accidental Billionaires, #2)(2)

Aiden and I had both grown up poor. Maybe that was why we understood each other so well.

“I want you to be my responsibility, sweetheart. I want you to be mine,” he said in a low, dangerous tone that always made me melt. “I know you’re probably too damn young for me, but I’ve given up fighting that.”

There was a six-year age gap between us, but it wasn’t something we’d ever really noticed. I was pretty sure we were both old souls and had acted like adults for as long as we could remember.

“I am yours,” I told him. “But that doesn’t mean you have to support me. My heart is yours.”

I turned and put my palm against the scruff on his jaw, trying to make him understand that I didn’t want to ever be a burden to him. He’d sacrificed so much. I just wanted to be with him.

Seeing the conflict in his gorgeous eyes made my heart ache.

“Your heart better be mine, because I’m not letting you go,” he finally grumbled as his head swooped down to capture my mouth.

The feel of his gorgeous, hot, silken lips on mine set my body on fire. As usual, it started with an electric spark between my thighs that turned into roaring flames within seconds.

I wanted to claim this man as mine right now.

I wanted to know he’d always be with me.

I wanted so much more than just an intense summer romance.

I knew I’d have to wait. Aiden’s family would come first until they were all raised and educated. I loved him for his family loyalty and drive to see all of his siblings independent. So I was more than willing to tamp down my instincts until he was free of those obligations. Aiden was worth it.

I wasn’t going anywhere.

And I still wanted so many things for my own future, too.

My hands fisted in his gloriously coarse, thick dark hair as he nibbled at my lips and then claimed my mouth all over again.

My heart was racing as he finally pulled back and grinned at me.

“Eight weeks seems like a long time right now, baby.”

God, I loved that naughty, mischievous expression on his face.

I nodded. “I’m going to miss you so much,” I said honestly.

He rested his forehead against mine. “I’ll miss you, too, sweetheart. Take care of yourself.”

He rose and pulled me to my feet. “I have to go. Think about me while I’m gone. Fuck knows I’ll be thinking about you. I want to give you something before I go.”

I looked at him with curiosity. “What? I thought you already gave me that last night,” I teased.

He shot me a warning look as he dug into the pocket of his jeans. “Don’t remind me, or you’re going to get that again, too.”

Like I’d mind if he dragged me somewhere private and we said good-bye with our bodies one more time? I honestly craved it. But I knew he had to be in San Diego on time.

“I want you to have this,” he said as he slipped something over my head. “My mother didn’t have a lot of jewelry, but we all got something when she died. It’s just a red tiger’s-eye stone. But I want you to keep it.”

Our eyes met, and my heart skittered as I realized he was giving me something that had belonged to his mother, who had died years ago.

Something precious to him.

I rarely cried, but tears sprang to my eyes, and a droplet escaped to roll down my cheek. I clutched the small stone that was hanging around my neck by a delicate chain. “I’ve never had a piece of jewelry,” I said, my heart in my throat.

“It looks good on you,” he said with a wink.

I threw myself into his arms and plastered my body against his. Every tumultuous emotion I was experiencing was very close to the surface.

I didn’t want him to go.

I wanted to keep our bodies close, and keep exploring the intense emotions that Aiden always brought out in me.

And I wanted to keep feeling as cherished and as safe as I had for most of the summer.

But I finally let go because I knew I had to. “Go,” I insisted, even as my heart screamed for him to stay. “Thank you for the gift. I’ll keep it safe.”

He kissed me one more time, and then pressed a kiss to my forehead. “See ya soon, sweetheart.”

“Be careful,” I called as he turned and started to make his way to his truck.

“Always,” he bellowed back. “I have a lot to come home to.”

I swiped the tears that started to fall harder as I watched his retreating figure disappear.

Home. He’ll be back home soon. Eight weeks isn’t all that long, right?

I collapsed on the bench, my legs shaky, and I realized that I had a death grip on the stone Aiden had given me.

He’d left something important to him behind with me. It was enough to keep me believing he’d come back.

I tucked the small red tiger’s-eye inside my T-shirt and then stood back up. I needed to get home, or I’d catch hell from my mother.

I’d never told her about my relationship with Aiden, because I knew she wouldn’t approve. She’d never liked any of the Sinclair family, even though Jade had been my best friend for years.

Funny how my mother’s opinion didn’t matter all that much to me anymore.

I knew Aiden.

Our souls were connected. I could feel it.

I loved him.

And that was all that mattered.