Touched (The Untouched Trilogy #2)(20)
“And this guy you’re with tonight … what are you doing with him?”
“I would imagine the same thing you’re doing with your date.”
“She’s just a friend.”
“Same here,” I replied.
“I don’t think friends look at each other the way I saw him looking at you. I don’t like it.”
“Do you even hear the words that are coming out of your mouth?” I asked.
“Are you reverting back to your old ways? Is that why he’s here?”
“My old ways? Aiden, he’s here because I want him here.”
“And the other part?” he asked.
“That’s none of your business.”
“So I’m right, you’re doing this for kicks? To avoid being hurt,” he said.
“You have no idea why I do anything so don’t pretend as if you do,” I replied.
“I know all too well. You said it was for control but we both know there’s more to it.”
“I’m so done with this. I’m tired of you trying to figure me out. You don’t know who or what I am.”
“I don’t think you do either.”
“That may very well be true but I do know one thing, I’m not about to let you finish the job you started.”
“I’m not your dad or your mom or any of those f*ckers that agreed to the bullshit you offered them. I legitimately care about you. And I won’t let you do this.”
“Do what? Protect myself?”
“I know how hard this is for you. I know it’s easier to put walls up or to deal with men only for sex but you can’t go through life like this Aria.”
“It’s what I like.”
“Oh so you like being treated like a piece of meat?”
His words tore through me like a knife.
“Fuck you, Aiden,” I said. I turned to leave but he pulled me back toward him. His eyes were spitting green bolts of fire. I jerked away from his grasp.
“Don’t you think you deserve more than that? Stop with these antics and go after something that’s real.”
“With who? You? Why? So you can make me fall in love with you? Make me need you?”
“No, because you deserve to be loved.”
“The one time I had a love that I could count on, it was taken from me and there was a hole in my heart that grew every day. Every day that Dad was gone and every day that I watched Mom suffer because of it. I finally found a way to close the hole and it’s worked for me up until now. And I’m scared; I’m not willing to take the chance that it may work out.”
“Love is risky but sometimes you meet someone who is worth the risk.”
“I’m not in a position to take a risk like that.”
“Does your friend know that? I know he wants more than friendship Aria. Are you planning to take a risk with him? Surely you know, I won’t allow that to happen.”
“I don’t know who you think you are but you don’t have that type of control.”
“You have no idea.”
“You’re a f*cking bully. You bullied me into that job, you bullied me into f*cking you and you bullied me into this discussion. I am done Aiden. You will not continue to treat me this way.”
“He wouldn’t be here if he didn’t want you.” It was as if he hadn’t heard shit I’d said.
“It makes me wonder if you want him too,” he said.
“If I didn’t know better, I’d think you were jealous.”
“Is that so outside the realm of possibilities?” he asked.
“For someone such as you, yes,” I replied.
“Let’s not put that theory to test; at least not tonight.”
“What are you saying?”
“What I’m saying is obvious; I don’t want anyone touching you but me.”
“I would never have thought you to be delusional, but it seems you are.” I replied.
“I know you want me. I can see it when you look at me and I’m sure that friend of yours sees it. Do us both a favor and let him know that you’re taken because whether you want to admit it or not, you are … and I’m not going to share you,” he stated.
“I’m not taken and you needn’t worry yourself about sharing me because I’m not asking you to.”
“Then what are you doing?” he asked.
“I’m doing what I do best. I’m doing me.” I replied and walked away.
CHAPTER SIX
I went back to the table to find Kellan in conversation with Raina. She excused herself and Kellan focused his full attention on me. I felt uneasy looking at him after what he’d witnessed earlier. Now I had to add my dance with Aiden to the list.
“So that’s the guy? The one who has your heart?” Kellan asked.
I didn’t answer. I didn’t expect that. I also didn’t want to acknowledge it. Aiden did have my heart and I couldn’t fight it; it was out of my control.
“What makes you say something like that?” I asked, knowing exactly why he’d said it.
“It doesn’t take much to see that something’s there. And now I totally understand his reaction to Blaine and me in St. Barts and when I came to your office for lunch. The tension that surrounded you two, it was extreme. I would guess that whatever you two shared is over but even now, he seems very protective of you and he’s not letting you go, is he?”