Touched (The Untouched Trilogy #2)(22)

“Are you sure that he knows he’s just a friend? You should let him know you’re taken before he falls for you.”

“Allison you’re just like your brother … relentless.”

“Where do you think I get it from?” she asked, laughing.

“I’d better get back to him; I don’t want to be rude. I hope to hear from you soon.”

“You will – I promise,” she said, giving me a quick hug. “I’m still rooting for you and my brother,” she said and she was off.

I finally made it back to the table. If I’d known it would have been such an ill-fated trip, I would have stayed put. I was more than ready for this night to be over. Kellan sensed my unease and suggested we get some air so we escaped to the terrace. I was relieved to see that we were alone; I was tired of the small talk. Normally a night like this would have been perfectly fine but the mind games with Aiden had more than exhausted me.

“Looks as if you’re ready to go,” Kellan said.

“Is it that obvious?” I asked, smiling.

“Just a tad,” he replied, grinning, his dazzling smile accentuating his dimples.

“Seems we keep bumping into each other,” Aiden said, having joined us on the terrace.

Oh shit. Will it ever end?

“I don’t think I caught your name,” Aiden said, approaching Kellan.

“I didn’t catch yours either,” Kellan replied.

Aiden smirked. He was accustomed to everyone bowing down to him when he put on the Raine Industries CEO face; Kellan apparently wasn’t doing that. This would be interesting.

“Aiden Raine,” he said, extending a hand to Kellan.

“Kellan McClane,” Kellan replied, shaking Aiden’s hand.

Why was Aiden doing this?

“You’ve met, so you can go now.” I said.

He continued as if I hadn’t said a word. “Are you affiliated with McClane Funds and Investments?” Aiden asked.

“One in the same,” Kellan confirmed.

“Hmmm,” Aiden replied.

“Whatever you’re thinking …don’t,” I said, glaring at Aiden.

“Aria, Mr. McClane is in the business of hedge funds and I’m thinking he could possibly do some work with Raine Industries.”

“Since when?” I challenged. He didn’t reply. He returned his attention to Kellan.

“How long are you in town? Maybe I can drop by your hotel and talk some numbers before I head out tomorrow,” Aiden suggested.

“I’m not at a hotel. I’m staying at Aria’s place.”

And there it was. The one thing I didn’t want him to know.

Aiden’s eyes froze. He looked as if he wanted to hit Kellan.

“Come again,” Aiden said, stepping closer to Kellan.

Kellan didn’t flinch. If anyone were in the market for a bottle of fresh testosterone, they could definitely get it here. This was f*cking crazy. I’d gone from having no man in my life to having two who were staring each other down like they wanted to pulverize each other.

“Aiden, what are you doing?” I asked, stepping between them. “Unless you’re planning to be tomorrow’s headline, I suggest you walk away.”

“Aria, look around you. There’s absolutely no way this will go any further than the three of us.” It was as if a switch had flipped; his voice was ominous and his eyes were blazing with anger.

I looked around to see that there was security detail standing near the terrace entrance. No one would be coming out here. He’d made sure of it. “So you came out here looking for a fight?” I asked. I panicked as I considered how this could end.

“I actually needed to make a call that required privacy. Why are you out here? Did you have a need for privacy also?” Aiden insinuated.

“I suggest you watch how you speak to her,” Kellan said.

“And I suggest you back the f*ck off,” Aiden threatened, directing a stabbing glare at Kellan.

“Aiden isn’t it almost time for your speech?” Allison asked, appearing at just the right time.

Aiden didn’t move. Neither did Kellan.

“Aiden, don’t do this. This is not a good idea,” Allison said, tugging her brother’s arm.

He looked down at Allison and she shook her head, silently warning him that he shouldn’t do this. He hesitantly stepped back and cast an angry glare at me.

“Aria if you think this is over –” he began.

“Aiden stop it ... let’s go,” Allison urged.

Aiden looked back at Kellan, his temper flaring. He then turned his fury towards me. I was all too eager to return his murderous glare. Who the hell did he think he was?

“Just go,” I said to him.

He took a few steps back and turned, walking away leaving Kellan and me alone.

I reluctantly looked up at Kellan. “I’m sorry Kellan. I’ve never seen him like that.”

I looked into Kellan’s eyes and I could see that he knew. He knew why I wasn’t able to kiss him, why I was complacent with our platonic relationship.

“Why are you apologizing for that jerk? Don’t worry about that. But you need to let me know what’s going on. I don’t want to be in the midst of something that you two obviously need to work out.”