Touched (The Untouched Trilogy #2)(68)

“I wanted it to be you, every touch … I wished it was you Aria.”

“Oh so you used her then? Should I feel some sense of comfort in that?”

“Aria, stop it okay. Nadia’s a big girl, she knew what she was doing and despite her comment about her thinking you and I were only business associates, she damned well knew how I felt about you.”

“Is that supposed to make me feel better Aiden?”

“Aria, look … the fact of the matter is, you pushed me away. I made repeated attempts to get you back but you wanted nothing to do with me. I always felt that we’d find our way back but how was I to know when we’d find our way back? Was I supposed to stop living?”

“I did.”

It was as if I had slapped him solidly across the face. His face twisted, mimicking the torture I was feeling.

“Aria, do you have any idea how badly I feel knowing that I let that happen?” he asked, his tone pained.

“Is this why you wanted to speak with her alone? You were worried that she would let your recent jaunt slip? Although I’m sure it would have given her great pleasure to share that tidbit with me considering she tried to provoke me at the gala about your skills in bed,” I spit out.

“What are you talking about?” he asked.

“The night of the gala, she and I had words at the bar. Well, it’s more like she was welcoming me to the I’ve Fucked Aiden Club.”

“Aria, I’m sorry; I’ll speak with Nadia. I’ll make sure that she doesn’t approach you with anything like this again,” he said.

“I’ll fight my own battles, Aiden. I’ll handle Nadia, my way.”

“There’s no battle here, Aria. I’m with you and I don’t intend on that changing,” he said, adamantly. He was worried I was going to run. I could see it in his eyes.

He was right; he didn’t have to explain or justify anything to me. I had pushed him away … repeatedly. And we had found our way back to each other and I was happier about that than I thought possible but this shit was starting to be too much. I couldn’t keep fighting everyone and every situation to be with this man.

“The thing with Nadia had nothing to do with us and it doesn’t touch anything that I feel for you. You know that. You feel that. Let’s not let this ruin our weekend.”

“The thought of her hands anywhere on your body is utterly repulsive.”

“I know. I feel the same about you. I don’t want anyone to look at you, let alone touch you.”

Aiden walked over to the phone and pressed a button on the base. “Can you have the staff change the bedding before we retire for the evening?” he said, speaking into the receiver.

He must have read my mind because there was no way I would even touch that bed after that naked bitch had been sprawled across it.

“Come here,” he said, as he placed the phone receiver in its cradle.

I walked over to him and he pulled me into an embrace. “Don’t ever doubt my feelings for you. Trust me when I say that my thoughts are only of you. There’s no one else. If my mind isn’t on work, it’s on you,” he said, cradling my face. “Do you believe me?”

“Yes,” I whispered, lost in the yearning of his emerald green eyes. I did believe him and as much as it hurt, I could see why it had happened. He’d done with Nadia the exact thing I’d tried to do with Kellan. He’d wanted a small span of relief from the longing – from the pain.

He lowered his head and softly touched my lips with his, pulling my top lip into his mouth, gently sucking before sealing his mouth over mine. He pulled me closer as his tongue sought its entrance and our kiss deepened as he lavished my mouth with slow, deep licks. His kiss was soft and gentle and full of the love that I knew he had only for me. I was pulled back in, just like that … all thoughts of Nadia evaporated.



*****



“I followed Aiden downstairs to find that everyone had scattered. “I’m not sure where everyone has gotten off to but I had followed you upstairs to suggest we go for a ride.”

“Ride? Cycling?” I asked.

“Horseback,” he replied, gauging my reaction.

“Er – I don’t think so,” I said.

“Why?” he probed.

I’d only ridden a couple of times and I wasn’t very good relating to horses. “I don’t have riding clothes.” That was just as good of an excuse as any.

“We have extra in the tack house,” he said.

“I’m sure you don’t have my size.”

“You and Sloan are similar in size, if all else fails, you can wear hers.”

“You have an answer for everything,” I said, frowning.

“Don’t I always? Any other opposition?” he asked.

“Um – I’m afraid not,” I replied.

“Good, let’s go,” he said, grasping my hand and tugging me alongside him.

We stepped outside to the crisp autumn day. I glanced slowly from left to right attempting to take it all in. The property was massive and, of course, exquisitely pictorial. I could only imagine how beautiful it would be in the spring. Aiden suggested we take the scenic route to the stables, but quite frankly every inch of the grounds possessed a picturesque allure.