Touched (The Untouched Trilogy #2)(69)

We were standing in one of his mother’s conservatories. Some of the flowers appeared exquisitely delicate, as if forbidden to touch. I walked closer to one of which I was familiar, admiring the vivid orange color. I looked up from the flowers to see Aiden contently watching me. “I’m glad you’re here. I’m somewhat surprised you agreed to come,” he said, staring at me.

And after what I’d experienced so far, I could see why. Sloan was right; Aiden did need me in his life. These people were f*cking crazy. I actually wanted to go running for the hills but I could tough it out for one more day. “Why is that? We’ve been making progress. Don’t you think?” I asked.

“I do.”

“But?” I asked. I could see there was more.

“We need to clarify a couple of things,” he said.

“Such as?” I asked.

“When we agreed to the sex with no emotions a couple of months ago, you’d made it clear that you wanted it to remain private … a secret if you will.”

We recently discussed this, why was he bringing it up again? “What are you saying?” I asked.

“I’m saying that things have changed since we first agreed to keep our relationship hidden.”

“Yes, but the reasons for keeping it hidden haven’t,” I replied.

“I don’t give a damn what anyone thinks or says, Aria. I’m not doing the behind-closed-doors thing. The situation with Nadia could have been avoided had she known. And that guy, he needs to know. Either you make it clear to him or I will.”

“I highly doubt anything would have diverted Nadia’s plans and as for that guy, I’ll make it as clear to him as you made it to Nadia,” I said.

“Aria don’t compare –”

“I’m serious Aiden. Kellan’s become a good friend; I’m not going to just toss him aside. He’s really a great guy.”

“Yeah, a great guy who wants to f*ck you.”

“It’s not like that, Aiden.”

“It’s exactly like that, Aria. Have you ever looked at you? What guy wouldn’t want to f*ck you? Hell even my dad salivates when you walk into a room and I’ve never seen him do that.” He grabbed my hand, leading us out of the conservatory.

“Just so you know, Kellan already knows but as I said, he’s a friend and I’m not going to push him out of my life.”

He didn’t say anything but I knew he didn’t like it and I knew this wasn’t the end of it. “Okay, what’s the next area that requires clarification?”

“I need to know how you feel, Aria.”

“If my being here hasn’t made that clear Aiden, then I don’t know what else to say.”

“Your feelings aren’t as clear as they can be.”

“Why is that? Because I haven’t said it aloud?” I asked.

“That’s typically how feelings are communicated. Are you afraid?”

I squeezed his hand. “Other than my father, you’re the only man that I’ve ever had such raw emotions for. And yes, that’s a scary thing for me – to even open that door, Aiden. I actually wanted to say it when you made love to me and it wasn’t because I was caught up in the moment. I wanted to say it because it was how I felt.”

“Felt?”

“It’s how I still feel but I’ve shied away from saying it or even thinking it because of the implications … but I love you, Aiden.”

He was quiet for a few moments and a slow smile appeared on his perfect lips. “Finally,” he said, picking me up and twirling me around, which quickly made me dizzy.

“Say it again,” he urged.

“No. Once is enough,” I replied, laughing.

“There’s a lake out near the stables. Say it or I’ll take you there and toss you in,” he threatened.

I laughed. “You’ll do no such thing,” I said.

“Say it,” he said, spinning me.

“You’re making me dizzy,” I squealed.

“Say it and I’ll stop.”

“I love you – you big jerk.”

“Louder.”

“I love you!” I yelled. He stopped spinning me and I looked down at him to see him smiling triumphantly. He eased me down until our lips met and gifted me with a sweet kiss. He gazed into my eyes for several seconds and finally placed me on the ground.

“Now everyone is going think I’m crazy,” I said, looking around to see if anyone was in earshot.

“No one heard you, but I wouldn’t care if they did,” he replied.

“Who is that?” I asked, looking toward the house. Someone was standing on the third floor balcony watching us.

Aiden squinted as he looked at the figure. “It’s my mother,” he said.

I wondered how long she’d been there. When she saw us looking at her, she turned and walked inside.

“What’s that all about?” I asked.

“I’m not sure,” he replied.

I was sure we’d soon find out.

Aiden continued with the tour of the grounds as we walked towards the stables. Everything was no less than I expected, absolutely beautiful. There were several flower gardens, conservatories, vegetable gardens, and a gardener’s cottage. Aiden pointed out that one of the flower gardens was one of which Sienna had received accolades. Aiden explained how much she loved working in the garden although her time to do so had become limited due to her charity obligations; I recalled her telling me that in Boston. Now that I’ve seen the garden, I found it difficult picturing her being one with nature.