Touched (The Untouched Trilogy #2)(85)

“I can’t wait to hear this,” I replied, giggling.

“I love your laugh,” he said, sitting on the edge of my desk.

My phone pinged and Aiden looked down and saw that it was a text from Kellan.

“You’re still in contact with that guy?” he asked.

“Yes, Aiden. He’s a close friend. And he didn’t stop being a friend when you and I reconnected,” I replied.

“Since when do you have guys that are close friends?” he asked.

“Since you.”

“What does that mean?” he asked.

“A lot of things changed since having met you.”

“This is one change I’m not in favor of,” he said, a scowl on his handsome face.

“It’s not as if you don’t have female friends – like Nadia,” I said, bitterly.

“That’s different and you’re well aware of that,” he countered.

“Don’t you mean it’s complicated?” I asked.

“I don’t want to talk about Nadia; it’s only going to lead to an argument.”

“But you do want to talk about Kellan?” I probed. “If Nadia is off limits, then so is Kellan.”

“Now you’re being childish,” he scolded.

“Term it however you wish. He’s a friend and I’ve grown to care about him and he stays,” I said firmly.

“We’ll see about that,” he replied.

“Aiden, if you do anything to cause issues with our friendship, it will not sit well with me,” I warned.

“Grab your things, we’re going to my place,” he said, changing the subject.

I didn’t reply. I glared at him; he was making me angry. I didn’t want to fight with him; we only had so much time together and I didn’t want it filled with anger.

“Well aren’t you bossy?” I asked. “You could try asking nicely and you just may get a better reply.”

“I’ve missed you and I need some time alone with you,” he said.

“I know. I feel the same but I really need to finish up some things here. How about you let me finish here and I’ll meet you at your place in a few of hours,” I said.

“That doesn’t work for me Aria,” he replied. I could see that my reply frustrated him.

“It’s not all about you Aiden. Everything doesn’t just stop because you’ve decided to grace me with your appearance; I have work to do. And based on the amount of time and energy that you pour into your work, I’m sure you understand.”

“So this is an issue of time?” he asked, scowling at me. “You obviously have time to text your close friend.”

Oh f*ck, was he determined to make this a bad homecoming? “Aiden it’s not like that and you know it.”

“Do I need to call Raina and see when you can squeeze me in? Is that what I need to do to get on your f*cking schedule?” he asked, his eyes blazing.

“My schedule? Are you kidding me? I’m here. I’m always here. You, on the other hand … well we both know how that works.”

“That’s nothing new Aria so don’t make an issue where there isn’t one. You were fine with my schedule before. What’s changed? Is it that f*cker you’ve been texting? Your f*cking friend?”

“No, maybe it’s your f*cking friend. Maybe it’s Nadia!”

“Yeah, well I’m sure she wouldn’t have a problem with my schedule.”

“What the f*ck? Why are you behaving this way? You know what? I don’t want to know. Get the f*ck out. Go find Nadia. I’m sure you have her on speed dial. I don’t need this shit from you!”

“And I don’t need it from you.”

“Good. There’s the door.”

I watched him as he stalked out of my office. He was pissed. Oh well, so was I.



*****



I resumed reviewing the information from human resources on the RPH work-study guidelines. We needed to get those in place by the end of the week in order for the high schools to receive the information on time. I called Lorraine to discuss the changes that were needed and checked my email to see if Adam had finished the projections for The Writer. I was looking at one report after another when my phone pinged. I grabbed it to see a text from Aiden.

*I’m sorry for being an ass.*

I didn’t reply. I placed the phone in my desk and sent Adam an email regarding one final change. A few minutes later, my phone pinged again. I rolled my eyes and pulled it from my desk.

*Forgive me.*

I still didn’t reply. Within a few seconds, was another text.

*I miss you, Princess.*

I sighed and tapped a message to him.

*I miss you too, Aiden.*





CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

Time with Aiden had become few and far between and it bothered me more than I cared to admit. At times I resented him for it but I didn’t want to think about that today. I planned to bask in every minute we shared; especially tonight … we were going on a date! Although we’d technically been in a relationship for several months now, the act of dating was still a novelty for me, especially dating someone like Aiden Raine. I was immediately on edge whenever he so much as looked at me, let alone touched me; the mere thought of him did crazy things to me. Tonight was no different; I was both excited and nervous about spending time with him. I would have thought that my excitement would have calmed the nervous butterflies, but no such luck.