“No, I’m not,” Aidan said as he lifted our joined hands. “You’re important to Emma, so that means something to me.” He cleared his throat and ran his free hand down his neck. “I’m sorry for how I acted the last time we saw each other.”
Samuel tilted his head and rubbed his hand along his face. “It’s okay, man. It’s how you were raised. Several wolf packs feel the same way you do. To be honest, I was shocked when Emma and Beth were nice to us. It’s a breath of fresh air.”
An adoring smile filled Aidan’s face. “Yeah, Emma has a way of seeing the best in people.”
“They may be willing to forgive you right away, but not me.” Finn pointed his finger at Aidan. “Your kind holds grudges.”
“He feels bad.” Amethyst leaned across the table and touched Finn’s arm. “He’s being sincere.”
“Until she’s not around to hold him accountable.” Finn removed her hand and stood.
“Hey, we’re not sitting here.” I hated to think he was leaving because of us. “We’re going to grab something to eat and sit somewhere else.”
“Fine.” He sat back down, but his scowl remained firmly in place.
“Wait, I thought you were eating off campus.” Beth pursed her lips and picked up her burger.
“We ran into Jacob and the football team.”
Her brows furrowed. “But he was going back home.”
“Apparently, there was a change of plans.” I stepped away from the tables and toward the food area. I didn’t want Finn to try to leave again. “It didn’t go well, so we came here.”
“Well, I’ll need the details later.” Beth took a bite of her food.
“And us too.” Coral snickered. “I have a feeling it’ll be an entertaining story.”
“I’m not sure that’s the right word.” I made my way to the food counter. “I’ll see you all later.”
“Bye,” Aidan called out. After a few steps, he sighed. “I’m sorry about that.”
“No, it’s fine.” I turned to him and rose onto my tiptoes so I could press my lips against his. “You thought you were protecting me, and now you’re trying to make it right. He’ll come around.”
“I’ll do whatever it takes as long as it makes you happy.” He leaned down and kissed me again.
His words thrilled me. After tonight, I felt confident that we could make this work. Come hell or high water, we would be together.
I had two priorities, and both would be challenging. The first one was figuring out whatever was holding Aidan back. I wanted us to be honest with each other and choose our path together.
And the last one was understanding why Finn had reacted the way he had with Aidan. It was clear he carried some baggage. It would be nice for him and Aidan to get along since I felt like I’d already become friends with them. I was looking forward to finding out his story.
Chapter Fifteen
After Dance class, I walked out of the locker room and found Aidan leaning against the wall, looking downright delectable.
I couldn’t blame all the girls for staring or glancing at him as they passed. He was, hands down, the most handsome guy I’d ever seen. Luckily, his golden eyes were locked on me.
He tilted his head, which emphasized his muscular shoulders. His casual black shirt fit him well in all the right places, and his jeans fit just right so the shirt outlined his abs perfectly.
“Hey, you.” I probably still smelled sweaty, but the urge to kiss him was overwhelming. I pressed my lips to his.
As he responded to my kiss, he wrapped his arms around my waist and tugged me against his chest. He deepened our kiss and then pulled back. “If we don’t stop, this could result in a very embarrassing situation for me.”
“And you have a problem with that?” I’d never felt so free and flirty before. It was a nice feeling. Not only was I on a high from Dance class but from being with my fated mate as well.
“No, not really, but I don’t want you to get a reputation.” He brushed his fingertips against my cheek. “And that tank top and tight jeans are about to push me over the edge.”
“Well then, my evil plan worked.” That was totally a lie, but I’d take what I could get.
“You naughty girl,” he growled, causing my body to warm and need to clench in my stomach.
Why did I like the way that sounded? I wasn’t sure how much longer I could hold off from claiming him in all ways.
He’d leaned down to my lips once more when someone cleared her throat.
I pulled away to find my Dance professor crossing her arms and pursing her lips. She tsked. “I will admit he’s a looker, but the school hallways aren’t the place for foreplay.”
Kill me now. I wanted to disappear, but that wasn’t possible. “Noted.”
Aidan’s chest shook with laughter. “I apologize, ma’am. She makes me lose my head.”
“We don’t need any heads appearing, if you know what I mean.” Her face was stern, and the message was clear.
I wished the Earth would split and swallow me whole. It took every ounce of willpower not to hide my face in his chest. “It won’t happen again.”
“Make sure it doesn’t.” She walked past us, her body stiff with anger.
“We better get to Chemistry before we’re late.” He chuckled as he took my hand and tugged me toward the door.
I was just glad he hadn’t made a joke about starting Chemistry early or something like that. My face was on fire.
When we stepped outside, the slightly cool October air felt good against my body. I looped my arm with Aidan’s, needing to get closer to him.
For the first time in my life, I felt completely happy. It was amazing how only a few days could change everything.
“Will I ever see you dance?” He grinned and stepped closer.
“Maybe …” I ran a hand down his arm. “If you’re lucky.”
He grabbed my waist, tickling my sides.
“You better watch it.” I slapped his hands away and pointed to the humans around us. “Can’t you keep it together?”
“Not with you.” His eyes glowed as his wolf snuck out.
The brick building came into sight, and I bumped my shoulder into his. “We’re almost there, so you’d better get control.”
“At least, I get to sit by you knowing you’re mine today.” He winked at me. “That makes the torture completely worth it.”
“We’ll see.”
As we entered the building, my anxiety started to peak. I didn’t know what would happen in the classroom. All I did know was that Jacob probably would be there and cause a scene. But I couldn’t change that, and I couldn’t rearrange my life to avoid him.
“Hey, it’s going to be okay.” Aidan squeezed my hand and directed us to the classroom. “You’ve got nothing to worry about.”
“It’s stupid, but his dad’s my alpha.” I needed to know where I stood now that we’d broken up. I had to call my parents later and get a feel for what to expect.
“Doesn’t matter.” Aidan tucked a piece of my hair behind my ear. “We’ll figure it out, and if it takes me punching that asshole’s face again to drive the point home, it won’t bother me any.”