A random guy grabs her waist and I jump to my feet, striding towards them without a second thought. As I get closer, I see her looking up at him and his ugly fucking polo shirt.
Why the fuck is she giggling at him? What did he say to her?
What am I even doing? They live here. This place is slap packed with college students. Maybe he’s her friend. An old fling? No, that isn’t her.
She grinds against him, and I can’t stand the fucking sight of his grimy hands on her. I close the gap between us and grab the preppy idiot’s shoulder firmly. He looks up at me with wide eyes. That’s how most people react to me. Not Emma though, she hasn’t judged me even once. But then again, most girls don’t.
He stops moving as does Emma.
She turns around and her plump lips curl into a smile when she looks my way.
Is she trying to get a reaction out of me?
“Take your hands off my girl,” I growl.
Emilia
∞∞∞
I can’t make out what Aiden said to the guy, but he releases me instantly. His irritated scowl and narrowed eyes follow as the stranger moves out of sight.
It isn’t long before his brilliant green eyes focus back on me. With strong hands, he pulls me flush against him, my back to his front.
“What did you say to him?” I tilt my head back against his hard chest, leaning into him feels…natural.
“Don’t worry about it,” He whispers in my ear. “Dance with me,” He instructs.
I oblige. Whatever he just did sent a wave of heat through my body.
Riskier than usual with the alcohol in me, I slowly rock back and forth against him. We dance for a while, and when the beat picks up, so does my rhythm. I press myself back against him, grinding slowly. I feel something hard against my back, and it takes me no more than a second to realize what it is. I’m glad he can’t see the blush rising on my cheeks.
“See what you do to me?” He whispers heatedly.
I try to think of a response, but our intimate moment is interrupted by Ashley. My eyes fly open. Why did I close them? Realization hits me that I’m dancing with her brother and I quickly fumble out of his grip that’s still tight on my hips.
She laughs, putting her hand on my shoulder to steady herself. “Em! I don’t care if you dance with him, I already told you to go after him.” She drunkenly yells over the loud music.
Hearing Aiden laughing behind me, embarrassment crashes through me. I roll my eyes and grab her hand, leading her away before she says anything else. Aiden walks ahead of us, guiding us through the mass of bodies as we continue our tipsy trek.
A groan escapes my lips when I catch sight of Ian heading straight for us. I let go of Ashley’s hand and instinctively step behind Aiden, my hands coming up to grip his shirt.
“What do you want?” Aiden’s tone is venomous.
Vivid reality flows through me at the sight of Ian’s face. Faded bruises cascade down his cheekbone. They’re nearly gone after a week of healing, but I can still see how badly he was hurt.
Ian glares menacingly at him. They step towards each other with clenched fist, and I let out a breath I didn’t realize I was holding as I think of how to diffuse the situation. Everything is happening so quick; I hate how alcohol does that.
Aiden reaches back and gently pushes me away. I become frantic at the thought of them fighting again. I don’t want anyone getting hurt because of me.
“I’m going to pee,” Ashley announces quickly before darting for the bathroom.
I roll my eyes. She’s worse with confrontation than I am.
“Wait!” I shout, stepping in between them to keep them separated. “Ian, what do you want?” My words slur as I place my hands on my hips for support.
“I just want to talk.” He eyes behind me. “Alone.”
Aiden places a hand around my waist and tugs me into him. “Absolutely. Not.”
Realizing it’s a lost cause, I pull Aiden to the door. But he is like stone, an immovable force. Without thinking, I change plans and grab Ian, pulling him away. If Aiden won’t go, I’ll get Ian out of the situation. That way, no one can fight.
I glance back. Aiden looks pissed as he heads for the door but I’m thankful the situation didn’t escalate.
I stop once I get to a quieter spot against the wall, but not wanting to go further away from people in the crowded club. I don’t trust him.
“What do you want?” I tap my foot impatiently.
“I... I didn’t mean what I said that night.” His desperate voice clouds my ears.
I question if he truly means it. Then I remember his words from last weekend, clear in my mind that’s fogged by alcohol. I turn on my heel and stomp away from him. A few steps away, I look back with the hardest glare I can manage.
“I just…” Unable to find the words for how over the situation I am, I sigh and muster up the courage to tell him just how I feel without making me sound like the wreck I am inside. “Don’t contact me anymore, Ian. There’s nothing more to say.”
“Em. Wait, baby.”
A bitter laugh escapes my lips. “Don’t call me that.” How dare he. “You don’t have that privilege anymore,” I hiss.
Turning on my heel, I make my way out to the exit.
Aiden
∞∞∞
I kick a stray beer can hard, the clank echoing loudly in the alleyway. I had to walk outside. I’m fucking fuming. One minute she’s grinding against me, making me hard, and the next, she’s talking to fucking Ian.
Why do I care so much is the real question. I’ve only known her for all but one week, but the connection I feel with her is something I’ve never experienced before. It isn’t merely sexual, it’s…primal.
I run my hands through my hair as I try to calm down. This isn’t her fault. That stupid fucking frat boy hurt her, took advantage of her. And she is drunk.
What am I doing out here?
This guy’s entire relationship with her was spent trying to get in her pants. She’s vulnerable right now. I don’t care if I need to stay away from her, I fucking can’t.
I turn back towards the club and see Emma stumbling towards me. She looks so delicious in that dress. I don’t usually give a fuck about girls.
But it’s different with her.
I feel a need to protect her.
Five
The palms of my hands slam against the cool metal door and it swings out easily. A breeze hits my skin as I step outside. I stumble forth on tipsy legs, looking around for Aiden. I spot him leaning against his car, broodily.
“Aiden?” I study his face quietly.
His emerald eyes twinkle in the moonlight, rage sparking in them until his gaze meets mine. His distant expression softens, his edges quite literally turning putty.
I wonder if what Ashley said is true.
He holds his arms out and I walk into his embrace. He snakes his arm around my waist, pulling me tightly against him while he rests against his car. He firmly holds me in place, as if he’s shielding me, protecting me from everything beyond him.
“Why did you come out here?”
“I don’t know. I mean if you wanted to flirt, be my guest,” He grumbles, contradicting himself when he pulls me closer.