Eyeing his kind gesture, I shake my head. “I can pay for mine, thank you though,” I grin shyly as I move a little closer to him.
He chuckles, brushing his hand against my arm. “Don’t worry about it. I came out tonight because I want the both of you to have fun without having to worry about your safety.” He shrugs.
Ashley mouths thank you and he nods.
I grudgingly accept, not wanting to be rude. I guess it’s something he normally does. Besides the twenty dollars of running money in my account doesn’t really need to be spent on drinks. Yes, I know…I just bought a new dress, but I needed to do something for my confidence. I had more saved, but Ian needed some money and I idiotically gave it to him. I roll my eyes at myself.
Ashley hands me a clear shot of what I guess is vodka.
I down it quickly, wanting to forget about Ian and all the things I thought he was. My face scrunches at the taste; I will never get used to the uncomfortable burn straight liquor gives.
“Two more!” Ashley announces excitedly and we down another set.
“Slow down,” Aiden whispers lowly in my ear, his minty breath tingling against my skin.
I nod. He’s right. I’m not the best drinker and I don’t want to get sick tonight. With a sigh, I lean back slightly against Aiden’s body, relishing in how his hand easily comes up to rest on the small of my back.
There is something oddly comforting about the swirl of his thumb, and I push away all thoughts of how I shouldn’t be feeling such things to make room for the butterflies that twirl inside my stomach.
Ash and I reminisce about our first year of college, celebrating our highs and lows. I’m in a low spot, but with her by my side, I’m already feeling much better.
Slipping money to the bartender without Aiden’s watchful eye noticing is hard, but I succeed and order myself a Mai Tai to keep the good vibes flowing. I slowly stir my straw around the orange and pink liquid before bringing it to my lips. It’s sweet and delicious, but strong. A small moan escapes my lips as sweet orange hits my throat, soothing the burning from the vodka earlier.
I tip my head up and see Aiden gently biting his bottom lip while staring at my lips. I quickly turn to Ashley, hiding my embarrassment.
“Let’s dance!” I shout spontaneously with a bright smile, but turning to Aiden shyly. “Wanna come?”
He shakes his head with a crooked smile.
Ignoring his mesmerizing dimples, I grab Ashley’s arm and drag her to the crowded dance floor.
Immediately, we begin swaying to the music. Each time I glance over at the bar, Aiden is watching me with narrowed eyes.
I lose myself in the music as time passes. My previously consumed alcohol hits me, hard, and I enjoy my brain being carefree. My body relaxes as the music flows through me.
“I love this song!” I say to Ash, only to realize she’s nowhere to be found.
I scan the mass of thrumming bodies and find her dancing with a cute guy. She looks happy and I don’t want to ruin her moment, even though she has Brian. They are so on and off that I never know when they’re together. I think of Ian and the false security I felt in our relationship, and sadness washes over me.
I plod off the dance floor and scan the bar for Aiden, but I don’t see him. I frown. Stumbling through the makeshift electronic mosh pit of people, I finally come across a small clearing ahead. A pair of hands suddenly grab my waist, making me stumble.
Aiden?
Turning my head, I frown at the stranger in front of me.
He’s handsome, blonde and lean. Free of tattoos and endless emerald stares, my mind adds on. Aiden is so out of my reach yet I’m not sure why he’s so embedded in my mind. Taking my time to observe the man, I admire his clean cut. He’s wearing a pressed blue polo, his eyes a matching bright blue.
“Hey, beautiful,” He murmurs into my ear.
I hit myself mentally when a bubble of giggles escapes when his breath tickles my neck.
“Hi,” I mutter.
“Wanna dance?”
I nod absentmindedly. I wonder why I even bothered. He’s already begun moving my hips with his hands. Would Aiden care? But then again, why would he?
I laugh at the thought of Aiden being interested in me. Shoving all thoughts away, I sway to the music as the bass rumbles through me.
Aiden
∞∞∞
I had to take a lap around the club, with how mad Emma’s dancing is driving me.
I don’t know why I’m so interested in the girl. She’s young, but she seems so bright, and she’s gorgeous. Maybe if I just fu…I shake my head. No, she needs to stay far away from me.
From the first moment I saw her, I haven’t been able to keep her out of my mind. It was when she danced into the kitchen, carefree and whistling an upbeat tune that would normally make me cringe, but instead I admired her honey eyes as they widened at the sight of me.
Then it was how heartbroken she was after Ian, don’t get me wrong I feel for her but the fact that I was jealous of her sulking about some idiot who doesn’t deserve her freaked me out.
This isn’t me. When I fuck around with a girl, it’s normally for one night and I’m gone by morning, if not before. I haven’t even touched this girl properly and she’s invading my mind.
I’ve seen the way Emma looks at me. I know she’s interested but I need to get away from her. She’s a virgin; I’m not the guy who deserves to take that from her. But why does it bother me when I think about someone else touching her?
In quick strides, I battle with my heavy boots to make their exit.
Find someone else, Aiden, anyone else except her.
I make my way to the opposite end of the bar and consider ordering a beer, but I’m driving the girls tonight, so I need to relax on my own. I sit on the worn wooden bar stool, scanning the crowd for her even as I tell myself I should stop looking for her. Maybe I can find a girl to dip my cock into, to get my mind off Emma and that short black dre–
My thoughts come to a screeching halt when I see her standing alone. Ashley left her. I scan the crowd and find her dancing with some random dude. Doesn’t she have a boyfriend? Why would she leave Emma alone? The thought infuriates me.
I watch as Emma’s facial expression falls as she looks at Ashley and walks off the dance floor. Rising to my feet, I think about making my way to her. But I don’t need to comfort her, I don’t need to bother her. I want to, but I don’t want to give her the wrong idea.
Not that I don’t want to fuck her brains out and have her screaming my name until the sun rises. I have respect for the sweet girl and don’t want to drag her into my bullshit.
Ashley is always talking about how amazing her roommate is and how happy she is to have a best friend she can trust. I don’t want to hurt Emma and have Ashley mad at me. Hell, I’ve known her for a week, and I don’t want to hurt her because she is so sweet and innocent.
Pure. That’s the word I should be using to describe this girl. Even when she was humiliated by that fucking idiot, she felt a need to protect him, throwing herself over him only to be pushed away. An admirable trait if only she could find someone worthy of that level of loyalty.
The week has been interesting. My life usually consists of early mornings, business meetings, and locking down deals. I’m always on high guard, with the clients I work with dangerous things can happen in an instant. It’s a nice change of pace to see my sister and relax, her and Emma have been a nice distraction. But I’m itching at the bit to return to the city. Money, my business, power, they await me, and they never disappoint.