That’s very unsharklike, Nina.
I smiled.
I texted Devin.
Nina: Have your office send over the paperwork for the sale. One condition, you NEVER contact me again socially or otherwise.
Devin: I’ll miss you, Nina.
I laughed as I read it. Prick.
All at once, I felt free. I spent my day at the gym thinking about Aiden and the apology I owed him. I didn’t want to lose the small connection we’d made. The sex was phenomenal so far, and I was craving his touch. I hadn’t lost sight of how often I smiled when I was with him, how much more of myself I bared to him when we were together. I fucked up kissing Devin. I might have lost the only real shot at a relationship I’d had in years.
But Aiden was still a mystery to me.
§§
I walked into The Mystic and immediately spotted Aiden. He was chatting up a beautiful blonde as they sat at the table next to the stage. I was unsure whether or not to approach him. I opted to sit at the bar and greet Dave.
“Nina,” he said with a wink.
“I live here,” I admitted.
He laughed loudly. “I assumed as much,” he said, grabbing the twenty I handed him as he sat my beer down. “I won’t ask.”
“Thanks.” I smiled, my heart not behind it. I waited ten minutes, only looking over at Aiden once. I refused to let the jealousy seep through me. I had no right. Letting out a sigh, I finished my beer then picked my purse up to leave when I heard his voice behind me.
“Naughty Nina,” he greeted with contempt in his voice.
I turned to look up at him. “I’m not playing games tonight, Aiden. If you are angry with me then just say so. You don’t have to parade around, flirting with other women. I am well aware you have the power to get laid anytime you want.”
“Aiden,” the blonde from the booth whined as she walked up. “I didn’t think we were finished talking.” She glared at me as I stared at her blankly.
I braved a look at him, and my lips parted. His eyes were fire, his jaw set like he was ready for war.
“Karina, I will call you,” he dismissed her as he kept his eyes on mine. She stomped off, grabbing her purse from the table and pushing past us as she left.
“I’m sorry, Aiden,” I said softly. “It was just a kiss. I am sorry, though. Excuse me.” I stood to leave, knowing I wouldn’t be back.
Seconds after I walked out I felt his hand take mine as he led me around the corner in the alley behind his club. He positioned me against the brick wall as he stared at me. I looked up at him, completely weak.
“It really is ironic that you think you are a shark, Nina Scott,” he said before backing me up, his fiery eyes ablaze with need.
Well, he knows my last name.
“I know I made it clear to you that I wanted to own this body, maybe I should have included this sexy fucking mouth, too,” he said, sliding his hand up and cupping my chin. “But you never did give me an answer, did you?”
My panties were soaked. I moaned as his breath hit my skin with every word.
“No,” I answered. “I didn’t.” His smirk was full of menace. He wanted me to pay, of that I was sure.
“Allow me to clarify which parts I want to own,” he said, lifting my skirt slowly inch by inch. A group of people walked by laughing and turned our way. Aiden didn’t stop as he lifted it up further, exposing my white silk panties.
“This.” He cupped my sex roughly, and I gasped out as the onlookers quickly walked past us. I stood, completely frozen, both mortified and absolutely on fire. I reached up to pull him to me to cover myself as he reached around, gripping my ass and squeezing with both hands. “This,” he said, pulling me to him and grinding into me slightly before thrusting me back against the brick.
He pulled open my blouse button by button as I quickly looked around us, realizing we were being watched by every single passerby.
“Aiden,” I said, giving him big eyes.