It takes me a second to comprehend what Aerin means.
“Ava?” I’m so shocked by the accusation, I don’t know how to respond.
“Who else besides the one who has her hands all over you?”
“She was just holding my hand.” I have no idea how to handle an irate woman, and her lack of direct answers isn’t helping. “Is that why you’re mad?”
“So you don’t deny it?”
“I certainly do deny it! Ava’s never done that to me!”
Aerin scoffs and looks out at the water. I shake my head slowly as I contemplate what might be going on in her head. Only one thought comes to mind, but I can hardly believe it.
“Are you…are you jealous?”
“I most certainly am not!” She lets out a short, sharp laugh.
“You are!” I laugh as well, and Aerin turns on me with a glare.
“Fuck you.”
“Aerin, you are totally wrong about this.” I take a step forward, but she just moves away. I decide on the direct approach. “Ava is a lesbian.”
“Really, Talen? That’s the best you can do? I know she was the town whore, so don’t try to tell me she wasn’t.”
“She is…or was. I don’t know what the current status is, but that doesn’t mean I slept with her! She likes Layshell! Didn’t you see them together?”
“What I saw was you and her together. The way she hugged you and kissed you…the way she keeps touching you…are you going to deny all of that?”
“Yes, I am.”
“Bullshit.”
“Aerin, I swear to you, I didn’t lie about any of that. Ava and I aren’t like that. We never have been.”
“He told me you were with her all the time. He said you shared a tent.”
“Who? Was it Keller? I swear, I may end up killing that guy.”
“Not him.” Aerin continues to glare. “It was Milo. Is he a liar, too?”
“No, he isn’t, but it’s not what you think.”
“I have eyes, Talen. I see how you are with her.”
“Ava and I were never intimate,” I say with conviction. “Not once or in any way. Yes, I shared her tent sometimes, but only because she had a real bed, and I got tired of sleeping on the ground. She’s my friend, Aerin. That’s all. I promise you, there is nothing else between us. She likes women, and even if she didn’t, I’m not in love with her.”
Aerin scowls at me, her jaw clenched. Her dark hair frames her face, and her misplaced fury somehow makes her more attractive. My heart pounds as I reach for her hand and look directly into her eyes.
“I’m in love with you.”
Aerin stares at me. She opens her mouth and then closes it again. She shakes her head, furrows her brow for a moment, and then opens her eyes wide. A half second later, she grabs me.
She twists her fingers into my hair and drags my mouth to hers. She kisses me hard, reaching down with one hand to grab at the front of my jeans, pulling them open. She strokes my cock, gripping it tightly before she reaches up and quickly unbuttons my shirt. She pushes it down over my shoulders.
“You’re mine,” she says with a growl. “You hear me?”
“Yours.” I nod. I have no idea what’s happening here. Aerin still looks angry as she alternates between rough kisses and pulling at my clothes. Apparently, I said something right.