I fish for my phone in my jacket’s pocket. Sure enough, on the students’ portal, it’s announced that our first class is cancelled.
I stare up at him. “You tricked me.”
“Hmm, did I?”
“You knew we don’t have class, but you ushered me out as if we’d be late.”
“We were going to be late.”
“For what?”
“You didn’t have breakfast so I’m buying you.”
“What makes you think I want to go anywhere with you?”
His poker face slips and the chilling, cold void takes its place. “I could’ve kidnapped you to a place where no one would find you. I’m being nice here, Frozen. I’m giving you a choice to have breakfast with me in a place full of people so you’re more comfortable.”
I finger the strap of my backpack with sweaty fingers. Although fear is locking my shoulder blades, I can now see past it to what Aiden is actually saying.
Kidnapping me is his first choice and nature. He wants to rob me of my will, he wants the thrill of seeing me at his mercy.
However, he’s forcing himself to make me comfortable.
Why?
I know for certain that he doesn’t care about the moral line or my comfort.
This must be another game.
Another mindfuck.
“You realise that this isn’t a choice, right?” I ask.
“Hmm. How so?”
“A choice is supposed to lead in different directions. Yours only leads back to you.”
A wolfish grin breaks on his stupidly handsome face. “It only leads back to me, huh?”
God. His way of repeating my words is infuriating and makes me want to slap him.
I swallow the urge down because now, I realise it’s his way to get a rise out of me.
“You’re manipulating me, Aiden.” I lift my chin. “I don’t like it when people manipulate me.”
“I’m manipulating you, huh?” He leans over, blocking the hint of the sun and the entire world with his frame. His voice drops to a whisper. “How does it feel to be manipulated, sweetheart?”
I swallow against the warmth rising up my throat. He can do it a thousand times, and I still wouldn’t get used to being this close to him.
His fresh scent.
His tousled jet black hair.
The small mole at the corner of his eye.
I find myself staring at that longer than I like to admit.
Winning a staring competition with Aiden has always been impossible. The bottom of my stomach always does this stupid shit as if something is slicing, cutting, and ripping it open from the inside.