“Yeah, I swear she has no fear for her life.”
Elsa is about to say something, but the bell rings. She starts to stand, but Aiden gets up first, puts two hands on her shoulders, and sits her back down.
“There’s no way in fuck someone is going to see you drunk.”
“I’m not drunk,” she argues.
He pinches her reddened cheek. “Uh-huh.”
Aiden disappears around the corner before she can say anything.
She leans over. “Tell me more about your friend whom Jonathan hasn’t killed yet.”
“She calls him Johnny.” I giggle, then slap a hand over my mouth. Apparently, I’m also drunk.
I try to never get drunk, because that messes with my senses, and I can’t protect myself if I need to, but I guess I feel safe here.
That’s…both weird and comforting.
“No way! And he lets it happen?” Her gaze trails behind me. “Jonathan.”
“He can’t really stop her.” I giggle again and don’t bother to suppress it. “She’s fearless.”
“No,” Elsa whispers. “Jonathan is here.”
I turn around, and sure enough, my tyrant has come to find me.
14
Aurora
For a moment, I think it’s a play of my imagination.
However, the image forms clear in front of me. My blurry vision slowly takes him in from bottom to top. The sophisticated shoes, the pressed suit, the big, masculine watch that gives off the same hard vibe as him.
And then his face. Those sharp features and defined jawline that are meant to cut. His hair appears slightly damp, which means he got caught in the drizzle outside.
It’s only when I’m trapped in his steel eyes that I finally breathe. Or maybe I stop breathing altogether.
I cut off eye contact before I see that look. The one he gave me last night and this morning. The look that guts me open without him having to say a word.
Jonathan slides into the chair beside me with utter confidence, as if Aiden and Elsa’s dining table is an extension of the King mansion. It takes everything in me not to stare at him some more, get lost in him some more. Just…more.
Aiden joins his wife, but before he can sit down, Jonathan’s authoritative tone makes him pause. “Where’s my plate?”
“You weren’t invited. There’s no more food.”
Elsa starts to push her pasta in her father-in-law’s direction. “You can have mine.”
Aiden presses his palm over hers, gently stopping her. “Nonsense. I’ll get him a plate.”
Jonathan raises a perfect brow. “I thought there was no more food.”
His son narrows his eyes on him for a beat before he disappears into the kitchen.
“How did you find me?” I whisper what I’m thinking.
This is another reason why I don’t drink. My inhibitions kind of disappear, and sometimes, I don’t know when I’m thinking aloud.