For a split second I think about making a run for the exit, I really don’t want to be bullied tonight, and that can be the only reason she would take an interest in me. An easy target to get a few laughs from.
I look back at her, and that’s when I see him over her shoulder. I didn’t see him at first, but he’s all I see now. Now he, Chloe would approve of.
I’ve read books. I’ve watched movies. I mean I’ve gone through them like some people might go through toilet paper. But none of the characters and actors compare to the bloke I’m gawking at. He’s not built as stockily as the others, but the shirt sits tight enough for me to see there’s plenty of hard muscle hidden beneath it. His brown hair isn’t shaggy, but short and neatly kept. And his face is hard. Okay, maybe not hard. Serious? Or maybe it’s the penetrating look? I can’t put my finger on it.
What am I saying? I do want to put my finger on it – on his whole face, just to see if the tingling sensation I’m feeling can possibly get any more intense. That’s saying a lot coming from me, seeing as I don’t do the touching thing, at all. I like my personal space, a lot. I think the only reason I’m such good friends with Chloe is because it’s over a phone, and she can’t touch me. I never asked to be the way I am, it’s all because of the way my mum treated me. I learned from an early age that touching hurts, it disgusts me. People telling you they love you is just bullshit. My past made me who I am today, a broken soul.
Oh, tonight is going to be a problem. I look at the bloke again. Would I be able to let him touch me? I don’t feel the familiar wave of disgust well up in my stomach, and the words slip out. “Why not?”
I follow her, all because of him and the distracting tingling feeling growing in the region of my stomach. (Which is so much better than the nervous one I’ve been having up until now.)
“Look what I found all alone over there by Rob,” the girl drawls when we get to her group of mates.
They have a booth and table next to each other in the back corner, tucked away from the others.
“What’s your name, prettiness?” She throws her arm around me and I cringe. Oh hell, I hope she’s not the ‘let’s all be a groupie’ kind of person. I’ve read about those in some of my books. Reading it is one thing, doing it is completely another thing I’m not so interested in.
“Emma.” It takes everything I have not to look at him, at least not until I’m introduced. Then I’ll eye-stalk him a bit.
“Well, Emma,” she says my name as if she’s tasting it. “This is Colton. Mine.” I knew that from when they walked in together.
Colton has shaggy, light brown hair and sharp brown eyes. His smile doesn’t reach his eyes and it makes him look downright scary. I’ll make sure I stay away from him. The girl keeps going.
“Paul, Harper, Aiden,” My eyes stop on Aiden and I eye-stalk. Even his name … bugger, I’m going to drool just saying it. He finally looks at me and the pub takes a spin. Crikey! Does alcohol work that fast?
I’ve never seen gray eyes like his before, it looks like there’s a storm brewing in them. His eyes sweep over me and suddenly I wish I’d dressed better. I feel like the dullest girl here.
“And Joe, and Dave.” She finishes. I don’t bother look at them.
Aiden’s mouth curves at the corner, just slightly, but enough for me to notice – because I’m still eye-stalking. The tingles are back in full force, making it feel as if a flock of eagles has taken flight in my stomach. The slight smile makes him look utterly dishy.
I have to stop staring. Stop gawking, Emma, now!
I manage to tear my eyes away from his and look to her. She’s waiting for something, and then I realize she hasn’t introduced herself.
“Oh … and you are?” I ask so she will feel important. I’m very good at making people feel important. I’ve done it all my life. My mum is a control freak, and that is putting it mildly. She has this way of taking over your life and living it for you. It’s her way or the highway.
“Katia,” she says, a slow smile spreading over her perfect face. “Slide in,” she orders.
I hesitate and dare another glance in Aiden’s direction. He catches me glancing at him and a tidal wave of heat spreads through my body, rushing in the direction of my cheeks. Flustered, I move in. Katia comes in behind me, and it’s only then I realize I’m going to be pinned in by them. Oh Shit! I’ve allowed myself to be cornered. Now is not the time to lose control of the situation. I glance under the table, looking for a way to get out if the need arises.
“Or you can just run over it,” a deep voice says close to my ear.
I glance up, and the pub takes on that spinning thing it was doing a minute ago. His eyes are even grayer up close, forget the storm brewing thing I mentioned earlier. They’re almost like a silver moon, spotlighting everything mystical that comes out at night. I’m gawking again. It feels as if Aiden’s eyes are penetrating right through me, digging too deep, trying to find the few secrets I’d like to keep hidden.
I square my shoulders and lift my chin, so I’ll look braver than I feel. I don’t want these people to see how nervous I am. “Why would I run over it?” I feign ignorance.
“The floor is disgustingly dirty. I wouldn’t want you crawlin’ on it just to get away from us. You should rather run over the table if you need to get away.”
I can’t help but smile. It’s a miracle I’m not grinning like a daft nut. So much for acting brave. “You picked up on that?”
“Some here might bite,” he says, his eyes sweep over his mates before they settle back on me, “but I don’t.”
He tilts his head slightly, and the corner of his mouth lifts. Ahh, and my hormones start to play table tennis with my ovaries. I’m way too aware of everything around me, and we’re surrounded by other people. I need to get sloshed. I won’t be able to kiss this bloke, never mind going for a quick romp while I’m still sober.
I let my eyes take in the attractive man sitting next to me. Yeah, out of all the ones here, if I’m going to shag one, I’d like it to be this one. He doesn’t make my skin crawl, and that should be declared as one of the wonders of the world.
Alright, hormones in high gear, brain shut off and silent. I’m still staring, no, it’s definitely gawking. I finally manage to force my eyes to the bar but they have a one-track mind, because they pop right back to him.
He smiles and my ovaries are suddenly in the Wimbledon final.
~*~
Chapter Two
Aiden~
She stands out like a sore thumb. Don’t go getting me wrong. I see why Katia zeroed in on her. She’s pretty and all, but she doesn’t belong here. Every other girl is smothered in make-up, some sinus-killing perfume, too tight underwear and too little of everything else.
Then, there’s her. Blonde, big eyes, squashed between guys who looked like they were ready to pounce on her at any given moment. She looks like she belongs at home, studying, safely away from all of this – and that’s why Katia went for her. Katia loves the innocent type ones. She feeds off of them.
Only, Emma doesn’t look like your typical blonde. The second she sat down she was looking for a way out, and I had to bite down not to smile. She’s onto Katia’s tricks, not flattered like the others.
She looks flustered and I smile, trying to put her at her ease. Her cheeks flush a soft pink, and that tells me just how right I am about her being the innocent type. I’d love to know what she’s doing here, though.
“What brings you to a place like this, Emma?”
She leans in. I’d like to think it’s to get away from Katia and closer to me, but the music has been turned up. It’s only so I’ll hear her. I haven’t dated in a while; I mean a long while. Saying that I’ve been too busy will only be fooling myself. The thing with Laurie hit hard, and it’s been Zac and me ever since.
The second she gets close, I get a dose of her faint scent. Something flowery. I should leave. I’m working. I don’t have time for this.