Aiden was giddy inside. He had a long day at work dealing with both his company's and his underworld affairs. But as soon as it was time for him to go pick up Claire, he had a sudden burst of energy from the excitement he felt.
From the way she walked down the steps of her villa to how she was little by little dropping the fake smile around him, it all had him feeling elated. He had originally felt curiosity and lust towards her, but it was slowly turning into something else. He still couldn't exactly pin point what it was yet. But he was certain of something, it had everything to do with his little fallen angel, and he was determined to figure it out.
He enjoyed the way her skin felt under his hand as he guided her inside. It was as silky as the dress she was wearing. Her exposed back was too tempting for him, so he decided to test the waters by placing his hand on her back. Seeing as she didn't immediately swap it away he kept it there. 'Baby steps.' He thought to himself as he guided her to the table.
Little did he know the tingles he had made her feel by doing so.
Once they reached the table Aiden helped her into her chair before settling in his. Seeing as Claire had an expression on her face of wanting to ask a million questions, he grinned and stared to speak again.
"The whole restaurant is ours for the evening. It temporarily closed for the day with the pretense of it being under construction to not cause suspicion in the public eye . My people will make sure nobody listens in on our conversation and only the kitchen staff will be present as they will prepare whatever we choose to order." He told her as he passed her a menu.
"So nobody even knows we're here?" She asked as she took the menu.
"Precisely. Now let's order. I'm starving." He answered as he started to read.
When they decided on what to have, Aiden raised his hand and made a gesture with two of his fingers. A few seconds later a man in a dark suit and dark sunglasses approached them. Claire looked at him curiously and assumed he was one of Aiden's men as she told him what she wanted. He took both their orders and disappeared into what looked like the kitchen.
"Well now, should I start or should you?" Aiden asked Claire as he served them red wine.
"You can start." Claire answered. She thought she could delay him from asking about her a bit by making him talk about himself.
"Okay then. Where did you study?" He asked her as he studied her face.
"I thought you were going to start telling me about yourself." Claire asked him as she raised one of her eyebrows.
"No. I asked who would start. Meaning, were you going to start talking about yourself or would I have to start asking you questions. You chose for me to start, so this is me asking." He smoothly told her as he sipped his wine nonchalantly.
Claire was stumped. How can a multi-billionaire man be so sarcastic and...cheeky? She took a sip of her wine and sighed. A gesture that caught Aiden a bit by surprise.
"Look Mr. Villan." Claire looked him straight in the eyes as she spoke. "I get that you somewhat like me. I usually don't even acknowledge such things out loud, let alone to the person behind the sentiment, but I know you're not the kind of man to back down once you have your eyes on something. But wasting time isn't really my thing so I'll make myself clear." She looked away for a second to push something to the back of her mind before she once again stared back at him and continued to speak.
It was a failed attempt since Aiden caught the emotion she tried to hide behind her eyes when she did so.
"I'm not the kind of person you should direct your lust towards. I understand you might find me interesting or attractive, or maybe even a suitable candidate for someone of your standing, yet I would advise you to stop it there. My goals and missions in life are too big and too time consuming for me to even consider yours or any other man's intentions towards me. I'm not the kind of woman you, or any other person for that matter, would enjoy being associated with other than in terms of business. I appreciate your efforts, but I'm afraid I can't offer you anything other than what we already have. A professional partnership. I will gladly answer any questions that involve our deal, but anything besides that won't be possible. "She spoke with conviction as she drew the line between them.
Aiden was a bit surprised. He didn't expect her to be so straight forward on a topic that most women would be so shy about. It made his impression of her sky rocket even higher. He knew it would be a challenge to get on her good side, but to be rejected before even seriously trying to woo her? That was something he wasn't prepared for. At least not during their second proper conversation with each other.
He let her words sink in for a minute before he leaned on the table grasping his hands together. While having a serious expression on his face he started to answer her.
"Understood. Trust me, I heard you loud and clear. And believe me when I say that I respect everything you just said." He saw as Claire sighed a bit in what seemed to be relief. But it didn't fool him in the least. Aiden hadn't missed the slight sadness her jade eyes held when she looked away before.
It was a look that he knew all too well. For it was the same look he saw when the reflection in his mirror stared back at him. It wasn't until she had that look that he understood what he had been feeling since he first laid his eyes on her. It may have been fast, but he was never one to waste time on things he knew were worth investing his time and energy in. And looking at her now, telling him she wasn't for him, he knew exactly what he wanted from her.
"But I'm sorry to inform you Miss Collins, I have no intention of backing down." He told her as a small grin formed from his lips.