If Aiden Blackwood wanted to act indifferent, fine.But after tonight, I knew the truth.He was watching me.And if there was one thing I had learned over the years, it was this—men like Aiden hate losing control.So, what did I do?I pushed him.The next morning at breakfast, I acted normal. Casual. Like I hadn't noticed him practically burning holes into me last night."Morning," I said lightly, pouring myself coffee.Aiden barely looked up from his laptop. "Morning."His voice was clipped. A little too neutral.I bit back a smirk.Lily and Oliver were talking about some upcoming gala, so I leaned in, fully aware of Aiden's presence across the table."Oliver," I said sweetly. "Who was that guy I met last night? The one in the black suit?"Oliver snapped his fingers. "Oh! That's Ryan. He was asking about you."I hummed. "He was cute."I felt it before I saw it—Aiden going still.Then, a slow, deliberate click as he shut his laptop.Lily giggled. "He asked Oliver for your number."I grinned. "Did you give it to him?"Before Oliver could answer, Aiden's voice cut through the air."No."Silence.I blinked, turning toward him. "Excuse me?"Aiden leaned back in his chair, eyes sharp, voice smooth. "I said no."Oliver frowned. "Dude, how would you even know—"Aiden's gaze didn't leave mine. "Because I told him she wasn't interested."I sucked in a breath.My pulse spiked.He wasn't even pretending anymore."You did what?" I asked, voice deceptively calm.Aiden's lips curled slightly. "You're welcome."I wanted to strangle him.Instead, I smiled sweetly. "Oh, Aiden. I didn't know you had a hobby of making decisions for me. How cute."His smirk widened. "You'd make a terrible decision anyway.""Why? Because he's not a billionaire?"Aiden's eyes darkened.Bingo.I pushed my chair back. "Well, I am interested in him. And if he texts, I'll say yes to a date."I barely made it three steps before a firm grip closed around my wrist.Aiden didn't pull me back. Didn't say a word.But the heat in his touch sent a jolt up my spine.His voice was low, controlled. Dangerous."You won't."I turned, eyes flashing. "And why the hell not?"His grip tightened—just a fraction. Not painful. Just enough to let me feel his strength.Then, he leaned in.Close enough that his breath tickled my skin.Close enough that I felt his rage.And when he spoke, his voice was pure possession."Because I'll ruin him."
The Breaking Point
I pulled away, my heart pounding."What the hell is wrong with you?" I demanded.Aiden stood slowly, like a predator."You think this is a game?" His voice was deceptively calm.I clenched my fists. "You're the one acting like—"A sharp laugh.Cold. Amused.Like he was barely holding back.Then, in a blink, he was in front of me.Towering. Overwhelming.But I refused to back down.His voice dropped, lethal. "You want my attention, sweetheart? Congratulations. You have it."My stomach twisted."Excuse me?"Aiden tilted his head, studying me."You dressed up last night knowing I'd be there. You flirted with another man knowing I'd see it."I swallowed. "I don't need your permission to—""I don't give a damn about permission."He took another step.My back hit the wall.Shit.Aiden's hands caged me in, bracing on either side of my head.His scent—expensive cologne, something dark and intoxicating—wrapped around me.I should have pushed him away.I should have slapped him for his arrogance.Instead, I shivered.And he felt it.His smirk deepened. "Do you like playing with fire, Jessica?"I glared. "Do you like being a controlling asshole?"He chuckled. "I prefer the term 'persistent.'"Then, he leaned in, just enough for our lips to be a breath apart.Not touching. Just taunting."You want me to snap?" he murmured.I swallowed hard."You already did," I whispered.Something flashed in his eyes.Something dangerous.His fingers grazed my waist—light, teasing. Testing.I bit my lip, refusing to react.But my breath hitched.And he noticed.Aiden's smirk was pure sin.Then, as quickly as he had trapped me, he stepped back.Like nothing had happened.Like he hadn't just shattered my entire composure."I have a meeting," he said smoothly.Then he walked away.And I hated the way my body still tingled where he touched me.That Night: The Real Slip-Up
I was still fuming when I walked into the house later that night.But before I could make it upstairs—"I need to talk to you."I turned.Aiden was standing at the base of the stairs, sleeves rolled up, eyes stormy.And just like that, my anger ignited again."Oh? About what? How you plan to scare off every guy who looks at me?"His jaw tightened. "I didn't—""You did."Aiden exhaled. "I don't like him."I raised an eyebrow. "That's not your problem."Silence.Then, quietly—"I don't like watching you with him."My breath caught.That…That was different.Aiden didn't even look at me when he said it.Like he hated admitting it.Like he didn't want to feel this way.And that was dangerous.Because if he felt this way…What would he do next?