“Not exactly.” Aiden pulled into the parking lot of Thirsty’s and parked next to my car. The place was completely empty save for the handful of mist-covered cars left over from the night before.
As tempting as it was to ask him to elaborate, my inner alarms told me to let it be. My car and freedom from this crazy situation were right beside me, and I was eager to get back to a normal, comfortable routine. We both climbed out of his car and walked over to mine.
“Your keys,” Aiden said as he held out his hand.
“Thanks,” I said as I took them from his grasp, “for everything, I mean. Sorry I sort of went nuts this morning. It was just a little…shocking, I guess. Please don’t take it personally.”
“No worries,” he said. “You were just a little disoriented.”
“Yeah, I was. I don’t do things like that.”
“So I gathered.” He looked at me sideways. “I get the idea you don’t stray much from the norm.”
I blinked a couple of times as I looked up at him. He was grinning again.
“Are you laughing at me?” I asked.
“Maybe a little,” he replied, then shook his head. “Not really at you, it’s just—you’re making me think about my friends back in Miami.”
“Why is that?”
“We’re all big into living life to the fullest, you know? Live in the now, and deal with the consequences later.”
“Sounds like you get into a lot of trouble,” I remarked.
“Sometimes.” Aiden reached out and took my hand in his. “Most of the time we just have a lot of fun.”
“Doing what?”
“Mostly drinking,” Aiden said with a laugh. He pulled at my hand until we were standing close together, forcing me to look up into his face. “A couple of them are big guys, and they can drink a lot.”
“Big guys compared to you?”
“Depends on what you mean.” Aiden raised his eyebrows and released my hand only to place his on my waist. I gripped his forearm, not sure if I wanted to push him away or bring him closer.
This was a bad idea. Playing games with a man like this wasn’t safe. This was what I had always avoided. Still, I’d already hurt his pride once, and I’d practically insulted him, assuming he didn’t make enough money for a nice apartment. Pushing him away would be rude.
His closeness was also having quite an effect on my body.
Aiden’s eyes twinkled as he raised his hand and brushed my cheek with his fingers. His smile made him look boyish and much less threatening than the way his muscles and tattoos portrayed him.
I bit down on my lip as he moved his head closer to mine, just staring into his eyes and completely unable to move. I was sure he could hear my heart beating as I wondered if this was what a mouse felt like as it saw the shadow of an owl overhead. My mind told me this was dangerous, but I was unable to either fly or fight.
His mouth covered mine as he wrapped his arm around my back and pulled me against him. I gripped the edge of his shirt tightly as he kissed me, stealing what breath I had from my lungs. His full lips were warm and gentle on mine, and just as the tip of his tongue touched mine, he stopped.
Aiden pulled back, and I slowly looked at him. His eyes were hooded and dark, and his mouth was slightly open. I felt his breath against my lips as he spoke.
“It was nice meeting you, Chloe.”
I licked my bottom lip, still tasting him there.
“You too,” I whispered.
He released my waist and let his hand rest on my hip.
“Do I get to see you again?” he asked suddenly, and my heart began to pound intensely.
“I thought you were leaving tomorrow.” My hand slid down his arm as he took a half step back.