The Girl He Craves novel (Sophie and Aiden)

93

"Loosen up Sophie. You're as stiff as a rock." Aiden whis- pered beside my ear, his lips tickling my skin.

His hands run down the small of my back, his warmth. seeping through and relaxing me as we walked to our table.

I sighed in relief when we finally took our seats but I prayed that maybe, just maybe all these rich fancy people would stop staring at us like we were the most fascinating thing they've seen in a while.

The stares literally burned through me when they saw Aiden pulling the chair back for me to sit. And when I fixed that chair and he stayed beside me for longer than necessary, their stares had turned hotter. Seriously you could have brought me to any fast food place. I'd be happy to eat oily fries and a cheesy burger." I grumble as I darted my eyes around as slick as I could.

"Those fast food places aren't good enough for you. You deserve the best," He grinned. My stomach knotted.

Smooth.

I stared at him across the table. This feels intimate. Just us

two having lunch in a fancy restaurant.

It almost looks like we were on a date. That must be why everyone could not stop looking our way.

Or perhaps it was the shock to see the young bachelor

with a woman who looked like she swam in the sewer.

Aiden seems to be staring at me deeply too. It's quite nerve-wracking actually.

I needed to distract him before the waiter arrives. Be-

cause obviously if he keeps staring at me like I was the meal, I was not sure I can handle myself. Or my feelings.

"So you have a photo of me in one of your penthouses?" I asked in curiosity.

Honestly, I had been dying to ask him this question the moment his grandfather confirmed it.

Aiden started hacking out a cough.

I looked at him in concern.

"Are you okay?" I asked as I watch him block his mouth. His face was heating up with a blush.

"Yes," Cough. "I'm fine."

He clears his throat, looking a bit flustered. "No, I actually don't. Sergio doesn't have a great memory, so I knew exactly what to tell him to get him off my back."

I'm a little disappointed. "Oh," I whispered, my shoulders. sagging in displeasure.

He clears his throat and I suppose was about to say some- thing else but the waiter comes over to hand us the menu po- litely.

"I will come back to get your orders in five minutes Mr. Xavier." He said and left seconds after. When he does, my at-

tention goes back to Aiden.

I still had no idea why he could not have just told Sergio he didn't want to get married. Why would he go through so much trouble to try to convince his grandfather I was his fi- ance? He was a grown man, he could say no. Couldn't he?

Unless his grandfather was threatening him with some- thing he couldn't win over?

Aiden notices my curious gaze and he lifted a brow ques- tioningly. "Why do I feel like you're about to go nancy drew right now?"

"Why did you not just say no?" I asked him, stunning him. for a few moments before he regains his composure.

He opens his mouth to speak but I cut in before he could get a word in.

"And don't think about lying Aiden. Tell me the truth." I warned, eyes narrowing on his face.

Maybe it was time I listen to him without judging right

away.

Sure him telling his grandfather and then telling that in- terviewer woman that we were engaged was absurd with him not giving me a warning beforehand or at least my permis-

sion.

But perhaps Aiden had his reasons and it was time I hear them out.

He is silent for a few, staring at me intently before he

sighs and starts.

Sergio is threatening to get me back into jail if I don't get married and settle down before the year ends."

He says the words with a bitterness that shocked me.

I gasped, eyes widening slightly. Was it that serious for Aiden to get married? So serious that he had to hang the jail card over Aiden's head?

"Bu-t he can't do th-at can he?" I stuttered out in a rush of emotions. The main one was fright.

Even though I didn't trust Aiden yet, it was clear he loved his son and it took only a couple of days for me to see that. Ashton just got to know his dad, he wasn't ready to lose him....and neither did I.

It took a lot for me to admit but I didn't want to lose