Page 47 of High Stakes

“I’ll do it,” he blurts out, “I’ll try it, with you.” Words get stuck in my throat as my mind races. “I’ve been a complete prick, and I’m messing this up. But I can’t stand to think about you with anyone but me. I’ll give the relationship thing a go.”

“Cal’s in there waiting for me,” I say, “We almost, we’re about to . . .” the words trail of and Aiden glares at me. “You can’t just turn up here and demand I stop what I was about to do because you’ve had a change of heart,” I cry, “I was ready,” I add, “He put a condom on.” Aiden curls his fists by his side. “I wanted to see if he was different,” I mutter.

“Of course he’s fucking different, Bella. He’s not me. But what we have . . .” He growls angrily.

“He’s not rough, he takes his time like he wants to be with me.”

Aiden takes a calming breath, “I want to be with you, Bella. I’m here telling you I want to be with you.”

“You’re too late,” I yell, “I just came on his tongue,” I wail feeling mortified. Everything that’s just happened suddenly hits me and I feel dirty. Like I’ve cheated. I slam my hands over my mouth, “Oh my god.”

“I know you want to hurt me the way I’ve hurt you,” he mutters, “It’s working. But we can start a fresh, okay. No more games. No more lies. Just me and you, like you want.”

I suddenly feel exhausted. “I need to say goodbye to Cal.”

Aiden looks panicked, “No, don’t go back in there,” he yells, and I close the door and lock it. He slams his hand against it, yelling a string of profanities. “Bella, open the damn door.”

When I go back into the kitchen, Cal is leaning against the counter staring at the ground with his arms crossed over his broad chest. He glances up when I enter. “I’m sorry,” I mutter.

“It’sfine,” he says, stepping closer and tucking my hair behind my ear. He cups my jaw, rubbing his thumb over my cheek. “Do you know how long I’ve thought about that exact moment?” he adds, smiling.

I laugh, and a sob escapes. “I’m so sorry. It’s complicated. I didn’t mean to drag you into it.”

“Hey, I’m not complaining. And when he messes up again, I’m here waiting to help with the rebound.” He grins and I press my forehead against his chest.

“Why can’t I fall for you?” I murmur.

“Maybe our time hasn’t come just yet?” he suggests, stroking a hand over my hair. “You should go before he explodes,” he adds, kissing me on the head.

When I step out, Aiden looks relieved. He stops pacing and holds out his hand. I stare at it for a minute before taking it. “You need to get a new personal trainer,” he mutters, kissing me on the head. “And a shower,” he adds.

Shame washes over me again. I’ve never done anything like that before, it was so unlike me. And I realise just how much Aiden is affecting me.

“What happens now?”

“We start a fresh,” he says, opening the car door for me to slide in. He leans in and grabs the seatbelt, securing it around me. “Next time I find you with another man, it ain’t gonna end well.” He kisses me on the head again before closing the door.

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

Aiden

We drive back to Tremos in silence. I can’t shake the thought of Bella with someone else. The fact he saw her orgasm makes me want to rip his eyes out. I grip the steering wheel tightly. And I deserve this, I know I do. Each sordid image my mind has created, I deserve to have, because it’s exactly what I’ve done to her every time she’s seen me with Laurie.

We walk through the club, and JP and Raff pretend to busy themselves, avoiding any eye contact with Bella as she hangs her head like she’s ashamed. Once we’re in theapartment, I throw my keys on the side. “Go and shower,” I mutter coldly. “Wash every inch of him from your skin.”

Her eyes glisten with tears and she wraps her arms around herself before going to the bathroom.

I pull out my mobile and head into the kitchen, closing the door. I dial Raff who answers on the first ring. “She okay?”

“Yep. All intact.”

“And the PT? Is he in one piece?”

“Yep.”

“Now what?”

“Call the solicitor. Tell him to be here at nine tonight,” I say.

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