Page 173 of Lust & Lies
“Just listen to me, Noe. Even Tristan called me out on...”
“Tristan can’t call anyone out on anything after the way he did that woman he claimed to love. At least you fought for me. He let go so easily that I wondered if he loved her at all. When it comes to love, Tristan is not the person you should be listening to. And when it comes to our love, you did nothing wrong, Aiden.”
“You only think that way because you’re like me, and we’re used to doing things the way we were raised. That doesn’t make it right. I was wrong.”
“You protected me,” I whispered. “How could that be wrong?”
“The way I went about it was wrong, Noe.”
“The only thing I think you did wrong was telling me my name was Noelle. You know how much I hate her. But you couldn’t tell me I was Noa because you’d faked that identity's death to protect me from your grandfather. So I get why Noelle was your last resort, especially considering we’re twins and she was about to take on a new identity to flee with her boyfriend. Her name was up for the taking, and who better to use it than me? Trust me, I understand. And the wedding photo has already been explained. You had us Photoshopped onto a picture you found online. Those two things are truly the only things that bothered me in your whole plan. And now they don’t. I don’tblame you for how you handled things. You’re the reason I’m alive and well right now, Aiden.”
“You make me sound like some noble saint, which I’m not. Protecting you from grandpa wasn’t the only reason I lied and kept you here. I’m a selfish man, Noe... just like him. I’m obsessed with you, like him. I don’t want to let you go. Like him.”
“Will you kill me or try to get rid of me if I decide not to be with you?” I asked.
“Of course, not,” he said, meeting my gaze. “I would never hurt you.”
“Then you’re nothing like him,” I told Aiden.
“I wouldn’t hurt you, but I also wouldn’t let you leave me. See, I’m no better than he is.”
“I admit, the way he’s raised us has influenced us and shaped our personalities somewhat. And yes, it’ll take time for us to shed his influence and learn how to love in a healthy and normal fashion. We may even need to see a therapist to unpack all this trauma we didn’t even realize we had. But I refuse to let you feel bad for wanting me back. I see nothing wrong with that. I had every intention of coming for you as soon as my contract was over. And if I had to kidnap your ass to get you, I would’ve.”
“You would’ve kidnapped me?” he asked, smiling.
“Yes. I would’ve snatched your ass up and beat Ellie’s ass if she tried to stop me.”
Was this guy blushing? Was he excited by the idea of me kidnapping him? I swear there was something wrong with us. But damn it, I loved the way we loved each other. The obsession. The possessiveness. I had no complaints.
“Would you have tied me up and shoved me in your back seat?” he asked.
“No, I would’ve put you in the trunk,” I teased.
“Trunks are nice too. They’re spacious with plenty of leg room. I would’ve been okay with that. Feel free to kidnap me anytime you like, beautiful.”
“Remember you said that,” I told him, wondering if I should reveal what my entire plan had been for him once my contract ended. If I told him that now, he’d definitely think I was toxic.
“Trust me, you have my permission, love,” he told me. “You can do whatever you want to me.”
Keeping my plan to myself for now, I snuggled closer to him.
“On a serious note,” he started. “If you ever feel like I’m smothering you or being too intense, tell me.”
I wanted to be smothered with his love. Bring on the intensity, I could handle it. Randomly kidnap me on a Tuesday as foreplay. Handcuff me to you while we shower. I was down with all that.
I loved how obsessed he was with me. Hell, I was just as obsessed with him. He was everything to me. And I would do anything to keep him in my life. But that wasn’t what he needed from me right now.
Right now, he needed to know I’d tell him if his love ever became too much, instead of bottling it up and leaving him. He just wanted me to be honest when something felt off. He wanted a sense of security.
Men needed that just as much as women did. I could do that for him. I owed him that. He deserved it.
“Okay, Aiden. If I ever start to feel pressured or overwhelmed by your love, I’ll tell you to tone it down a bit.”
“Thank you, baby.”
“You’re welcome, Oppa.”
I noted the blush in his cheeks when I said that. This man was so damn adorable. But then his smile faded, and I hated to see it go. The conversation was about to change. I prepared myself for the direction I knew it was headed in.
