Reading Online Novel

Flirting With Destiny(37)



“Lauren, what are you doing here?” Aedyn sputtered, gaping at me over the rim of his beer glass. “You just got hit by a car yesterday, shouldn’t you be taking it easy? You’re out and about so soon?”

“Didn’t you know I was Wonder Woman?” I said, smirking at his reaction. “I’m sure I hurt the car worse than it hurt me.”

“Sorry, I mean how are you feeling? I just… didn’t expect to see you again seeing that you’re engaged now.” His words were edged in sarcasm and I wasn’t sure how to take his remark.

“Yea, about that…”

“Funny you didn’t mention a boyfriend at the diner… when we talked… for over an hour. That’s the kind of thing most people would bring up in a conversation when they hadn’t seen each other in years.”

I dripped my chin to my chest and picked at the trim on my cell phone case.

“I know. I’m sorry. I’m glad I ran into you because I want to explain.”

Aedyn placed his beer on the counter and the expression on his face softened.

“Lauren, I’m sorry. You’ve been through a lot and I’m acting like a jealous schoolboy. I have no right to act this way. Would you care to join me for lunch or a drink? I’m buying.”

I shot a glance toward the door, then glanced at my watch knowing that Chip would be tied up most of the afternoon with work. Aedyn smiled at me, waiting for my answer, his eyes, blue and inviting. I moistened my lips as I felt the flesh on my arms rising into goose bumps. “Okay, sure. That would be great,” I said and slid onto the bar stool next to him.

“Can I order some lunch for you?”

“No thanks. But I’ll have a beer.” I didn’t think I could make it through sitting so close to Aedyn without something to distract my hands.

“So what’s all the mystery about the boyfriend?”

“Fiancé.” I corrected him and wiggled my ring finger, admiring the beautiful stone. I dropped my hand when I saw his jaw tighten.

“It’s beautiful.”

I was quiet for a moment, not sure if I should go on. Technically, he was an old friend and I felt so relaxed around him, like I could tell him all my inner thoughts. But revealing my feelings would also make me vulnerable. Bottom line, I was scared and had lost confidence in myself. I had come to expect that all my actions would be wrong.

He peered into my face with a searching look. “Yes, go on…”

“Well…” I took a breath. “It’s everything I thought I wanted, Aedyn. All those years we dated, I was dying for Chip to put a ring on my finger and now…”

Suddenly I felt self-conscious. I shoved my hand back in my lap, thinking I’d said too much and somehow Aedyn knew I had been thinking about him—fantasizing about us being together.

“It kind of sounds like you regret accepting it.”

I didn’t know how to answer.

“It’s not too late. You don’t have to marry the guy. You can give the ring back,” he said with a slow smile as if he understood. On the surface he was trying to be a friend and help me work through my problem, but underneath his remarks, his body language, and tone were flirting and luring me in.

The smell of his fresh cologne drifted past my nose and I chastised myself. I shouldn’t be doing this. I shouldn’t have come to look for him and sit so temptingly close, staring at his lips and wondering what it’d be like to kiss them. How was I to answer when my pulse was jumping with excitement? I couldn’t speak; I didn’t have the answer myself. It was overwhelming. The magnetism was so intense with Aedyn right there in front of me, his blue eyes piercing me with every glance he threw my way, making me want to do things I shouldn’t. His very presence disarmed me, pulling every ounce of logic right out of my brain and leaving me with my heart pounding. If there was a shortcut on the path to hell, I had just found it.

“I think we should talk about something else,” I said, then reached out and stole a French fry from his plate with the hope that, if I shoved some food in my mouth, I wouldn’t say something stupid.

Aedyn paused from taking another draught of beer and I felt the heat of his gaze. His eyes darted to my lips and he looked at me sideways for a long time with half-hooded eyes. His killer looks were making me flush as his gaze slid slowly and seductively over my body. He watched, never taking his eyes off me the entire time I chewed that damn fry. The heat was building between us, or at least I was on fire, although I couldn’t determine if he was feeling the sparks. As usual, he remained cool and calm, noticeably unaffected. I was bewildered, seemingly powerless and under his control. All I could do was nervously glance at the door, worried that I’d be found out, as if anyone who walked in right now could see the fire building inside me.