Page 16 of High Stakes

“I’m not a one-night stand type of girl, Aiden. I won’t fall into your bed when you throw me a scrappy line you’ve probably used over and over. Save yourself the work.”

I give a stiff nod.Fuck. Now what?

Bella

“I should go to bed, I’m shattered,” I announce.

Aiden also stands, looking uneasy, “Yeah about that. The spare room is a little empty right now.”

“Empty how?”

“Like a blank canvas,” he says wincing.

I frown, “So why did you offer to let me stay?”

“I plan on furnishing it, I just haven’t had time. Look, take my bed, I’ll have the couch.”

I narrow my eyes, “Did you plan on getting me into your bed tonight?”

“No,” he says, following it with a smirk.

“Oh my god,” I mutter, shaking my head but trying hard not to smile. “I’ll take the couch,” I add, “It’s comfortable.”

He hands me a blanket and pillow, arguing constantly that he should take the couch, until I have to shove himfrom the room. I lie down and check my phone, smiling when I see a message from Luke.

Luke: Thanks for tonight, I really enjoyed myself. Can we do it again soon?

Me: Me too. I’d love to meet up. Monday, after work?

Luke: Great. 5p.m. Outside the bakery?

Me: Yeah, see you then.

I wake with a start, groaning when my head pounds from the hangover.

“Sorry did I wake you?” whispers Aiden and I open one eye to see him in his running gear.

“It’s your house, make as much noise as you want.”

He pulls his leg to stretch the muscles, and I run my eyes over his sweating body, noting how his shirt clings to his muscled abs. He smirks, catching me and I groan, pulling the pillow over my head. “It should be illegal to look that good on a Sunday morning.”

He laughs, “It takes a lot of hard work to look like this. Early morning runs are not fun on a Sunday morning when most of the world are sleeping off hangovers. What are your plans today?” he asks, taking off his shirt and using it to wipe his chest.

“You’re doing that on purpose,” I accuse, causing him to laugh again. “My friend owns her own salon, and she opens up on Sundays exclusively for family and friends, I might pop over and get a wax.”

“Wax?” He wiggles his eyebrows suggestively.

“Well, I have a date tomorrow, and I don’t want hairy legs scaring him away.”

His smile fades. “A date?” he repeats.

“Yeah, the guy I met last night. Only for a drink after work, but still, I have to make a bit of an effort don’t I.”

He gives a stiff nod before heading down the hall towards his bedroom.

Aiden

I thought this would be easier than it’s proving to be. I’m supposed to be consuming her head, not some fucking mug she met when she was pissed. I groan, I’m playing the game all wrong. I put some calls in so I can at least try and turn her head in my direction.

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