Page 34 of High Stakes

My cheeks burn, “Are you here for any particular reason?”

“I was passing,” he replies, biting on his lower lip briefly before adding, “Thought I’d drive you home.”

“Cute,” Aria remarks, grabbing my bag and jacket from the chair behind the counter and passing it over to me. “See you tomorrow.”

I follow him out onto the street, pulling on my jacket. Aiden takes my bag before slipping his hand in mine. “Have you eaten?” I shake my head, and he continues walking on past the car. “Me either. Let’s grab something now.”

It’s on the tip of my tongue to question him further, but the words die on my lips. Aria is right, I just need to relax and see where this leads.

Aiden

I order two steaks the second we’re seated. I have another meeting in an hour and then I’ll be at the club until the early hours, but the need to see Bella was overwhelmingand I found myself driving to the bakery without giving it much thought.

“Did you have a good day?” I ask, shaking my head at the waiter when he approaches with a bottle of wine. “Just water today, please,” I tell him.

Bella frowns slightly, “It was busy. You?”

“Same. Although I was extremely distracted all day.”

“With what?” she asks innocently and thoughts of our morning shower flick through my mind for the thousandth time. I shift uncomfortably as my cock stirs to life. I’ve already had to relieve myself twice already, I can’t do a third.

“Oh, business stuff.”

“Are things harder now without your brother?” she asks.

“Not really, Jake was the clown. He was great at promotion and advertising, but I’ve always ran the business side of things. Do you miss seeing your dad?”

She stares down at her hands, “Sometimes. I’m so used to looking out for him, it feels weird not checking in.”

“It shouldn’t ever be like that,” I say bitterly. “He’s supposed to look after you, Bella.”

“He’s not well,” she defends sadly, “But he does love me.”

I want to scoff out loud. The man is a waste of space and how she can think he gives two shits about her is laughable.

The steak arrives and I dive into mine, checking my watch. Bella eyes it and after a few seconds, she says, “You didn’t ask me what I wanted again.”

I chew my mouthful before replying. “I can have it changed,” I say, holding up a hand to get the waiters attention.

She immediately grabs it, slamming it down on the table. “No, don’t do that.”

“Then eat your steak, Bella.”

I finish up and drop my napkin on my plate. Bella’s eaten half of hers and now she’s pushing it around her plate like a sulking teenager. I check my watch again and this time she catches me. “Do you need to be somewhere?”

“A meeting, but eat, I have time.”

She shakes her head, “I’m not that hungry.”

“Would you like it boxed so you can have it later?” I wave the waiter over before she replies and ask him to box it up.

Ten minutes later, I pull up outside Tremos. “You’re quiet,” I state.

“I’m just . . .” she sighs. “Taking it all in, I guess.”

I get out of the car and head to her side, opening the door. She steps out and I press against her, trapping her. “You’re over-thinking,” I whisper, pressing my lips to herneck. She tilts her head slightly. “We’re enjoying each other’s company. Just go with it.” I feel her relax, and I pull back to press my lips to hers. “I won’t be home until late,” I add. “But you’ll be in my bed when I get back.” Then I take her by the hand again and lead her inside.

CHAPTER TWELVE

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