Page 83 of High Stakes

“I was nineteen. Jake and the boys hated her, to me that was a good thing because I knew none of them would use her against me in a challenge. We were fire in the bedroom and so she became like a drug. I needed to have a regular fix.”

I suddenly regret asking and he places a finger under my chin, tipping my head back to look me in the eye. “I realise now, all we had was sex. It took meeting you, to see that.”

“Are you sad she left again?” I ask.

He shakes his head, “Relieved, not sad. Now, are we watching a film or not?”

I wake feeling stiff and as I stretch out, I open an eye. I’m in a bedroom but it isn’t mine. I lift my head slightly and recognise its Aiden’s room. I don’t even remember falling to sleep let alone getting in here.

I roll to the side and hit something solid.Aiden. His arm snakes over me and I freeze. He mumbles something incoherent, and then pulls me to him and tucks me into his side.

He's still asleep, I can hear his deep, relaxed breaths. I feel like I should move but he’s so warm and for the firsttime in months I feel calm, so I snuggle into him and drift back off to sleep.

Aiden

I wake and I’m far too hot. I feel a weight across me, and it confuses me for a second, until I remember yesterday, and Bella. It brings a smile to my face, and I feel content knowing she’s here with me. Where she belongs.

I carried her to my bed last night after she fell asleep on the couch. She looked so peaceful that I didn’t have the heart to wake her.

We took a step forward last night and talked, something we hadn’t done the first time around. But we also agreed to no more secrets, which means I have to tell her about the orgy before Aria or Gemma does.

I sneak out of bed and head to the kitchen. I want to impress her with breakfast, or at least impress her with the effort, because my breakfast skills aren’t up to much.

Ten minutes later, I have everything on a tray and I head to the bedroom to find Bella sitting up staring at her mobile. “Cal’s been texting. I think he’s annoyed with me,” she sighs and spots the tray as I place it next to her on the side table. “You cooked me breakfast?” she notes, smiling.

I nod. “Something I’ve never done for anyone. Well maybe once, but that’s another story,” I say awkwardly.

Bella eyes me suspiciously and takes the tray, placing it carefully on her lap. “I feel like there’s more you want to say.”

I perch on the edge of the bed. “I think I slept with one of your friends.” I groan, “Actually, I know she was one of your friends. Gemma.”

She holds bacon halfway to her mouth. “Wow, Gemma. She likes to put it about, maybe you should get all of that checked,” she says, screwing up her face and waving her hand in the general direction of my crotch.

“I just thought that since we weren’t keeping secrets anymore…”

Her expression changes, and she puts the tray back onto the side table. “I’m not very hungry. Besides, I should be getting back. Cal didn’t want me to go out last night. I’m still supposed to be resting, and he doesn’t sound happy in the messages he left.” She throws the covers back and I take in the sight of her in my T-Shirt.

“I thought you’d text him last night to say you were with me?”

“I did, he wasn’t happy,” she mutters.

“You aren’t even together?” I say gently, not wanting to upset her.

“He’s my friend, he cares about me.”

I take a calming breath. I hate that he’s dictating who she can see. “I care about you, Bella. But I wouldn’t stop you seeing someone if I could see you were happy.”

“I’m not arguing about this,” she says firmly, and she suddenly bends, gasping and gripping her stomach.

I rush to her, “Are you okay?” I ask, easing her back into bed. She lets me. “Sorry,” she winces, “I keep getting these twinges.”

“Look, stay. Let me look after you. I can take some time off from the club.”

“I can’t ask you to do that.”

“You’re not asking, I’m offering. It’s got to be better than bedrest at Cal’s. Is he even around during the day?”

“He has to work,” she says. “But he’s been amazing.”

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