Page 97 of I Knew You Were Trouble

Now I just sound shallow.

‘I think you should film it. ’Bout time the world saw Cal do some grovelling. He and Ziggy are making phonecalls as we speak.’

Back in the same suite, Cal’s going through his plan. I’m only half-listening when he should have my full attention. He wants me to call Bianca tonight to request another visit, as a follow-up to the interview, to ensure she is at home.

Except I can’t concentrate. I’m too busy dwelling on Aidan’s words.If I have to wait for you, then I can wait.Right at this moment, his full attention is on Cal and he hasn’t even looked my way. He seems happy. Relaxed. Perhaps it’s his way of giving me space to think. To look in the mirror.

We’ve agreed that Duncan will show Meredith how to work the camera, so we can cover all bases. The plan is to leave here at seven a.m.

I have no idea if this is going to work, but Cal is like a man on a mission, the other members of Rebel Heart all willing him on.

‘Everything alright?’ Duncan asks me as we walk back down the corridor to our rooms when the meeting is over.

I force a smile. ‘Fine.’

‘You were quiet in there. Thought you’d be a little more animated. I mean, considering you started this.’

I give a shrug. ‘I don’t want to influence anything.’

‘You wanna grab dinner?’

‘No, I… I need to deal with some… stuff. You could take Mer with you?’

‘What, just me and Mer? That’d be a bit like a date.’

‘Well, then maybe you should just ask her out on one. A date.’

‘What’s up with you?’

I stop, exasperated. I can’t get Aidan’s words out of my head. ‘I’m sorry. I’m tired. See you for an early breakfast?’

He looks annoyed. ‘Right. You’re the boss.’

When he opens his door, I can tell he’s definitely not expecting me. Fortunately, his expression registers pleasant surprise.

‘Hi,’ Aidan says in a low tone, looking me up and down. I’m wearing a casual slip dress, and I’m aware of his gaze as it settles on me.

‘Can I come in?’

He opens the door wider and I step inside, a thrill going through me when I realise he can’t take his eyes off me. I subtely hook the ‘Do Not Disturb’ sign over the handle at the front.

‘How did you find my room?’ he asks once the door is closed. I look around me, taking in the enormous suite. It seems to have three separate rooms. There’s a bedroom, down a corridor with wardrobes on either side. On the opposite side is a bathroom with a substantial bathtub, and in the middle, a larger living area. The views over the Manhattan skyline are breathtaking.

‘I happened to see a list that Bodhi was holding yesterday,’ I say. ‘Then Meredith told me you were all getting an early night.’

‘You could have messaged me. I would have told you.’

‘That would have ruined the surprise.’

His smile is tentative, like he can’t work out if I mean what he thinks I mean.

‘I’m sorry about earlier,’ I tell him, keeping my voice low. ‘You were so honest with me, and I… I think I told you before, I’m not great at this. But I came to tell you that… I’m ready. I looked in the mirror and I know what I want. I want you. I want us.’

He exhales shakily, taking a step closer to me. He searches my face, his hands seeking mine and finding them, until our fingers are entwined. ‘You’ve captured me, Lex,’ he whispers, and I feel my reaction in my chest, and in between my thighs. A small whimper escapes my lips but he smothers it with a searing kiss that sends little lightning bolts down my spine. I cling to him, welcoming the invasion of his tongue, fitting my body to his form, running my hands across his torso and feeling him flinch under my exploration.

Grabbing my bottom with two hands, Aidan walks me towards the bedroom, stopping in the corridor where wardrobes buffer us on both sides, and pinning my back against them, pressing me up against the dark slats of wood, his kisses moving to my neck. I tilt my head as his teeth gently nip at my skin, heat swirling in my belly.

‘You look stunning,’ he mutters close to my ear, ‘But I’d rather see you naked. So, this dress has got to go… and anything else underneath it.’

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