Page 26 of Aiden

I blush as I picture him holding me down and taking me over his desk.

“Exactly.” He nods. “This office is my sanctuary. Ms. Stone is skating on thin ice.” He waves his hand absentmindedly.

“How so?”

He opens his mouth to answer, but stops himself. “I’m not sure it was a good idea to hire her on. She’s…” He shakes his head, planting a kiss on my bare shoulder.

I slide off Aiden’s lap and explore his office, browsing the bookshelves that adorn the far wall. I trace the spines with Hemingway, Orwell, and Faulkner, making me put Aiden on more of a pedestal than before.

“All done.” He turns off the screen.

I raise my brow. “Really? We’ve only been here for twenty minutes.”

“Perks of being the boss.” He smiles, gesturing to the door.

I point to the bathroom, letting him know where I’m headed. I see Lexi as I step in, her smile not as prevalent as it was before. I look at myself in the mirror, unable to stop from comparing myself to Lexi. Her golden locks are curled to perfection and she looks like Aiden’s type. My concerns are answered when she turns to me with a scowl.

She crosses her arms as she examines me with beaded eyes before sneering, “You’re not that special, you know.”

I take a step back, stunned by her cruel words and confused at the same time. “Excuse me?”

She laughs as she scans my body. She rolls her eyes, throwing her blonde hair to one side. “Aiden brings his little toys around all the time. You aren’t the first.”

She turns to the mirror, puckering her lips. “Nothing to worry about,” She murmurs.

“I don’t understand why you’re being so mean to me,” I state quietly, uncomfortable with confrontation.

She titters, stepping towards me. “I came here for Aiden. Don’t screw that up for me. I know what he likes. I’ve seen the way he looks at me. He doesn’t need some little girl like you, not with that body.” With that, she leaves, the clicking of her high heels echoing in my ears.

I bite my lip, blinking back tears. Her words bring up some of my insecurities. I know I’m just a freshman in college who dreams of opening her own bakery. She may be a few years older than me and more established in her career, but so what?

Thinking of Aiden and her is way out of my comfort zone. I try to hide my emotions as I leave the bathroom. Aiden seems as drawn to me as I am to him. He wanted me to come here with him, or perhaps he felt guilty for leaving me alone?

Aiden’s heavy footsteps break me from my thoughts. I wipe my eyes discreetly.

“What happened?” He demands.

I shake my head, not wanting to talk about it.

He cups my face, his voice soft and calming. “What happened, sweetheart?”

“Nothing,” I whisper as a single tear rolls down my cheek.

His jaw clenches as he waits patiently.

I take a deep breath and gesture towards his office. Taking my hand, he guides me in as I figure out what to say. He lifts me up and sits me on the desk, planting himself between my legs.

I note the way his eye color changes when he’s concerned. Light flakes of gold trace his emerald irises. “Please, Emma. Tell me what happened.”

Another tear falls. “I don’t want to sound immature,” I admit.

He touches my cheek while his other hand rests on my leg. “Did someone say something to you?” His voice is laced with venom as his eyebrows crease.

I nod.

He stiffens. “Who?”

“Can we just go? It’s not a big deal.” I lie.

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