Page 8 of Untouchable

I let out a surprised laugh as I smack his chest lightly. “Oh my God. That was bad. Has that worked for you? Like ever?”

He laughs as he lightly rubs his chest and shrugs. “It got you to smile, didn’t it?”

I realize in that moment that I am smiling. Grinning really, like an idiot. I grab his hand and he instantly interlaces our fingers, causing that humming feeling to run up my entire arm. I see him staring at our joined hands with a curious smile before his eyes flick up to me, telling me that he feels it to.

Chapter Four

Seraphina

Tugging on Aiden’s hand, I pull him to the door. We briefly mingle with people that wish me happy birthday as we make our way out. I glance around to see that no one is really paying attention to us before we slip out the door and down the hallway.

“Where are we going?” He whispers.

“Away from the stuffy party,” I smirk over my shoulder.

“It’s your party though, won’t people miss you?”

I roll my eyes as we make our way down the stairs towards the kitchen.

“Please. 98% of the people up there came out of respect to my father and the other 2% are here for the free booze.”

Aiden lets out a surprised chuckle that causes a smile to slip across my face. Walking around the kitchen island, I open up the freezer and grab out my personal stash of strawberry cheesecake gelato. Everyone in the house doesn’t dare touch it unless I give permission, it is a sacred rule.

Grabbing two spoons out of the drawer, I hand one to Aiden before I plop down onto the stool next to his and dig in for my first bite. He looks at me with a soft smile before he takes a bite. His eyes widen with surprise as he groans theatrically.

“Oh my god. What did I just put in my mouth and where can I get more?”

I chuckle softly at his reaction as I turn to look at him.

“Milan. Papà has it specially imported for me since we don’t visit as much as we used to in the past. It comes from this small company down the road from our home there. It is by far my favorite treat of all time.”

“I can see why. This is amazing,” he says as he takes a bite that practically takes out a quarter of the tub.

I shoot him a faux glare as I narrow my eyes at him. “Easy. You are cute and all, but I don’t share too well.”

He gives me a cocky smirk as he leans in close to me.

“You think I am cute?” He asks as he waggles his eyebrows.

A blush stains my cheeks as I look away. Like he doesn’t know. I am sure women young and old practically throw themselves at him every day. Making sure to avoid eye contact, I dig my spoon in for another bite, savoring the sweet tanginess on my tongue.

“So, who ishe, exactly?”

I freeze, my spoon still in my mouth. Slowly, I turn to look at him. I am not sure what I expected to see in his gaze, but it wasn’t this. His eyes are practically shimmering with kindness. His easy smile is silently urging me to open up to him and for some reason, I feel like I can.

“He is my best friend. Or at least he was, I don’t really know. We grew up together and I have been practically in love with him my whole life. Every memory I have growing up has him in it. I thought maybe we were moving in the direction of being more, specifically tonight. He was supposed to be my date but he…he never showed,” I say, trying to sound nonchalant at the end but even I hear the hurt tainting my words.

Aiden is silent for a few moments before he nods. “Offer still stands, want me to kick his ass?”

A laugh escapes me, and I can’t help but smile at this sweet guy before me. I am a pretty private person. I am not overly friendly with those I don’t know, and it takes me a while to get comfortable with people. But Aiden, I swear it feels like I have known him for years. There is something about him that soothes me, comforts me. He seems to be able to make me smile when all I want to do is cry. It is a talent only one other person has ever been able to possess, and since my tears are abouthim, I am feeling extremely grateful that I quite literally ran into Aiden.

“No offense, but I don’t know if you could take him, and I would hate for your handsome face to get messed up.”

He gives me a look of mock outrage as he covers his heart. “Why I never. I will have you know I earned my orange belt in Karate when I was 8 years old. I am a pretty formidable opponent.”

I let out another laugh, picturing little Aiden in a Karate uniform. With his dirty blonde hair probably flopping in his face with every move as his chocolate brown eyes concentrate heavily.

“Wait, I want to back up,” he says. “First you say that I am cute and now I am handsome? If I didn’t know any better miss Seraphina, I would say that you are interested in me.”

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