Page 19 of The Psychopaths

Aries got rid of Adam very effectively; I don’t need to worry about him anymore. And I haven’t seen him since that party.

I look up from the glass of whiskey and directly into Harrison Wells’s eyes. Son of my stepfather’s business partner and my most persistent suitor at these functions. I’ve declined him so many times. He knows I’m not interested in him; he just doesn’t care.

“No, thank you.”

“Come on, Lilian. One dance won’t kill you.”

He laughs at his own joke—the same tasteless heart condition humor I’ve heard a thousand times.Fuck this prick.

“Do you ever get tired of asking the same question, knowing the result will be the same?” I purse my lips and narrow my eyes. I give him the cold glare that usually sends people scampering, but he seems immune, or hell, maybe he’s not because he’s staring at my rack instead of my face. He leans in, his presence trapping me. I’d like to dig my stiletto into his thigh, and twist, but propriety traps me even more effectively.

His breath hits me, stale and alcohol-laced. “No, because I know the result. One day, in due time, you’ll be mine. I wouldn’t be surprised if our parents weren’t drawing up the marriage contract right this second.”

“My mother would never allow that to happen,” I lie, knowing all too well that the day will come when I’m forced to marry some rich asshole for the benefit of my parents’ business.

“Speaking of your mother, she mentioned that you’re attending Oakmount. I’m also attending. Maybe we can get…better acquainted…with one another.” His fingers brush the bare skin of my arm.

I glance down at his fingers. I’m not sure how, but I resist the urge to recoil. I’d rather getbetteracquaintedwith poison ivy than spend a second longer in his presence. Unfortunately, my disinterest in him only makes him believe he should try harder.

Harrison’s smile widens, taking my silence for acceptance, most likely. “I can give you a sneak peek…” his words cut off, and his expression shifts to fear in an instant—eyes widening at something he’s caught sight of behind me. Seconds later, a warm hand slides around my waist. Panic bubbles at the surface. I’ve never been touched by a man like this, with suchpossession.

Don’t freak out.I tell myself, even as my breath catches—and definitely not because of my heart condition. No, this has to do with the sudden bolt of electricity zipping along my spine.

“Hello, Little Sister,” a familiar voice greets us, an undercurrent of danger in his tone. “Aren’t we a bit too old to be playing hide-and-seek?”

Aries.Even saying his name in my head causes a bodily response I refuse to acknowledge. His touch brings with it a reminder of my feelings for him. The ones I’ve chosen to bury, right along with all the rejection and heartache he caused me. He doesn’t want me.

I don’t know how many times he has to say it, or how many times I have to remind myself of that fact to get it through my skull. Repeating the reminder to myself doesn’t seem to make it stick. My stomach flutters with anticipation when I turn around to face him. Fuck. I’m supposed to be getting over this. Forgetting him and the way he makes my body hum when he’s near. Damn, he looks good. Even if he did cut off his beautiful shoulder-length hair to a more professionally acceptable style. It just means I can see so much more of his face.

His deeply-angled jaw and his razor-sharp cheekbones. His hazel eyes bore into mine. It’s been a while since I’ve seen him, and while he looks the same, there’s something...differentabout him. Something I can’t quite place.

His arm stays locked around my waist, fingers digging into the fabric of my dress in a way that is beyond brotherly.

What happened to stay away from me?

I breathe through my nose, inhaling his unique scent. His familiar cologne is there, the same woodsy scent caressing me, but there’s a subtle change to it.Spicier.It’s not bad. If anything it’s more intoxicating.

Harrison turns on his heel and scurries away like a scared puppy.

Lilian

“Why are you hiding?” Aries demands, eyes boring into mine with an intensity that makes me take a small step back—or at least, I try to. That’s difficult with the iron grip he has on me. I’m both alarmed and mesmerized by his appearance. I can count on one hand the number of times I’ve seen him since graduation, most of which were in passing. He never said hi, never even acknowledged I was present. Not until today.

Given our history, I’m tempted to ask him whyhe’shiding. Especially since he’s spent weeks avoiding family dinners, me, and anything to do with the Hayes name. Hiding out at The Mill, or using his friends as excuses to get out of family obligations. It’s all bullshit, petty even, but somehow I can make myself understand why he’s doing it.

That doesn’t mean I like all the distance though.

“I could ask you the same question.” I’m not sure how I get the words out when my tongue feels as heavy as it does. “Did you decide to make an appearance because everyone’s worried about you? Or because of family obligations?” I still can’t get a good read on him.

He flashes his pearly white teeth at me, and my heartbeat spikes.

I’m so confused right now. This is Aries, but then again, do I even know him anymore? Two years is a long time for someone to go without talking to you except by force—with the exception of that brief dinner exchange we had a month or so ago. He studies me with an unfamiliar hunger. The air heats, and with it so does my skin. My cheeks have to be flaming, or at least it feels that way with how hot my skin burns the longer he stares at me.

What the hell?He’s never been so bold as to look at me like I’m a meal to be consumed, and especially not in front of anyone.

He tugs the almost finished glass of whiskey out of my hands and down its.

“Hey! That was mine.”

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