Page 14 of Playing the Game
My lips tingle at the thought of pressing them against hers. My skin absorbs her touch like a sponge. I try not to grind my hips into her, but I can’t stop myself.
Her breath hitches, and she calms down beneath me. For a moment, we stare into each other’s eyes.
I tilt my head, asking a silent question for permission to take it further. She responds with a subtle nod. I lower my head to go in for a kiss, but I’m ripped off her.
Aiden has me by the arm. “What the fuck, dude?”
I shake my head as Dori scrambles to her feet. “Chill out, Aiden. We were just messing around.”
“So I see.” He flings my arm as he releases his grip. “Dori, get inside and put on some fucking clothes.”
Her eyes are wide as she stares at him. Her cheeks grow red. “But I’m?—”
“That swimsuit is two sizes too small for you. Get some fucking clothes on, now.” He yanks her by the arm and leads her a step away.
She swings back and slaps him across the face. Her action stuns us all quiet.
Aiden rubs his cheek. “You hit me. What the fuck?”
“Don’t you ever put your hands on me like that or else that will be the least of your worries.” She storms off.
He growls and unleashes on me. “My dad warned me you were using me to get to her.”
“That’s not how it is, Aiden.”
“Yeah? Well, it looks that way to me.” He gets in my face. “Touch her again like that and I will kill you.”
Confusion fills my head. “What has gotten into you?”
“The way you look at my sister. She’s not a piece of meat, so treat her with the respect she deserves.”
“You know I respect her. We were just?—”
“Don’t try to deny it. I saw you with my own eyes.” His glare burns into me. “And so did my dad. If you want to stay friends and be able to hang out with me, don’t do that again.”
I shrink as guilt floods over me, and I shake my head. “I’m sorry, Aiden. We were just… Your dad saw?”
“Yeah. Now he’s pissed at me and on my back for being a lousy brother.” He glances at the window in the direction of his dad’s office.
My gaze follows. Their dad’s standing there, watching Aiden handle me. I coil into myself. Heated shame fills my chest. I didn’t think what I was doing with Dori was wrong, but now I know differently.
“Sorry. I’ll keep my distance from her.” I hang my head.
“You better or else there will be consequences.” He turns away and stalks toward the house.
It was the first time I felt like Dori was honestly attracted to me. It was also the first time I had taken a risk and tried to go further with her.
Since I was twelve, I had been secretly enamored by her, but she never really noticed me—at least not like she did that unforgettable day in her backyard when everything changed.
That day, I realized I’d never have a chance with her—not if her dad and Aiden had anything to do with it.
There were times before that incident I had mentioned to Aiden I thought she was attractive. He would get upset and tell me to forget about her, but he never took it further than a few choice words.
Something about that day changed how he saw my attraction to her. He threatened our friendship, so I resolved to keep my word and avoid her. But I failed many times over the years.
Each time Aiden caught me inching forward with Dori, the threats and the scoldings got that much fiercer. I learned to flirt with her only if we were in private.
That’s why she always thought I ran hot or cold. It’s been challenging to break this pattern.
