Page 63 of One Time in Paris
His attempt at humor didn’t work. She didn’t even crack a smile.
Then he sighed. “Isla, you know this can’t go anywhere. Callum?—”
“I don’t give a shit about what Callum will think, Aiden.”
“Well, I do. It took him nearly ten years to tell Quinn and me about how Luca stabbed him in the back with his ex. The last thing I want him to think is that he’s been betrayed—in any way—by another close friend.”
“Being with me is not a betrayal. Will he be annoyed? Probably. But why shouldn’t we pursue something if we’re both interested? We’re two consenting adults. And frankly, his opinion doesn’t matter when it comes down to it. I’ve never known you to be a coward, Aiden.”
Oof.
Her words hit him hard.
“Isla, it’s not that simple.”
“Itisthat simple. Unless there’s another reason like...Lola? Are you still hung up on her? Because if that’s it, then fine. I understand. And I’d rather know that now. I know you had something intense?—”
“No.” His tone was hard. Forceful. “God, no. That’s not it at all. I told you. We’re completely, totally through.”
“But she answered your phone the other day. I’m not saying I don’t believe you, but that’s a massive overstep.”
“I left my mobile on the table for a few minutes while I was saying hello to a friend. She saw the call come through and—I don’t know what she said—but I wouldn’t put it past her to try to chase you away after what she witnessed in Vegas. She was a controlling and jealous girlfriend, Isla. And she suspects that we’re together.”
“Actually, she didn’t say anything,” Isla admitted softly. “She just said you’d stepped away, and she’d give you the message. I filled in the blanks myself since she picked up the call.”
“Which is what she probably wanted.” He sighed, settling deeper into the soft leather of his seat. “Lola doesn’t hold a candle to you, Isla. You’re brilliant and beautiful and...”
She smiled, and his heart squeezed.
“And you’re all I can think about,” he choked out at last.
The soft strains of the song she’d put on filled the quiet space in the car.
Isla reached over and slid her hand onto his, letting the tips of her fingers brush against the sensitive skin between his fingers. Goose bumps rose up his arm.
“Isla—”
“Shhh...”
His eyes shifted toward her, and she held his gaze as she leaned over farther, sliding her hand onto his thigh, her hand tantalizingly close to his groin.
Fuck.He was already hardening at her touch.
“You know,” Isla said, her fingers brushing closer to the inside of his thigh. “Friends aren’t supposed to lust over each other the way I’ve been thinking about you.”
He nearly groaned. This side of her, the wild side, had always been appealing. But now that he knew that side was sexually adventurous, too? Not to mention the delicious taste of her lips and the softness of her skin.
He was a goner.
Then her hand slid onto his cock, the flat of her palm rubbing against him with firm but gentle pressure. A rasp of a breath left his throat.My God. She’s driving me insane.
“Here’s the thing. I’m not going to stop until you admit that you’ve been thinking about me, too. Until you get over that fear of my brother and stop pushing me away because it’s inconvenient.”
He didn’t want to admit it. He wanted to let her carry on and do whatever the hell she had in mind. Wanted to reach over and push those panties to the side, feel how wet she was. Maybe that was why she’d done it this way.
She leaned closer, fingers gently tugging his zipper, dangerously close to the hardness of his length.
His breath hitched.Christ.
