Page 27 of Student Seduction
“What did I fucking tell you, Owens? I’m pretty certain I was perfectly fucking clear.” Aiden’s eyes were blazing as he slammed Derek against the SUV.
In the next moment, Camille was out, tiny and panicking, shrieking like a hysterical chicken. “What’s going on? Derek? What happened?”
She looked at me and I gaped at her, unable to articulate the events that had just occurred.
“What did I tell you?” Aiden repeated. “Don’t talk about her and don’t talk to her. Sure as fuck do not put your fucking hands on her. Did I stutter? Were the words too big for you to comprehend?”
Derek probably would’ve answered if Aiden’s forearm hadn’t been crushing his windpipe. His face was turning purple and spit was gathering at the corners of his mouth.
“Aiden,” I breathed. “It’s okay. Stop. Please. He’s not worth it.”
Camille gaped at me again, then stood beside a gasping Derek once Aiden released him.
“Not to be a bitch, Em,” she bit out, “but you should probably stay away from him.” She jerked her head toward Aiden. “He obviously has some serious anger issues.”
Aiden scoffed at her. “Yeah, I get angry when I see someone I care about getting fucking assaulted. I must be a real psycho.”
He turned toward me, dismissing the two of them completely as Camille helped Derek into the car. I was starting to think they deserved each other.
“You need a ride?”
I nodded, still unsure as to how steady my voice would be if I tried to speak.
“Come on.” He led me to his black Jeep with the big tires. The same one we’d driven to pick up pizza in, the one we’d ridden in to find Drew, and the one he’d driven me to the hospital in. The memories surrounded me. My legs felt liquid as I tried to follow him. I was still shaking from the dramatic turn of events. No way were my wobbly knees making that jump.
“I’ll help you,” he informed me as I attempted to do the math on the probability of falling on my ass.
His words played back in my mind. Louder than the ugly ones from Derek. I glanced at him over my shoulder.
“I’m someone you care about. You just said so.”
He expression was complacent, like he’d finally accepted whatever this was.
“Get in the Jeep, Emersyn.”
I had more to say though. Just to be clear so I would know where I stood. I turned to face him.
“You didn’t say ‘see one of my students being assaulted’ or ‘a young woman being assaulted,’” I pointed out. “You saidsomeone I care about.”
“I did. Yes, I was there, Miss. Tyler. Thank you for the recap. Get in the Jeep.”
I felt drunk. Maybe hysteria was setting in. “It’s Miss. Tyler now? Like at school. What determines whether I’m Emersyn or Miss. Tyler to you?”
I felt his body heat intensify behind me as he stepped closer. “Miss. Tyler told me to go fuck myself the first day we met.” His breath tickled my neck and I shivered. “Emersyn gave me her virginity. Begged me to fuck her.”
My knees nearly gave out and I leaned back on his solid firm body for support. “Aiden,” I whispered, testing it out for the second time in his presence.
“Tell me, sweetheart, what determines whether I’m Aiden or Mr. Singleton for you?”
My entire body was electrified from head to toe. It was dangerous, dancing so close to an open flame. Like Drew said, an explosion was inevitable.
His hands encircled me from behind and caressed my thighs. “Is it the classroom?” he murmured against my neck as his hands rose higher. “Is it whether my good girl is having dirty girl thoughts about me?”
“I-it’s how you’re looking at me. How you’re talking to me. Touching me,” I stammered out, knowing I should be embarrassed of the obvious affect his touch was having but unable to care. “When you’re harsh with me, strict and stern, I think of you as Mr. Singleton. But when you’re sweet, protecting me, taking care of me, you’re Aiden.”
“Perfect answer.” He turned me in his arms and I found my mouth mere centimeters from his.
“I need,” I whimpered. “I need you to—”
