Page 28 of Sacrifice (Corrupt Empire 2)

“And when did this happen?”

She pointed between us.

Can’t she ask me that later when we’re alone?

Talking about my relationship with the man next to me was all kinds of complicated.

“Only recently,” Aiden said for me.

I looked up at him. His grey eyes were cautious but when they met mine, they softened.

Well shit.

My heart hammered wildly in my chest. His fingers traced lines along my neck. If my friends weren’t here, I would’ve kissed him. Except being affectionate in front of people wasn’t my thing. Especially not with the fire that burnt between Aiden and me.

Thankfully the conversation turned away from our relationship and as the night wore on, dinner was a great success. Aiden let me talk to my friends with minimum interruption. It felt like old times except I was different now. Some of my innocence stripped back. My knowledge of the world was tainted.

We were all standing by the window waiting for the fireworks with the TV on for the countdown. Aiden wrapped his arm around my waist and leant down to me.

“Do I get a kiss at midnight?” he whispered.

“You can have as many as you want.”

I may have had too much wine. The thought of kissing him in front of my friends no longer seemed like such a big deal.

In fact, I wanted it.

“I’ll hold you to that.”

A few minutes later, whilst Gert and James chanted the countdown, Aiden turned me towards him and tilted my face up. The affection and desire rolling off him hit me like a tidal wave. I drowned in those molten silver eyes.

“Five. Four. Three. Two. One. Happy New Year,” James and Gert shouted in unison.

Aiden leant down and captured my mouth, stealing away all my thoughts. My body arched into his, hands falling on his chest. His kiss was slow and deep, drawing out every inch of desire and causing it to pulsate through my veins. Fuck did I want him.

“All aboard the PDA train.” James’ voice broke through my lust filled haze.

Aiden pulled away, glaring in James’ direction over the top of my head.

“Leave them alone,” Gert said.

I heard the popping sound of fireworks and turned to the window. We had a relatively clear view from Aiden’s flat. I lay my head against his chest and his arms wrapped around me.

“Happy New Year, princess,” he whispered.

“I hope we have more moments like these.”

“Like these?”

“Yes, ones where I don’t feel like my world is crumbling before my eyes.”

He clutched me tighter.

“I’ll try make sure we do. I just want you to be happy.”

The fireworks continued to go off. The display was always centred around the wheel.

“You make me happy most of the time.”

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