“Well, it’s a pity I didn’t catch the whole conversation. You were moving about so much I couldn’t hear the rest of it.”
He chuckled.
“Are you sure you don’t want to leave now?”
“No. I promised my favourite lady I’ll sit with her while she has her dinner.”
“I wouldn’t mind if I take second place.” Maricar took another forkful of fish. “I’m not gonna be around for much longer anyway.”
“Hey, not for plenty more years,” he said authoritatively.
“I’d probably hang around for longer if you promise me a little baby. I’d love to experience being a grandmother.”
“Oh, God,” he muttered, crossing his arms.
Maricar laughed. “Not that I’m pushing you in any direction. But I’d love to meet Felicity soon. Might be a good reason to go to Sydney.”
Aidan furrowed his brows. “You can’t be thinking of leaving here with that threat against you.”
“That threat didn’t even name me,” Maricar said calmly.
“The highest-ranking Indie Rebel chief who they hope will die from natural causes? That’s you. You have high blood pressure, kidney problems—”
“That’s still too general. Besides, my body might not be one-hundred percent, but I’m not exactly suffering. That threat makes it sound as if whoever it is, is already dying, and that’s not me.”
“Well, your doctors and their close contacts are still under investigation. We need to be careful.”
“And paranoid,” Maricar said with a laugh. “Anyway, back to Felicity, if you like, you can bring her here for a date sometime. She’d love it here, and I promise not to be annoying.”
“Why do you talk about her as if she’s already my steady girlfriend? Like I said, we’re only talking casual. We haven’t even been out on a date yet. That’s not till tonight.”
Maricar smiled sagely. “Aidan, a few months ago, I was at Control watching you guys celebrate catching another criminal. Isla happened to talk about Felicity’s success with the New Again circle, and I saw how you stared at the photo you asked Isla to show you. You can’t tell me you’re not over the moon to be going out with her tonight.”
His brows rose just as he felt his cheeks heat. Maricar had noticed his crush on Felicity back then? He opened his mouth to deny it, but sighed instead. What was the point of lying to the woman who’d taught him how to read subtle facial expressions?
“Well, Felicity herself is only after casual,” he said.
“You could try changing her mind, couldn’t you?”
Aidan inhaled as Maricar’s words sank into his brain. Her statement held such appeal that it surprised him.
But even if Felicity was keen on taking things beyond casual, there was still no way he’d consider becoming an inactive IR, especially when there was a threat against Maricar’s safety.
Aidan parked outside a nondescript, three-storey apartment building with a light-coloured brick facade and turned off the engine. He was ten minutes early and didn’t want to buzz Felicity just yet. She might still be getting ready.
He still couldn’t believe that shy Fel was the one who’d instigated this hook-up, but he was relieved because he wouldn’t have suggested it himself. Now, he didn’t have to keep his distance from her.
Frankly, though, he was a bit apprehensive. His conversation with Maricar had proven to him just how drawn he was to Felicity. It scared the hell out of him that he was already falling head on.
But could he really ever be serious about hanging up his IR boots? Being an Indie Rebel had given him a cause—a purpose. If he wasn’t one, then what would he be?
An inactive IR living an ordinary but equally fulfilling life with a special woman—maybe kids—who I wouldn’t have to keep lying to.
He leaned back in his seat. He had to admit that the more he thought about it, the more it made sense to him. Besides, if things didn’t work out between him and Felicity—er, with any other woman he fancied—he could always ask to be made active again, right?
He didn’t know how to live like an inactive IR, though. And, seriously, was he going to stay with this line of thought when he didn’t even know if he’d go out with Felicity again after tonight? She’d said she was only after a hook-up. A hook-up. There was no reason for him to believe that she’d want more from him. So, he’d better not get ahead of himself and think that tonight could be the start of something more. He’d promised Felicity they were on the same page, and he’d better keep his thoughts within that sphere. So, casual would have to do until Felicity indicated otherwise. Casual was still better than nothing, though. Much better than nothing.
Aidan checked his watch, and his chest heaved, urging time to hurry up.
He sat up straight when his attention was caught by an oncoming black sedan driving well under the speed limit. It slowed right in front of Felicity’s building before accelerating again.
Suddenly, he was on alert, and instinct told him to mentally log as many details as he could. He followed the car with his gaze as it drove past, glad to see that its windows were halfway down. He caught a glimpse of a blond woman at the wheel.
Whoa, was that Lydia?
He tried to read the number plates, but other vehicles blocked his sight. Then, the car turned at the intersection and sped away. Damn it!
He sat back in his seat and closed his eyes, trying to remember what he’d seen. But he hadn’t gotten a good look at the driver at all. The person could have been Lydia or it could have been a thousand other people—even a man with long hair. And just because someone with blond hair had done something strange didn’t mean it was someone planning something sinister.
Aidan smirked. As an Indie Rebel, he and his team often joked it was better to be paranoid than sorry. It didn’t hurt for them to be a little bit more suspicious than normal.
There was nothing much to go on with what he’d just witnessed, though. It could simply be his imagination working overtime, which happened often due to his work. But he certainly didn’t want to worry Felicity, so he’d simply file this away somewhere in his head. He’d mention it to Isla, though, since she was in a position to check up on Felicity a lot.
After a few more minutes, it was time to pick up his date.
His date.
He and Felicity were about to go on a date.
He got out of his car, and sweat broke out of his pores, nerves and excitement fighting for control over his body. Damn, it was as if he was about to capture one of the most wanted criminals without any backup.
Um, no, it wasn’t quite like that. Because he was on the cusp of getting horny. He definitely didn’t get horny for any IR work.
He snickered. It had been more than a year and a half since his last casual relationship. No wonder he was chomping at the bit. Doing it solo just didn’t give the same satisfaction.
Would you feel like this if it wasn’t Felicity?
Aidan shook his head, quickly letting go of the thought. What was the point of answering that when he shouldn’t allow himself to fall for her?
But you’re so smitten already.
“Shut up,” he muttered.
He got to the building entrance and pressed the buzzer for Felicity’s unit.
“Aidan?” Felicity asked after a few seconds.
“Yes. Hi.”
“Hi. Come on in.”
“Thanks.”
He went inside and took the stairs to Felicity’s apartment on the third floor. He knocked on her door, and his breath hitched as Felicity opened it. She looked ravishing in a simple black dress that clung to her body.
“You’re right on the dot. Come on in,” Felicity said with a grin.
He smiled, leaning in to give her a kiss on the cheek before walking inside. “Didn’t want to keep you waiting.”
Felicity closed the door and faced him, her cheeks flushed.
He stared at her, his heart hammering hard, feeling himself getting lost as she gaped back at h
im. Felicity’s wide, expressive eyes not only conveyed her shyness but also her excitement.
The space between them wasn’t great, yet there was way too much of it. He took a step to lessen the distance, his whole body reacting to the magnetic connection that sizzled between them. All of his nerve endings seemed ablaze, feeling her even though they weren’t touching yet. He was itching to pull Felicity to him and kiss her senseless, but something gave him pause.
Clearly, Felicity wasn’t used to inviting men for a hook-up, if the way she was nervously chewing her bottom lip was anything to go by. That she seemed out of her depth tickled the insides of his chest. Smiling, he waited for her to call the shots.
As if finally getting the courage to do so, Felicity let out a harsh sigh before walking to him and snaking her arms around his shoulders.
He held her closer. “I still can’t believe my luck,” he murmured.
“Me, neither,” Felicity said breathlessly.
Without another word, he dipped his head and kissed her. His whole body tingled as his lips felt the softness of hers. And as his tongue explored her mouth, he could swear he’d never tasted anything so sweet.
Felicity tightened her arms around his neck, resulting in her body pressing flush against his.
Aidan was instantly on fire—hot, hard, panting, and starving for more of her. He moaned just as he heard Felicity do the same. A mere kiss—torrid though it had become—simply wasn’t enough anymore. He was so damned tempted to take Felicity right here, right now.
But his mind flashed a Wait sign.
Despite the fact that all they’d agreed to was a hook-up, he did intend to see her again after this. Just a one-night stand was no longer in the cards when it came to Felicity, so he’d better show her that sex wasn’t the only thing on his mind tonight.
He broke the kiss and pulled away. “Ready to go?” he asked huskily.
“Go where?”
He raised his brows. “Somewhere we can have drinks.”
“Oh.” Felicity glanced at her dining table, blushing. “I thought…maybe we can have it here.”
He noticed the bottle of wine and two glasses that Felicity had obviously taken out for them. She’d even prepared some cheese and crackers, nicely presented on a cheeseboard. “Well, here’s a perfectly good place to have a drink or two,” he said with a chuckle.
“I’m also happy to go somewhere if you prefer that.”
“What’s your preference?”
Felicity walked to the table. “Here’s good. Just the two of us.” She opened the bottle and poured wine in the two glasses.
Aidan hid a smile. Despite Felicity’s attempt to be flirtatious, the mild shaking of her hands betrayed her nerves.
The last thing he wanted was for Felicity to go faster than she was ready for, then become embarrassed around him after their lust had been assuaged.
He looked around her place to find something else they could talk about and saw a picture of her and Isla. It seemed to have been taken during Isla’s recent birthday party, judging by their outfits.
He smiled as he checked it out. To his surprise, he was quite prominent in it. Even though there were other people in the background, he was the only one watching the two women. Yes, he remembered this shot. He hadn’t been able to stop staring at Felicity then.
Had she picked this photo to frame because of him?
“Good picture, huh?” Felicity said as she handed him his glass of wine.
“Yes, I look so handsome there,” he joked.
Felicity let out a giggle. “I agree. Cheers.” She lifted her glass.
Aidan clinked his drink with hers before taking a sip. He wanted to gaze into her eyes, but she looked away.
He spotted her collection of board games stacked up on top of a small corner table. “Shall we play a game while we have some snacks?”
“Great idea.” Felicity grabbed a cracker and popped it into her mouth while nodding, seemingly to show him how relaxed she was.
He smiled. Felicity had to be the most endearing person he’d ever met, and he truly wanted her to shake off her tension.
And…yes, the longer he stayed in her presence, the deeper he could feel himself falling.
But you can’t.
He turned away and pretended to take a closer look at her board game collection. He didn’t want to think of the future right now. He was here to have a fun hook-up with one of the most wonderful and attractive women he knew.
Chapter 8
“I have Jenga, Monopoly, Pictionary, Trivial Pursuit, Word Search…” Felicity said as she watched Aidan check out the board games she had on offer.
“What about Jenga?” Aidan asked with arched brows. “Monopoly takes too long, and there’s only two of us for Pictionary. But Trivial Pursuit’s okay, too.”
“I wouldn’t mind Jenga.” She took the box from the top of the stack. Thank God, her hands had stopped shaking. How mortifying that a grown woman like her could be so nervous about a hook-up. Thankfully, Aidan hadn’t commented on it. In fact, he seemed to be going out of his way to make her feel comfortable. Why else would he suggest playing a board game when he was here for an altogether different reason—especially when they’d just shared one of the most mind-blowing kisses she’d had in her life?
“Great,” Aidan said with a grin. “Haven’t played it in a while.”
“Shall we do it here?” She indicated the coffee table in front of the sofa, placing her glass on its corner. Then, she grabbed a couple of cushions from the couch and dropped them on the floor for them to sit on.
Aidan took the cheese board she’d prepared and placed it and his drink on the table next to her wine glass. He plonked down on a cushion. “You good at this?”
“Reasonably,” she said, getting on the floor herself. The heat from when they’d kissed earlier seemed to have evaporated, and she was darned sorry about that. It was her fault for letting her nerves get the better of her.
Now, she desperately wanted that sizzling feeling back. She’d hate it if Aidan was thinking she’d suddenly gone cold on him. “I’m sorry that this is turning out to be so boring.”
Aidan frowned. “Who said it’s boring?”
Felicity smiled. “You’re so sweet, Aidan. But I’m sure you’re noticing how clumsy I am with this flirtation thing.”
“Hey, I’m nervous, too. I’m just better at hiding it.”
She narrowed her eyes. “You’re just saying that to make me feel better.”
“No! I’m seriously nervous.”
“Why?” This gorgeous, confident man couldn’t possibly be apprehensive around an awkward flirt like her.
Aidan stared at her with such intensity that she felt herself melting. “Because you’re so damned beautiful, and I’m so attracted to you. I want tonight to be great, so you won’t want to stop at just a one-night stand.”
She blinked, her mouth parting in surprise. “Really?”
“Yeah. I mean, I’m not putting any pressure on you, whatsoever. If one night is all you want, that’s totally fine.”
Oh, wow, she wasn’t expecting that at all. “I’m so glad you’re not turned off.”
“Turned off? You’ve got to be kidding me. Have you forgotten our first kiss?”
Our first kiss. For some reason, the way Aidan said it sounded so decidedly romantic. “No, of course, I haven’t forgotten. But I broke the spell with my nerves. Yeah, a thirty-year-old woman nervous about sex with a handsome guy like you. Great,” she said self-deprecatingly.
Aidan pursed his lips, brows furrowing as if he was trying to determine something. “Hm. I think…”
She held her breath as she waited for him to finish his sentence.
“I’m pretty sure I’m still spellbound,” Aidan said. “No spell broken from my side.”
Felicity couldn’t help but laugh out loud as her tension eased. “That’s good. I just don’t know why, but I’ve been acting like an inexperienced teenager around you.”
> “Aww, now who’s being sweet?”
Felicity sighed. Funny how this guy could make her feel both nervous as hell one minute and totally relaxed the next. She felt she owed him an explanation for being so patient with her. “I assume you know my story with my ex? I know that Isla’s been spreading the word about New Again to some people.” And she’d given her best friend permission to talk about her domestic violence experience if it would help with their cause.
“Yes. She’s very proud of you.”
“Well, she’s the one who should be proud for creating New Again in the first place. I’m very grateful to her.”
Aidan chuckled. “Isla also said that you find it hard to accept praise and acknowledgement for what you’ve accomplished.”
She let out an embarrassed laugh. “Hey, I think I’ve improved a lot in that regard. Anyway, what I’m trying to say is that when it comes to men…” She looked away. “After Nolan, I lost a heck of a lot of confidence in myself. I’m not so bad in other areas anymore—in terms of confidence, I mean. But since I haven’t dated for so long, I…”
“Hey.” Aidan grabbed her hand. “You don’t need to explain anything. And we’ll go at your pace, okay?”
She smiled. “I’m the one who said I wanted to hook up with you. I really want to do this. I’m just not very good at being sexy, so—”
“What?” Aidan asked incredulously. “Did you say you’re not very good at being sexy? What are you talking about? You don’t even need to do anything to be sexy. You just are. Don’t tell me no one’s told you that.”
She flushed yet again, thrill running through her at Aidan’s words. “That’s not what I mean.”
“Then what do you mean?”
“I know I’m not ugly—”
“You’re damned beautiful,” Aidan interrupted.
Her chest heaved, lips curving up. “Okay. Yes, some people say I’m a looker. But what I mean is, I’m terrible at flirtation. I just don’t know how to act sexy.” Her mind flashed scenes from her past where she’d put up a wall instead of flirted with guys she liked. She’d learnt that her lack of self-esteem from childhood had created this behavioural pattern due to fear of rejection. It was why Nolan had been her only long-term boyfriend—because he’d pursued her so tirelessly that she’d thought she was safe from being rejected.
Aidan: The Rescue (Indie Rebels Book 5) Page 7
