Felicity sat next to him and then leaned closer. “What’s wrong?” she whispered.
He realized his mouth still hang open and he snapped it shut. Their lie accomplished what he wanted. Brittany would leave him alone now. No need to tell Felicity what the spoiled brat had said. “Nothing.”
They ate breakfast while Brittany talked about how her hair stylist had moved away and what a strain it had been on her to find someone good enough to do her hair, and what a tragedy it was. Aiden stopped listening when she started talking about her purse. Who even cared what animal skin it was made out of? It was a relief when he could get up and take the plates to the kitchen.
Grams came in after him. “Have a good trip.” She gave him a peck on the cheek and whispered, “And watch out for that girl. She’s trouble.”
“I’ve got it under control.”
She looked at him as if she saw right through him. “Uh-huh.”
For a split second, he worried Grams knew he was lying about getting back together with Felicity, but he shook off the feeling. That was absurd. How could she know?
She patted his arm. “Drive safe.”
The girls came into the kitchen, carrying the rest of the breakfast items. Aiden motioned toward the garage. “We can take my car.”
Brittany squealed and made a lot of fuss when she saw his Aston Martin. “I love this silver color. And the seats look so buttery soft.”
He opened the door for her and moved the passenger seat forward. He tried to ignore the way she pressed her breasts up against his arm. It couldn’t have been by accident. “Climb in.”
“What, in the back?” Brittany stared at him for a second before realizing he was serious. “Oh. Okay. I think I can squeeze in.”
His car did have rear seats, but the leg room was pretty much nonexistent. He kind of felt bad for her. A little. After she was in, he tossed their bags on the seat next to her then clicked the lever and righted the front seat so Felicity could sit.
When they were on the road, Brittany talked non-stop. Aiden tuned her out again, which probably was a bad idea given that they were on this outing because he’d been nodding and not paying attention to her. He just couldn’t stand listening to more about her nails or shoes, or the many other pointless things she rambled on about.
Was it horrible he was hoping she might get tired of trying to chase him now that he was faking a relationship with Felicity, and go home?
FELICITY STOOD AT THE mouth of the cave, her excitement barely contained. The sight was breathtaking. A crystal river ran out of the opening, trickling down a rocky bed. The hike with the tour guide up to the mouth of the cave had been exhilarating, and Felicity’s muscles burned. Their group was small, only ten people, and their guide was energetic. The jungle here was lush and even more overgrown than where they’d been yesterday. They’d crossed three rivers to get there, so stepping into the water now was not a big deal. She adjusted her helmet and turned on the light like the guide instructed.
Brittany looked at the water with a frown on her face. “More water? The pamphlet didn’t say we’d have to get this wet.”
Aiden gave her an annoyed look. “That’s why we brought a change of clothes. We’ll be swimming for a bit.”
Felicity turned so she didn’t have to see the look of disdain on Brittany’s face. She’d been the one to buy the tickets. Why was she complaining?
“Okay, but if my hair frizzes, I’m going to ask for my money back.”
Oh, brother. If Felicity had to hear more about Brittany’s hair, she would stab herself with a stick. She took a step and hit a rock, knocking her off balance. Aiden reached out and caught her. “You okay?”
So far, she’d managed to walk far enough away from him to avoid having to hold hands. But now, with his muscular arms around her, her body reacted. Her heart pounded and zaps of electricity coursed through her. It seemed stronger than even this morning. “I’m fine,” she said, her voice more breathless than she had wanted.
He took her hand. “Come on. I’ll help you keep your footing. You’re going to love this cave.”
“Who’s going to hold my hand?” Brittany said as she picked her way over the rocks. Aiden ignored the comment and Felicity held in a smile. At least pretending they were back together was keeping Brittany from fawning all over him. That was a plus.
“The ancient Mayan people believed the gods’ domain was under the earth,” the guide said. “When their crops didn’t grow or they suffered from drought, they would make their way down here to offer up human sacrifices to their gods. But don’t worry. We won’t be offering up anyone today.” He chuckled at his own joke. “Follow me, please. We’ll need to climb up on the rocks once we get inside.”
Anticipation coursed through Felicity as they swam into the cave. Her eyes adjusted to the dim lights from their headlamps. The walls of the cave seemed to glow from the sliver of sunlight creeping in. Aiden climbed out of the water onto the rocks then held out his hand to help her up. The rocks were slippery and, once again, he steadied her by wrapping his arms around her.
She peered up at his eyes, dimly lit by the light on her helmet. His eyelashes were sticking together, tiny drops of water on them. His lips curled up into a smile. “What are you thinking? Are you wishing we were alone?”
Words failed to come to her mind as she stared at him. Butterflies filled her stomach and she couldn’t remember what he’d asked. Was that his heart pounding? Or was that loud noise in her ears the sound of her own heart?
“Get a room,” Brittany said as she brushed past them.
Aiden chuckled and leaned in closer. “I think our plan is succeeding.”
His breath tickled her ear. Felicity pulled back from him, her brain slowly starting to work again. “Sure. Yes.”
Well, almost working again. She forced a smile. “You’re a genius.”
Aiden brushed his lips across her cheek and she shivered. “Come on. We don’t want to be left behind.” He took her hand and led her into the darkness.
Chapter 18
Aiden hadn’t meant to lay on the flirting so thick, but seeing Brittany’s reaction gave him hope. If Brittany believed there was no way he’d want her, she would leave soon, he was sure of it. Or at least she would leave him alone.
“As we go deeper into the cave, it will be more important to keep up with the group,” the guide said.
They followed the guide, climbing over rocks and through passageways. They walked through several large cavernous rooms, looking up at the stalactites hanging down like demon’s teeth. He’d been through this tour once before, but it had been a couple of years ago. He found it just as fascinating as the last time he’d been through.
Aiden squeezed between two large rocks and then followed the guy in front of him through a twisty passage. Someone put a hand on his shoulder. He assumed it was Felicity since she’d been right behind him but when he turned, he saw it was Brittany. She curled her index finger at him, indicating she wanted him to follow her.
“No. I’m not going with you.”
“Shh,” she said, shoving him through an opening into a small passage and pressing him up against the cave wall. “I want to talk to you.”
He tried to get past her, but she pushed harder, and a sharp rock pressed into his back. “Ouch. Brittany, let me go.”
“Tell me the truth. Are you and Felicity really back together?”
“Why would you ask that? Of course, we are.” He swallowed, a slow panic rising in his throat. He’d thought they had pulled this charade off, but maybe he was wrong. Maybe everyone saw through them.
Brittany stared at him, her eyes narrowing. “I don’t believe you.”
Aiden didn’t know what to say. How could he convince her of something that wasn’t even true? “Brittany—”
“Hush,” she said, putting her cold finger on his lips. “Don’t talk. Just listen to me for a second. Let your body listen.” She paused. “Can’t you feel it?”
The
only thing he felt was the rock digging into his back. “Feel what?”
“This chemistry we have.” She leaned in closer. “The sweet pull of attraction between us.”
The panic ignited in him and he could barely breathe. “No. There’s nothing between us.”
“Of course, there is. I know you feel it. It’s in the air between us. Stop fighting it,” she whined, her breath on his face. He tried to back up, but the rock dug in deeper. She pressed her lips against his.
Aiden scrambled to push her off him, but she was clinging to him like a deer tick on a dog’s backside. Her cold lips moved against his and it felt like she’d slathered them with lip balm. He shoved her harder and she stumbled backwards.
“Stop it!” He wiped the balmy slime off his lips. Gross. “I don’t like you that way.”
She took a step toward him. “But Aiden, we are—”
“We are nothing.”
Felicity turned the corner and Aiden grabbed hold of her like a life raft, pulling her into his arms. “I’m with Felicity.” If Brittany didn’t believe he was in love with Felicity, he’d just have to show her. He looked down into her eyes. “I’ve loved her since the day I saw her, sitting in Mr. Bradly’s math class, laughing at something Amy said.”
Felicity stared at him, and he wasn’t sure how to interpret the look. He silently pled with her to go along with it. “These last few years apart have been torture for me.”
When no one spoke, Aiden punctuated his statement by brushing his lips across Felicity’s. Warmth coursed through him, and he did it again, slower this time. Her lips parted and she closed her eyes. Aiden’s arms tightened, pulling her even closer to him. She melted into him.
Kissing her was no comparison to kissing Brittany. Felicity’s lips were warm and inviting, and her intoxicating smell made him want to devour her. He deepened the kiss and she wrapped her arms around his neck and entwined her fingers in his hair like she used to. The feeling drove him crazy, and he had a sneaking suspicion she knew that.
Somewhere in his brain, he registered that Brittany scoffed and folded her arms across her chest, but he no longer cared about Brittany. Kissing Felicity consumed him. A fire burned in him, and he suddenly needed her touch. He realized he’d been walking through life as if he were a corpse, making the motions but not feeling anything. Felicity breathed life into him, and he didn’t want the kiss to end.
When his lungs couldn’t stand to be without air any longer, he pulled back and took in a breath. Felicity turned her head and scanned the cave. “Brittany’s gone.”
Aiden looked around and realized she was right. When had she pushed past them? How long had he been kissing Felicity? “Sorry. She accosted me. I had to make it look like—”
“I know. You wanted to put on a show.” She took a step back from him then gave him a funny look. “Since when do you wear cherry-flavored Chapstick?”
Heat tinged his cheeks. “I...uh...”
A man stuck his head around the corner. “Are you guys coming? The guide’s been waiting for you in the cavern around the bend.”
“Sorry,” he said, grabbing Felicity’s hand. “We’re coming.”
The man gave them an annoyed look. He shook his head and muttered under his breath. “Newlyweds.” He huffed and stalked off.
Aiden looked down at her and she bit her lip, obviously trying not to laugh. He couldn’t hold back, though, and the laugh burst forth. Felicity joined him.
FELICITY WALKED ON rubbery legs as they continued deeper into the cave. Her heart rate hadn’t returned to normal, and she was having a hard time catching her breath, especially since Aiden’s warm hand was sending tingles up her arm. Since when did Aiden kiss like that? What had happened since they’d last been dating? Holy moly. If he kept kissing her like that, how was she ever going to be able to think straight? She might as well throw in the towel and admit she was a goner.
Aiden pulled her close as they stopped to let the guide talk to them about something. She leaned into him, enjoying the feeling of his strong arm around her. He smelled good. Like musk and some clean earthy smell. It made her insides melt.
What was she doing? She couldn’t be thinking about Aiden like that. Yet, she couldn’t bring herself to step away from him. She just wouldn’t let herself fall back in love with him. It was possible to enjoy a little fantasy for a few days as long as she walled off her heart. This was only for show, but no one said she had to hate it.
They followed the guide back through the cave and waded in the river until they reached the jungle again. Aiden helped her out of the water and onto the trail. Brittany reached out her hand. “Aiden! I need help.”
He clenched his jaw but reached out to help her up. Brittany clung to him as she smiled and batted her eyes. “Thank you, Aiden. All those muscles sure come in handy.” She touched his arm, but he withdrew it.
He looked at Brittany like she was from another planet, turned around and didn’t say anything. Felicity put her arm around Aiden’s waist and shoved away the urge to punch the girl in the face. “Guess we still have a hike before we get back to the tour van.”
Brittany huffed and rubbed her calf. “I didn’t think there’d be this much walking.”
Aiden shrugged and started toward the rest of the group. Felicity fell into step beside him. They walked for a while, Brittany dropping back behind a few of their group members.
Aiden leaned closer. “Do you think she finally got the message?”
“No. I think she’s so set on getting you, she can’t see straight.”
“I’m not a piece of property.” He scowled.
“Tell that to her.”
“I can’t believe she’s still trying to flirt with me, even after all that.” He motioned in the direction they came from.
“You mean after you kissed me in front of her?” Felicity clamped her mouth shut. Why did she say that? Was she trying to call attention to the fact that she liked the impromptu make-out session?
Aiden chuckled. “Yeah.”
They walked in silence for a moment before he glanced behind them. “If we turn up the heat, do you think she’d leave me alone?”
Felicity’s ears burned at the thought. How was he proposing to turn up the heat? She was already melting inside. And it was all fake anyway. “I think we’re doing fine the way we are.”
“All right.”
Did he seem disappointed in that? She couldn’t tell.
“Do you do weddings?”
The question took her off guard and she jerked to look at him. “What?”
“In your photography business.” He didn’t look at her, just stared ahead at the group walking on the trail.
“Yeah. I do some.” Weddings were not her favorite thing to photograph, for obvious reasons. In fact, she’d gone out of her way to try not to be a wedding photographer, but lately she’d had to take some on to pay the bills.
“But you prefer not to do them.”
He said it like a statement of fact, which for some reason, annoyed Felicity. “How would you know what I prefer?”
“I can tell.”
“Well, if you must know, I really enjoy taking artistic shots. I only do portraits or weddings for the income.” Why did it annoy her to admit this to him?
“Your fine art shots are really good.”
She looked at him sideways. “How do you know? You haven’t seen them.”
He seemed to find a sudden interest in the sky.
“Aiden? You’ve seen my photographs?”
He exhaled and took a quick look at her. “Yeah.”
“Where?” Then she remembered that he’d looked her up online. She slapped his arm. “Did you look them up online? You’re such a cyber stalker.”
A twitch of his lips told her he was trying to hide a smile. “I just wanted to see what you were up to.”
“Well, the gallery has sold some of my prints. They keep asking for more, but I haven’t had the money or time to invest in them.”
<
br /> “You should make the time. You’re good.” He reached out and squeezed her shoulder. It was a reassuring gesture and her heart beat a little faster.
“Thanks.”
“Have you had any memorable photo shoots? Taken any pictures of famous people or anything?”
Felicity laughed. “No. But I once took a family portrait with triplets. Those little guys were a hoot. Three little four-year-olds, all dressed alike, and all as mischievous as all get out.”
Aiden smiled at her. “How long did that photo shoot take?”
“Would have been a snap indoors. Too bad we decided to meet at the park. The boys wanted to play, which led to one of the boys getting grass stains on his knees. His mother made him wear his pants backwards for the pictures. Then another one fell and got a bloody nose, so we had to wait until that cleared up. Even then, I had to Photoshop some blood out of his shirt.”
“Sounds crazy.”
She had to admit, the day had been stressful at the time, but looking back on it, she couldn’t help but laugh. “It was. But it made me realize that life isn’t always what we plan, but that’s okay. We make it work.”
Aiden got a look on his face and she wondered what it meant. He nodded. “You’re right.”
Felicity took in a deep breath. “This has been great, but I can’t wait to take a shower and relax tonight.”
He grinned at her. “Me too.”
It took another hour before they were changed into dry clothes and in Aiden’s car. The tour had included dinner, so Felicity was full and ready to go home. Brittany sat in the back and pouted the entire drive to the resort, which wasn’t too bad. At least she wasn’t talking.
Aiden pulled up to where the pavement ended, close to Felicity’s villa. The sun had just set, and dusk was quickly turning into night. He got out of the car and ran around to open her door for her. She took his hand and he helped her out of the car. Aiden’s gaze flickered to Brittany in the back of the car. “Thank you for a lovely time.”
Her Big Fat Dreamy Billionaire Ex (Billionaire Series Book 4) Page 12
