by Snow, Jenika
I couldn’t blame them. Aiden definitely had a dangerous air about him.
The house was crammed with people, the music loud and vibrating the very walls. I could smell beer and I swore vomit. The latter had my stomach clenching in distaste. Maybe being drunk was the only way to stand these things?
Aiden squeezed my hand and looked over his shoulder at me. I had a feeling it was to make sure I was still here. I gave him an answering smile, and he faced forward once more as he pulled me through the house. I didn’t think he knew where we were going, because I sure as hell didn’t, but before I knew it, we found ourselves in the kitchen.
We stopped and just stood there a moment, and I glanced around for Pixie. She’d sent me a text saying she was already here, but it would be impossible to find her with how many people were gathered around. I had no doubt half these people were from other schools.
I glanced at Aiden several times. He looked so masculine, and once again, I couldn’t help but think of how much older he seemed than all the other guys here.
And I sure as hell felt feminine when I was with him.
“Should we do something, get a drink or something?” I felt out of place here and felt even weirder asking what the hell to do at a party of this magnitude. It seemed people were either drinking or having almost-sex.
The smirk Aiden gave me had my entire body tightening in awareness, had my lips tingling, had me wanting to rise up on my toes and kiss him again.
Aiden led us farther into the room, his hand still wrapped around mine. Once in the state-of-the-art kitchen with granite counters, stainless steel appliances, and the stench of money pouring from every corner, we stopped. I spied several kegs set up off to the side, guys loitering around them with red plastic cups in their hands. Those same cups were on the counters and even a few on the floors, as the trashcans set up were overflowing.
More people started coming into the kitchen, my body being pushed around like a Ping-Pong ball. Aiden tightened his hold on my hand and pulled me closer. Even over the rumble of music and conversation, I heard the low, threatening growl that left him, heard him mumble “fucking assholes” under his breath.
Aiden leaned in, and I felt the warm stream of his breath along the shell of my ear. “Want something to drink? A beer? Cup of water?”
The deep sound of his voice had a shiver racing up my spine. I looked up at him when he leaned back an inch. Our mouths were so close together I could have pressed my lips to his. “A beer?” I was at a party. Might as well do what everyone else was doing… well, of the consumption kind.
He held my gaze with his for long seconds and then straightened, looking around. “Stay here, yeah?”
I nodded, loving that he was looking out for me, that he was worried about me.
But the truth was, I didn’t want him to leave. The truth was, I wanted to leave with Aiden right now until we were somewhere alone… until we could explore what we’d started in his car all those days ago.
Chapter Twelve
Aiden
I hadn’t wanted to leave Harlow, but I’d needed to do something other than stand next to her or I would have kicked anyone’s ass who came too close. I was so fucking possessive of her, so damn territorial, I felt like I was losing my mind.
And Harlow didn’t even realize all the guys were eye-fucking her. But I sure as hell did.
Now, Harlow stood off to the side in the kitchen of this out-of-control party, her friend Pixie beside her, and three guys forming a semi-circle around them. Harlow looked like she’d rather be somewhere else, like she felt out of place. I felt the same damn way.
An hour later, I told her I’d go get us another drink, some water, since more alcohol probably wasn’t the best route to go, but then I’d just stood back and watched. I saw how she kept glancing around, and I hoped like hell she was looking for me.
Although we were here together, I gave her some space but kept close in case she wanted me. I didn’t need to hover around her, but if she needed me, if I needed to kick some asshole’s teeth in because they crossed a line with her, well, then I was right here for her.
I felt people staring at me and looked to my right, seeing a guy and girl making no secret of the fact that they were boring holes into me.
I tipped my beer back, because I’d said fuck it and grabbed some more alcohol to get through this party, and glared right back at the guy. He shifted on his feet, clearly uncomfortable that I wasn’t breaking eye contract, and then he and his girl turned and left.
If people didn’t realize yet, they’d soon find out I wasn’t the type to backdown and wasn’t intimidated.
“Hey, dude, do you want some of this?”
I looked over at the guy who was talking to me, his voice slurred, his face sweaty, and his eyes red-rimmed and glossy. It was clear he was already fucked up, but I’d be lying if I didn’t say that bottle of whiskey he held out to me wasn’t appealing as fuck.
I didn’t answer right away as I looked back at Harlow. I saw one of the guys step closer to her, and I felt my rage grow.
What I wanted to do was go over to that guy and push him out of the way, insert my body between theirs, stare him down, and let him know without saying a goddamn thing that he needed to back off. And although that kiss still lingered on my lips, the memory of everything I wanted to do with her, everything I wanted with Harlow playing through my mind, I didn’t go over there. I didn’t want to seem like an overbearing, possessive asshole to her.
So instead, I took that bottle happily, unscrewed the top, and poured two-shots-worth into my mouth. The liquor burned as it went down, but it felt good. I took one more shot before passing the bottle back to him, feeling his gaze and glancing over at him.
“Thanks,” I muttered dismissively.
He stared at me with appreciation in his eyes, maybe because I just downed three shots without taking a breath. But he needed to go now. I wasn’t in the mood for company, especially from some drunken dude I didn’t even know.
He ended up stumbling away, and I focused back on Harlow. The guy kept looking at her, although staring was a more accurate description. I clenched my jaw and curled one of my hands tightly into a fist at my side. There was only so much annoyance I could take, and the longer I watched their exchange, the more I wanted to lay claim to her in front of everybody.
I’d never felt this way before, never felt so territorial about somebody in my entire life. But here we were, my heart already Harlow’s, and she didn’t even know it.
Chapter Thirteen
Harlow
I felt someone watching me and glanced around the kitchen, not seeing anyone right away but then noticing Aiden off to the side, over by the kegs, his focus on me like a predator intensely watching their prey.
I turned my focus from Aiden, because his was so consuming I could feel it in every part of my body.
Pixie was talking to Braxton, but the look on her face told me she wasn’t enjoying it as much as she probably thought she would have. It was clear Braxton was drunk, his eyes red and glossy, his movements sloppy as he leaned in close to her. She wasn’t even looking at him but instead focused across the room, bringing her bottle of water up and knitting her brows at whatever he said. Finally, she shook her head and walked away.
Aiden was by my side when I turned to look back at him. I was so surprised that he was right there a little gasp left me. He held out a red plastic cup, and I looked down at the contents. The frothy beer sloshed around as we handed off the cup. The scent of hard liquor came from Aiden, and I wondered if he’d been drinking more, or if the scent was just wafting around, because everyone was getting good and drunk.
“You didn’t get anything?” I asked right before I brought the cup to my mouth and took a long drink of the nasty-tasting beer. It was cold and foamy, slightly sour, and tasted disgusting. But I took another drink. Maybe more liquid courage would help me feel comfortable in my surroundings.
“I had a couple shots,” he said.
It was about twenty minutes of us standing there, me drinking my beer and Pixie coming up to us a few times before she darted off. I finished my drink and looked at Aiden. He was watching me again. In fact, I don’t think he took his focus off me for more than a few seconds at a time. I felt like he was worried that someone would snatch me up. I couldn’t help but feel excited at the prospect that maybe he wanted me that much he didn’t want anyone else to have me.
Or maybe that was all wishful thinking?
“I’ve got to go to the bathroom,” I said, and he nodded. I turned and started looking for the nearest one.
There was one downstairs but currently occupied, the sounds of moaning coming from the closed door having me steer clear of it. I felt Aiden following me, and when I got to the stairs and started to ascend them, I looked over my shoulder. He stood at the landing, leaning against the wall, his arms crossed over his chest.
“I’ll be right back,” I shouted down, because the noise in this part of the house sounded even more obnoxiously loud. I didn’t even know where the bathroom was upstairs, or if it was fuck-free, but I’d find out soon enough.
I made my way up the stairs and moved out of people’s way. As I navigated the hallway and opened doors, I finally found the bathroom, one that was tucked away in a spare bedroom and thankfully free.
Once inside, I door closed and leaned against it, my hands resting flat on the smooth, cold wood. Although I could still hear the music, it was drowned out, almost muted in this part of the house. I just wanted to leave. This wasn’t my scene, and I was kicking myself for even agreeing to come.
And I told myself I’d just talk to Aiden tonight, to tell him how I felt, that the kiss we shared meant a hell of a lot to me. The worst thing that he could say was he didn’t feel those emotions for me. But God, was I so blind, so into him, that the looks I caught him giving me, the possessiveness, protectiveness I felt come from him where I was concerned were all in my head?
After using the bathroom and washing my hands, I left the bathroom and made my way back downstairs, weaving in out of the bodies crowding every square inch of this house. Aiden was still in the same place I left him, almost as if he’d been guarding me.
Once I was downstairs, Aiden stood right beside me. “Can we just leave? Get out of here?”
The smirk he gave me, the little nod, told me he’d probably been hoping I’d say that. I found Pixie and told her I was leaving, and although I didn’t want to leave her here, she had several friends she was with, wasn’t drunk, and told me she’d be headed home soon as well.
And as we headed toward the front door, the farther we got from the party scene, the more the idea of it just being Aiden and me had excitement and anticipation filling me.
God, I had it bad for him.
Chapter Fourteen
Aiden
We were about to leave the house when I saw Braxton leaning against the wall by the door. He was drinking right out of a bottle of vodka, his focus on Harlow and me. I had no doubt he’d been watching us for some time, probably glaring at me while I waited for Harlow. I knew he was still stewing about our altercation at school, and I had the feeling this would turn into something I really didn’t want it to. It wasn’t because I didn’t want to fight him, because I sure as fuck did. No, I didn’t want Harlow to see that side of me. I didn’t want to scare her, didn’t want to disgust her or have her thinking differently of me.
Just keep walking.
And as soon as we got to the front door, of course Braxton blocked it.
Dude. Just walk away.
I stopped Harlow and placed myself in front of her.
“Hey, Harlow,” Braxton said with a thickly slurred voice, trying to look over my shoulder to see her. Braxton looked sweaty, like he’d been running laps around the house. But I knew it was because he was trashed. This should be fun. He brought a beer bottle up to his mouth and took a long drink from it, finishing it off before tossing it aside as if he didn’t give a shit it could shatter on one of his parents’ no doubt expensive-as-fuck rugs. “I was hoping you’d come,” he mumbled out and chuckled, which caused his friends to do the same. I didn’t know what he thought was so funny or why his bonehead friends were following suit.
“Can you move the fuck out of the way? Harlow wants to leave.”
Braxton’s laughter died. “That true, Harlow?” Braxton looked at me then. “Or is this asshole taking you against your will?”
I snorted at that. “Get the fuck out of the way, dude.”
He didn’t move and instead smirked.
I let go of Harlow’s hand and curled my fingers into my palms, making fists at my sides. I should’ve found another way out, stepped away and not let him goad me. But I was already itching to fuck this guy up.
And then I felt Harlow touch the center of my back. “Come on, Aiden. It’s not worth it. Braxton is so not worth it.”
I looked at her and felt that anger start to lessen, knowing she was right. I was about to turn away, to leave and spend some time with Harlow, to put this bullshit behind me, when I heard Braxton laughing.
“Damn, dude, she must be giving her tight little virgin pussy up to you for her to have a chain wrapped around your dick like that.”
I felt my body tense, become like steel as his insult to Harlow filled my head.
“I’ve been trying to make Harlow spread her legs for me all year. I just wanted a taste before I tossed her used ass aside.”
By now, the music had been lowered and people had grown silent. I spied Pixie off to the side, her shocked expression turning to rage as she stared at Braxton.
“I don’t do sloppy seconds though, so you can have her uptight ass.”
I felt that self-control snap then, just crumble. He was grinning from ear-to-ear, but soon I’d wiped that fucking smile off his face. He’d be eating his teeth.
“Come on,” he taunted me.
I saw red as I felt my muscles contract. He pushed off the wall and gave me a wink.
This motherfucker.
I was on him a second later, tackling him against the front door hard enough a picture on the wall shook from the force. I slammed my fist into the side of his face, and his head cocked to the side. People started chanting, calling out for a fight. I was surprised his fucking friends didn’t try to pull me off of him. Maybe they knew they’d get rightly fucked up as well.
He got me in the gut before our momentum propelled us away from the door. I grunted from the contact but slammed my fist into his face again, had enough force and at just the right angle blood erupted from his mouth.
He used his body to move us backward until we slammed into a couch. The piece of furniture skidded across the floor before we followed suit. He used his strength to roll me over, so he was now the one on top, his fist connecting with my jaw. But he wouldn’t have the upper hand for long.
In a matter of seconds, I used my strength to dominate the situation until I was on top of him now. I threw punches, my anger and aggression coming through fiercely. All I saw was red. All I saw was this motherfucker insulting Harlow… wanting her. All I saw was this fucker wanting what was mine.
I was vaguely aware of people shouting, no doubt wanting to see more violence. I’d gladly give them all they wanted. I doubted this little prick had been in the rough, back-alley-style fights I’d been in. He’d messed with the wrong fucker.
All I saw was a flurry of motion as my fists connected with Braxton’s face. He kept trying to get me off of him, but he wouldn’t be able to. The beast had overcome me, and I was letting it have it’s time. Then I got the scent of copper, thick blood lacing the air and covering my chest.
But as the world tilted and I just let the motions drive me, I felt people pulling me off. I felt my anger start to take a backseat as everything around me became quiet. It was then that my vision cleared, that I saw the massive crowd of people gathered around. They’d once been rooting for blood but now looked at me like I was a freak.
Let them stare. Let them think the worst. It was that fear that would keep fuckers at bay.
“Come on,” she said, and Harlow’s voice pierced that fogginess that filled my head. She slipped her hand in mine, and I got strength from the touch. I looked back at Braxton. His friends were helping him off the ground, and I got a clear view of his face. Bloody, beaten, swollen, and bruised. He wouldn’t be winning any beauty contests anytime soon. He’d also think twice about harassing a female.
He looked at me but was smart enough to keep his mouth shut and not make this worse, and it would have been so much worse… for him.
“Come on, Aiden,” Harlow said and started pulling me away. People parted for us, keeping a wide berth. The blood that covered my chest wasn’t mine. They’d do well to keep that at the forefront in their minds if they thought I was a pushover, that I’d let shit happen and just stand back and watch like they all had.
Before I knew what was happening, Harlow was all but pushing me into the front seat of my car and holding her hand out.
“Keys,” she said softly, and I handed them over.
I was too buzzed, the alcohol taking the front seat once more as my aggression faded.
I closed my eyes and rested my head back on the seat, hearing the driver side door open, feeling the car gently shift as she sat in the seat. Then the engine rumbled to life as she started the car. We were pulling away just as I opened my eyes and looked out the window, seeing everyone still watching us, some of them with open mouths and looks of shock on their faces.
“I’m sure someone called the police,” I muttered more to myself than to her.
She was silent for a second before she said, “No one will. That’s not the first fight to happen at one of these parties, and it won’t be the last.”
