I saw that now.
He was lost. Fighting to survive was the only way he knew how.
“You’re not your father, you know,” I said, immediately regretting the words. I didn’t know Aiden, not really. Not well enough to pass comment on his father or their relationship. But sometimes, people needed to hear the truth.
They needed someone to offer them a life raft.
Josh had been that person for me once. Maybe I could be that person for Aiden.
“It doesn’t matter.” His eyes bore into mine. “I’ll always be Dawson Dumfries’ kid; no matter what I do, what I achieve, I’ll never escape his shadow.”
“Only you get to define your future, Aiden.”
“Is that so? And what about your future, Dayna?”
“What do you mean?”
“Why haven’t you had sex with your boyfriend?”
“I…” Heat rose up inside me. “We are not talking about me.”
“Why?”
“Because it’s different.” My chest tightened. “I’m not…”
“Cat got your tongue, freckles?” He smirked, and I wanted to wipe it off his ridiculously gorgeous face.
The devil in sheep’s clothing.
That’s who Aiden Dumfries was.
And he was so, so dangerous for a girl like me. For my fragile, weary heart.
“I need to go,” I said, clambering to my feet. But Aiden caught my wrist, holding me there.
“Don’t you want to know what I think?”
“No, I really, really don’t,” I snarled. Hating the way he made me feel. The way my heart raced in my chest, wild and untamed. How my skin burned right where he touched me.
It had never felt this way with Josh.
Ever.
If being with Josh was like riding the Ferris Wheel, being around Aiden was like being on the pendulum ride, my heart crashing in my chest, waiting for the next rush.
“I’m going to tell you anyway. Maybe…” He leaned up close, his warm breath fanning my face. “Maybe deep down, you know he isn’t good enough for you.”
Yanking my arm free, I stumbled back, glaring at him. “You don’t know anything about Josh and me, and I’d prefer to keep it that way.”
But as I hurried away from him, my stomach a tight ball of nerves, I realized that maybe Aiden Dumfries knew more than I wanted to admit.
CHAPTER9
AIDEN
“You’re extra broody this morning,”Carson said, offering me a fresh mug of coffee.
“Thanks.” I took it, ignoring his observation.