Chapter 5 ~ From

• Leah
• "What a lovely family you have here."
• Aiden's hand settled shamelessly against my back and every muscle in my body locked.
• My mother noticed immediately. "Sweetheart, are you alright?"
• I forced a smile, subtly trying to shift away from him. "Yes."
• "Are you sure, doll?"
• His thumb grazed the bare skin around the back of my neck before sliding beneath a strand of hair. "You look like you've seen a ghost."
• When I finally forced myself to look at him, my stomach turned as I was reminded of his threat in the elevator.
• Across the table, my father's wine glass touched down a little too hard snapping my eyes away from his.
• "I thought I made it clear the last time we spoke, she is..."
• Aiden interrupted him with an amused chuckle, "You did."
• Then turning to my father, "But with all due respect, Mr. Carter, warnings have never worked particularly well on me. In fact they make me want to cross the line more."
• My father's jaw tightened. For a second neither of them spoke and the air between them felt charged enough to spark.
• "Micheal," my mother said softly, resting a hand on his arm though it did little to calm the tension sitting heavily at the table.
• "Hey."
• Ivy's unimpressed voice cut through the silence.
• "We were having a family dinner before you rudely interrupted."
• She held Aiden's gaze without flinching and that made a slow smile curve his lips.
• "My bad."
• Then he looked back at me and heat crawled up my neck so quickly it made me angry.
• "You look beautiful in red."
• My breath caught embarrassingly fast and for one horrifying second I almost said thank you.
• I knew he noticed because amusement flashed across his face as he leaned down. Slightly to whisper, "I will see you later, doll."
• Then he walked away like he hadn't just ruined our dinner.
• I didn't realise I'd stopped breathing until my father spoke
• "Where did you meet?"
• I reached for a glass of water and took a long sip, trying to steady my racing heart.
• "The elevator," I replied, leaving the part about running into him at the car park and the kiss.
• My mother looked between us anxiously. "Micheal, isn't he one of the Kingstons?"
• His silence was enough answer.
• Everybody in the city knew the Kingston name. They were the kind of family people feared enough to whisper about.
• I knew Aiden was dangerous. But I hadn't realised he was that dangerous.
• My father rubbed a hand over his jaw before looking at me again.
• "You stay away from him," he said quietly. "Men like him don't approach people without a reason."
• I nodded even though, deep down I already knew it was already too late.
• The rest of the meal was torture. This was a dinner I had been looking forward to all week, but his presence ruined everything.
• A sudden unease settled in my guts as I waved goodbye to my parents, who were driving off. Turning around, I flinched slightly at the source of the unease. He stood, his hands buried in his pockets as he watched me through the glass doors of the restaurant.
• I could have sworn I saw him leave earlier.
• When he gestured for me to come over, I clutched my purse tightly, turning away immediately. My heart pounded as I started to walk towards my car.
• I heard footsteps behind me, and I glanced over my shoulder, confirming my worst fears. He was right behind me, enjoying the way I scrambled away from him like prey.
• "I thought we agreed to meet later, doll," he taunted.
• I fumbled inside my purse for my keys, fingers trembling.
• Almost there, Leah. Just a few more steps. Once you get into the car, you will be safe.
• Relief washed over me as I finally found the key and pressed the button. The car door clicked open. I pulled it slightly ajar when suddenly, a hand clamped down on the top from behind me.
• "Were you running away from me, doll?" He whispered, his voice laced with mocking amusement in my ear.
• "Let go," my voice came out shaky.
• He clicked his tongue, his breath hot on my neck. "What about our date?"
• I yanked at the door. "Let go. I need to go home!" I yelled.
• He slammed the door shut with a force that made me jump, my back pressing against his chest. His nose grazed my skin, as he murmured, "Fuck, you smell nice."
• I tried to step away, but he gripped my hip, holding me in place. "Stay still, doll." He buried his face in my hair, inhaling deeply.
• "Get your filthy hands off me, you son of a bitch!" I screamed, my nails digging into his hand.
• He chuckled, his nails digging into my hip and I winced letting his hand go. "That hurts, doll. I thought we had gotten closer... especially after our kiss on the elevator." He brushed his lips down my neck, my skin tingling from where his lips had touched.
• "You forced that kiss on me."
• "Is that so?" He murmured, sending unwanted heat through me. "All I remember were lips begging to be kissed."
• The rain started to fall in small droplets, the tapping on the car roof blending with the sound of my heavy breathing.
• He tilted my face towards him, his lips dangerously close to mine. My breath hitched, eyes darting to his lips and then back at his darkened gaze. "And even now, they are begging me to kiss them."
• I should've turned away, but I didn't.
• His mouth pressed to mine, tongue slipping into my mouth, claiming me with rough intensity. He sucked on my tongue, then my lips, teeth grazing lightly, just enough to leave a bruise.
• The rain continued, soaking us both, but that didn't stop him. He pulled me closer as if we weren't close enough. I whimpered into his mouth, heat pooling between my legs.
• Fuck.
• My breathe came out ragged as he pulled away, his eyes locking onto mine. Those eyes promised bad, sinful things, things that made me shudder in all the wrong ways.
• "Looks like I have got you wet, inside and out."
• He was right, my panties were soaked and it wasn't the rain.
• I was attracted to him. It was a truth I had been refusing to acknowledge ever since I met him.
• "Since I got you wet, let me buy you a new dress," he offered.
• "I don't need a dress from you," I snapped, shoving him away and reaching for the door again.
• He slammed it shut. "I insist."
• I glared at him, my nose flaring.
• Headlights flashed on us as a car pulled up in front. Before I could react, he grabbed my wrists.
• "Hey, let go off me!" I shouted, struggling against his grip.
• My nails dug at his skin, but he just dragged me toward his car and shoved me inside.
• My heart dropped.
• A small smile tugged at his lips. "Relax. We're just getting you a dress. I promise I won't bite." His eyes darkened. "Not unless you want me to."
• I swallowed hard.
• It sounded like he would bite either way.