Chapter 1 Whether You Like It Or Not

• OLIVIA
• "Fuck. She moans loudly. She really does. I had to shut her up with a kiss." Aiden laughs. "I know I am good in bed. But I did not want her to get me in trouble by moaning so loud."
• "And yet she used to pretend she was the holiest girl in the whole college. What a crazy hypocrite." My sister Sarah laughs.
• I clench my fist. Is this what I get for agreeing to come to school with my sister and her jerk of a best friend? He cannot stop talking about his sex adventures.
• I almost hiss. All they have done since we left my house is talk about sex. Can they not talk about books? Can they not talk about sci-fi movies? Can they not talk about animes?
• I take a deep breath. I try to calm down. I should not blame them. They are not like me. It is my car I should be annoyed with. If it had not broken down this morning, I would not be in this situation.
• "Get a grip on yourself, Olivia. You will survive this ride." I mutter under my breath.
• For a moment, the car is silent. I heave a sigh of relief. I glance at my sister. She is busy on her phone. She does not bother looking up. I guess that is what is keeping them quiet. I hope they stay silent like this until we reach college.
• I feel eyes on me as I cross my legs. I look in the rearview mirror. I meet the gaze of two warm brown eyes. They burn low and slow like a flame. He watches me through the mirror. His eyes are intense. Then he looks away to focus on the road. But I feel his eyes return to me a moment later.
• A knot of butterflies twists in my stomach. I bite my bottom lip. I turn my gaze out the window. What is happening to me? Why does my heart flutter every time our eyes lock?
• Aiden Blacksmith. Handsome face. Biggest player I have ever met. He plays with girls' hearts like football. Always has a new fling every week.
• He is my sister's best friend from high school. I have not really interacted with him. Whenever he comes over, I am always in my room. Whenever I run into him by chance, we just exchange quick glances.
• "Oh shit." Sarah blurts out and jolts me from my thoughts.
• I turn my eyes to her.
• "What is the matter?"
• The words come out of my mouth at the same time as Aiden's. I glance into the rearview mirror. His eyes pierce into mine. Heat rushes to my cheeks. I turn away from him. What the hell is wrong with me?
• Sarah starts gathering her things. "I have to catch the next bus. I have to meet my best friend. Her dumb boyfriend just broke her heart."
• A line appears between my brows. "Wait. You are going to skip your classes because of that?" The words slip out before I can stop myself.
• Damn. That was insensitive. I should not have said that. It is too late. I cannot take it back.
• My sister spins around to face me. I know I have upset her.
• "You have never had a boyfriend before. So you would not understand how it feels to have your heart broken." Sarah bursts out. "My best friend's heart just got broken. And you are worried about missing boring class. Really? You can tell our dad I skipped if you want."
• I swallow hard. "I am sorry." I murmur. I bite my lip to keep from breaking down.
• "That is all you say after messing up." Sarah retorts.
• I feel tears well up in my eyes. But I refuse to let them fall. I know I mess up a lot. But did she have to bring it up now?
• The car pulls to a stop. Sarah gets out. She gives Aiden a quick hug before closing the door behind her.
• Now my sister is gone. I am left alone in the car with Aiden. I know the ride to school will be silent like a graveyard. I like that. I stare out the window as the car starts moving.
• I squeeze my eyes shut. I enjoy the warm breeze blowing my hair gently. It feels like peace. It feels like the old days before my mom left my dad.
• I miss her so much.
• "When did you cut your hair shorter? And why?"
• A husky voice jolts me from my thoughts.
• I swallow hard. It was Aiden.
• "I wanted something shorter." I tuck a lock of my blond hair behind my ear.
• "I liked your hair better when it was longer." He mutters under his breath.
• My brows furrow. "How did you even notice I cut my hair?"
• It dawns on me. How would someone who barely glanced at me notice the change in my hair?
• "You think I only know the length of your hair?" Aiden's voice is low and gentle. "I know far more than you think."
• I find myself locking eyes with him in the rearview mirror. He does not look away. His gaze is piercing. Like he can see right through me. I break eye contact first. I look away from him. He will get us killed if he keeps looking at me like that.
• Neither of us speaks until we reach school. I feel his eyes on me even when I am not looking. I keep avoiding his gaze until he stops looking in the mirror.
• I cannot get his words out of my head. What else does he know about me?
• The car rolls to a stop in the parking lot. I let out a long shaky breath. I am relieved. But now I know I have to face the curious stares and whispers from my schoolmates. I knew this would happen. I am with the most popular girl in college.
• Attention. I despise it. I hate being the center of it.
• I mutter a quick thank you and start to leave. But a firm hand on my arm stops me. Aiden pulls me closer. I am standing just inches from him. I have the strangest urge to step even closer. I hate myself for it. My breasts press against his chest. I cannot decide if I like it or not.
• His brown eyes meet mine. "I will give you a ride home after your lectures."
• I feel his breath on my cheek. Shivers run down my spine.
• "No. I mean. Thank you. But I do not need a ride." I stammer.
• "It is not a request. I will be here when you are done. Whether you like it or not."
• Aiden chuckles softly and releases my arm from his grip.