by Mia Hoddell
“What are you ... Why are you here?” she asked, ignoring his comment as her brain scrambled to come up with an appropriate response.
“I needed some help running lines for tomorrow.”
Kayleigh arched one eyebrow as she folded her arms across her chest. However, the action made her aware of the fact that she had no bra on and her arms stayed fixed in front of her for another reason, even if the jumper revealed nothing.
“I’m finding that hard to believe seeing as you’ve had no problem so far.”
“Come on, it’ll be fun.”
With a hesitant gesture, Kayleigh moved out of the doorway and motioned for him to walk by. He wasted no time in kicking off his shoes and collapsing on to her bed with a smirk as he patted the space next to him.
“Geez, just make yourself at home.”
He laughed and the sound sent a swarm of butterflies racing through her stomach.
“So what scene did you want to go over?” Kayleigh asked, forcing herself to remain on a neutral subject and stay seated at the opposite end of the bed.
“How about a movie instead?”
“Seriously?”
“Why not?”
“I thought you wanted to run lines. I was doing things before you arrived.”
Aiden glanced around the room, his eyes falling on the book she had left upside down to mark the page on the cabinet. He reached over to pick it up, admiring the cover for a second before flicking it open to the page she was on.
Before she could think about it, Kayleigh lunged for the book. The second her fingers skimmed the page, Aiden pulled it out of reach and caused her to land face first on his lap. Frozen in shock, it took Kayleigh a moment to realise where her head was placed and what she could feel through his jeans. As soon as she did, she sprang off the bed with a squeal, tumbling to the floor in a mess of wet hair and baggy clothes.
“You okay?”
Pulling her hair from her face, Kayleigh glanced up at him; he was trying to appear concerned, but a smile was overpowering his face when he leaned over to study her. Kayleigh huffed as she pulled herself back up, ignoring the hand he offered. “I’m fine.”
“Good, I’ll get back to reading then.”
Kayleigh groaned. “Just put the book back, Aiden.”
His eyes appeared over the top of the book, shining with humour. She could see he was skimming the page. “I didn’t peg you for the type to read erotica.”
Kayleigh could feel her anger building. He was laughing at her. He’d put her in a specific category–generalised like everyone else—and now he was picking out flaws to laugh at. Storming over to him, she snatched the book back. “It’s a new adult, contemporary romance, not erotic fiction.” Closing the book, she dropped it on the floor and moved round to the edge of the bed.
As she sat down, their eyes met and his bored into her with an unspoken apology. “Kay, I’m sorry. I was only kidding, I don’t care what you read.”
She shrugged, her shoulders skimming her ears as she played with her hands on her lap. The bed shifted under her as Aiden moved but she refused to look up.
His fingers grazed her cheek when they brushed a strand of hair away, then trailed down her jaw. A scorching line of heat was left behind as his finger settled beneath her chin, pulling her head up to meet his gaze. “I’m sorry,” he said in earnest.
She only shrugged, the embarrassment refusing to release its hold on her. She felt silly for her reaction, what she was reading, and now the awkward tension as he apologised. It didn’t help that she kept becoming tongue tied.
“Movie or lines?”
“What scene?” she murmured, gazing out of the window in distraction.
“Well I wanted to practise Act Two, Scene Six ...” He paused, and Kayleigh looked up warily. “But how about Act Two, Scene Twelve instead?”
Her mouth dropped. “I’m not kissing you alone, on my bed, and in my pyjamas,” she cried, heat washing over her.
“Because you don’t want to, or because you’re embarrassed?” He smirked.
“Because you’re not being serious. You’re toying with me and I’m not falling for it.”
Aiden’s face became sombre, the smirk straightening out and his eyes cooling as they watched her carefully. “I’m not toying with you, Kayleigh. I’ve meant everything I’ve said.”
“What are the chances of me getting you to leave right now?” She didn’t know what to think. All she could do was stare at the lips she wanted to feel on hers again. She hadn’t touched them since the first rehearsal, but she hadn’t forgotten the feeling as they caressed hers.
“Slim to none if you keep looking at me like that.”
“Like what?” She knew she would regret asking.
“Like the only thing on your mind is kissing me. You look hot drawing your lip between your teeth like that.”
Kayleigh instantly released her bottom lip, having not realised what she was doing. “What about now?” She stared at him as blankly as she could.
“You really want me to go?” He leaned forward, as if to move, and Kayleigh’s heart skipped a beat. She knew she should tell him to leave—that it was what she wanted—but the words wouldn’t form on her lips. Seeing him stretched out on her bed affected her. It was hard enough to think around him on a normal day, but to actually have him on her bed?
“See? I knew you liked me.” His grin was back, but this time it didn’t sound like he was laughing at her. “Movie then?”
“Fine ...” She feigned reluctance as she hauled herself off the bed, thankful she was studying an acting degree.
Deciding to punish Aiden for his unannounced and uninvited visit, Kayleigh picked the cheesiest chick-flick she owned. She hid the case from him as she inserted the disc into the TV and moved over to the bed with the remote. Kayleigh sat on the end so only Aiden’s feet were visible from the corner of her eye.
“Kay, you’re not going to be comfy like that. Sit up here, I promise to behave.”
She didn’t want to admit it, but he was right. She was already tired and her back longed to rest against something. Crawling up the length of the bed, Aiden watched her every move as she spun and leaned against the headboard.
“Told you.”
“Shut up and watch the film. I don’t even know why I’m agreeing to this.” She wasn’t looking at him, but she could feel him move, his presence closer than before as his breath tickled her ear. He paused there for a second, his cologne sweeping over her and making her feel lightheaded as her body tensed.
“You agreed because you like me,” he whispered into her ear, making Kayleigh catch her breath.
“Aiden,” she squeaked, but he only hummed in response, and she swore she felt the rumble. “This ...” She took in a shaky breath. “This isn’t behaving ...” Her voice trembled as she spoke, not able to hide what he was doing to her. She doubted even the best actress would be able to resist him.
He chuckled and moved away. As soon as he was back on his side of the bed, she relaxed slightly. Turning her attention to the film, she tried to block out all thoughts of Aiden. She ignored his presence and pretended he didn’t exist.
Soon Kayleigh felt her eyes beginning to droop with tiredness. She had planned to get an early night, but Aiden had put an end to that plan. Not having the energy to fight sleep, she allowed her eyes to close. She trusted Aiden despite his reputation. He was a good guy at heart, and even if he overwhelmed her and turned her into a nervous wreck when speaking, she trusted him.
CHAPTER TWELVE
The heavy arm draped across her stomach was the first thing she noticed when she awoke. The second was that it was pulling her tightly against a strong, warm chest. She didn’t need to question who it was, but she did wonder why he was still on her bed and cuddling her. Besides his arm, their legs were tangled, stopping Kayleigh from moving. Turning her head, she tried to glance up at the clock but she couldn’t stretch far enough. As she looked over her shoulder, Aiden stirred.
/> “Morning,” he moaned, his voice gruff. However, his hold tightened instead of releasing her. Pulling her into his embrace, she felt his lips on her neck, placing light kisses just below her ear.
“Aiden.” Kayleigh hated how his name came out as a breathless whimper. She should have been pushing him off, but everything about him drew her in. “Aiden.” It came out more forcefully and broke through the morning haze that clouded his mind. Lifting his arm, he allowed her to slide out of his grasp and turn so they were facing each other. “You’re still here.” She knew it wasn’t a question but she expected an answer as he rubbed a hand over his face. A small amount of stubble coated his jaw, creating a dark shadow and a rugged look.
“Sorry, I must have dozed off when you did. I swear it wasn’t intentional.” He pinched the bridge of his nose between his thumb and index finger as he took a deep breath and opened his eyes.
Kayleigh went to say something else, but her eyes landed on the clock next to him.
“Shit, rehearsals start in ten. Adam is going to kill us!” Panicking, Kayleigh scrambled from the bed and began rummaging in her wardrobe for something to wear.
“Aiden, get up! You have to go get ready,” she ordered when she glanced over to see him still lying there.
“I am ready.”
“You can’t turn up late with me and wear the same clothes as yesterday.”
“Why not? I don’t think people will remember what I was wearing.”
“Of course they will, and then they will know you were with me ... all night.”
“So? I think people are beyond caring who I’m with. And nothing happened.”
“They don’t know that!” She was hyperventilating. Her breaths were coming in short, quick gasps because she panicked at the thought. She had to hold on to the chair at her desk to steady herself.
Almost instantly, Aiden was at her side. “Breathe, Kayleigh. Deep breaths. Inhale, exhale.” He kept up a steady rhythm of orders as he rubbed circles on her back. Slowly, she calmed down.
“Sorry, I just don’t want them to think that about me.”
She gazed up at him, catching the moment of hurt in his eyes, but she couldn’t feel sorry for him. There was no way she wanted people to add her to his list of conquests, thinking she was easy when nothing happened.
“Kay, if anyone even thinks that about you they’ll have me to deal with.”
“Please just go change,” she whispered, clutching the clothes in a tight fist as she hunched over the chair. “I’ll cover for you, just be there as soon as possible.”
“All right, I’m going.” The hurt was still in his eyes and his voice as he turned to glance at her by the door. The smile didn’t meet his eyes and he shook his head regretfully, but Kayleigh ignored it. She needed to focus if she’d be able to deal with Adam. Wasting no time, she changed and hurried out the door.
When she walked into the Performing Arts Centre everyone else was already there. Adam was in the middle of a speech, and she’d hoped she could creep in and tag on to the end without him noticing. However, she should have known better.
“You’re late, Kayleigh, that is not acceptable for a leading actress. In fact, it’s also unacceptable for your co-star to be late, too.”
Kayleigh didn’t like what his tone insinuated; it was as if he knew they had been together. Regardless, telling herself he couldn’t possibly have jumped straight to that conclusion, she ignored it. “I overslept. Aiden texted me on my way over. He had to deal with a family issue and will be here shortly.”
“I’m sure he will ...” His voice was laced with doubt and disbelief.
“Yep, I will.” Aiden came jogging in through the doors, an easy smile on his face. He was wearing a different set of clothes, but he still hadn’t shaved, something that put Kayleigh on edge. Adam was already suspicious.
“Sorry I’m late everyone. My brother suffers from panic attacks and needed me.”
Kayleigh didn’t miss the subtle look he gave her as he bent the truth.
“Right, well now everyone has finally shown up, I think we should start.”
They all found their places, and Kayleigh breathed a sigh of relief at the fact it wasn’t a scene with Aiden they were rehearsing.
* * * *
Kayleigh was packing her belongings up and tying her hair into a loose, messy ponytail when Adam approached her. When she saw the determined stride to his walk her heart sank, knowing there was no way to avoid what was obviously going to be a conflict. Pulling her bag over her shoulder, she made sure she was ready to run the moment an opportunity arose. “Strange that both you and Aiden were late today, don’t you think?”
“No not really. Just a coincidence I guess.”
He didn’t look like he believed a word. “You sure about that?”
“Why wouldn’t I be?”
“You’re a good actress, Kayleigh, but I know what’s going on here. You aren’t pretending when it comes to Aiden.”
“I don’t think that’s any of your business, really, even if it were true.” Kayleigh was proud that her voice didn’t wobble or crack. Her tone remained nonchalant and she conveyed an air of boredom as she glanced down at her nails.
“It has everything to do with me if you turn into one of his sluts. What do you think will happen to the show when he kicks you to the curb like every other woman who thinks they’re special enough to change him? You’ll be left heartbroken and the show will be ruined all because you fought to get him cast and then couldn’t keep your hands off him. By the looks of this morning you don’t have long left with him either.”
Kayleigh resisted the urge to slap him. Her hand was twitching at her side, but she knew it would do her no favours. Gritting her teeth she was about to reply, but Aiden beat her to it.
“Is there a problem here?” He towered over Adam, pulling himself up to his full height as he pierced him with a fixing stare. He seemed to have overheard more than she thought.
“No, we’re cool, aren’t we, Kayleigh? You understand what I was saying?”
Kayleigh was fuming. Blood pounded in her ears because she refused to respond. Her silence and angry glare were enough of an answer.
“I don’t think you are really.” Aiden moved quicker than a snake striking. One minute his arm was at his side, and the next his hand was clutching at the neck of Adam’s shirt, scrunching it up as he pressed him into the wall.
“Aiden, careful,” Kayleigh murmured, but she was too scared to get involved. She also thought Adam deserved it.
“You think you know me, Adam? You’ve heard all of the rumours around campus and that automatically means you know everything about my life?”
Adam didn’t answer.
“I asked you a question.” Aiden’s voice dropped to a deadly tone.
“Everyone knows who you are and of your reputation, but still sluts like her chase you thinking they can be the one to change you.” Adam jerked his chin in Kayleigh’s direction and she saw Aiden’s grip tighten. People were starting to gather, watching the scene with intrigue.
“What did you just call Kayleigh?” Aiden hissed.
“You heard me.”
“Not so brave a second time, eh? Go on, what did you call her.” Adam was pressed harder into the wall, rising up on to his toes.
“I’ve seen the way she looks at you, there’s more than acting going on there. She thinks she’s special, that she can break the player Aiden Hanson, but you don’t do serious. Hell, she’s probably already slept with you so you’ll be on to your next conquest by tomorrow. She’s a sl—”
“I would not finish that sentence if I were you. You don’t know shit about what’s between me and Kayleigh, and you have been wrong on every count. So let me put you straight. Kayleigh is special, and if there was a girl I was going to change for, it would be her. She has never thrown herself at me once in all of the years I’ve known her, nor have we slept together. I might have a reputation, but Kayleigh does not deserve your shit, she’
s unlike anyone I’ve ever met. If I ever hear you threatening her or insulting her in any way, I will do a lot worse than pin you to a wall. Got it?”
Adam’s face had blanched. Despite all of the bravado and acting lessons, fear still wasn’t a reaction he could control. His eyes were wide, but stubbornly, he remained silent.
“I asked you a question.”
“Yes, I understand.”
“Good. Now apologise to Kayleigh.” Aiden loosened the pressure at Adams throat so he could turn his head. He was scared, but there was also anger in his eyes.
“Aiden, he really doesn’t have to. It’s fine. I’ve had worse,” Kayleigh said, just wanting the scene to be over.
“It’s not fine, Kay. He can’t treat you like that. He can’t treat anyone like that.” He turned his attention back to Adam, his gaze hardening. “Now, apologise.”
“I’m sorry, Kayleigh.”
“Good boy,” Aiden said patronisingly, a smug grin on his face as he let go of his shirt and pushed him out of the way. Then, throwing his arm around Kayleigh’s shoulder, he led her from the room.
Not knowing what to say—especially when still in earshot of everyone else—she let him. Yet, once the doors had shut behind them, the shock wore off slightly and allowed her to speak. “What the hell was that? I thought we were trying not to cause a scene.”
Aiden squeezed her closer to him as they walked around campus. Kayleigh ignored the glares of other women when their eyes found Aiden’s arm around her shoulders. She could see in their expressions they were both jealous and disgusted, but she chose not to focus on them.
“He shouldn’t have called you that. I’m not going to stand by and let him ruin things for you all because you’re friends with me.”
She couldn’t really argue with that. Kayleigh wasn’t usually a violent person, but Adam had definitely had it coming for a while.
“Well thanks. Although, I’m sure that news is going to spread like wildfire.”
“Who cares? I didn’t say anything that wasn’t true. Ready to go public with our relationship?” Glancing up at him, she saw that the teasing was back in his eyes. It was as if nothing had gone wrong seconds ago. At his comment, Kayleigh felt her words lodge in her throat, unsure of what the correct response would be. She didn’t want to say yes only for him to laugh at her, but she did want to be in a relationship with him.