Chapter 12
Aoi
I sigh and dash away from the center of the room.
I’m just not cut out for modelling. I suck and it’s burdening everyone on site. The camera taking pics of me and the snipping sound it sends echoing across the room is making me nauseous.
Carter, the photographer, must be frustrated and disappointed by the show I’m putting on. I look like a fish out of water and I fucking hate it. I’m slowing down the crew and they’re certainly all very busy without me wasting their time.
I keep avoiding that bright spotlight like the pest and I’m sure everyone in the room can tell. I don’t know how to fix this, but I have to, because this is part of my job. It’s too important for me to fuck up.
A rhythmic tune plays in the background, supposedly to set the mood but it's not working. Aiden watches me from the sidelines, not bothering to hide his mocking smile as he walks up to me.
“Don’t be a dick,” I scowl, already too on edge to deal with whatever bullshit he wants to spout. “I’m not in the mood.”
“I thought you liked my dick.” He smirks, feigning hurt after I slap his arm. “I can help you if you want.”
I cross my arms over my chest. “What’s it gonna cost me?”
“Do you think I’m that greedy?” He plants a palm over his heart in fake indignation. “You’re breaking my poor heart.”
I raise a brow, not buying his act, so he drops it and instead leans in closer to me, his voice dropping to a murmur. “If you give me a nice kiss, I’ll share my expertise with you.”
I try to refuse, but he stops me by holding his pointer finger to my lips. “Don’t even think about refusing my help, Aoi. You were stiffer than a broom, and I’ve seen how bendy you can be.”
Shame coats my cheeks. Was I that bad? I don’t want to burden everyone by being a lost cause. I consider agreeing but it feels like I’m getting the short end of the stick. Still, I can kiss him if it means not looking absolutely ridiculous during the shoot.
Our eyes lock and for a thick minute we stand in silence while I contemplate throwing myself off the building to avoid this nonsense. My heart races in my chest and nausea swarms over me, urging me to bolt and hide in a corner where no one can find me.
“Fine.” I scan our surroundings, hoping no one’s around. “Not here. I can’t afford to be seen.”
He grins, more than satisfied and I want to smack his face just to wipe that damn grin off his mouth.
I catch his hand and pull him further into the dark hallway, hidden by the shadows until I’m certain we’re out of sight. “We have to be quick, though.”
His firm hand slides around my waist pressing me against his broad chest. “You’re really adorable.”
He parts my lips, introducing his velvety tongue, and my fingers dig into his arm as I squirm in his embrace. Shutting my eyes, I tip my head back, welcoming the softness of his mouth on mine.
I completely melt in his touch, craving more. Yet when I slide my arms around his neck, he slowly breaks away. “Greedy, aren’t you?”
I pull away from him but instead of letting me, he strengthens his grip on my waist, drifting lower to cup my ass. “I didn’t say we were done.”
“You said one kiss,” I counter, tilting my chin to meet his mouth but stop abruptly.
I can’t do this. I’m in the middle of work and Aiden is the definition of trouble. I can’t afford to fuck this up.
“Now show me what to do. The break is up.”
Aiden smirks, devastatingly content with his ability to get what he wants. He intertwines our fingers and together we walk to the middle of the room. I notice the photographer and other staff members eyeing us with curiosity.
His other hand suddenly takes hold of my chin, forcing me to look at him. “Focus on me, Aoi.”
I nod, too stunned to say anything. He guides my body in a natural pose, taking the chance to slide his hands over my body. Carter smiles, a hint of mischief glimmering in his gaze behind the camera, seeming pleased by the scene unfolding in front of him.
Aiden’s hands graze the curves of my body, molding me into the perfect sculpture. I hold my breath as he concentratedly works his charm. By the time he’s done, Carter’s grinning like the cheshire cat.
“Perfect! Thank you for your help, Aiden! You’re a pro, a real pro!” He claps enthusiastically before starting to shoot the pictures.
Blinding lights flash incessantly, burning my eyes. Yet I stand my ground and follow Aiden’s instructions, easing my discomfort from the sidelines.
I didn’t think I’d ever say something similar about Aiden Morgan, but I have to admit he’s rather reliable.
The issue is I can’t trust kindness without real reason behind it.
He has to want something from me, and it’s almost certainly sex.
It would be a massive lie to pretend I’m not into him.
Aiden is cruelly handsome and makes my insides squirm with anticipation when he touches me, but I don’t want him.
I don’t want to be with someone. I don’t deserve it. I lose everyone I love. That’s my curse, and I have to live with it until I finally cut the thread.
Aiden shakes me out of my reverie, alerting me that the shoot is over. “Are you okay?” he asks, brushing a strand of hair away from my face.
I swat his hand away. “I’m just tired.”
He doesn’t push for a different answer and simply excuses himself as his phone buzzes in his pocket. Aiden walks out of the room, and I plop down on a nearby chair, slumping like a dirty rag. A steadfast click-clack on the ground coming up to me, startles me out of my thoughts.
A young man stands in front of me in all his splendor and smiles down at my slumped frame. A faded mix of rum spice and musk envelopes my nostril as his dark and lustrous voice speaks up, “What a pleasant coincidence to meet you here.”
“Oh, Mr. Lacroix, was it?” I get up instantly, brushing some invisible dust off my clothes. “What are you doing here?”
“Call me Andrew. I came by to greet a friend. Little did I know I’d have the pleasure to run into you again.”
Here’s another type of gaze I’ve seen in women before but not yet in a man. It’s not lust, nor is it envy or disgust. It’s a gentle yearning. The friend he came to see must be very dear to him.
“I’m here for work.”
His gaze sharply drifts over my outfit and for a second, I could have sworn his eyes darkened. “You look amazing.”
I scratch the back of my nape. This man is making me nervous. His features send a vague sense of familiarity through me, and I’d prefer not to feel these nauseating emotions.
I hide my hands behind my back as I dig my nails in my flesh. “Thank you, but it’s all thanks to the staff and Mr. Morgan for choosing the outfit. If he hadn’t been on set, I would’ve been lost.”
“Aiden Morgan?” His gaze narrows on me. “I’m glad to hear you’re well surrounded. I hope you won’t find this inappropriate, but I was wondering if you were free to grab a drink with me sometime.”
He’s asking me out? Oh my God, why? He should stay away from the likes of me. I’m the worst kind of influence. I’ll end up seducing the poor man.
Before I manage to answer, Andrew’s gaze settles on something behind me, and two large palms grab my shoulders. A broad torso presses against my back and the owner’s familiar fragrance grazes my nose. Aiden leans against my ear, completely unbothered by our audience.
“You’re done for today, right?” he asks. “Don’t forget about our little...date.”
He stops talking and eyes Andrew with a suspicious tightness. I assumed they didn’t know each other personally but his reaction to Andrew is strange. “Aiden, this is Andrew Lacroix. Andrew, this is Aiden Morgan.”
Aiden scoffs, reaching out to shake Andrew’s hand and the mood drastically dampens. What the hell is going on?
I pinch Aiden’s arm for his rude behavior before facing Andrew again with a polite smile. “It was nice meeting you again. Unfortunately, I have matters to tend to and won’t be able to stay. I hope you don’t mind.”
“I understand. It was a pleasure, and I hope to hear your answer about my offer.” He smiles and squeezes my hand, his thumb circling my skin tenderly. “Nice to make your acquaintance, Mr. Morgan,” he says, barely glancing at Aiden.
Aiden’s brows furrow. “Likewise.”
I hesitate momentarily, then against the voice in my head telling me to leave, I say, “If you give me your number, I’ll contact you about your offer.”
His eyes light up, and he hands me his phone. “I’m glad you’re at least considering it.”
“What offer?” Aiden asks, wrapping an arm around my waist and glaring at the device in my hand. “You gave me hell when I asked for your number.”
“Be quiet.”
“You’re so mean, baby.”
“Don’t call me that.”
“You’re just pretending not to like it.”
I roll my eyes and hand the phone back to its owner once I’m done typing in my number.
“And now you’re ignoring me,” he whines, leaning his chin on my shoulder. “You weren’t acting like this when we were ki- Ouch! Why’d you elbow me?”
“Have some manners,” I grit out then turn to Andrew apologetically. He stares at us with an incomprehensible mix of emotions plastered on his face, and I fear we may have offended him. “I’m sorry on his behalf. This was an inappropriate display.”
He glances at Aiden, barely concealing his displeasure, but once his gaze drifts back to me the honey of his irises melts, and I find myself entranced by an uncomfortable sense of déjà vu.
He shines as golden as sunflowers.
“There’s no need to apologize, Aoi,” he says softly, and my heart flutters. “I hope to hear from you soon.”
I part my lips to answer but Aiden groans frustratingly and grabs my hand, tugging me away from Andrew. Dazed by this odd interaction with such an unusually mesmerizing man, I let that idiot drag me out of the building.
Someone ought to slap some sense into this man.
“What the hell was that for? You can’t be so rude to people you don’t know.” I run my hand through my hair. “Andrew is not someone you should offend, Aiden.”
“Andrew, hmm?” He crosses his arms over his muscular chest, stretching the fabric of his shirt. “I know that man better than you think, baby. He’s not who you think he is. Don’t get involved with him.”
I shake my head. There’s no point in wasting time arguing. Yes, he helped me during the shoot but that doesn’t make us friends.
“Don’t call me that,” I shoot back. “This is so beyond me. Forget it.”
Aiden reaches for my arm, but I pull away before his hand can graze my sleeve. “Where are you going? We’re supposed to have coffee together.”
“I can’t today. I’m free tomorrow morning, so let’s meet then,” I say, turning my back to him.
I’m exhausted and arguing over something insignificant isn’t going to help. I don’t feel like seeing Jason tonight. Who knows what kind of argument we’ll get into this time. But knowing him, he won’t leave me alone even after I explicitly told him to get away from me.
Having to be cold to him and ignore his calls and messages is a hassle. No matter how many times he hurts me, I still want him to love me.
Truth is, I don’t want to be alone. I don’t want to be lonely. He’s the only one that has seen the worst parts of me and still chose to stay. I can’t discard him. I don’t have the strength to keep walking with my head up high if he’s not standing behind me, ready to catch me if I fall.
I want to be held in someone’s loving arms and be told that everything will be okay. But I know it’s a fickle wish because I’m doomed to live an empty life.
Do not forget Aoi.