Chapter 21
Visha
Eyes deeper than the bottom of the ocean settle on me, making me squirm with need.
The room is bustling with people dressed in fancy attires, acting all high and mighty, but my attention is held captive by the most beautiful of them all.
Aoi dines with more poise and eloquence than a lord. I almost feel out of place sitting at the same table as him. He’s just so fucking perfect that I can’t help but think I don’t deserve his attention.
“How was your day?”
He chuckles lightly, leaving me wondering how to uncover the truth that lurks beneath. “It was good. Pretty calm and amusing.”
“That sounds promising.”
“I had coffee with Aiden Morgan this afternoon, can you believe this?” he asks, amused, a soft smile lingering on his lips. “He mentioned you, you know? He didn’t say much, but based on what he said, I’m guessing the both of you know each other personally.”
That bastard spoke about me to Aoi? I’ll fucking murder him.
“Oh really? I hope it wasn’t all negative.”
He scratches an invisible itch at the back of his nape. “Why do you say that? Are there naughty things you did that you don’t want me to find out about?”
“Of course not,” I shake my head. “It’s just that he doesn’t like me, so I wouldn’t be surprised if he said some insensitive things about me.”
“Now I’m curious to know why there’s such animosity between the two of you.” He clasps his hands and smiles. “I won’t pry. Believe it or not, but I didn’t mean to ever see Aiden again. He did me a favor when I needed it, so I supposed meeting him for coffee couldn’t hurt.”
I hesitate for a second before I muster the courage to ask, “Are you two close?”
“I wouldn’t say close per se, but I guess we got closer after spending the afternoon together. He’s a more complex person than you’d think.”
“Oh, is he?”
Aiden needs to evaporate from the surface of the earth. Better even, from the fucking universe.
He nods. “I think we often forget that famous people are also human beings and not just characters on a screen.”
“I’m sure they are. They started life as people and their career won’t change that, but their personalities change with fame and wealth.” I smile, leaning back in my seat. “Aiden isn’t an exception to the rule.”
“I can see where you’re coming from, but it seems to me that there’s more behind this rivalry.”
My lips press together, choosing my words carefully. “Let’s just say I know enough about him to not see him favorably.” He eyes me skeptically, forcing me to specify. “He’s a good guy, don’t get me wrong, but he’s frustrating and annoying.”
“Care to explain?” he asks, not hiding his curiosity. “He struck me as flirtatious and cocky but, in all honesty, I find that side of him…likable.”
I grit my teeth and seethe underneath my perfectly curated nonchalant smile. “Is he your type of man? Cocky and flirtatious?”
“I wouldn’t necessarily say that, but if you’re asking whether I’m interested in him, then the answer is going to depend on what you mean by interest.”
“Are you inclined to date him?” I ask, tilting my head and grazing his foot with mine.
Aoi wets his lips and smiles. Not in the sweet, enchanting way he usually does but in a lustrous magnetic way that makes my insides twist in knots of need and desire.
I want to kiss him so badly I’m almost tempted to jump over the table and beg him for a taste. Just once and I’ll be satisfied.
Okay, that’s a lie. I need everything he can give me and even then it could never be enough.
I crave him like soil craves the rain.
He hums, enjoying seeing my apprehension and jealousy grow. “I don’t see myself being in a relationship with him.”
“But you’re interested in his body, aren’t you?” I sigh, wondering about the different methods of making a man disappear without leaving a trace behind. “I can see why. Although, I have to admit I don’t like it.”
“Are you jealous that I find another man attractive?” he teases, toying with my obvious infatuation with him. “Although, jealousy requires ownership over something or someone. I suppose envy is a more fitting word.”
“I prefer the term protective.”
His gaze narrows on me as he twirls the wine in his glass, a glint of amusement flickering. “You’re funny. But I’m still curious why you bad-mouth him. I already figured out why he doesn’t like you, now I care about your thoughts.”
“I’m not bad-mouthing him. That would mean inventing lies to make him look bad. I’m stating my subjective perspective of him.” I cross my fingers over the table. “My dislike is justified, believe me. My elder brother and Aiden have a close friendship. Aiden is a jerk and an arrogant loudmouth.”
He snorts, covering his smile with a hand, and I just want to kiss him all over for being so damn adorable.
“And what would you call yourself then?” he asks, lowering the glass on the table.
“Devoted.”
“Right,” he mocks.
“Patient,” I retort.
“Humble, too.”
“Very flawed.”
A soft smile curls his lips upward. “Nothing that meets the eyes, though.”
I bite back a smirk. Whether he’s doing this on purpose to tease me or whether he’s serious, I can’t tell, but it’s more than amusing. “You’re cheeky, you know?”
A rumble of laughter escapes him, turning me into a puddle of water. “First time someone’s called me that.”
I reach for his hand resting on the table. “Really? I don’t believe you. With a sly tongue like yours, there’s no way no one has ever called you out on it.”
He bites his bottom lip, flinching away from my touch. “People don’t dare speak ill of me directly to my face.” He looks away at the people dining and laughing around us, lost in thought.
I want to climb into his mind and bury myself into whatever words and meanings soar through that thick fog. “I didn’t mean it in a derogatory way.”
“I know. You’re just gutsier than most people I know. I can’t tell whether I dislike it or not. Maybe I should consider suing you for defamation after all.”
I smile and skim his outfit. “That’s so unlike you.”
He lifts a brow, biting the inside of his cheek. “How would you know what is like me?”
“You’re perfectly aware of your beauty and power. You don’t need to sue anyone to get what you want. You know you’re breathtaking.” I smirk, giddy from the subtle blush on his cheeks. “It must be unsettling to have men at your feet with a snap of your fingers.”
“You forget yourself.” His tone is sharp, but his foot grazes my leg, lingering against my calf, and slithering higher.
Maybe subconsciously. Or definitely trying to seduce me.
Either way, I’m already his. His seduction is only feeding my desire for him. Throwing oil on fire. Does he know I crave him? Can he sense the burning ache under my skin?
“Tell me. How does it feel to have men on their knees for you? To hold so much power over someone, to know that one touch, one word, is enough to break them.”
His foot moves away from my leg, and he sighs. “You’re assuming a lot here. Getting comfortable. Consider watching your mouth. Playing with fire will get you burned.”
I almost grin at his provocation.
Anyone else would think he’s annoyed by my probing but if you pay attention to his body language: The blue of his irises darkening, his body directly facing mine, his tongue wetting his lips and his foot seductively grazing mine.
It’s obvious he wants me back. He enjoys that I’m head over heels for him, that I’m provoking his hidden side–the part of him he refuses to show and buries under a mask of elegant poise.
“Should we order some more wine?”
“Sure, if getting me drunk is your goal.”
“I would never,” I tease.
“You’re such a fox.”
“Your fox.”
I raise a hand to call for a waiter and order a bottle. Minutes later we’re laughing, drinking, and talking about nonsense that makes Aoi beam. He doesn’t hesitate to pour himself another glass, which is slightly worrying me, to be honest.
We manage to get through an entire Chateau Lafite Rothschild in less than an hour. I don’t mind spending my entire net worth on him, but does he genuinely want to get drunk here? He isn’t someone who finds comfort in letting loose around prying eyes.
Unless that also changed in the past eight years.
He snorts and it’s possibly the most adorable sound I’ve ever heard. “You’re impossible. How hard can it be to care for a Peace Lily? It’s literally the plant recommended for first time plant owners.”
“I’m convinced it hated me.”
Aoi’s cheeks flush, making him resemble a summer sunset. He’s prettier though. “A plant can’t hate you.”
“Well, that one did,” I assure, letting the warmth of this moment ease into my heart.
Aoi laughs so brightly that I nearly wait for the sun to rise behind him.
I missed how easy life could be when I’m with him.
He’s an entirely different person than he was eight years ago, and yet I still love the current version of him. Everything about him is so perfect. He’s still as beautiful as he used to be. His laughter hasn’t changed either.
“Thank goodness the plant didn’t last long!” He raises his index finger as if to offer a teaching. “Those are really toxic for cats. You mentioned having one earlier, right?”
“Yes, her name’s Ao.” The way he slightly slurs his words makes my heart twist into knots and I smile. “It means blue in Japanese.”
“I love when names have a meaning, but that’s just me.” He pushes a strand of hair behind his ear. “I don’t know how to explain it, but I guess I like to find importance in little things.”
I could lose myself in his voice and the way he phrases each thought. “An amazing man once told me that the meaning of one’s name offers a significant trait to someone.”
“That man sure seems wise.” He absent-mindedly twirls the red liquid in his glass before intently gazing back at me. “Why did you ask me out, Andrew?”
I choke on my spit and cough it out trying to find an appropriate answer. He stares at me attentively as though awaiting a specific one.
Does he remember the night we spent together? Probably not. He hasn’t hinted at it even once.