17. "For once, we both want the same thing."
I sat in the kitchen happily munching on the strawberries that had been sitting on my nightstand the previous night.
Aiden walked in a few minutes later, watching me with an amused expression. "Good morning, little one."
I smiled cheerfully at him. Strawberries always released the happiest of hormones in me. "Good morning." I chirped.
He smirked, leaning against the kitchen island as he watched me eat the last strawberry. "You're like a child." He commented.
"I'm obsessed with strawberries." I told him with a grin.
He smiled softly for a fleeting second, before regaining his impassive expression, making it seem like a delusion.
"By the way, I couldn't find any apples in the fridge. I wanted to make apple juice." I told him.
He smirked. "No one will eat apples in this house again; wouldn't want you turning to dust, little doctor."
I blinked at him, before bursting into laughter. He watched me quietly as if highly entertained by the sight. "Awww you don't wanna keep me away?" I teased with a grin.
He smirked, stalking up to me, bending down to my ear level. His warm breath fanned my earlobe yet again. "Absolutely not, little one. You're my prey, remember?"
I rolled my eyes, ignoring the shiver that ran down my spine. He moved away, his eyes sparkling with mischief.
"Can I make you breakfast?" I asked him.
He stared at me as if I had said something ridiculous. "You?"
"Yes," I gave him a lame look. "I'll make the yummiest pancakes of your life, I promise."
"Will you?" He raised an eyebrow, humouring me.
I nodded. "Or I could make you the best omelette of your life."
He nodded. "Wow." His tone was now mocking.
I sprang up from my seat, ignoring the mock in his tone. "So what do you want? Pancakes or a mushroom cheese omelette?"
He blinked at me for a few seconds. "Omelette." He finally voiced quietly.
I beamed. "Great! Sit down. I'll be quick."
He complied, taking a seat on one of the barstools, turning towards me.
"Do you also want coffee? I'll make the—"
"Best coffee of my life?" He finished for me, with raised eyebrows and a small smirk playing on his lips.
I grinned. "Exactly."
He nodded. "Sure. I can't say no to coffee."
"Neither can I. I love coffee." I said, as I took all the necessary ingredients out and started working on making his omelette.
"What are your plans for today?" He asked.
"I'm just gonna rest today and be lazy." I told him.
"I have a hot tub here if you want to use that." He offered.
I looked at him for a moment, my eyes all lit up. "You do?"
He hummed a yes. "But there's a rule for using it."
"What's that?" I wondered.
"You can't use it alone. I have to be in there as well." I could hear the smugness in his voice.
"I'll pass then." I said, beating the contents of the omelette and then pouring them on the fry pan.
"Are you sure? It's very relaxing." He tried tempting me.
"Let me use it on my own then."
"A rule is a rule." He asserted.
I rolled my eyes. "I'll just take a shower."
"Suit yourself," I saw him shrug his shoulders through my peripheral vision. "I'm going to relax in it after breakfast."
"Sure."
Once the omelette was done, I served it in a plate and placed it in front of him, before quickly making his coffee and serving him that as well. Then I sat opposite to him, watching him eat like he hadn't eaten in years.
"Slow down." I interjected.
"It's really good." He uttered, making me smile proudly.
"Told you so. Do you want more?"
He shook his head.
He sat sipping on his coffee after finishing the omelette. "Want?" He asked.
"I could use a sip." I said.
He pushed the mug towards me, and I picked it up, taking a sip, before returning it to him. My breath got caught in my lungs as he put his lips directly where mine had been, taking another sip. I didn't know why it felt so sensual.
"Want more?" He asked, looking straight into my eyes.
I shook my head, forcing myself onto my feet. "I'm going to my room. I just remembered there are some reports I have to go through."
He only nodded, and I could feel his eyes on my back until I was out of the kitchen.
For the next two hours, I remained in my room, first going through the reports on my phone and then watching a show on Netflix. Then I just sat in bed, boredom getting the best of me.
When I couldn't find anything else to pass time, I decided to check if Aiden was still home. I walked to his room and knocked at the door, awaiting a reply. After knocking three times, I decided to call him.
He picked up on the fifth ring. "Yes?"
"Um... are you home?"
"Yes."
"Where?" I asked.
He sighed. "The room opposite to the terrace."
"Okay... can I come if you're not busy?"
He was quiet for a few seconds. "Sure."
I hung up and started walking down the corridor until I found the room at the end of it. I pushed the door open and slowly entered, immediately getting engulfed by a warm mist.
Taking a few more steps forward, I gasped, halting in my tracks.
Aiden sat comfortably in a hot tub, the only parts of him visible to me being his face and naked shoulders as he sat back with his eyes closed.
Hearing my loud gasp, he opened his eyes and smirked slightly. "Welcome."
"Y-you didn't tell me you were in the hot tub." I complained, my cheeks getting red.
"You didn't ask." He smirked.
"I... I'm leaving." I announced, turning on my heels.
"Stop!" He commanded, making me still on the spot. "Join me. The water is really nice."
I turned around, my eyes widening. "N-no way."
"I'm not completely naked if that's what you're worried about." He chuckled.
My cheeks heated up.
"Come on," he insisted. "For a few minutes at least."
I stayed like that for a couple of minutes, before reluctantly walking up to the hot tub. It did look divine and very inviting. Ditching my shoes, I slowly stepped in, holding back a moan at how good the hot water felt.
I could feel Aiden's intense gaze on me as I sat in opposite to him.
He shook his head disapprovingly at me. "Who sits in a hot tub fully clothed?"
I refused to meet his gaze. "I'm not taking my clothes off."
"Okay. As you please." He said, moving forward until he was right next to me, our arms touching.
I stiffened, butterflies erupting in my stomach and my cheeks heating up more.
"Relax your body," he said, leaning back. "You're as stiff as a statue."
I relaxed my shoulders, leaning back and taking deep breaths.
"Yup, see? It's alright." He said gently.
My clothes were starting to weigh me down. I bit my lip, contemplating on removing them. "Um..."
"Hmm?"
"I want to take my clothes off." I blushed once the words left my mouth.
He opened his eyes, looking at me. "For once, we both want the same thing."
I slapped his chest.
"Behave, Aysel." He warned.
I bit my lip, slowly taking my shirt off, sitting in only my bra and leggings. "Don't look!" I asserted, feeling his heated gaze on me.
He sighed, closing his eyes and getting more comfortable. "Aysel, I've seen a lot of naked women. It's alright."
My eyes widened. "That's so... that's very shameful."
He chuckled. "Shameful?"
"Yes." I confirmed.
He chuckled again. "You're a virgin, aren't you?"
My eyes widened even more. "H-how do you know that?"
He snickered. "It's written all over your forehead."
"I did tell you I've never had a boyfriend." I muttered.
I gasped when he neared his face to mine. "Have you never liked anyone?"
I shook my head, ignoring the fact that we were too close.
"Has no one ever touched you before?" He whispered sensually in my ear.
My eyes widened, my stomach knotting as a suppressed memory resurfaced, causing me to hyperventilate a little.
"Aysel?" He looked at me, confusion lacing his voice as he studied my anxious demeanour.
"Um... no... get away..." I put my hands on his chest, feeling weak and short of breath.
"What's wrong? I was only teasing." He said softly, his eyes filling up with concern and confusion.
"No!" I exclaimed, pushing at his chest with more force, tears flooding my eyes and blurring my vision until I couldn't see him but a different face. "Get away from me!"
He complied, moving away and giving me space. I fought back my tears as I stood up and abandoned the hot tub.
"Aysel, wait!" He called.
But I didn't stop. Not until I reached my room and locked it.