I smile and take a step closer to Aiden. He looks so hot sitting on the windowsill, and the smirk on his face doesn't help my case.
I continue to make my way towards him until I'm standing a few inches away.
Aiden doesn't move, and neither do I. Every part of me is telling me to just kiss him already. Yet, the stubborn part is begging him to make the first move.
Aiden beckons me to lean down towards him, so I don't hesitate a second. I lean down so close to him, my heart picks up its pace, now going twice the speed it was a few moments ago.
Aiden's lips hover slightly above mine, teasing me. I close my eyes, reveling in the moment. When he moves his mouth to the corner of mine, I'm a little disappointed.
"When the time is right," he whispers to me, his lips brushing ever so lightly against the corner of mine, "our kiss will be so epic...you'll be begging me for more." He pulls away, and when I open my eyes, he's gone.
----
"Thank you for coming. Have a good night." I lead the last guests out of my house and close the door behind them. Exhausted emotionally and physically, I lean against the door, attempting to relax.
"Long night, I see." Thomas's voice comes from the kitchen. I can hear dishes clinking against each other.
"It's complicated." I say, pushing myself off of the door and heading into the living room. I lay on the couch and breath in and out, trying not to think about Aiden. Or Simon for that matter.
"Alright, so...talk to me."
Thomas says, walking into the living room, a towel in his hand.
I lift my head from the arm of the couch and glare at him.
"Talk to you? No thanks."
Thomas chuckles and takes a seat in front of me, setting the towel on the coffee table.
"You make me out to be a bad person Bella." His voice is laced with amusement.
I sit up straight and stare at him, furious. How can he say that? I make him out to be a bad person?! I wasn't the one who lied to my family, and I sure as hell didn't reject my mate.
"Look, Thomas," I spat, "I'm sorry if I'm not in the mood to talk to my lying, cheating brother right now. Especially when it's about love." I stand up to leave but Thomas's hand stops me.
"Let go of me." I say, gritting my teeth. Thomas loosens his grip but doesn't fully let go.
"You need to hear me out." His eyes go soft and his voice goes down slightly in volume.
"Hear you out? What could you possibly have to say." I don't want to listen to him, but I don't move either.
Thomas takes a deep breath and releases my hand, making it drop to my side.
He points over to the chair across from him and I reluctantly sit.
Thomas looks at me and leans forward in his chair, resting his elbows on his knees.
"Arabella, I know you don't like me," he starts. I huff and cross my arms over my chest.
"Well that's the understatement of the year." I mumble. Thomas's face flushes red with anger and he clenches his fists down at his sides.
I sit waiting for him to explode and yell at me or shout, but he just sits there with his head down, fists clenched.
"Well if you're not going to say anything then I'm gonna go upstairs." I go to stand up when Thomas growls.
I roll my eyes and plop myself harshly back down.
"I loved her." He whispers. I wouldn't have caught it if it wasn't for our heightened hearing.
"You what?" I ask, furrowing my brows.
Thomas snaps his head up and frowns at me.
"Is it so hard to believe that I can love." His voice is hard and filled with many emotions.
"Yes, Thomas. It's almost impossible for me to imagine you loving someone. Seeing as you left us without a second glance." I snarl, disgusted with him. He was my big brother. I looked up to him. But he left. He never loved us back.
"When my birthday came that year, I was positive I already knew who my mate was. Mom and dad were out getting things for my party that night, and you stayed at a friends house."
