What Connor Wants... (BWWM)

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE : FAMILY MATTERS

Aubrey looked at the jewelry that Connor presented to her, and she was stunned at how beautifully the jewelry glittered. She tried touching it, but she stopped herself. Aubrey did not have to look longer at the jewelry to know that it probably cost Connor a fortune. It probably changed for Connor, but she knew that it would cost her a lifetime to afford such jewelry.

"Connor, "I can't accept this from you; the dress itself is enough for me, and I appreciate it." Aubrey thanked him. She tried walking away, but Connor pulled her back to him.

"Aubrey, just wear it!" Connor's voice at Aubrey and her eyes widened with shock. Aubrey swallowed the lump in her throat. Connor's action was not one that she was expecting, and she was not going to allow him to bully her into accepting his gift.

"Conn won't, and besides, if I wear an expensive diamond, I would probably get hanged by the weight of all those expensive diamonds." Aubrey tried to make light of the situation, but it did not work, and her answer only irritated Connor more.

Connor kept his eyes on nothing else but Aubrey and his eyes did not look so friendly. Now that he looked at Aubrey, he wondered where and how they had gotten to such a place, a place where they were not lovers and their friendship was in danger.

Looking into Connor's eyes, Aubrey realized that there was no way she could win this fight.

"Okay, I'll wear it, but I'll give it back to you as soon as we get back," Aubrey informed him. Connor stared at her and said nothing, but he looked at Aubrey as though he were studying her. His face went from serious to casual, and then a smile broke from that serious look, a clear indicator to Aubrey that he had won this round. The score was one to two.

Second, Audrey walked toward the earrings, and they looked beautiful in her ears. The diamonds sparkled brighter, as did the purple e. Never, never in her life has she worn anything expensive, and it almost felt while reaching for the necklace, Connor reached for it before she did. When their hands touched, for a second, it seemed as though time froze and there was just Connor and her in the world.

"Allow me?" Connor raised the necklace to Aubrey's neck, but she pulled away from him.

"Connor, it's okay; I'm pretty sure I can wear a necklace by myself." She informed Connor, but he was in no mood to listen to what Aubrey wanted. Connor walked behind her and pushed a strand of her hair away from her back. He took the necklace and placed it around her neck, and it felt cold. Finally, she knew what it felt like to have ice on her neck.

"There you go, sweetheart," Connor told her. Aubrey turned and moved away from Connor, shocked by what he had just called her. Aubrey could not remember the last time Connor had called her by that name, and what made it even worse was the warm feeling she felt inside of her.

Get a grip on yourself, Aubrey! Connor does not love you, and it is best that you remember that. Her inner thoughts were warned, and Aubrey knew that it was best she listened to them; failing to stay away from Connor had cost her a lot eight years ago.

Without any warning, Connor ran his warm hand to trace Aubrey's heart-shaped face, and when she looked into his eyes, all she could see was passion in them. He drew himself closer as if he were going to kiss her.

Aubrey, don't do it! He got you the same way last time. Her mind warned her again, and Aubrey pulled away from Connor before his lips could touch hers, leaving him to kiss her cheeks instead of her lips.

Aubrey felt his warm breath on her cheek, and it awoke the woman in her—a part of her she did not want to be woken. Aubrey could sense his disappointment, and she knew that it was best that she left him disappointed.