Bound by Duty

Chapter Thirteen

The day passed relatively slowly, my classes dragging and my lack of sleep making me even less attentive. My mind was lost between thoughts of my dad and Rynna, the attack, and how I was possibly going to keep up training in the midst of all of this chaos. I was in line for my second caramel latte of the day when I felt someone coming up behind me. Before I could decide to react to the feeling, hands slid over my eyes, a low voice whispered in my ear, and I breathed in the welcoming scent of citrus and woods.

"Well, there you are. I've been looking for you all day."

Warmth spread through me as Aidan's voice sent shivers across my skin. Immediately, some of my tension lessened and it was as if I could breathe again. His skin was warm as I pulled his hands from my eyes and turned around.

"Is that so?" I asked as I gave him my best flirty smile. "Well, a girl has to keep you guessing. I can't show you all of my tricks just yet."

Aidan wrapped his arms around me, pulling me to him, keeping his voice low and flirtatious. "Tricks, huh? I think I'd like to see more of your tricks."

His dark curls were falling across his forehead and it was obvious by the look in his eyes the kind of tricks he was talking about.

"Down, boy!" I said with a smack to his chest. I shimmied back into my spot in line and ordered my drink. I was thankful I'd spent a little more time on today's outfit, pairing an A-line summer dress with my favorite wedges. It had been in an attempt to convince myself I felt better than I did after yesterday's events, but the look on Aidan's face as he took me in was a definite side benefit. The half-smile that played at his lips and the look of obvious appreciation in his eyes as they traveled from my face to my bright pink toe nails made each extra minute worth it.

As we moved to the side to wait for my drink, I found his mouth next to my ear again.

"I'm going to kiss you again, Amelia. Soon. Very soon." I closed my eyes and smiled, reveling in his whispered promise. I could feel my power humming happily, reacting to the potential of it already. I turned around to throw another line his way only to find he had disappeared. I shook my head and laughed. Bethany was right...I was in some serious trouble.

***

I got to the gym a little early, wanting to talk to Cole without Micah. But, my being early meant I also ran into Aidan on his way out from his workout. Aidan didn't ask why I was there and I didn't offer. We chatted for a few moments, but his expression changed and a millisecond later I found myself being pulled into a training room.

The walls were red, covered in training mats in case the guys were tossing each other around a little too hard. Aidan held me captive against one of those mats, his forearms on each side of my head, his fingertips playing in the hair that splayed around me. It was dark in the room, just the light from a small window allowing the sun to peak in.

The only sound was our breathing. Mine a little more frantic than his. This proximity to Aidan narrowed my focus to only him — to the warm puffs of air he exhaled into my neck as he nuzzled that sensitive space — and I lost all coherent thought. After a nip to my earlobe, Aidan finally pulled back slightly. Though I needed that sliver of space, looking into his eyes made it perfectly clear what his intentions were. He silently dared me to object as his mouth got closer and closer to mine. I tilted my chin toward him a fraction of an inch before the reality of why I was at the gym sent an involuntary shiver up my spin. The attack. My power. My damn duty.

I sighed and that was enough to stop Aidan. He was hovering just a breath away.

"What is it?" he asked gruffly. His voice changed when we were in these situations. It was low and rough and so very sexy. I hated breaking up this perfect moment but the guilt weighing on me couldn't be stopped. I had started this. I told him I wanted to try. But, the attack changed things. At least until we understood what it was. What it meant. The last thing I could take was Aidan being hurt because of me.