I’ve never seen gray eyes like his before, it looks like there’s a storm brewing in them. His eyes sweep over me and suddenly I wish I’d dressed better. I feel like the dullest girl here.

“And Joe, and Dave.” She finishes. I don’t bother look at them.

Aiden’s mouth curves at the corner, just slightly, but enough for me to notice – because I’m still eye-stalking. The tingles are back in full force, making it feel as if a flock of eagles has taken flight in my stomach. The slight smile makes him look utterly dishy.

I have to stop staring. Stop gawking, Emma, now!

I manage to tear my eyes away from his and look to her. She’s waiting for something, and then I realize she hasn’t introduced herself.

“Oh … and you are?” I ask so she will feel important. I’m very good at making people feel important. I’ve done it all my life. My mum is a control freak, and that is putting it mildly. She has this way of taking over your life and living it for you. It’s her way or the highway.

“Katia,” she says, a slow smile spreading over her perfect face. “Slide in,” she orders.

I hesitate and dare another glance in Aiden’s direction. He catches me glancing at him and a tidal wave of heat spreads through my body, rushing in the direction of my cheeks. Flustered, I move in. Katia comes in behind me, and it’s only then I realize I’m going to be pinned in by them. Oh Shit! I’ve allowed myself to be cornered. Now is not the time to lose control of the situation. I glance under the table, looking for a way to get out if the need arises.

“Or you can just run over it,” a deep voice says close to my ear.

I glance up, and the pub takes on that spinning thing it was doing a minute ago. His eyes are even grayer up close, forget the storm brewing thing I mentioned earlier. They’re almost like a silver moon, spotlighting everything mystical that comes out at night. I’m gawking again. It feels as if Aiden’s eyes are penetrating right through me, digging too deep, trying to find the few secrets I’d like to keep hidden.

I square my shoulders and lift my chin, so I’ll look braver than I feel. I don’t want these people to see how nervous I am. “Why would I run over it?” I feign ignorance.

“The floor is disgustingly dirty. I wouldn’t want you crawlin’ on it just to get away from us. You should rather run over the table if you need to get away.”

I can’t help but smile. It’s a miracle I’m not grinning like a daft nut. So much for acting brave. “You picked up on that?”

“Some here might bite,” he says, his eyes sweep over his mates before they settle back on me, “but I don’t.”

He tilts his head slightly, and the corner of his mouth lifts. Ahh, and my hormones start to play table tennis with my ovaries. I’m way too aware of everything around me, and we’re surrounded by other people. I need to get sloshed. I won’t be able to kiss this bloke, never mind going for a quick romp while I’m still sober.

I let my eyes take in the attractive man sitting next to me. Yeah, out of all the ones here, if I’m going to shag one, I’d like it to be this one. He doesn’t make my skin crawl, and that should be declared as one of the wonders of the world.

Alright, hormones in high gear, brain shut off and silent. I’m still staring, no, it’s definitely gawking. I finally manage to force my eyes to the bar but they have a one-track mind, because they pop right back to him.

He smiles and my ovaries are suddenly in the Wimbledon final.

~*~

Chapter Two

Aiden~

She stands out like a sore thumb. Don’t go getting me wrong. I see why Katia zeroed in on her. She’s pretty and all, but she doesn’t belong here. Every other girl is smothered in make-up, some sinus-killing perfume, too tight underwear and too little of everything else.

Then, there’s her. Blonde, big eyes, squashed between guys who looked like they were ready to pounce on her at any given moment. She looks like she belongs at home, studying, safely away from all of this – and that’s why Katia went for her. Katia loves the innocent type ones. She feeds off of them.

Only, Emma doesn’t look like your typical blonde. The second she sat down she was looking for a way out, and I had to bite down not to smile. She’s onto Katia’s tricks, not flattered like the others.

She looks flustered and I smile, trying to put her at her ease. Her cheeks flush a soft pink, and that tells me just how right I am about her being the innocent type. I’d love to know what she’s doing here, though.

“What brings you to a place like this, Emma?”

She leans in. I’d like to think it’s to get away from Katia and closer to me, but the music has been turned up. It’s only so I’ll hear her. I haven’t dated in a while; I mean a long while. Saying that I’ve been too busy will only be fooling myself. The thing with Laurie hit hard, and it’s been Zac and me ever since.

The second she gets close, I get a dose of her faint scent. Something flowery. I should leave. I’m working. I don’t have time for this.

She glances up at me, and the lecture I was about to give myself takes a hike. Okay, maybe a little flirting, a little fun. Make Zac proud, he’s been on my case about dating. There’s no harm in flirting.

“Experiences. I promised myself new experiences,” she answers, way too honestly. Any guy in here will take advantage of that.

“Is that so?” I hear the suggestive tone in my voice. Ah, just damn, just all kinds of dammits. Get up and leave, Aiden! Now. No flirting. No fun. Just leave.

“Aiden, do share her with us,” Katia purrs behind Emma.

“I can’t help she likes good company,” I say, adding a smile to take the sting out of my words.

I know some of them have been frowning on the lack of women at my side. For some reason it’s important to them to show what effect they have with the female population of Chapel Hill. I don’t want to bring someone into this group. Not while I’m working. But then, I didn’t bring Emma in, Katia did.

I place my arm on the seat behind Emma. Whether it’s the protective streak in me that’s making me reach out to her, or the fact that she’s different from what I’m used to seeing around here, I couldn’t tell you at this point.

I need to get my mind back on track. “You should be happy, Katia.” I wait for her to take the bait, but instead, Colton does.

“Why’s that, bud?” He leans forward, his eyes moving slowly from Emma to me.

“I finally have a woman sittin’ at my side.” I lean closer to Emma and I’m surprised when she doesn’t make a run for the exit. She’s letting me come onto her, and it makes my blood pump that one beat faster through my body.

The drinks come and I pull back. Never mind Emma, I should make a run for it, just like I told her to do, but instead I reach for two shots. I hand her a shot of tequila and I see the question in her eyes. Whether it’s about the comments or the drink, I don’t know. She has the most expressive face I’ve ever seen. People will take advantage of that, too, and my mama taught me better.

“So, is everythin’ organized for tomorrow night, Katia?” I put on my poker face. I have to remember I’m working. I have to pretend to be a student right now. I have to act like one of them. It’s imperative to act like one of them.

“Yes, we have six new guys lined up. We’ll see if they’re stupid enough to show. Maybe we’ll find some new talent. We found you a few months back,” she says all possessively. Her eyes roam hungrily over Emma. I don’t like it one bit.

Emma takes hold of the drink and throws her head back, gulping the shot down. She grabs at her throat and gasps for air. Yeah, she’s clearly not used to drinking.

“Tequila,” I offer the name of the drink she just downed so desperately. “It comes with salt and lime.” I hand her a slice of lime so she can at least get rid of the after-taste.