Deep (Heavy Hearts Book 2) by Sarah Duncan (reading tree txt) 📕

you think he wants you to do?” Ayden asks, calmer than I expected.

I shrug, “No idea. He’s shit out of luck, though. I’m not calling him back.”

Ayden smiles, pleased with my response before it slowly falls from his face.

“You know, friends talk to each other, Lex. This is the sort of thing you should be telling me or one of the others.”

My brows shoot up, “You wouldn’t care if I told one of them and not you?”

“Of course, I’d care. I’d be pissed. But this isn’t about me. This is about you and your safety.”

Shit. I was totally going to try to pull the wool over his eyes about my plans for tonight. There are two problems with that. The first, which is obvious. It’s too dangerous for me to be running around the street without letting someone know my plans. The other is, I don’t want to lie to Ayden.

Ayden starts walking again, so I fall in beside him, trying to figure out how to tell him about my night with Rhys without him hijacking my plans.

His deep chuckle draws my attention, and I find him looking down at me as he walks.

“What else is going through that mind of yours?”

“Nothing,” I say way too quickly, making him chuckle again.

“Lexi, Lexi, Lexi. Don’t you know that the pretty pink blush you get whenever I get too close, also pops out when you lie?”

Without thinking, my hands fly to my cheeks, finding them warm and confirming what Ayden just said. Shit. I had no idea that happens. Ayden tosses his head back in a belly laugh at the look on my face.

“Give it up Lex. Tell me what's eating you.”

I wish you were eating me!

Whoa! Down girl!

My face heats at the thought, and his dark brows reach his hairline.

“Fuck, Lexi. You have no idea how expressive you are, do you?”

“W-what?” Why am I stuttering?

Ayden stops walking again and leans in close enough that I feel his warm breath on my cheek and his addictive scent wraps around me. “Tell me what you were just thinking about.”

O. K. Time for deflection!

“If you must know, I wasn’t going to tell you the real reason that I wanted to go back to your place, but since you are so nosey, and because you have a point about the danger I’m in…” I hesitate when I see the surprise flit across his face.

“You have to tell me now.” His tone is playful, but I can see the concern in his blue eyes. I’m not the only one that is expressive. He is too!

“I’m going to a party with Rhys tonight. It’s not in Fox Pines, but it’s not far. I’m going back to grab my things and meet Rhys at my house to get ready together before we leave.”

“Like hell!” He hisses, his beautiful face contorting in anger.

“Excuse me?” I hiss back, my ever-present anger instantly eager to unleash.

“You’re not going to a party with that girl.”

“You mean Rhys? Why not?” I demand, shoving my hands on my hips.

“You hardly know her, Lexi. She can’t protect you.”

“Ayden, the whole thing with tonight is to get to know her better, plus my other friends will be there too. We will stay together. It will be fine.”

“It’s a bad idea, Lexi.”

“I need some me-time Ayden,” I look up into his eyes, my hands falling from my hips. I need him to understand. “I need to feel normal,” I whisper.

Intense blue eyes analyse my face, worry making them appear lighter. With frustration, he drags his hand through his dark hair and turns away from me, obviously needing a moment.

When he turns back, he’s frowning. I hate seeing the disappointment on his face. I wasn’t lying when I said I needed some me-time. I really do. I need some space from all the testosterone and the magnetic pull he has on my heart.

“Fine, but I’m walking you to your house, and I’m having a long fucking conversation with Rhys before I even agree to leave you alone with her.”

Tears burn my eyes, and I turn away in frustration this time. He doesn’t get it. He doesn’t see what his demands do to me. They make me want to run.

“Hey.” His warm hand slowly turns me by my arm to face him again, but I keep my eyes cast low. “Look at me, Lex.”

He flinches when I look up at him. He obviously wasn’t expecting to see the anger.

“I get that you want to protect me, Ayden, but let's make one thing really fucking clear. No one, including you, has the right to demand what I should do or with whom I should do it with. I need to take control of my own life.”

He steps towards me, moving to reach out to my face, but then stops himself dropping his hand back by his side.

“I’m sorry. I’m not trying to control you. I’m just worried. I want to protect you.” The sincerity in Ayden’s tone is unmistakable.

“I know.” I nod, “I get that. And I know I probably sound like an ungrateful bitch, but he…” I look away, trying to bite back my tears. When I feel like I have them and my voice under control, I look back to his ocean eyes. “Mike may not have succeeded in what he set out to do, but he took something from me that day. Probably before that day. I need to get it back. I don’t know any other way to explain it. I don’t need you to be a dad to me Ayden, I need you to be a friend.”

Dark brows pull together as Ayden takes in my words, and then he steps forward, pulling me to his chest. I have no control over my reaction. My arms wrap around his waist, and I hold him just as tight, not wanting to let go.

“I just need to know you are safe.” His deep voice rumbles through his chest to meet my ear.

“How bout I check in with you