006~ THAT IS

Leah

"Do you need help changing?" Aiden teased, his eyes on my chest.

Fucking, stupid pervert.

My fingers tightened around the strap of my purse. "No. Get out."

He leaned against the doorframe, smirking. "But I also need to change. You don't want me catching a cold, do you?"

"Then get another room."

"The bathroom will do," he said, brushing past me.

He took off his coat and dropped it carelessly onto the floor, and then his fingers moved to his shirt buttons. "The faster you change, the earlier I get out of your hair. And don't even think about running. My men are right outside the door."

I chewed the inside of my cheek as I watched him disappear into the bathroom.

After standing for what felt like hours, I reluctantly pulled the yellow sundress from one of the shopping bags and eyed it. My nose scrunched when I saw the red lacy panties tucked inside.

The size was even right.

Creepy motherfucker.

I glanced at the bathroom door for the hundredth time to make sure he wasn't coming out before quickly slipping out of my wet dress and panties entirely.

I had just reached for the new dress draped over the chair when the door suddenly groaned open.

My heart jumped in my throat as I turned quickly, holding the dress to my chest.

"What is wrong with you?" I almost screamed.

"My bad. Didn't think you would still be dressing," he said, stepping out of the bathroom, damp hair pushed back from his face, not looking the least bit sorry.

I watched, mouth suddenly dry, as drops of water trailed over the hard lines of his tattooed chest before disappearing beneath the towel hanging low on his hips. I tore my gaze away, heat rushing to my neck.

Damn him.

"Well, I'm. Get out."

He didn't, instead, he stood there watching me like a fucking prey. Then he suddenly stepped closer, the air shifting with him.

"Don't..." I warned, taking a small step back.

My heart pounded wildly as his gaze locked with mine, dark and unreadable.

He kept coming slowly until he was close enough that I could feel the heat rolling off him, and my fingers tightened around the fabric of my dress.

I held my breath when he lifted a hand.

But instead of touching me, he bent down beside me, his shoulder brushing the bare skin of my thigh and sending unwanted sparks through me straight to a place they had no business going, as he reached behind me.

He straightened with the second shopping bag in his hand, a smirk curling his lips. "Forgot to take my clothes."

I didn't believe him for a second.

His eyes flickered over my face.

"You looked like you were expecting something else, doll."

"Fuck you," I managed with a shaky voice.

His gaze moved past me. "You know there's a mirror behind you, right?"

Heat rushed to my face as I turned just enough to realise he had a clear view of my bare back.

Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.

I stared anywhere but at him, wishing the floor would just open and swallow me.

Shouldn't he have pretended not to notice?

My gaze slipped downward before I could stop it, catching the unmistakable strain beneath the towel.

Heat climbed higher as I fought not to squirm.

He chuckled softly, his fingers brushing a strand of hair from my shoulder.

"Stop," I whispered.

"Stop what?"

"Whatever you're doing."

"You don't like it?"

"No," I said too quickly.

His thumb dragged slowly over my lips before lifting my chin up. "Really?"

"Yes."

His mouth curved in a wicked smile. "Liar."

"I don't." I held his eyes.

For a second, something dark flashed in his eyes, like he was fighting the urge to test that answer for himself. Then he drew in a sharp breath and stepped back.

"Next time then," he said, almost to himself, before turning away.

"This should be the last time we meet," I said after him.

He paused at the door, glancing over his shoulder with a knowing smirk. "We both know that would be difficult, doll."

*************

I ran the sponge over my shoulder and then down the length of my arm, my mind drifting to his large hands.

I shivered, goosebumps spreading across my skin as the thought of those rough hands gliding slowly over me invaded my thoughts.

Sighing, I stared at the ceiling.

"I am fucked."

Leaning forward, I scrubbed harder, reminding myself that I was supposed to be washing him off, not fantasising about how his hands would feel on my body.

The phone on the dresser rang just as I was about to climb into bed.

"Liam," I called out but there was no answer.

"Where is he?"

I picked it up just as it stopped ringing and vibrated in my hand with a message. I was about to glance at the screen when the phone was suddenly snatched from my hand.

"What the fuck are you doing snooping through my phone?"

"I wasn't snopping," I said through clenched teeth, anger flaring at his accusation.

He hissed, scrolling through his phone.

"Don't fucking touch my phone again," he warned, voice tight.

"Why are you acting like it's such a big deal?" I shot back. "Are you hiding something?"

That made him stop and glare up at me. "What did you just say?"

Something in his expression made my confidence dip.

"Nothing," I muttered, forcing myself to look away.

"Annoying bitch."

My chest tightened as I turned back to him.

"Why would you call me that just because I touched your phone?" My voice cracked despite my effort to keep it steady.

Why are you being unnecessarily mean to me?

His phone rang again, he ignored me and left the room as he answered the call.

Lying in bed, I waited for him but he didn't come back for what felt like hours.

The door finally creaked open and my heart hammered as I heard him move around the room. I stayed still, pretending to be asleep as he climbed in beside me.

Minutes passed, but I couldn't muster up the courage to say a word, afraid of setting him off like I always do.

I turned on my side to face his back. He was right there, but it felt like he was miles away.

Ever since the nightdress issue, he had been distant, always turning every conversation we had into a fight.

I bit my lip, hesitating before scooting closer. My heart pounded as I wrapped my arms around him from behind.

He tensed immediately, but didn't pull away. Taking that as permission, I pressed closer, his warmth seeping into my skin as I rested my forehead against his back.

"I'm sorry," I whispered.

I didn't even know what for, but I would've apologised for anything it it meant getting back the man I knew before all the fighting.

"I am trying to sleep, Leah," he said sharply, and I held him tighter. "If you don't stop, I'll leave the bed."

My heart shattered.

"Please..." I sniffed, clinging to him.

He pulled my arms off him with a sharp hiss and stood up.

Kneeling on the bed with tears streaming down my cheeks, I watched him reach for the doorknob.

The words I usually kept as thoughts spilt out before I could stop them. "Are you seeing someone else?"

He paused, his back still turned to me, and for an agonising moment, the room was filled with nothing but the sound of my sobs.

"Please talk to me, Liam," I cried, gripping my nightdress. "I've thought hard and long on what the problem is, and I can't seem to think of anything but that. Or do you not love me anymore?"

I couldn't tell which was more painful, the thought of him seeing someone else or the possibility that he no longer loved me.

Yet guilt twisted in my chest, reminding me I had let another man kiss me... and I had wanted it.