3

Are you sure you can't stay for one more day Ava?" Aiden's voice was calm yet, his eyes was sending bolts of raw emotions my way.

I shook out the thought.

"I really can't. I have a test tomorrow." I offered him a small smile. "And besides, I've been freeloading so much. I can't take your kindness for granted."

"Nonsense." He disagreed calmly. "I'm not complaining Ava. And as for your test, I could drive you to school the next day. As early as you want."

Seriously, the offer as tempting as it sounded didn't hinder my sensible thoughts from surfacing.

I was finding it a little hard focusing, in Aiden's presence. It felt like my senses were all at alert. Each eye contact, each brush of our skin always set my body on fire. I felt such strong pull to him that felt maddening  and safe at the same time.

Something old Avalon Tanner would have taken advantage of. She would have trusted him easily along with the overwhelming feelings, add the part that he'd saved her from being a possible dinner for wild animals and she'd be a goner.

But that old Avalon was dead. She died the night Scott took a metaphorical knife to her heart. New Avalon was all sensible decisions or nothing.

Even if temptation came in form of a kind hearted, sinfully attractive stranger.

I smiled at his thoughtful words. "Thanks Aiden, but I'll have to decline again. I need to read up for the test, catch up on missed lecturers-"

"I can provide the materials you need Ava." He further proposed. "I could even drive there myself to get your stuffs for you. Just stay for one more day, get cleared by the doctor that you're good to go, that's all I'm asking."

I was short of words. The desperation that now seeped into his voice, his eyes that begged silently... I didn't have it in me to refuse him.

But I had to. If it meant that I wouldn't be in his presence alone with him. 

I had this maddening urge to jump his bones and express my gratitude to him in more ways than one. Which were also inappropriate, of course.

"Aiden..." I sighed, almost defeated. But I had to. For myself. I had to put myself first. "I'm sorry, but I really need to be in school. I appreciate everything and would pay you back in anyway that I can-"

He too let out a sigh. "I can see you've made up your mind."

I nodded slowly.

"Okay." He breathed out, getting out his phone. "We'll have to get the check up some other way then."

"Are you mad at me?" I asked in a small voice.

"Ava love, why should I be mad at you?" He moved close, taking my face in his calloused but careful hands. "All I want is for you to be safe. I do not want you leaving my sight if you're still in danger. Don't ever think I'll ever be mad at you for making your own choice."

I breathed out, leaning into his palm like I depended on it for life. He said the right words and did the right things.

"Thank you." I muttered sincerely.

He smiled at me, his dark eyes filled with warmth and indecipherable strong emotions that pulled me to him. I felt myself get lost in his eyes.

God, what this man made me feel was beyond me.

He looked like he was about to lean in but then he cleared his throat and backed out of whatever he had planned to do.

I too cleared my throat, noticing the obvious elephant in the room as his eyes were stuck to my lips which was stuck between my teeth.

"You don't have to thank me for everything Ava." He smiled sheepishly, doing things and leaving dangerous thoughts in my mind again.

"I'm sorry."

His smile widened. "And that too."

Oh God, I was embarrassing the shit out of myself. I couldn't understand why I can't get my shit together in his presence.

"I'll shut up now." His smile had rubbed off on me and I found myself smiling too.

He had an infectious smile when he was being all teasing and playful. It was one of the things I liked about him.

"Yeah, we should do that." He pulled out his cellphone, scrolling through it before looking up at me. "A minute please."

I smiled and sat down. "Sure."

His cell phone began ringing as he waited patiently, waiting for the person at the other end to receive the call. 

Even as he did this, he slipped me one of those his knee-jerking smiles at intervals and at interval too, I felt my resolve melt further.

After a few seconds of getting no response from the person, he slipped the phone back into the large pocket of his yoga pants.

"Is everything okay?" I asked, seeing little worry lines marring his handsome face.

He offered me a smile. "Yes, everything is perfect Ava. Layla is just not picking her calls."

I raised a brow. "Layla?"

"Yes." He nodded. "I wanted to get a clear from her."

"Why?"

"Because she was the doctor who stitched you up Ava. She didn't tell you?"

Not at all. 

"No, wow." I let out, a surprised chuckle leaving my lips. "I had no idea. She never mentioned that she is the doctor that took care of me."

"Correction." He scolded jokingly. "I was the one who took care of you."

Oh. I felt myself redden.

"Note taken." Grinning, I leaned back on the chair I was sitting on. "I didn't know Layla was a doctor."

"Don't be too surprised. My sister doesn't let people in on her being a doctor at first meeting."

His sister? I was in for bolts of revelations

"Your sister?" The shock in my voice and face were apparent.

"Why Ava?" He teased, eyes glinting with mischief. "Did you have other thoughts?"

"Yes... No. Not really..." I was a blubbering mess. "I thought you two were friends."

"Friends? What made you think so?" He was moving closer. "What were you thinking Ava?" 

"I... I just thought you guys were friends because you two looked so comfortable with each other so I thought you guys were friends. And now I'm not making any sense..."

He grinned as he stopped in front of me, strong arms at both sides of my chair. I gulped, feeling those electrical sparks get charged inside me.

He was so close, so dangerously close that all I wanted to do was lean in and press my lips to his.  Take his soft lips into mine and feel if they tasted and felt the same way they looked.

They were so red... So full and oh so enticing. If only I just leaned in...

"Are you making a pass on me Avalon?"

Oh the way my name sounded when it left his lips.

It should be illegal to pronounce ones name in such way. It sounded like pleasure wrapped in sinful promises. Like a sweet caress... It sent my head into overdrive.

Jesus. I gulped again, staring him straight in the face. What have I gotten myself into?

Why couldn't I just exercise control in his presence.

I'd sworn off men, but this one is proving to be a very very tempting challenge.

I saw his eyes darken intensely, saw his jaws lock and his Adam apple bob as he stared at me -my lips actually. Glad to know I wasn't the only one experiencing this torture.

We stared at each other for what felt like eons. Both of us wanting the same thing, but yet holding back.

Finally, he cleared his throat as he leaned back. "Do you care for lunch?"

I snapped back to reality as I nodded. Unable to formulate reasonable words.

I was a goner.

"Sure."