The Awakening: Aidan by Abby Niles Read Free Book Online Page B

amazed at how in tune she was with his friend, how she seemed to know what was going on with him without him even speaking. She was intuitive, smart, caring, and feisty. Qualities he loved in a woman.
    His friend cleared his throat. “Can we still do this at Aidan’s cabin? This place gives me the creeps.”
    “If that is what you need to feel comfortable, then yes, we can do it there,” she said without hesitation. “I’ll stop by around noon, okay?”
    “Yeah. Sure.”
    Seeing that the plans had been made, Aidan stepped forward. “Liam, I need to talk to Dr. Avgar before we leave. Can you give us a few minutes?”
    He noted the way Jaylin stiffened. Already preparing. Putting up the defenses. Too bad for her, because he had every intention of tearing them down.
    “Want to get some babysitting instructions?” Liam asked. “Learn how to take care of the pathetic shifter who lives in your home?”
    “No, that’s—”
    “Whatever. I’ll be in the truck.” Liam turned, shoving open the door that led outside.
    Jaylin spun on him. “Why’d you just do that? I had him calmed down.”
    “How was I supposed to know a simple question would have him lashing out again? Besides, we need to talk.”
    “I have nothing to say to you, Mr. O’Connell.”
    “I’m not leaving until we do.”
    She motioned to the chairs lining the walls. “I suggest you make yourself comfortable then, because you’re in for a long wait.”
    As she made her way back to her office, Aidan immediately followed, catching the door before it closed in his face. After he entered, he slammed it behind him. “You can’t keep ignoring me, Jaylin.”
    She stopped walking, her hands clenching by her sides as a long, cleansing exhale came from her. When she faced him, the ice princess was firmly back in place. “I’m not ignoring you, Mr. O’Connell. You are of no concern to me.”
    “Bullshit.” He stepped closer, and she threw her shoulders back, that chin notching up, and all the while the sweet scent of her arousal filled the air. A slow smile drew his lips up, and that scent increased. Oh, she liked their war of words. “If I’m of no concern to you, say my name.”
    “What I refer to you as is neither here nor there.”
    “Really. Then it shouldn’t be a big deal to call me by my first name.” He stalked closer. “Here let me help. Aidan.” He stretched out the syllables.
    “You are such an ass .”
    “You want to say it. Whisper it. Scream it.”
    “In your dreams, Mr. O’Connell .”
    He inhaled deeply as another blast of her arousal poured over him. “Do you think I can’t smell it…see the lies with my own eyes.”
    He looked pointedly at her breasts, where two nipples jutted out proud against the silky material of her blouse. She crossed her arms over her chest. “I feel nothing but loathing for you.”
    His beast gave a long, rolling growl that vibrated his chest, pushing Aidan to step even closer to her. “Such a beautiful little liar. It’d be convincing too if I were human, but I’m not.” He looked into her eyes. “Are you throbbing yet, Jaylin?”
    A slight shifting of her body was his answer.
    “Oh, yes, you are. I can help ease that. I would love to help ease that.”
    As he closed the distance between them until he was standing directly in front of her, a stuttered inhale tightened her chest and she actually took two steps back. “It’s time for you to leave. Past time.”
    She turned her back on him. He yanked her against his chest, his hand wrapping around to splay across her stomach, keeping her locked against him. For a moment, she melted into him, a delighted sigh shooting past her lips. Then she went rigid before trying to jerk away from him but meeting the resistance of his palm. “Let me go , Mr. O’Connell.”
    He brushed his lips against her ear and took satisfaction in the way her body trembled. Her desire for him was a weakness that she hated, but he’d use it against her. “Say my