Chapter 52

FREYA

Aiden nodded slowly, gesturing for me to approach. My feminist sensibilities recoiled at the implicit summons, but I responded anyway. I offered Erica an apologetic look.

“Well, I need to—”

“Yes, of course,” she interrupted with a knowing smile. “Don’t let me keep you.”

“I’ll see you later.”

Offering a final smile, I started toward Aiden. He had moved away from his companions, hands thrust in his pockets.

I was so focused on Aiden that I didn’t notice the man who appeared out of nowhere and collided with me. I gasped, horrified as the drink in his hand spilled on my dress.

“Oh, I’m so sorry, Miss,” the man said, producing a handkerchief. “Here, let me.”

He didn’t wait for my permission, dabbing at my chest with the handkerchief while simultaneously placing his hand on my left breast. I was so stunned I could only stare blankly for a few seconds. The moment I felt him squeeze, I jerked back.

“Stop! What the fuck are you doing?” I snapped, attracting several onlookers. The middle-aged, pot-bellied pervert, however, seemed unfazed.

“I was just trying to help,” he drawled with a creepy smile. I gritted my teeth, wanting nothing more than to slap him.

I tensed momentarily as a hand circled my waist. The familiar warmth of Aiden’s touch brought comfort. “What’s the matter, sweetheart?” he asked, standing beside me. The creep’s grin vanished, his face paling. “Mr. Knight,” he mumbled, swallowing hard. Aiden didn’t acknowledge him, his gaze fixed solely on me. “It’s nothing,” I sighed, placing a reassuring hand on his arm. Then, on second thought, “Actually, this pervert groped me.”

Something dangerous flickered in his beautiful brown eyes, which seemed a shade darker. The man cowered.

Aiden turned slowly toward him.

“Is that so?” Aiden asked, his cold stare fixed on the man. The low, menacing tone sent a chill down my spine.

“Mr. Knight, I assure you, that wasn’t what happened.” The audacity to lie, even as he seemed on the verge of wetting himself! Aiden’s lips were set in a thin line, his eyes narrowing.

“Are you calling my girlfriend a liar?” The temperature seemed to drop as the icy words hung in the air.

He paled further, resembling a sheet of white paper. “No—no, of course not, Mr. Knight.” He chuckled nervously. “I—it was a misunderstanding.”

Aiden ignored him, shifting his gaze back to me. Something akin to affection filled his eyes, the brown seeming warmer.

“Should we take a look at the display before the auction begins?” He didn’t dignify the man with another word, simply dismissing him with cold indifference. I saw, from the corner of my eye, the creep staring between us.

“Yeah, sure,” I mumbled, eager to put the incident behind us. But this was important to Aiden, and he hadn’t donated yet.

“Let’s go.” He steered me away from the lingering man. Aiden seemed too calm. My gut told me this wasn’t over.

[The following sentence was unclear and grammatically incorrect. It needs rewriting for clarity.]

Perhaps because of the man groping me, Aiden hadn’t left my side for the rest of the evening. He was constantly near, his hand often on my back or arm.

8:40 PM

Chapter 52

I needed sex. With him. And I needed it yesterday. His touchy-feely behavior wasn't helping. By the end of the night, my patience and self-control were wearing dangerously thin.

The ride back was silent. I was too preoccupied with my x-rated thoughts to notice Aiden’s silence. How long had it been? Months? I couldn’t remember the last time I’d had sex. By the time we reached the penthouse, my frustration had reached its peak.

Aiden helped me from the car and walked me inside.

“Gia’s sleeping in her room,” Carlos informed us in the hall. I peeked in to find her fast asleep, hugging her panda.

“Where’s Andrea?” I asked about the babysitter.

“I told her she could leave after Gia fell asleep.”

That was fine. Watching a sleeping child isn’t much work. I nodded.

“Goodnight, Carlos.”

“Goodnight, Ms. Wilson.” He curtly nodded at Aiden before disappearing into his room, leaving us alone in the hall.

We walked silently to his door; mine was just around the corner. My mind raced. Were we sleeping together tonight? After last night? I wasn’t sure I could make it through the night without wanting to jump his bones. Or I could go to my room and toss and turn, imagining sex with him.

Ugh! It wouldn’t be this hard if he hadn't insisted on that date first. Screw that.

I looked up to find Aiden staring intently at me. Something shifted in his eyes—lust filled them. My expression probably betrayed my thoughts.

Before I could change my mind, I reached past him, opened his bedroom door, and walked in. I’d been there many times. His room was charcoal gray and dark tones; it smelled of him, his cologne, which I’d become addicted to.

I turned to find Aiden leaning against the doorframe, his gaze assessing me. Taking a deep breath, I blurted out, “I’m done waiting. I want sex, and I want it now.”