When we arrive in front of the bar, Brooke walks in before us to find a vacant spot for her and Braden. I want to tell her that there's no need to do so because it won't be that crowded at this hour, but she is sauntering away before I can even fully open my mouth. She leaves us alone with Braden and I don't think she wasn't planning this before.

I don't want to be alone with Braden. I don't trust myself around him and it will already be hard enough to work tonight, knowing he was there to see my every move.

I allow myself one glance at him and I can tell he is nervous about something. He is gripping his hair with his right hand and it makes me bite my lip because I would really like to go through his hair with my own hands.

He looks at me then and I hold his gaze. We are just staring at each other for some time before I clear my throat and decide it will be me who'll break our spell first. "So ... I have to go in before I'll be late," I tell him, not looking at him.

When he doesn't answer, I nod my head to myself and decide to just go inside. I know it was a bad thing staying alone with him. It's obvious we can't have a normal conversation. And I am afraid his reasons of not be able to communicate with me properly weren't the same as mine.

Just when I am about to open the door, I feel him grab my arm, turning me around and trapping me against a wall, successfully stopping me with his body from going anywhere. My heart instantly starts beating faster and I can barely breathe, due to our closeness. My eyes are wide, following his every move.

His face is a mask of emotions - I can't read it for dear life. We are staring at each other, me still being shocked from his bold movement, and him just trying to read my expression. He shakes his head and takes a deep breath. "Rory, I just ... I want to apologise for my behaviour before. I know I came off a bit rude and harsh, but that wasn't my intent. If I let you walk alone in the dark and anything happened to you ..." He closes his eyes and takes some deep breaths, trying to calm himself. When he opens his eyes, they are distant and sad and it makes my chest tighten. "I wouldn't forgive myself," he whispers brokenly.

I can't help myself; I put my hand on his arm and rub it softly. He looks so vulnerable and I don't know what to do to cheer him up because I don't even understand him fully. It isn't a sight I wanted to remember - this big, controlled man who got everything he wanted and before who people were falling to their knees and worshipped the ground he was walking on being so broken in front of me.

"Braden, it's okay. I'm not mad, I understand. Nothing will happen to me." It is the only way I can reassure him. I am looking him in the eyes the whole time, trying to prove my point.

It seems to help a bit because his face softens and he nods his head. He probably starts to notice that our bodies and faces are almost touching and a shock of electricity runs between us. My body starts tingling.

He parts his lips and he lowers his head. My eyes become even wider and I follow his every move. My body becomes still as a rock and I can't even move a muscle in me. We are staring at each other's eyes and his are burning into mine, into my soul. It's unnerving.

We are inches away from touching our lips, our breaths are mixing together, but he stops and lowers his head then steps away from me. I shut my eyes at the loss of warmth and because I don't want him to see the disappointment on my face.

He was going to kiss me. Holy mother of God, he was going to kiss me! But he stopped himself. And I want to punch him in the face for making me so worked up and then not doing anything about it. Or I just want to launch myself at him and beg him to kiss me for a full hour right here against the wall. Fuck breathing.

He turns away from me, his back is to me and I am watching his every move like a hawk. I don't know what's gotten into me. He rubs his face with his both hands and then buries them deep in the pockets of his suit pants.

"I guess I'll see you inside," he whispers, his voice low and raspy. Even his voice is beautiful.

He doesn't even turn around when he speaks to me and I guess it's his final stab in my heart before he starts walking towards the main door. I watch him walking away in all his glory, his back is straightened, his head up high and he doesn't even once turn around. His long steps are confident and I notice he stops for a moment when he opens the door and I wonder if it is because he wants to turn away and just go back home.

He just might if there wasn't his sister waiting for him inside. As soon as the door closes, I turn around against the wall and put my forehead against it. Partly because I want to cool down, partly for being such a fool and falling for his charms so soon and partly so I wouldn't follow him like a lovesick puppy I am turning into.

I force myself to rip myself off the wall and walk in the bar. My brain is all mushy, my chest feels expanded and my cheeks are all hot and probably red. Overall, I am probably looking like a mess.

And that's how Aaron sees me when I enter the bar after I put my stuff in the changing room. I didn't have time to even check my appearance before I go behind the bar because I'm late. I promised to myself that this shouldn't become a habit if I want to keep the job. And this job is the only thing that pays my rent and my bills.

Aaron shamelessly checks out my figure when I walk in and it makes me blush. He is a hot guy, with silky blonde hair which is spiked up and shows off his piercing green eyes. He gives me a smirk and I smile back at him.

"Hi, gorgeous!" he shouts to me and I blush even more. I chuckle awkwardly and focus on serving a girl who just came in.

I am just preparing a drink when I feel someone's hands on my waist. I jump in sudden shock, spilling the drink. I partly turn around and instantly become close to face with Aaron. "You ignoring me now?" he whispers, gripping my waist even tighter and squeezing all of the air from my lungs.

I freeze in the spot. My hands start to shake and I am unaware of everything happening around me, instead focusing on those intense green eyes that are boring right into my skull. But when I come to my senses, I inhale a deep breath and push Aaron away from me.

I serve the girl the drink and turn back around to face him. He is standing where I left him, looking shocked at me. "I'm not ignoring you?" It comes out as a question and I suddenly have a wish I would've banged my head harder against the wall outside before.

Aaron chuckles, but it doesn't reach his eyes. "It seemed to me that you were." He shrugs. "Having a bad day?" he asks then steps beside me and puts his hand around my neck in a friendly manner and puts me to him in a side hug.

I don't know why I do it, but I lift my eyes and stare into the mesmerising eyes of no other than Braden Campbell. His stare is intense and focused on Aaron. He then looks right into my eyes and then drops his eyes to Aaron's arm that is wrapped around my neck. Braden then lifts his eyes again, looking directly at me. He lifts his eyebrows in a questioning manner and I stare confused back at him.

I feel chills run down my spine when neither of us breaks our locked gazes, everyone around just disappears and I forget where I am for a moment. He sits right next to Brooke and she is saying something to him, but he doesn't seem to hear her.

They are seated more at the back, but I can see perfectly fine that he made himself comfortable. He unbuttoned his suit jacket and his legs were stretched in front of him. He is drawing circles on his glass with his thumb. Even from here, I can see that his face is dark, so are his eyes and he seems worked up over something. I ask myself if something happened between him and Brooke again.

And of course most girls in the club are near Braden, obviously trying to get his attention, but unfortunately for them, he doesn't even as so acknowledge them. But it still makes me sick to my stomach. And I don't want to think about why. They are all so beautiful, all sizes, any hair colour he'd wish. He can just pick one and that'd be it. Some of them also wear close to nothing, showing off their tanned skin, the others are dressed normal, I guess, for the bar. And it also doesn't escape my attention that they are all ages. I mean, it sounds disgusting even in my head, but if Braden is up for that, why the hell not?

Well, fuck. That's totally my jealousy speaking. Shut it, you green-eyed monster.

Aaron's breath at my neck makes me avert my eyes away from Braden's captivating ones, instead turning my head to Aaron. He is so close that if I didn't back away a little, our lips would've touched.

His eyes are glistening due to the colour in the bar and his lips are parted. I almost forget what we were talking about before, but seem to remember in time before I would embarrass myself again. I pull away from him and chuckle. "No, my day's going just fine." I smile at him and then go to take the orders from some customers.

When I unintentionally brush against Aaron whilst going past him, I hear him intake a deep breath and he seems to freeze. "You okay?" I turn my head to look at him while preparing the drinks.

He is standing still, his hands are forming into fists. He slowly nods his head then turn to me, his gaze is dark and his eyes search every part of my body, making me shiver. "You smell really good," he finally rasps out, his voice all hoarse and I furrow my eyebrows.

"Thanks," I politely reply to him. I scrunch my eyebrows. "You sure you're okay? You seem a little ... tense," I point out, looking him over.

He laughs darkly right after. "Tense?" he repeats and I nod my head, then I turn my head back around to continue preparing the drinks. I feel him directly behind me seconds later, his body pressing against mine, his hands massaging my waist. He puts his lips to my ear and whispers, "You sure know how to make someone tense, Sunshine," he breathes hotly in my ear, then walks away from me, leaving me frozen and dumbfounded in the spot.

I turn my head around again to ask him what he means with that, but he is talking with the customers, asking them what would they want to drink. I force my shaky hands to finish the orders and chide myself for reacting this way any hot man comes near me.

I take some deep breaths to steady myself and go to serve the customers who ordered the drinks. I almost drop some of them when I spot Braden leaning on the bar counter, watching me intensely.

I wipe my suddenly damp hands into my pants and approach him. "Hi. What would you like to drink?" I ask him in my even tone, not once breaking my gaze with him. I have to act professional and show him that tonight, in this bar, he's just a customer and nothing else. I can be professional.

He, too, seems like he doesn't want to break our gaze. He tilts his head to the side and lifts his eyebrows a little. He feels so out of place here. He looks too controlled, to composed for a bar like this where the music is too loud and the people have a great time. He just looks like a guy who doesn't know how to relax some.

"So that's the boyfriend of yours," are his first words that make me slightly drop my mouth in shock. I see him visibly flinch when Aaron goes past me, intentionally brushing against me and putting a hand on my hip, but his touch goes as fast as it comes and I can't even find a will to look away from Braden.

He grimaced when Aaron's hand touched me. His eyes narrow and he's frowning. I want to roll my eyes and start shouting that I'm giving up on trying to understand men.

I don't know what's happening with these two tonight, but I'm not used to having so much attention from the other gender.

Braden is stiff and I can feel the tension radiating out of him. "Excuse me?" I ask him, trying to be as polite as I can manage and sound as confused as I feel.

"Aaron Vega. He's your boyfriend?" I can hear the sarcasm in his voice, plus all the hatred towards him that I don't dare to question.

I lift my eyebrows at him and cross my arms in front of me. I suddenly feel really bold and daring, not even an ounce of nervousness present. "I'm working, Braden. So either you order something to drink or I have to ask you to go sit down because people are waiting." My tone is hard, so are my eyes. See? I can be professional.

Braden stares at me for long seconds, his eyes are wide and wild. I guess I finally made him speechless and if I wasn't so annoyed with him at the moment, I would celebrate my victory. Of course to myself. "One cosmopolitan and a glass of water for me, please." He doesn't even miss a beat and I have to blink at him to realise that he is back to the cold Braden I don't like all that much.

I nod and hurry to get his drinks, just so he can turn to his seat as soon as possible. When I turn to give Braden the drinks, Aaron softly grabs my arm, turning my attention to him. But his attention is on something behind me. Someone behind me. I know it's Braden standing there and I don't know what problems they have with each other. "Is that man giving you trouble?" Aaron nods his head towards Braden, not ever taking his eyes off of him.

I turn my head around to see Braden staring right back at Aaron with his stormy eyes that even makes me shiver, even though they aren't directed at me. I turn my head back to look at Aaron and shake my head. "No, it's okay. I know him," I reassure him.

Aaron then looks at my eyes, his eyes instantly softening. He nods his head. "If he gives you any trouble, tell me." He grips my shoulders once before he leaves me and go to serve drinks. I huff out a much-needed breath and go to give Braden drinks.

He has his elbows on the counter, fingers crossed at the top, and he is distracting me with his thumb that's rubbing over his bottom lip. My eyes fall on his lips and my breath catch in my throat. "That ... um, that would be three dollars, p-please." I clear my throat and move my eyes upwards, to look him in the eyes.

His eyes are dancing and hold some amusement in them and I instantly know that he knows what is going through my mind.

I flush a deep shade of red, my whole body is shaking. He pays, thankfully without any comment on my state, and walks away, but not without one last intense stare that makes me flush even more.

I am breathing hard when Aaron approaches, but he doesn't comment on it, just frowns and goes away. I am standing there, all confused with furrowed eyebrows. I let my gaze travel to where Brooke and Braden sit. Braden is watching me again, he has his glass pressed to his lips and it makes me warm just thinking about them and what he could do with them. On my body ...

My hands clench into fists on my sides with the effort it takes me to stop thinking about these unholy thoughts. Brooke is smirking at me and it's probably because she knows what's going on with me. I look down at my feet and let my hair fall on my face to hide it. I close my eyes and take some deep breaths. I start to remind myself where I am and try to reason with my own self.

I'm at work. My job is to serve customers. Braden is a customer tonight. Aaron is my co-worker. And I have to start acting professional if I don't want to lose my job.

You can lose your job. You can lose your job. Who's going to pay your bills, then? Your heart? You fool! - And that's my mantra for the whole night. It's like I become a robot. I am serving drinks, smiling politely and just be polite to everyone. Even to Braden.

Whenever he approaches the counter, I refuse to give him the satisfaction of knowing what his closeness does to me. I made a mistake once sending Aaron to serve him and it didn't end well. Well, other than Aaron forcingly grunting out to ask Braden what he would like to order, Braden just stated in his ice-cold tone that he will wait for me to serve him.

I barely kept my hands to myself and promised myself all kind of treasures - cake for dinner, going for a massage, skipping the gym, lay in front of a TV with a big tub of an ice cream - just so I wouldn't slap him right there in front of everyone. I had a tight, forced smile on my face, my teeth were clenching when I asked him what would he like to drink. He just smiled big at me, flashing me his teeth and that completely broke my spell.

It didn't skip my notice that Brooke never once came to the counter to order. It's a shame, really, because I want to talk to her, but I guess she has other plans for tonight. The only time she moves her dreamy eyes from Aaron is when Braden comes to order. Then her focus is on us, her eyes full of amusement, her grin so big it could break her face. Her face expressions are so obvious I could even see it from here. I promise myself to have a talk with her later.

And when Braden comes for the third round, I am acting just like he is any other customer and that makes him grumpy. And me smiling, but I don't show him just how much I like to play with him. But of course, he wouldn't be Braden, if he didn't know how to break me with a simple gesture. And I don't think he was even trying that much.

"What would you like?" I ask him politely, keeping my smile on my face, but it doesn't reach my eyes. That's my work smile with every customer. It's all about niceness, even if you are faking it. Braden is studying me, but I don't let it affect me.

"Same as before," he replies, his mouth tight, but his voice is wary for some reason and I can't put my hands on it.

I nod my head and go to give him his drink. But when I slid the glasses to him on the counter, he puts his palm on my hand, stopping it from me moving it away. My eyes fall on his hand around mine and I forbid myself to think of how well it fits in his. Or how it starts tingling with the sensation his touch brings me. No. Focus.

I look him in the eyes and furrow my eyebrows. His expression hasn't changed - it's serious the whole time he stares at me. I notice he doesn't smile a lot. Him laughing? It's a rare occasion. But I appreciate the moments his lips would lift in a smile. Or just a smirk. Even if it's a sarcastic smile or mean or whatever. I love his smiles. I noticed his small dimples tonight when he smiled and I have absolutely no idea how I haven't noticed them before, but I am feeling the need to start begging him to never stop smiling just so I can watch his dimples as long as I please. Maybe even lick them. No. Not that. Just watch them. Yes. And don't let me start on his laugh - when he throws his head back and laughs wholeheartedly. His laugh is rich, deep and raspy. And absolutely my favourite. No exceptions. Or his small laugh or chuckle, when his eyes twinkle happily. That is a close second of my list of his favourite laughs.

It doesn't help that whenever he laughs or smiles around me, I was the reason. It makes my chest warm to make a man, who doesn't smile that much, smile or laugh. He is such a beautiful man that it feels like a privilege to just watch him, and how I appreciate every second of it.

He squeezes my hand and brings me back from my daydreams. He is looking puzzled at me for a moment and I just realise that I probably wear the stupidest and widest grin on my face. My smile slowly fades and I blush so hard, my cheeks feel like they caught a fire. I clear my throat and want to move my hand from his hold to go dig a hole I could lay into and never come back out again.

He just grips my hand tighter and decides to drop the bomb, making me go still, "I'm taking you home when you're done with work." Although his tone is hard with that no-nonsense type, it also holds a hint of softness.

I widen my eyes at him and feel a rush of adrenaline run through my body. "What if I don't want to go with you?" I don't show him I'm joking. But I don't show him that he could dictate me, either. I would love for him to drive me home, but it would help if he would actually ask me if I wanted him to drive me.

It's obvious that no one said no to him in his life because he is taken aback for a moment. "I'm not letting you walk around in the streets at two in the morning, Rory. It's out of the option."

I appreciate his concern for me, but it still feels like he is directing me to do something, deciding it for me and not even giving me any decision. I suddenly feel really bold, and I'll probably regret it later, but why not just mess with him a little? "What if I want to go with Aaron?"

"With Aaron?" he repeats slowly like he's testing the words. He grimaces, looking like he just ate something sour. I have to bite my lip to not burst out laughing at Braden's face expression. His grip on my hand tightens even more and it's close to hurting me, and he's scowling. It looks like he didn't even think about this option. He composes himself and stands up straighter, his eyes are still wild. "Aaron. Okay. Yeah. That's fine." He clears his throat and releases my hand from his hold.

I instantly miss his touch and I call myself every curse word I can remember in my head. I rub the hand he was holding with my other one because it actually hurts from his grip. Braden is going through his hair with his right hand and he is looking so lost there. I take pity on him.

"Tell you what." I lean on the counter and plaster my elbows on it. Braden's eyes quickly drop down on my cleavage, before he lifts them back up to look into my smiling eyes. He shifts on his feet. "Go back to Brooke, drink this glass of water and then you can come back here and actually ask me if I want you to drive me home."

He is contemplating my words and he looks like it never actually crossed his mind. I'm sure it didn't, I think sarcastically to myself. I leave him dumbfounded and go to serve other customers. I don't even look in his direction, but I see him walk away and I think I see him sulking.

After that, I couldn't be in a better mood. Aaron is acting strange around me and when I asked him if I did something wrong or if he's mad at me, he just grumbled something under his breath and walked away. I don't let his bad mood affect me. I am positively glowing with happiness when Braden returns not even ten minutes later with a scowl on his face.

I happily saunter to him. "What would you like?"

"For you to let me drive you home," he mumbles, with a hint of anger in his tone.

"No." I don't even bat an eye.

He narrows his eyes at me and leans closer over the counter, so we are so close with our faces that I can smell his breath. Mmm, mint ... I don't let my big smile fall off my face and I think it ticks him off even more. "Don't play fucking games with me, Rory. I'm not a patient man," he growls. Yes, he actually growled at me! And it's all kinds of hot.

I flash him my teeth, but he doesn't react. He is narrowing his eyes at me, looking like he wants to punch something in this instant moment. I should be afraid of him right now because his face looks so scary, he could even frighten a prizefighter away. But for some reason, I'm not afraid of him. Maybe I'm high on happiness right now and I just don't feel a damn thing other than pure bliss. And no, I'm not high or drunk. Well, maybe, high on Braden. I giggle. I can't help myself. I giggle like Braden wasn't just murdering me with his gaze.

Braden pulls back a little, looking at me a little funny. "Are you drunk?"

I stop giggling and try to look at him seriously, but it's just impossible and my lips are pulling into a smile without my will. He just looks so irresistible when he's angry. It might be frightening for other people, but for some unknown reason, it's making me laugh. His already hard features became even harder, his jaw is clenched, making him unbelievably sexy, and his delicious lips are in a straight line. Plus his eyes are so stormy, so icy, it's unbelievable. I never met a man with eyes like his. And that only makes him hotter.

"Nope. Are you?"

He looks at me dumbly. "No," is his sharp response.

I roll my eyes at him and cross my arms in front of my chest. "Oh, loosen up, will you? Why do you always have to be so serious? Do you even know how to have fun? For God's sake, Braden, you're 29, not 40!"

He lifts his lips up in one corner in a smirk, showing me a dimple that sends some not-so-decent thoughts through my head. I drop my eyes for only a second on his lips before looking him back in the eyes. He leans on the counter, pressing his elbows flat on it, leaning closer to me. "If you're living in a world like mine your whole life, you learn that you can't show people any emotion, Rory." he whispers my name and I close my eyes at how beautiful it sounds from his lips. He traces my fingers with his hand that's still holding mine. "But I can assure you, there are some specific things I like to do for fun."

I open my eyes at his last statement and he is staring hotly at my lips. Holy mother of God, can I orgasm just by hearing his voice? Because I think I almost did. But his words also confuse me when I finally process them. I furrow my eyebrows in a question and he just shakes his head, not offering any explanation.

"When will you be finished working?"

I straighten, putting some distance between us. "At two," is my automatic response.

He straightens, too, and pops his collar of his suit. "Good. I'll be waiting for you until then." And he's gone.

Waiting for me? And then it hits me. That bastard! He totally tricked me into going home with him. Oh, he's good. But I can be better. I smirk at his back and go back to working.

***

I was just about to head out of the door, finally finished with work, tired as anything, when Aaron's voice stops me. "Rory, wait!"

I turn around and look at him. We are in the changing room and he's standing shirtless in the middle, staring at me with hot eyes. I gulp and force myself not to look down at his defined chest. Why are there suddenly hot men around me everywhere? Not that I'm complaining, though.

Aaron takes a deep breath. "I was just wondering ... are you free tomorrow?"

I look at him a little wary. "Yes?" It sounds like a question actually, but I'm trying to figure out what he is planning.

"Well, do you maybe want to go to lunch with me?" When he sees my expression, he quickly adds, "As friends. Of course." He coughs in his fist, his cheeks turning slightly red.

I smirk at him. "Are you, Aaron Vega, blushing?" my tone is teasing and it makes him blush even more. I laugh at him and he puts palms over his face to hide it. "Don't get all shy on me now. I'd love to go to lunch with you tomorrow."

He visibly relaxes at that and drops the palms down from his face. I'm giving him a big, toothy smile. I just turn around to go out again, but his voice stops me once again.

"Wait, wait!" I turn around again. What does he need now? "I need your phone number. You know, to text you where and when to meet?" I don't think I've ever seen Aaron so flustered before. It's a funny sight, definitely something I'll mock him about in the future.

"Sure." I give him my number and we say our goodbyes. When I come through the door, the first thing I see is Braden leaning against his car. What a sight that is! I'm too tired to argue with him, so when he smiles at me, I smile back. He opens a door for me and I climb in the car.

Brooke is already inside in the backseat, playing with her phone. "Hey, you," I say to her with a hint of a smile in my tone.

"Hi back," she replies with a knowing smile that reminds more on a smirk and I wonder what she knows that I don't. I want to ask her about it, but when Braden sits in beside me, I change my mind because something in me says that it would be better if I talked to Brooke about it when her brother wasn't sitting so close to hang on our every word. Hmph. Now I'm curious.

"God, I'm so tired," Brooke mumbles from behind me, her voice groggy from the sleepiness.

It actually makes me feel bad that they stayed this long just to wait for me. "You shouldn't wait this long for me. I could go home on foot or I could call a taxi." Braden looks at me briefly to indicate he heard me but his stiffened composure tells me he won't comment on it, but he's not happy with my words. "What? You know I'm right," I point out, mostly to Braden, to show him, how ridiculous he's acting.

Braden grumbles something under his breath, that sounds something in the lines, "Infuriating woman," but I'm not betting on it.

Brooke laughs from behind us. "Rory, don't try to reason with him, because when it comes to you, he suddenly becomes totally unreasonable," her tone is light and I know she's teasing, but it confuses me.

"Brooklyn," Braden warns and gives her a warning glance in the review mirror.

Wait. Pause. Review. What the fudge is happening here? What's up with these two? Have they had another fight?

"Ooh, so scared right now, because you used my full name. Seriously, Braden, that doesn't work anymore since I turned 11," Brooke snorts and I have to chuckle at that.

Braden seems to just ignore her, but I don't. "Uhm ... a confused girl here? What's going on?" I ask them both.

"Braden -" Brooke starts, but Braden beats her to it.

"Nothing," he grumbles low, his knuckles turning white on the steering wheel. I turn around to look at Brooke since she's eager to fill me in, but she's glaring at Braden.

When she feels my gaze, she just shrugs apologetically and I sigh in exasperation, then lean back in my seat. I divert my eyes to Braden and mutter, "And then you dare to call me impossible." I huff and he cracks a smile at that but chooses to stay quiet.

When we arrive in front of Brooke's and my flat, Braden turns the car off but still looks in front of him. Brooke says a good night and goes out of the car, and I want to do same, but Braden's voice stops me. "Do you have a minute?" I barely even hear him. I look at him, but he's staring straight ahead.

I look at Brooke who's standing outside of the car, waiting for me, and I indicate her to go inside. She looks confused for a moment but then smiles that knowing smile again and goes inside. Does weirdness run in the family?

I turn my attention to the other Campbell sitting beside me. He's staring at me with his intense eyes. His hair is tousled, probably because going through it with his hands so much, but he could probably be bald and he would look good. So not fair. He clears his throat and I notice just now he looks slightly uncomfortable. "Go on a lunch with me tomorrow," he says in an even tone, without dropping a beat.

While me, on the other hand, am completely taken aback. And I think he notices it, because he flashes a nervous smile at me, probably wanting to reassure me. I cross my arms on my chest and laugh. "You really aren't used to asking for things, are you?" my tone is sarcastic and he lifts an eyebrow at that, but his smile stays on his lips, making his features softer.

"Honestly?" he asks.

"No, lie to me, please." I gesture my hands in front of me and roll my eyes.

He narrows his eyes at me, his smile slowly freezing on his face. "Careful there, sweetheart, if you don't want me to put you over my knee," he threatens and I don't even think he's joking, judging by how his eyes lighten up at the idea.

I widen my eyes and squirm in my seat a little. The thought of him having me across his knee is ... new, but not really that unpleasant. I'm not into that kind of thing, never even tried, but I swear it makes me wet just thinking about it. And it doesn't frighten me nearly as much as it should. "You kinky bastard," I mutter to him as a joke and it comes out a little breathy.

He doesn't show that he notices my state, instead throwing his head back and laugh. "You have no idea, sweetheart. You have no idea ..." he trails off when he calms down, his eyes intense again on me.

Okay, this is not a direction this conversation should be heading. And I think he thinks the same because he quickly changes it. "So, we were discussing when are we meeting for lunch tomorrow."

I lift my eyebrows at him. "No, we weren't," I reply to him.

He throws his head back and sighs deeply. "You seriously won't give up until I actually ask you, will you?" he mumbles impatiently, still having his head thrown back.

I just cross my arms and stare at him. Or rather, his delicious throat that's on display, and if I could lean in just a little, I could kiss him right there on his neck. The thought makes me fidget in my seat. When I don't say a word, Braden looks at me. He looks annoyed for some reason and I have to bite my lip to not burst out laughing. How easy it is to get this man mad!

"God damn, woman, will you go to lunch with me tomorrow?" he grumbles, his teeth gritting together in frustration, his jaw set.

I smirk at him and shake my head. "There, there. It wasn't so bad, was it?" I sound like a mother, talking with her child and the look he gives me is totally worth it.

"God help me, Rory -" he starts, but I just cut him off with me bursting out laughing, as he goes with his hands through his deliciously messy hair, and that makes me calm down.

"Calm down, will you?" I laugh as he grimaces. "I would love to go to lunch with you tomorrow ..." His eyes lite up like a kid getting his favourite toy on a Christmas. "But I already have plans." And just like that, the light in his eyes disappears, switching with something darker, something cold and it instantly makes me feel bad for turning him down. We are finally having some normal conversation, started being comfortable with each other and teasing, and I have do destroy this. Well, done, Rory. Don't I deserve some applause?

He becomes stiff as a rock and he turns back to staring out straight, gripping the wheel with as much force as he can muster. I bite my lip and look down at my lap, suddenly feeling like a complete jerk. Even though I know I could have plans with whomever and whenever I wanted, I just don't like the look on Braden's face. And it also makes me confused.

"With who?" he finally asks after minutes of uncomfortable silence, filled with tension. His voice is harsh and he doesn't even dare to look at me and just like that, my good mood disappears.

"Aaron," I whisper and look down at my lap again. I start playing with my fingers and when I feel his sharp intake of breath and a noise, that sounds awfully like a punch, I close my eyes shut tight and count to ten. I'm frightened of him, not even close. His reaction just stuns me and I think he's completely overreacting since we aren't even that close to be overreacting over some stupid things we don't even know what were about. And if he has some problem with Aaron, he should talk it out with him, not with me.

"Aaron," he repeats with a sour voice if just his name leaves a bitter taste in his mouth. I look at him with big eyes and see he's clenching his jaw and breathing hard through his nose.

"As friends," I feel the need to add. And I don't regret it. He turns his face to me now, his eyes softening on my face, his grip loosing a bit on the steering wheel, but not completely.

"So ... you're trying so say is that you're ..." he leaves the question hanging in the air, but I know what he tried to ask.

"We're friends. Only friends." I look him in the eyes to make sure he process the words, and when he does, his facial features soften completely. Relief washes over his face.

He nods his head and drops his hands from the steeling wheel, but I never look away from his face and from his beautiful eyes. "Friends," he tastes the word. "Yeah, that's ... good." He leaves it at that.

I nod my head, not even knowing if it is because I agree with him or just because I want to show him I hear him. I bite my lip, suddenly feeling really awkward sitting in here with this man. "I should go," I say to him and he watches me warily, almost like he's studying me. I look down at my lap and murmur, "It's getting late and I'm tired."

"Yeah, you should probably get some rest."

You too, I want to say, but change my mind. Instead I nod, but neither of us move.

Suddenly, I feel his hand under my jaw, forcing me to move my head to look him in the eyes. He smiles softly and just stares at my face. My eyes. My nose. My lips.

Why is it so warm in here?

He leans in and my breath catches in my throat. He's smirking, still looking at my lips, and then moving his hand from my jaw upwards, until he brushes his thumb over my lips. His eyes are turning dark, watching his thumb on my lips. If he won't stop soon, he'll be responsible for my death because he's obviously trying to give me a heart attack.

Just when he leans in some more and puts his other hand on my left side of the face, I think I am going to explode. If he doesn't kiss me right now, I'll punch him. In the face. With my foot.

And he does nothing, but smiles even bigger, lifts his eyes upwards to look into my eyes and whisper a "Good night, Rory."

And just like that, his touch is gone. He leaves me breathless and panting - I'm breathing so hard like I want to save my life. He didn't kiss me.

Okay. Move on.

I nod my head at him, feeling unable to speak, but I still force a small "Good night," out of my lips and then move like a robot to get out of his car. It isn't until I step into a building on my shaky legs, safe and alive, that he drives away and I am a bunch of mixed emotions once again, his touch still lingering on my lips when I'm lying in my bed later.

Another chapter so soon? Yep, yep. I want to hear your thoughts - what do you think Braden wanted to talk with Rory? And what do you think it was on his mind when he saw Aaron's arm around Rory's neck? What about Aaron?

Are you team Aaron or team Braden? c:

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