Aaron's POV

Lizzy scoots closer to me, and as much distance I want to keep between us, I can't. If I move anymore towards my right, I'll end up on the floor with a very quiet Ella who's switching glances between Diana and I.

"Let's continue with the shots?" Shane says, rolling his eyes.

He certainly has a strange dislike towards me, clearly despising how the attention got shifted on me as soon as I entered.

"Yes, shots." Diana sighs before leaning forward and pouring the drink in the glass.

Shane pinches her arm playfully and she drops the top of the bottle, which makes her lean down to get it. Her low cut dress exposes off even more cleavage as she does that and I notice the way Shane cannot take his eyes off of her breasts.

Dick!

I have to literally dig my nails in my own skin to prevent myself from going across the table and punching him.

"Don't test my patience with you." Diana warns him and he just smirks at her with a wink.

He puts a hand on her knee, rubbing it and I almost lose it until she swats his hand away and glares at him.

"Keep your horses tied, Shane. Do not touch me like that again." She admonishes and I just smile to myself.

When the glasses in front of them are filled, Diana raises an eyebrow at Derek. "You up for this or not?"

He smirks as he rubs his hand together in eagerness and leans forward with her. The three of them have five shots lined up for each one of them and their other friends starts chanting the countdown when Diana shows a thumbs up.

"Three. Two. One. Shoot!" The girl beside Connor shouts and three of them start.

Diana doesn't stop even for a second while Shane chokes up on the third one and Derek on the one after that. As soon as she finishes, she squeezes a lemonade slice in her mouth before throwing it out.

"Losers." She laughs at them and they both give her a look.

"I don't think anyone can beat you in shots." Derek comments and she pats his shoulder.

"Second that." Shane says as he grabs the water from Connor's hand.

Diana gives both of them a smug look before leaning back on the couch and closing her eyes for a second. Her head must be spinning after those shots, plus I have no idea how much she've had to drink before I came here. I did sleep for an hour or so before Lizzy called me.

"Do you want vodka, Aaron?" Connor asks and I shrug.

"Sure."

Diana opens her eyes and gives me a look while Lizzy keeps her forearm on my thigh as she turns towards me, leaving way too little space between us. I shift under her touch, trying to give out a clear sign as I reach for the cup Connor handles me.

"For god's sake guys, go get a room." The girl says, looking right at Lizzy and me and I frown.

"Shut up, Georgia." Diana snaps as she glares at her.

She's fuming with anger, I can tell it just by looking in her eyes. I finally move away Lizzy's arm and arch an eyebrow at her, "What's wrong with you?" I whisper, trying my best not to catch everyone's attention.

Her face falls at my words as she pouts and looks down. I sigh as I look across the table and notice Diana getting up, and Derek following right behind her. She makes her way to the kitchen, and I'm grateful that I have a clear view of them from my seat.

She opens the freezer and pulls out the ice cubes before putting them in a glass and then pouring water in it. As she brings the glass to her lips, Derek moves closer towards her and rests his hand right below her waist. How can she let him touch her like that?

Did she forget about the no fucking around anymore rule?

I run a hand through my hair as I keep the red cup down on the table and move to the kitchen, right behind them and clear my throat, crossing my arms across my chest. She jumps a little as she turns around to face me and I look into her eyes.

"Can we talk?" I request, ignoring Derek's glare.

"Sure, talk." She says, leaning against the counter.

I turn towards Derek, "Do you mind?" I snap at him and he scoffs, pushing my shoulder.

"Don't use that tone with me."

"Derek." She puts her hand on his shoulder and he backs off a little. "I'll join you guys in a moment." She tells him, her eyes stuck on me.

He glances at both of us with pure confusion before leaving us alone. I sigh as I meet her eyes and step closer to her.

"I'll mind the gap if I were you." She warns and I scowl at her.

"What the hell are you mad about, Diana? You're the one who forgot that you have a boyfriend as soon as you stepped in this party." I say, trying my best to keep my tone down.

"Really? You said no fucking around, well, I haven't as much as even hugged a guy tonight let alone kiss someone. You told me, 'Diana, don't flirt.' and I didn't do that Aaron. I begged you to come with me tonight but I let you make the call for it. Now please tell me how the fuck did I even forget about the fact that I have a boyfriend when I did everything to make sure I don't mess this thing between us." She shouts, catching few people's attention and leaving me stunned.

"I-"

"No, Aaron. Don't give me bullshit! You weren't going to come tonight, you had a presentation to prepare. But the next thing I know, my sweet and innocent boyfriend is standing right in front of me, holding hands with his fucking best friend. So, tell me, what changed your mind, huh? What are you doing here, did you miss me so much?" Her voice is slithering and provocative. She's fuming with rage as she steps closer towards me.

"Lizzy called and said-"

She cuts me off with a bitter laugh, "Lizzy called and said that she was alone at the party and you came running to her rescue? Sounds like a beautiful love story to me." She spits before backing off and leaving the kitchen.

"Diana." I call after her as I follow behind and she stops abruptly to turn around and give me a look.

"Leave me alone." She pushes me away a little and I take ahold of her hand.

"Will you at least listen to me?" I practically beg, looking into her grey eyes and she tries to set ahold of my grip.

"What the hell is going on here, man?" Shane interrupts and I glare at him.

"Back off, Shane." I warn him. I'm beyond pissed right now and I might as well take it out on him.

"Tell me, what's going on?"

I fist my knuckles as I look at him, "I'm trying to have a conversation with my girlfriend. Do you mind leaving us alone?"

"Your girlfriend?" He laughs loudly and by now, we pretty much have everyone's attention.

"Yes, my girlfriend."

"Diana?" He looks at her and she doesn't utter a word, just gives him a blank look which leaves him shocked, "Well well well, who would've thought that the slut could settle down and that too with such an uptight ass."

That's fucking it! My fist connects with his jaw and he falls two step behind as Diana shouts out my name but it's too late. It takes him a moment to realise what just happened as he brings his hand to his bleeding lip.

Shane regains his composure and lunges towards me to retaliate but before he can do that, Connor holds him back. He gives him a little push and a glare. "Give it up, man. Don't start a fight in here." He tells him, sounding mad.

"He started it." Shane yells back.

"Don't ever call her that again, remember that. Otherwise I wouldn't hesitate kicking your ass." I threaten him and Diana takes ahold of my hand before leading me away from the people who have crowded around us.

She leads me upstairs to the terrace and closes the door behind herself as soon as we get under the sky. I run a hand through my hair and just watch her pacing back and forth in front of me.

"Are you out of your fucking mind?" She finally speaks, almost yelling but that's better than her anxious pacing.

"What the hell did I do?" I say out of defence.

"You punched him, in front of everyone." She looks at me like I'm crazy.

"He called you names."

She lets out a yell as she runs a hand through her hair and comes to stand in front of me, "That's what people say about me, Aaron. You cannot go around punching everyone."

"I wouldn't tolerate it if someone says that in front of my face, Diana!" I tell her honestly.

"What did you want to say downstairs?" She asks and I frown before I'm reminded of our argument.

"That I didn't come for Lizzy. Yes, she called me but she said something about Shane and you and I lost it."

"I thought we were going to work on our trust issues." She sounds disappointed.

"You were with Derek and Shane though." I point out.

"They're a part of my group of friends, I can't change that."

I sigh, understanding well enough what she means, "I let my jealousy get the best of me tonight."

"You did."

"I'm sorry about that." I apologise, meaning it.

"I don't want to forgive you." She says, looking at the sky. "But I don't want to be mad at you either." She sighs, closing her eyes.

"So?" I nudge, hoping for a positive response.

"This isn't okay Aaron, it never will be. I have more male friends than female friends, and I've probably slept with more than half of them but neither you or I can change what has happened in the past. We need to live with that and not let my actions of past get to us. That is the only way this is going to work."

I hear each of her word with calm and let it sink in. She's right, I've always let my anger get the best of me when she's around because trust me, I'm not the guy who goes around punching people. I'm far from it, but I cannot stand the idea of anyone touching her.

When I don't respond, she speaks up again, "You have another option."

"What?" I frown.

"We can end this right here, that way you don't have to deal with any of this." She says and I feel the hurt taking over me.

"What? No no no, that's not an option." I step closer to her, keeping my hands on her shoulder and making her look right into my eyes, "We're not ending this, Diana. I can't lose you." I whisper and she looks away.

"Then you need to trust me."

I sigh, "It will take time, but you have to help me build up that trust." I tell her honestly and she nods.

"Okay." She sighs and I take her hand in mine. "You want to stay up here or join the party?" She asks.

"Whatever suits you best." I shrug and she nods before leading me to the staircase and we make our way to the living room.

Ella approaches us when we get there, "You guys okay?" She asks and I let Diana do the talking.

"Yes, fine."

"You have no idea how much I admire you for that punch. I never liked that guy." Ella grins at me and I laugh.

"Me neither."

"Do you mind if I steal your girl for a while?" She asks and I shake my head before letting go of her hand and both of them disappear somewhere while I make my way to the kitchen.

I had no plans of coming here tonight, but I did fall into the trap and then got into a fight. I'll have to keep myself calm for the rest of the night. A guy hands me over a red cup and I take it without thinking while I sip on it. The bitterness of beer takes its time to acquire to my taste buds as I slide up on kitchen counter.

"Hey." Lizzy greets as she gets in the kitchen and I scoff.

"I'm not in the mood to talk to you right now."

She gives me her sweet innocent look, "What did I do?"

Is she even serious right now?

"Why the hell did you call me, Liz?"

"I was just looking out for you, A. Your girlfriend was flirting with Shane and I thought you should be aware of that." She says.

"So, what exactly did she say to Shane when she was flirting with him?" I ask, clearly mad at her for trying to create a misunderstanding between Diana and I.

"They were sitting together." She retorts back in complete defence and I give out a bitter laugh.

"And how is that flirting?"

"We all know Diana, one moment she's sitting with a guy and next, she's in the bed with him."

What the hell?

"You need to be really careful with your words around me. I might care a lot about you, but she's my girlfriend now. Learn to respect that. This is the second and final time I'm telling you that." I warn her and she looks at me, reading my face.

She scoffs, "I can't believe I'm witnessing this."

"What are you talking about?" I frown.

"You're falling for her, aren't you?" She speaks, leaving me stunned as I stare back at her. When I don't respond to her, she shakes her head at me with a look of pity in her eyes, "Thought so." She mumbles before leaving me alone.

Her words come as a surprise to me as I sit like a dumb on the kitchen counter, trying to contemplate my thoughts into a meaningful pattern.

Am I falling for Diana already?

My thoughts are cut off as the woman of the night herself approaches me, "Hey, what was that about?" She comes to stand between my legs and I keep my hands around her waist.

"Nothing, just got into another argument with her."

She doesn't respond anything to that, I don't expect her to. I know how much she dislikes Lizzy, and I'm sure the level of it is rising by each day that passes, especially after tonight. I shake off my thoughts as I look down at a glass in her hand.

"Didn't you have enough for tonight?" I point out and she gives me a smile.

"It's lemonade." She informs me and I nod.

"And Ella gave this to you after?" I arch an eyebrow, knowing her well enough.

"After I had two shots of tequila." She gives an amused smile.

She's drunk, I can tell by her slightest of slurred tone and my doubt is confirmed when she leans down to kiss me. I don't push her away though, I'm not an idiot. She smiles against my lips when I kiss her back.

"I never thought I'll witness this sight." Someone says and she jumps apart.

My eyes move to my brother who's standing just few steps away from us with a smirk on his face. Almost on instinct, I tighten my arms around Diana and he arches an eyebrow.

"Go away, Derek." I tell him.

"Gladly, brother. Just one question, did you bribe her into this whole thing?"

Diana stands up straight, "He didn't have to do that. And honestly? Get lost." She fires back at him and I try to hide away my smile.

"Ahh, I'm shocked. But really, I understand why you're into her but I don't get why would she even consider sleeping with you." He gives out a smug look and I get down from the counter as I take few steps towards him.

"Stay out of it, don't be a butthurt." I warn him.

"Aw, what will you do otherwise? Punch me like you punched Shane? He wasn't lying about anything though, he said the truth and that's the reason it burned so much, because it was bitter. But isn't truth always?" He smirks before leaving the kitchen and Diana puts her hand on my shoulder, restraining me from following him.

"Let it go." She whispers and I knock out a glass from the counter.

"I hate this fucking night." I mumble and she keeps her head at my shoulder from behind as she sighs.

"Let's go back home, I mean my apartment." She says and I frown as I turn around to her.

"I thought you were going to stay at mine."

"Change of heart, I want to go back to my apartment, Aaron." She whines like a stubborn child and I smile at her, tucking behind her hair.

"Alright, let's go."

I lead her out of the crowd and we make it out to the driveway. It's a good thing that she didn't drive here, she's in no condition to handle a vehicle. I drive out of the driveway and it takes us twenty five minutes to reach her apartment, during which she sings along to literally every song that comes on the radio.

Her mood has gone from being sore to fun, and I'm kind of glad about it. Mad Diana is my least favourite one, she's still the hottest one, but I prefer the adorable one more. She's sweet when she wants to be.

When we get in the elevator and get to the front door, she looks at me, "I hope you know that I just had a good talk with Ella which changed my mood, hence I'm happy. It's not because I'm drunk." She says when we enter.

"Are you not even a little bit drunk?" I arch an eyebrow when she throws her clutch on the couch and steps out of her heels.

"Tipsy? Yes. Drunk? No." She informs and I nod.

"Coffee?" I ask and she grins at me.

"I like a man who knows what his girl needs." She places a peck on my cheeks and I move to the kitchen.

She turns on the television and starts opening cabinets in the kitchen. "What are you looking for?" I ask.

"Chocolate. I have to hide it away and then I forget where I keep it." She says with a frown and I laugh.

"Why do you have to hide it?"

"Cavities, sweetheart." She responds back.

I hand her over the cup, "Here, have this."

She takes it from my hand and sips on it, and just from her expressions I know that she's pleased, "You McCall man know how to make nice coffee." She comments and I look away.

Derek, of course!

It takes her a second to realise her mistake and she looks at me, "Sorry." She apologises and I give her a small smile.

"It's okay."

She keeps the cup down on the counter and steps towards me, crossing her arms around my neck as she places a light kiss on my lips.

"You don't have to be jealous, Aaron, ever! I've never felt this way about anyone before, no one had the power to inflict emotions in me. But you, you do." She gives me a sad smile and I circle my arms around her waist.

"I'm glad to hear that." I tell her.

Our lips meet together and she tangles her fingers in my hair as she bites down on my lower lip and I play with the hem of her dress. Her touch always brings my skin on fire, making me want more from her, always. I move my lips to her neck instead of deepening the kiss and she moans.

She starts stepping backwards in the living room, taking me along with her but she doesn't break the physical contact between us, making sure that I stay lost in her fragrance. She parts away with a heavy breath and leads me to the hallway. I know where this is going to go, and though it's way too early for me to take this relationship too far, but this girl always makes me shut my mind out and follow my heart. When she turns the knob of guest bedroom, I want to question her but I'm too intoxicated by her hands gripping me down when she takes off my shirt as soon as we enter.

"Diana.." I breathe, looking into her eyes as my hands reach the back of her dress, unzipping it and she silences me with a kiss.

That's all I needed for an approval from her as she leads me down to her bed, and one by one, our clothes hit the floor in the pile as our breaths mingle together. With every moan she lets out, and with every one that I devour in, our bodies ignite together and my hands caress every part of her olive and soft skin.

"Condom." She reminds me and I frown at her despite the circumstance.

"What makes you think I carry one with me?" I ask, almost amused.

"The fact that you're a guy?" She shrugs and I try to resist laughing as I place a kiss on the tip of her nose.

"I'm Aaron, Diana. The guy who hasn't got laid in last six months." I remind her and her cheeks flush.

"Even more reason to carry one with you. But now you've pressurised me with all the expectations, I better be good in bed to give you the best sex of your life." She jokes before slipping from beneath me. She kisses me, hard and deep before slipping on my shirt, "Be right back."

She disappears in the closet of the room while I look at her back. This isn't the way I imagined it going, she's half drunk and we're in her guest room, but honestly? I'm not complaining. I want to be as close to her at the moment as I can be.

"Connor and Ella's stash." She says to me as she hands me over a condom and I give her a look.

"Thanks for making this highly uncomfortable."

She laughs as she jumps in the bed and cups my cheeks, taking my lips between hers and I move my hands to her hips, moving her beneath me. I rub myself against her and she moans, "Don't be a teaser." She whines before keeping her hand on my chest.

I move down between her thighs and run my finger along her scars and she stares down at me. I lean down and place my lips against them, caressing them as I look at the flaws on the perfect skin. What bothers me the most is the fact that she did it to herself, she was in so much pain and though I don't know the whole story, I wish I had been there for her.

She moves her fingers in my hair and I look up to her, before moving closer to her most sensitive spot, pressing my tongue against it and she lets out a loud moan, motivating me to repeat my actions as I move my tongue and slide a finger inside her.

"You stop that, or I'll be the only one gaining pleasure tonight." She warns, her voice panting and I smile before parting away and moving up to her body slowly.

It takes me just a second to put on the condom and she doesn't even try to be subtle with her constant gazing at me. My finger press against her sensitive spot again and she moves her lips to my neck.

"You're beautiful, baby." I whisper in her ear as I bring my finger up and nibble on her breasts as I enter her, gaining a loud moan from her.

"Aaron." She sucks in a breath and I look into her eyes, leaning to let our lips meet.

She's the most beautiful girl I've ever seen, and I'm a god damn lucky guy to have to her.

Soon enough, our ends meet together as I groan out her name and her nails dig deep in my back when I come inside the condom. As I lie down next to her and my chest heaves up and down with heavy breaths, I look at her and she stares back at me with a huge grin on her face.

"I've never felt that way before with anyone." She whispers as she keeps her head on my chest and I kiss her hair.

"Me neither, baby." I tell her, honestly.

My eyes close on for a second before I remove the condom, putting it in the wrap and move to throw it in the trash in the corner of the room, pulling up my boxers and throwing my shirt at Diana which she puts on.

I slid back inside the comforters and she wraps her arms around my torso. After tonight, I've no doubt in my mind that I'm falling for this beautiful girl, and I couldn't be more happier about it.

Lizzy was right about what she pointed out today, but I don't feel bad for having these feelings for Diana. She's had a bad past, and I'm willing whatever it takes to make sure she stays happy when I'm around.

..

My eyes shoot open after my ears are hit with loud noise and I groan before I realise that I've an arm draped around me. I gaze down at Diana who groans lightly after she realises the source of noise.

"It's my phone in the living room." She says and I rub my eyes.

"Do you want me to get it?" I ask, my voice heavy with sleep and she shakes her head, sleepily getting out of the bed.

"Go back to sleep, I got it." She says before leaving the room.

I sigh as I close my eyes but then look at the side clock. It's eleven, already? Since how long have both us been sleeping? Lazily, I sit up and then get out of the bed. Barefoot and shirtless, I make my way out in the living room.

"You look very naked this morning." Diana says from the kitchen and I smile as I get in there as well.

"Good morning beautiful." I kiss her and she smiles as she kisses me back.

"Very cheesy, Aaron. Not my taste babe."

I laugh as I take the coffee cup from her hand. She gives me a look before pouring herself the another one.

"That closet is filled with clothes, wear something. Don't tempt me so early in the morning." She teases and I grin before getting back in the guest room.

I pull out a tshirt and a sweat pant and pull them on and go to the bathroom to brush my teeth and freshen up a little. After fifteen minutes, when I get out, Diana's hair are in a bun above her head and she has changed into short and put on a bra beneath my shirt, very clear from my view.

"Brushed my teeth, prepared eggs," she says proudly and I take a seat on the dining table by her kitchen after taking it from her hands.

She pulls out a carton of milk from the refrigerator and I laugh, "You have that at your place?"

Before she can respond, the doorbell rings and she gives me a look, "Yes, I do and get the door." She says and I nod before standing up.

When I unlock the door, I immediately frown at the person standing in front of me. Charlotte! What's she doing here? Last time I checked, she's still on hating terms with Diana. My eyes are so occupied glaring at her that I don't notice when a little girl runs in the apartment.

She runs to the kitchen and wraps her tiny arms around Diana's legs from the back. She turns around and looks down, her eyes wide with shock as her gaze falls on the door at Charlotte and I follow her stare.

"Brought your daughter home." Charlotte speaks, her lips forming into a smirk.