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‘I’m rejecting your rejection.’
‘What?’
‘Aiden, if you don’t want to be with me because you’re not enjoying being with me any more, or because you think things aren’t working between us, then tell me that. Or tell me that you’re fed up of me. Or that I’m not enough and you’re bored and want to go back to having a roster of different women. But don’t tell me this crap.’
‘Mia, it’s nothing like that, but—’
‘Oh, I’m not done yet, Biker Boy. I thought you were better than this – I thought you were a damned sight braver, for one thing. Because, Aiden, I know what’s going on. I understand what’s happening with Sylvie, and sadly I do have a fairly good idea of how the next few years are going to go. And I understand that it’s freaking you the hell out, both for what she’s going to experience, and for your own possible future.’
‘So, you know why I can’t be with you right now.’
‘I know why you think that.’ Mia stepped towards him, still glaring, and lowered her voice. ‘And I also know that this is the worst time possible for you to push away the people you love. And yeah, I said the word – that one that we’ve carefully avoided discussing. And no, I don’t mean it in the friendly-type way that I’d say it to Katie, or you might to Ophelia. I mean it in the heart-pounding, breath-stealing, living magic, light me up when you kiss me and heat up my nights, Triple D, happy ever after way. Because I’m pretty sure you’re in love with me, Aiden, and I know I love you right back.’ She took another step towards him, so they were only inches apart. ‘So, I’ll repeat myself: I’m rejecting your rejection.’
She grabbed him by the collar of his shirt and pulled him close, kissing him fiercely, pouring a huge amount of passion and feeling into it. His heart pounded as heat and latent magic flooded him from scalp to toes, concentrating in every spot where they touched, leaving him feeling scorched and raw.
It was definitely the best, and quite possibly the worst, kiss of his life as it stripped him bare – reaching past all his excuses and every barrier he’d ever built until Mia was filling every part of him in a way he’d never even considered possible.
When she pulled away he couldn’t quite swallow back the whimper.
‘Mia, I…’
‘Are we good? Forget everything else going on for a couple of seconds and answer me that. Are we good?’
He nodded, words deserting him.
‘Good. Can I have your keys please?’
‘What?’ Of anything he could have guessed she’d say, that wasn’t even close to the top ten.
‘There are some things I need to do back at yours. Make sure everything’s neat and tidy, and grab some bits Sylvie wants. I assume you’re staying here?’
‘Umm… yes?’
‘Good. Then I’ll take your keys please. Hand them over.’
He did as he was told, still in shock.
‘Thank you. Text me if your mum thinks of anything else she wants. Otherwise I’ll see you in a couple of hours. Sooner, if they move her to the ward and you want me to pick you up.’ She kissed him again, this time more softly, but it still resonated through him. ‘It’ll be OK, Aiden. I promise.’
With that she turned and walked down the corridor, bouncing his keys cheerfully in her hand as her dress swirled around her ankles.
Not sure what to think, Aiden headed back the few feet to where his ma was still waiting.
‘I really am so sorry about all this fuss,’ she repeated.
‘Don’t be silly, it’s fine.’
‘It’s not. I ruined your night, and now you and Mia are fighting. I heard raised voices.’
Aiden swore under his breath. ‘We’re not fighting.’ At least, he was pretty sure they weren’t.
‘I’d hate to think I’d caused a row between you. This is bad enough without that.’
‘We’re not fighting,’ he repeated, but definitely wasn’t going to tell her all of the conversation. ‘She, umm… she just told me that I love her.’
‘Smart girl, that Mia.’
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