Page 47 of Autumn Secrets
“Why do you say things like that to me?”
“Because it’s the truth.”
“You are such a liar.”
“I think we’ve already established who’s the bigger liar between you and I.” He chuckled.
I knew I was losing the battle here, and fast. “It still doesn’t take away that I saw you with her. You kissed her in front of me.”
“I did, but if you really knew the reason why I did that, you wouldn’t judge me so hard.”
I sighed. “And as always, nothing that comes out of your mouth makes any sense to me.”
There was a moment of silence.
“I don’t have a girlfriend, angel. I admit, I kissed her, but she’s notmy girlfriend. That’s all you need to know, for now anyway.”
“Do you know what? Forget that I even called you, it was a mistake.” Of course this whole idea would backfire. How could I be so stupid? I cursed Jasmine for bringing the vodka again and this time I added Lexi to the list, for convincing me to have a drink. Adrian laughed again, which made my heart race even faster. It was deep and wicked.
“I’m not sure I see this as a mistake. I’m happy that you called. And do you want to know something else, angel?”
I swallowed. I really hated this new nickname. “What?”
“I’m looking forward to your return.”
“Why?”
“I want to finish what we started last time,” he said in a low voice, making my body respond with a deep ache.
“I-I don’t know what you’re talking about. What do we need to finish?” But of course I knew what he was talking about. It had been on my mind ever since we parted. His sinful lips against my skin, his hands touching me. It was a lethal combination, toxic to my senses. This was exactly the reason I had called him. I knew it, and he knew it too.
“You do know what I’m talking about. I want you, Aurora, only you.”
His voice was so seductive. I could feel him, like he was sitting right next to me, touching me. He was seducing me with his words, and I was melting right there. I squirmed and my heart pounded harder and faster against my ribcage. This conversation needed to end, right now. So, I did the only thing I could think of. I hung up. Mature? Probably not. But Adrian Hunter was so much more than I could handle.
Chapter 15
I woke up the next morning with what felt like the wordregretwritten on my forehead. The awful feeling followed me around all morning, constantly reminding me of the not-so-planned phone call that I’d made the night before. It was consuming me to the point where I pushed other unexplainable but important events from my thoughts. I really should have been more worried about what had happened to me out in the forest. Like the fact that I had awakened a sleeping orchid from its slumber, and that an unknown woman had seen a light within me.Thatwas important and should have worried me more, but I was so damn consumed by Adrian that I almost convinced myself what happened in the forest hadn’t happened at all.
Why did I let the girls talk me into having a drink? Well, it was more like three drinks, actually. Now I had to pay the price by facing Adrian Hunter’s arrogant grin on Monday. Everything I’d told him I wouldn’t do, I had done. I’d showed him that I thought about him quite a lot, too much, and I just knew he wouldn’t let the opportunity slip away to make me pay for that mistake.
“Let’s go for a walk, or into town before we have to hit the road,” Jasmine suggested, as we crashed down on the big lounges in the living room.
“No, I can’t move yet.” Mia sighed and closed her eyes.
“What about a movie instead?” Lexi suggested and yawned.
“Do you know what? Why don’t you and Mia stay here; Jasmine and I will go into town for a little while. Would that be okay with everyone?” I asked.
“Sure. Can you bring me some roasted almonds?”
“Of course. Jasmine?” I looked at her.
“What are we waiting for?” She bounced off the couch with a grin. “Car keys, please?”
“On the kitchen table. Don’t forget the roasted almonds,” Lexi called after us.
“We won’t. Don’t worry,” I called back and followed Jasmine out the door.