High Stakes (A Deal With The Devil)

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

Bella

“It worked,” I grin, handing Aria her drink. She looks annoyed and I follow her glare over to JP who has a woman sitting in his lap. “Oh dear, what happened to the game?” I ask, sitting down. She throws her drink back in one gulp.

“He’s not playing it right,” she says sulkily.

“How can he play when he doesn’t know the rules, Ari. You keep avoiding his calls.”

“He’s a man, they’re masters at games, Bella, trust me. He’s just playing by his own rules. I’m not worried,” she adds, shaking her head, “I’ll win him back when I’m ready.” She brings her eyes to me, “How did it go?”

I grin, “It worked.”

She leans closer, “Oh my god, did you fuck?”

“No,” I almost screech. “No, but I got that orgasm.”

“And?”

I sigh dreamily, “And it was so worth the wait.”

Raff joins us, placing a bottle of vodka on the table. “How are my favourite ladies this evening?”

“Single and ready to mingle,” says Aria, pointedly.

“You and JP not on the same page?” he asks, glancing over to where JP is now locking lips with the woman.

“Please, JP is not even on my level.”

I pour us all a shot and Aria drinks it straight down again. I arch a brow and top her up. It’s going to be an interesting night.

I’m dancing with Aria when arms snake around my waist. I lean back, expecting it to be Aiden. It’s not until he nuzzles against my neck, and I feel a clean-shaven face, I realise it isn’t. I turn slightly, smiling awkwardly and trying to pull away. “Relax,” he shouts over the music. “We’re just dancing. ”

“That’s not a good idea,” says Aria, glancing behind me with worry etched on her face.

“Don’t be jealous, I’ve got loads of love to share,” he says, grabbing her hand and pulling her to us so I’m effectively sandwiched between them. He thrusts against me, and I wince, shuddering in repulsion.

I’m suddenly released, almost falling forward. Aria lands on her backside and when I turn to see what happened, the guy is pinned against the wall with Aiden’s hand around his neck. I help Aria up and she brushes off. “Stupid prick,” she huffs.

“Are you okay?” asks JP, cupping her face in his hands and studying her closely.

I see her features soften. “I’m fine,” she almost whispers.

The doormen rush over and take the man. “Don’t come back in here,” Aiden warns as they carry him off. He stomps away without checking on me, letting me know he’s pissed.

I roll my eyes and head off the dancefloor, leaving Aria swooning at JP. I sit at the table and grab the bottle of vodka, but before I can pour one, it’s taken out of my hand and placed out of reach. I glare at Aiden as he sits opposite me. “You realise that wouldn’t have happened had you been wearing something more appropriate. ”

My eyes bug out of my head. “Victim shaming at its finest,” I snap.

“Don’t play that fucking card,” he growls, “You wore that dress to get my attention, don’t act innocent.”

“Exactly, I wore it for you, Aiden. That doesn’t give other men permission to touch me. Jesus, do you know how fucking pig headed you sound right now?”

“Next time you wanna wear something for me, let’s keep it in the apartment.”

“I can wear what the hell I like, where I like,” I snap, angrily. “Women should be able to roam around in underwear if they want to, without being attacked by desperate men that think they have a right to touch, just because it’s on show.” I lean over and snatch the vodka back. “Consent is a real thing.”

He takes the bottle back, waving to a passing waitress, “Take this away before I end up carrying her home,” he says in a teasing tone. She smirks, fluttering her long eyelashes as she takes it, brushing his fingers with her own.

“Of course, boss,” she says, in a sultry tone.

I stare at him, “What now?” he groans.

I shake my head in disbelief. “I don’t appreciate you making me out to be some kind of alcoholic whilst flirting with your staff,” I snap, getting to my feet.

“You’re overreacting,” he mutters .

“Of course I am. It’s my fault a perv grinded against me, and now I’m seeing things, right?”

“Bella,” he says sounding exasperated.

“Goodnight, Aiden.” I stomp off towards the elevator. I’ve drank way too much and with everything that’s happened tonight, I’m feeling over-whelmed.

So, what if he went down on me? It doesn’t mean we’re in a relationship. And I was so close to asking if he’d slept with the waitress, I had to get out of there before I embarrassed myself.

I get up to the apartment and strip out of the stupid dress, dumping it in the bin as I pass. I take a hot shower and slip into my fluffy dressing gown. Then I make myself a coffee and take Aiden’s laptop and set it on the kitchen worktop. I need an apartment, especially if I want to take things further with Aiden.

I open it up and stare wide eyed at the picture on his screen saver. The man beside him has his arm around Aiden’s shoulders proudly. I stare at the blue eyes, and the way his features match Aiden’s. How the hell didn’t I see that before?

Aiden

I hand JP the keys to lock up. I’m done for the night, and I need to straighten things with Bella. I was mad when I saw that guy with his arms around her . . . and jealous, fuck was I jealous . But taking it out on her was out of order, and so here I am again, ready to apologise and make shit right. All for Jakes stupid fucking game.

I enter the kitchen, pausing when I see the laptop open with Bella staring at the picture of me and Jake. It was taken a year ago in Ibiza. Our last holiday together. My heart twists painfully.

“What are you doing?” I snap, and she jumps in fright. I slam the laptop closed and hold it under my arm. “Well?”

“I was . . . erm, I know that guy,” she says, frowning in confusion. Great . What are the rules if she discovers Jake, even though I didn’t tell her. “He used to come in the bakery,” she continues. “And he’d always make me laugh, I used to look forward to it . . .” she trails off. “When he stopped coming in, I thought maybe he’d moved away.”

“Well, he didn’t. He died,” I say bluntly, and she flinches at my words. “Why were you on my laptop?”

“I wanted to find a place to live,” she explains. I head into the living room, and she rushes after me. “We shared stories about our disastrous dates,” she tells me. I turn to see her eyes are full of sadness, “And he wouldn’t tell me his name. I would ask him every time he came in, and he refused, telling me to guess, yet even when I did, he’d say I was wrong. I don’t remember if I ever said Jake,” she almost whispers with a faraway look in her eye. A tear rolls down her cheek and I resist the urge to hold her. “It became a game, and I secretly hoped I never guessed it, so we could carry on.”

I place the laptop back on the side. “He liked games,” I mutter. “And he was a complete fuck up at dating.”

She gives another sad smile, sitting on the couch. “We’d play top trumps on worst dates. And no matter how much I tried, he’d never tell me anything about himself. He said it was more fun that way.”

“I’m sorry you found out like this,” I mutter, sitting beside her and twisting to face her. “It sounds like you liked him.” And the worst part about that statement is the fucking jealousy I feel. She liked Jake and now he’s forcing me to play some sick, twisted game with her. Did he know how she felt? If he hadn’t have died, would they be together? My heart aches.

“I’m sorry you lost him,” she sniffles, wrapping her arms around my neck and holding me. “He was a great guy; I can see why you miss him so much.”

“Don’t waste your tears, Bella,” I mutter, “He wouldn’t have wanted you to be sad.”

She nods against my chest. “I want you to be my first,” she whispers. It’s so low, I struggle to hear her. She tips her head back, looking me in the eye. “ Will you?”

My throat tightens, threatening to choke me. “Bella, you’re upset. Don’t make rash decisions.”

“The reason I’m still a virgin is because I’ve been waiting to feel this spark. I feel it with you, Aiden.”

I shake my head, standing. “You don’t know what you’re saying, Bella. I don’t want to take something so important when I can’t be certain you’re thinking straight. Plus, you’ve had a lot to drink.”

She wipes her wet, tear-stained cheeks. “You don’t want me,” she whispers.

I grab her hands and tug her to stand. “Don’t be stupid,” I say firmly. “Of course I do. You’re consuming me right now, and it scares the shit out of me. But I want your first time to be special. So, let’s wait until you’re truly ready . . . and sober.” It was another stipulation in the contract. Bella couldn’t be under the influence of alcohol or drugs. But there is some truth in my words. If I’m going to take her virginity, I want her to want it so badly, that she convinces me.

I take her dressing gown cord and unfasten it, letting it fall open. “Luckily for you,” I say with a smirk, as I wrap the soft cord around her wrists and secure it. “I’m also good at playing games.”

“Oh yeah?” she asks, smiling .

“It runs in the genes,” I say, opening her dressing gown wider and admiring her naked body. I take her nipple, watching the flush spread up her cheeks when I tease it. “And I want to spend the entire night playing games with you.” I lean down, throwing her over my shoulder. She laughs loud and I swat her backside. “Silence,” I hiss, pushing my hand between her legs. She’s wet and I smirk as I carry her through to the bedroom . I don’t need to fuck her to enjoy her.