High Stakes (A Deal With The Devil)

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

Aria

Aria hands me a tissue and I dab my eyes. “How did this end with you in tears?” she asks, smiling. “If I’d known, I wouldn’t have lost my shit.”

“What happened?” I ask.

She rolls her eyes, flopping down on the bed beside me. “I walked into the club, and he was practically having sex with some bitch, grinding up her like a horny teenager. He was texting me all last night telling me he really liked me and didn’t want to play games. Fuck men and fuck JP. I’m not being the plaything that waits around for him to decide if he wants me or not.” I wince, it’s exactly what I’m doing with Aiden, and when Aria realises what she’s said, I see the panic in her face. “I’m so sorry Bella, I didn’t mean you, I just meant...” she trails off.

“It’s fine,” I reassure her. “I mean, you’re right, I am waiting around for him to choose me.” I groan, laying back and staring up at the ceiling. “It gets more complicated,” I add. “Remember no name guy from the bakery.”

She nods, smiling, “Yeah, mystery man that had us both in knots?”

“Turns out he’s Aiden’s brother.”

She glares at me, “What the fuck?”

“Right. I mean, how’s that for small world.”

“I was starting to think we’d poisoned him when he stopped coming in,” she adds thoughtfully. “Did you finally get his name?”

“Jake,” I reply. “Aria, he died.”

Her mouth falls open and she gasps. “Oh my god, that’s awful. He was so young. How?”

“Same age as Aiden,” I reply, “They were non-identical twins. And, I haven’t asked for details. Aiden doesn’t want to talk about it. I think he’s still grieving.”

“Understandable. So, you think all this weird behaviour is down to grief?”

I shrug, “Maybe. It sounds like Jake hated Laurie and wanted Aiden to stay away from her.”

“It’s not your job to carry out his dying wish, Bella.”

“Yeah, I know that. And I’m not. Aiden will do whatever he wants, but a part of me can’t help wondering that maybe, if he just feels what it could be like to be in a real relationship, with actual love, he might like it.”

She frowns, “Do you really think he’s got the staying power for a full-on relationship? And honestly, do you think you can tame a guy that’s been a player for God knows how long? He’s already broke your heart and you’re not even together.”

“He never lied to me, Aria. He was straight with me and said he can’t do relationships. I can’t be mad when he was upfront.”

“And now you’re making excuses,” she says gently. “I get his appeal, he’s hot and brooding, but he’s a walking red flag, just like JP. We deserve better.”

“I’m not ready to walk away,” I admit.

She grabs me into a hug, “I’ll be here when he breaks you some more,” she reassures me. “And I highly recommend that you stay in your own room, or you’ll end up sleeping with him and you really don’t want to do that.” She kisses me on the cheek. “I’m going home to sleep off my mood. ”

I spend the next ten minutes taking all my things from his room and effectively moving back into my own. I test the lock on my door, satisfied it works and vow to use it until he gets the message. If nothing else happens between us, I’ll at least be around as a friend when Laurie breaks his heart. Knowing he’s Jakes brother makes it feel different. Like I have a responsibility. And Aiden did save me, he could have walked away, and I’d never have known what my dad had done. Dad . I sigh, sitting on my bed and grabbing my mobile. It’s the longest I’ve ever gone without speaking to him. I send off a text.

Me: How are you, dad?

His reply is instant, giving me hope he’s stayed sober.

Dad: Bella, I miss you so much. How are you?

Me: I’m good. I miss you too. Are you coping?

Dad: I haven’t touched a drop since you left. And I’ve been going to meetings twice a week. My support worker is pleased with my progress .

I smile, my heart swelling with hope. It’s not the first time he’s tried, and a nagging part of my brain is telling me not to get too excited.

Me: That’s great. I’m proud of you.

Dad: I met someone. She’s really nice, I think you’d like her.

He hasn’t shown an interest in any other woman since mum, but surely this is a good thing. He’s looking forward and not back. I want him to be happy.

Me: If she makes you happy, dad, I’ll like her x

I put my phone on silent and pick up my drawing pad, adding colour to my early designs. It helps to take my mind off everything Aiden related, and I soon feel myself getting tired. I lock my bedroom door and get into bed. After our fight, I’m sure he’ll leave me in here, but I’m not risking it.

Aiden

JP, me and Raff are all sitting in silence in my office. The weight of the night is heavy on my shoulders, and I have a feeling I’ve fucked it all up with Bella. I shouldn’t have gone in so hard, and I shouldn’t have let my feelings take over.

JP props his feet up on the edge of my desk. “There are other clubs,” he says with a shrug.

Raff nods in agreement. “He’s right. It’s not worth all this stress.”

“Me and Jake worked too hard to get this place up and running. It means everything to me and it’s the last place I have that reminds me of him. I can still feel him here, I can hear his laughter and see him behind the bar shaking cocktails to impress the ladies.” I sigh, fighting the urge to cry. I haven’t broken down once since he left me, and I won’t start now. The entire game’s been one big distraction, maybe that was his plan all along to save me dropping into depression.

“Do you think she’s left?” asks JP.

I shrug, “Probably. I don’t blame her.”

“So where do we go from here?” asks Raff.

“If she’s gone, I’ll do what she wants. I’ll fake the whole relationship deal for the next couple of weeks. I only avoided that to lessen her pain in the end, but if that’s the only way to do it, I have no choice.”

“There’s another way,” says Raff, fidgeting.

I roll my eyes, “It’s not real,” I snap. “And it won’t ever be.”

“Why?” he asks simply .

“Because I like my life the way it is. Yes, she’s great and I love spending time with her. But eventually, I’d miss all this. And none of it is real, the entire thing started on a lie to get her to need me. Imagine if she found that out further down the line. No, it just wouldn’t work.”

“When we first came up with the plan, it didn’t feel this hard,” mutters JP. “She wasn’t real to us then. And now she’s here, it’s like she’s bewitched us all. She brings us damn cupcakes home every night,” he adds.

“Good cupcakes,” agrees Raff.

“She doesn’t deserve any of this,” adds JP.

“Don’t you think I know that?” I snap. “But Jake did this, and whatever reasons he had, I can’t back out and I can’t lose my club. We can’t lose it. We love this place.” I sigh heavily, “If my brother wasn’t dead, I’d kill him.” I look them in the eye, “It’s almost over and then we can go back to how it was before.”

It’s almost five in the morning when I decide I can’t hide any more. I head up to the apartment and open the bedroom door quietly. S he isn’t there . My heart hammers hard in my chest as I march over to the wardrobe and fling open the door. All her stuff has gone. I check my bathroom and it’s the same, empty. Fuck.

I go to her room, pushing the door, to find it locked. I frown. She’s never locked the door before, but at least she’s still here. I tap gently on it, “Bella?” There’s no answer so I try again, this time knocking louder. “Bella?”

“Go away, Aiden,” she mumbles.

“Let me in,” I mutter, resting my forehead against the door. “Please.”

“No.”

My heart sinks. I should just be pleased she’s still here, but I didn’t realise how dependent I’ve become having her beside me all night. “Don’t you want me to keep you warm?”

“Go to bed, Aiden. You made yourself perfectly clear. I’m done.”

I sigh, heading back to my room.

I hear giggling and it wakes me from my slumber. I groan, stretching out and opening one eye. It’s almost ten a.m. and I am not ready to get up. The giggling comes again, and I narrow my eyes, pushing myself to sit. I’m intrigued, so I grab my shorts and pull them on, then follow the sound of the giggles into the living room where Bella is dressed in sporty leggings and a cropped top. Behind her is a man dressed in sports gear, and he’s got his hands on her hips as she squats.

“What the fuck is going on?”

She raises her arms over her head slowly and tips to one side, all the while being supported by Mr. Muscle. She smiles wide, “Sorry, did we wake you?”

“Obviously.”

“This is Cal, my personal trainer. Cal, this is my landlord.”

I arch a brow, landlord. “You have a personal trainer? Since when?”

“Believe it or not, Aiden, you don’t know everything about me.” She turns, bending so I get an eyeful of her backside. I have no doubt this is some kind of game to show me what I’m missing, but believe me, I already know. “I’ve neglected my sessions since all the stuff with my dad, I’ve decided to get back on it and Cal here is amazing at working my body hard, aren’t you Cal.” My god is she flirting? Cal grins, his eyes running over her body in much the same way as mine. He wants her. Almost as badly as I do .

Bell a

Cal works me hard and as I drop down on the grass and stare up at the sky, I wonder why I do this to myself. My lungs burn and my legs ache. Cal grabs my left leg and rests my foot on his thigh while rubbing my muscle. I groan, it feels good. “So, was that guy just a landlord?” he asks casually. I smile to myself. Cal’s made no secret he likes me, and I’m not complaining because he’s gorgeous. His body is perfect, sculptured by the Greek gods according to Aria. Maybe I should just . . . I give my head a shake, what the fuck am I thinking. I can’t sleep with Cal out of the blue. That would be reckless.

“Yes,” I finally answer as he rubs my other leg. His hands do feel good , I muse.

“And you’re still single?” he asks.

“I am.”

“Yet you still turn me down,” he teases.

I grin, “I don’t want to lose a good PT.”

“You’re killing me here, Bella,” he says, holding a hand over his heart.

Maybe I should. Maybe getting rid of my virginity, will put an end to the turmoil I currently feel. Maybe I would stop craving Aiden if I just moved on.

“Yah know, my place is just over there,” nods Cal as if reading my mind. “We could warm down and then have a coffee? Look at sorting out a proper food plan? ”

I put my hand out for him to pull me up. “Lead the way.”

Cal’s place is a typical bachelor pad. One couch, a television and a coffee table with cup rings staining it. He gets out the laptop and stands at the kitchen worktop. “I have a food plan drawn up,” he tells me, and I stand beside him to look it over. His little finger brushes mine and I inhale sharply. There’s a definite spark.

“What about you?” I ask, turning so my back is resting against the worktop and I’m facing him. “Are you still single?”

He grins, “Yeah.”

My mobile beeps, distracting me. Cal takes his attention back to the laptop and I pull it out.

Aria: Aiden said you’ve started sessions with Cal again. Everything okay?

I roll my eyes wondering why she’s spoken to Aiden.

Me: Yeah, I’m good. I’m at his place now.

Aria: The last time you worked out, was because you were depressed. Should I be worried?

Me: Don’t be ridiculous. I need a boost. Besides, he’s fit ??

Aria: Okay, officially worried because you don’t even sound like you right now.

Me: You were right last night, Ari. I am too good for Aiden. Fuck him. Cal is flirting and I’m not against it.

Aria: So now you’re moving on to Cal?

Me: I’m considering losing my burden to a nice guy that I have no connection with.

Aria: That’s crazy. You’re upset over last night and not thinking. Meet me, let’s talk about this.

I tuck my mobile away. I’m so sick of talking. My virginity has been the topic of so many discussions, always demanding the top conversation slot. It’s even been the butt of my friends’ jokes. I’m done holding on to it.

“Everything okay?” asks Cal.

I shift closer so our arms brush, he eyes the connection. “Where were we?”

He stares at me, and my breathing quickens. He leans closer, until his lips are a breath away. “Am I reading this all wrong?” he whispers. I give my head a slight shake, too scared to speak. His lips brush mine, like he’s giving me the chance to back out. Instead, I slip my arms around his neck and slide between him and the worktop. His hands cup my face, tilting it slightly before he seals his lips over mine in a slow kiss. There’s no urgency or rush as he tastes me, and he’s gentle, just how I like it. And it’s nothing like Aiden’s.

He runs his hands over the bare skin on my back, sliding them up my arms and resting on my shoulders. His eyes darken and his chest heaves with controlled breaths. He carefully slides the straps of my top down until my breasts are exposed, then he lowers his mouth to my nipple, sucking it into his warm mouth. My head falls back, and I close my eyes, enjoying the way he swirls his tongue over the swollen bud.

My phone vibrates and he reaches into the waist band of my leggings, pulling it out and holding it out for me to look at, all the while still teasing my nipple. Aiden’s name flashes on the screen. I cancel the call, taking the phone and laying it face down on the worktop.

Cal’s fingers hook into my waistband, and he pushes my leggings down, kneeling before me and peeling them away. He takes my leg and guides it over his shoulder, and then I feel his hot breath at my opening. I grip the worktop, staring down in wonderment as he runs his tongue through my folds, keeping eye contact. It’s hot. He keeps an intense pressure on my clit, and I’m so close to coming, that when he pushes a finger into me, I cry out. I’ve needed the intrusion for so long, it’s a relief.

He stands, kissing me so I can taste myself. “Are you sure about this?” he asks, his voice strained. I nod, gripping his hard cock through his shorts. He hisses, leaning past me to grab his wallet where he retrieves a condom. He shoves his shorts down to his hips and I stare at his thick cock as he sheathes it in rubber. It’s on the tip of my tongue to explain I’m a virgin, when a loud bang on the door causes the words to die on my lips.

“Ignore it,” he whispers, lifting me onto the worktop, then dragging my backside right to the edge.

“Bella?” It’s Aiden. I freeze, staring wide eyed at Cal. “Bella, open the fucking door.”

“Oh my god,” I whisper. My heart slams in my chest.

“Is that your landlord?” asks Cal in a hushed voice .

I nod, gripping his shoulders tightly and holding my breath while I listen for any movement outside. “Just stay quiet, he’ll leave,” I whisper.

“Why’s he here?” he asks.

“The door’s locked, right?” I add.

“What’s he doing here, Bella?” he asks, his voice angrier now.

I shrug, “I have no idea.”

“Bella, I know you’re in there,” Aiden yells, banging harder. “Open the fucking door or I’ll kick it in.”

“You should deal with that,” mutters Cal, tucking himself away.

“He’ll leave in a minute,” I reassure him.

“Please, Bells, don’t have sex with him, I’m begging you,” mutters Aiden and my heart twists at the pain lacing his words. “Not because of me.”

Cal pulls my top into place. “Put him out his misery.”

I jump down off the counter, pulling my leggings up. I pause at the door, gathering myself before unlocking it and opening it just enough for him to see me. Our eyes connect and I’m mildly satisfied to see he looks stressed and maybe even desperate as his eyes run over me.

“Have you done it? Did you sleep with him?” he asks, urgently .

“What are you doing here, Aiden?” I whisper hiss, angrily.

“Did you fuck him?” he repeats. I give my head a slight shake and he exhales in relief, taking a few steps and running his hands through his hair. “Thank god,” he whispers to himself.

“How did you find me?”

He stills, “Aria.” I roll my eyes, and he rushes to defend her, “I saw your text over her shoulder. She tried to stop me coming here.”

“Well, now you’ve seen me, you can leave. I mean, this is taking our friendship too far.”

“I’ll do it,” he blurts out, “I’ll try it, with you.” Words get stuck in my throat as my mind races. “I’ve been a complete prick, and I’m messing this up. But I can’t stand to think about you with anyone but me. I’ll give the relationship thing a go.”

“Cal’s in there waiting for me,” I say, “We almost, we’re about to . . .” the words trail of and Aiden glares at me. “You can’t just turn up here and demand I stop what I was about to do because you’ve had a change of heart,” I cry, “I was ready,” I add, “He put a condom on.” Aiden curls his fists by his side. “I wanted to see if he was different,” I mutter .

“Of course he’s fucking different, Bella. He’s not me. But what we have . . .” He growls angrily.

“He’s not rough, he takes his time like he wants to be with me.”

Aiden takes a calming breath, “I want to be with you, Bella. I’m here telling you I want to be with you.”

“You’re too late,” I yell, “I just came on his tongue,” I wail feeling mortified. Everything that’s just happened suddenly hits me and I feel dirty. Like I’ve cheated. I slam my hands over my mouth, “Oh my god.”

“I know you want to hurt me the way I’ve hurt you,” he mutters, “It’s working. But we can start a fresh, okay. No more games. No more lies. Just me and you, like you want.”

I suddenly feel exhausted. “I need to say goodbye to Cal.”

Aiden looks panicked, “No, don’t go back in there,” he yells, and I close the door and lock it. He slams his hand against it, yelling a string of profanities. “Bella, open the damn door.”

When I go back into the kitchen, Cal is leaning against the counter staring at the ground with his arms crossed over his broad chest. He glances up when I enter. “I’m sorry,” I mutter.

“It’s fine,” he says, stepping closer and tucking my hair behind my ear. He cups my jaw, rubbing his thumb over my cheek. “Do you know how long I’ve thought about that exact moment?” he adds, smiling.

I laugh, and a sob escapes. “I’m so sorry. It’s complicated. I didn’t mean to drag you into it.”

“Hey, I’m not complaining. And when he messes up again, I’m here waiting to help with the rebound.” He grins and I press my forehead against his chest.

“Why can’t I fall for you?” I murmur.

“Maybe our time hasn’t come just yet?” he suggests, stroking a hand over my hair. “You should go before he explodes,” he adds, kissing me on the head.

When I step out, Aiden looks relieved. He stops pacing and holds out his hand. I stare at it for a minute before taking it. “You need to get a new personal trainer,” he mutters, kissing me on the head. “And a shower,” he adds.

Shame washes over me again. I’ve never done anything like that before, it was so unlike me. And I realise just how much Aiden is affecting me.

“What happens now?”

“We start a fresh,” he says, opening the car door for me to slide in. He leans in and grabs the seatbelt, securing it around me. “Next time I find you with another man, it ain’t gonna end well.” He kisses me on the head again before closing the door.