Total pages in book: 108
Estimated words: 103010 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 515(@200wpm)___ 412(@250wpm)___ 343(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 103010 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 515(@200wpm)___ 412(@250wpm)___ 343(@300wpm)
I felt my cheeks heat because I was a bit of a slut for compliments. “Thanks. And I’m sure you’re not that bad.”
“No, no. I assure you I am,” he replied, and I chuckled. Jordan smiled at me, and I looked away.
“I think I’ll have the chef salad with ranch,” I told him.
Ian ordered fish and chips, and then Jordan took our menus. When he did, he looked at me again and gave me another grin before slipping away.
“Well, shit. If Aidan won’t fuck you, Jordan sure as hell will. He wants you.”
I rolled my eyes. “He doesn’t want me.” The words came out automatically. I was sometimes in this weird place where I was caught between my insecurities and like…having eyes in my head. Part of me struggled to feel like anyone would really want me, but then, I’d seen how he’d looked at me. Jordan definitely found me attractive.
“Liar, liar, pants on fire,” Ian teased.
“It doesn’t matter if he wants me or not. I belong to Aidan.”
“Sweetheart, you’re a person. You don’t belong to anyone.”
This was one of those moments that reminded me that no matter how supportive Ian was and how happy he was for me, he still didn’t get it. “I want to belong to Aidan. I’ve given myself to him, and he’s taken me, so yes, I belong to him.”
“I’m just saying…you’re twenty. Remember that there’s a whole world out there, okay?”
It wasn’t something I needed to remember because I didn’t care who or what was out there. Still, I replied, “I know,” to keep the peace.
“And even if Aidan is your boyfriend or whatever, that doesn’t mean you can’t have friends besides me.”
“I know. Aidan would never tell me I can’t have friends. He always asks me about people from class and says I should go hang out with them.”
“Good.” Ian smiled. “So…is Aidan your boyfriend? Is that what you guys call it?”
The truth was, I didn’t know. I just knew he was my Sir and I was his boy, but I did want to be his boyfriend too. I wanted to be able to tell people that I belonged to Dr. Aidan Kingsley. “I don’t need to be Aidan’s boyfriend,” I lied. Ian cocked a brow at me but didn’t argue.
We chatted about random stuff, laughing and enjoying ourselves, and soon Jordan was back with our meals. He handed Ian his and then me mine, saying, “I know it’s just a salad, but ours are really good. The dressing is homemade, and it’s to die for.”
“Oh…thanks,” I replied. “I’m sure I’ll love it.”
“Let me know,” Jordan said. “Did you guys need anything else?”
“No, we’re good. Thanks.”
As he walked away, he looked over his shoulder at me again. I gave my attention to my food. It did look like a good salad.
“Oh, Finley, taste my ranch. See how thick and creamy it is,” Ian teased, and this time, I did throw something at him, my balled-up napkin, and we both laughed.
“He was putting it on thick, wasn’t he?” But it did feel good. It was okay to think that, right? Even though I loved Aidan.
“He really was. I might be a little jelly.”
“You can have him. I just want Aidan.”
“Yes, but Jordan with the thick and creamy ranch wants you. He’ll fuck you.”
“I hate you,” I said again, before changing the subject. We finished our meal, Jordan forgotten. I just enjoyed the time with my friend.
When we were done, Ian went to the restroom. While he was gone, Jordan brought the bill, set it on the table, and then handed me a piece of paper. “You know…if you ever want to study together sometime…which basically means helping me not suck at English…”
I laughed uncomfortably but took it. I was twenty years old, and this was the first time a guy had ever given me his phone number. “I, um…thank you. But just so you know, I have a…” Sir? Dominant? I wasn’t sure what to even call Aidan to someone else.
“Boyfriend?” Jordan filled in the blank for me, and I nodded. “Shit. Just my luck. But we can still study together sometime, if you want. If not, that’s okay too.” Then he slipped away, and I looked down at the paper with his phone number on it.
A year ago, I would have thrown it away. I wouldn’t have been able to trust anyone or open myself up to a friendship outside of Ian, but now I just thought, I deserved this, right? Friends? Serving Aidan had changed me so much, I was beginning to realize there were things I wanted for myself. I never thought I cared about having friends, and I sure as shit hadn’t wanted school before him, but now? Now, the thought of studying with someone seemed…like something I deserved, something that could be fun. Something that everyone did, and why shouldn’t I do that too?