✿ Reid's POV

I check the little nook hidden away in the garden and hear her voice before I spot her yellow dress. As I approach, I realize she's talking to Sirius. I watch her for a few minutes, the events of the past nights together in the same bed with her playing in my head.

She was everything I was not, in every way that mattered. And yet, I was drawn to her, like a moth to a flame.

My lips curve at the stunningly visual representation of that flame as she sits there in her yellow dress, with the wisps around the edges, and her hair blowing in the light breeze. 

That moment in the bed... there had been a spark, there was no denying it. I wasn't even going to try. She was one of the most beautiful women I had ever seen, but there was more. Her spirit, her loyalty, her pride, her ingenuity, even Sirius took an immense liking to her immediately.

It was an uncharted territory for me and I felt enormously unprepared. My life had been planned out, a series of deliberate actions, like a long uninterrupted singular tunnel. But ever since I ran into her on the road, there seemed to be a brighter light shining at the end of it, and it stirred unrest deep inside me.

I sigh and hold myself back, trying to catch what she's saying.

“You think I should run away from this engagement too right?” she mutters, “Or I sit and let everyone call me names for the sake of Armani?”

Sirius lets out a bark and Aileen chuckles.

“Right, right. I'm doing this for my family and myself, not that hunk of a man I'm starting to like a little bit too much.”

My breath catches.

She likes me?

“As friends of course,” she chuckles, still giving Sirius scratches.

As friends...

“The other kind of friends would just never work out so I'm not even going to try to catch feelings. Plus Armani's still in love with Anika. He just doesn't realize it yet.”

“Aroo?” Sirius lets out, tilting his head.

“Right? He wouldn't be going through all this trouble for her if he wasn't” she sighs wearily. “How is wish I could just stay here till everyone else left.”

Sirius moves away from her and sits at her side as Aileen hugs her knees.

“I'd ask you to bite Portia Dalton but her bitterness might seep into you and you're too sweet to be corrupted by that woman.”

I smile.

“But I can see how much she worries for Armani. And he loves her. If only she were a bit... less uptight and mean” she mutters and goes still for a while, “But what do I know about these people huh?”

I begin to step closer.

“When you're ready to go just lemme know, okay buddy?” she rubs his back and smiles.

“Lee” I call out, startling her.

She turns and her smile is replaced by a frown.

“Hear me out before you make a decision” I quickly say.

Aileen stands, her stance defiant.

“I know you're mad and my mother was unfair to say all those things about you.”

She opens her mouth to protest, but I interrupt.

“I know, Lee. I know I could have said something to defend you but I just stood there worrying about creating a scene to stop her from going that far and for that, I'm sorry” I say, my voice quiet and sincere.

She blinks twice.

“You're an amazing person Aileen. And you've got an equally amazing heart and a real personality to match. And it was shitty of me to drag you into this and not defend you from the likes of my mother. So I'm sorry. And even after all the commotion out there...” I turn my head in the direction of the party, “... you're still here. Not many people can stomach this kind of treatment but... you're still here. So, thank you and again, I'm sorry.”

Aileen folds her arms.

“I think I liked you better when you couldn't say the words, “I'm sorry”, Armani. I hate how you're throwing it around now like it's not an issue to you.”

“You deserving a real apology had been long overdue, Lee.”

She nods and smiles a little at me. 

“Do you forgive me? Or you wanna bail?”

She rolls her eyes with a smile.

“I'm still here aren't I?”

I chuckle.

“That you are.”

Sirius rubs against her and I smile.

“He likes you, you know?”

“He's got better taste than a lot of people I know” Lee laughs.

I laugh along. Then she stops and chews on her lip thoughtfully.

“Hey, Armani? I have a question.”

Please don't ask me about Pamela.

“Yeah sure” I fold my arms.

“Am I really that unlikable?”

Her question makes me laugh and she opens her mouth, ready to argue with me but I raise a finger, “I'm not laughing at you, Lee.”

She clamps it shut.

“I'm laughing at the question because it's ridiculous. You're the most likable person I've ever met it's so annoying sometimes” I confess.

Because a part of me doesn't wanna share your laugh with anyone else.

“My mother is just being my mother, Lee. Sirius knows a lot of the people out there yet none of them have been able to build such a strong connection with him in less than three hours of meeting him for the first time. It took years for me to get the forelimbs press but you got it less than a minute of meeting him. And that should tell you just how damn likable you are” I say softly. “Just ignore my mother's ways along with everyone else's. And do me a favor and never question yourself like that again, okay Lee?”

Aileen's eyes pop a bit as her mouth forms an O.

“Oh my God, I hate this human side of you, Armani. Can you please switch back to being a robot?”

I huff out a laugh, my eyes drawn to the O of her perfectly shaped lips.

“Noted. And I mean every word I just said” I smile.

“Thanks” she smiles back.

“And I was thinking, maybe tomorrow... if you want, we could take Sirius to the park, and on our way back we could stop and get ice cream from Freezy Queen.”

Aileen's eyes quickly leave Sirius and meet mine.

“I might have asked Henry where your favorite ice cream place was growing up and he told me they moved from Idaho but I pulled some strings and I'll be more than glad to drive you to—”

I stop when I see Lee's glisten with tears.

“I'm going to ignore the fact that you're planning to bribe me into not cutting off your balls tonight by taking me to my favorite ice cream place ever, Armani” She chuckles and flings herself at me, her arms wrapping around my waist, the force shaking me off balance.

My hands grab onto her slender waist, mostly to steady both of us before we fall to the ground, but then, they linger.

“Thank you, thank you, thank you so much, Armani” she whispers happily, her words muffled against my shoulders, her arms tightening around my waist.

Christ, she smells incredible.

“You have no idea how hard I've tried to find out where they moved to. Seriously Reid, thank you.”

I smile.

“So...” I drew out slowly, “Are we okay?”

“Way to ruin the moment Benjamin,” she says softly as she gingerly draws back.

Her face is still shining with the joy I know she's feeling... her dimples digging deep into her cheeks, her smile wide and reaching her eyes.

Something flickers inside me, and that light that I saw at the end of the long tunnel, shines just a little bit brighter.

Is this what it feels like to make someone truly happy?

I couldn't remember the last time I'd been on the receiving end of such honest, unadulterated happiness.

Maybe it's not such a bad feeling after all.

I'm staring intently at her as these thoughts swirl through my head. Aileen gestures with her hands apologetically.

“I'm sorry about mauling you with the hug,” she says grinning sheepishly. “Don't worry, I'll try to hold myself back when I'm around you. I know you are not used to open displays of affection.”

I chuckle.

“You don't have to change yourself for me, Lee,” I say gruffly, taking my hands that were somehow still around her waist, and tucking them into my pockets.

She laughs in agreement.

“That's true. With the way Anika can't stand to see me with you, she'll be kicking Ethan to the curb in less than a month and then you won't ever have to see me again” she smiles, turning her attention back to Sirius.

The smile slips from my face as I watch her make baby noises at my dog.

Way to ruin the moment, Teresa.

The little light inside me flickers off, and I clear my throat.

“So you ready to go back?”

She shakes her head.

“No, but go ahead. I think I'll stay with Sirius for a little while longer.”

“If I go back to the party without you Anika and my mother are going to have a field day, Lee. C'mon, we can't let them win this.”

She sighs.

“Fine. I'll take Sirius back, go to the bathroom, and meet you there.”

“How about I take Sirius while you go to the bathroom? I'll wait for you so we can walk back to the party together” I smile.

She sighs dramatically.

“Fine. But only if you agree to let Sirius come with us to the house tonight.”

I hold up my hand and lay one across my chest.

“Scout's honor.”

She rolls her eyes with a smile.

“You were never a scout.”

I smile at her.

“Oh, and I have a little surprise for you back at home. Don't ask what it is. There's a reason it's called a surprise.”

✯✯✯✯✯✯

✿ Aileen's POV

I finish my business and wash my hands before stepping out of the bathroom. It's good I cleared the air with Armani. Sure I was being treated unfairly, but I was taking all the insults and humiliation for my family. Protecting my legacy was important.

And Armani giving me the apology I deserved made everything even more worth it.

I smile, looking around and wondering why I haven't gotten out of the house yet. But I must have walked too far because all of a sudden nothing looked vaguely familiar. I was lost. I'd clearly missed the first door on the left that led out of the house.

A long corridor stretches out in front of me and I'm sure I hear voices in the distance. So I move toward them. But as I get closer, the cold tone of the hushed mumble stops me dead in my tracks.

“But I'm worried for my cousin,” Clay sounds like he's spitting through his teeth. “I don't trust that girl. I don't trust this whole thing.”

Someone was pacing, their footsteps echoing around the marble room.

“I agree, it's concerning. But the girl seems to come from a decent family and—”

“That's not what I'm talking about, uncle.”

Eros Dalton!

“I mean getting engaged to someone we barely know anything about is one thing. But claiming to have dated for two years and Reid not mentioning his beloved Sirius to her ever is another thing. What kind of relationship doesn't involve asking each other if you're a dog or cat person? If they truly ever dated, that question should have come up once or twice. And when we went to their home, I didn't see a single dog accessory. No bed, no kennel, no dog bowl or kibble. And Reid is too attached to Sirius to leave him out of his new life. And considering how good Aileen is with dogs, she's not allergic enough for him to want to keep the dog away.”

Oh God.

“And for Pete's sake, they don't even look in love. They've barely looked at each other all night... traveled separately than together like a real couple.”

Eros hums his agreement, sounding like he's tapping a foot in agitation.

“I don't trust this whole thing. So I'm going back to watch them even closer now. I think something's going on and I'm going to snoop around. One of them is going to let something slip and then we'll sniff out their lie and figure out what's truly going on here.” Clayton says, the sound of knuckles clicking is disgusting and makes me cringe.

I think I hear Eros say something heated, but I can't make it out as I run back down the corridor in the direction from which I'd come.

I have to tell Armani.

Because it's time to give the performance of our lives.

✯✯✯✯✯✯

✿ Reid's POV

I start to wonder about Aileen.

“How long does it take that woman to pee?” I mutter, looking around for her.

I feel a hand touch my shoulder a few seconds later and when I turn, her face is mere inches from mine.

“Your father and Clayton are onto us.”

Her whisper is urgent and just as the words are out, Clayton re-enters the garden, his eyes falling on us. I hardly register what she's saying at first. Her smell was so enchanting and very distracting. A hint of mint hangs on her breath, her perfume spicy and her hair still smells like her Jasmine shampoo.

“Well, in that case, my darling fiancée” I smile and wrap my arm around her waist, pulling her closer. “We're going to have to give them a dance to remember.”

My body responds instantly to hers pressed against mine and a bolt of electricity shoots up my spine making all my muscles tense. I wasn't going to let this opportunity pass me by. We needed to look like a couple in love, and I was going to take full advantage of this moment.

I signal Oswald to get the DJ to change the music and smile at Aileen, pulling her closer until I’ve got her body flush against mine. She fits me perfectly.

“Shall we?”

“I'm already in position slowpoke” she teases.

She's already in position.

I tighten my grip on her and rest my hand on the curve of her back. The song changes, a spotlight falls on us, and Aileen and I begin to sway to the music she hums sweetly to.

I can’t remember the last time I found myself smiling, doing something this silly. I can’t remember the last time a woman actually made my heart race without being on her knees in front of me.

Aileen... she’s something special.

“God, we both can’t dance for shit,” Aileen says, laughing as I twirl her around.

She giggles when I pull her back to me, her arms moving to my neck.

“We? Speak for yourself, baby. I’m killing it,” I say, swaying my hips badly out of tune.

I hear people snicker and Aileen bursts out laughing. I chuckle and drop my forehead to hers, enjoying this moment with her.

When was the last time I laughed like this?

My hands move to her waist, and I pull her even closer until I’ve got every inch of her body flush against mine. She looks up at me, a sweet smile on her face. I look into her eyes, unable to shake the feeling of how much I’d seen these eyes, yet find them perfectly unique and mesmerizing each time.

✯✯✯✯✯✯

✿ Aileen's POV

“You're beautiful” Reid lets out, his voice softer than I've ever heard it, and his free hand reaching up and tucking a misbehaving strand of hair back behind my ear.

Oh God.

I smile and push away from him a little.

“Wow, you should consider a career in acting, Armani. I'm sure you could win an Oscar for all this.”

He takes a step closer to me, bridging the distance I just created.

“I'm not acting, Aileen. I think you're beautiful” his pupils dilate and a hungry smile parts his lips.

My heart pounds and I can't tell whether he's making it up or not.

His body language suggests he means it, but surely not...

I force the thought away.

“I doubt that, Armani. You date some of the most beautiful women in the world. Take Anika or even Pamela for example.”

He scoffs.

“You're not my usual type, I'll admit that. But you're by far the most beautiful and real woman I've ever held in my arms. And I love that.”

I open my mouth to argue, but he pulls me closer and my words are gone.

Oh my...

All logic abandons me and my body takes over as his smooth fingertips gently touch my face. I let out a tiny involuntary moan and Reid pulls away, probably realizing he had just tasted my virgin lips. I blink a swallow hard, trying to clear my fuzzy head.

Our eyes lock for what seems like ages and although no one speaks, a conversation passes between us.  One minute I don't like this guy, and the next I do... as a little more than friends.

There's nothing simple and logical about the situation and the feelings that are coursing through me. My eyes travel down to his slightly parted lips and I long to kiss them again.

“Aileen, I'm sorry” he mutters, mortified as he lets go of me. “I didn't mean to...”

Oh, what the hell.

“Don't stop” I cut him off.

He blinks.

“What?”

“I want this, Armani. Don't fucking stop now” I repeat.

My whole body shudders as Reid closes the distance between us and wraps one hand around the back of my neck. His fingers tighten, and his thumb traces my fluttering pulse point. The world shuts off as my fake fiancé leans in toward me, the expensive scent of him washing over me. 

My knees go weak, and Reid’s other arm wraps around my waist to stop me from falling. He re-positions me in front of him and leans forward, and our breaths mingle together. I close my eyes as his soft lips slam against mine.

A buzz that starts from my lips spreads through my body like a bushfire, and I’m lost in the feel of his lips pressed on mine. My arms lock themselves around his neck like a lifeline as I feel like I’m lost at sea, drowning in all the sensations consuming me. The press of his chest against me. The weight of his palm burns into the small of my back. The brush of his finger across my neck is so soft it seems reverent.

In that moment the agreement is forgotten as we're drunk on each other, so enthralled and wrapped up in the moment. Reid nips and sucks and my moans become hard to control even though most of them are swallowed by him. Fire is igniting between my thighs when I’m snapped out of the moment with a roar of applause. 

Reid’s lips press against mine one last time as if to brand me with his touch. His forehead touches mine, and the sweetness of the gesture has my heart threatening to beat itself straight out of my chest.

What is he doing? More specifically, why are you feeling this way?

I have officially lost it.

For some reason, this attraction to Reid isn’t child's play anymore. He kissed me. He freaking kissed me!

My first kiss.

“They bought it.”

I blink and focus on him.

“They actually bought it” his whisper feels like being doused in ice water.

Something about his comment causes a tight ball to form in my chest, growing until it consumes my heart.

His words shouldn’t hurt. This is a ruse after all, yet the ache refuses to abate.

Maybe because I bought it too.

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~the_atticwriter