“What other things?” I said softly and looked down at his belt. “Leather things?”
“Leather things?” His eyes caught mine, and I couldn’t read his expression. “Okay, I’m buying Park Avenue.” He changed the subject without continuing and I looked over at Liv, who was looking very confused. I really needed to talk to her about what Xander had told me. I knew it would be awkward for her to hear that her brother was a Dom, but my sanity was more important than her feeling awkward at this point.
“Get ready to pay me all of your money, bitches.” Aiden sounded gleeful, and Liv gasped.
“Is that any way to speak to women?” she said tartly. “Bitches? Really, Aiden?”
“No.” Aiden jumped up from the ground. “Sorry, girls, I got a bit carried away. My apologies to you two gentle damsels.”
“I’m no damsel,” I said and sipped some more water. “You don’t need to be gentle with me.”
“That’s good to know.” Aiden winked at me and studied my face for a few seconds. “Anyone want a beer or anything else from the kitchen?”
“I think I’ll come with you and grab a beer.” Xander jumped up as well. “Girls?”
“I’ll have a Blue Moon, please. And some chips.”
“I’ll have a Blue Moon as well,” Liv said. “And bring some more salsa out.”
“Anything else, ma’am?” Xander teased her, and she stuck her tongue out at him.
“Yes, some popcorn too,” she said as they exited the room. “Don’t forget the popcorn.”
“How could I forget the popcorn?” Xander looked at her from the door and then exited.
“What is going on?” Liv screeched as soon as they’d left the room.
“What are you talking about?” I said with a frown. “What do you mean, ‘what is going on?’”
“You and my brother are flirting.” She pointed a finger at me. “Master of the universe and damsel in distress?” She giggled as she studied my face. “What are you two going on about?”
“We’re not flirting.” I groaned. “I wish we were flirting. I wish he were interested in me.”
“Alice, trust me. Aiden is flirting.” She cocked her head to the side. “Why do I feel like there is something you haven’t told me?”
“Liv,” I whispered as I stared at the door. “You will not believe what I have to tell you.”
“Oh my God, what?” She leaned forward eagerly.“Xander told me …” My voice trailed off and I lowered my voice some more. “You cannot tell him I told you.”
“Oh my God, what did he tell you?” she said, her voice growing louder.
“Shhh, Liv!” I groaned. “Look, I don’t have time to tell you now, but I will tell you later.”
“You’re killing me.” She made a face. “I want to know now.”
“I seriously can’t tell you now,” I said, and Liv frowned.
“Give me a clue, at least. You can’t just leave me hanging.”
“I’m not leaving you hanging,” I said and then leaned forward. “Let me just say that Aiden likes to be in control.”
“Huh?” Liv looked confused. “What does that mean?” Her eyes searched mine. “What do you mean he likes to be in control?”
“I mean he likes to be in control.” I emphasized the last word and widened my eyes. I moved my hand back and forth in a quick slapping motion, but I could tell that Liv had no idea what I was acting out. The look on her face was one of deep confusion.
“Okay, here are the beers.” Aiden walked into the living room then, and I blushed as I took the beer. Every time I looked at Aiden now, all I could think about was him spanking me or bossing me around in the bedroom. Unfortunately, I had no real clue what went on in a Dominant/submissive relationship, so I knew I was going to have to do some research if I was hoping to get him to believe that I was interested in being a part of that lifestyle.
“So who’s up now?” Aiden said as he sat down and handed me a bowl of chips.
“Liv,” I said with a smile, and we both turned to Liv who was busy kissing Xander. “You’re up, Liv.”
“Oh, sorry,” she said with a small smile as she played with Xander’s hair. I looked at the board and smiled to myself as we waited for her to play.
“Reminds me of old times,” Aiden said softly, and I looked up at him with a small smile.
“Oh?” I said just as softly.
“Liv being preoccupied with a boy and us having to wait,” he said and reached over to grab some chips. “Do you remember that night we played by ourselves?”
“I do,” I said quietly, surprised he had remembered. “I was thirteen and you were eighteen,” I said with a laugh. “And it was Valentine’s Day.”
“Yup.” He nodded. “And you were so upset because Liv spent the whole night chatting to her friend on the phone.”
“What friend?” Xander frowned, and Liv giggled as she punched him in the shoulder.
“I was thirteen.” She shook her head. “His name was Lucas Johnson, and he was fourteen, and I thought we were going to get married and live happily ever after.”
“Hmph,” Xander said, and I smiled at his slightly jealous expression.