The Girl He Craves

Sophie’s pov
“Loosen up Sophie. You’re as stiff as a rock.” Aiden whispered beside my ear, his lips tickling my skin.
His hands run down the small of my back, his warmth seeping through and relaxing me as we walked to our table.
I sighed in relief when we finally took our seats but I prayed that maybe, just maybe all these rich fancy people would stop staring
at us like we were the most fascinating thing they’ve seen in a while.
The stares literally burned through me when they saw Aiden pulling the chair back for me to sit. And when I fixed that chair and
he stayed beside me for longer than necessary, their stares had turned hotter.
“Seriously you could have brought me to any fast food place. I’d be happy to eat oily fries and a cheesy burger.” I grumble as I
darted my eyes around as slick as I could.
“Those fast food places aren’t good enough for you. You deserve the best,” He grinned. My stomach knotted.
Smooth.
I stared at him across the table. This feels intimate. Just us two having lunch in a fancy restaurant.
It almost looks like we were on a date. That must be why everyone could not stop looking our way.
Or perhaps it was the shock to see the young bachelor with a woman who looked like she swam in the sewer.
Aiden seems to be staring at me deeply too. It’s quite nerve- wracking actually.
I needed to distract him before the waiter arrives. Because obviously if he keeps staring at me like I was the meal, I was not sure
I can handle myself. Or my feelings.
“So you have a photo of me in one of your penthouses?” I asked in curiosity.
Honestly, I had been dying to ask him this question the moment his grandfather confirmed it.
Aiden started hacking out a cough.
I looked at him in concern.

“Are you okay?” I asked as I watch him block his mouth. His face was heating up with a blush.
“Yes,” Cough. “I’m fine.”
He clears his throat, looking a bit flustered. “No, I actually don’t. Sergio doesn’t have a great memory, so I knew exactly what to
tell him to get him off my back.”
I’m a little disappointed. “Oh,” I whispered, my shoulders sagging in displeasure.
He clears his throat and I suppose was about to say something else but the waiter comes over to hand us the menu politely.
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“I will come back to get your orders in five minutes Mr. Xavier.
”
He said and left seconds after. When he does, my attention goes back to Aiden.
I still had no idea why he could not have just told Sergio he didn’t want to get married. Why would he go through so much trouble
to try to convince his grandfather I was his fiance?
He was a grown man, he could say no. Couldn’t he?
Unless his grandfather was threatening him with something he couldn’t win over?
Aiden notices my curious gaze and he lifted a brow
questioningly. “Why do I feel like you’re about to go nancy drew right now?”
“Why did you not just say no?” I asked him, stunning him for a few moments before he regains his composure.
He opens his mouth to speak but I cut in before he could get a word in.
“And don’t think about lying Aiden. Tell me the truth.” I warned, eyes narrowing on his face.
Maybe it was time I listen to him without judging right away.

Sure him telling his grandfather and then telling that interviewer woman that we were engaged was absurd with him not giving
me a warning beforehand or at least my permission.
But perhaps Aiden had his reasons and it was time I hear them out.
He is silent for a few, staring at me intently before he sighs and starts.” Sergio is threatening to get me back into jail if I don’t get
married and settle down before the year ends.”
He says the words with a bitterness that shocked me.
I gasped, eyes widening slightly. Was it that serious for Aiden to get married? So serious that he had to hang the jail card over
Aiden’s head?
“Bu-t he can’t do th-at can he?” I stuttered out in a rush of emotions. The main one was fright.
Even though I didn’t trust Aiden yet, it was clear he loved his son and it took only a couple of days for me to see that. Ashton just
got to know his dad, he wasn’t ready to lose him....and neither did I.
It took a lot for me to admit but I didn’t want to lose Aiden.
Aiden looked at me across the table, his features void of
emotion as he shakes his head. “I’m afraid he can. He’s the
one who pulled the strings to get me out, he’s the one who can pull them again and get me back in.”
“Aiden...” I drawled out in a disbelief whisper.
Sergio wasn’t that serious about getting him back into jail right? That would be crazy if he did.
Would he willingly get his grandson back into jail if he didn’t get married?
Aiden shook his head. “He did the same thing to my mother. Trying to force her into a marriage with the son of his business
partner to build a bridge between the two
companies. This is nothing new. The only difference between my mother and me is that he didn’t have anything over her head.
But he has for me and he will use it.”

I have no idea what to say or think. This was mindblowing to think about one’s grandfather stooping this low but then again, with
the way the two treated each other in the office earlier, it shows how cold he was to Aiden.
I suppose Aiden treating him just as coldly made sense now.
“I’m sorry Aiden,” I felt like I needed to apologize.
I was a bit part of the reason why he was being threatened with jail time. If I hadn’t meddled with Carson just to spite him, Carson
would have still been here today. And Aiden would not have been in jail.
“What are you sorry for? You’re not the one with an a**ole grandfather who thinks he can rule anyone’s life.” He snorted.
I sent him a pity stare and he didn’t seem to like it. “No don’t give me that look. The last thing I need from you is pity, Sophie. All I
need is for you to agree to be my fake fiance.”