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“Brian. I was too busy saving myself,” he admitted, avoiding looking her in the eyes.
Sienna’s eyes widened because she completely forgot about her bodyguard. It made perfect sense that he’d be observing her actions and knew exactly the moment she’d done something stupid and needed saving. He came through and did his job with flying colors, protecting her even from herself. Her cheeks burned at the memory of her stupidity.
“Where is he now?” she asked and looked around, trying to find him.
“Returned to the shadows as always,” Aiden replied with a shrug and if Sienna hadn’t been watching him, she would’ve missed the eye roll.
“Jealous much?” she teased.
“Don’t mistake jealousy for annoyance. We shouldn’t be in this situation in the first place. Never in my whole life have I been subjected to something so stupid.”
“Oh, yeah? Well, you should go out and live more.”
“Live more? Almost dying isn’t living.”
“Neither is hiding behind your daddy’s back,” Sienna said, but regretted it as soon as she saw the flicker of hurt on Aiden’s face.
“Whatever,” he muttered, got up, and left to the other side of the deck to mix with other people.
Sienna wanted to call after him, but she didn’t want to bring more attention to herself. She wasn’t alone long because as soon as Aiden was gone, Claudia, Rachel, and Monica joined her.
“Well done,” Claudia congratulated her, eyeing Aiden’s exposed chest. “You can count on our support.”
Sienna forced a smile on her face, then followed her gaze. The veins on Aiden’s arms were visible, further highlighting the definition of his muscles. With every breath he took, his chest expanded, moving his pectorals. Looking at the stray drops of water sliding down his bare skin toward his abdomen and his defined V-line was a hypnotizing sight. Sienna and her companions weren’t the only ones enjoying it.
Sienna’s gut clenched when Aiden was joined by the girls their age who started flirting with him. The worst part was that he was flirting back and giving them one of his brilliant smiles—that she loved so much—whenever they touched his biceps. He flexed his muscles for them, and they started giggling like lovesick teenagers. Sienna’s stomach started turning, its contents threatening to make an appearance.
“Honey, if you don’t go up to him and mark your territory, I guarantee you that one of them will take him home. You don’t want to let a stud like him go without a fight,” Rachel told her, with Monica and Claudia nodding in agreement.
“You’re right,” Sienna agreed and narrowed her eyes at Aiden’s fan club.
She finished drying herself off with the towel, then adjusted her dress and somewhat fixed her hair with the help of her new acquaintances. Claudia smacked her lips, looking her over once again before giving her a thumbs up. Sienna was ready to crush them. It was time to let out the Ryder in her.
As she approached Aiden, she didn’t hesitate to push the members of his fan club to the side to make way. She ignored the nasty side eye some of them gave her and focused her attention on the shirtless Carrington heir.
“Aiden,” Sienna said his name with a hint of possessiveness she didn’t know she was capable of.
He turned his head to her and lifted his brow but remained silent. One of the girls let out an annoyed sigh.
“I need to talk to you,” Sienna said, then added when no one moved, “Alone.”
Aiden rolled his eyes but turned to the girls. “I’m sorry, ladies, but I’m afraid I have some work to do.”
“Will you find us later?” another one asked him.
“I’ll do my best,” he said and gave her one of his irresistible smiles.
Sienna did her best not to trip them as they went past her. She made a mental note to keep an eye on them as they didn’t look too happy that she stole Aiden away from them.
“What do you want?” Aiden asked as he turned to her at last.
“I wanted to apologize,” Sienna told him, looking in his eyes, trying to convey how sorry she was. “It was irresponsible of me to do what I did. I didn’t only risk my life but yours as well. I want you to know that I never ever wanted anything bad to happen to you. I love you.”
Sienna fell silent, her eyes widening at the slip up. She hoped Aiden didn’t notice it or if he did, that he wouldn’t pay too much attention to it. To her surprise, he stepped forward, opened his arms, and pulled her against him. Sienna closed her eyes as she rested her cheek against the warm skin of his expanding chest. She was safe in his arms, knowing that he would use his muscles only to protect her.
“I love you too,” he whispered into her hair, low enough that they could pretend nothing was said.
Sienna’s heart warmed at the thought of her Carrington heirs. They used to be trouble, but now they were the only people who brought her peace and happiness. She loved them with everything she had, and she would give her life to protect them.
