Revenge In Repose (Valerie and Aiden) novel Chapter 53

Chapter 53

Aiden turned the doorknob. Darkness spilled in. At the center of the room stood light?” she asked, her voice unnervingly calm.

Valerie, her phone still glowing in her hand. “Whey didn’t you turn on in

He reached for the switch. Light poured in–and there she was, dressed to the nines.

Valerie’s heart was pounding like thunder. She forced a smile, trying to keep it casual. “How did you l know i was here?”

Aiden raised a brow but said nothing.

His gaze lingered on her pale complexion. He stepped closer, reached out to touch her face. “You don’t look well.”

Her hands flew to his, gripping him tightly as she murmured, “I just came here for some fresh air… It’s a bit cold, I might’ve caught a chill”

Aiden glanced toward the wide–open balcony doors. His eyes drifted lazily back to her. “You came out dressed like that? For some air?”

Without waiting for a reply, he started toward the

Valerie’s heart leapt into her throat. She stepped in front of him in a panic, placing both hands on his chest. “Don’t bother closing it, I was about to go out again.”

“Even so, it should be closed,” Aiden said, reaching for the door.

“I’ll do it,” Valerie cut in hastily, stepping forward and yanking the door shut with a loud slam.

The sharpness of her reaction startled even herself. Her body went rigid, and her pulse was wild.

Slowly, she turned around–and met Aiden’s deep, unreadable eyes.

Her chest tightened. Everything inside her braced itself.

She leaned into him, trying to soften her stance. “I’m really cold,” she whispered.

Her soft body pressed against his chest as she wrapped her arms around his waist, subtly pushing him back.

Aiden looked down at her, the tension in him seeming to ease. He hugged her back, voice low. “You’re stiff as a board.”

“Am I?” Valerie’s voice was a whisper.

She hugged him tighter and buried her face against him. “Maybe I’m just frozen. Can you hold me?”

Aiden’s eyes flicked back to the balcony. Beyond the glass, night had swallowed everything.

The wind whipped through the trees like restless ghosts.

He touched her arm. It was ice–cold, like she’d been pulled from a glacier.

He drew her closer. “You’re really that cold?”

“Mhm,” Valerie mumbled, smiling up at him sweetly as if nothing had happened. “How was your talk with my dad? Why’d you come out so soon?”

“Not great,” Aiden replied, his hand lifting to cup her chin. He leaned in with a smirk. “You’re more interesting than he is.”

She blinked, caught off guard by the sudden/shift–and then his lips claimed hers.

His kiss was laced with the aroma of coffee. Not just any coffee. Everett’s prized beans, the kind he never let anyone touch.

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Chapter 53

Alden kissed her slowly, deliberately, his thumb brushing along the delicate skin near her ear. Then his voice dipped, husky and sharp. That fron now who was he?”

Valerie’s stomach dropped. Her fingers clenched at his shirt instinctively. “What man?”

“The one in the hallway. Clinging to you,” Aiden said with a slow, almost amused smile. His eyes were deep and dangerous. “What, nervous alreadytor there… someone else?”

His tone was smooth, quiet, and disarmingly pleasant–like silk wrapped around a blade.

Valerie tightened her grip and looked away. “His name’s Micah. He lives nearby. We used to be… friends.”

“Friends,” Aiden echoed, savoring the word. “And then?”

“In junior year, he confessed. I didn’t like him, so I turned him down. He didn’t take it well–thought I was playing games with him. He’s been bitter ever since. What happened today isn’t the first time.”

“Oh?” Aiden’s tone cooled. “There were others?”

Valerie flinched, but quickly replied, “It’s in the past. Nothing ever really happened.”

He lifted her chin, voice calm but firm. “If you don’t tell me, I’ll find out anyway.”

There was a pause. Then Valerie exhaled. “It was winter break, senior year. He and another friend asked me out. I didn’t want to go, but he was drunk… cornered me in the street… tried to kiss me.”

Aiden’s face turned cold. “Did he succeed?”

“Of course not,” she said quickly. “Like I said, nothing happened. Another friend pulled him off me. He apologized over and over once he sobered up. I just… didn’t dare talk to him again after that.”

Aiden stared at her for a long moment. His thumb grazed her lips, almost playfully. “Seems like you can still tell right from wrong.”

His words danced at the edge of menace, cloaked in faint amusement.