Page 15 of Jain

"I'll have you know I don't do fuck buddies," I informed him as I reached the bus stop.

Six minutes until my bus arrived.

"I haven't offered to be your fuck buddy," he pointed out before falling silent. "But now that you mention it..."

"Arden, no. It's going to be a no every time you ask me. I'm not like that."

"I know. So, my next question is, will you come out with me tonight?"

I frowned before answering him.

"As in, on a date?"

"Yup. Anywhere you want, up to and including the value of ten English pounds."

I burst out laughing as he chuckled down the phone to me.

"Fine. But don't assume I'm fucking you because we're going on one date—" I said before he interrupted me.

"Have you got sex on the brain? Only I've not mentioned it."

He continued to tease me until I agreed to meet him later that evening at a café not far from the two of us.

I hoped I could show some restraint.

Chapter Seven

“So, the bill is seventeen pounds. Did your ten pounds cover per head, or just for you?” I teased while whipping a ten-pound note from my purse.

“Pfft. Put it away. I’ve got this. I know how to treat a woman.”

Arden winked at me before dropping twenty-five on the table.

“Big tipper.” I whistled as he shrugged his jacket on, standing up and turning to me.

“Ready?”

I nodded before joining him.

We walked to the door, and I felt a tingle of pride when the girls eyed me enviously. When we got outside, I wondered if it would be awkward, but I didn’t think that word existed in his vocabulary.

Arden draped his arm around my shoulders before tugging me close to him.

What was it with these men and smelling divine?

“So, what’s the deal with you and Owen?” he asked as we walked towards the bus stop.

“No deal.” I sighed, and he pulled me towards him as he sat on the half wall beside us.

“Why does he look at you like you’re his favourite toy?”

I shrugged, but he didn’t seem to notice.

“I don’t care what he thinks, to be honest. I think you should reconsider going home with me. We get on, have great conversation...” Arden began to kiss my neck softly as his fingers slid to my waist. His mouth found mine, and I kissed him, hoping it wouldn’t be as good as before.

But it was.

This time he was softer, yet still urgent. It seemed like I was kissing him more forcefully, and he liked that.