29.

Lily's POV

Both of his hands were on each side of the door frame. My eyes roamed over his body, taking in the ridges of his biceps, the hard lines of his face, the long, smooth expanse of his neck, the long, obsidian-black hair that seemed to tickle his neck and face.

My throat immediately went dry, as I felt the wetness between my legs again.

I folded my legs, feeling a delicious sensation as my naked inner thighs rubbed against each other. "I was merely keeping Cook company."

Aiden Blackwood glanced at the elderly woman, then back at me. "I am pretty sure Cook can handle the kitchen on her own, quite alright."

"I guess—"

"You shouldn't be in all that smoke." He continued, as though he hadn't heard me. "Let's go to the dining room."

Mutely, I stood from the chair, allowing him to steer me out of the kitchen by the elbow, following closely behind me. As his hand touched my elbow, I felt a sudden jolt, remembering how he'd kicked my hand away when I tried to touch him.

Quickly, I pulle