Hate at First Sight Read Free Page A

fan.”
    “Don’t worry, I promise to bring her back, safe and sound.”
     
    I finished my tea and went outside to wait for Megan. Owen knew that I liked speed, but this time I was going to drive as slow as possible. I couldn’t but admit that the idea of spending some time alone with Megan was thrilling.
    She showed up fifteen minutes later, wearing her usual annoyed expression, half-hidden under the broad-brimmed hat and dark glasses. A perfect camouflage.
    “What?” she asked, opening the door on the passenger’s side.
    I shook my head, getting in. “Nothing.”
    “I can’t believe they made me go with you,” Megan muttered, trying to fasten the safety belt.
    “Shall I help you?” I asked, watching her struggle with the thing.
    “Yes, please.”
    I moved closer, and Megan froze, as if she was afraid of me throwing myself at her. Well, not that I didn’t think about that. It wasn’t easy to keep calm being so close to the girl that smelled like honey and strawberries that I was dying to taste from every inch of her skin. I could feel the warmth of her breathing tickling my cheek; all of my instincts were on alert.
    “Here you go,” I said, fastening the belt. Our faces were still too close to think about anything, except kissing those inviting lips of hers.
    “Thanks,” she said quietly. I couldn’t see her eyes, but I knew that even through the glasses they were watching me cautiously.
    Breathing suddenly felt painful, as if I had the wind knocked out of me. I cleared my throat and started the engine. Out of the corner of my eye I noticed Megan expiring. It was good to know that I wasn’t the only one who felt uncomfortable.
    “So tell me, how do you like living in a big city?” I asked, trying to ease the tension. Not that it helped me gain control over my body that was on fire. Get a damn grip on yourself, dude!
    “London is a perfect place for someone like me. I can be myself there, and no one will care if I leave home in my PJs or forget to do my hair. It’s a paradise of freedom.”
    “So that is why you don’t like Axbridge? Everyone knows you here. Everyone pays attention to every single detail of your appearance.”
    “Actually … I always liked my hometown.”
    “Then why did you leave?”
    “I had my reasons.”
    I looked at Megan, waiting for an explanation, but none followed. “I see.” I nodded. “Then there should be some guy guilty of your escape.”
    “Why don’t you watch the road, Smarty?”
    “Whatever you say, Dear.”

Chapter 3
Megan
     
    The day couldn’t have been worse.
    My family hadn’t seen me for years, and when I finally showed up at home, no one even cared to meet me! Then I found out about a very interesting guest staying at our house, and according to my beloved brother, I was supposed to entertain him during the next seven days. And now I’m stuck in a car, driven by the very cutie that seems to be really enjoying pissing me off. If he thought I was going to make up his list of chickadees, he was so wrong about me.
    I kept a watchful eye on Mr. Perfect: face shaved, light-blue shirt, outlining every muscle of his chest and arms, well-chosen cologne — a mixture of wood, tobacco and spices.
    I sighed irritably and turned back to the window. I was a little nervous. Not because of the damn good smell of his cologne enveloping me like a soft, silky sheet, but because of the way Aiden made me feel — insecure….
    And I wasn’t used to being insecure. No one had ever made me question my self esteem. I always knew what I wanted, and I always knew how to get it.
    But everything was different today. Aiden’s gray-blue eyes seemed to be looking straight through me and into the depths of me that no one had ever seen. I had to choose my words deliberately and think about my every move. It felt like he noticed every breath I took.
    Even now I could feel his eyes on me. Though I didn’t dare look at him, knowing that I would see nothing but a mysterious