Page 192 of Steel Princess (Royal Elite 2)

Steel.

He’s writing and re-writing my last name on my back. Is that what he’s been writing all this time?

Tears rush to my eyes and I close them, biting my lower lip.

He releases me and I remain in place, slightly hiding my head in the sheets.

Aiden’s heat leaves my back. The mattress moves as he stands.

“Come on, sweetheart. Wake up,” his voice is wide awake as if he didn’t sleep the entire night — and maybe he didn’t.

I slowly peel my head from the sheets and turn to face him.

He’s smiling down at me with a warm spark. “Happy birthday, sweetheart.”

I swallow the lump in my throat. A thousand words and apologies fight to be set free, but I have nothing to say.

How could he wish me a happy birthday after everything?

Hell. Even I forgot that it’s my birthday.

“Meet me downstairs.”

He doesn’t wait before he walks out of the door.

I watch him with a crushing ache in my chest.

It’s too much.

This pain. This burn.

I place a hand over my scar and dig my nails into the flesh.

It hurts, dammit.

Why did it have to be like this?

After freshening up, I take the steps downstairs slowly as if I’m afraid something will jump me.

; I find Aiden putting on his jacket. Upon seeing me, he yanks another Elites Jacket from the sofa and drapes it over my shoulders. The thing swallows me whole, but it smells like him. Clean and warm.

He pulls my band and ruffles my hair, letting it fall loose on either side of my shoulders.

“Hmm. My number looks good on you, sweetheart.” He tilts his head to the side. “But you know what will be better? If you wore it to watch one of my games.”

I stare at him, not knowing what to say. Is he pretending that everything is okay?

No idea how he does that. It must be because of his freedom and assertiveness.

For today, just today, I also want to be free, too. I want to pretend that everything is okay and I’m with Aiden despite the darkness from the past.

It’s my birthday after all.

I grin up at him. “I’m still not persuaded.”

“I’ll come up with something.” He interlaces his hand in mine. “Come on.”