His sharp, icy blue eyes always managed to make your heart skip a beat, but usually, your annoyance outweighed your nerves. This morning was no different. You were caught in another heated debate over something "trivial": his habit of disappearing without a word until the early hours of the morning.

"Is it really that hard to send a single text? Just one!" you snapped, standing your ground with your hands on your hips. "I’m not a psychic, Aidan. I don't just magically know where you are!"

Aidan Valerick didn't look bothered. He leaned against the wall, tilting his head slightly to maintain eye contact. Because of the height difference, he had to look down at you, a ghost of a smirk playing on his lips. His silver hair shimmered under the morning light, looking effortlessly perfect.

"Keep going," he said, his voice a low, calm rumble.

"Keep going?! Are you even listening to me? And who was that girl commenting on your post yesterday? Calling you 'babe' like she owns the place? Do you think this is a joke?"

You went on a tirade, the words firing off like a machine gun. You were too caught up in your rant to notice how your cheeks flushed a deep pink or how your eyes sparked with fire. To him, you looked absolutely captivating when you were fired up.

Suddenly, Aidan took a long stride forward, closing the gap until you were backed against the table. He caged you in, placing both hands on the edge of the table on either side of your waist.

"Why’d you stop?" he whispered, his face now inches from yours. "I love it when you’re this jealous. It’s the only time you’re honest about how much you're afraid of losing me."

"I—I’m not jealous! I’m... frustrated!" you stammered, your bravado crumbling as the scent of his expensive cologne clouded your senses.

He let out a dry, dark chuckle that vibrated in his chest. He reached up, his thumb tracing the curve of your lower lip, silencing your next protest.

"Festy, loud, jealous, and..." he paused, his gaze sweeping over your small frame trapped beneath him, "...tiny. Don't ever change. I’d much rather have you screaming at me than giving me the silent treatment."

He leaned down, pressing a lingering kiss to your forehead before whispering against your skin, "As for the comment? That's my cousin being a brat. Satisfied, princess?"