Aidan reached down and one-handedly lifted the boy up to his shoulder. “That is because she liked my kisses and is a bit flustered. We will have to forgive her this time.”
“Oh, I see how it’s going to be.” Alexandria glared at the two of them, but her dimple appeared despite her best effort at ferocity. “You guys are planning to gang up on me.”
They looked at each other, exchanging a smile. “Yes,” they said at the same time.
Alexandria felt her heart turn over. Joshua had never had anyone but her to watch over him. He had never trusted anyone else, never looked up to anyone else. She couldn’t help but be happy that Aidan was taking such an interest in him. Aidan was stealing her heart with his gentleness. Joshua was her world. She could see Aidan’s genuine affection for the boy, could see that they were developing a real rapport. And she felt tears welling up in her eyes at the sight of the two of them together.
“Come on, big fellow, we need to get you some breakfast. Mr. Ivan left wearing his food on his clothes, the man’s so clumsy. You should have seen him,” Aidan informed the boy.
Joshua giggled. “He spilled his food?”
Aidan glided easily toward the kitchen, as if Joshua’s added weight was incidental. “He was a complete fool. Even Alexandria had a difficult time trying not to laugh, not that she would admit it. She pretends she likes him,” he whispered, knowing perfectly well she could hear his every word.
Alexandria trailed along after them, uncertain whether Aidan needed another kick in the shins or whether she should just act dignified and ignore him. It was a difficult choice.
I can read your mind.His voice in her mind was like a physical caress.
Her eyes flashed fire at him. She wouldkick him, the first chance she got. He knew exactly how he affected her, the cad. Thousand-year-old playboy. Hound dog. Swine. He deserved to be kicked. Hard.
“I never spill my food, Aidan,” Joshua confided solemnly. “At least not anymore. When I was baby I did.”
“Sisters do not have the same effect on their brothers as they do on grown men. Believe me, Alexandria could make me spill my food.”
Joshua shook his blond curls. “No way, Aidan.”
“It is true, Joshua. I do not want to admit it, but she definitely could. Scary, is it not, the effect women have on men?”
“Why? She’s just a girl.” He rubbed his nose and grinned at his sister. “And she’s always telling us what to do.”
“Right now, I’m going to tell you to eat your breakfast and get ready for school.” Alexandria aimed to sound tough, though she was trying not to laugh. Joshua was far too precocious for his own good. “I’ll walk you.”
Aidan turned slowly and regarded her with his steady golden gaze. Alexandria ignored him, all too aware that he objected to her going out. But she was determined to be assertive. She was not going to change her entire life because of him. The more she allowed Aidan to convince her of things she could and couldn’t do, the more she was drawn into his world.
“I’m going,” she reiterated firmly.
“You think,” he said softly, lowering Joshua to his feet. He ruffled the boy’s silky curls. “Someone has to take care of you. Joshua and I are determined to look after you whether you like it or not.”
Joshua grinned up at her, innocent, boyish, unaware of any undercurrents. “Because you’re sick, Alex. You know, like you always take care of me when I’m sick.” He slid into a high-backed oak chair. “Once I was really, really sick, and she never left me, even to go to sleep. I remember that, Alex.”
“You had pneumonia,” she affirmed softly, reaching down to touch his shoulder affectionately.
There was such tenderness in her expression, Aidan turned away to prevent himself from pulling her into his arms. She was struggling to stay human, and he really couldn’t blame her for it. Her entire world had been turned upside down. For someone who viewed him as a fictional creature, the legendary, horrifying vampire, she was doing quite well.
“Marie cooked pancakes this morning,” Joshua said. “I told her I wanted them because they’re your favorite. She made funny faces out of them.”
The blow was almost physical, a punch in the gut. Alexandria’s paled, and she suddenly found herself examining the immaculate kitchen floor. Everything reminded her of the terrible price she paid for remaining alive. There had to be a way to change back. If a vampire or a... a Carpathian could bring her across, then modern medicine must have an antidote. She would secretly do research, find a way to take care of Joshua by herself, without the help of Marie or Stefan, and certainly without Aidan. He was becoming far too indispensable for her liking.
She sensed his golden eyes on her, knew he was watching her closely, could feel the exact moment when his mind reached out to hers. She deliberately resisted, wanting to exert her independence.
His laughter was soft and taunting. “Are you going to wear shoes when we take Joshua to school, or do you plan to escort him barefoot?” he asked softly, unconcerned with her defiance.
“I don’t think you need to come, Aidan. I’m quite capable of taking Josh to school all by myself. You have to remember, I’ve been doing it for some time now.”
He reached out and tugged a lock of her hair. “True, piccola, but that is not the point. I had to research the school very quickly, and while Stefan checked it out for me, I really have not had a chance to evaluate it for myself. This will be a good opportunity to do so.”
“You’re guarding me.” She made it an accusation.
He shrugged lazily. He saw no reason to deny it. “That, too.”
She flashed him a resentful look. All at once tears were burning behind her eyes, and that only made her more angry. “I don’t need a guard.”
“I know better.”
She caught him by the arm. “Joshua, hurry and finish your breakfast, then brush your teeth. Aidan and I are going to talk. Come into the living room when you’re ready to leave.”
“Okay, Alex,” Joshua replied.
Though her small fingers wrapped barely halfway around his powerful wrist, she dragged Aidan out of the kitchen. “You can’t keep me prisoner, Aidan. And I know you aren’t guarding me to keep me safe. What’s out there that would hurt me? You said yourself vampires can’t be out past the dawn. I can go with Joshua alone.”
“You have no idea what you are facing. The light, even the early-morning light, will hurt your eyes, and the sun will burn your skin. You will have to wear especially dark glasses and get used to the sun gradually. As your lifemate, I am responsible for your health and safety, and I must protect you at all times, even from yourself. If you wish to accompany Joshua to his school, than I will go also.”
“You’re making certain I return. Your coming with us has nothing to do with Joshua’s school or my safety. You think I’m going to take Josh and run for the nearest airport. If I had any brains at all, I would. You can just stay here, Aidan, and let me take care of my brother. I’ve been doing it for years.” Her blue eyes were flashing at him, fiery with determination and defiance.
Aidan allowed a slow, masculine smile of amusement to soften his mouth. “And a very good job you have done, Alexandria. Joshua is a fine boy. He has stolen the hearts of all of us who reside here. But I would be remiss in not escorting the boy at least once to his new school. Apparently he has had problems in the past with a bully or two, and he made it clear that a show of force could be very helpful in establishing better relationships. I will have Stefan bring the limo around.”
“You aren’t listening to me, Aidan.” But he had successfully defused her anger. She wanted Joshua to be happy. She had been only too aware of his troubles at the old school. If he wanted the big car and a few big adults around to back him up and make a strong first impression, then who was she to deny him?