I lay my cards on the table. I want to know if I'm not in an exclusive relationship. I've heard many rumours, but the one about that Brighid chick seemed so authentic.

"You really think I'm cheating on you?"

"You really expect me to believe that you, Aden Arrington, don't go around-?"

"Don't finish that." He stops me with a finger on my lips. "I'm faithful to you, McKay. I promise."

"It's not that I'm insecure. I'm trying to be realistic." I squirm, feeling embarrassed.

"I understand, but I promise you there's no one else."

Then why do I have this sick feeling that that Youtuber is more than a friend to him?

"I don't know that I believe you can suddenly switch from playboy to faithful in-"

"Yes, I had my fun back in the day when Lune Quartz had just been assembled, but it was a phase. I'd been celibate for over a year when I met you."

I eye him with suspicion. Now he's pretending that that girl doesn't exist?

"So, you're used to taking care of yourself?"

"More than used to it."

An invisible weight slips off my shoulders. I might have a phantom boyfriend, but at least he's faithful - well, that's what he claims.

But how much can I care about that here, so close to him? How can I ignore who I know him to be when he hasn't ever pointed out my scars or even so much as demanded one kiss from me? Why wouldn't he ask me otherwise?

"Aden, I know we haven't discussed this yet, but I noticed you haven't asked me to kiss you on the lips."

He kicks a few rocks on the cemented floor.

"I just figured you'll let me know when you want it." He approaches me in the night. "I'm in no rush, Princess. I know that when you're ready. You'll give me everything."

My skin heats at the way he says everything.

"And in the meantime, I get to do this."

He licentiously licks then nips my ear. My eyelids flutter then close at the zing that is sent up and down my spine from his attentions. Locked between the hot and cold of the night and the boy stroking my longing, I stutter.

"You never asked me to kiss you."

Aden immediately steps forward and takes my face in his palms, the frostiness of his rings raising goose-bumps inside my sweater.

"Kiss me, Princess. I promise only you can."

I kiss the spot sweetly. Aden wastes no time in straightening me to suck on the sensitive skin at the top of my breasts, locking two fisted arms around my waist and carrying me.

I continue to treat myself to the lusciousness of his kisses as he backs me up until he can set me down on one of the crates.

He then walks into the small space between my thighs, spreading them in the process and pulls me forward until my pelvis is lined up with the zipper of his skinny jeans.

"And I'm the only one who can do this?"

I rub myself against the material, unashamedly looking in his eyes. He nods, breathing loudly.

"And this?"

I press harder. He groans and I can't help closing my eyes as the pleasure builds. I love the way he ignites my sensuality. He's the only guy to ever get my body to react like this and I am more than pleased with that. He is so sexy, and his kisses are so leisurely, it's easy to find myself lost in the experience that is Aden.

His hands slither into the fabric of my sweater and lift it to grip my waist. The rough tracing of his thumbs and the icy contrast of his rings make me dizzy with desire and inundate me with sensation. I move our bodies apart eventually, needing to catch the breath that he stole.

"Hey, Princess?"

I nod slowly.

"Look, don't take this the wrong way. I'm a fan of large hoodies and cargo pants as much as the next guy but..."

He looks pointedly at my outfit. I roll my eyes.

"These aren't even cargo pants."

"Might as well be," he shrugs, smiling.

He moves away so that I miss when I try to bump his shoulder.

"I didn't think I needed to impress you."

"It's hard to feel around all of that."

"Stop treasure hunting then." I smirk.

His hands leave the crate in favour of the top of my ass.

"But the bounty is so tempting."

"I had a brilliant idea actually; that is, if you're even present to hear it." I say, watching him study my smiling lips.

"We should exchange things, when we can."

"What does that mean?" his brows furrow, but his focus remains unilateral.

"It isn't about what it means more so than what it enhances. The thing is, if we lived near each other, we would have each other's things."

"Like a hoodie or a bracelet?"

"Or a ring."

I do want one of his.

"That is a phenomenon."

Odd choice of words, but okay.

"This is one of my favourites. I probably would have forgotten it at your house by now."

I take off my blue sweater and give it to him.

"I like treasure hunting."

He takes in the generous cleavage exposed by the deep V of my dark green tank top.

"Aden Arrington!" I giggle, my indignation more tongue in cheek.

"Well, I suppose I should give you something of mine then."

"You're here for two days. It's only fair that we exchange something every day."

"You, Princess, have a deal on your hands."

We go back to the bus and soon arrive at the four bunk beds. Nathan's on the phone with someone and Callisto's asleep. I don't even wonder where Jude is since Danatha's nowhere to be seen either.

Aden sits me on his bottom bunk bed, pulls a thick grey woolly jersey over his head before pulling me onto the mattress with him.

"I hope your family is alright." he says.

"They are." I cede only to regret it seconds later when Aden continues.

"Did you see Oliver?"

"I didn't see anything I want to talk about."

I push Oliver and all his appended drama to the back of my mind.

"You can tell me any of it." I think my face communicates that I remain unconvinced because he continues. "I'm here to listen to you if ever you want to say anything."

I don't want to say anything; that's the point. I do my best to not upset him by saying something that will completely distract him from my outright refusal to cooperate.

"All I want to say is that I adore lying on you."

I can tell he's suspicious, but he drops it. The rest of the evening is me and him, bouncing off each other and occasionally bouncing on each other.

Callisto gets involved at one point and lends some extra levity to the conversation. I don't even feel shy as I kiss Aden's neck and run my hands down his abdomen at random, but often enough to make Callisto - the most easy-going guy - roll his eyes.

"You know, you could tell me to leave instead of packing on the Black Widow PDA trick."

We both laugh. I don't even remember when last I saw that movie, but I remember that moment. Yet and still, I continue treating Aden to my touches. After all, I only have one weekend to show Aden what he's been missing and take everything I need to comfort myself when I miss him.

I'm sorry to see Danatha come and get me, reminding me that we should both allow the guys to get ready for their imminent show. We leave the tour bus all together after waking Nathan.

As the chilly night bites my skin, I stand closer to Aden and plant a kiss on his shoulder.

"You were teasing my hoodie and so-called cargo pants but it's really cold out here."

I shiver and step in place. Aden, unphased, takes off his distressed woollen jersey and places it over my shoulders.

"There."

"Are you sure this is what you want to give me today?"

"No but take it anyway. Don't worry; it's a gentleman's to do." He guarantees.

I pull out my scrunchie and suss out the braids, letting my hair curtain around my shoulders.

"Take this."

He presses the silky fibre to his nose. "I couldn't have asked for better."

I see him assessing my new look and it dawns on me that he's never seen my hair like this.

"Let it loose more often."

"I don't really like to. It gets all messy and in the way."

"You mean the way every guy likes it?"

"Truth be told, I really mean the way I don't like it."

"Then up it stays, except for now of course."

His seductive gaze would be enough to melt me even if I was made of lead. I lower my lids too as blood rushes down my body to converge at one apex. Biting my lip brings me back to reality, enabling me to shake off his spell, huddling the hair into a rough bun.

"Always out to ruin my fun."

"Hmm, I stay up nights."

When they're called for hair and makeup, Aden returns me to their small tour bus kitchen to give me a much-appreciated glass of mango juice. Danatha joins us shortly and Jude trails behind her with his hand on the small of her back.

I watch her closely when Aden pecks my forehead goodbye. To my utter relief, Danatha offers a strained smile to Jude before cowering to the safety of the blue light from her cell phone screen.

"Danatha," I call after they've left.

"Don't even say anything."

"Why wouldn't I? I'm your best friend. I have to tell you the truth. I'm the only one willing to; the only one who can, really."

"Shut it."

"I like JD too much for this."

"I love him."

She continues to scroll on her phone.

"Jude is not for you. You guys don't go together."

"What are you saying?"

"He's not-"

"Say it! You're saying that because I'm black, right?" she snaps.

"Don't offend me! You know full well that you shouldn't be even so much as entertaining him."

"I can do what I want."

"Danny, you're kind, confident, loyal and mature; he is an insecure little prick who wants to use you because you're exotic to him."

"Tell me you're my best friend again!" she threatens, her eyes in slits.

"He deals with girls who carry desperation for a cologne on a daily. You're not like them."

"Oh, let me guess: Aden is the perfect conveniently blind angel!"

"Don't bring Aden into this."

"Why wouldn't I? He is supposedly different from Jude; exotic, remember?"

"You're making it difficult to be a good friend to you right now."

"They're in the same boat, sweetie."

"They're not! We are two very distinct girls, Danatha."

"So, you're finally letting your true colours out. I guess you're ready to admit it, right? You think you're better than me!"