The Girl He Craves novel (Sophie and Aiden) novel Chapter 96

Sophie’s pov

I’m panicking inwardly while Aiden makes calls beside me.

He’s talking so aggressively while rubbing his forehead. It was clear that what happened to us threw some stress onto his shoulders.

I let out some air through my nose and took out my phone from the bag. I quickly searched up Aiden’s name, only to not be surprised that our images were everywhere.

My heart slammed in my chest.

There are even articles written about us already….

Gnawing on my lips I clicked on one, cringing slightly when it was a horrible picture of Aiden and me walking out of the

restaurant.

I scrolled down, my eyes darting around every word.

‘With a well poised handsome man like Mr. Xavier, you’d expect a properly dressed woman beside him. But do not mind her appearance for Aiden Xavier did not seem to care. Our bachelor playboy is now a one-woman’s man. This mysterious lady has managed to capture what many women strived for. The heart of Aiden Xavier. Let the wedding bells ring!

My stomach twisted with unease and I felt sick to my

stomach.

I shakily lift my hand to my face to pull some of my strands behind my ear.

Don’t mind her appearance…

I know I was nowhere close to Aiden’s standards but you’d think they would at least wait to throw their judgments.

I quickly put off my phone, sliding it into my bag. My throat burned with stifling emotion.

I know I shouldn’t let the media get to me but I couldn’t help it. My face was splattered everywhere and I was sure there was nothing good said about me.

“What’s wrong?” Aiden asked which surprised me.

I thought he was on the phone?

I turn to face him. “Nothing is wrong.” I lied hoping he could not see in my eyes that I did.

He doesn’t look convinced and moves the phone away from his ear, his attention staying on me. “What’s wrong Sophie? You’re not going to change your mind are you?” He asked with a bit of concern.

I shook my head. “Of course not. I’m just a bit shaken about what happened. This is the first time I have had this many cameras on my face. “I admitted.

His eyes shift in understanding and his hand comes to rest on my hand on my thigh. I held my breath when the heat of his palm burn me with tingles. “Everything will be fine. We’ll get them under control.”

I nod.

I don’t believe we could get them under control. The media was something not even Aiden can control.

They were vicious when they were after something they wanted. And I was a hundred percent sure they wanted every detail about Aiden and my engagement.

“Where are we going now?” I asked softly.

He breathed out a sigh while pushing his phone into his pocket. “We need to get you an engagement ring as soon as possible.”

I nod, my hands wringing with nerves on my lap.

I’m scared of what I had just pushed myself into, and even more, scared of what this will do to Ashton.

Mitch pulled up beside a fancy jewelry store and I turn to look at Aiden. “You don’t have to buy me an expensive ring, Aiden,” I told him.

This was a fake engagement and having an expensive ring would be practically useless.

But instead of agreeing Aiden lifted his brow and shook his head slightly. “Only the best for my woman.”

I froze, my heart slamming in my chest.

If it was anything else, I’d say that he meant it. But then I remembered we were to act like we were engaged so perhaps

it would be best if he got the best for his ‘woman’

I smiled shakily, a bit unsure of how to respond to him. He opens the door and gets out while outstretching his hand out for me to take.

His hand is warm when they clasp around mine as he gently helps me out.

We walked to the entrance of the store, my eyes nervously darting around to see if any of the paparazzi had followed us.

“You’re on edge,” Aiden noted as he pushed the door open and gestured for me to enter.

The cool air from the A.C in the store calms my rather heated

skin.

“Can you blame me? It hasn’t been a whole twenty-four hours yet and everyone knows about our engagement.” I whispered.

“Well it’s not like they wouldn’t have known. They just got to know sooner than we expected.” He grumbles, capturing my hand with his again.

My own gets clammy.

It felt so strange to hold him so intimately like this.

“And I wonder whose fault this is?” I asked sarcastically.

The man behind the glass display desk showcasing the many expensive rings, looked like he was about to faint when he saw Aiden approaching.

His beady eyes sweep over to me and his eyes widen slightly

in surprise. “Mr. Xavier, I have not seen you here in a while.”

“Well, I came here for something important,” Aiden responded when we neared the man.

“Then, by all means, tell me how I can be of assistance Mr. Xavier.”

I looked at his name tag.

Frank Gordon.

Aiden’s fingers around my hand tighten. “I’m looking for the best wedding ring for my fiance.” He turns to me when says fiance and I squirm slightly under his weighted gaze.

“Find us something that will match her beautiful eyes.” Aiden continued not knowing that his words were messing with my

head.

Calm down Sophie. It’s just pretending. He has to play the part and so do you. My conscience reminded me.

The man’s eyes widen slightly in surprise as he looks at me and quickly nods.

“Will do Mr.Xavier,” Frank said and then lifted a finger. “I think I have the best one for her. Ring size?”

“Five,” Aiden answered before I could. Frank nods and leaves our side. When he’s far from hearing range I turn to Aiden, my brows furrowing. “How do you know my ring size?”

He lifts my hand, the same one tangled with his fingers, and whispered. “There are a lot of things I know about you, Sophie.”

I dart my eyes between his, trying to see if I can read him. There’s an emotion hidden behind that veil in his stormy gaze. A strong emotion that had my heart fluttering quickly.

“Aiden-

I got cut off when Frank came back.

I bit my tongue, ripping my eyes away from Aiden, and shook my head slightly.

Don’t be ridiculous Sophie, you didn’t see that emotion in his eyes.

This was all your imagination doing. Because why would

Aiden Xavier look at you with such fondness that you almost forgot how to breathe?