Cinema?

~Joan~
I was surprised when Aaron asked me to dress up because we were going out. I tried getting some information, but he was unusually tight-lipped about our destination. He wasn’t one to reveal his plans easily, but still, I had expected at least a hint.
I stared out the window as he drove through the city, having absolutely no idea where we were headed. With no direction on what to wear, I’d settled on a casual green dress. He said I looked gorgeous, though, so I figured I’d made a decent choice.
After a while, we pulled up in front of a building I immediately recognized-I’d been here before with Rhoda. My brows furrowed as I turned to him. A cinema? Aaron didn’t strike me as the type to sit through a movie, let alone in a crowded theater. He switched off the ignition and unbuckled his seat belt, then reached over to undo mine as well.
“Did I miss something?” I asked, my voice laced with curiosity as he flicked the seat belt open. His fingers brushed against my thigh, light and deliberate.
“Does it feel like you missed something?” he countered, his gaze locked onto mine. He was close-so close-and I was too aware of the heat between us.
“We’re at a cinema,” I stated, just in case he’d somehow forgotten.
“Yeah?” His brow lifted slightly.
“You don’t watch movies,” I pointed out.
His lips tugged up into a knowing smirk as he pulled away, opening his door and stepping out. I watched as he moved around the car to open my door, offering his hand.
I hesitated for a moment before taking it, letting him help me out. His arm wrapped around my waist to steady me as he shut the door behind me.
His lips brushed my ear. “Then again, there’s a lot you don’t know about me, kitten,” he murmured, the deep timbre of his voice sending a shiver down my spine. Then, just as quickly, he straightened up and let go, offering me his arm.
“Shall we?” he asked smoothly.
I blinked at him, momentarily thrown, before slipping my hand through his arm. He led us inside, handed over the tickets to the doorman, and I found myself wondering when he even had the chance to buy them without me noticing. But then again, this was Aaron.
A small part of me was excited-I was finally watching a movie with a man, something I’d secretly always wanted. But another part of me was suspicious. Aaron never did things without a reason. Was this his way of making up for ignoring me earlier when I hinted at our… complicated relationship? The thought left a bitter taste in my mouth, but I decided to push it aside. It wasn’t every day you got to watch a movie with a man who could pass for a male lead-but ten times hotter.
After buying popcorn, we entered the dimly lit theater and took our seats. To my right, a woman blatantly ogled Aaron, completely ignoring the boyfriend sitting beside her. I wrinkled my nose in annoyance before leaning in closer to him. He casually draped an arm around my shoulders, his fingers tracing lazy circles against my skin.
I flashed him a toothy grin.
He arched a brow at me.
From the corner of my eye, I saw the woman whisper something to her boyfriend, and a second later, he stiffly wrapped an arm around her.
Oops. Loser.
“What are we watching?” I asked, popping a piece of popcorn into my mouth.
Aaron pressed his lips together like he was suppressing a smile. “Honestly? No idea.”
I reared back. “You bought tickets without knowing which movie we’re seeing?”
He gave a nonchalant shrug, rubbing slow circles on my shoulder. “If I knew, I wouldn’t be interested. The suspense keeps me on edge.”
Butterflies erupted in my stomach at the way he was looking at me-like I was the only thing worth watching. I scoffed, turning away before I did something ridiculous.
The lights dimmed, and the movie started. When the title appeared on the screen, I almost laughed.
“You’re lucky I like this movie,” I muttered.
Aaron glanced down at me. “You’ve seen it before?”
I turned to him, staring incredulously. “Who hasn’t seen Teen Wolf?”
His lips quirked as he took in my expression.
“Well… everybody but you,” I teased, nudging him playfully.
He smirked. “I don’t think everyone has. Otherwise, the theater wouldn’t be this packed.”
I looked around. Okay, he had a point. The room was full.
“Who knows?” I mused. “Maybe they’re just as clueless as you-buying tickets without knowing what movie is playing.”
He chuckled, tilting his head slightly. “The odds of that happening to everyone in this room are next to none.” Then, leaning in, his voice dropped lower, teasing and intimate. “Now, would you just admit that you lost to me?”
My heart flipped. My eyes dropped to his lips before I caught myself and looked away, determined not to fall into his trap.
He grinned, victorious, and turned his attention back to the screen. I tried to focus too, but my mind was miles away. Aaron, however, seemed fully invested in the movie.
And then, I noticed her.
The woman from earlier inched closer, her body leaning ever so slightly toward Aaron. Just like him, her boyfriend was focused on the movie, completely oblivious.
I gritted my teeth.
Her eyes met mine, and when I glared, she had the audacity to smirk.
“Hey, can you move a little? It’s actually tighter over here,” she said, directing her voice at Aaron.
He glanced at her briefly before shifting slightly. She smiled at him-flirty, bold-but he had already turned his attention back to the screen.
I raised a brow. Oh, sweetheart. Game on.
Brushing Aaron’s hair out of his face, I let my fingers linger against his jaw. His lips curled slightly as he turned to me, his eyes softening for a brief second before returning to the movie.
The woman stiffened.
I smirked.
Victory.
She wasn’t done, though. “Have you seen this before?” she asked Aaron, clearly trying to pull him into conversation.
His response was short, disinterested. “First time.”
Her lips parted slightly. “I’ve seen it already. I also have access to a few unreleased movies,” she added, her tone dripping with invitation. “If you’d like, I could send them to you. Just give me your address.”
I swear, my blood boiled.
Oh, hell no.
Aaron didn’t even react, but I did.
“Oh, sweetheart,” I cut in, my voice syrupy sweet. “We’re not really into children’s movies.”
Her smile faltered, and her eyes darkened as she turned to me. “Sorry, I don’t remember speaking to you.”
I pinched Aaron’s thigh. He was way too amused by this. His lips twitched as he looked down at me.
“She got the final say,” he said simply to the lady, and she looked slightly disappointed. I pinched him again, and he leaned in.
“Now, that hurts. Because I didn’t scream the first and second time, doesn’t mean I wouldn’t the third time,” he teased and, despite myself, my lips tilted up in a smile. I brought my face closer until I could feel his breath. I was aware she was watching us, but I’d never felt more in control than ever.
My actions were screaming, ‘He’s mine, bitch!’ and then giving the middle finger.
“Kiss me,” I said, and his eyes fell to my lips before returning to my eyes. Amusement still lingered in his depths. “If you don’t, I’m going to pinch you so hard everyone will feel your pain, and let’s not talk about the biting I would do,” I muttered, and his amusement only heightened before it fizzled into heat. Hot. I could literally taste it on my lips.
“No need for threats, kitten. All you just need to do is ask, and I will bring the world to your feet if possible,” he said, and then his fingers slid around my neck, and his lips met mine. He sucked at my bottom lip for a second before his tongue hit my teeth, searching for permission. I opened up immediately and our tongues collided. Hot and fierce.
A moan bubbled up from deep down my throat as his fingers flexed around my throat for a second as he feasted on my lips. Warmth pooled between my legs, and my nipples pebbled immediately when his elbow grazed them. I was hyper-sensitive everywhere, and I knew if he kept up like this I’d combust before anything started.
Everything was clear. I still got the hots for Aaron Thompson.