Free Aries: Book 2 in a Young Adult Paranormal Romance Series (The Zodiac Twin Flame Series) by Rachel Medhurst

said.
    The lads looked at her and winked at me. ‘It’s not like that.’ I laughed.
    I glanced over my shoulder. She avoided my gaze.
    We said our goodbyes and left them to it.
    ‘Let’s go to the park!’ I exclaimed, trying to turn in my seat.
    ‘If you’re sure,’ she said, her tone sounded anything but.
    My trousers fell away from the end of my stumps. I hadn’t wanted to go out before but I was now sick of being stuck inside. I loved the fresh air. It felt good to be outside. Plus, I didn’t care what anyone else thought of me.
    ‘Yes, I’m sure.’
    She turned the wheelchair and we entered the green space. Clapham Common was quite an expanse of park. We followed the path to the nearest bench. Natalie lined the chair up next to it and sat down.
    ‘I think we need to talk,’ she said.
    Every time she had tried to say something, I had stopped her. I wanted to keep it strictly professional between us. It was a bit late for that but things had changed. She looked after me like a mother would her child. It wasn’t right. I looked out at the park. The kids were in school so it was quiet. Dog walkers strolled along in the distance.
    ‘Why do you think I’m here?’
    I glanced at her. She sat up straight with her arms crossed over her chest.
    ‘Because you’re getting paid…?’
    I couldn’t help it. I didn’t want to get close to her in the situation we were in. I believed that she was my soulmate but it wasn’t the way for us to be together. I should be her knight in shining armour.
    ‘I know you don’t believe that. I miss you. The real you,’ she said as she reached across and put her hand on my arm. I almost pulled away but I didn’t want to hurt her.
    ‘I’ve changed. I’m no longer that person.’ I looked down at my thighs as I spoke.
    ‘Of course you’ve changed. Everyone changes but the man I’ve known for the last six years is still there.’
    Her hair brushed my shoulder and I fought the urge to pull back. She slid across the bench and leaned towards me. Her breath landed on my neck. I couldn’t turn my head to look into her eyes.
    ‘I don’t know who I am anymore. You don’t want me, Natalie.’
    Her lips brushed my cheek. I froze. A shiver rushed over my body. She must have seen it. The last time I had been with a woman was when I bedded her the night before the accident.
    ‘I see the way you look at me when I’m not watching. You still want me, Aries,’ she whispered.
    ‘Yeah, I’d be great at handling you now!’ I spat.
    She sighed and pulled away. I looked up as a group of young girls, roughly our age, came past. One of them eyed me openly but the others looked away.
    ‘She was interested in you,’ Natalie said.
    I glanced at her. She glared at the retreating girls. I couldn’t help the small smile that arched the corners of my lips.
    ‘She was curious. Probably morbidly so.’
    My mood had dropped. How could I be with a beautiful woman if I couldn’t even accept that she might want me? Why would anyone want me?
    ‘Where’s your fight?’ she asked.
    I reached out and gripped her arm. She grimaced but got in my face instead of backing down.
    ‘You have no idea.’ I pushed the words through my clenched teeth.
    She glared at me. Her eyes were inches from mine. I couldn’t look away.
    ‘No? You don’t think that I’ve ever had to face tough times in my life? Have you ever thought about climbing out of your own pity box and trying to get to know me for once? We’re not teenagers anymore!’
    I swallowed and let her go.
    ‘Is he bothering you?’
    The voice was deep. I instantly recognised it. When I looked into grey eyes, I gritted my teeth even more.
    ‘Nice to see you, Aries,’ Nick said.
    He stood on the grass across the path. He was alone as far as I could see. I knew that his men would be in the trees around us.
    ‘Not so nice to see you, Nick,’ I replied.
    Natalie took my hand and I squeezed it. She had no idea who I was. Not really. She thought she