Victor’s POVStanding here, looking at Aria and Jessica with that fierce resolve blazing in their eyes, I realized that stopping them was no longer an option. They wanted to face this danger directly, on their own terms.“Alright,” I said finally, my voice heavy with reluctance. “But if you’re going
Aria’s POVI rang the doorbell, feeling an unexpected rush of nerves as I waited. It had been a long time since I’d been to Victor’s home, and even though I told myself it was just the thought of the training that unsettled me, I knew it was more than that.One of Victor’s staff opened the door with
Aria’s POV“Alright,” Victor said, moving closer to adjust my stance. His hands found my shoulders, gently shifting them back, and then he stepped even closer, his hands grazing down my arms to place them correctly, his body rubbing against mine at one point. Shit. “Keep your elbows in,” he murmur
Aria’s POVThe silence between us thickened, filled with all the things we hadn’t said. I could still feel the echoes of his words—I was going crazy thinking about you. The admission lingered, like a raw wound exposed, and I couldn’t look away from him, couldn’t ignore the way my heart raced, each b
Aria’s POV“Alright, Aria,” the trainer said, clapping his hands with a nod of encouragement. “Ready to show us what you’ve got?”“Let’s do it,” I replied, trying to hide the quickening of my pulse as I glanced at Victor. This was our second training session, and he’d gone all out, hiring a professi
Aria’s POVThe session finally wrapped up, and the trainer clapped his hands one last time, beaming at us. “Great job, everyone. You’re picking this up quickly—maybe you guys are really naturals, or it’s just that you’re all already in good shape.”Jessica grinned at me, nudging my shoulder. “Guess
Aria’s POVTonight is the night.The thought ran through my mind, sending a shiver down my spine as I wrapped up the last of my work at Velvet Vibe. I glanced at Jessica, who was just as focused, her brow furrowed as she assigned tasks to our team members. We’d both worked late to ensure everything
Victor’s POVThe car came to a halt, and I stared out the window, taking in the scene before us. The Mirage Casino’s entrance was unmarked, nestled between two anonymous buildings in a part of town that would have seemed nondescript to anyone else. But thanks to Dr. Levine’s directions, we’d found i
Victor’s POVThe laughter started the moment we arrived at the theme park and never seemed to stop. Jasmine darted ahead, pulling us toward the entrance with uncontainable energy, her small hand gripping mine tightly. The park was a kaleidoscope of colors and sounds—twinkling lights, cheerful music
Aria’s POVThe ride home was quiet, but it wasn’t uncomfortable. Victor’s hand rested on the gearshift, his fingers brushing mine occasionally. Each accidental touch sent a warm ripple through me, leaving me feeling both nervous and giddy. My heart was still dancing from the events of the night befo
The next morning, The sunlight streaming through the curtains was the first thing I noticed as I stirred awake. As I blinked against the light, memories of the previous night surged back like a wave, crashing over me with startling clarity. My breath hitched, and I sat up quickly, clutching the blan
Aria’s POV"Victor," I murmured breathlessly, barely recognizing my own voice. "Aria," he whispered back, his tone filled with a hunger that matched my own. His lips found mine again, urgent and unrelenting.We stumbled together through the hallway, his hands sliding beneath my blouse, fingertips s
Aria’s POVI jumped from the table, my heart still pounding in my chest, and headed toward the studio door. “Stay here,” I said softly, though my voice wavered with some nervousness and the remaining heat. The air between us still sizzled, making it almost impossible to think clearly.Carefully, I o
When we finally pulled apart, both of us were breathless. Her cheeks were flushed, her lips slightly swollen, and her eyes—God, those eyes—shone with an emotion I didn’t dare put a name to just yet.I rested my forehead against hers, trying to catch my breath as I spoke. “Aria… you’re everything to
Victor’s POVThe entire evening had been a cascade of emotions—love, happiness, nostalgia—and now, standing here, my heart felt like it might burst. I looked at Aria, her expression a mix of hope and nerves as she waited for my reaction. The painting, the bottles, the thought behind it all—it was ov
Aria’s POV“Still thinking of work at this hour?” he teased, his tone light and playful. “Should I be worried you’re pulling me into a midnight brainstorming session?”I glanced back at him, rolling my eyes with a laugh. “Trust me, it’s not that. Just wait. You’ll see.”We reached the entrance of my
Aria’s POVThe party was everything I didn’t know I needed. Laughter rang out like music, echoing through the beautifully decorated terrace. Friends and family filled the space, their joy infectious as they mingled, shared stories, and celebrated together. Even Jessica, who normally claimed she hate