There was no time for doubt. He put me back on my legs and I wobbled to gain control over my body but he was on me in an instant, one arm looping around my waist and pulling me flush against him. His lips claimed mine in a kiss that was rough, demanding, and all-consuming. A low growl rumbled in his chest, vibrating against my body as I pressed into him, needing more. “Isabella,” he said, my name like a warning, but his hands spoke a different language as they roamed over my body, fingers digging into my hips with a possessive grip that made me gasp. “You have no idea what you do to me.” His voice, deep and husky, sent shivers racing down my spine, but before I could respond, he spun me around, pressing my back against the cold wall. His hands framed my face, tilting it up so that I had no choice but to meet his gaze. The hunger in his eyes made my pulse race, a silent acknowledgment of the wild edge we both craved. “You’re mine,” he said, each word punctuated by the heat in his g
The taste of him still lingered on my lips, intoxicating and electric, as Aiden pulled away, leaving just enough space for air to slip between us. His breathing was ragged, the restraint in his eyes a testament to the storm he was fighting within. The silence crackled with the weight of what had just passed, and neither of us moved, suspended in the spell that bound us. The mansion loomed behind us, its shadowed windows like silent witnesses to our moment. The cool night breeze grazed my skin, a contrast to the heat pooling in my veins. Aiden's thumb brushed my cheek, rough and tender, as if memorizing the feel of me in this moment. “I wasn’t planning this,” he murmured, his voice hoarse and low. “But with you, all my plans unravel.” A shiver ran through me, not from the cold but from the truth that seeped into his words. I reached up, fingers tracing the strong line of his jaw. “Then let it unravel,” I whispered back, emboldened by the depth of his gaze. His eyes darkened, an u
I felt a mixture of emotions, each one battling for dominance. I wanted to push him away, to keep him at a safe distance. But there was also a pull, a strange, undeniable attraction that made it impossible to deny him. “I don’t have to prove anything,” I replied, trying to keep my voice steady, though I could feel my resolve slipping. He smirked, leaning in closer until I could feel his breath against my skin. “Then why are you still here?” he murmured, his eyes flicking down to my lips. “If you truly didn’t want this, you would have walked away by now.” The truth of his words stung, and I hated that he was right. I wanted to deny it, to claim that this was all a game, a twisted power play that meant nothing to me. But deep down, I knew it wasn’t true. I cared. I cared more than I wanted to admit. My mind raced, battling against the swirling emotions he’d stirred up within me, heart pounding, breath catching, caught between the desire to push him away and an undeniable pull th
There was no time for doubt. He put me back on my legs and I wobbled to gain control over my body but he was on me in an instant, one arm looping around my waist and pulling me flush against him. His lips claimed mine in a kiss that was rough, demanding, and all-consuming. A low growl rumbled in his chest, vibrating against my body as I pressed into him, needing more. “Isabella,” he said, my name like a warning, but his hands spoke a different language as they roamed over my body, fingers digging into my hips with a possessive grip that made me gasp. “You have no idea what you do to me.” His voice, deep and husky, sent shivers racing down my spine, but before I could respond, he spun me around, pressing my back against the cold wall. His hands framed my face, tilting it up so that I had no choice but to meet his gaze. The hunger in his eyes made my pulse race, a silent acknowledgment of the wild edge we both craved. “You’re mine,” he said, each word punctuated by the heat in his
As the first soft light of dawn seeped through the edges of the curtains, I blinked awake, the warmth of the bed and the weight of Aiden’s arm draped possessively across my waist grounding me in a blissful haze. For a moment, I lay still, letting my gaze trace the familiar curve of his shoulders, the way his dark hair fell messily over his brow, and the quiet, even rise and fall of his chest. The memory of last night washed over me, a heady mix of intensity, passion, and the feeling of being wholly consumed by him.My cheeks flushed, and a shy smile tugged at the corners of my lips as I recalled the way his voice had sounded—low and rough—whispering my name, claiming me with every touch. I felt the ghost of his hands on my skin, the possessive strength in his hold, the way he had looked at me like I was the only thing in the world that mattered. Everything about last night felt surreal, yet the weight of his arm, his warmth beside me, grounded it as real.Careful not to wake him, I sh
“Do you remember what day it is today?” I asked, my voice barely above a whisper, but I could feel the weight of my words lingering in the quietness.Aiden’s response was slow, deliberate. He raised one brow in that way he did, and just that one look made my heart skip a beat. If it was a sin to look this handsome first thing in the morning, then he was, without a doubt, the greatest sinner of them all. I found myself stuttering, nerves dancing through me as I tried to find the courage to bring up the topic I’d been holding onto.“You said you’d take me to the orphanage,” I said, my voice hesitant, unsure if this was the right time. Would he remember? Would he care as much as I did?For a moment, he didn’t say anything. Silence crept in, and with it, a growing sense of unease. My mind spiraled, convinced I’d messed everything up. Just as the words started to rise in my throat, desperate to cover up the silence, Aiden leaned forward and pressed a gentle kiss on my cheek. His arms wrapp
Just as we were about to leave the table, Marcus entered the room. The first thing his eyes caught was our intertwined fingers. I instinctively tried to pull my hand back, but Aiden tightened his grip, his fingers pressing firmly against mine as though silently daring me to let go.Marcus raised a brow, his lips curving into a knowing smirk as he cleared his throat. “Someone is clearly in a good mood after whipping everyone’s ass,” he drawled.Aiden rolled his eyes, the action subtle but unmistakable. “Oh, please,” he muttered, his tone dripping with irritation.We both knew what Marcus was referring to. Aiden had spent the better part of past two weeks commanding everyone on how to deal with Darius. The tension between him and Darius was palpable, almost suffocating at times. I had told him countless times to forget about the man, to let it go, but Aiden had been resolute. I could still remember the dangerous glint in his eyes as he’d said, “I would never forgive anyone for touching
The drive to the orphanage was quiet. The mood we had woken up with had been ruined, leaving a tension thick enough to slice through. I could see Aiden’s jaw tightening every few seconds, a telltale sign of his internal struggle. He was controlling himself—for me, I knew that much. It was his way. Always measured, always holding back.The world outside the window blurred past, a mix of early autumn trees and gray skies, but I couldn’t focus on any of it. My chest felt heavy, guilt coiling tight around my ribs. After fifteen minutes of silence, the tension became unbearable. I glanced over at him and then back at the passing scenery, forcing myself to speak.“I’m sorry,” I said softly, my voice barely breaking the stillness.Aiden’s eyes flicked toward me, his expression unreadable. His gaze returned to the road almost instantly. “For what?” he asked, his tone polite but distant, as though he were forcing himself to remain calm.I swallowed hard, my throat dry. “For putting you in a ti
Aiden’s gaze swept over me, his eyes a tempest of dark fire, each flicker holding back a storm of rage not meant for me, but threatening to spill out all the same. He was a fortress in turmoil, his facade barely containing the seething fury beneath. His jaw was set, his stance rigid, each muscle tensed as if ready to spring into a battle he was forced to withhold. “You shouldn’t be here, Isabella,” he said, his voice a low growl that vibrated with a barely restrained intensity. His eyes then darted to the two men who had shifted uncomfortably, their own eyes darting away from my gaze, clearly intimidated by Aiden’s overt protectiveness. I felt a perverse thrill at his possessiveness, a primal approval of his concern for my safety, yet I knew this was neither the time nor the place. Aiden cleared his throat, a sound meant to redirect my attention, and it snapped me back to the gravity of the situation. “No, I—” I started, stumbling over my words. The truth was treacherous territory
“That’s a relief,” he chuckled, his hand finding mine over the center console, giving it a gentle squeeze. “I’m glad she sees that my intentions are good.” I squeezed his hand back, the simple touch sending a current of gratitude through me. “She does. And it means the world to me that you were there, that you’re here now.” Aiden’s smile didn’t wane as he turned the car onto the highway, the sparse traffic allowing him a moment to glance my way. “I wouldn’t be anywhere else, Isabella. You know that.” I nodded, watching the scenery blur past us. The night was clear, the stars scattered across the sky like dusted silver, and I felt a pull to share more with him—to dive into the depths of my thoughts and emotions. “It’s just…” I hesitated, searching for the right words. “Today made me realize how much I’ve changed. How much we’ve changed, together. I used to feel like an outsider everywhere I went. But with you, I’m home.” Aiden’s grip on my hand tightened.We drove in comfort
The first sense that stirred as consciousness crept back was the emptiness on Aiden’s side of the bed. I didn’t remember what time we had fallen asleep, but the vague recollection of his arms wrapped securely around me lingered in my mind like the remnants of a comforting dream. However, the cool, vacant sheets next to me sharply snapped me back to reality. Opening my eyes to the morning light filtering through the curtains, I immediately searched the expanse of the bed for Aiden, but he wasn’t there. His absence was like a void. The lingering scent on his pillow was the only evidence of his presence from the night before. I rolled over, burying my face into it, inhaling deeply. His familiar scent—a mix of sandalwood and something uniquely Aiden—filled my senses, offering a temporary comfort. I lay there, the silence of the room enveloping me, letting the minutes tick by. With each second, the warmth of his scent waned, and the reality of his absence grew. Finally, I couldn’t bear t
The first sense that stirred as consciousness crept back was the emptiness on Aiden’s side of the bed. I didn’t remember what time we had fallen asleep, but the vague recollection of his arms wrapped securely around me lingered in my mind like the remnants of a comforting dream. However, the cool, vacant sheets next to me sharply snapped me back to reality.Opening my eyes to the morning light filtering through the curtains, I immediately searched the expanse of the bed for Aiden, but he wasn’t there. His absence was like a void. The lingering scent on his pillow was the only evidence of his presence from the night before. I rolled over, burying my face into it, inhaling deeply. His familiar scent—a mix of sandalwood and something uniquely Aiden—filled my senses, offering a temporary comfort.I lay there, the silence of the room enveloping me, letting the minutes tick by. With each second, the warmth of his scent waned, and the reality of his absence grew. Finally, I couldn’t bear the
“That’s a relief,” he chuckled, his hand finding mine over the center console, giving it a gentle squeeze. “I’m glad she sees that my intentions are good.” I squeezed his hand back, the simple touch sending a current of gratitude through me. “She does. And it means the world to me that you were there, that you’re here now.” Aiden’s smile didn’t wane as he turned the car onto the highway, the sparse traffic allowing him a moment to glance my way. “I wouldn’t be anywhere else, Isabella. You know that.” I nodded, watching the scenery blur past us. The night was clear, the stars scattered across the sky like dusted silver, and I felt a pull to share more with him—to dive into the depths of my thoughts and emotions. “It’s just…” I hesitated, searching for the right words. “Today made me realize how much I’ve changed. How much we’ve changed, together. I used to feel like an outsider everywhere I went. But with you, I’m home.” Aiden’s grip on my hand tightened.We drove in comfortable s
The car’s headlights cut through the darkness as we left the orphanage, the comforting presence of old friends and the familiar backdrop fading into the night. The drive back to the mansion that I’d slowly begun to call home was quieter than usual, yet filled with a resonant peace that settled around Aiden and me like a soft shawl.“I can’t believe how well today went,” I started, my voice tinged with wonder and relief. I glanced over at Aiden, who was focused on the road, the soft glow of the dashboard lights casting gentle shadows across his face. “It felt so good to talk with my mother about everything—well, almost everything.”Aiden’s slight smile grew as he listened, his eyes reflecting a warmth that drew me further into my recount. “And she seems to really like you,” I added, my tone lifting with pride.“That’s a relief,” he chuckled, his hand finding mine over the center console, giving it a gentle squeeze. “I’m glad she sees that my intentions are good.”I squeezed his hand ba
As we settled around the table, the buzz of conversation filling the room, I began to share my journey or should I say the lies I had build in my mind just in case for the moments like these. I spoke of the cities and the sights, my words painting a picture of freedom and discovery. But I carefully chose my words, the reasons why I had really left, and the secrets that Aiden and I shared. Aiden, meanwhile, ate quietly, his presence a steady calm next to my animated storytelling. Every now and then, he would chime in with a comment or a clarification, his voice smooth and engaging. The group was visibly taken with him, their questions turning from my travels to how we had met. “It’s actually quite a story,” Aiden began, the corners of his eyes crinkling in amusement. “You see, Isabella literally bumped into me in a coffee shop.” Laughter rippled around the table, and I felt a bubble of laugh making its way to my throat at the thought of Aiden making up a story of how we met. “I w
As we settled around the table, the buzz of conversation filling the room, I began to share my journey or should I say the lies I had build in my mind just in case for the moments like these. I spoke of the cities and the sights, my words painting a picture of freedom and discovery. But I carefully chose my words, the reasons why I had really left, and the secrets that Aiden and I shared. Aiden, meanwhile, ate quietly, his presence a steady calm next to my animated storytelling. Every now and then, he would chime in with a comment or a clarification, his voice smooth and engaging. The group was visibly taken with him, their questions turning from my travels to how we had met. “It’s actually quite a story,” Aiden began, the corners of his eyes crinkling in amusement. “You see, Isabella literally bumped into me in a coffee shop.” Laughter rippled around the table, and I felt a bubble of laugh making its way to my throat at the thought of Aiden making up a story of how we met. “I w
As the sun dipped below the horizon, bathing the orphanage in hues of orange and pink, my mother stood in the doorway, her expression a mix of hesitancy and determination. “Will you both stay for dinner?” she asked, her voice carrying a hopeful note that tugged at my heart. I glanced at Aiden, expecting resistance. He was a man of particular habits, unaccustomed to impromptu changes or the chaotic warmth of my past life. But to my surprise, he nodded. “We’d love to,” he said, his voice calm and reassuring. My mother’s smile lit up her face, and something inside me unfurled—a tension I hadn’t realized I was holding. “Wonderful,” she said. “I’ll set up the dining hall.” As she turned to make preparations, I felt Aiden’s hand squeeze mine briefly. “Are you happy?” he whispered, his eyes searching mine for any sign of distress. “Yes,” I replied, more to convince myself than him. “It’ll be good to catch up with everyone.” He nodded, his gaze lingering on me a moment longer before he r