Chapter 98
Aria pov
“I did.” He leaned closer, his breath warm against my lips. “I deserved every second of it. Just like I deserved last night, when you slammed that door in my face. But Aria—” His voice dropped lower. “If we’re going to torture each other, at least be honest about why p>
“And why is that p>
“Because we want each other.” His hand slid to my waist. “Because this thing between us is still there, still burning. Because no matter how much we’ve hurt each other, we can’t let go p>
“That’s not”
“It’s true.” His forehead pressed to mine. “You felt it this morning. Felt how much I want you. And I felt you press back. Felt you enjoying the power you have over me p>
“I wasn’t”
“Don’t lie.” But his voice was gentle. “Not about this. We’ve lied enough to each other, to ourselves. Let’s at least be honest about this one thing p>
I stared up at him, my heart pounding, my defenses crumbling. “Fine,” I whispered. “Yes. I did it deliberately. I wanted you to feel what I felt last night. I want you frustrated and aching and desperate p>
“I was all three.” His hand tightened on my waist. “I still am p>
“Good p>
“Is it?” His eyes searched mine. “Because I could end this right now. Could kiss you until you forget why you’re angry. Could make you feel so good you’d forget your own name p>
“Arrogant,” I breathed, but I didn’t pull away.
“Honest.” His mouth hovered over mine. “But I won’t again, not until you ask me to p>
“What if I never ask p>
“Then I’ll wait.” He pulled back slightly, and I hated the loss of his warmth. “But we both know you will ask me once again p>
“You’re so sure of yourself p>
“I’m sure of us.” His smile was gentle. “And I’m learning patience. Even if you’re testing every last bit of it p>
“Maybe that’s my revenge,” I said softly. “Making you wait. Making you want, making you suffer p>
“Then I’ll suffer gladly.” He stepped back, giving me space. “Because at least it means you’re here. At least it means you haven’t given up on us completely p>
I stared at him, this man who’d destroyed me and was now offering me everything, putting himself at my mercy. “I don’t know what I want,” I admitted finally.
“That’s okay.” He moved to the door, opening it. “Take your time figuring it out. I’m not going anywhere p>
I walked past him, pausing in the doorway. “Damien p>
“Yeah p>
“This morning I met his eyes. “Don’t think it means I’ve forgiven you. I’m still angry and hurt p>
“I know.” His smile was warm despite the words. “But you’re talking to me. Fighting with me. Making me suffer in the most delicious ways. That’s more than I deserve p>
“Yes,” I agreed. “It is p>
I left before I could say something stupid. Like that I’d enjoyed making him squirm. Or that the look in his eyes when I’d pressed against him had made me feel powerful in a way.
Noah looked up as I entered the living room. “Mama! Come watch dinosaurs p>
I sank onto the couch, pulling him into my lap. “What are we watching p>
“The one where they have babies!” He pointed at the screen. “Baby dinosaurs are so cute p>
“They are.” I kissed his head, breathing in his little-boy scent, my heart still racing from the confrontation with Damien.
“Mama?” Noah twisted to look at me. “Are you sad p>
“A little.” No point lying to him.
“Why p>
“Grown-up stuff.” I hugged him tighter. “Nothing for you to worry about p>
“Is it about Daddy p>
Sometimes his perceptiveness was alarming. “What makes you say that p>
“You always look sad when you talk to Daddy.” His little face was serious.
I laughed despite everything. “No fighting. Daddy didn’t do anything wrong p>
“Then why are you sad p>
“Because grown-up feelings are complicated.” I smoothed his hair. “Sometimes you can be happy and sad at the same time p>
“That’s weird.” He settled back against me. “I’m just happy. Because I have Mama and Daddy and dinosaurs p>
“That’s a good list.” My throat tightened. “Very good list p>
Damien appeared in the doorway, leaning against the frame, watching us.?Our eyes met over Noah’s head. He mouthed something butI looked away before I could decipher them. Before I could acknowledge what I’d seen.
Because if he’d said what I thought he’d said—if those three words were what I desperately wanted and terrifyingly feared—then everything would change.
And I wasn’t ready for that change.
Not yet.
Maybe not ever.
But as Noah snuggled closer, as Damien continued watching us with that look in his eyes, as my heart continued its traitorous pounding—I wondered if ready even mattered.
That Evening
Noah was in bed, the penthouse quiet except for the hum of the city below. I stood at my window, staring out at the lights, my mind replaying the day’s events.
The almost-kiss. The confrontation, the admission that I still cared. All of it was a mess I didn’t know how to untangle.
I pressed my palm against the cool glass, watching my breath fog the surface. The city stretched out before me, thousands of lit windows holding thousands of lives that probably made more sense than mine. My reflection stared back—tired eyes, hair loose around my shoulders, still wearing the silk blouse from dinner but barefoot now.
My phone sat on the side table, screen dark. I checked it three times in the last hour. No messages or missed calls. I wrapped my arms around myself, suddenly cold despite the temperature-controlled room.
The ice in my abandoned drink had melted. The glass sat on the coffee table, water rings marking the marble surface. I should clean it up. I should do something productive Instead, I stood at the window and felt everything I’d been pushing down all day.
A knock on the door made my heart jumped before I could stop it.
“Come in,” I called without turning.
The door opened. I heard the soft click of the lock—he’d locked it as my pulse quickened. Damien’s footsteps crossed the room. I could see his reflection approaching in the window glass.
“Couldn’t sleep?” His voice was rough, like he’d been awake as long as I had.
“Too much thinking.” I glanced at him. He’d changed into dark pants and a fitted black t-shirt. His hair was slightly messy, like he’d been running his hands through it. “You p>
“Same.” He moved to stand beside me, close enough that I could feel the heat radiating from his body. “What are you thinking about p>
“Everything.” I looked back at the city. “Nothing. I don’t know p>
“I meant what I said earlier.” His voice was quiet. “About waiting. About fighting for us p>