Page 45 of Forbidden Harvest

Aria’s eyes widen, and she bites her lip, a mix of emotions playing across her beautiful face. “Aaron?” Her voice breaks a little. “You killed him for me?”

I graze my thumb over her cheekbone, savoring the warmth of her skin. “In a heartbeat. And I do it again and again. Never forget that.”

She swallows hard, her body trembling against mine. “I won’t. But Jared... does that make us monsters?”

I tip her chin up, forcing her to meet my gaze. “Perhaps. But we’re monsters together, you and I. And I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

26

ARIA

For the first time in a long time, I feel at peace. Confessing my darkest secret to Jared four days ago lifted a weight from my shoulders.

Jared called my high school, pretending to be his dad, and said that I had the flu and couldn’t come in this week so he could keep playing with me.

I never imagined he would understand, but he did. He knows the monster lurking beneath the innocent facade I’ve tried hard to construct.

I’m ashamed of how much I want him, but denying it is no longer an option.

It’s as if we’re claiming this space as our own, marking it with our desire. We’re like animals, driven by our primal urges, our actions fueled by an irresistible compulsion. Thankfully, I’ve been on the pill since my freshman year when I first started dating Aaron. The last thing I need is to get pregnant with my stepbrother’s baby.

The sun’s rays filter through the windows, casting a warm glow over the room. There’s dried blood on our skin as we both took turns to cut each other last night.

God, it was hot.

My fingers trace my initials, AW, on his shoulder—a permanent mark that will scar. Jared had already carved his initials into the back of my thigh.

He stirs. “Good morning.”

“Good morning.”

Jared sits up, the sheets falling away from his muscular torso.

He reaches for me, his touch sending shivers down my spine. Our lips meet in a searing kiss that steals my breath away. His tongue tangles with mine, igniting a fire within.

There’s a nagging doubt at the back of my mind when we part.

“What happens when my mom and your dad get back?” I ask.

Jared’s fingers trace the curve of my jaw, his touch gentle. “We’ll figure it out. We just have to be careful, keep our encounters secret.”

I frown. “But how? They’re going to notice something’s changed.”

A grin spreads onto his lips. “Don’t worry, baby. I’ll make sure we’re careful.”

His words thrill me, and I can’t help but trust him. He’s always been one step ahead.

“We should be more careful once they’re back.” I bury my face in his neck, unable to believe I’m about to say this. “Maybe we shouldn’t even have sex.”

“There’s not going to be a day in our lives when I’m not fucking you, Aria.” Jared’s bright blue eyes burn with intensity. “I’m always going to want you. I can’t turn that off.”

His words are a declaration, silencing my doubts. I pull him closer, needing to believe this is forever. Somehow, we’ll find a way to be together.

“How can you be so sure?” I ask. “How can you be certain you’ll always want me?”

Jared holds me closer. “Because not having you would drive me insane. I’ve waited my entire life for you, and now that you’re mine, I’m never letting go.”

He silences my concerns with a searing kiss, his lips devouring mine.

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