Page 53 of Forbidden Harvest

I should be horrified and disgusted by Jared’s initial actions—stealing me from the haunted house and tying me up. But instead, I think I’m more drawn to him because of it.

“Are you okay, princess?” He whispers.

I shake my head. “I just don’t want this to end.”

His jaw clenches. “It’s not going to end. I told you. It’s never going to end.” He pats his lap.

I get up and move to sit on his lap, sliding my arms around his neck. “Promise me,” I breathe.

He smirks. “Promise. I’ll fucking burn the entire town to the ground if that’s what it takes to have you. There’s no world in which I stop fighting for us unless I’m fucking dead.”

I bury my face in his neck, inhaling. He’s become my world, my everything. I know what we’re doing is wrong, that our relationship is taboo. But I’m falling so fucking hard and fast I can’t stop myself.

As the sound of a car pulling into the driveway breaks through our moment, I take a deep breath and prepare myself for the performance of a lifetime. I grieve Jared’s touch as I quickly climb off him and sit on the opposite sofa. Our parents can never know the truth about us, the depths of depravity we’ve explored over the past week.

The doorbell rings, and my heart leaps into my throat. Jared shoots me a pointed look, his eyes burning with a silent warning.I nod imperceptibly, steeling myself for the act we’re about to perform.

“Aria, honey, can you get the door?” Mom’s voice calls out from the entryway.

I take a deep breath and plaster a smile, willing my features to remain calm and composed. “Coming, Mom!”

Maintaining a steady pace, I open to door. Mom and my stepdad stand there, laden with bags and big smiles.

But their expressions quickly shift to surprise when they spot Jared behind me.

“Jared?” Dad’s brow furrows. “What are you doing here, son?”

Jared steps forward. “Hey, Dad. Elaine.” He flashes them a smile. “I took a little trip back to surprise Aria for her birthday and spend some time with my little sis.”

I try to ignore how my skin prickles at his words.

Mom’s face softens. “That’s so sweet of you, Jared. We had no idea you were coming.”

“Yeah, well, I managed to get a few weeks off from work,” Jared lies, wrapping an arm around my shoulders in a seemingly innocent gesture. But his touch, especially in front of them, makes my whole body burn. “Figured I’d spend some quality time with my family.”

I lean into his embrace, willing myself to play along. As his fingers trail down my arm, leaving a burning trail in their wake, memories of those same hands exploring every inch of my body come to the forefront of my mind.

“Well, we’re certainly glad to have you here,” Dad says, clapping Jared on the shoulder. “It’ll be just like old times, eh?”

Jared’s grip on me tightens. “Yeah, Dad. Just like old times.”

As our parents enter the kitchen, chattering excitedly about Jared’s surprise visit, dread creeps through my blood.

How long before the truth comes spilling out about our fucked-up relationship?

Jared leans close. “Play along, little sister,” he murmurs. “The fun’s just getting started.”

A shiver runs through me. No matter how hard we try to maintain our charade, our twisted desires are too strong to hide, threatening to consume us both.

29

ARIA

I’m lounging on the couch, flipping through channels, when the doorbell rings. My brow furrows as my mom and stepdad have gone to some convention today, and Jared is out getting some groceries. Smoothing my hair, I pad over to the door and peek through the peephole. Lisa and Kevin are standing on the porch.

I swing the door open, plastering a casual smile on my face. “Hey guys, what’s up?”

Lisa arches an eyebrow at me. “We were supposed to hang out today, remember? You’ve been sick all week, and now you’re better; we agreed to watch a movie at your place.”

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