Page 74 of Aria's Desire

For now.

Turning to face her, he slowly gathered her close, guiding her to wrap her arms around his neck and her legs around his waist, holding her gaze all the while.

“Ready?”

She leaned to the side to peer over the edge of the balcony at the ground a long way away and grinned. “Oh, yeah.”

Sin chuckled low in his throat then jumped onto the railing, stretched his wings wide… and leapt.

Aria gasped then laughed with delight. This was even more exhilarating than flying on him as the dragon. It felt dangerous, but thrillingly so, because she trusted Sin. He wouldn’t drop her.

Or if he did, he’d catch her again before she went splat.

He flew them through the valley between peaks for a distance, then landed on a sizable ledge that led to a wide recess maybe ten feet deep and twice as wide. Eyeing the setup, her brows slowly rose.

Peering up at Sin, she hummed approvingly, “You were prepared.”

It wasn't a question, but he answered anyway. “Just in case.”

Smiling, Aria walked into the depression. It wasn't really a cave, just a wide nook with an overhang, but it was made cozy with blankets, some food and water, and half-a-dozen lanterns, currently unlit since the suns were still up.

Taking a seat, she glanced back to find Sin still standing at the opening. “I won't bite,” she quipped, then amended, “Probably.”

He huffed, a small smile curling his lips, but he joined her, sitting opposite her on the thick pad of blankets.

Conversation started haltingly with neither of them knowing exactly where to start, but it smoothed quickly, becoming comfortable, easy. They spoke back and forth about their worlds, their lives pre-abduction. Sin shared stories about his life being a trader with his father, some of which had her laughing so hard she couldn’t breathe. She told him about her life as an FBI agent, her family, Foster, and his wife and daughter.

They opened up to one another, learning who they were and sharing themselves.

She found out he didn't have a favorite color. Or a favorite food. Why that shocked her, she couldn't quite say, but she immediately decided they would be changing that as soon as they got back to the complex. With the fabricators, he could sample a huge variety of foods and pick his favorites. When she said as much to him, he just smiled, looking both amused and charmed by her admittedly odd affront.

A couple of hours passed unnoticed until the suns set, throwing their little nook into shadow. Sin lit the lanterns, the flickering flames throwing dancing patterns on the stone, playing on the harsh angles of his face.

When he settled again, their eyes met. Something charged and breathless passed between them. Aria didn’t know which of them moved first, but somehow, between one second and the next, they were kissing.

Chapter 37

Aria pulled back suddenly and gasped, “Wait, wait, Sin I need—”

“Mm, Gods yes. I need, too,” he growled roughly, trying to capture her lips again.

That startled a breathless laugh out of her, but she shook her head and evaded his drugging kiss. “No, listen. I need to apologize.”

That got him to still. Pulling back enough to see her, he frowned. “Now?”

Snorting, she grimaced but nodded. “Yes. Now.”

“Okay. But… quickly?”

Her smile widened but faded. Looking up at him seriously, she traced her fingertips over his cheek. “I was unfair to you. I expected you to acclimate almost immediately, to adapt to freedom in the span of a second. I expected you to help me, and I didn’t think about what you needed. I- I’m so sorry, Sin.”

The gentlest smile curled his lips, and his gaze softened. “You are a demanding female, that is true. But there is nothing to forgive,a roínseah. I am here with you. You are here with me, touching me, smiling at me. You have love in your eyes when you look at me. That is worth any trials I needed to face.”

Her throat tightened with emotion even as a brief flare of panic shot through her. He was right, she did love him, thought she had from the moment she’d found him in that cave.

It was time to stop running from those feelings, time to stop letting fear of not being in control rule her.

Cupping his face, she brought him down to her and whispered against his lips, “I do love you, Thrasin.”

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