Page 63 of Beautiful Revenge

“My brother would never try to kill you. He’s too fucking nice now. So this is a hypothetical I don’t have to worry about.”

“Your brother will be your downfall, you know that? The longer you hold onto your hatred for him, the more you put yourself in danger.”

“I thought you wanted me dead.”

“I do. But I don’t want to get hurt in the process. It’s just self-preservation I’m thinking of.”

“Sure.” I lower my head down until there’s barely any space between our lips. Aria sucks in a sharp breath. I don’t move forward, waiting to see what she does.

“What are you doing?” she whispers.

“If I kissed you right now, would you stop me? Push me away?”

“Yes.” There’s no more fight in her words. It’s like she’s speaking on autopilot.

“Let’s test that theory, shall we?”

I bridge the gap between us and press my lips to hers. Aria is tense for a moment before she relaxes into my touch. I deepen the kiss, consuming her like I’ve wanted to since I first laid eyes on her.

The kiss quickly becomes rough. Aria puts a lot of passion into it, more than I thought she would. It just proves that I married the right woman. She has a fire to match my own and not many people can say that.

I push her back against the counter.

That seems to break the spell.

Aria shoves me back and stumbles away from me. “Enough. We can’t do that.”

“Why did you stop it?”

“You know why.”

“No. I don’t.” I narrow my eyes. “Are you worried you’ll end up actually liking me, princess? What would your father think of you then? Or Dante? He would be so disappointed in you if you ended up liking me.”

“Then it’s a good thing I hate you.”

“Sure.” I sigh and drop my head back. “I have work I need to get to.”

“What work?”

“Like killing Dante.”

Her eyes flash. “Don’t kill him.”

“Because you care so much about him? That’s why I have to do it, princess. He has too much power and that includes you. He needs to die so I can gain some of that power myself. Now, I have to lock you inside the bedroom. I still can’t risk you running away.”

Aria doesn’t object as I lead her into the bedroom and lock the door. But for just a moment, I hesitate, not sure if I should lock her in or not.

But then I turn the lock and leave.

Aria

I hear footsteps on the stairs soon after Finn leaves.

He’s back already? Maybe he forgot something – like to unlock the door. I can’t believe, after I told him what could happen if he dies and no one knows I’m here, that he didn’t listen.

Asshole. I hate him. I’m not going to let our kiss distract me. Or the way he touched my breasts. Or the way his eyes darken with desire whenever he sees me naked.

Nope. No effect on me at all.

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