There’s nothing gentle or tentative about our kiss. This is all teeth and desperate breath and tongues tangling in the charged silence. Her fingers thread tightly through my hair. Mine grip her hips firmly as though she’s the only thing keeping me anchored to this moment.
 
 I didn’t expect her to taste or feel likethis.
 
 I lift her without breaking our connection. She gasps against my mouth.
 
 Her fucking body.
 
 I carry her down the hallway with surprising certainty—as though every time I stomped down here, pretending I didn’t give a shit, my mind was imagining doing this.
 
 The moment I lay her down on the bed, everything inside me breaks open, my voice rasping against her soft skin.
 
 “I hated watching them touch you,” I murmur against her heated skin.
 
 Her shirt disappears between us, my hands tossing it to the floor.
 
 “I hated seeing how much you wanted them instead of me.”
 
 Her bra joins the growing pile of discarded clothing, revealing her full, soft breasts with their dusky rose nipples. I take in the beautiful curves of her body with awe—the swell of her stomach, the generous sweep of her hips, the way her skin glows in the soft light of the bedroom. There’s something addictive about her figure, all gorgeous curves and inviting deliciousness that my hands can’t get enough of.
 
 “I hated that I couldn’t stop wanting you, every minute of every fucking day.”
 
 I kiss her deeply, as though trying to erase every harsh word, every emotional wound I’ve carelessly inflicted on her heart. She arches beneath me, warm and responsive and beautifully vulnerable, and I swear I can feel her forgiveness flowing through every inch of skin where we connect.
 
 This isn’t romantic. It’s pure lust and desire. I want to remember this moment forever. I sweep my hand over her throat, tightening it softly before her eyes roll in her head, relinquishing all control to me. Her hands attempt to shove down her panties, and like an animal about to feast on its prey, I yank them off in one swift movement so her bare pussy is displayed for me, glistening with her arousal.
 
 For me.
 
 “Fuck, Aria.”
 
 I pause, breathless, taking in the sight before me. The glow from the lamplight on Aria’s skin highlights every beautiful curve of her body. Her full breasts rise and fall with each quickened breath, nipples pebbled. The slope of her stomach leads my eyes to the curve of her hips, and I’m overwhelmed with a need I’ve never felt before.
 
 For anyone.
 
 “You’re stunning,” I whisper, voice rough with need.
 
 My hands tremble as they trace the contours of her body. The contrast of my tanned fingers against her alabaster skin is toomuch. I’ve never wanted to memorize someone’s body the way I want to memorize hers—every dip, every curve, every place that makes her breath catch when I touch her.
 
 There’s something about seeing her like this, vulnerable and trusting beneath me despite everything that’s happened between us. The weight of that trust hits me square in the chest, stealing my breath.
 
 Her eyes meet mine, pupils dilated with desire, a flush spreading across her cheeks and down her neck to her chest. I’ve never seen anything more beautiful than Aria in this moment—wanting me as desperately as I want her.
 
 “I never thought—” I start, then stop, overcome. “I never imagined you could want me like this. After everything.”
 
 She reaches up, fingers threading through my hair, pulling me down to her. The softness of her body against mine feels like coming home to a place I never knew existed.
 
 “I want you, Rhett,” she confirms, her voice husky.
 
 My dick hardens as she sweeps her hand over her pussy, her finger slowly massaging her sweet clit.
 
 Holy fuck, if she keeps doing that, I’ll come in my pants.
 
 “Aria,” I rumble, reaching out to grab her hand. I lift it to my lips, wiping her arousal all over them before licking it. She tastes sweet, musky, and fucking addictive.
 
 “Rhett,” she moans, reaching for me.
 
 That’s all it takes.
 
 I press my mouth to hers again, swallowing her moans as I push two fingers inside her, slow and deep. She’s soaked, clenching around me like her body’s been waiting for this—for me.