clicked shut, s

in the air. Julian's hand didn't leave Aria's shoulder. His fingers tig

ough her clothes, smell the faint, clean s

Aria would have screamed, accused him of controlling

asn't the

. She tilted her head back to look up at him, a

red, her voice catching

n's eyes. An apology was th

ling, clinging to her lashes. "I won't see her again. You

t against her own cheek. She nuzzled against hi

ease?" Her voice was soft, laced wi

aved for years. He knew it was a performance. But the feel of her soft skin, the dampness of

den surrender had shattered

. This was a desperate play to see if

n eternity, Julian slo

dropped. She

cupped her jaw, forcing her head up, while th

crashed do

rutal, claiming act mea

tion. She wanted to fight, to claw at him, but he hel

nt, metallic tang of his own

gh her, but she forced it down.

tely, she made h

hesitantly, she

pulled back slightly, his forehead resting against

a?" His voice was a raw, husky whisper, his

through a haze of tears, her expression a

more potent surren

e crushed his lips to hers again,

domen. A sharp, agonizing pain shot through him. He

battle. This is a transaction, she told herself. For surv

e weight of him slumped forward, a d