The mattress dipped more, and his presence radiated heat against my back, swallowing the space I desperately needed.
I stiffened. Every muscle in my body screamed don't touch me, but Darius didn't seem to understand the tension vibrating through me.
"Aria," he murmured, his breath ghosting the back of my neck. "You're shaking."
I shut my eyes tightly.
If he touched me just a little more, I feared I'd scream. Or worse—break.
Because the warmth of him against my spine didn't comfort me now.
It terrified me.
He reached a tentative hand toward my shoulder, fingertips hovering—then landing gently.
And the moment he touched me, a violent shudder tore through my body.
His hand froze.
"Aria…?"
I curled in on myself, pulling the robe tighter, as if I could hide from both him and the memories.
"Please," I whispered, voice cracking. "Don't."
The silence that followed was heavy—like he couldn't decide whether to be offended or concerned.
Slowly, his hand retreated.
