"You're only behaving like this with me because I haven't given you a marriage, right? Fine. Come—let's get married right now."
His hand closed around my wrist, tugging me forward as if his decision alone could rewrite my fate.
I jerked my hand free.
"Why would I want marriage now," I asked, tilting my head, "when I have a better choice to pick from?"
A slow smirk curved my lips. "He can be Elian's father."
His pupils blew wide.
"Aria!"
My name tore out of his throat, raw, furious, almost… frantic.
Before I could step back, his arm shot out. My back hit the wall with a soft thud, his body caging mine. Then—
His lips crashed onto mine.
My eyes flew open.
My first kiss—stolen.
No. No, absolutely not. I refuse to accept this.
I tried pushing him away, but the way his hands framed my face—firm, warm, claiming—sent a violent shiver down my spine. His chest pressed against mine, strong and unyielding, and his mouth moved with a hunger that stole my strength.
