ARIA’s POV
Raj's arms wrapped around me tightly, and I held him back just as hard. His whole body shook with silent sobs against my shoulder.
I just miss her so much," he whispered, his voice breaking.
I know," I murmured, rubbing his back soothingly. "I know, Raj. I'm so sorry.
His aunt had been like a mother to him. When I'd heard about the accident, my heart had broken for him. Now, seeing him back at school for the first time in weeks, all I wanted was to comfort my friend.
Then someone grabbed my arm and yanked me away.
What the hell—" I stumbled as Kai's hand tightened around my wrist.
His face was dark with fury, his jaw clenched so tight I could see the muscle jumping. His eyes blazed with something wild and dangerous as he stared down at Raj.
Kai, let go of me!" I tried to pull free, but his grip was iron.
What the hell do you think you're doing?" I demanded, finally wrenching my arm away. "What right do you have to treat me like this?
You're getting too close to other men," he growled, his voice low and possessive.
My mouth fell open. "Excuse me?"
Raj stepped forward, confused. "Aria, is everything okay? Who is this guy?"
Just ignore him," I told Raj and the small crowd that had gathered. "He's nobody. Just a—
But I didn't get to finish. Kai bent down, grabbed me around the waist, and lifted me over his shoulder like I weighed nothing.
Put me down!" I shrieked, pounding on his back. "Kai! What are you doing?
He didn't answer, just carried me down the hallway while everyone stared. My face burned with humiliation as he kicked open a door to an empty classroom and deposited me inside.
The door slammed shut behind us.
I whirled on him, fury replacing my shock. "Have you lost your mind?"
Maybe I have," he shot back, stalking toward me.
I backed up instinctively, my heart racing. "Stay away from me."
Why were you hugging him?" Each word came out harsh, demanding.
That's none of your business! Raj just lost his aunt and—
I don't care what his excuse was. You don't hug other men like that.
The possessiveness in his tone made something twist in my stomach. Part fear, part anger, and part something I didn't want to name.
Stop acting like you're my boyfriend," I spat out, backing up until I hit the wall. "Because you're not. I have no thoughts about you at all. I only care about Zane Parker.
Something flickered in Kai's eyes—hurt, maybe, or rage. He closed the distance between us in two strides, caging me against the wall with his arms on either side of my head.
Say that again," he challenged, his face inches from mine.
I. Don't. Want. You." I enunciated each word clearly, even as my body betrayed me by trembling.
His eyes dropped to my lips. "Liar."
Then his mouth crashed against mine.
The kiss was hard, demanding, nothing gentle about it. His lips moved over mine with a hunger that stole my breath. I tried to push him away, tried to remember all the reasons this was wrong, but my body had other ideas.
Heat exploded through me, that familiar ache between my legs intensifying until I couldn't think straight. My hands, which had been pushing against his chest, suddenly fisted in his shirt, pulling him closer instead.
No. Stop. This is wrong.
But when his tongue swept into my mouth, claiming and possessive, I moaned against him. The sound seemed to inflame him further. He pressed his body fully against mine, and I felt every hard plane of muscle, every inch of his arousal grinding against my stomach.
My legs went weak. The kiss deepened, grew more desperate. His hands slid from the wall to my waist, gripping me tightly as he devoured my mouth like a man starving.
I kissed him back with equal fervor, all my protests drowning in the overwhelming need consuming me. My fingers tangled in his hair, pulling him even closer, wanting more, needing more.
Then reality crashed back in.
I'm at school. In an empty classroom. Making out with Kai Steel.
I shoved at his chest hard. "Stop. We can't—I have to go."
I tried to move past him, but he grabbed my arm and spun me back, pressing me against the door. His hand slammed against the wood beside my head, blocking my escape.
We're not done," he growled.
Yes, we are." My voice came out breathless, unconvincing.
He didn't listen. His mouth found mine again, and this time the kiss was even more intense. His free hand roamed over my body—down my side, across my ribs, higher and higher until—
His palm cupped my breast through my tight shirt.
A moan tore from my throat before I could stop it. My back arched, pressing into his touch as pleasure shot through me. He massaged gently at first, then more firmly, his thumb finding my nipple through the thin fabric and circling it.
Kai," I gasped against his lips. "We can't—
You're so responsive," he murmured, his hand sliding under my shirt. "So perfect.
When his fingers found bare skin, I nearly came undone. He pushed my bra up roughly, freeing my breasts, and his calloused palm against my sensitive flesh made stars burst behind my eyes.
He pinched my nipple lightly, and I cried out. The sound seemed to drive him wild. His other hand slid down my stomach, fingers toying with the waistband of my skirt.
Tell me to stop," he commanded, even as his hand dipped lower. "Tell me you don't want this.
But I couldn't. My body was on fire, every nerve ending screaming for more. His fingers brushed against my inner thigh, and I spread my legs without thinking, giving him access.
That's it," he breathed against my neck. "So eager. So wet for me.
His hand slipped higher, and I felt myself getting lost in the sensation. Nothing mattered except his touch, his mouth on my skin, the promise of relief from this constant aching need.
Then—footsteps in the hallway.
We both froze. Voices passed by the door, students laughing about something. The sound was like cold water dumped over my head.
I pushed Kai away with all my strength, frantically pulling my bra and shirt back into place. My whole body trembled, whether from arousal or shock, I couldn't tell.
Stop," I said firmly, trying to catch my breath. "This can't happen again.
Kai's chest heaved, his eyes still dark with desire. "Aria—"
I have a deal with Reed," I cut him off, straightening my skirt with shaking hands. "Not you. I don't want to continue this with you.
His jaw clenched. "You think you can just choose which one of us you want?"
Yes! That's exactly what I think!" My voice rose with desperation. "I made a deal with Reed to help me get Zane. That's all this is.
He watched me struggle with the buttons, a cruel, knowing smile playing on his lips. “You could have fooled me. The way you moaned? The way your pretty little nipple got so hard in my hand?” He took a step closer again, and I flinched. “You can’t escape from me, Aria. This thing between us? You’re too stupid to understand it, but your body gets it. You kiss like you were made for it.”
My body is messed up," I shot back. "You know that. I'm not normal. This doesn't mean anything.
Something painful flashed across his face, but it was quickly replaced by cold anger.
Fine. Keep telling yourself that." His voice turned mocking. "But you should know—you're terrible at kissing.
The words hit like a slap. "What?"
You heard me. You're too eager, too sloppy, too desperate." He circled me slowly, his eyes raking over my disheveled appearance. "If you kiss Zane Parker like that, he'll laugh in your face. Again.
Humiliation burned through me, mixing with the lingering arousal to create something toxic and painful.
You're too stupid to even pretend properly," Kai continued, his tone cruel. "How do you expect to seduce anyone when you can't even control yourself? When you moan like a whore at the slightest touch?
Tears pricked my eyes, but I refused to let them fall. "Get out of my way."
Gladly." He opened the door with a mocking bow. "But don't come crying to me when Zane rejects you again. You need a lot more practice before you're ready for someone like him.
He walked out, leaving me alone in the classroom.
I slid down the door until I sat on the floor, my whole body shaking. My lips felt swollen from his kisses. My breast still tingled where he'd touched me. Between my legs, I was soaked with need that had nowhere to go.
What is wrong with me?
Kai was right about one thing—I couldn't control myself. Every time one of the Steel brothers got close, my body took over, drowning out all rational thought.
But I had to get control. Had to learn to use this desire instead of being controlled by it.
Because Zane Parker was my goal. Not Kai. Not any of the Steel brothers.
I just had to keep reminding myself of that.
