Page 10 of Rescuing Aria

“Yes,” Ember whispers, then louder, “Yes!”

Blaze slides the ring onto her finger, then rises to gather her into his arms. Their kiss, tender and fierce at once, sends a cheer through our gathered family. Champagne appears, toasts are made, and the celebration takes on a new energy.

As the congratulations and toasts continue around us, my fingers twitch with the need to touch Aria. To claim her in some small way. The impulse surprises me—I’m not usually possessive. But something about tonight, about seeing Charlie and Brett together, about watching Blaze and Ember seal their future with a kiss, makes me acutely aware of what I want.

Who I want.

I catch Aria’s wrist, the delicate bones beneath my fingers making my throat tighten.

“Come with me.”

Her eyes meet mine, curious but trusting. She follows me to the far edge of the deck, where the crash of waves drowns out the celebration behind us. Stars reflect on the dark water, endless possibilities mirrored in the depths.

“Are you all right?” She studies my face in the dim light, her hand brushing lightly along my forearm. The warmth of her touch grounds me, but my pulse refuses to slow. She studies my face in the dim light, her brows pulling together in concern.

I nod, but it’s not enough. I need to say it.

“I’ve been thinking about that kiss. In the shop.”

“Me too.” Color rises to her cheeks, soft pink even in the moonlight, and it damn near knocks the air out of my lungs. “I’ve wanted to kiss you for so long.”

“I’ve wanted to for months,” I admit, my thumb tracing a slow line across the back of her hand. “Just never thought…”

“That I’d be interested?” Her laughter is soft, surprised, and tinged with a hint of shyness, like she’s testing the water before diving in. “I’ve been hoping you would for months. I just didn’t think you saw me that way. Not with?—”

“Charlie and Brett,” I finish for her, jaw tightening. “That’s been over for a while now.”

Her mouth parts, but she doesn’t speak. Her fingers twist nervously in the hem of her dress, and the gesture nearly undoes me.

“I just wasn’t sure if you were ready…” She bites her lip, and it nearly unravels me. That uncertainty, that doubt—like she doesn’t know how much I see her, want her. “For something else.”

That hits deeper than it should. This fierce, brilliant woman doesn’t realize how completely she’s undone me. How often I’ve found myself watching the way her eyes light up when she’s focused. How the curve of her smile ruins my concentration. How the memory of her laugh gets me through the hardest parts of the day.

“I need to ask you something.” I reach out, brushing her hair behind her ear.

“Anything.”

“Are you seeing anyone?” My hand stays at her cheek, my thumb tracing the curve of her jaw. “I should have asked before I kissed you. Before I assumed?—”

“No.” The answer is immediate. Her lips tilt into a small, teasing smile. “I’m not seeing anyone.”

“Good.” The relief that hits me is hot and visceral, coiled low in my spine.

“Good?” she echoes, like she’s testing the word on her tongue.

I step into her space, one hand slipping to her hip, tugging her in until our bodies nearly touch. Her breath hitches. I feel it in the way her fingers grip my forearm.

“Yes.” I step in closer, my hand sliding to her waist. She doesn’t flinch. Doesn’t move away. She lets me touch her like I have the right. “Because I don’t want to share you.”

“Do I dare ask—what that means?” Her tone is playful, but there’s a thread of hope running through it.

“I want you. Just you. Us,” I continue, voice dropping. “If that’s what you want too… Say it now.” I lock my gaze on hers.

“I’d like that.” She sways into me, hands sliding up my chest, looping behind my neck like it’s instinct.

I nod once, then let my thumb stroke the edge of her rib, just under the curve of her breast.

“Just to be clear,” I murmur, my fingers tracing a slow line along her waist, “if you’re not seeing anyone… I want to be the one who is. Theonlyone who is. I’m done with the threesome thing, and I’m not interested in casual. Not with you.”