CHAPTER 4

Aria

Uncle? Damien is Ethan’s uncle? How is that even possible? Could my luck get any worse?

Earlier when Ethan had called him uncle, he barely grunted a reply and I could tell they really didn’t get along. Damien just asked me to get into his car. We’ve been driving for about ten minutes now and he hasn’t said a word to me.

His eyes are fixed ahead and a clear frown is on his face as I glance at him for the umpteenth time. He’s clearly upset that I was trying to use him to make Ethan jealous,which I was. I had no intention of accepting his offer.

“If you have something to say, fucking say it,” His cold voice comes, sending a sliver of fear down my spine. 

I gulp, trying to still the mess of emotions rushing through my heart. “I’m sorry,” I murmured.

He turns to look at me, his cold and intense gaze makes me cower inside. I’ve never met a man as hot yet cold as him. 

“Did you know?” He asks.

Did I know what, that they were related?

“No, I didn’t know you were related. I know all of Ethan’s family but he has never mentioned you,” I reply frantically, staring down at my trembling hands, unable to hold his intense gaze.

“Miss Aria, do not lie to me.”

“I’m not lying, I swear it on my dad’s life…I didn’t know,” My voice is more assertive. “What kind of a person would I be to sleep with Ethan’s uncle? If I had known who you were that night, I never would have followed you.”

He doesn’t reply and I can no longer feel his gaze on me. I scan him through my peripheral vision and he is now looking ahead. This man has a really handsome side profile. 

Focus Aria.

He dwells on my words for some seconds and without looking at me again he asks. “What is he to you?” 

“He’s my - was my boyfriend. He cheated on me so I broke up with him but he doesn’t seem to get it.”

“So you were trying to use me to make him jealous, that’s why you sent that text?” He turns to look at me and our eyes meet briefly before I look away.

“Not jealous…….I just wanted him to back off,” I replied, guilt gripping my heart. He had me figured out, there’s no way I could lie about it.

“Same thing,” he replies curtly.

Suddenly, his soft palm lands on my face and he slowly tilts my head towards him until our eyes meet. His deep, dark and sexy orbs stare deep into my big, bright and blue ones, almost as if he is looking into my soul.

I can’t lie…..something about this man’s cold gaze makes me feel hot inside, my heart races with a desire I do not understand and I try to turn away but his grip tightens and he locks his lips with mine.

I gasp into his mouth as he sucks on my lip. His hold is rough, primal even, but his kiss is sultry, gentle. 

I hate how my heart races and how my core throbs from the pleasure of his kiss. His lips are so soft and tasteful and my body reacts too positively to it.

He slowly lets go of my face and runs his fingers down the corner of my neck, making me shiver with pleasure. Don't tell him I said so, but my neck is one of my most sensitive spots. 

His hand traces back up my nape and he grips the back of my head, deepening the kiss. He flicks his tongue against mine and I hold back the moan that almost escapes me as I unconsciously give him my tongue to suck on.

Christ!…that feels so good….

I didn't even realise he had broken the kiss or that my eyes were closed until I heard his voice.

“You can open your eyes now, miss Aria.”

I flutter my eyes open, my face going beet red and I’m unable to look at him, suddenly feeling shy as I rub my index finger on my lip, the effect of his kiss still lingering.

“What- What was that for?” I ask shyly, unable to resist the urge.

“Next time you want to use one man to make another man jealous, that’s how you do it. Not with a silly hug,” He says rather passively.

My lips round into an ‘O’, realisation hitting me. “Okay,” I reply softly. My heart is still racing, even though I don’t want it to.

“Stop the car Dean,” He orders his driver curtly and he pulls the car to a halt.

 “Get down,” He turns to me and says coldly.

I almost don’t believe he means it and my eyes widen at him as if asking the question my mouth couldn’t.

“You wasted my time today Miss Aria, I do not appreciate that. Next time you pull this kind of stunt, I won’t be so lenient.”

“There won’t be a next time,” I say under my breath, hating myself for even texting him in the first place. For a moment there, I forgot how much of an asshole he is.

“There better not be,” He replies in that cold tone again as I unlock the door, pushing it open.

Why does he think he should always have the last say? I shut the door and turn towards him, facing him squarely and looking him dead in the eyes.

“You know…for someone who claims they don’t eat the same food twice, you were in a hurry to taste me again, considering how fast you came,” I remarked in an accusatory tone.

He looks at me with shock in his eyes and I can tell he wasn’t expecting that. His lips part but he is unable to say anything and for some reason, I feel……..victorious.

“Out,” He says in a low murderous tone. If looks could kill, the one he has on right now would already have me at the morgue.

I scoff. “Goodbye, Damien Hartwell.” 

But as I step out of the car and he drives away, something in my gut tells me I was going to be seeing him again.

Still standing on the side of the road, I pull out my phone and do the only other thing I know that can get me some money, call Steven Black, the owner of Black Out Cafe.

It would still involve me giving a part of me in exchange for money but at least it won’t be my body.