Chapter 6

The shed was still dark, but the adrenaline from being trapped hadn’t faded—it had shifted into something else entirely. Something dangerous. Something electric.

I could feel Jace’s body pressed close, every movement taut, every breath shallow. His jaw was tight, his arms flexed, and every instinct screamed at him to pull away—but he didn’t. Not completely.

I let my hand slide from his wrist to his forearm, just brushing the edge of his skin. “You know,” I whispered, “this could be fun.”

His head snapped toward me. “Fun?” His voice was low, strained, like he was trying not to lose control.

I tilted my head, letting my hair fall over my shoulder, brushing lightly against him. “Yeah,” I said softly. “Being trapped together. No one can stop us. No one can see what we do.”

He exhaled sharply, and I felt it against my ear. “Aria…” His voice was rough, dangerous, and completely vulnerable.

“Mm?” I murmured, stepping closer, just close enough to feel the heat radiating off him.

“You’re… impossible.”

I smiled faintly. “Am I?” I let my fingers lightly graze his chest, testing his reaction. His breath hitched. “Or maybe you like it.”

He swallowed, eyes darkening, and I knew I’d hit a nerve. I had him off balance—and I wasn’t done.

“You’re going to hate me for saying this,” I whispered, tilting my head so my lips were just inches from his ear, “but I want to see how long you can resist me.”

He stiffened, gripping my hand tightly. “Aria—”

I silenced him with a finger pressed to his lips. “Shh. Let me enjoy this.”

His eyes flicked to mine, searching, fighting, burning. He wanted to say no, he wanted to move away—but he couldn’t. Not completely. The tension was thick, almost unbearable.

I let my hand slide down his arm, letting my thumb brush his knuckle, teasing without touching too much. “Look at me, Jace,” I whispered, and when he did, I smiled faintly. “You’re lying if you say you don’t want this.”

He exhaled, frustrated, as if trying to fight a war he already knew he’d lose. “You’re playing a dangerous game,” he muttered.

“And you like games, don’t you?” I countered, stepping even closer, letting my body brush against his. The heat of it, the closeness, was intoxicating.

For a moment, everything paused—our hearts racing, breaths mingling. Then, a loud bang echoed from outside the shed.

We both jerked apart, hearts pounding.

“Someone’s back,” he whispered, eyes dark with tension and something else I couldn’t name.

I pressed a finger to his chest, smiling faintly. “And here I thought you liked being tempted.”

He swallowed hard, eyes locked on mine. “Aria… you’re going to get us in so much trouble.”

I leaned closer, just enough that he could feel my breath. “Good,” I whispered. “I like trouble.”

Outside, footsteps approached.

And before we could react, the shed door rattled violently again—someone trying to force it open.

Jace spun toward me, hand gripping mine. “Hold on,” he growled. “This is about to get messy.”

And in that moment, trapped in darkness, close enough to feel his every heartbeat, I realized—the game of seduction had officially begun.