Chapter 42

Aria

The kiss is rough and possessive, and I melt into it, wrapping my arms around his neck like he’s my lifeline.

When he pulls back, his gaze locks onto mine, intense and unrelenting. He brushes a strand of hair from my face, his touch surprisingly gentle. “I’m going to mark you now. Can I?”

Wait, what? My brain stutters. Mark me? Like… for real? I didn’t expect this…didn’t think he’d want to make it official.

His gray eyes don’t waver, and I realize he’s serious. Dead serious. And for the first time in forever, I’m stunned into silence.

“Aria… if you’re not ready—”

“I’m ready,” I cut him off firmly. “I mean, it’s been days since we found out we’re mates. Soon it’s going to hurt if we don’t mark each other.”

The second I tell Lucas I’m ready, something changes in his eyes. His gray gaze darkens, flickering with something intense, something raw. He strokes my cheek softly, making my heart flutter even though the back of my mind is sc