Chapter 109. The Aria Diaries (What We Were Before the Hurt) (3)

The way he was looking at her made it clear that he could see right through her. Aria was really trying, but her insides were on fire. Everything just hurt so damn much. He turned her around and held her up against him. She gave a little gasp and looked back at him in spite of herself.

“Relax. Just go with it. Let me help you make it hurt less,” he whispered into her ear.

But Aaron only made it hurt worse. Because Aria really did want to be okay with it, wanted to remember how in love she’d once been with this man. She’d promised Troy though. Promised him that it was over. Aaron was the man in front of her. He was the man she was marrying. This time she had to stay for him. This time they both needed her to stay. So Aria did. She stayed with him. Let the hurt become part of her. Let herself accept it as she felt his hands manipulate her body. It wasn’t until she’d turned back around and her lips were on his that she pulled away.

It was too far too fast, but he hadn