Chapter 36. Consumed by You (3)

Aria was afraid that Troy would leave, like everyone she had ever cared for, ever loved, had done up until now. She knew it wasn’t fair to ask for his heart when her own wasn’t yet ready, when his might not be either, but she couldn’t help it. After everything she’d been through, Aria wanted, needed days like today, nights like last night. Extended periods of time where she didn’t feel like all she could do was hurt or not feel at all. Troy was that for her, he was happiness. It was stupid and short sighted to think this way. It might damage their professional relationship, might cost her her crown, her life even. Was she being too reckless just because he was nice to her?

“Rule Number Two. What about you? Caroline Condor isn’t married yet. Isn’t that the real reason you came?”

He wanted so much to show her what was in his head, his heart. She had consumed them both in record time. He shuddered to know how much worse it was going to get for him, especially since there wa