My fingers tighten around the phone 45

Aria’s POV
“Stay away from me,” I whispered, but my body betrayed me, pressing closer to his warmth even as the words left my
lips. His alpha presence surrounded me like a physical force, making the dim corridor feel impossibly intimate. Every
breath filled my lungs with his scent – pine needles and mountain air mixed with something dangerously male that made
my head spin.
“I can’t.” Ethan’s voice was rough, almost pained. His fingers traced up my arm, leaving trails of fire in their wake. “And
neither can you.”
His hand slid to the nape of my neck, thumb brushing over my thundering pulse. “Tell me you don’t feel this,” he
demanded, his breath hot against my lips. “Tell me you don’t lie awake at night remembering how we felt together.”
The memory of that hospital room crashed over me – his hands on my skin, the perfect way our bodies had aligned, that
soul-deep connection that had terrified me with its intensity. Heat pooled low in my belly as his other hand gripped my
hip, pulling me flush against the hard planes of his chest.
“Leo is waiting—” I started, but Ethan’s growl cut me off.
“Don’t say his name.” The hand on my hip tightened possessively.
“I’m just friends with Leo.” My voice came out steadier than I felt. “You need to stop this.”
Ethan took another step closer, his alpha energy rolling off him in waves that made my skin tingle. Even without my wolf
powers, I could feel the raw dominance radiating from him. “Friends don’t look at each other the way he looks at you,” he
growled, his voice dropping to a dangerous octave. “Those moonflowers he keeps bringing you…”
I lifted my chin. “What I do or don’t do with Leo is none of your business. You’re the Shadow Fang heir, and I’m just a
trainer. That’s all.”
“Is that what you think?” His hand shot out, gripping my wrist. The touch sent electricity racing through my veins, memories of that night in the medical center flooding back unbidden. “Tell me, Aria, does Leo make your heart race like
this?” His thumb pressed against my pulse point, where my betraying heart was practically galloping.
“Let go.” I tried to pull away, but his grip only tightened. The heat of his skin against mine was intoxicating, making it
hard to think clearly. “You have no right—”
“No right?” His laugh was bitter. “So you’d rather marry him? Is that it?”
“Maybe I would.” The words came out sharp and deliberately provocative. I wanted to hurt him, to push him away before
these dangerous feelings between us grew any stronger. “At least Leo’s never tried to force—”
His mouth claimed mine with bruising intensity, all semblance of restraint shattering in an instant. The kiss was raw
possession, alpha dominance demanding surrender.
A desperate sound caught in my throat as his fingers threaded through my hair, angling my head to deepen the kiss. His
other hand slid down my spine, pressing me closer until every hard line of his body was branded against mine. The taste
of him – wild and untamed like the mountains themselves – made my head spin.
The cool wall at my back contrasted sharply with the scorching heat of his chest against mine. His tongue swept inside,
claiming every inch, drawing sounds from me I barely recognized. Each stroke, each possessive touch sent electricity
racing through my veins. His teeth caught my lower lip in a sharp bite that had me gasping, the flash of pain only
heightening the pleasure coursing through my body.
When he pulled back slightly, his eyes had darkened to forest shadows, pupils blown wide with desire. The evidence of
his arousal pressed hard against my hip, making my breath catch. His lips traced a burning path down my neck, teeth
scraping over my thundering pulse. The alpha energy rolling off him was intoxicating, making it impossible to remember
why I shouldn’t arch into his touch, why I shouldn’t let him claim me right here against the wall.
The rational part of my brain screamed that we were in the restaurant, that anyone could walk by and see us. With the
last shred of my willpower, I bit down hard on his lower lip. The metallic taste of blood filled my mouth as he jerked back
in surprise. I took advantage of his momentary distraction to shove him away, my chest heaving as I tried to catch my
breath.
“Don’t ever touch me like that again,” I spat, though the tremor in my voice betrayed me. My lips felt swollen and tender.
I didn’t wait for his response, turning and practically running down the corridor. I heard him call my name, his voice rough
with a mixture of frustration and desire, but I didn’t stop. I couldn’t. One more second in his presence and I might do
something we’d both regret.
Leo was waiting outside, his expression concerned as he took in my disheveled state. “Everything okay?”
I nodded, not trusting my voice. As we pulled away from the restaurant, I caught a glimpse of Ethan in my side mirror. He
stood in the doorway, his powerful frame rigid with tension, watching us leave. The possessive hunger in his forest-green
eyes made my pulse spike again.
The taste of him lingered on my lips as we drove away, the ghost of his touch burning on my skin. The scent of Leo’s moonflowers filled the car, but all I could smell was pine needles and mountain air. My fingers touched my bruised lips,
remembering the passionate clash of our mouths, the way his body had felt pressed against mine.
“You sure you’re alright?” Leo’s voice pulled me from my dangerous thoughts. “You seem… distracted.”
I forced a smile, though it felt brittle around the edges. “I’m fine. Just tired.”