Aria's Pov

I sat on the edge of our big bed with my hands in my lap. The room was quiet except for the soft crackle of the fire in the corner. Viktor walked in from the bathroom. He wore nothing but loose sweatpants that hung low on his hips. His chest looked wide and strong in the warm light. He stopped when he saw me looking at him. His eyes went soft right away.

"You okay?" he asked.

I nodded slowly. "Yeah. Just thinking."

"About what?"

"About us. About everything that's happened. The way you claimed me. The way I fought it at first. The way I don't want...