ARIA’S POV

“Yes.”

The word left my mouth before fear could snatch it back.

Theo went silent for half a second. Then I heard the sharp sound of a zipper, the jingle of keys, the heavy thud of a suitcase being shoved aside.

“Don’t move. Don’t put clothes on. Leave the door unlocked. I’ll be there in eighteen minutes.”

The line went dead.

I sat on the edge of the bed naked, heart slamming, thighs still sticky from earlier. Every minute stretched like wire. I left the door unlocked exactly as he ordered and stood in the dark living room waiting, arms crossed over bare breasts, pulse throbbing between my...