20. Aria

20

ARIA

M y mind is torn between desire and what is right. I know what Jared is doing to me is wrong—so wrong—but a part of me yearns for more.

I'm living out the pages of the dark romance novels I devoured, each touch and whispered word bringing my fantasies to life.

I sense his eyes on me, my stepbrother who knows how to push my buttons. It's as if he's been inside my head, stealing my thoughts and making them his own.

Shame washes over me. I should resist. I should push him away and flee. But something holds me back—the thrill of exploring the darkest corners of my imagination.

Jared embodies fucked up, and I'm drawn to him like a moth to a flame.

I know I won't escape this untouched. This darkness will leave its mark, and I dread its impact because I'm already dark and twisted.

"You know you want this, Aria. You've been craving it for a long time. Don't fight it anymore. Surrender to me."

The choice isn't mine, as I pleaded for him to let me go. And for some fucking insane reason, when he refused, it turned me on more. I love how dominant he is.

"What if I refuse?"

I know the answer, but I need to hear him say it.

Jared's eyes gleam with a dangerous mix of lust and menace as he advances toward me. "You won't."

His words aren't a question but a statement, a challenge. I know, in that moment, that he's right. Despite my inner turmoil, my body betrays me. I want him. I want this.

My silence confirms his victory. He knows he has me exactly where he wants me. "Good girl," he whispers, his lips curving in a dark smile. "You can't deny me. You've been mine from the start."

My breath quickens as he reaches out, his fingers tracing the curve of my tits. I lean into his touch, my eyes closing as a rush of pleasure washes over me.

His smirk grows. "Say it, Aria. Tell me you're mine, and you'll do anything I ask."

"I'm yours," I whisper, the words falling from my lips. "I'll do whatever you want."

"That's my good girl." His voice is a low, satisfied purr as he pulls me closer, his arms a steel cage around me.

His lips capture mine, and all thoughts of resistance fade as I melt into the kiss. When he breaks the kiss, I swallow hard. A thrill courses through me as I recall him as the masked stranger.

"Could we use the mask again?" I bite my lip, nervous about voicing my request. "I want to see your face, but there's something about the mask..." My voice trails off.

Jared's eyes narrow, his expression intense as he studies me. "You never cease to amaze me, Aria. Most girls would be terrified, but you are begging for more." He steps closer, his fingers trailing my bare arm, sending shivers across my skin. "My good little slut, wanting me to fuck you while I wear a mask. Does the idea of being forced by some sick masked stranger turn you on?"

"Yes." My voice is barely a whisper, the truth of my words heavy in the air between us. "I want you to take what you want. I want to be forced."

Jared's eyes flash, and he pulls me against him, his lips crashing down on mine. His kiss is hard and demanding, making me moan and surrender.

"Are you sure about this, Aria? This is something we can't take back." His voice is a gravelly murmur against my lips, his breath warm on my face.

"Yes," I say again, more adamant this time. "I trust you, Jared. I know you won't actually hurt me. But I want to explore this side of me. With you."

A chuckle rumbles in his chest, vibrating against me. "Oh, baby, you've no idea what you're asking for."

He grabs the skull mask from the table and puts it on. My heart pounds as he becomes a stranger again.

"Wait." I hesitate. "Shouldn't we set a safe word?"

He pauses. "A safe word, princess? You really think you'll need it?"

My heart pounds because this isn't the stepbrother I thought I knew standing before me. He's a stranger, and I'm at his mercy. "Yes. Please. Just so I can feel—I mean, so I know I'm safe."

The silence stretches as he considers my request. Finally, he speaks. "Okay, princess. The word is ‘mercury.' But remember, I have no intention of stopping once I begin. Not unless I hear that word."

I swallow hard, nervous energy coursing through me. This is it. My fantasy is becoming reality, which scares me as much as it excites me. "Okay," I whisper.

Before I can overthink it, he spins me around, pushing me over the bed. I stifle a cry as he handles me without gentleness, positioning me on all fours.

"What are you doing?" I ask, my voice shaking. "I thought?—"

"Shhh." His hands are rough as they grip my hips. "I'm taking what I want. And you're going to fucking love it," he growls.

"But—" My protests are cut off as I feel him position himself behind me. My breath hitches, and my body betrays me, responding to his touch despite my reluctance.

"No, stop! Please." I buck wildly, knowing my words will fuel his desire. "I don't want this! Let me go!"

My lies fuel the fire between us. He knows I want him, that my body craves his touch.

"You know you want my cock, you little slut." His voice is a harsh whisper in my ear, sending a shiver down my spine.

"No!" I scream, squirming as he holds me firmly. "Get off me! Jared, please, I'm serious!"

His grip tightens, and then he thrusts into me, claiming my body. Pain and pleasure mix as he begins to move, his strength overpowering my feigned resistance.

I struggle, kicking out and twisting, but it's useless. He's too strong, and he knows it.

"Jared, please..." My body trembles as I give in to the fantasy. "I'm begging you..."

"Beg all you want, princess." His voice is a harsh growl, spurring me on. "This is what you wanted, isn't it? To be taken, ravaged."

"No..." I whimper, even as my body betrays me, responding to his relentless thrusts. "Don't make me say it."

"Say it, Aria. Admit that you wanted me to force myself on you." He grips my hips tightly, holding me in place as he thrusts into me relentlessly.

"No, please..." I sob, caught between my need to resist and my desire to surrender. "Don't make me say it."

"Say it!" he demands.

"No, stop, please..." I whimper, feeling myself getting closer to the edge. "I don't?—"

Jared pulls out of me, only to flip me over roughly. Strong hands grasp my hips, positioning me on the edge of the bed. I try to wriggle away, but it's futile. I'm his plaything, at his mercy.

"Look at me, Aria." His voice, a dark command, sends shivers down my spine. His hand closes around my throat, his touch gentle yet firm, guiding my head up. "Admit that you like it when I force myself on you."

I shake my head, denying his words even as my body responds. "No...please..." My protests grow weaker.

He leans in close and thrusts back into me with force, making me cry out. "Liar," he hisses, his eyes burning through the holes in the mask. "You love it. You want me to claim you like this."

My lungs burn as his grip on my throat restricts my air supply. I want to fight, to deny him, but with each powerful thrust, my body responds despite my mental resistance.

"Say it, Aria. Admit that this is what you want." His voice is rough with his own need.

"No..." I gasp, my voice hoarse from my pleas. My fingers dig into his arms as the pleasure coils tighten within me. "I don't?—"

"Don't lie to me." He grips my throat tighter, his hips slamming against mine. "Tell me, Aria. Tell me you want me to take you like this."

I close my eyes, unable to withstand the intensity of his gaze any longer. "I want you..." I whisper, my body arching as he claims me. "Please... I can't deny it..."

"Louder." His voice is laced with his own desire, demanding my submission. "I want to hear you scream it."

"I want you!" I cry out, my body on the edge of release. "Claim me, Jared! Don't stop!"

His eyes hold mine as he grunts and shudders against me, his release mixing with mine. "That's it, baby," he growls, his voice hoarse. "Let go."

I scream as pleasure washes over me, wave after wave, leaving me breathless and spent.

Slowly, he releases my throat and pulls out of me, stepping back to admire his handiwork. I lie there, panting, my body throbbing from the aftermath. Shame battles with the incredible high of fulfilling my fantasies. "Fuck, that was amazing," I murmur.

"That's what I like to hear." His voice is smug, satisfied. "But we're not done yet, baby. This is just the beginning."

"Please...I need a break..." I whimper.

Jared chuckles darkly, his eyes glittering with desire. "We're far from done, Aria. You can take much more, and I plan to show you just how much."

His words should scare me, but instead, they ignite my desire. I feel myself getting wetter, craving more.

"Please..." I beg, caught between my body's cries for mercy and my mind's insatiable need for him. "Just a moment."

Jared moves closer, his gaze intense. I feel exposed and aroused, my body yearning for his touch.

"You're beautiful like this, begging for mercy." His voice is a low purr as he traces the curves of my body with his fingers. "But we can't stop now, not when you're so close to being irrevocably mine."

God help me. I don't know how much more of this I can take, but I know I want it—all of it.