26. Aria

26

ARIA

F or the first time in a long time, I feel at peace. Confessing my darkest secret to Jared four days ago lifted a weight from my shoulders.

Jared called my high school, pretending to be his dad, and said that I had the flu and couldn't come in this week so he could keep playing with me.

I never imagined he would understand, but he did. He knows the monster lurking beneath the innocent facade I've tried hard to construct.

I'm ashamed of how much I want him, but denying it is no longer an option.

It's as if we're claiming this space as our own, marking it with our desire. We're like animals, driven by our primal urges, our actions fueled by an irresistible compulsion. Thankfully, I've been on the pill since my freshman year when I first started dating Aaron. The last thing I need is to get pregnant with my stepbrother's baby.

The sun's rays filter through the windows, casting a warm glow over the room. There's dried blood on our skin as we both took turns to cut each other last night.

God, it was hot.

My fingers trace my initials, AW, on his shoulder—a permanent mark that will scar. Jared had already carved his initials into the back of my thigh.

He stirs. "Good morning."

"Good morning."

Jared sits up, the sheets falling away from his muscular torso.

He reaches for me, his touch sending shivers down my spine. Our lips meet in a searing kiss that steals my breath away. His tongue tangles with mine, igniting a fire within.

There's a nagging doubt at the back of my mind when we part.

"What happens when my mom and your dad get back?" I ask.

Jared's fingers trace the curve of my jaw, his touch gentle. "We'll figure it out. We just have to be careful, keep our encounters secret."

I frown. "But how? They're going to notice something's changed."

A grin spreads onto his lips. "Don't worry, baby. I'll make sure we're careful."

His words thrill me, and I can't help but trust him. He's always been one step ahead.

"We should be more careful once they're back." I bury my face in his neck, unable to believe I'm about to say this. "Maybe we shouldn't even have sex."

"There's not going to be a day in our lives when I'm not fucking you, Aria." Jared's bright blue eyes burn with intensity. "I'm always going to want you. I can't turn that off."

His words are a declaration, silencing my doubts. I pull him closer, needing to believe this is forever. Somehow, we'll find a way to be together.

"How can you be so sure?" I ask. "How can you be certain you'll always want me?"

Jared holds me closer. "Because not having you would drive me insane. I've waited my entire life for you, and now that you're mine, I'm never letting go."

He silences my concerns with a searing kiss, his lips devouring mine.

When we part, breathless, Jared clears his throat. "Now, enough talking. I have something special planned for today."

"What is it?" I ask, my heart pounding in anticipation.

Jared flicks on a lamp, revealing a butane lighter, which he grabs.

"Fire play." He flicks it on. "Ever played with fire before, baby sister?"

I stare at the lighter in Jared's hand, my heart pounding. Memories flood my mind—memories of countless nights spent locked in the bathroom, the flame of a lighter dancing across my skin, the sharp sting of the heat, the momentary escape from the pain that consumed me.

No one ever found out about my secret coping mechanism because I was always so careful to hide the evidence, never going too far to scar permanently. But now, as Jared stands before me, the lighter in his hand, I feel broken.

"I..." My voice cracks. "I have played with fire before."

Jared's eyes widen. "What do you mean?"

I take a shaky breath, my eyes fixated on the lighter. "For years, I've been using lighters on my skin. It's a way to cope, to escape the pain I feel inside."

Tears well up, and I blink them away, refusing to let them fall.

"I always did it in the bathroom, where no one could see me. I was careful not to leave any permanent scars, but the pain... it helped me feel something other than the emptiness inside."

A sob escapes my lips, and I wrap my arms around myself, feeling exposed.

Jared shifts closer, his eyes filled with concern. "Aria..." he whispers. "I had no idea." He reaches out, his fingers brushing against my cheek, wiping away the tears.

I lean into his touch, craving the comfort he provides. "I'm sorry," I choke out. "I never wanted anyone to know."

Jared pulls me into his arms, holding me close. I bury my face in his chest, letting the tears flow freely. He strokes my hair, his touch gentle and soothing.

"It's okay," he murmurs. "You don't have to hide anymore. I'm here for you, no matter what."

I melt into his arms, feeling safer than I have in years. He wraps me in a hug, holding me close as if he never wants to let go.

"I promise, Aria," he whispers, "I'll make sure you never feel empty again."

I cling to him tighter. Then, his voice takes on a more serious tone.

"Was it... was it because of what your dad did to you?" he asks, his voice barely audible.

I freeze, my body tensing at the mention of my father. Jared already knows the truth, the dark secret I've carried for so long. I nod against his chest, unable to form the words.

"Yes," I choke out, my voice muffled against his skin.

Jared's grip tightens, and I can feel the anger radiating off him. "God, I wish more than anything that I could murder him for you," he growls. "I'm so fucking annoyed he's already dead."

His words should terrify me, but instead, they're intoxicating. Before I can stop myself, I'm tilting my head up, capturing his lips in a passionate kiss.

Jared responds immediately, his hands tangling in my hair as he deepens the kiss. I pour all my emotions into it—my pain, my gratitude, my twisted desire. In this moment, I feel seen, understood, and wanted in a way I never have before.

I break away from Jared's kiss, my heart pounding. His eyes search mine, filled with concern and love. I take a deep breath, steeling myself for what I'm about to ask.

"Use the fire on me," I whisper.

Jared's brow furrows. "Aria, I... I don't know if that's a good idea. After what you just told me..."

I reach out, taking his hand in mine. "Please, Jared. It's different now. This isn't about pain or escape anymore. It's about healing."

He hesitates. "I don't want to hurt you."

"You won't," I assure him. "This is... it's a way of sharing my coping mechanism with you. Making it something beautiful instead of shameful."

I can see the conflict in his eyes, the battle between his desire to protect me and his need to understand me fully. I step closer, pressing my body against his.

"Trust me," I murmur, my lips brushing against his ear. "I want this. I want to share this part of myself with you."

Jared takes a shaky breath, his resolve wavering. "Are you sure?"

I nod, my eyes never leaving his. "I've never been more sure of anything in my life."

He studies me for a long moment, searching for any hint of doubt or fear. Finding none, he slowly nods.

"Okay," he says softly. "But we go slow, and you tell me if you want to stop at any point."

I smile, relief and excitement coursing through me. "I will. I promise."

Jared teases me with the dancing flame, running it up and down my arms. It's an irresistible sensation—the heat, a tickling caress, sending sparks of pleasure through me.

"You're so beautiful, Aria." Jared's eyes gleam with desire.

He continues his slow exploration, moving the flame lower, grazing it across the swells of my breasts. The contrast of the heat on my chilled skin ignites my nerve endings.

"Do you like that, baby?" His lips hover over my neck.

"Yes." I close my eyes, surrendering to the sensation.

Jared's fingers tease my nipples, and I arch into his touch, begging for more. He knows how to drive me wild, every touch calculated to push me to the brink.

"You're so responsive, baby sister." His lips brush mine. "So eager for more." He pulls away, his eyes glinting with dark desire. "I want to play some more."

I nod, desperate for the pleasure only he can provide. Jared moves the flame lower, skating it across the plains of my stomach, his gaze burning into mine.

"Please, Jared," I whisper.

Jared chuckles. "You want more, baby? You want to see what else we can do with fire?"

"Yes, please."

Slowly, he brings the flame closer to my skin, allowing the heat to wash over me. He teases the sensitive skin of my inner thighs, making me squirm with anticipation. Then, gently, he runs the flame along the crease where my thigh meets my core.

I cry out at the onslaught of sensations. It's like my skin is alive, singing with pleasure and pain. The heat combines with the cool air, creating a compelling contrast that has my body thrashing against the bed.

"Please, I need you," I beg.

He chuckles. "You're so responsive. It's like your body was made for this."

"My body was made for you," I reply. "Made for your touch."

With a gentle touch, Jared guides my legs further apart, exposing my most intimate area to the teasing flame. I'm trembling with anticipation, my body aching. The fire dances closer, the heat intensifying the closer it gets to my core.

Suddenly, Jared blows out the flame. "Wait," I plead.

"Enough playing with fire, baby," he murmurs, his lips brushing against my ear. "Time to play with me."

His fingers trail along my body, igniting a different kind of fire within. Jared teases my nipples, his tongue swirling around them in contrast to the heat of the flame, his hands skimming over my skin, making my breath come out in ragged gasps. He knows exactly how to touch me, how to drive me to the brink of sanity.

"You like that, don't you?" His lips hover over mine, his thumb circling my clit. "Tell me."

"Yes," I reply, my voice hoarse. "Give me more."

His mouth crashes onto mine, and his tongue tangles with mine greedily. At the same time, his fingers find my wet core slipping inside. I moan into his mouth as he thrusts them in and out.

"That's it, baby." His fingers curl inside me, finding that spot that lights me up.

I whimper as he adds a third finger, my body on fire. His thumb rubs circles on my clit, pushing me closer to the edge.

When I think I can't take anymore, Jared removes his fingers, leaving me empty. But with one smooth thrust, he fills me.

"Oh, God!" My nails dig into his back. "Yes!"

He begins to move, his thrusts deep and purposeful. "That's it, baby," he grits out. "Take me deep."

I meet his thrusts, our bodies moving as one. The pleasure builds, threatening to consume me. I'm lost in a haze of desire, my body on fire with need.

"I'm close," I gasp, my fingers tangling in his hair. "Jared, please!"

"Let go for me, Aria." His voice is rough, his hips snapping against mine. "Come for me, baby sister."

At his command, the dam breaks, and I shatter into a million pieces. My body convulses as waves of pleasure wash over me. I moan his name, my release claiming me.

But Jared isn't finished.

He flips me onto my stomach, my body trembling from my release. I know what he wants, craving the feel of him in my most intimate place. It will hurt again, but the pleasure is worth it.

"I need your ass again," Jared growls. "I haven't fucked it since the first night. I need to claim you there, too."

"Yes, please."

"Always so eager for me, baby."

He presses a soft kiss behind my ear before withdrawing, his hands smoothing over my skin and trailing down my spine. He skims the sensitive skin of my lower back, causing me to arch into his touch.

"That's it, baby," he rumbles. "So responsive."

His fingers continue their path downward, reaching the curve of my ass. I can't help but push back, wanting more.

Jared chuckles, his finger pausing at the tight ring of muscle. "Ready for me?" He asks.

"Please, Jared. I need you."

The first touch of his finger against my hole is light and slick with lube. He circles gently, the sensation sending sparks through me. His finger teases the tight muscle, massaging the lube into my skin. And then he pushes against my entrance, sliding it slowly. The sensation is amazing, and I gasp, wanting more.

"Relax, baby," he murmurs, sliding a second finger inside, working me open slowly. "It'll feel so good."

I do as he says, focusing on taking deep breaths as his second finger slips inside. "That's it, baby. Let your body open up for me."

The delicious fullness as his fingers push deeper sends sparks shooting through me. His thumb finds my clit, rubbing circles, and it's too much, too good.

"More, Jared," I beg, pushing back. "Please, give me more."

He presses a third finger into my hole. "You're so eager for it. So greedy."

I crave the feel of his cock stretching me again. He works his fingers inside me, scissoring and stretching, his thumb never leaving my clit. I'm putty in his hands, my body responding to every touch.

"There we go, baby. Nice and ready for me." He leans over my back and teases the shell of my ear with his lips. "I'm going to fuck you now, make you mine all over again."

He withdraws his fingers, and I feel the head of his cock replace them. I push back, needing him. With a smooth thrust, he enters me, his cock sliding deep with a satisfying burn.

"Oh, God!" I scream. The pain is intense and yet addictive.

Jared pauses, his hands gripping my hips. "Breathe, baby. Let your body adjust."

I take a shuddering breath. Then, he pulls back, slowly retreating, before thrusting back into me, his cock opening me further.

He establishes a rhythm, his cock moving in and out relentlessly.

The pleasure builds with each stroke, intensifying the fire burning inside me. His thrusts become more urgent, his grip on my hips tightening as he loses himself in the pleasure.

"You're so fucking tight," he pants. "I can't get enough of this sweet ass."

"Harder, please, give it to me harder!" I beg.

He groans but obliges as his thrusts become more forceful, pounding into me so hard it's like he's trying to split me in half. The sweet pain sends me higher. "Goddamn it, baby," he grunts. "You're so fucking perfect. I love how you can't get enough of your stepbrother's cock in your ass."

A keening moan leaves my lips. The more we do this, the more I embrace the taboo nature of our actions. When he calls me his sister or mentions him being my stepbrother, it makes it ten times hotter. The room fills with the sounds of our passion—my whimpers, his harsh grunts.

Jared leans down, his mouth by my ear. "That's it. Scream my name."

His words push me over the edge. "Jared!" My nails dig into the mattress below, my body quaking with the force of my release. My ass clenches around him, milking his cock as my climax wracks me.

He fucks me through my orgasm, prolonging the sensation. "You're such a good girl for your stepbrother, aren't you?" he whispers. "So eager to please."

He slams into me, his cock claiming every inch of me. My body convulses, my muscles clenching as I surrender to the pleasure. "That's it, baby," he growls. "Take it. Take my cock."

He thrusts into me with abandon, driven by his primal desire. "Come for me again," he demands, pounding into me. "Show me how much you love my cock in your ass."

His words, combined with the overwhelming pleasure, push me over the edge again. "Yes, Jared!" My body convulses as a second release washes over me, my inner walls clenching around him in rapid pulses.

He groans, his thrusts becoming erratic as he loses control. "Fuck, Aria! Your ass is going to be the death of me."

His breathing is harsh and unsteady. He grips my hips roughly, yanking me back with force as he comes apart, his cock pulsing and filling me with cum.

Slowly, he withdraws from my ass, and I immediately feel empty.

And then, I feel his tongue on my ass, licking and teasing, tasting his release in my ass. I moan, my eyes closing.

"That's it, baby," he murmurs, his breath hot against my skin. "Let my cum go. Feed it to me."

Fuck.

I push and feel his cum slide out of me. It's so fucking dirty, but I don't care. All that matters is Jared and the pleasure he's giving me.

He collects his release in his mouth, and I can feel his tongue probing, making sure he gets every last drop. Then, he pulls away.

Grabbing me, he forces me onto my back, holding his cum in one side of his mouth. "Open that pretty mouth for me."

My heart is pounding in my chest as I do as he says, opening my mouth, my breath coming in shallow gasps.

Jared's eyes are dark with desire. He spit into my mouth, his cum mingling with my saliva. It's warm and salty, and I know I should be disgusted, but all I feel is desire.

"Swallow it," he commands.

I obey without hesitation.

"That's it, baby," he whispers. "Such a good girl." He watches me swallow. "You like that, don't you? Me eating my cum out your ass and making you swallow it?"

He kisses me, and I melt, my hands tangling in his hair as I return the kiss.

I am his—body, heart, and soul—and it's a realization that sets my spirit free. I've spent my life craving this kind of connection, this feeling of being truly seen and understood.

And now, with Jared, I've found it. It's wrong, it's taboo, it's everything society tells me to run from. But it's also everything I've ever wanted. To be seen and understood by someone just as fucked up as I am.