Just having her hand in mine has me smiling. Lately I’ve taken to holding her hand whenever I thought I could get away with it, but this is different. Now I have the right to keep her tiny hand in mine. Now I can rightfully show her off. It’s pettiness at its finest, but I don’t care. She’s finally mine, and I want people to know it.
“Wow,” she whispers as I lead her into an Italian restaurant that I knew she’d enjoy. It’s filled with rose bushes and ivy on the walls, lending it an atmosphere I thought Aria would love. On top of that, it’s open air, with a stunning view. She and I both seem to have a thing for a good view.
“Gray, this is amazing.”
I can’t keep my eyes off her as we’re led to our table. She’s still wearing the same dress she wore all day, yet somehow it looks even sexier on her now. I have every intention of respecting her boundaries and going as slow as she’d like us to, but at the same time, I’m also wondering what that dress will look like on my floor.
“You’re staring at me,” she murmurs, her cheeks rosy, and I smile.
“I can’t help it, babe. You’re beautiful, and now I no longer need to steal glances. I can just stare at you as much as I want, and I have every intention of making full use of that right.”
“What right?” she asks. “Who said you have any rights to me?”
I freeze, my heart rate accelerating as a burst of panic rushes through me. For a split second, I wonder if I misunderstood her. If she thinks this thing between us is just purely physical, if it’s anything at all.
But then she smiles.
“Aria,” I say, my hand reaching for hers over the table. “My lips were assaulted today. My innocence is forever gone. You must take responsibility for me,” I tell her, my tone dead serious.
She bursts into laughter, and it’s a beautiful fucking sight. I grab her hand and bring it to my lips, kissing the back of her hand. It’s not something I’ve ever done to any other woman, but Aria has me feeling old-school.
“Your innocence is gone, huh? You’re in for a surprise, Gray. You’ll be forever tarnished by the time I’m done with you.”
My dick hardens at the very thought of what she’s insinuating. Every night I’ve spent with her has been pure torture.
“Is that a promise?” I say, grinning wickedly.
I see the heated look in her eyes, and I love it far too much. I want to see her looking at me that way all the damn time.
I reluctantly let go of Aria when the waitress walks up to us to take our order, and just those few moments of not touching her have me impatient and annoyed.
“So, will you?” I ask as soon as the waitress walks away.
Aria leans on one hand, her elbow on the table. She looks so relaxed, and oh so fucking stunning.
“Will I what?”
“Take responsibility.”
She straightens, that dreamy look fading from her eyes, replaced by insecurity. “What are you saying, Gray?” she asks, her voice soft.
“Tell me you’re mine, Aria. Tell me that from this day forward, I get to call you mine.”
She stares at me, her eyes wide. “Gray,” she whispers. “Don’t you think we’re rushing into things? It was one kiss. I’m worried you aren’t thinking clearly. It was just a heat of the moment thing, and that’s okay. I don’t need you to suddenly… I… I get it.”
I sit back in my seat and cross my arms. “I don’t think you do,” I tell her. “Because that question was really just a formality. You are mine, Aria. I’m fine with taking a bit more time to convince you, but that won’t change the facts. I’m fucking crazy about you, and I have been for months. Hell… I’m pretty sure I love you.”
She looks flustered, and I decide there and then that I love that look on her too. I love catching her off guard.
“Say it,” I tell her.
Aria’s lips tip up in a smile, and she leans forward, giving me a glimpse down her dress. Is there any part of her that isn’t beautiful? I doubt it.
“I’m yours, Gray.”
I smile. “Good girl,” I murmur.
“But that’s a two-way street, Gray,” she says, her voice trembling ever so slightly.
“I’m yours, Aria. I think I may well have been yours from the second you first smiled at me. When you welcomed me into your home and showed me what family looks like, what it feels like. Over the years you’ve stolen more of my heart, until eventually, I had none of it left because it was entirely in your hands.”
I entwine our fingers and look away. “Do with it what you will,” I tell her. “It is yours to keep.”
“I’m worried,” she tells me, and I turn to face her. The insecurity in her eyes breaks my heart. It wasn’t me who put it there, but I’ll be the one to take it away.
“I’m worried that you’ll leave me, Gray. That you’ll get bored, or that you’ll meet someone far better than me. I’m worried that we’re risking everything for what might end up being nothing more than a fling.”
The desperation in her voice tells me she truly believes this lunacy, and it astounds me. I wish she could see herself through my eyes. She’s so perfect for me, it’s almost like she was fucking made for me.
“Then we’ll take it slow, Aria. Whatever you need, I’ll give you. So long as you promise me you’re mine, I won’t ask more of you.”
“What about Noah?” she asks.
I look away, a tinge of worry settling deep within me. “You’re worth everything to me, Aria. I have no doubt that Noah will think I’m not good enough for you, and he’d be right… but I’m willing to prove myself. He might be mad at first, but he can’t stay mad forever. It might take a few weeks, or it might take months. Either way, I’m not going anywhere, and he’ll have to deal with that.”
She looks at me as though she wants to believe me, and I hope she does. I don’t think she’d ever be able to understand how much I’m willing to give up for her. Noah is the only person I truly consider family, and if it comes down to it… I’d still choose Aria over him. It should scare me how easy that choice is to make, but it doesn’t.
Aria and I… we’ve been years in the making. We just didn’t know it.
