* * *
I peekmy head into my bathroom, watching Aria as she soaks in the tub, like she doesn't have a single care in the world.
Like I suspected would happen, her body is covered in bruises and cuts from our hours of play time. I don't regret it at all and she doesn't seem to either, but I know it's just a matter of time before her mind starts to interfere again.
Aria and her fucking morals will be the death of me.
"We have a few hours until ourguestsarrive," I say, which gets her attention.
Her eyes flash open and she looks at me, her vibrant red locks piled on top of her head like a bohemian headdress.
"Oh, yeah?"
"You should get some rest. I'll bring you some food. What do you want?" I ask though the voice in the back of my head screams to make her go back to the strict diet I had her on, but I know I need to show her some leniency or she's likely to rebel in some way.
That's the last thing either of us wants.
"Doesn't matter. Whatever you want to make is fine. I'm getting all pruny anyway." Aria stands out of the water, the drops trickling down like a waterfall, her flushed skin calling to me.
She may not actively be trying to seduce, but it doesn't have to be intentional to be effective. Something she inherited from her mother.
Lillian had a natural allure to most of the boys and young men in Royal City. Everyone watched her, almost bordering on stalking. As herbrother, it felt like my duty to shield her, but the protection morphed into something else. Something dark even before Teigan.
I'd watch her all the time. I put cameras in her room and her bathroom. The justification I gave myself was that if someone tried to hurt her or broke into the house I'd have video evidence to take to the cops. That wasn't the real reason. I wanted to watch her like a hawk.
I especially loved when I'd turn the camera on and she was touching herself. Every once in a while, I'd catch her slipping up, and she'd moan my name.
To say that I never fucked her until recently would be a lie. I didn't force her until recent times but Lillian had every now and again loved my dick … usually,
I race out of the bathroom, not wanting Aria to see the look on my face when I think of her mother like that.
I head down the stairs as the memories hit me.
That first time I was only thirteen, her sixteen. Lillian was on a weird concoction of antibiotics and pain pills from an abscess in her mouth. She crawled right into my bed under the disillusion that she didn't want to be alone.
Biggest crock of bullshit ever.
I was half asleep nursing a broken arm and broken leg, classic football injuries. I didn't even realize that she was pulling down my pants until my cock was down her throat. I had no clue what was happening or why it was happening. I couldn't move and I tried to tell her no, but she kept telling me to be quiet then she kissed me to keep me silent as she took my dick inside her.
I hate thinking about it. The other times I can think about and go about my day like nothing is wrong, but that first time … it makes me want to kill Lillian. That was the moment she stopped being my sister.
I shake the thought away and start cooking. It's simple, just noodles and a grilled cheese sandwich, but after her strict diet, I'm sure Aria won't mind at all.
After thinking of that night with Lillian, I'm not capable of much else.
I carry the plate up to my room and find Aria in bed, combing her fingers through her hair.
"Here you go, princess," I say as I sit the plate on the bedside table next to her.
"Thanks." She gives me a small smile and grabs the grilled cheese before taking a small bite.
Aria is nothing like Lillian. They look alike, but they couldn't possibly be more different in the ways that count. Even after everything I've done, Aria is kind and gentle yet strong and protective.
She's perfection in a sexy little package.
CHAPTERTWENTY-FIVE
ARIA
