Chapter 56

• Aria lay there stiffly, her mind racing as she stared at the ceiling. She hated this intimacy, hated that she was naked in his arms. She could feel his warm breath on her neck, his strong arms wrapped tightly around her waist.
• She hated his touch, hated the way his muscular arms felt around her. She hated the way his hand rested possessively on her stomach, as if claiming ownership. She wanted to push him away but was too scared of waking the beast. So she lay there, hating every second of his innocent touch.
• Aria's mind swirled with despair as she lay there, trapped in his embrace. She didn't want this life anymore—being a prisoner in his luxurious mansion was no better than being locked in a dungeon. Every moment felt like an eternity of torment.