Chapter 14
14
Aria
A ria tossed and turned. She lost track of how many times she’d glanced at the clock only to find that morning was approaching. Daniel had been perfect last night. He’d taken her on a unique date, shared a part of himself that he probably hadn’t shared with anyone, and she’d gone and spit in his face.
The guilt was worse than the fears that continued to crush her.
She shut her eyes tight, the pounding in her head getting worse. When her father had abused her mother, she’d promised herself that she wouldn’t allow anyone to treat her that way. When Cayden had thrown her to the ground, she moved out.
Cayden had been a knight in shining armor—letting her move into his spare room. He’d been sweet and understanding. He had told her that he wanted to protect her from what was waiting at home.
But then his true side started to show. He’d get mad and blame her for things that she couldn’t control. He’d put her down and made her believe she wasn’t good enough.
By the time her father had been convicted of domestic violence, Cayden had done his damage. He’d made her question her own ability to judge people.
What if she was wrong about Daniel?
That thought continued to tear into her, stealing her sleep. She wanted to believe that Daniel was as good and kindhearted as he seemed to be. More than anything, she wanted to keep chasing the happiness he brought into her life.
And yet she was terrified to do so—but not for reasons she had expected.
He hadn’t shown any signs of being physically violent like her father. He had never torn her down. The only sign that he might be hiding that sort of personality was how controlling he could be at times. Occasionally he’d disregarded her preferences and insisted his way was better.
But was that really a problem? Or was she looking for flaws when Daniel had been nothing but a gentleman?
Groaning, she rolled over onto her side and stared hard at Sophia’s wall. She’d gotten a text late last night. They were wrapping everything up with the hearing today. Then they’d decide if they would stay a few more days. After Sophia and Mateo returned, Aria would move back to the cabin.
Daniel would move back home.
His handsome face filled her thoughts, and she sighed. Her head said to take it slow. She needed to be sure he wasn’t going to hurt her. But her heart argued that she already knew the kind of man he was—and she wanted him. The hesitation didn’t make any sense.
The fact that he hadn’t explicitly told her he wasn’t interested was a good sign. Right? He still wanted to try. A smile tugged at her lips despite the turmoil churning within her. He’d been patient, and she was determined to give him the benefit of the doubt.
Fidgeting in her seat as she sat across from him, she waited for him to bring up their date last night. He’d told her that he’d be ready to talk when she wanted to, but did that mean he’d push the issue? She wasn’t ready now, but she couldn’t help wondering what came next.
“This is really good.” Daniel took another bite of the enchiladas she’d prepared for dinner. “I know you never officially picked a major at college, but maybe you should consider going back and focusing on something in the culinary field.”
Her brows lifted, but she didn’t respond.
He chuckled. “I mean it. I don’t think I’ve eaten this well in a long time, and my sister is a pro.”
She warmed at the compliment, picking at her food as she attempted to pretend it didn’t matter. “What about you? Have you reconsidered going to school for your interest in architecture?”
Daniel’s smile faded and he shook his head.
Great, she’d ruined any sort of moment they might have had going. Aria cleared her throat, hoping to get it back. “I like these dinners.” It was a lame comment, but it was all she could come up with. “It’s gonna be too quiet here when you go back home.”
One side of his mouth tilted upward. “Just because I leave doesn’t mean we have to stop having dinner together. I’m more than happy to come here for your cooking.”
She let out a soft laugh. “You’re just saying that because you like me.”
His expression grew serious. While her statement had been flippant and flirtatious with the expectation of him cracking a joke in response, he’d surprised her with something different. “I do like you. Quite a lot, actually.”
Aria blinked. The facade of her personality she’d created to avoid getting close to people kept crumbling whenever he was around. She was having the hardest time not letting him see her true self.
Would he leave when he realized just how broken she was?
She ducked her head and stared hard at her food.
No.
Daniel was better than that. He was a good man. She had to stop comparing him to men like Cayden.
“Aria?” His soft voice dragged her from her thoughts, and she lifted her eyes to meet his. Before he could say what he was thinking, her phone rang.
She jumped and her eyes shifted to the lit-up screen. Sophia’s name was clearly visible. They’d spoken last night. The decision was supposed to be made today, but she hadn’t reached out before dinner.
That could only mean one thing.
Aria’s father was dragging out the hearing.
“Do you need to get that?”
Her stomach had bottomed out. She didn’t know if she wanted to answer the phone. The longer this whole thing took, the harder it became to remain calm. While her father wouldn’t be able to reach her out here, her mother and her sister were at risk. Could she really stay here in Colorado when her family was in danger?
Hands clammy, Aria glanced from the phone to Daniel. The tightness in her chest wasn’t only about her father. It was about Cayden, too. It was about the feeling she got regarding the control she had over her own life—the fact that it was nonexistent. Or at least that was how she saw it.
Daniel didn’t wait for an answer. He reached across the table and picked up the phone. With a swipe of his finger, he answered the call. “Hey, Sophia, it’s Daniel.”
The sound of her cousin’s voice was muffled and the words were garbled from where Aria was sitting. She couldn’t make out much of what Sophia was telling him.
His eyes locked with hers. “She’s right here if you?—”
Aria shook her head.
Daniel frowned. “Actually, she just left to use the bathroom. Can I pass on the information?” He waited for her to respond, then cleared his throat. “You could always text her…” More garbled conversation. “Oh. Yeah, I can tell her that. Want me to have her call you?”
Aria gripped the edge of the table, her fingertips turning white. She couldn’t explain the reasonings behind not wanting to get the news from her cousin. Somehow hearing it from Daniel seemed to make it more manageable. The sinking feeling she’d had when she saw Sophia’s caller ID had only gotten worse.
He nodded. “Tell Mateo I’ve got things covered. Stay as long as you need.” Daniel hung up the phone and returned it to where it was. “Your dad was hurt.”
She couldn’t tell if she was more relieved, concerned, or confused at this moment. How could she be concerned when he’d been such a bad person? Was she a bad person for wishing ill will on him?
Daniel ran a hand down his face. “It was at the prison. Apparently, he got into an altercation with another inmate and had to be taken to the infirmary. They’re not sure who started it. If he was responsible, he’d be stuck there—his parole won’t happen. But if not…” He blew out a harsh breath, his cheeks puffing. “The hearing has been pushed out again.”
Aria groaned, placing her elbows on the table and her face in her hands. “You’re kidding me.”
“It didn’t sound serious if that helps.”
Her head snapped up, her stomach swirling with emotions she wasn’t prepared for. Tears spilled down her cheeks. “I’m not upset that he’s hurt.” The confession had her stomach roiling. She was a bad person. “I’m exhausted that this keeps happening.”
Confusion knit his brows, and her cheeks flushed with mortification. Pushing away from the table, she stormed toward the door. She couldn’t be here. Everything was crumbling. Her past was coming back, and like Cayden had said a hundred times before, no one would ever really want her.
A warm hand wrapped around her wrist and tugged. She spun around and collided with his firm chest. A gasp tore from her throat, but the tears were still falling.
“What’s the matter?” he rasped. “Don’t run away. Talk to me.”
She shook her head. She couldn’t bear seeing the judgment in his eyes—or the pity.
He cupped her face with his palm, the pad of his thumb tracing her flushed cheek. “Please.”
The tears that had been coming down in a drizzle had turned into an all-out downpour. She shut her eyes, but that didn’t do any good. All she wanted to do was lean into him and confide in him, but he’d already witnessed too much. She couldn’t afford to lose him.
Suddenly, she was scooped into his arms. Her eyes flew open and she clung to him as he moved them to the couch in the sitting room.
Time sped up. One second she was crying, refusing to tell him a single thing, and the next she was gripping his shirt in her fists and blubbering like an idiot.
“I’m terrified he’s going to get out and punish my mother for calling the cops. But it was me. I was the one who reported him. He never found out. I think my mother was scared that he’d take out his vengeance on me.” Her confessions about her father shifted as she continued purging all the pain and frustration she had over her past relationships. “He’d never hurt me—not like my father hurt my mother. But when I left him…” She hiccupped. “My boyfriend threatened to find me.”
At that, Daniel went still. He’d been rubbing her back while she spoke of her father. Now? His silence seemed heavier, more threatening. Still, he didn’t speak. He didn’t tell her everything would be okay.
Daniel simply held her, letting her cry out every confession. When she’d run out of steam, she leaned against him. Her eyes were dry and itchy. Her throat was sore. And yet, the whole experience had been more cathartic than she’d expected. While she hadn’t given every detail about Cayden—certainly not his name—she felt better about having all her demons out in the open.
She twisted her head around to stare up into his face. His eyes delved into hers, warm, loving, and so inviting. He was nothing like she’d ever had before. And she’d turned him down last night when he’d tried to kiss her. Regret was a bitter taste in her mouth as she thought about what she’d missed out on.
Placing her hand to his cheek, she whispered, “Thank you.” Then without thinking it through fully, she attempted to pull his face closer to her so she could press a kiss to his lips. Only, he didn’t permit it.
Daniel turned his face to the side, an unreadable ache replacing the look he’d previously given her. “I don’t think that’s a good idea right now, Aria,” he whispered.
His denial of her sliced her sharper than she’d anticipated. The fight or flight response was so strong she attempted to scramble from his arms, but his hold on her remained firm.
“Don’t,” he murmured. “Don’t try to run from this. You’re dealing with a lot right now. I’m not going anywhere.”
She swatted at him, her tearful fury overtaking everything. “Just let me go.”
“No.” His voice was quiet and firm.
“Why not?” she snapped. “Clearly you don’t want me.”
A growl rumbled through his chest. “You will never understand how much I want you—how much I want to pull your lips to mine so I can finally taste you.”
“Then do it. Kiss me,” she demanded.
Slowly, he shook his head. “That’s not what you need right now. No matter how hard it is—how much it hurts—I’m going to be there for you in the way that counts.”
There was something in his words that once again made her defenses shatter. And all at once, she collapsed against him, giving in to the emotions that still sought to overthrow her.