34. Aria
34
ARIA
I wake up, feeling groggy, mouth dry as sandpaper. The room is dim, and it takes me a moment to recognize where I am.
Dion’s guest room. I haven’t been here in a year, but the familiar sight brings back memories.
I look down at my clothes; I’m wearing one of his oversized band tees. Nirvana . I smile.
Just then, a figure hovers over me, and I blink to clear my vision. A man with kind eyes and graying hair is checking my pulse.
“ Good , you’re awake.” He smiles. “ I’m Dr . Grant .”
I try to sit up, but a wave of nausea crashes over me, and I sink back into the pillows. “ What happened?” My voice is barely a croak.
“ You had quite a cocktail,” Dr . Grant explains, pulling up a chair beside the bed. “ Alcohol , cocaine, and painkillers. A very dangerous combination. You passed out, and Mr . Loukas called me. We had to flush your stomach while you were unconscious.”
I shudder at the thought, my body still heavy and sluggish. “ Am I going to be okay?”
“ You’ll be fine,” he assures me. “ But the effects will linger for a bit. You might feel weak and disoriented for the next few days.”
I close my eyes, a tear slipping down my cheek. “ I didn’t mean for this to happen.”
“ I’m sure,” he says softly. “ But you need to be careful. Mixing substances like that is incredibly dangerous.”
I nod, feeling a deep sense of shame. “ Thank you, Dr . Grant . And ... Dion , he?—”
“ He’s just outside. I’ll let him know you’re awake.”
As Dr . Grant stands up, I catch a glimpse of concern in his eyes. “ Try to rest,” he advises, before stepping out of the room.
I lie back, staring at the ceiling. The last time I was here, things were different. I was different. The thought hits me hard, and I take a deep, shuddering breath.
The door cracks open again, and Dion stands in the frame.
Suddenly , deep realization dawns on me. I’m at Dion’s . I sit up fast, the movement causing a jolt of pain through my brain. I hiss.
“ Are you okay?” Dion asks, coming to the edge of the bed.
I rub my temples. “ Andrew ,” I manage to croak, wetting my parched lips with my tongue. “ Andrew ,” I repeat, my tone growing more frantic.
He can’t know that I’m here or he’ll lash out at me. Even worse, hurt my family.
I’m so stupid. I texted Dion from my phone in my intoxicated haze, not thinking of the consequences.
I’m two seconds away from freaking out.
Dion reaches toward the nightstand and hands me a bottle of water, taking off the lid first. “ Drink this,” he orders, and I chug almost the entire thing.
“ Don’t worry about him,” he grits his teeth. “ He won’t know you’re here.”
“ If he finds out, he’ll?—”
“ He’ll what, Aria ?” Dion challenges, cutting me off. His eyes are fixed on mine, searching, probing, seeing more than I want him to. I look away.
My fingers fidget with the hem of the blanket, unable to meet Dion’s gaze again.
I can tell he’s trying hard to stay calm.
I swallow hard, forcing a tight smile that doesn’t reach my eyes. “ Never mind. It’s nothing. Really .”
His eyes narrow, not buying my weak attempt at deflection. He reaches out, placing a hand over mine, stilling my restless fingers.
“ Aria ,” Dion murmurs. “ I won’t sit here and force you to tell me exactly what he did, but don’t mistake me for a fool.”
The warmth of his touch sends a shiver down my spine, and I can feel my resolve crumbling. But there’s nothing that can be done, not if I want my family to be safe. My fiancé might be aggressive, but it’s nothing I can’t handle.
I peer out the window, searching for something to change the subject, and my eyes land on Dion’s manicured lawn.
“ You planted more flowers.”
Dion sighs, catching on to my plan, though gives in with a small smile. “ I want to show you something. Are you up for it?” I nod, ignoring my aching body.
“ Stay put,” he orders when I start to move. He lifts me off the bed, cradling me in his arms.
“ Dion , it’s okay. I can walk,” I protest, but he shushes me.
“ Let me take care of you. Please .”
I relent, burying my face in his neck to inhale his vanilla and cedar scent. I love the way he smells.
Dion carries me downstairs and to the back of his estate, his arms strong and secure around me. I then notice a new structure in the distance. As we get closer, I realize it’s a greenhouse, something that wasn’t here last time. I blink rapidly, trying to make sure my eyes aren’t deceiving me.
“ What is that?” I mumble, my voice weak yet filled with curiosity.
Dion glances down at me, a soft smile playing on his lips. “ You’ll see.”
We reach the greenhouse, and Dion pushes the door open with his foot, careful not to jostle me too much. The smell of plants and flowers immediately fills my nose, a sweet and earthy aroma that’s both invigorating and calming.
He sets me down gently on the ground, and I wobble slightly. Dion keeps a hand on my arm until I find my balance. I look around, taking in everything. It’s beautiful . Sunlight filters through the glass, while rows of vibrant flowers and lush greenery surround us, creating a little oasis of life and color.
“ I can’t believe you did this,” I murmur.
Dion smiles, but I can see a hint of sadness in his eyes.
“ I needed something to distract myself with while we were apart,” he explains. “ When you told me how much you loved gardening and growing flowers and plants, I decided I needed to add more to the property.”
He takes a deep breath. “ That’s when I planted the new flowers at the front.” My hands instinctively reach out to brush against the soft petals of a nearby flower. The sensation is grounding.
“ But it wasn’t enough. It wasn’t enough to mend the hole that had formed in my chest. So , I planted more and more. Eventually , I had this structure built,” he adds, gesturing around the space filled with greenery.
“ I needed something to keep me going. To give me hope that one day, you’d come back to me, and you’d have a place where you could feel at peace.”
I swallow hard, my throat tight with unshed tears. “ It’s gorgeous, Dion .”
He looks down at me, his eyes searching mine. “ Just know that I’m here for you, Aria . Always .”
I nod, unable to find the right words. The greenhouse, this moment, it’s all too much—and yet not enough. I rest my head on his shoulder, letting the silence speak for us.
“ Come on,” Dion says softly, guiding me further into the greenhouse. “ Let me show you around.”
We walk slowly, his arm still supporting me. He points out different flowers, telling me their names and a little about each one.
“ Here are the orchids.” He gestures to a row of delicate blooms in shades of purple and white. “ Those fuckers are a bit temperamental but worth the effort.” He grimaces, and I chuckle.
I reach out to touch a petal. “ They’re stunning. You’ve done a great job.” I look to the right. “ Except for the petunias. They look a little feeble, which is surprising given that they’re fuss-free flowers,” I tease with a wink.
Dion gasps, hand to his chest, feigning indignation at the harmless jab.
I smile as he leads me to the next section. “ And here are roses. Not just any roses. Heirloom varieties. They have a stronger fragrance than the ones you usually find in the wild.”
“ Someone did his homework,” I joke, and he laughs. God , I haven’t heard that sound in forever.
I lean in, inhaling the rich, sweet smell of the roses in front of me. It’s intoxicating. “ I love them.”
Dion nods, pleased, and continues the tour. “ Over here, we have some lavender.” The air is fragrant with its calming scent, and I can already feel some tension easing from my shoulders.
We move onto a section filled with vibrant, cheerful sunflowers. “ These are my favorite,” Dion admits, sheepishly. “ They’re just so...happy.”
I smile, genuine warmth spreading through me. “ They suit you,” I respond, nudging his shoulder.
“ Don’t make fun of me,” he mock scowls.
I throw my arms up in the air. “ I’m not. Scout’s honor.”
We finish the tour at a small sitting area in the center of the greenhouse. Dion helps me sit down on a cushioned bench.
Suddenly , the sound of rushing water fills the room as the sprinklers go off, dousing us both.
“ Ti sto diáolo ?” Dion exclaims, jumping up from his seat as water cascades onto us.
“ Did you forget you’d set them?” I shout over the noise with a laugh, trying to shield myself from the spray. I probably already look like a mess, and my makeup must be running down my face.
“ No . They must’ve malfunctioned.” Dion rushes to the control board, fingers flying over the buttons in a frantic attempt to stop the flood. “ Damn it, it’s not working.” He gives up and turns back to me.
Now , we’re both soaked. My clothes cling to my body, the chill setting in, making me shiver.
I notice Dion’s gaze lingering on me and his eyes land on my breasts, my nipples poking out of the fabric of my wet top. My cheeks heat.
Heat sparks in his eyes, igniting something in me. Is it arousal or the aftereffects from the drugs? I can’t quite tell, but the pull between us demands release.
Dion closes the distance between us, his eyes never straying from mine. Droplets of water cascade down his face, and I can’t help but admire his beauty. Those fucking green eyes.
My chest rises and falls at a rapid pace, mirroring the erratic beat of my heart.
The tension thickens as he moves closer.
And then, in that charged moment, Dion’s hand reaches for my face. My breath hitches, and I see the moment his willpower breaks, just before his lips meet mine in a feverish kiss, shattering the invisible barriers that have kept us apart for so long. The sensation is electrifying, desire rushing through my body. Our breaths mingle, becoming ragged as we lose ourselves in each other.
My fingers tangle in his wet hair, pulling him closer, desperate for more of him. Dion responds with equal fervor, his hands roaming over my drenched clothes, his touch setting my skin ablaze.
His hand lands on one of my breasts, and he squeezes it hard, letting his thumb caress my hardened nipple over the fabric.
I let out a small moan, which only makes him kiss me harder. His tongue explores my mouth, sending tingles straight down to my center.
Despite the intensity of the moment, a chuckle escapes my lips.
Dion pauses, forehead resting against mine as he looks into my eyes.
“ What’s so funny?” he breathes out, a hint of amusement in his voice.
“ I can’t believe this is happening,” I reply between giggles, looking up toward the sprinklers. The absurdity of the situation is hitting me.
Dion smiles. “ I love your laugh,” he says softly, his gaze holding mine. “ It might be the thing I’ve missed the most in this time we’ve been apart.”
My heart swells at his words, and I realize just how much I’ve missed him too. And I don’t want to be scared to say how I feel anymore.
“ I’ve missed yours, too,” I say, and Dion grins, kissing me again, not hesitating to then pull up my top and expose my tits. He bends down to take one into his mouth.
This time, I moan loudly and throw my head back, enjoying the feeling of his tongue lapping at the tight nipples.
My body reacts instinctively, pressing against him, eager for the closeness we’ve been denied for so long. Every touch fuels the fire between us, drawing us closer together.
“ Fuck ,” he groans against my breast. “ Turn around,” he demands.
Once I’m no longer facing him, he pushes me forward so that I’m bent over. I brace my hands on the bench.
I look back at Dion , and hunger has taken over his gaze. He rips my panties off in one swift movement, making me gasp.
Not wasting a second, he spreads my ass cheeks open and spits onto the hole. I startle at the sudden moist feeling, but it quickly mingles with my already wet center.
“ I’ve been dying to taste your pussy for a whole fucking year, Aria ,” he says, getting on his knees. “ Don’t ever keep what’s mine from me again.” His tone filled with sweet venom.
He licks his way from my clit, up to my entrance, and my knees buckle. I’m still not steady on my feet, and the sensation is too much already.
“ Go up on all fours, baby,” Dion instructs, and I lift my knees onto the bench, now even more open and exposed. But I don’t care.
He dips his tongue inside me again, and I moan. “ Ahhh , fuck.”
Dion eats me out like a man starved. His tongue circles my clit at a steady pace, surprising me with little sucks every now and then. My whole body responds, arching toward him, each of his licks sending spasms through all my nerve endings.
As he continues to devour me, he presses his thumb at my puckered hole, using his saliva and my wetness to moisten the entrance. Slowly , he pushes his finger in, and my body tenses at the intrusion.
“ Relax , moró mou. It’ll feel good,” he promises.
I take a large breath in and allow my muscles to loosen, fully trusting him.
Dion eases his thumb in further until it reaches his knuckle, and I yelp. “ Ohmigod !” I feel so full . He keeps it there, unmoving, and I shift to adjust to the feeling.
After a couple seconds, he buries his face between my legs to continue licking me, gently wiggling his thumb inside me. The combination of both feelings causes an intense, unstoppable wave to grow inside me. I can feel my climax building.
My breath catches as Dion darts his tongue in and out of my entrance, and my body tenses in anticipation. “ Fuck , yes. Don’t stop!” I chant.
My heart pounds in my chest, a wild, erratic beat that matches the throbbing between my thighs.
Soon , I can’t hold back or resist the powerful orgasm overtaking me.
It’s too fast, too strong, and finally, it crashes over me, and I’m lost in a torrent of pure ecstasy, moaning and grinding against his face.
When I come down from my orgasm, Dion pops his finger out, and I immediately feel the emptiness.
I turn around and find a devious smirk on his face, the water that’s still falling from the sprinklers causing drops to fall from his already glistening lips.
He catches me staring at them, and rolls the bottom lip between his teeth, exposing his pearly whites. “ You taste just like I remembered, little liar.”
As soon as I hear that nickname, I know his dark, dominant side is about to come out to play.
A shiver races down my spine, excitement curling in my toes.
There’s a spark in his eyes, a hint of mischief.
I straighten, my heart thudding.
He stops just inches away from my face, and I can’t look away, trapped by the force of his stare. The anticipation is almost too much, my pulse pounding in my ears as I wait for his next move. I can feel the tension coiling tighter, and all I can do is hold my breath and let myself be swept up in his storm.
He reaches above our heads, grabbing onto one of the hanging sprinklers.
It looks like a mini hose, but much thinner, around the size of my pinky finger.
My brows furrow, confused as to what he’s planning on doing with it.
“ Get back on your knees,” he orders, gesturing to the bench with his head.
I don’t move. “ Why ?”
“ I need you to trust me,” he simply replies.
My curiosity grows stronger. So , I decide to do as he says.
I get on all fours, bent over and exposed in front of Dion once again.
“ I told you a year ago that I’d come for this hole,” he says, spraying a bit of water on my bare ass. The coldness causes me to jump, and I let out a small shriek.
Dion chuckles. “ I want you to be ready for me.”
Am I ready for anal? I’ve never been opposed to trying it, and if I were to do it with anybody, it would be Dion . Plus , he made me come so freaking hard not even five minutes ago, while his thumb was way up there.
“ Okay ,” I mutter, bracing myself for what’s to come.
“ I’m going to use water to help prep and clean you,” he says, reaching out gently to massage the area. My heart beats faster. “ I want you to feel as comfortable as possible when I take you with my cock.”
Oh , God .
“ It won’t hurt, and I promise you’ll feel much better after.”
“ Okay ,” I repeat, my voice low.
He brushes a strand of hair from my face, and whispers right into my ear, “ We can take it slow, and if at any point, you want me to stop, say starlight .”
He slowly pushes in the hose and water sprays inside the muscle. “ Oh !” I exclaim, not quite understanding what I’m experiencing. It’s not entirely pleasant, but the thought of Dion preparing me for him fills me with excitement.
He twists the tube and my body spasms. “ Oh ! ” I shout again.
The water pressure is at the perfect level. I feel full, the sensation almost becoming pleasurable.
“ You’re doing good, astéri mou ,” he praises. “ I’m going to take it out now. Okay ?”
I nod, and he pulls out the hose, causing my muscles to clench. Oh , no .
My cheeks flush with embarrassment as the sudden urge to use the bathroom hits me. I try to maintain a normal expression, but the discomfort is making it hard to focus. My stomach churns, and I shift awkwardly, hoping Dion doesn’t notice. But he does. I can’t hide anything from him.
He lets out a chuckle. “ You’re going to feel pressure in your abdomen. That’s normal.”
I bite my lip. This is mortifying. “ Are you sure?”
“ Yes ,” he responds, amusement in his voice.
“ I’m glad this is entertaining to you,” I retort, rolling my eyes.
“ It is.” He smirks. “ You trust me, right?”
“ Unfortunately .” I sigh.
“ Then you know I wouldn’t do anything to hurt you,” he says, pinching my chin between his fingers.
He lifts my face and brings his mouth down to mine, temporarily distracting me from my discomfort. While we kiss, he palms the back of my neck, holding me in place until he’s done tasting my lips.
When we pull away, the air is still charged with electricity, and Dion lowers my skirt back in place.
“ Let’s get you inside. I’ll draw you a bath.”