ARIA’S POV - The Next Morning
Aria woke in Damien’s bed with her body aching in new ways and her neck throbbing with each heartbeat.
She touched the marks gingerly...they were tender, raised, unmistakably visible. Hickeys that would be impossible to hide without a high-necked shirt or scarf.
Damien was already awake, propped up on one elbow, watching her with possessive satisfaction.
"Good morning," he said, his hand tracing one of the marks on her shoulder. "How do you feel?"
"Sore. Claid. Thoroughly yours." She turned to face him. "Did you really have to mark quite so....visibly?"
"Yes." His smile was unapologetic. "I told you. I want everyone to know. Especially Julian."
"He’s going to see these and know exactly what happened."
"Good. That’s the point." He pressed a kiss to one of the marks. "Now get up. You need to get ready for work. And I...." He paused, his expression shifting to sothing more serious. "I have sothing I need to tell you."
Her stomach dropped. "What?"
"Julian wants to take you to lunch today. He texted this morning asking for permission."
"Permission? I’m not...you don’t own..." She stopped, realizing how hypocritical that sounded given the marks covering her body. "What did you say?"
"I said yes."
She blinked, confused. "You said yes? After last night? After...." She gestured to the marks. "After all that?"
"Yes." He cupped her face, his eyes intense. "Because I ant what I said. You have to choose this. Choose . Not because I’ve forbidden you from seeing other people or controlled your every move. But because you genuinely want to be here."
"I already chose you. I ca back last night....."
"I know. But I want to be sure. Want you to be sure." His thumb brushed across her lower lip. "So go to lunch with Julian. Let him be kind and charming and normal. And if at any point you realize that’s what you actually want....if you realize you’d rather have that than this....." He gestured between them. "Then you can tell . And I’ll let you go."
"You’re testing ," she said, hurt coloring her voice.
"I’m giving you a choice," he corrected gently. "A real one. Not one where I’m hovering over you, marking you as mine, making it impossible to consider alternatives. Go. Have lunch. Think about what you really want. And then....." He kissed her softly. "Co back to . Or don’t. But make it a conscious decision."
*****
DAMIEN’S POV - 11 AM
Damien stood in his study, trying to focus on work, trying not to think about the fact that in one hour, Julian would be taking Sarah to lunch.
This was insane. He’d just spent last night claiming her in the most primitive, possessive ways possible. Had marked her so thoroughly that everyone who saw her would know she was taken. And now he was sending her off with another man.
But he needed to know. Needed to be certain that she was choosing him because she wanted to, not because she felt trapped or obligated or controlled.
At 11:30, there was a knock on his door.
"Co in."
Julian entered, looking casual and comfortable in jeans and a button-down. His eyes went imdiately to the security monitor on Damien’s desk....the one showing the staff area where Sarah was currently working.
"So," Julian said with a slight smile. "I take it last night went well?"
"That’s none of your business."
"The marks all over her neck say otherwise. Very subtle, Damien. Very restrained." Julian’s tone was amused, not judgntal. "I’m surprised you’re letting take her to lunch after that territorial display."
"She needs to make her own choices."
"And you think sending her to lunch with ...knowing I’m a safe, uncomplicated alternative....is going to help her make that choice?" Julian settled into a chair uninvited. "Or are you secretly hoping she’ll choose so you can feel justified in your belief that you’re too damaged for a healthy relationship?"
"Get out of my head, Julian."
"Soone has to be in there, since you clearly aren’t." Julian’s expression turned serious. "Look, I’m not actually interested in Sarah. Romantically, I an. She’s lovely, but she’s very clearly in love with you. Last night at dinner, she could barely go five minutes without ntioning your na."
"Then why ask her to lunch?"
"Because I want to talk to her. Understand what’s really going on. And..." Julian paused. "And because I’m worried about her. She seems...scared. Like she’s carrying sothing heavy. And I want to make sure you’re not the one putting that weight on her."
Damien’s jaw tightened. "I would never....."
"Not intentionally, maybe. But Damien, your idea of love can be.....intense. Overwhelming. And sotis people need help, not possession."
"I’m trying to help her..."
"Are you? Or are you waiting for her to beg for it? Waiting for her to break before you step in?" Julian stood. "Just.....think about it. And I’ll see you both at 1 PM."
After Julian left, Damien stared at the security monitor showing Sarah.
Was Julian right? Was he waiting for her to break? Was his need for her complete surrender hurting her rather than helping her?
He pulled out his phone and checked the status of the treatnt he’d arranged for i Chen. The Vitalis Radix samples had been delivered to Mount Sinai yesterday. The doctors were running preliminary tests to ensure compatibility.
In another day or two, they’d begin the treatnt protocol. With or without Sarah’s knowledge. With or without her consent.
He was saving her mother. Behind her back. Taking away her choice even as he claid to be giving her choices.
The hypocrisy wasn’t lost on him.
****
ARIA’S POV - 12:30 PM
Aria changed quickly in her room, choosing a high-necked blouse that covered most of the marks. But a few were still visible at her collar, and she knew Julian would notice.
Lucy certainly had.
"Oh my god," Lucy had said that morning, eyes wide. "Sarah! Your neck! Did you....are those....."
"Don’t," Aria had interrupted, her face burning. "Just.....don’t."
"I’m not judging! I’m just....wow. Mr. Blackwood really....." Lucy had stopped, seeing Aria’s expression. "Never mind. None of my business."
Now, standing in front of the mirror, Aria touched the visible marks and felt a complex mix of emotions. Pride. Possession. And sothing that felt uncomfortably like being branded.
At exactly 1 PM, Julian’s Tesla pulled up to the staff entrance. Aria climbed in, hyperaware of the marks on her neck, of what they ant, of what Julian would think.
"Hey," Julian greeted her with his easy smile, then paused as his eyes landed on her neck. "Oh. I see. Well, that’s.....definitive."
"Julian...."
"No, no. It’s fine. Actually, it’s kind of sweet in a very Damien way." He put the car in drive. "Territorial bastard. But at least he’s open about his feelings now."
They drove in comfortable silence for a few minutes before Julian spoke again.
"I’m taking you to a café downtown. Quiet. Good food. And...." He glanced at her. "Private enough that we can talk honestly."
"About what?"
"About whatever’s really going on. Because Sarah....." His voice was gentle. "You’re clearly dealing with sothing significant. And I want to help if I can."
The café was exactly as he’d described....small, intimate, with booths that offered privacy. They ordered, and then Julian turned to her with serious eyes.
"Okay. No judgnt. No telling Damien anything you don’t want him to know. Just talk to . What’s going on? What are you so scared of?"
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