Aria’s POV
The water had just stopped running when Klaus pulled me into his arms, our wet bodies pressing together as he captured my lips in a kiss so intense it left no room for breath. His mouth was demanding, possessive, like he was branding me all over again before the day could even begin.
He held me like he didn’t want to let go. And I could feel it—the reluctance in the way his fingers dug into my waist, the hesitation before he pulled back to meet my eyes. But responsibility was already calling him away. As Alpha, he couldn’t afford indulgences for too long, even when they were wrapped in bath-slicked skin and tangled sighs.
“I’ll be back soon,” he whispered, pressing one last kiss to my temple before stepping out of the bathroom.
He dressed in silence, every movement efficient
