“Kneel.”
She froze. Just for a breath.
"Now"
Then slowly, like a trembling flame bowing to the wind, Aria dropped to her knees before him.
God.
The sight of her—submitting, surrendering, spine straight but hands trembling—made something primal roar awake inside him. His chest rose with a deep inhale, but he didn’t move. Not yet. He wanted to savor this. The sweet, slow crumble of her resistance.
“I told you not to run,” he murmured, voice low and lethal.
Her lashes fluttered but she didn’t look away. Her mouth opened like she wanted to say something—defend herself, maybe. But she must’ve thought better of it.
Good girl.
“Did he make you come?” Cole asked, crouching in front of her.
The question sliced through the thick air like a knife. She blinked. Her mouth parted in shock, the
