Aria’s POV
I woke up with my body still humming from everything that happened by the river. My legs felt heavy, my skin still remembered the cool water and Kai’s hands. I lay there for a minute staring at the ceiling, trying to push the memories away. I couldn’t keep letting them take over my head like this. I needed water. My throat was dry and my mouth tasted like I’d been running for hours.
I slipped out of bed, pulled on a loose t-shirt over my panties, and padded downstairs quietly. The house was dark except for the soft glow from the kitchen. I was halfway to the fridge when I bumped straight into a warm chest.
Jasper.
He steadied me with both hands on my arms, gentle like he was afraid I’d run. I wanted to ignore him again, turn around and go back upstairs without a word. But he
