Damian’s shirt slid off his shoulders and hit the floor in silence. His body was tense, every muscle clenched with rage and something darker. He stood there, his bare back to Aria, and with a slow, deliberate movement, unfastened his belt.
Aria’s breath caught.
“Damian…” she whispered, her voice trembling. “What… What are you doing?”
He didn’t answer.
He wrapped the head of the belt tightly around his fist, the leather groaning in his grip. Aria’s eyes widened in fear. She pressed her back into the bedpost, inching away, her heart pounding wildly.
“Damian, please don’t, don’t hurt me… I don’t understand what’s happening—”
His hand shot up.
Aria turned her face away, bracing herself for the sting of leather.
But the crack of the belt didn’t land on her.
It landed on him.
Smack!
A
