Chapter 20: His or Nothing
473 Words
Chapter 20: His or Nothing
(Some fires you can’t walk away from)
Aria didn’t leave the apartment that day.
She sat on the edge of her bed for hours, the silence around her louder than any storm. Cade’s voice still echoed in her skull. That final look in his eyes—shattered, betrayed, done—was worse than any scream.
She wanted to call him.
Wanted to undo everything.
But how do you call a man you just broke?
She curled deeper into herself, knees hugged to her chest, guilt and desire gnawing at the same place inside her. She hadn’t just cheated.
She’d shattered a man who trusted her.
And for what?
For a night with Damon she couldn’t even call a mistake—because some twisted part of her still wanted more.
She didn’t know what she hated more: the shame… or the craving.
Her phone lit up.
Unknown Number: Open your door, Aria.
She stared.
The knock came five seconds later.
Her heartbeat jumped. Her body already knew.
She opened the door.
Damon.
His jaw clenched, rain dripping from his leather jacket, eyes dark and turbulent.
“You told him,” he said.
She nodded, throat raw. “I had to.”
He stepped inside without asking, as if the space was already his.
“Did he touch you?” Damon asked, voice low and dangerous.
“What?”
“After,” he clarified. “Did he touch you? Did he put his hands on you in anger?”
“No,” she said, confused. “Of course not.”
His eyes softened just enough.
“Good.”
He moved closer. “Because if he did, Aria… I’d kill him.”
“Damon…”
“I don’t care what that makes me,” he said, stepping closer, his hand brushing her hip. “You think I’m the villain in this? Fine. But I’m the only one who won’t walk away from you.”
Tears burned the corners of her eyes. “You already did. So many times.”
“I’m not leaving again.”
His fingers slid into her hair, tilting her chin.
“Cade’s a good man,” Damon whispered. “But he doesn’t know how to keep you. Not like I do.”
“You think this is about keeping me?” she snapped, stepping back. “I’m not a trophy to win.”
He smirked, slow and lethal. “No. You’re a wildfire. And I’m the only one willing to burn.”
Her knees weakened.
He didn’t kiss her.
Not yet.
He wanted her to beg this time.
Wanted her to choose him in the wreckage.
And as her body swayed toward him, heart breaking and wanting all at once… Aria realized something brutal.
She wasn’t sure she could stop wanting him.
Even if it destroyed everything.
- Writer
