Free Aaron's Revenge by Kelly Ilebode Page A

admit it. You have feelings for me.”
    Nervously, she pushed against Aaron: Feeling the heat through her fingertips. Remembering the kiss she gave him, willingly, before he fed from her by the lakeshore. It seemed like a lifetime ago.
    “ What purpose would my answer serve? It changes nothing. Our reality stays the same for you and me.”
    Leaning in, Aaron knew he was being unfair, but he wanted her to see the side of him that hurt. He wanted her to see the pain. Lowering his head, so it was a breadth away from touching her, he said, “It would give me hope, Amira.”
    Taking his face gently in her hands, emerald green met flaming red, as comprehension dawned inside her. Aaron was afraid.
    “ I love you, Aaron. I love you for being faithful to your brother and to me. I love how you pretend to be this tough man, but inside you are so soft.” Feeling him pull away, she pressed on. “No, do not walk away from me now. You started this. I see your heart and it is beautiful. Do not give up on yourself, because no one else has. You will not be alone at the end, Aaron. You will not!”
    Placing both hands on either side of her head, he leaned heavily against the wall as his body pressed closer to hers. He would not allow himself the touch. Her heat was enough—for now. She saw through to his soul…that was all he needed. To be seen by someone.
     

CHAPTER THIRTEEN
    By the time Chavali made it inside the manor, she was seething. She may have had it coming to her when she slapped him, but he took it too far. Determined to keep him at a distance, she inhaled deeply, steadying her nerves before walking into his room without knocking. Disappointed when she did not see him, she walked to her room, staring in amazement at the new clothes that were draped over several of the chairs. Picking up the note on the bed, her eyes coolly read the words.
    I know what it feels like to be lost and alone. At least if you are going to feel like that, you might as well look good.—Amira
      Smiling, she ran her fingers over several of the outfits before heading to take a shower. At least she had one of them fooled. It would feel good to be in clean clothes. Quickly showering and feeling refreshed, Chavali dropped face down on the bed. She still felt overwhelmed, out of her league, and incredibly tired. Slowly her eyes closed as she drifted off to sleep.
    That is how Aaron found her: sound asleep, curled around a pillow with her hair fanned out around her. Her very small nightgown had ridden high on her thighs, allowing him to get a good view of her creamy skin. She looked so vulnerable, and a part of him felt guilty at how mean he had been with her since they met. Frowning, he realized that she really seemed to be trying to help. Yet every fiber in his being told him not to trust her. The stress of this week seemed to be catching up with him and his time with Amira did not help. He knew that he also needed to sleep, but he couldn’t take the chance of her disappearing again like she had the night before with Amira.
    Sighing heavy, he had no choice but to sleep with Chavali. Climbing into bed behind her, he wrapped his arm around her waist, pulling her against him, feeling his heart constrict, wishing she were Amira. Chavali shifted, reaching for his hand in her sleep. Aaron stiffened, hoping she wouldn’t wake. He was drained completely and not ready to spar again so soon. Relaxing after several minutes, his eyes closed and he fell asleep.
    Waking up to pitch darkness, Aaron listened for a minute, trying to figure out what it was that woke him. He adjusted quickly to the light emanating from the fireplace. Turning his head on the pillow, his eyes made contact with Chavali’s. She was lying still, with her hands under her head, watching him, expressionless.
    “ Hi, Chavali.” His whispered words sounded loud in the room.
    “ Hi, Aaron.”
    “ I really didn’t mean to be that horrible to you, but sometimes you make me so angry.”
    “ I