Aria's POV:
When Derek proclaimed his love at that table, my heart sank into my stomach. I don't want to fall for another Montgomery. I don't need that shit in my life again. I don't want that shit in my life again. I turn the faucet to the shower on and step inside of the steamy, relieving glass box. I let the hot water race down my back as all of the events of today continue on repeat in my mind.
I miss my dad. I can't believe my mother would want to hurt him, or even me for that matter. I know she isn't my number one fan like my dad, but I never would've thought she'd want to hurt me in anyway. She's a seething witch with no moral. I can't believe she even used the Montgomery family for something like this. She probably wanted it to be Ryder.
Oh my god.
Ryder.
What if he never loved me? What if he was working for my mom the entire fucking time? What if Derek is now doing the same to finish the job?! I need to get the fuck out of here, now. My vision clouds with tears as I scrub my skin clean, rubbing back and forth until my arms are beat red with a rosy tone. My heart aches as I begin to think about Ryder and everything we had.
I may hate him now, but I loved him at one point... I truly loved him. He meant everything. I was ready to put a ring on his finger and utter the words 'I do'. Ryder and I had something. We had a bond, a connection I have yet to feel with another person. He was my first love.
Stepping out of the shower, I take a moment before heading to the bathroom. I gaze into the mirror at my body, nothing but a towel covering me. I hate my broad shoulders. I hate my stomach. I hate everything about my body, but Derek loves it for what it is I guess. Or does he? Derek tells me everything a man should; he tells me how much he worships me and loves me. It's almost as if it's rehearsed or some shit. Derek's stereotype is what every goddamn woman and her mother wants. Maybe I'm just being delusional for thinking it, but why should I trust Derek? His family has done nothing but lie to me.
I step out of my room in comfy clothes. The coldness from the house engulfs my body, sending shivers down my spine as I trail to the kitchen. One day, I'll get out of here. I'll leave, take my dad with me, and we'll never be found by my mother again. Why does she so desperately want me married into this horrible family?
My thoughts grow increasingly out of control as I maneuver through the kitchen for a caprisun in the fridge. I close the door and my stance stiffens as someone's arms snake around my waist. My heart rate sky rockets as the person's breath is hot on my neck. A sinking gut feeling forms in the bottom of my stomach. This isn't Derek. I know these tattooed hands from anywhere.
"Hmm," Ryder hums softly, moving my hair from my ear. I unravel under his touch, hatred consuming me as painful memories with PTSD haunt my brain.
I spin around in his arms and push him away from me. Ryder stumbles back for a moment before chuckling. "Now is that anyway to greet the man who gave you everything?" Ryder's tone is clearly taunting as my jaw clenches in anger.
"You gave me nothing but a few black eyes and unpaid therapy sessions," I reply, my fist balling at my sides. His presence is evil, dark, and haunting. He's like a predator on a constant hunt for prey. The way his eyes grow determined when he sees me. And I don't mean good determination, his intentions are sinister and punitive. He wants me to seem inferior to him... a small bunny rabbit next to a seething lion. Ryder want to 'show me what I was missing'.
"You didn't mention the countless amounts of money for your father when he struggled for a period of time," Ryder reminds me as he leans back on the counter, his muscular frame pushing on the countertop. I seize the opportunity and back up until my ankles hit the bottom of the dishwasher.
"You offered. I never agreed," I counter, my tongue holding stronger than my courage. Ryder's snarky smile makes me want to vomit as his eyes trail all over my body. He's just as bad as a horny teenage boy. Fucking men.
"I still filled out several checks with more zeros than the box could hold. Are you not grateful and in debt to me forever?" Ryder pouts, adding a dramatic affect to his point. My eyes roll instinctively.
"I already thanked you, Ryder. I was never aware I had to pay you back. I have the money, I'll send a check out tomorrow," I reply as kindly as my tone will allow. Ryder grins at me, taking a step forward, reaching his hand out to touch my face. The face he put into a wall once.
"I don't want your money, Aria. I just..." Ryder trails off in his sentence as his expression warps into a soft one. His hands wrap around me again as he rests his head on my shoulder. Ryder becomes like dead weight against me as he leans into me. He's so vulnerable right now. I don't like it. "I want you. I'm sorry for everything. I just didn't know how to show you the proper love you deserved. Please let me try again."
My heart beats out of my ribs as I become a statue under his touch. My arms, having a mind of their own, wind around Ryder in sympathy. His tone is so sincere, remorseful, and sad.
"Ryder, I don't know what to say," I reply, my tone softening as a warm feeling creeps up my spine. The warmth of this moment is one I don't want to leave. I rub circles on his back for a moment, but the world spins as Ryder turns me around, pinning my hands behind my back. His left hand holding my wrists as his right hand holds me against the counter.
"I love how I can still weaken your knees," Ryder chuckles against my ear as my nerves kick into overdrive and shut down. I don't struggle, I don't retort, I just stay still, my heart aching as my dignity slips away for trusting him again. A cold shudder claws up my back, shredding my spine as tears prick my eyes. I am such an idiot. "Remember this, Aria. No matter who you're with, no matter where you are the planet, I will always have control over you. I will always be the nightmare in your dreams. My eyes will always be the set of eyes you cower under."
Ryder lets go of me as he stalks towards the hallway. "Oh, and by the way, tell Delina I said hi," his last words linger in the kitchen as he walks away. I don't move from my position, leaning on my elbows against the countertop. My eyes pool with tears, but I force my emotions back with a choke. I cannot show anymore weakness in this household.
I look down at my wrists as light purple bruises appear right where Ryder grabbed me. I'm such a fucking moron. I fucking hate him. I fucking hate him so much. He took everything away from me. I only wish I hold the same power over him as he holds over me.
After the tussle in the kitchen, I decide against being alone. I'd rather not be alone with my thoughts. I might do something stupid, so I explore the house before winding up in the basement. It's so nice and fancy. Derek sits at the bar, an entire bottle of Jack Daniels in front of him. He's just barely started drinking, his attention wrapped up in the game on his phone.
"Derek?" I say his name softly. Derek turns his head to look at me, a smile instantly breaking across his face.
"Hey, pretty girl. What's going on?" He replies casually as he spins in his chair. Derek's smile drops as he sees my exhausted face. It's about eight or nine at night, the soft gleam of the moon shines through into the room, creating an even more exhausting atmosphere. Derek spins the seat next to him so that I can sit down.
"I'm considering alcoholism," I joke. Derek chuckles at me before taking a drink and passing it to me.
"You become an alcoholic, I'll be right there with you," Derek replies. I smile at him, the heaviness in my heart lightening up.
"What happened to you, you look rough?" I ask, my eyes just now taking in his rugged physique. Derek's hair is a mess, his shirt's wrinkled, and his face is pale, almost as if something drained the life from his body.
"Argument with my dad. I told him that I told you the truth and he shit himself. You do know that you have the most terrifying mother in the world, right?" Derek explains. I look down in my lap, scoffing.
"You're telling me," I reply, nodding slightly. Derek chuckles before resting a hand on my knee.
"Thank you for making today a little bit easier," Derek says quietly. I nod my head at him, my cheeks a rosy red. That warm tingling sensation builds up, spreading throughout my whole body as it brings a grin to my face.
"Well, you definitely made a difference. I'm sorry I've been super snippy with you since I've gotten here. You've just been trying to be kind," I apologize, my eyes heavy with melatonin. Derek can't fight the smile that spreads from ear to ear as he passes me a drink.
"I accept your apologize, Mrs. Montgomery," Derek replies. I shake my head, rolling my eyes as I take a sip of the whiskey. I don't know how this man does this shit without a chaser. My throat burns as I shake my head rapidly. Derek laughs out loud at my reaction before walking behind the bar. He opens the mini fridge tucked away in the corner and pulls out a lemonade. The door closes with a gentle thud and Derek opens the drink before passing it to me. "Your chaser, my lady."
"You dick," I laugh before taking a drink of lemonade to dissolve the taste of alcohol on my throbbing tastebuds. Derek laughs with me, the exhaustion of the atmosphere letting up, being replaced by a light, relaxing atmosphere.
Derek leans forward on the bar, his leafy eyes staring at me with admiration as he leans against the counter. His eyes concentrate on my lips for a moment as I stare back at him. "I wanna kiss you so bad right now."
"Derek..." I sigh, my heart thumping in my chest at a speed faster than I can even comprehend. Do I truly hate this man? How can I? I wish I could say I hate him, but the way he talks to me, the way he touches me, it's just so amazing. He even ended up in my bed when I was drunk! He never did anything without my permission. He never took advantage of me and made sure that I was comfortable. Derek Montgomery is the ideal man, but how much can I trust?
Have I pictured Derek naked and on top of me? Yes. Have I pictured Derek betraying me hurting me in ways that I've never been betrayed before? Also yes. What does it matter if it's just sex though?
"Can I kiss you, please?" Derek asks. I nod my head slowly, leaning forward as well. I close my eyes, lips parted as he leans further in until our lips connect. Derek takes the lead, kissing me slowly with care and compassion. My heart continues to tumble into my stomach as my brain and body are both consumed by Derek. I crave nothing but this man right now. My mind is blank. I need him.
I break the kiss and climb up on the bar counter top, swinging my legs over the counter to wrap them around Derek. I pull him closer to me, a puddle forming between my thighs as I lean into Derek again out of pure hunger. He returns the heat of the kiss, pushing against my lips as he holds my hips in place. I begin to sweat as my whole world becomes clouded with desire and consumption of Derek.
Derek stops kissing me and looks at my face for a moment, his eyes locking with mine a smile spreads across his lips. My lips stay parted as I pant for oxygen.
"You're so damn beautiful, Aria," Derek sighs as he moves a strand of hair from my face. My cheeks turn darker as Derek leans into my neck, his lips gently kissing up and down my neck before he graduates to sucking on my neck. Little pants and moans slip past my lips as my entire body melts under his touch. I gently tilt my head back, eyes shooting to the bottom of the basement stairs.
There he stands. Ryder Montgomery.
I continue to pant, rolling my eyes back slightly as he clenches his jaw in anger. "Mm, don't stop," I pant out, holding Derek's head to my neck. Ryder shakes his head before quietly exiting up the stairs, leaving Derek and I to our business.
~
Lia posting two times in one week? Preposterous!