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I take a step back and jump when I run into the doorfra the short distance between us again “There’s no reason to be scared of me”

I clutch the bottom of my shirt and nod I freeze in fear when he leans towardto kiss me I don’t understand this irrational fear he instills in me

I squeeze ainst ainst the wood behind me and my hands automatically lift to push him away The blanket is still between us, thankfully, separating his body fro me

I know I can siso It’s like I’h I don’t want him to kiss me, I’m scared of what he’ll do if I rebut him

When his lips finally touchhim without words that I’m not comfortable with the kiss His lips are wet as he feathers the When his tongue darts out to run across the seam of my lips, I can’t take it anymore, and I turnhis heavy and hot breath rush acrossin my stomach

“I’ve roans into ivechance”

I flinch at his harsh words and try to push back further into the wall A sob tries to work its way up my chest That’s the problem, I don’t know if he would hurt ht of hi Not because of the actual pain he would inflict, but because that o I know in my heart I wouldn’t have married hiuided would be devastating

I openinto Theo’s roo the pain and confusion in their depths

I press against the blanket, trying to push Theo back, but he doesn’t move

“Please, Jules,” he whispers “I’d do anything for you”

I turn htly and keep my voice lohen I say, “Please step back, Theo Aria’s in the hallatching”

I can practically hear his teeth grinding together as his jaw clenches I’er come over his face I’m even more surprised by the tone of his voice

“Aria,” he says harshly “I told you to get in bed I’ll be in there in a few minutes”

Her alread

y wide eyes turn to saucers They dart from Theo to me, back to her father, before she turns and runs into the other roo the door behind her