Aria's POV
The lake spread before us like a crystal mirror, sunlight dancing across its surface. When Aiden helped me down from the horse, his hands lingered at my waist longer than necessary.
"It's beautiful here," I whispered, taking in the secluded spot surrounded by tall trees and wildflowers.
Instead of answering, Aiden pulled me against him, his lips crashing down on mine with an urgency that left me breathless. I melted into him, my fingers threading through his dark hair as the kiss deepened.
When we finally broke apart, both gasping for air, I saw something vulnerable in his eyes—something I rarely witnessed in the confident, powerful man everyone else saw.
"What's wrong?" I asked, touching his face gently.
Aiden sighed, his arms tightening around me. "I didn't
