Page 54 of Forbidden Harvest

Shit. I’d completely forgotten about our plans with everything going on with Jared. “Right, of course. Come on in.”

As they step inside, Lisa eyes me suspiciously. “You look a little out of it. Are you sure you’re over the flu?”

I wave a hand. “Yeah, I’m fine. Just still feeling a bit tired still after having the flu.”

“Oh, that’s no fun.” Kevin settles onto the couch, grabbing the remote. “Let’s see if we can change that. A movie to take your mind off things?”

Before I can respond, Lisa speaks. “Something’s off. Aria, we’re your friends. Talk to us. What’s going on?”

A wave of guilt crashes over me as I realize how much I’ve neglected my friendships since Jared came back into my life just over a week ago. But how could I possibly explain the truth about Jared and our twisted relationship? My mind scrambles for a plausible excuse.

“It’s nothing.” I wave a dismissive hand, willing the tension to ease. “Just some family stuff, that’s all.”

Lisa’s gaze gives away that she doesn’t fully believe me. “Are you sure that’s it? Because you’ve been unreachable for days. I’ve been worried about you.”

Kevin nods. “Yeah, Aria. You know you can talk to us about anything, right?”

Their concern touches me, but it also makes me feel so guilty. “Thanks, guys. I appreciate it.”

Kevin clears his throat. “So, about that movie?”

“Sure.” I’m grateful for the change of subject. “How about a classic horror flick? It’s still close enough to Halloween.”

Lisa and Kevin agree, chattering excitedly about what to pick, but I can’t get out of my head. I’ve been so caught up in the whirlwind of Jared and our shared madness that I’ve neglected everything else.

But I can’t tell them the truth about Jared or the insanity surrounding how he went about claiming me. My stepbrother kidnapped me from the haunted house, for fuck’s sake.

I’ll have to keep up the charade and pretend everything is normal. But deep down, I know that the darkness lurking within me is anything but.

Halfway through the movie, my heart nearly stops as I hear the front door open. Jared is home, and I know he won’t be happy to see Lisa and Kevin here.

Sure enough, his expression darkens when he spots them on the couch. His jaw clenches, and his eyes flash with irritation. Without a word, he strides over and plops down on the couch beside me.

“Hey guys,” I say. “You remember my stepbrother, Jared, right?”

Lisa smiles at him. “Oh yeah, hey, Jared.”

He grunts in response, not even attempting to hide his annoyance. Without asking, he plops down on the couch beside me, so close our thighs are touching. I resist the urge to hurry away, not wanting to draw any more attention.

Kevin looks between us, a frown marring his features. “Uh, we were just watching a movie. You’re welcome to join.”

“Thanks.” Jared’s arm tightens around me. “I am.”

I shift uncomfortably, a hot wave creeping up my neck. I know Lisa can sense the sudden shift in the atmosphere.

Lisa’s eyes narrow, but she doesn’t comment.

As the movie drones on, I’m hyperaware of Jared’s body close to mine, his thumb stroking along my arm. Knowing Lisa and Kevin would surely notice, It takes every ounce of willpower not to pull away.

Part of me wants to demand he back off before we’re caught. But another part of me is perversely enjoying the thrill of having him so close, knowing our friends are oblivious to our illicit relationship.

I sit rigid on the couch, my heart pounding as Jared’s hand brazenly grazes the side of my breast. I shoot him a warning look, but he smirks, daring me to stop him.

This will be a long, torturous hour and a half pretending everything is normal between us. But that’s exactly what Jared wants—to push my boundaries right under their noses.

As the credits finally roll, Kevin stretches and turns to me with a warm smile. “Hey, Aria, you wanna grab a drink? Could be fun to catch up properly.”

Before I can respond, Jared cuts in, his voice laced with quiet menace. “She’s not going anywhere with you.”

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