Page 80 of Forbidden Harvest

Jared’s eyes sparkle with a dangerous mix of love and possession. This kiss is a reclamation, sealing our fated union forged in darkness.

Our lips meet, and the world falls away. It’s just us—two souls entangled, forever bound by our shared darkness.

The cheers from our friends bring me back to the present. Although our kiss has ended, the tension between us has only intensified.

Jared threads his fingers through mine as we make our way to the reception venue, a stone’s throw away. The night air is crisp, and my heart is light.

Our friends await us at the cozy local spot we chose for the reception. Their smiles are warm, and the clinking of glasses signals their congratulations.

“To the happy couple!” Sam calls out, raising his glass. “May you always find solace in each other’s arms.”

“To new beginnings,” Dan adds, his eyes shining with genuine happiness for us.

Nina embraces us both, whispering her well wishes. And then the rest of her friends congratulate us.

As the night progresses, Jared and I find ourselves on the dance floor, moving to the music that fills the room. Our bodies sway and press together, each touch a silent promise, each kiss a reminder of our enduring desire.

Before long, that desire consumes us. Our gazes grow heavy, and our kisses become more fervent. We’re loath to part, breathless, and eager for more.

“We should go,” Jared murmurs, his lips brushing my ear.

“But we just got here,” I protest, even as my body throbs with agreement.

“I know, but I can’t stop touching you. I need you.” His admission is raw, and the heat in his gaze leaves no room for argument.

Our friends, always perceptive, raise no objections. “You two, go on,” Nina encourages with a wink. “Enjoy your wedding night.”

We make excuses, though everyone knows exactly why we’re retiring early. As we slip away, the weight of anticipation settles between us. The night is still young, and our hunger for each other has just begun.

The Uber ride back to our apartment is a blur of anticipation and nervous energy. We’re barely able to keep our hands off each other, and the driver pretends not to notice our heated kisses and wandering hands.

Finally, we arrive, and Jared practically rushes me through the door, kicking it shut behind us.

He backs me against the wall, and kisses me hard. The intensity of his desire hits me like a physical force, and I’m breathless as he traces the curve of my neck with his lips.

“I’ve dreamed about this,” he whispers, his voice raw. “Calling you my stepsister and wife.”

I whimper softly as his hands slide under my dress, his touch electric against my bare skin. His lips find the sensitive spot below my ear, and I tilt my head back, granting him better access.

“You’re all mine.” He punctuates each word with a kiss, his hand tightening my hair.

I nod, unable to form a coherent response. I want to tell him that he’s not just mine but so much more. He’s my dark half, the piece of my soul that completes me. But the words stick in my throat, caught between longing and fear.

Jared lifts me, making me wrap my legs around him as he carries me toward the bedroom. I grip his shoulders, my fingernails digging into his skin through the fabric of his suit.

He sets me down on the bed, his eyes blazing with a mixture of love and lust. Slowly, he begins to undress me, peeling away the layers that separate us.

I reach for him, eager to return the favor, but he stops me with a gentle hand on my wrist. “Not yet, baby. Let me worship you.”

I surrender to his desire, watching through hooded eyes as he reveals my body inch by inch. His gaze is filled with such reverence that it sends a shiver down my spine.

When I’m completely bare before him, he steps back, taking in the sight of me with a hunger that makes my pulse race. Then, with deliberate intent, he begins to undress, shedding his suit with a practiced ease that only heightens my arousal.

By the time he joins me on the bed, I’m burning for him. He raises himself over me, his lips hovering just above mine. “I love you, Aria. Now and forever.”

“I love you too, Jared.”

Our lips meet, and the room fades away. There’s only us, our bodies moving in sync, our passion consuming us.

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