Chapter 6: The Taste of a Secret

The moment Ethan's lips touched mine, the world ceased to exist.

It was just us—his hands on my waist, my fingers tangled in his hair, the slow, deliberate way he kissed me like he was memorizing every second. His lips were warm, coaxing, making me forget everything except how badly I wanted this.

Then reality crashed back.

I pulled away, my breath unsteady, my mind screaming at me. "Ethan, we—"

"Don't," he murmured, his forehead resting against mine. "Don't say it was a mistake."

But wasn't it?

This wasn't normal. We weren't normal.

I took a shaky step back, wrapping my arms around myself like it could shield me from what I had just done. "We can't do this."

Ethan studied me, his jaw tight. "So you're just going to pretend it didn't happen?"

I swallowed hard. "It shouldn't have happened."

A flicker of something crossed his face—hurt, maybe. But it was gone just as quickly, replaced by his usual smirk. "If that's what you want."

He turned away, heading for the door, but before he left, he glanced back at me. "Just one thing, Aria."

I forced myself to look at him.

His lips curled into a knowing smile. "You kissed me back."

And then he was gone, leaving me alone with a heart that refused to slow down.