---- The soup came. Smelled pretty good. She ended up finishing the whole thing. Aaron lounged on the sofa, watching her eat. "Crying burns calories, huh?" Clara shot him a glare but didn't dignify that with a reply. She got up, tidied up, then slipped into bed. From the corner of her eye, she saw Aaron half-curled on that tiny single-seat couch, his long legs awkwardly jammed up. He looked kind of pitiful. The room was small-standard single. Two little couch, no extra space. He flew over two hours just to check on her. Thinking of this, Clara felt her heart softened. "If you want... you can sleep on the bed. It's big enough." "Oh, alright." Aaron didn't even hesitate. He answered casually, but inside he was practically doing victory laps. Finally-some progress. He slid under the blanket beside her. With another body next to her, the bed ---- suddenly felt way too warm. Clara wasn't sleepy anymore. She stared at his face, so close now, and saw how peaceful he looked with his eyes closed-none of that usual pressure or distance. Strong jawline. Sharp nose. Long lashes, just like Leo's. He really was good-looking. He seemed a little worn out though. The dark circles under his eyes were obvious. Clara's chest tightened. Other than Sierra, no one had ever gone out of their way like this for her. Before she realized what she was doing, her fingers gently brushed the shadows beneath his eyes, as if she could erase them with a touch. Aaron's eyes opened slowly, focused entirely on her. His voice, warm and gentle, was unlike any she'd ever heard from him. "Can't sleep?" He reached out, took her hand, and brought her fingertips to his lips, kissing them softly. "I was really worried about you on the way here..." ---- His voice was deep, magnetic, laced with an honesty that pulled at her. Clara couldn't help herself. She leaned in, wrapped an arm around his lean waist, and kissed his chin softly. "Aaron... thank you." His body tensed like he'd been struck by lightning. Then his arms wrapped around her like steel bands, holding her tight. And just like that, the anxiety, the hurt, the pain that had been gnawing at her heart for days-it all vanished. His embrace was so warm. His heartbeat, strong and steady. His scent, pure masculine and intoxicating. Only... he was holding her a bit too tight. She struggled to breathe. She pushed gently against his chest, trying to create a little space-and her palm met hot, solid muscle. Whoa. Clara looked up boldly, eyes gleaming. Her lips traced the line of his Adam's apple, then moved higher, her tongue awkwardly outlining the shape of his lips... ---- Aaron started to sweat. Her scent filled his lungs. Her soft body pressed against his, clinging with utter trust and openness. Something primal surged inside him-raw, protective, fierce. He wanted to treasure her. There was a beast clawing at the cage inside him, begging to be unleashed-but Aaron held it back. Barely. Until Clara's delicate hand slipped under his pajama top, gliding over his defined abs. And that was it. With a growl, he rolled over and pinned her beneath him, breathing heavily against her ear. "You're really pushing me..." His voice was hoarse, ragged-and then it disappeared altogether as he crushed his lips against hers. Her soft moans and his rough breathing filled the night with something hot, electric. Somehow, somewhere in the heat of it all, ---- Clara's sleepwear ended up ripped open, revealing soft skin that made Aaron suddenly snap back to reality. He collapsed beside her, chest heaving. "...Sorry." Too fast. Again. He forced himself to sit up, every movement full of restraint. "I'm gonna... take a shower." Clara peeked down at the very visible problem in his sweatpants-and burst out laughing. "He actually held back?!"