The next day I was awakened by my phone ringing. At first I ignored it, but the stupid ringing wouldn't stop. I groaned and picked it up without even bothering to open my eyes and look at the caller.

"Hello" I answered feeling my throat really dry.

"When are you going to visit your old man?" I heard uncle Rob's voice which automatically made me smile.

"When he stops waking me up" I laughed.

"I heard Caleb's back" He said. "Sarah called me to inform me to be alert about your brother returning" He said.

"Any news about him?" I asked feeling my stomach turning from anxiety.

"No, he hasn't called or appeared ever since" he sighed. "Aria, please be careful"

"I am careful uncle Rob, don't worry I'll never let him touch me"

"Who?" I heard a raspy voice and turned to its direction. Of course it was Alex leaning on my door raising an eyebrow.

I didn't have time to think about the fact that he was shirtless and wore only grey sweatpants hanging low.

Or how his arms were crossed showing of his hard muscles.

Or how the sweatpants were flattering his bulge.

I need holy water.

"I'll call later" I said quickly and hang up.

"Who were you talking about?" He asked.

"I-uh nothing my uncle is just scared about criminals and stuff I was just saying whoever it is I'll never let him touch me" I smiled proudly at how I saved the situation.

"Too late already happened three times" He said and walked out.

I quickly did my morning routine and got dressed before going to the kitchen to eat something.

I saw Alex who was still shirtless drinking milk.

The was his Adam's apple moved as he was gulping down the mild Oh My God.

A drop escaped his mouth and slid down his neck.

Let me lick it.

I heard him hum and saw him raise an eyebrow. He put the milk on the counter and gave me a smirk.

"What do you want to lick princess?" He asked.

WHAT! Did I just think out loud?!

"I-I" I stuttered.

"Come here baby" He gestured for me to come close to him. I walked towards him as if he was pulling me. "Is this what you want to lick?" He whispered pointing to his neck.

And my sinful self literally nodded. He seemed as surprised as I was that I had nodded.

"All yours princess" He rasped out still taken aback.

Should I do it? Should I run away?

Duck it.

I slowly moved my head towards his neck stopping when my lips were just a breath away. His breath had seemed to become harder and uneven and I hadn't even touched him yet.

I dared lean my hands on his holy abs. They are so hard omg. They flexed at my touch as he was now almost panting. My lips ghosted over his neck hesitating for a moment.

"Aria" He whimpered. "Do it now" he groaned impatiently.

My lips pressed against his neck and he moaned. Loudly.

He held the counter behind him tightly for support. He seemed as if he was going to collapse if he let it go.

Did I really affect him so much?

"Keep going" He whispered. I obeyed and left a kiss on his sharp jaw. I kept leaving hesitant kisses not really sure of what I was doing.

He seemed to like a little too much though because he let out moans and groans. I decided it was time to stop now and pulled back. His eyes fluttered open before shutting again.

"If only you knew what you're doing to me. How much power you have over me" He shook his head. "I guess it's good you don't know" He gave me a serious look. "I wish I could make you feel what you make me feel"

He doesn't know half of what I feel.

"Does my touch even affect you?" He asked appearing a little hurt.

He really doesn't know how much I fangirl over him.

"Do you think about other guys?" he suddenly asked.

"No-"

"Because since I met you no other woman seems to be interesting enough to even make me notice her" He confessed. "It's like I only have eyes for you"

I was beyond delighted to hear that. I finally got my answers and without having to awkwardly ask.

"Is it the same for you?" He tilted his head to the side.

"Of course. No other man had caught my attention before" I confessed "It wasn't my priority. Now all I seem to think about is you. Everytime you leave at night I wonder if you're out to see other girls" I looked down embarrassed.

"Baby no, why would I even waste my time on other girls when I have you, the most perfect little princess in the world?" He cooed and cupped my face.

I blushed and hid my face in his chest. Which was bare.

"Aw baby, let me see that adowable blush of yours" He raised my face up and squeezed my cheeks before leaving kisses on both of them. "I assure you that when I'm out it's because I'm working"

"But it's too dangerous"

"No little one, nothing is too dangerous for me" He smiled. "Remember that. You have me now. I'll protect you at all costs" He suddenly turned serious as if there was a deeper meaning to his words. As if he knew.

"I know Alex don't worry, there is nothing you need to protect me from" I smiled.

"But if there is anything just tell me. It will be gone in a flash"

"I will Alex I promise" I said but deep down I knew I couldn't tell him. Deep down I knew that it was in fact too dangerous for him. Not even he could protect me.

"I mean it Aria. There is nothing too dangerous for me. So if there is something bugging you tell me" He insisted.

Does he know? Did he hear anything? Did Jason tell him anything about what he heard Caleb say?

"But there isn't" I acted confused. He shook his head. Almost as if he was disappointed.

"Very well" He sighed.

"I need to go now" I said and turned to walk away but before i could he grabbed my hand and pulled me to his chest.

"I need my goodbye kiss" He smirked. I got on my tip toes as he bent down a little and pecked his lips but he deepened the kiss before I could pull away. "I'll miss you so much" He said in between passionate kisses.

"Me too" I mouthed out of breath.

"Really?" He asked surprised with wide eyes and a hint of a smile on his full lips.

"Of course silly" I giggled. He let out a happy sigh smiling as he rested his forehead on mine.

------

"Ari!" The deep voice made me look up and stop cleaning the counter.

"Caleb" I smiled. "What are you doing here?" I asked and continued my cleaning.

"Came here to see one of my two favorite girls" He chuckled.

"Where's Sarah?" I asked.

"I don't know, last time I saw her was with that guy from the Italian restaurant"

Jason? Sarah you little idiot, you didn't tell me anything.

"Jason?" I asked.

"Uh-yeah, that was his name"

"I see. And she didn't tell me anything" I shook my head.

"I'm sure she will later. So how have you been?"

"Good, no problems so far" I smiled proudly.

I just realized I've been doing great.

"I'm so glad to hear that" He chuckled. "If your brother is too much of a crazy asshole to take care of you then I will"

"Please don't talk about him to me" My mood immediately darkened at the mention of my brother.

"I'm sorry, I'm just angry at my best friend" He shook his head and looked down. "Aria you know I'll never betray you right?" He asked looking into my eyes.

"I want to believe that" I confessed. "But just at the thought that you see him everyday somewhere where I don't even know if it's near or far makes me paranoid. Thinking he is somewhere and  probably close"

"I hate that you don't trust me because of him" He whispered."But I can't leave him Aria. We made a promise"

"I know"

"Now I have to go, I'm sorry for ruining your mood but don't worry. I'll protect you if anything happens. Which won't" He smirked and walked out.

Perfect.

The day was finally over and I was so tired from classes and work that I just wanted to magical appear in my room and collapse on the bed.

But I had to walk.

It was dark outside and let's be honest I haven't had the best experiences going home from work in the dark so I was anxious and paranoid.

I was walking very fast trying to get home as fast as possible. I didn't want to bother Alex, he was probably waking or something.

As I was walking I heard someone walking behind me.

"Can y'all stop following me?" I turned around and yelled.

"Calm down lady, I'm just going home. Jeez" The man in front of me said and then walked past me.

I'm really going crazy.

I kept walking a little calmer now. There were some cars on the road and a few people walking around. Who would try to attack someone when there would be people around?

Suddenly I was pulled into a dark corner.

Of course I was wrong.

"Not again! seriously?!" I yelled moving around like crazy.

"Sh, it's me. Baby it's me" A soothing deep voice whispered in my ear?

"Alex you scared me" I cried out and turned around to hug him. I kept a death grip on his shoulders. I felt safe in his arms. Like nothing could touch me.

"Why didn't you ask me to pick you up?" He asked and hugged me tightly.

"I didn't want to bother you"

"Princess" He sighed. "You know you never bother me right?"

"I'm sorry" He said quietly and hugged him tighter.

"Let's take you home little one" He said and picked me up bridal style walking towards his car.