#Chapter 145: Rising Tensions

Aria I woke to sunlight streaming through the curtains, the events of the previous night slowly trickling into my memory. My left hand felt heavier than usual, and I lifted it to see the moonstone ring catching the morning light as I turned my fingers. The sight of it made my heart swell. Darren had proposed last night. And I had said yes. I rolled over to find him still asleep beside me. The sheets had slipped down to his waist, revealing the muscled planes of his bare chest. Heat crept into my cheeks as I remembered what had followed the proposal. We had barely made it back to our bedroom before his lips had found mine, hungry and passionate. I recalled the feel of his hands on my skin, the way he had whispered my name in my ear as we moved together. The memory alone was enough to send a shiver down my spine. I reached out to trace a finger along the curve of his bicep without even really meaning to. I just wanted to feel the warmth of his skin. Hi