I didn’t think Aria would actually accept my invitation to dinner. She had every right to say no after the way I’d been treating her.

I decided that I wanted to make this night special for her. I sent my housekeeper away and did all the preparations myself.

There was roast chicken, mashed potatoes, and vegetables for the main course, and my dad’s peach cobbler for dessert. I selected my most prized wines to serve with the food. I even set the table up and selected music for the evening. I wanted Aria to see that I wasn’t the materialistic, arrogant businessman she once knew me as.

I could finally admit to myself that I had feelings for her. If I didn’t admit that to myself, I knew I would go insane. Ever since I met her, everything seemed different. I didn’t want to see Meg. I felt disgusted with myself when I woke up beside another woman. When I saw the way Liam spoke to and leered at her, I knew that I would never be able to bear the thought of Aria with another man. I wanted her for myself. I wanted to possess Aria Lawson . . . and if that meant I had to change something about myself, I was willing to do it.

She was on time. The elevator doors pinged open in the foyer of my penthouse, and I was waiting there for her. Ready to greet her.

“You look beautiful, Aria,” I told her as she stepped towards me.

There was no denying that she was beautiful. In a simple black dress, her curls neatly styled to one side, Aria deserved to be admired. Her cheeks flushed and I saw that she was too embarrassed to meet my eyes.

I gave her my arm and led her to the living room. She was looking about with awe. I could see she was impressed with my residence, as everyone usually was.

“I want to tell you, Aria, that I’m honored you accepted my invitation,” I told her as she sat down. I was already pouring the special wine into two glasses.

“You’re my boss, remember?” she replied with a smile. I handed her the glass and shook my head.

“Tonight, I’m not your boss,” I said.

She arched her brows. “What about the thing you said earlier? That no matter what happens between us, my position won’t change?” she asked.

I took a sip of the wine. “I was an idiot. Will you forgive me? I thought I could fight it,” I admitted to her. Aria looked confused. I could sense she wasn’t expecting a confession tonight. But I was determined to let her know how I felt about her. She had opened my eyes to the things that were missing from my life. I wanted her to know that.

“Fight what?” she asked.

“My attraction to you.”

Aria put down the glass of wine on the table in front of her. I could see she was in shock. She hadn’t seen it coming.

“Mr. Sole . . . Michael . . . ” she stuttered.

I lunged towards her, crouching down in front of her chair. I wanted her to look into my eyes and see that I wasn’t lying.

“I know what I said. The things I’ve told you . . . You should hate me for them. That first night when I saw you, I thought I just wanted your body. I thought you were like every other woman in my life.” I was speaking quickly, letting all the feelings gush out.

“I’m not?” she murmured, and her amber eyes grew wide with surprise.

“No, Aria. You are special. You are different, and I’ve been fighting those feelings for some time. I think I’m losing,” I admitted.

Aria gulped. She was nervous about what I might say next. My only hope was that she wouldn’t push me away. That she’d give me a chance.

“I’m attracted to you too . . . But I can’t be your little experiment, Michael,” she said. Her eyes looked sad.

“What do you mean?”

“I mean that if you’re experimenting on me, trying to see if you can actually commit to something real . . . then I’ll end up hurt again,” Aria said. Her eyes were strained. She was worried about what I would do to her heart.

“You’re not my experiment, Aria. You’re the real thing. I’ve never felt this way about someone before. I’ve never tried to commit to someone, but I want to try with you,” I said, peering longingly into her eyes.

I wanted her. I wanted her to see the real person inside. I felt like she was the only one who could see.

She leaned towards me, knocking her forehead gently with mine. “You should know that I just got out of a serious relationship. He left me for someone else. I’m still wounded,” she murmured.

I dared to kiss the tip of her nose. “I promise I’ll be gentle with you, Aria. I don’t want to hurt you,” I said.

Aria closed her eyes and breathed in deeply, like she was breathing in my scent. I looked her over – at her beautifully delicate face and that crown of red curls. I was taking a risk. I knew I’d never done this before and I could mess it all up. But Aria was worth it.

I kissed her while she had her eyes closed, parting her lips with my tongue. Aria gasped and threw her arms around my neck, pressing herself against my body. This was the moment I’d been waiting for. This was the woman whose face I wanted to wake up to the next morning, and now she was in my arms.

“Michael,” she whispered, pulling her mouth away from mine. “Please make love to me,” she said.

I clenched my jaws. She could see the desire in my eyes. I had to have her.