Until You (Off-Limits)

Aria is staring out the window as the cab pulls up in front of my apartment, but the excitement I expected is missing. Noah told me she’s always dreamed of working in Silicon Valley, and I hoped that accomplishing that would be enough to take away her sorrow.

“You’re quiet. Tired?”

Aria turns to glance at me and forces a smile, but it doesn’t reach her eyes. “Yeah,” she murmurs, before looking away again.

She seemed fine as we boarded the plane, but she was lost in thought from the second we took off, and she hasn’t snapped out of it. The pain in her eyes tells me she’s thinking of Brad, and I hate that there’s nothing I can do to make her feel better, to make her see that he isn’t worth her heartache.

Aria barely realizes we’ve come to a stop, and she jumps in surprise when I open the door on my side of the car. I walk around to open her door, but she’s already stepped out before I reach her.

She rushes to get her luggage from the trunk and I follow her, placing my hand on her shoulder when she attempts to lift her suitcases. They’re half her size, and not exactly light.

“Let me,” I tell her. She looks up at me gratefully, and it guts me. She’s so used to taking care of herself that it didn’t occur to her I’d carry her suitcase? She dated that asshole for a year… surely he was at least a little chivalrous?

The thought of Aria with him angers me all over again, and I grit my teeth as I lead her into my building. She deserves to be treated right, and I despise that he got to have a year of her life. A year she’ll never get back. A year that might just leave her scarred, when she’s already been through so much.

I step aside to let her into the house, suddenly feeling nervous. When I left, I didn’t expect to be coming back here with Aria. Not that it matters. Everything is spotless. Yet somehow, I’m a little uncomfortable. I wonder what she’ll think of the place I call home these days. It’s nothing like her apartment. It’s devoid of color and character, and I’m not sure she’ll like it.

“Wow,” she whispers, her eyes on the floor to ceiling windows. She walks past me and straight to the windows that are currently portraying a stunning skyline. She places her palms against the glass and I smile as I leave our suitcases in the corner. I walk up to her, stopping in my tracks when she turns to look at me, a beautiful smile on her face.

“This is amazing,” she says, and my heart overflows with a feeling I can’t quite name. It’s relief, I guess. Relief to see that spark back in her eyes. Aria has always loved and appreciated the simple things in life, and it’s what I adore about her most. She didn’t notice my crazy expensive interior, or the art on my walls. No. It’s the view that captivates her.

“Come on,” I tell her. “I’ll show you around. Your bedroom has the same view too.”

Her eyes widen, and the excitement I see in them has me feeling such intense relief. I’ve been worried about her… about the responsibility Noah handed me. I don’t know if I’m able to watch over her the way he expects me to.

“No way,” she mouths, her lips tipping up into a smile.

I chuckle and grab her hand, pulling her along. I show her every room in my home, and every gasp that leaves her lips delights me. She’s giddy as I show her the rooftop pool and my boxing ring, but it’s mostly the view that excites her.

Eventually, I pause in front of my guest room. I’ve had a guest room for years now, but other than Noah, no one has ever stayed in it.

“This is your room,” I say, leading her in.

Aria looks around wide-eyed, and I follow her gaze, trying to see my home through her eyes. I spent two years picking the perfect place, and then almost another year renovating it. It’s got everything I always wished I had growing up. A lot of space, a stunning view, and every amenity I could think of, everything I used to see on TV and thought I’d never be able to afford. My home… it’s a fulfilled promise to myself, and I think Aria gets that.

She looks far more lively than she did on the way here, and I realize Noah was right. Asking if I’d let her stay with me was the right choice. Every time she has a moment to herself, she’s lost in thought, her expression betraying her heartbreak. Aria is one of the strongest women I know, but I have to admit I’m worried about her.

She turns to face me and smiles. “Thank you, Gray,” she says. “For the job, for letting me stay here, for everything. I promise I won’t bother you for too long. I’ll try to find a place to stay soon.”

I shake my head and gently pat her head. She’s in flats today, and I love how small she is. “No need, Ari. I’m happy to have you here. I’m always alone, you know? It’ll be nice to have you around. You make me feel like I have a family of my own.”

She smiles at me, her gaze filled with understanding and affection — and that’s what I love about her. She never looks at me with pity in her eyes.

“I’ll leave you to settle in,” I say, and she nods.

I’m smiling as I walk out of her room and across the hallway, into my own room, my thoughts on Aria. I usually dislike people intruding in my space, but I’m glad to have her here. I’m glad I get to watch over her, and I have a feeling I might genuinely enjoy having her around.

I’m still smiling by the time I get into bed, and my smile only widens when I realize Nyx texted me. She’s never texted me first.

Nyx: I’m a Sagittarius

I chuckle, surprised at the random text. Before I can even reply, another one comes in.

Nyx: You asked me to tell you something about myself a while ago, so… this is it.

I smile at my screen like some sort of lunatic, unable to help myself. Nyx has me curious as hell. I want to know who this incredibly clever woman is. I have my suspicions, but I’m unable to confirm them. I want to know more about her; I want to know what makes her tick. What she’s built is nothing short of admirable, yet she always seems so down to earth and funny.

Ash: I’m honored. I’m a Leo, by the way.

Nyx: Figures…

I laugh to myself, knowing she’s about to say something strangely and uniquely Nyx.

Nyx: Did you know Leos are usually theatrical and enjoy the spotlight?… ringing any bells Mr. I’ll-Take-On-Any-High-Profile-Case?

I smirk. She’s not wrong, but I’ve done all of that anonymously. I can’t help but wonder what Nyx would think if she knew who I am. I have no doubt she can easily find out, so maybe… just maybe, she already knows. I doubt it, though. She’s never once given me any indication that she knows, and stuff like that usually slips.

Ash: You know what else Leos are? We’re passionate. You ever been with a Leo, Nyx?

I’m oddly nervous as I await her reply. Nyx and I have been friends for a while, and it isn’t until recently that I’ve started to be playful and flirty with her. I enjoy teasing her, but so far she’s not given me any indication of whether she’s receptive to it, or whether I’m crossing any boundaries.

Nyx: Can’t say that I have. Sounds an awful lot like you’re overcompensating, though…

Ash: Come spend a night with me and I’ll prove you wrong, Nyx. I’ll have you moaning my name over and over again.

I worry I’ve overdone it when she goes silent. I wasn’t joking when I said I was going to steal her heart. Nyx is my dream woman. I don’t even care that I’ve never seen her before… though I’m starting to suspect that I have. I have a feeling she might be much closer to me than I initially thought, but I’m not sure yet.

Nyx: You wouldn’t want to. If you ever meet me, you won’t want me. Not in that way.

I stare at my phone, a dull ache in my heart. Nyx has single-handedly helped hundreds of people over the last couple of years, all people that were let down by the justice system. She’s ridiculously smart, and she clearly has a heart of gold. There’s no way a woman like that isn’t beautiful. If she is who I think she is, then she’s downright breathtaking.

Ash: I might just have a thing for bearded beauties. Beardarella, is it? Seriously, though, Nyx… you’re beautiful, I just know it. It sounds lame as fuck, but looks truly do fade. You’re an amazing person, and meeting someone that’s smarter than me is a huge turn-on alone.

Nyx: Such a Leo response…

I laugh because she’s right. I did just make that about myself.

Ash: Fine, let’s just say that you’ve had me hard more times than you think, and that’s all without ever seeing you. It’s the mere thought of you, your kindness, your intelligence, your sense of humor. I have a feeling that looking into your eyes is going to be mesmerizing.

Nyx: You say that as though we’ll ever actually meet

Ash: We will. Talent like yours isn’t easily hidden. One day, I’ll come across you.

Nyx: But how’d you know it’s me?

Ash: I’ll shout Beardarella, and if you smile, I’ll know it’s you.

Nyx: You’re crazy. Don’t go shouting that at random people, Ash. I have a feeling you’re already a bit of a nut job… don’t add to what I’m sure is already a heavily tarnished reputation.

I smile at my screen, wondering who she is. Is she lying in her own bed as she’s messaging me?

Ash: Where are you?

Nyx: As in, location?

Ash: Never mind. Stupid question. Someone like you must be in Silicon Valley. Fuck, I bet I’ve come across you already. Maybe we even work together.

Nyx: You won’t find me, Ash. If you can’t hack into my platform (and I can see you trying multiple times a day) then you’re just not skilled enough to find me 😉

I laugh. This woman. She’s not wrong, but I wonder if she’d still act the way she does if she knew who I am. It’s surreal to me too, but my company is one of the largest software engineering firms in the world. We make so many corporate solutions that I lose track myself.

Ash: Here’s another lame saying for you, Nyx… where there’s a will there’s a way.

Nyx: Okay, psycho. You go ahead and shout Beardarella at random people. Let me know how that works out for you. In the meantime, I’m going to bed. Tomorrow is a big day for me.

Ash: I know you won’t tell me what you’ve got going on, but I’m wishing you the best of luck with whatever it is. Goodnight, Nyx.

Nyx: Thank you, Ash. Not just for the well wishes… for everything. Night.

I stare up at my ceiling as I lock my phone. Nyx… she’s always been so cold and distant, but tonight was different. I’m not sure what prompted her to reach out to me, but I’m glad she did.