Arwen''s eyes widened, and her cheeks flushed red. Opening her mouth she was ready to defend herself, but then she realized that he had once again trapped her, skillfully manipulating her into saying something he wanted her to say.

Aiden smirked as he saw the realization dawning upon her. "Tell me, Moon, was it the kiss that you wanted?"

"I ... It''s you who wanted it," Arwen countered, though she knew she wasn''t going to win this. "You are the one who suggested it. Don''t blame it on me."

"I suggested it? How so?" Aiden raised his brow, his expression one of feigned innocence. "Didn''t I merely suggest you learn to get what you desire, either either by yourself or by asking for it? When did I say it had to be a kiss? That''s something you said all on your own."

"You —"

"What?" Aiden leaned in lower, teasingly close to her lips, yet still distant enough to leave her craving his touch.

Arwen knew that pulling away would help her save the situation, from the embarrassment that would inevitably come later. But even knowing this, she couldn''t bring herself to move. The temptation was too hard to resist. With him so close, she felt more like a moth drawn to the flame. Her chin tilted up towards him instinctively with the same desire.

But just as their lips were about to meet, Aiden smiled against her skin, speaking in a teasing whisper.

"So you do want a kiss, Moon?"

Arwen''s pulse quickened, her fingers slightly curling against his chest. Despite the challenge in her eyes, her voice came out soft but daring. "So what if I do? What if I want a kiss? Do you expect me to beg for it?"

Aiden''s smile deepened, curving his lips in a slow, wicked smile. "Yes," he murmured, his voice thick with dark amusement, "I would love to see you underneath me, begging for every touch, every kiss, every moment I could give you. But Moon, ..." he paused, his gaze locking onto hers, "you should know by now ... I don''t need you to beg. All you need is to ask."

He had gone to Quin Villa earlier, expecting to find Arwen there. But instead, he was met with an empty house and the butler''s cool response.

"Mr. and Mrs. Quinn have been on a business trip since last month but will be returning soon in the coming week. As for Young Miss, she hasn''t been home either since last month," Mr. Cole had said, his usual politeness barely masking the hint of suspicion in his eyes. "She is staying with Ms.

Gianna."

The words had hit Ryan like a blow, but he had kept his composure, nodding stiffly and walking away. Yet now, standing in front of Gianna''s apartment door, with Arwen nowhere to be found, frustration bubbled up inside him, making him lose his calm.

He ran a hand through his hair in agitation, pacing back and forth outside the building. Where could she possibly be, if not here? The anxiety gnawing at the pit of his stomach began twisting into something sharper, more volatile.

Was she avoiding him? Or worse —was she with someone else?

The thought sent a surge of anger through him, His mind flashing to the cold indifference she had shown him earlier. The memory was unbearable. With a frustrated growl, he kicked the nearest lamppost, the loud clang reverberated in the stillness of the night, doing nothing to calm the storm he was feeling inside him.

"Damn it Arwen!" he muttered under his breath, his voice thick with frustration and a flicker of something deeper, something he was trying hard to suppress. "Where the hell are you?"

In the past, all he had to do was look around, and he would find her. She had always been within reach, just a call or glance away. But today, she felt impossibly distant, like she had slipped beyond his grasp.

The unsettling thought gnawed at him, when suddenly interrupted it was by a voice.

"Sir, are you looking for someone?"