CHAPTER TEN

ARIA

The hot mugginess of the early autumn weather caused her hair to stick to her neck and her shirt to drench within seconds with sweat. Her breaths were short and sticcatoed, punctuated with gasps for air as she ran down the streets. The music playing through her ear buds blared at a level dangerously high but she paid no mind to it as she passed the multitude of houses lining the streets where she lived.

This was what she needed; she needed time to herself, time to think about nothing but the pounding of her feet against the pavement and the feel of the air as it breezed past her. Her life had been shaken so hard she wasn't sure she hadn't lost a few memories or forgotten a couple birthdays. So she needed this time to gather her bearings, to understand what it was that was really important right now. And that was herself.

Wiping the sweat from her brow, she turned the corner back onto her street. She thought back to that night just days ago when Spencer had suggested she take a pregnancy test. She'd panicked. Naturally. She wasn't ready to become a mother, she had just started a new career and had no man in her life to help support a child. She didn't know how she would handle the situation but one thing was clear. She would take care of that child, no matter what it took.

The relief that had rushed through her when the test was negative, however, had caused her to drop to her knees, for her breath to catch in her throat and a few tears to leak from her eyes. She'd been careless with Jason, so many times, and she wasn't ready to become a mother. It just simply wasn't the right time for her.

Escaping from the restroom that night, she'd ran from the house, making her way to the nearest bar to drown her stress in some much needed alcohol. Having a stomach bug was the best news she'd ever received, she was sure of it. When she sat down, however, the desire to get drunk suddenly escaped her. She didn't want to be one of those women celebrating their non-pregnant status with a highball. Motherhood was supposed to be one of her ambitions. She was supposed to look forward to that stage in life, not celebrating missing the mile marker.

That's when Ezra had joined her. Shaking her head, she ripped the ear buds from her hears and tiredly climbed the few steps up to the front door of Spencer's house before reaching for the doorknob. Turning the knob, she stopped short.

It was locked.

"Shit," Aria murmured under her breath. She'd left her keys inside as she knew Spencer would be coming home during her run. She turned and made her way off the steps and around the side of the house to the back entrance on the other side of the garage.

Locked.

"This is just fucking great!" Aria shouted to no one, angrily shoving her hand through her sweaty hair. Spencer must have come home and left again, locking the place up while she'd been running. She didn't even know how long she'd be out and her cell phone was inside. A clap of lightening had Aria spinning on her heels and heading back around the front of the house. Her week had just gotten even better.

Not knowing what to do, Aria collapsed dejectedly on the front step of the house, dropping her head into her hands and closing her tired eyes. The sound of a car pulling to a stop at the end of the drive had her snapping her head up, hoping against all odds that Spencer had returned.

She unfortunately was out of luck. Her eyes took in the black, sleek Escalade that belonged to no other than Ezra Fitz. Aria watched as Ezra climbed from the back seat, leaning one arm against the top of the door as he stared at her from a distance. It was almost as if he was unsure whether or not to approach her. She didn't blame him after her outburst a few days ago.

Clearing his throat, Ezra decided he'd brave the encounter and pushed off the SUV, making his way towards her until he was only a foot away.

"I, uh, I wanted to apologize for what happened back at the bar a few days ago. I saw you sitting here so…" He awkwardly looked away, shoving his hands into the pockets of his expensive suit.

Aria angrily pushed off the steps, folding her arms across her chest before responding. "I don't know who you think you are, Mr. Fitz. But women don't normally appreciate being treated as sexual objects. Every time we've met you have made one pass or another at me, objectifying me as nothing more than something to fulfill your twisted needs. I'm not interested. I've had a hell of a week so far, so I'd appreciate it if you left me alone."

Ezra stood there for a moment, shocked beyond words as to how to respond. Straightening his posture, he removed his hands from his pockets and mirrored Aria's stance. To anyone passing by, it must look like they were facing off, ready to duel. In a sense they were.

"I apologize," Ezra said, staring straight into Aria's eyes. "I've… had my fair share of experiences with many women, as I'm sure you've heard by now. But I'm trying to change that. I don't want to be that man anymore. If I've offended you in anyway with my actions or words then I apologize, Aria. Please believe me."

Aria opened her mouth, ready to reply when the skies decided to open up.

"Shit," she once again muttered, rushing to get under the cover of the roof overhang above the garage. Ezra wasted no time in joining her, pressing himself flat against the garage door to avoid getting wet.

Looking at her in confusion, he asked, "Why are we standing out here? Let's continue this inside, please."

"I've been locked out," Aria sighed tiredly. "My roommate must have come and gone while I was out. Sorry."

Ezra wasted all of one second before pushing off the garage door and rushing towards the Escalade. Just before he reached it he turned back, staring at her through the rain. "Are you coming?" he yelled.

It was Aria's turn to look at him in confusion. Was he offering her what she thought he was offering? Pushing off the door, she made a break through the rain and ducked into the car, pulling it closed behind her.

When they entered Ezra's house moments later, they were both soaked to the bone and shivering with the drastic change in temperature. Aria looked around, taking in the sleek stainless steel and dark mahogany wood that decorated almost every corner of the house. The worn leather sofa sitting in the middle of the living room was the only piece of furniture that appeared used. It instantly added character and was Aria's favorite piece.

"I've got some clothes upstairs you can change into if you'd like to follow," Ezra said, climbing the first few stairs to the second landing. He glanced back to catch her skeptical look and unmoving position. "Yeah, didn't think so." Smirking, he shook his head and continued upstairs, leaving Aria to drip on his expensive hardwood floors.

The front door opened as Ezra's driver came into the house, shaking off rain from his hair. He lifted his gaze to take in Aria's presence just a couple feet away and shot her quick grin. With a nod of his head, he headed towards the back of the house, effectively leaving Aria to herself.

'His staff is just as confusing as he is,' Aria thought. With a shake of her own head, she headed towards where she assumed the kitchen was. She could at least get a glass of water, she was parched from her run. The sleekness of the kitchen matched the entryway and living room to a T. It was smooth stainless steel for as far as the eye could see. Aria was lucky with her first guess locating a glass, opening the nearest cabinet she quickly grabbed one and filled it with water from the sink. Leaning against the counter she was facing away from the door but turned when she heard Ezra enter moments later.

"I grabbed a hoodie for you," Ezra said, handing her a well-worn Hollis sweater. "I know it'll be big but, it should… uh help with the cold." His eyes were suddenly looking at her chest, where it was quite evident how cold Aria was.

Aria angrily ripped the sweater from his hand. "Thanks," she hissed, throwing it on without care for her appearance.

Ezra snapped his gaze up to her face, burrowing his brow in agitation. "Look, I'm sorry ok. I don't mean to objectify you, but I am a red blooded male. The female figure mesmerizes me." Taking a step closer to her, he inhaled the scent that was uniquely Aria. He was only a breath away. "You mesmerize me. You have ever since I've met you."

Aria's breath caught in her throat. She looked up to lock her gaze with his, all thoughts of the temperature and their current argument forgotten. "I'm not anything special," she whispered.

"I beg to differ." Reaching forward, Ezra tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear. The air between them seemed to thicken as a heavy humidity full of pure sexual tension had filled the room. Running his thumb lightly across her cheek, he started to lean toward her. "I'm sorry again," he said softly.

This snapped Aria out of the moment, reminding her of the kind of person Ezra was. She instantly backed away. "I'm not forgiving you. At least until I see that you're serious about changing."

She turned away from him to deposit the glass in the sink when she felt Ezra's hand clasp her upper arm and spin her back around to face him. Without warning, he crashed his lips to hers, pulling her body flush against him so that she could feel every inch of his rock hard body. Aria instantly forgot again about their argument, instead losing herself in his warm embrace. She wound her hands around his neck and felt as he backed them against the counter behind her.

"Jump," he growled against her mouth. Aria instantly complied, hopping onto the counter and allowing Ezra to stand between her legs. His mouth found hers again, immediately rekindling their hot make out session. All thoughts Aria had of Ezra's character, of the kind of man he was were forgotten. She was unable to focus on anything as the room, and the moment, spun out of control.

So I was going to write Aria as being pregnant but after seeing how adamant most of you were to her not being knocked up I decided to go in a different direction lol. Hope you liked this chapter! What's going to happen now that Ezra and Aria have crossed that line?