Close Quarters

Authors pov.

The drive from the airport led them deep into a heavily secluded compound situated in eastern Seattle. The luxury SUV finally pulled onto the property. The moment the tires halted on the pristine driveway, armed guards hurried forward to pull the heavy passenger doors open. Aria stepped out of the vehicle, her boots hitting the paved stone.

Her mouth parted in sheer, instinctive awe. She tipped her head back, staring up at Vance’s magnificent, skyscraper-like mansion. The imposing structure towered over the landscape, its sleek glass design rivaling the breathtaking giants of New York City. Heavy layers of armed security personnel flanked the sprawling property. A thick knot of anxiety built in her chest at the sight of the stern guards, yet she was unable to deny the breathtaking awe that the luxurious estate commanded. If she were not already accustomed to deep wealth, she would have stood in the driveway all day drooling over the sheer opulence.

Vance stepped dangerously close to her side. He stopped just inches away, his large hands resting casually behind his back.

"The house will not fuck you, momma. Do not rip its glass with your intense staring." Vance teased, a gravelly amusement lacing his tone.

Aria aggressively rolled her eyes, crossing her arms tightly to shield herself. "Your house is beautiful. I will give you that. But tag it whatever you want, Vance. I am hungry."

Vance tilted his head, a playful smirk curving his lips. "You didn't turn into a foodie overnight, did you? Because I wouldn't be able to handle one."

Aria squared her shoulders, shooting him a glare of icy coldness. "You can send me out right now if you want to. I have zero desire to stay here."

Vance chuckled, his deep laughter cutting effortlessly through the tense air. He leaned down slightly.

"You know your dad would much prefer me holding onto your waist every fucking time, rather than letting another man do it." Vance countered smoothly.

He threw her a lazy wink.

Aria let out a sharp huff of total defeat. She knew fighting him was an exercise in futility. As Mr. Thorne’s closest confidant since the tragic loss of his own brother, Vance consistently possessed an impenetrable counter to every ounce of her rebellion.

"Let's go." Vance gestured toward the grand entrance, urging her inside the massive structure.

They walked through the opulent foyer, moving toward a metallic set of doors set into the far wall.

"The elevator will be much better, momma. The stairs will hurt your leg." Vance opted for the elevator, hitting the call button with a decisive press.

Aria eyed the imposing doors. "Why build it so huge when you are the only one living in it?"

"And some guards." Vance corrected her smoothly, snapping her mouth shut.

The exact second the metal doors sealed shut behind them, a severe wave of claustrophobia hit Aria like a physical blow. The phobia she harbored for confined spaces gripped her throat, stealing her oxygen. Her legs began to quiver uncontrollably. She squeezed her eyes shut as her breathing turned frantic. Her sweaty palms gripped her own clothes in sheer terror as she fought a losing battle against the physical trembling taking over her limbs.

Vance immediately observed her sudden, escalating panic. He stared at her keenly, watching the raw fear take over her expression.

"Fuck!" Vance cursed harshly, realizing his massive oversight.

He wasted no time. He reached out and forcefully pulled her trembling body directly into his strong arms. Aria instinctively pushed her hands against his chest, trying to resist the physical contact, but Vance wrapped his thick arms around her back and pressed her firmly, inescapably against his rock-hard chest.

"Stay here, momma." He breathed out the gentle command against the crown of her head.

Unfathomable, electric sparks flushed rapidly through Aria's veins at the deep vibration of his voice. She ceased her struggling, forced to settle into his protective embrace. Her soft body pressed flush against his rigid, muscular frame. Vance's large hands sank deep into her tiny waist, pulling her flush against his muscular form to anchor her trembling body against him.

The elevator dinged softly. Aria shuddered hard under his iron grip, her breath hitching.

"I'm here, momma." Vance murmured in a low, soothing tone.

He gently and rhythmically stroked her hair, his steady movements slowly grounding her fractured nerves. For the very first time, Aria genuinely found solace and safety in the arms of the man she had vehemently claimed to hate for years. She despised the fact that he was a famous fashion CEO, an idol constantly surrounded by beautiful women, yet she could not deny the undeniable comfort his tight grip offered her in this vulnerable moment. She relaxed into him, soaking in the thudding rhythm of his heartbeat.

The confined space severely tested Vance's self-control as well. He gritted his teeth, deeply hating the intense, lustful surge pooling heavily in his groin. Having her soft body pressed so intimately against his hardened muscles sent a spike of pure, raw arousal straight to his core. It was only her first day here, and the tight proximity was already putting them in a dangerously compromised state. He severely doubted his own mental ability to keep his hands off her while they lived under the same roof.

The doors finally parted with a smooth swoosh. They both heaved a massive sigh of relief, breaking apart to escape the suffocating tension.

Aria jumped out of the elevator first. Vance followed right behind her, leading her down a long, elegant hallway lined with pristine decor. He finally halted his steps in front of a beautiful wooden door.

"This will be your room, momma." Vance announced, turning to face her.

"Aria. My name is Aria." She shot him a ferocious glare, correcting him fiercely.

Vance scoffed, leaning his broad shoulder against the doorframe. "Doesn't it sound weird? Calling you Aria? Wouldn't it sound as though I am calling out my own name? I wonder why everything had to be so similar."

Aria ignored his sarcastic logic. She reached out and pushed the heavy door open.

The moment her eyes adjusted to the space, every ounce of her frustration dissolved into thin air. She froze dead in her tracks. Her breath hitched, and thick tears rapidly welled in her eyes. The massive space was an exact, meticulous replica of her cherished bedroom back in Nevada. Down to the exact placement of the furniture and the soft color palette, it was identical.

She turned her head slowly, her heart melting at the sight of her most treasured portrait resting exactly where it should be. Leaving her father's home had hurt her deeply, leaving an aching void in her chest. Yet suddenly, standing in the middle of this room, she felt deeply and utterly safe.

"How did you do this?" Aria asked, her voice cracking slightly under the weight of her surging emotions.

Vance slipped his hands into his pockets. "Would you pay me, if I let you know?"

Aria let out a wet huff. "You are unbelievable."

She stepped fully inside the room, running her fingertips gently over the familiar vanity. Turning back to face him, all her previous coldness vanished.

"Thank you, Vance." She breathed out a calm, genuine string of words.

Vance blinked calmly. "Freshen up and come down to the dining hall. I will have the maids prepare your favorite food."

"Thank you." She whispered softly again.

Vance stared at her intensely one last time before slowly stepping out and pulling the heavy door shut, leaving her alone to admire the perfection of her new room.