Until You (Off-Limits, #1)

by Catharina Maura

This is for those of you that believe your past defines your future. It doesn’t.

Brad, huh? In all the years I’ve known her, she’s never dated anyone. I wonder who this guy is. Somehow, I doubt he’s good enough for Aria.

To this day, I count myself lucky that Aria has always gone out of her way to ensure that I feel like I belong with them too, like I’m part of their family.

She has this way of making me feel giddy like I never have before, and I don’t even know her. Hell, she didn’t even give me a reward — I already know she’s a woman. Despite that, she has me smiling like an idiot.

“He always does this,” Brad says, his eyes flashing with anger. “He always ignores me. I was standing right there, but he only greeted you. It’s so obvious that he hates me. I don’t know what I’ve done to deserve that type of rude treatment. I shouldn’t even have bothered coming. I doubt Noah wants me here.”

We don’t like a pick me man.

Aria is always smiling. I’ve always known her as the girl that’ll smile through her tears, the girl that won’t let the world see the pain that lives inside her. She’s one of the strongest women I know, so who the fuck is this asshole that’s putting that frown on her face?

“Aria,” I say, my voice soft. Her name has always felt like a sin on my lips.

“You can,” I say, and Aria looks up at me, her gaze questioning. “You can get into Aequitas.”

“You will always be welcome at my firm, Aria.” She looks down at her plate, her cheeks turning crimson. She looks like she doesn’t know what to say, and I love that expression she’s wearing. Aria is rarely at a loss for words, but I’ve got her speechless. Over something so simple too. She should’ve known there’s always space for her by my side.

Aria glances at me, and the way she looks at me makes my heart feel strange. Her eyes are filled with so much hope, as though working for me actually means something to her.

My eyes fall to Brad, and I tense involuntarily. He’d better appreciate Aria, he’d better treat her like the queen she is. I’ve taken men far more powerful than him down, and I won’t hesitate to ruin him if he ever hurts her. For his sake, I hope he never does.

“Aria,” he says, his voice deep and his tone as unhurried as ever. The way he says my name has always been unique, almost intimate.

I’m sorry. I’m afraid you’ll have to suffer through one of Aria’s meals.” I clench my jaw. What the fuck is that supposed to mean? Does this guy not realize how lucky he is that she makes him food at all? That she spends time and effort, putting endless love and care in every dish he has the honor to eat? Fucking asshole. “I insisted.”

Relief washes over me when I hear Aria’s laughter. I turn to find her standing in the kitchen doorway, an apron tied around her waist, her hair in a bun and her feet bare. She looks cute, and those eyes of hers are twinkling with that expression that’s uniquely hers: mischief and provocation.

“Gray,” she admonishes. “Full sentences, please.”

She acts like I don’t speak, but I do. Just not to people that aren’t worth my time. I speak just fine to Noah and her.

“Darling,” he says through gritted teeth. “You made scrambled eggs? As the main dish?” I pat the top of her head and slide my hand down to her neck until my hand is resting on her shoulder. “Thank you, Ari,” I say, unable to wipe the grin off my face.

“Thank you for making my favorite food,” I tell her. She stares into my eyes, and slowly but surely, the tension in her shoulders eases. She smiles, and I breathe a sigh of relief. “Of course, Gray,” she says, grinning.

I can’t sit here and let him capitalize on my affection for Aria. I won’t let him use her this way.

“Because he doesn’t deserve you, and you should never let a man hold you back from chasing your dreams. Not Noah, not me, and certainly not Brad. Follow your dreams, Aria, and if he’s the one, he’ll follow you.”

Brad laughs, the sound vicious. “Want her? Don’t mess around, Brit. Have you seen her? Those short fat legs, the disgusting stretch marks all over her body. I put up with her, but I do not want her. Fuck. She disgusts me. Every time she touches me my skin crawls, and you know it. I put up with it for you, for us. She’s a fucking psycho. Every other night she wakes up screaming about her dead parents or some shit, disturbing my sleep. If I’d known she was this crazy, I’d never have bothered with her, but it’s too late now. I’m already in it, so I might as well milk her for all she’s worth.”

Oh you POS

Brad will pay for this. These tears of hers will cost him everything.

“You’ve got me, Aria,” he says. “This is your home. Gray and I, we’re your family. You don’t need Brad. Fuck him, okay? Fuck that asshole. I never liked him anyway.”

Noah looks at me, and I nod. Brad’s going to pay. He’ll regret hurting Aria the way he has.

“You’re a doctor,” I remind him. “Your hands are precious. Do you really want to damage them? Those hands should be used to save lives.”

“Thank you,” I tell him. “Thank you for always being there for me.” Gray puts his mug down and lifts his hand to my face, gently brushing the hair out of my face. “I always will be, Ari.”

I can see her falling apart right in front of me, and it kills me to have to pretend she’s fine when all I want to do is take her into my arms and catch every single tear she’s holding back.

Aria If I stay, he’ll want to console me. He hates being vulnerable around me, and he needs to process this news without worrying about me. Will you be there for him? Grayson Always.

Aria admiring me? Somehow, the thought of that warms my heart. I wonder what it’ll be like to have her living with me. Somehow, the thought of having Aria in my home doesn’t seem so revolting.

You’re always beautiful, Aria. Always.”

“You’re serious, aren’t you?” I nod. “I’m dead serious, Aria. I want you.” She smiles at me, her brows raised. “You want me?” I freeze and Aria bursts into laughter.

“I might not be Noah, but I’ll try my best to look out for you the way he does. It doesn’t come naturally to me, Ari, but I’ll try. You won’t be alone.”

“So, what is it like up there?” I ask, teasing. “Doesn’t sound like being tall is all that beneficial.” He smirks, his eyes roaming over my face, dipping down to my chest for a split second. “Oh, but the view is nice.”

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.

“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.”

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 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.

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.

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.

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 can lose myself in some fictional story, a story that’ll allow me to experience moments of happiness that elude me in my own life.

He’s so attentive, and part of me can’t help but wonder what it’d be like to be with him, to be loved by him.

“Elliot Evans,” he says, rising to his feet to shake my hand.

Elliot is one of the best system hackers that I know of, and I can’t make sense of what this team even is.

I should remember that it’s Noah’s role I’m being asked to play. I should look after her the way her older brother would… but lately I struggle to see her as Noah’s little sister. She’s quickly becoming more than that. Maybe she always has been.

I can’t believe she thinks I see her as a child. What? Just because she’s tiny? Nah. Nothing about Aria is childish. She’s far too fucking beautiful. I need to start seeing her as a kid sister or something, though. I have to.

I’ll undo you, Aria. Layer by layer.”