Revenge In Repose (Valerie and Aiden) novel Chapter 44

Valerie jolted awake, a chill rushing down her spine. She turned her head sharply-

Aiden lay beside her, eyes half–lidded, his posture languid, exuding a kind of lazy satisfaction.

But the moment his gaze caught the stark fear on her face, the ease in his expression vanished instantly.

She looked down at herself. The scattered marks on her skin made it painfully clear what had happened the night before.

Her eyes trembled; her whole body froze. She stared at him, her voice barely a whisper, “Aiden…?”

They had done it again.

Aiden watched her closely. His mood, which had been surprisingly pleasant just a moment ago, suddenly soured–like someone had crushed it beneath

their heel.

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His face darkened. His deep, obsidian gaze locked onto her. He asked coldly, “What’s that look supposed to mean?”

Valerie flinched. His tone, his expression–it unsettled her. Panic started to bubble up. “Nothing… I just–I should get up.”

She tried to move, but he pinned her back down with one hand.

Valerie stopped breathing altogether. Aiden’s tall frame hovered above her, his piercing black eyes sharp as a hawk’s, unrelenting and fierce.

His body was lean and powerful, every muscle line visible and strong.

Valerie’s heart began to pound uncontrollably. She met his gaze and felt herself shrink beneath it.

He hated that look in her eyes. That same haunted expression. Like she’d seen a ghost. Like he was the ghost. It was always like this.

She could feel the storm rising behind his silence. And just like that, memories from her previous life surged back like a tidal wave, drowning her. She pushed at his chest, flustered, terrified. “Aiden…”

His voice came down like thunder–low, raspy, tinged with sleep, and far too seductive for her peace of mind. “Are you afraid of me?”

Her heartbeat spiked. She couldn’t stop it. She turned her face away, her voice thin and uncomfortable, “No…”

Aiden caught her chin, forcing her to look at him. He narrowed his eyes, his voice soft and dangerous. “Or is it that you’re disappointed? That you woke

up next to me?”

She stiffened. “No! I–It’s not like that–I just…”

To her surprise, he actually laughed. A real, low chuckle. For once, he didn’t press further. He got up and walked to the bathroom, and soon the sound of rushing water filled the air.

Only then did Valerie dare to peek out from under the blanket. Her heart was still racing like mad.

He was different now, softer, gentler, and too gentle.

And she… she was changing too.