I didn't know what it was about a heroic move that turned on a woman so intensely. Ever since I almost pummeled her father through the wall and fucked her in the airplane bathroom, she's been euphoric. That's all I ever want her to be in life, is happy.

Watching her from across the room with my hands clasped together while my chin rested on top, I couldn't help but admire her. I didn't understand her completely and it astonished me. I should have been kicked to the curb, thrown out, discarded; But I wasn't.

She was scattered into millions of parts and everyday, she gave me a new piece to her puzzle. It was a surprise and I looked forward to learning something new about her daily.

She brought the bowl sized mug to her lips and sipped on her coffee while staring at her computer screen with an intent look on her face. I wanted to go over to her and demand her attention but I didn't want to ruin her focus.

The waiter in the coffee shop casually asked her if she wanted another coffee which she nodded gracefully while maintaining eye contact with her screen. Her lip sat in between her teeth while she stuck her pencil behind her ear and typed along the keys momentarily. She was so focused on her task that she hadn't noticed I've arrived yet, almost thirty minutes ago.

I eyed the waiter making her new brew of coffee and internally congratulated him. He didn't fuck up her order. I would have snuck over to across the coffee shop but she was so focused on her task that she wouldn't even notice if I was standing right in front of her.

Without asking, I took the mug out of the boy's hand and he didn't even hesitate to restrict my unwelcome hands. He showed off his confusion, but was more cowardly than anything. I provided him with a crinkled five dollar bill that was in my back pocket and walked away without a word.

She sat at a grey leather chair with large arm rests and plenty of comfort while her laptop sprawled on top of a round table along with a variety of pencils that I couldn't ever be bothered to learn what each one meant. I sat down across from her on the extra seat and practically sunk into the leather, satisfying my body with relaxation.

I cleared my throat. "Hello, miss?" I asked politely. "I couldn't help but notice you from across the room," I used charm.

She finally looked up with a startled expression and a scrunch to her eyebrows. Her fingers were still on the keys of her computer while she bored her big eyes into mine.

"You're gorgeous by the way, has anyone ever told you that?" I flashed an appealing smile.

She flirted a smile and pointed her nimble finger towards the cup I was holding. "Is that mine?"

Carefully, I set it down on the table away from the various papers she had sprawled along the top. "Someone like you shouldn't have to drop a dime on herself," I said. "Do you come here often?"

"I come here when I'm looking for some inspiration," She took the mug from the table and inspected the coffee before dipping in for a drink.

"You look like you might have found some," I picked up a piece of paper with various grey markings on them. Her body tensed when I inspected the paper which caused me to smirk. "You're quite modest," I observed. "You're an artist?"

A light blush fell on her cheeks as she slowly took the paper out of my hands. "These are the rough stages of what I'm working on."

I eyed her shy expression and reassured a smile. "I'm convinced enough. I'd be interested in seeing your finalized work. Perhaps in a gallery."

A soft laugh came from her mouth as she peeked into my eyes. "Maybe someday."

"I can be your first customer, how much for this?" I lifted a new piece of paper that held a masterful sketch of a pair of a girl staring into the distance with a wolf spirit animal faded behind her. It was as if the human was the wolf.

She tucked her hair behind her ear and shook her head. "You're unbelievable," She said with a smile.

"Hey beautiful," I dropped the character and cracked a smile and stood up. I walked around over to behind her chair and wrapped my arms around her shoulders, resting my hands on her chest. I kissed her cheek and neck sweetly while staring over her shoulder and peeking at her laptop. "What're you working on?" I asked while breathing in her vanilla honey scent. It was my favorite.

She gave me a small whine while leaning back into her chair and resting her head on me. "Just some new art," She tilted her head back and glanced up at my nosey eyes focused on her work. She produced a smooching sound which caught my attention and I leaned down for a quick peck on the lips.

I reached forward and wiggled my fingers towards her more finished work that she'd been hiding. "Show me," I demanded with a cheeky grin.

She snatched my hand and put it back on her chest. "How long have you been here for?"

"A while," I admitted.

She parted her lips and started piling her papers in order. "Oh well let's go then, creepy."

"Take your time, I've got all day," I assured. "Is this what you're going to be submitting?"

She stood up and clasped her arm around mine. "Not the sketches, those were just to get the juices flowing. I'm thinking of painting a girl just below the surface of the water, staring deeply into the beholders eyes. But I'm not too certain it's good enough."

I leaned into her and frowned. "Don't say that. Your work is worth millions."

She laughed as we walked out of the coffee shop. "Most paintings in there are from professionals..."

I shook my head as I opened the passenger door to my truck for her. "You're stressing. You wouldn't have had anyone come up to you with this offer unless you were good, don't forget that."

A small sound came from her mouth when she looked on the dashboard. "What are these?" She picked up the bouquet of fire orange lilies.

I smiled and began driving back to her house. We were going to need something a tad bigger than her shoe box home. "I saw those in the window of a small shop before I came to get you," I said with casualty.

At a stop light, she placed her hand over top of mine that was rested on the steering wheel. My attention was caught by the beauty of her face as she leaned forward and kissed my lips. Things were good between us since we returned home a few weeks ago; we were happy.

*

I didn't go home much lately, I was too invested in playing house with Aria to really feel the need to leave. When I did stop back home, she'd be with me and I'd give her the space she needed to gossip and hang out with Lacey. I craved alone time with Tyler sometimes too. While they talked art and wedding plans, Tyler and I talked about work and life.

"You know, you should really fix your doorknob..." I commented while poking at the silver sphere that rattled upon touch. "I have some tools in my truck that might be able to tighten this until I get you a new one."

"You don't need to get me a knob, Eli. I'm a big girl, I can take care of it."

I turned around to see her standing multiple feet away while inspecting me. I smirked. "Then why haven't you?"

She placed her hands on her hips and opened her mouth with no words. "Because I like it like that, it adds character."

I shook my head and wiggled the knob in front of her. "You're asking for trouble."

"Nothing has happened yet," She retorted. "Besides, it still locks and I think we both know that if someone really wanted to break in, they can find another way besides a sticky door."

I raised my eyebrows at her striking words. Was she being serious?

A tilt to the corner of her lips formed a mischievous smile and I felt relief. "You should see your face."

I narrowed my eyes. She's unusually calm about my past, I often wonder when she'll snap. "Maybe I can get you a different security system," I sheepishly dropped my hand away from the door.

"An alarm?"

"Nah, there's ways to get through those. Maybe a dog."

"A puppy?" She grinned.

I walked a few steps forward. "I used to have one. I had him trained to attack on command. It helped me sleep at night."

"Can I teach it to attack you?" She smiled innocently.

I stepped a bit closer to her which made her step back. "I think I could take it on."

She raised her finger and waved it. "But you wouldn't hurt my security dog, would you? Now that's asking for trouble."

I smirked and shook my head. As I was about to spring on her, the sound of her phone ringing distracted both of our thoughts.

She reached in her pocket and smiled at me while she answered the phone. "Hello?" She asked. "This is she," she responded again. The smile on her face fell as she placed her hand on the side of her neck and turned away from me.

I frowned as the room fell silent with the exception of her responses. "What? When...?" She hung up the phone and stayed facing away from me.

"Babe, what is it?" I asked. "Was it the art gallery?"

Silence filled the room once again. She remained faced away from me for what felt like several minutes. When she turned around, she had no tears, but watery eyes. She looked up at me, a plea in her eyes with a hint of emptiness.

I stared at her. Then finally, she spoke.

"My... My dad died."

*

The days following the tragic news were odd. Aria didn't shed a single tear and she acted like everything was okay for the most part. I could see the lies in her eyes though, she was bothered deeply but refused to show anyone. It was wrenching.

She continued on the following days like nothing happened and kept a smile on her face most of the time. It was sickening to watch. Lacey tried to reach out, but she told me that Aria wouldn't even talk to her about it. It was as if she didn't believe it. Or didn't care.

If she ever spoke even a word about it, her emotion was empty.

Miles reached out to me too, asking about her and why she hasn't flown out yet. The only thing I was able to tell him was that she's going to be okay but it felt weird even saying so. She was not okay. I could tell.

I watched her work on her painting for the art gallery that she was to submit. She had been working on it non stop.

"Aria," I spoke up.

"Yes?" She answered back while stroking the brush along the canvas.

"What are you doing?" I asked. Enough was enough.

"Painting, what's it look like?" She teased.

"It looks like you're about to have a nervous breakdown," I muttered.

"What was that?" She frowned and looked up at me.

"Love, I'm sorry. But please let me in to how you're feeling. I can tell you're hurting and I want to help you."

She laughed. "Help me? I'm fine."

I shook my head. "You're not, Aria. What's going on in there?" I pointed to her head. "You can talk to me you know. I understand what you're going through."

She smacked her brush down on the table and weaved around the table and stood in front of me. "I don't- I don't want to talk about it, it's unfair."

Finally, we were getting somewhere. "I know it is."

"How, how could someone - who would want to hurt him to the point of death?"

"The world is a lot more wicked than you think it is, Aria."

She turned her head away from me with an angry expression. Denial was a vicious drug.

"Talk to me," I demanded. "Scream at me. Tell me what's going on in your head. Take it out on me. Take it all out on me."

She shook her head. "I don't want to."

"Yes you do. I know you're upset, even though you're hiding it away. Get it off your mind," I urged.

She looked up at me. "I'm angry," She admitted. "I'm hurt, and I'm angry. We weren't even close, hell I hated him half of the time. I just always thought he'd still be around to make amends with me one day." Eyes were watered, but it didn't go past that. She was strong.

"You can still make amends even if he's not here." She taught me that when I had my own mental breakdown. It's funny how a person could give advice but not take their own.

"No I can't."

"Aria-"

"Shut up, Eli. Shut up!" She snapped. "You can't make it better. You don't even have a clue of what you're talking about!"

My eyes were testing. "And why do you think that?"

"Because! You don't even have a family! You're alone! Your mom is dead and you and your dad haven't seen each other in years and he was a monster! It was different for me. I was actually loved by my family."

I stared at her intently.

Her eyes widened as if she was a deer in a headlight. "Eli, I'm sorry... I didn't mean i-"

"I get it."

She paused. "No you don't," She accused with a frown. "Stop talking out of your ass, Eli." She walked away from her table and past me but I caught her wrist and locked her in place.

"You think I don't understand what you're going through? Please enlighten me then." I quizzed with a bit of bark in my tone.

She scoffed. "Your mom died when you were a baby, Eli. You never had a special bond with anyone, how could you possibly understand?!" She cried as tears welled in her eyes and spilled down her cheeks.

I released her wrist and pushed my hair back. "I understand Aria. I'm not a fucking idiot. I'm not sheltered like you were. I've seen a lot more than you can believe, don't forget that."

"But-"

"-No," I interrupted. "You think my mom dying isn't valid because I was young?"

She stared with salty streams pouring out of her watery eyes. "Of course not-"

"And Colson dying, we weren't related so it can't possibly count, right?"

Her eyebrows knitted together. "It does-"

"Then please, love... Stop pushing me away. You don't have to go through this by yourself," I pleased.

She squeezed her eyes and refused to let more tears spill before she opened them again, right into my own eyes. "I know," She admitted with defeat. "You're right. I'm sorry."

I raised an eyebrow. "Come on, keep going then. You have a right to be angry. You shouldn't hide that."

She shook her head. "Why do you want me to tell you such hurtful things?" She raised her voice. "Does this make you happy?" She walked away from me and back to her artwork. "Do you get off from people hurting you? Stop."

"Your dad was a dick. He deserved everything he got," I said with a monotone.

Her jaw slacked as her eyes showed shock. "What?"

"You heard me."

"Wh-We-Fuck you!" She screamed. "He was... He may have had his faults but no one deserves to be murdered! He was my dad."

I nodded. "Your dad who tried to control you and disapprove of your passion?"

"My passion?" She lifted her canvas up. "This?" She asked and sliced a hole through it with her painting knife, then whipped it across the room. "Fuck my passion!"

I stepped towards her, towering over her frame.

She pushed away from me. "Get the fuck off of me, Eli. You're not making anything better."

I held her in place, in my arms and squeezed her tighter. She protested at first, squirming her arms before she finally gave in a burst into an uncontrollable sob.

I pet her hair while she clung to me, my shirt balled up in her hands while she soaked the material.

After what seemed like awhile, she pushed me off of her and walked to the kitchen. She blew out a long breath of air and removed the hair sticking to her face.

She looked back to me and glared, and I stared back at her, observing her movements. She was upset that I made her admit her feelings, but I didn't regret it.

She could take it out on me for as long as she needed to if it'd help her heal faster.

"Are you done?" I asked.

She frowned and stared at me, challenging me.

"Can I show you something?"

"What." She crossed her arms and deepened her frown.

I took her on a short, tension filled car ride to the abandoned building we had our first date in. She remained silent the whole time, angry and sad.

"Why are we here?" She asked with frustration. "I'm not in the mood to paint."

I smiled and led her past the doors where we had our paint fight.

I led her through the abandoned building to a room filled with broken glass and holes all over the walls.

"I understand frustration," I said and picked up a baseball bat.

"What the..." She murmured while looking around the destroyed room.

"Sometimes when it gets too much, I go down here and destroy the inside of this room instead of self destructing on myself. I haven't been here in a while, but when I need to, I know it's here."

"It's catastrophic in here," she said with surprise, observing the chaos.

I offered a gentle chuckle. "Every so often when it gets a little too broken in here, I take the time and plaster the walls back together, clean up my mess, and start over again."

"How often do you come here?" She peeked at me.

"When I have to. And now," I picked up the safety glasses and placed them over her eyes. "You can let out some of your anger too."

Aria looked around the room, her face portrayed awe and confusion. I didn't blame her, it was crazy. I leaned against the door frame and let her take her time with the room. After moments of silence, she finally lifted the bat I gave her and took a large swing at the wall; Her frustrations were as hard as her hit. Power.

*

I didn't think I'd end up back at the house so soon, but it was necessary to fly out to California in another suit, with another dose of good manners, and attend a funeral I'd never want to be at.

Aria kept herself together for the most part, and kept me at her side at almost all times with the exception of the ladies room. Even then, she didn't want me to wander too far. I didn't mind being her crutch while she got through her grief, after all, she did it for me once too.

I glanced at Annabella and she shot me a look before turning away. Annabella kept our conversations short, but she was in no position to start a war with me now. She was burnt out like the rest of her family.

Miles was like his sister; Calm. They were taught to hide a lot of their feelings just as I was, it was like looking in a mirror. Except, they'd crack every so often, whereas I never do.

Leaving Annabella's cold shoulder, I scanned the room. There were a lot of men in police uniforms at the funeral, I suppose it was tradition. I hated being in the presence of the law. My skin was crawling.

People were speaking of a man who seemed to have people fooled. I tuned out the words a while ago. I didn't have to listen, it wasn't like we were close and every word that fell out of their mouth was a lie. But, I made sure to listen to Miles. He mattered. He made a speech of his father, and of course added humor to it.

She held my hand the whole time, and I stroked my thumb against her skin as security.

"I love you," I whispered in her ear.

She looked at me and shared a glint of happiness in her eyes. "I love you too, thank you."