To burn or not to burn?

[Miffed22001]

Sry no hand history for this one so ill try to keep it brief.
Party poker, 25nl. Im big stack at about $45, opp on my left with $25. Read is hes quite tight but does bet the occasional danger card if he thinks he can push opponent off hand.
Previosu to this hand ive probably raised from the button into this guys sb/bb about 4 times straight (although id been holding an ace or pp each time and their were no limpers before me)
so this hand its folded round to me on button. I raise to $1 (4bbs) with AQs, opp in sb min raises me back, bb folds. I think for a minute, ive been raising him so he would come back at me with a decent hand (id put him on a good pp or any two facecards at this point) I call but will play the hand slowly, not being afraid to fold. Flop comes Ace high two rags, rainbow. Opp leads out with 1/3 pot bet (about $1.20). I was tempted to raise but just called. river is a blank but brings a flush draw. Opp leads out for 1/3 the pot again (~$2) and i raise to $6. Opp calls. River is blank, no straights no flushes. Opp bets $6 i raise to $12 he calls and shows AK and takes down the pot.
Ok, he rearaised me with AK thats not a surprise but considering how many times i atatacked his blind can i get away from this sort of hand at any point? It happens periodically and ive identified it as a nasty little leak in my game. I had him on KQ here, reraising me with a nice hand but not one to beat my AQ.
thoughts?

[dalecooper]

I play it like you did except I smooth-call the river bet. He has something he likes, there's no value in raising there. Seek cheapest possible showdown.