Tous les chapitres de : Chapitre 151 - Chapitre 160

Ari’s POVThe house was quiet as the evening settled in, casting soft shadows that played against the walls. I’d agreed to Derek’s suggestion of a date, but the reality of what that meant hadn’t quite sunk in until now. As we sat, my heart thrummed against my ribs. Derek extracted himself from the couch, stretching lazily while watching me with that same unreadable expression he wore when he was trying to gauge my mood. But there was something more there tonight—something that made my breath catch when his eyes lingered a second too long.I shifted awkwardly, running my fingers through my hair. “So… I guess I should get ready?”He smiled, that playful smirk creeping onto his face. “Take your time. I’m in no rush.”I stood up too and turned toward my room, my pulse racing with each step. Before I could even take three steps, I heard Derek’s low and teasing voice behind me.“You sure you don’t need help? You’ve had a long day, after all.”I shot him a look over my shoulder, narrowin

Ari’s POVWhen he arrived to pick me up, I was surprised at how effortlessly charming he looked. His dark skin glowed. He was dressed in a simple, dark button-up shirt that fit him perfectly, his sleeves rolled up just enough to show the muscles in his forearms. His hair was tousled in that way that looked intentional, the kind of style that made you wonder if he’d spent hours in front of a mirror—or if it came naturally to him.“Ready?” he asked, his voice warm, but there was a softness to it that made my chest tighten. He extended his hand toward me, and I hesitated, just for a moment. My fingers brushed his, lingering there for a heartbeat longer than necessary.The touch felt different, like an unspoken promise, but I wasn’t ready to admit that yet.“Yeah,” I replied, swallowing the flutter in my throat. “Let’s go.”The restaurant he chose was one I’d never been to, nestled in a quiet corner of the city. When we entered, I felt the weight of his presence beside me in a way that bo

Ari’s POVThe past few days had been... peaceful.Maybe too peaceful.Derek made sure of it. He had been there at every turn—bringing me coffee in the mornings, texting me little jokes throughout the day, and surprising me with impromptu dinners when work got too stressful. His presence was warm, steady…And I was finally allowing myself to drift.It wasn’t that I had completely forgotten about Cross. It was impossible that love, pain, and everything in between. But I had stopped waiting for shadows to creep into my life, stopped expecting my past to reach out and claw me back.I was moving forward.At work, everything had settled into a comfortable rhythm. Gina and I had gotten back to our usual friendly banter, and it felt like the weight of unspoken words between us had finally lifted. This morning, we stood by the coffee machine, discussing an upcoming case.“You know,” Gina teased, smirking, “you actually seem... happy these days.”I raised an eyebrow at her over my coffee cup. “

Ari’s POVI shut the door behind me, turning the locks with shaky fingers. My breaths came in quick, uneven gasps, my chest rising and falling in panicked rhythm.I was safe.For now.The night outside was still thick, heavy with the weight of something I couldn’t name. My body still hummed with the rush of adrenaline from the fight, from the chase, from the escape.Someone had been following me.And I had barely gotten away.I exhaled and pressed my forehead against the cool wood of the door, trying to steady myself. The house was quiet, the silence almost suffocating. My hands trembled as I reached for my phone.I scrolled through my contacts, my mind screaming for someone to call.Aaron.I hit dial.The phone barely rang twice before he picked up. “Ariana?” His voice was tight with concern. “It’s late. Are you okay?”I swallowed hard. “I think I’m being followed.”There was a sharp intake of breath on the other end. “What the hell? Where are you?”“I’m home. I just got in.”“Are yo

Ari's POVThe taste of him was intoxicating.The way his tongue slid against mine, his teeth scraping across my lower lip.I didn’t realize that I was pressed up against the wall until his hand slid up the back of my shirt, fingers playing across the bare skin of my back.I gasped."Cross."His name slipped out. It felt like a plea. Or a prayer. But I didn't care.I didn't care at all what it meant or felt like.Right now, all that mattered was him and how he was making me feel.The way his lips were on mine.The way his body pressed against me.Cross's mouth moved to my neck, his teeth grazing over the sensitive skin. I arched into him, heat flooding through me as I have into my desires.It wasn't enough.It would never be enough. Not with Cross.I tugged at the hem of his shirt, my hands slipping underneath to touch the smooth, hard muscles beneath."Take it off," I breathed out, my voice thick with lust. Raw and heavy.Cross pulled back, a smirk on his lips."Are you sure?""Yes,"