“Shame.” She tries shoving me away, but I don’t budge. “I’m not interested in you anymore. You only want me back because you’re jealous. As soon as it fizzles out, you’ll dump me all over again. I’m not sticking around for it. Now step back, so I can leave.”
“It isn’t jealousy, Ari.”
She scoffs and looks the other way.
Capturing her stubborn chin, I bring her face back to mine until she’s forced to meet my dark gaze. “If it was mere jealousy, I wouldn’t have crashed your cozy date and made a scene. Something I never do. Instead, I would’ve found a willing girl and fucked her and gotten over the said emotion. What I am is territorial over you, Ari. Nobody touches what belongs to me. And make no mistake, every square inch of you does. Inside and out.”
“So what? I’m just supposed to take you back?” she hurls. “You can’t just walk in and out of my life whenever it suits you like it’s a goddamn park. I have more self-respect than that.”
“I understand and I wouldn’t have you any other way,” I murmur, and vow, “I’ll prove to you I’m in this for the long haul. That I’ll never let you go.”
It means I’ll have to face my demons and make out the other side.
Arya is my light at the end of the tunnel.
To be with her, I’ll fight any battles.
“Why should I believe you?” she whispers while still being reserved. “You said it yourself that you’re commitment phobic. Which version of you should I trust?”
“I also told you something else.”
“What’s that?”
“I don’t know where my madness for you ends. Or if it even does. If I keep you, let myself irrevocably fall for you, let myself believe you’re mine, I am never letting you go.” Dragging my other hand to her throat, I press on her pulse pounding as hard as mine. “After tonight, I know it’s endless. And it’s no longer anif. I am keeping you, Arya Chopra. Even if you fight me, resist me, hate me, or deny that you don’t wantmeto be completely and irrevocablyyours. I’ll chase you to the ends of the earth if I must.”
Her rough exhale teases my lips, our breath mingling, as the weight of my confession spreads all over her. I feel her swallow beneath my palm, watch her pupils dilate as she absorbs them.
Roaming my hands to her little waist, I yank her hips until our lower halves are pressed flush. Lowering my mouth, I kiss the hollow in her throat and inhale her hypnotizing scent.
She shivers and trembles like a leaf.
“Say you’ll take me back, Ari.” Tracing my lips to her ear, I beg, “Please.”
Chapter Forty-Two
Arya
I go weak in the knees when Nathan pleads.
Wondering if I’m dreaming.
I’ve only ever known him arrogant, flirty, mischievous, closed-off, domineering, and angry. Never vulnerable with his walls down.
When I left my place, I didn’t think the night would hold these many twists and turns. My mind is struggling to catch up. While my heart is scared and hesitant to let him back in and trust him with it.
Had he not caught me on a date, he would’ve stood firm on staying broken up.
Funny how the tables have turned.
He was heartless when I begged him to stay and give us a chance last time. Suddenly, he wants me to believe he’s all in.
I’m not that naïve.
I deserve more than pretty words and begging to take him back. With that realization and utmost strength, I rip myself away from him and slip out from the cage of his sinewy arms.
His face falls as he twists around and watches me step out of his reach.
It’s difficult to think straight when I’m surrounded by him. My mind and my heart might be aligned, but my treacherous body isn’t. It’s starved for his dominating touch.
