Rift in the perfect picture

Chapter 0354

Kissing was nothing new between Nicholas and me. I cupped his face, ready to plant a light kiss on his lips like usual, but for some reason, I couldn’t do it.

It became clear to me. The idea of making the first move, combined with his expectant gaze, pressure on me mount.

made the

I grew frustrated. “I’m taking care of you because you got hurt for me. Stop testing me with your so–called games!”

Nicholas lowered his gaze, his voice gentle. “I’m not testing you. I just want a kiss since you were hurt. Is that too much to ask?”

I was suddenly at a loss for words.

“Ariana, you’re scared. You’re avoiding me. You’re running away.” Nicholas wasn’t asking. He was making statements. “You love me.”

His familiar scent invaded my senses as his kiss turned aggressive and rough. He seemed to want to

prove his point as if to keep me from escaping by kissing me relentlessly. There was even a faint of

him swallowing.

My heart raced as I passively accepted his kiss, unable to stop myself from sinking into it.

His voice came out low and dangerous. “Don’t fight it. Give me your heart. You know you like it when I touch you.”

He pulled back the dominance he had shown a moment ago, softening the deep kiss into something slower and tender. The heat rising in me made me wonder if I was the one who was feverish, not him.

As I felt myself dizzy from the kiss, I heard him whisper, “Ariana, haven’t you always prided yourself on loving fearlessly? Why are you backing down now? Is admitting you love me really that hard?”

I was practically collapsing into his arms. My brain was deprived of oxygen and unable to process anything.

Despite his injured hands, he still had endless ways to make me lose myself in his touch.

My body trembled uncontrollably. I tried to breathe deeply, fighting to keep my clarity. But his question was an unsolvable dilemma. I didn’t have an answer.

“Ariana, have I ever made any unforgivable mistake? Why are you sentencing me to death? If there’s something I did wrong, just tell me.

“Stop acting like you’re here but your heart’s miles away, I don’t want that, and I can’t take it! I want all of you–your body and your heart!”

I propped myself up to look at him before slumping back onto the couch like a lifeless body. Staring at the ceiling, I felt both my body and mind suddenly relax.

My voice came out hoarse. “Nicholas, being with you is a high–stakes gamble. I lost everything before, and I’m still in debt. Now you want me to bet everything on you again, but all I have left is my life.”

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Chapter 4

+25 BONUS

“Take my life anytime you want, Ariana. This time, I swear, I won’t let you lose!”

“Claudia has always been a thorn in my heart.”

“From now on, unless it’s something important, I won’t see her anymore.”

His promise hit me hard. If Nicholas was willing to stand by my side, maybe I could accept her presence. Without hesitation, I gave him a firm reply. “Okay!”

I might have lost my mind, or maybe I was acting on impulse. I got up and pushed Nicholas down onto the couch, kissing him fiercely.

At that moment, clothes were nothing but an obstacle between two adults trying to express their

emotions

Nicholas was unable to move his hands. He was sweating in frustration. Just as he was about to urge me, the doorbell rang.

“Ignore it. Let’s keep going!”

The doorbell ringing quickly turned into pounding. “Nicholas, open the damn door!”

The relentless knocking snapped me back to reality. It was Pete…