Trouble in Paradise (Arianna and Nicholas)

I pressed my hand against Nicholas's shoulder, unable to suppress a sneer. "Mr. Hawk, you really are everywhere, always showing up uninvited like you've mastered the art."

"Where I want to go, no one can stop me."

As he spoke, his gaze traveled from the top of my head to my feet, lingering in a particular spot with a meaningful look. His stare was so blatant that I couldn't help but raise my hand to block his gaze.

I warned him in a low voice, "Move aside! The hall outside is full of people. If they find out the CEO of Hawk Corporation is cornering a woman in the restroom, what will they think?" "You're my ex-wife. What do you think they'll say?"

Nicholas grabbed my hand, holding it tightly in his palm. He thought for a moment before meeting my eyes with a serious expression.

"If I cared that much about what people think, I wouldn't be alive today." He added, "Ariana, you're the last person who should be lecturing me about that!"

The restroom was already cooler than outside, but Nicholas's breath felt like fire against my skin. I turned my head away, trying to put more distance between us.

"If you're looking for trouble, you don't need to show up all the way tonight just for me."

"So you know I came here just for you." He gripped my shoulder, shaking me slightly. "Tell me, why do you think I came?"

"Let go! It hurts!" I tried to push him, but he didn't budge. "Nicholas, remember, there's nothing between us anymore. I have no interest in guessing what's going on in your head!"

Nicholas smirked, but there was no warmth in his eyes. His hand slid to my side, giving a light pinch at my waist. The touch sent a sharp tingle through my body like it had hit a switch.

I clenched my teeth, fury sparking in my gaze. "Nicholas, what are you trying to do!"

"A man who has nothing to do with you knows all your sensitive spots. If I kiss your earlobe right now, you'll melt in my arms. Do you want to try now?"

I froze completely, too afraid to move. Just imagining that scene brought a wave of primal desires to the surface.

As a grown woman, there were

moments over the years when

loneliness crept in, and I didn't think

desire was shameful. But when it

was Nicholas who stirred it up, everything felt wrong.

Even though he had someone else in his life, he still chose to provoke me like this. The thought sickened me. The idea of him recreating what we had with another woman made me repulsed by his touch.

I wanted to ask him so badly. Was being loyal to one woman really that hard?

A flicker of desire crossed his eyes too. He held back as much as he could as he threatened me.

"Christopher has been through more than you can imagine. If I find you at his wife's birthday party, I'll fuck you right on the spot."

I frowned deeply at his words. "You're just as disgusting as him."

Between Nicholas's threats and dealing with someone like Christopher, I would rather choose the latter.

Nicholas was furious that I compared him to a man who had tried to destroy me. Had he ever truly harmed me?

Yet, the hatred in my eyes was

undeniable. But what right did I have to hate him? Why did I have the right to reject him, when I had been with

other men already?

Suddenly, he leaned down and bit my earlobe. He felt strangely satisfied when he saw me biting my lips and trying to suppress my reactions.

But at the next moment, a loud slap rang through the air as I struck him across the face.

He could only watch as I stormed away, making no move to stop me. He thought, "Ariana, after hitting me, you can't despise me any more than you already do..."