Mr billionaire's regret chasing his irresistible wife by Gabby Emmanuel

Friend zone.

(ARIELLE'S POV)

I felt my face heat up in embarrassment, and when I looked at Dwayne, he was already watching me, amusement dancing in his emerald eyes. His smile was slow, almost teasing, as if he enjoyed how flustered I'd become. "Um," I stammered, regaining a bit of composure. "Maverick, baby, can you go back to your room? I need to talk to Uncle Dwayne."

"Alright, Mama," he said and got off Dwayne's legs, before running off to the room.

I turned to Dwayne, still reeling from embarrassment. "Don't mind what he said, he's just being a child."

Dwayne's chuckle was low, his voice rich. "Oh, I don't mind. Not at all."

I breathed out in relief. "Thank you.

But then his expression changed, his gaze steady, almost too serious for the moment. "You knew this was bound to happen though, right?"

I frowned, confused. "What?"

"Maverick's question," he said, leaning forward slightly, his presence all-encompassing. "One day, he's going to ask more about his father. He's going to need answers, Arielle."

I sighed, nodding. "Yeah, I know, but I just didn't expect it to be this early. I mean, he's just three."

"Four soon," Dwayne corrected.

"I know, I know, but still he's still so young."

Dwayne nodded. "That's right, but children are smart these days."

room filled with a strange, thick silence. It wasn't just Maverick's question hanging between us-it was everything we

Dwayne moved closer on the couch, his proximity sending a shiver down my spine. His warmth radiated, his scent, something

trying to hold on to the comfort his words offered, but the air between us was shifting. My pulse quickened, my thoughts growing hazy as

beneath me felt safe, yet there was something undeniably intense about the way we sat, bodies almost too close, every brush of skin amplifying

his palm seeped into me, awakening something deep inside. Our eyes met his gaze was darker now, more intent, as if he was

we were kissing. His lips on mine were firm, urgent, but not rushed. My pulse raced. The world around us faded to nothing, and the kiss deepened,

found my waist, pulling me closer, our bodies melting together

then, reality struck hard. I jerked back, gasping for air.

furrowed, his breathing was

Concern flashing in

eyes

tried to reach

"What's wrong?

en

I interrupted, putting distance between us. "It's not

can't we?" Dwayne asked, his

paused, averting my

before he slowly withdrew it, his expression tightening. "What

I hesitated, but finally said.

his hand completely, his posture stiffening. "You're going back?" His

still

He asked. "You don't have a

shook my head vehemently. "I don't belong here. I...I

don't have to,

raised my eyes to meet