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."

It wasn't just Maverick's question hanging between us-it was everything we weren't saying, everything I had tried to

the couch, his proximity sending a shiver down my spine. His warmth radiated, his scent, something deep and clean...enveloped me. His large hand settled on mine, the weight of it both grounding and electrifying.

the air between us was shifting. My

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

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

raced. The world around us faded to nothing, and the kiss deepened, stirring things I hadn't let myself

me closer, our bodies melting together as the

jerked back, gasping

breathing was also

flashing

eyes

to

"What's wrong?

en

between us. "It's not that. It's just... we don't have

we?" Dwayne asked, his

averting my gaze

it, his expression tightening. "What

I hesitated, but finally said. "I'm going

I felt the change instantly. He withdrew his hand completely, his posture stiffening. "You're going back?" His voice was low But now there was a

nodded, still

He asked. "You don't have a life there anymore. You belong

shook my head vehemently. "I don't

have to,

eyes to meet his, now. "I

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