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."

murmured, my voice trailing off as the room filled with a strange, thick silence. It wasn't just Maverick's question

without warning, Dwayne moved closer on 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

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

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

The heat from his palm seeped into me, awakening something deep inside. Our eyes met his gaze was darker now,

kissing. His lips on mine were firm, urgent, but not rushed. My pulse raced. The world around us faded

hand found my waist, pulling me closer, our bodies melting together as the kiss became

jerked back, gasping for air. "We... we

furrowed, his breathing was also a

flashing in

eyes

to

"What's wrong?

en

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

can't we?" Dwayne

averting my

mid-air before he slowly withdrew it, his expression tightening. "What do

said. "I'm going

instantly. He withdrew his hand completely, his posture stiffening. "You're going back?" His voice was low But now there was a tension beneath it, a

nodded, still avoiding

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

head vehemently. "I don't belong here.

have

to meet his, now. "I

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