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."

know..." I murmured, my voice trailing off as the room filled with a strange, thick silence. It wasn't just Maverick's question hanging between us-it was everything we

His warmth radiated, his scent, something deep

offered, but the air between us was shifting. My pulse quickened, my thoughts growing hazy as I rested my

was something undeniably intense about the way we

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

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, stirring things I hadn't let myself feel in a long

waist, pulling me closer, our bodies melting together as the kiss

reality struck hard. I jerked back, gasping for air. "We... we can't

breathing

Concern flashing in

eyes

to

wrong? Did

en

us. "It's not that. It's

Dwayne asked, his

paused, averting my gaze

it, his expression

I hesitated, but finally said. "I'm going back to New

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

nodded, still avoiding his

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

"I don't belong here. I...I have

have to,

my eyes to meet his,