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."

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

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

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

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

couldn't. The heat from his palm seeped into me, awakening something deep inside. Our eyes met

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

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

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

breathing was also

flashing

eyes

to

"What's wrong?

en

"It's not that. It's

Dwayne asked,

my gaze from

he slowly withdrew it, his expression

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

posture stiffening. "You're going back?" His voice was low But now there was a tension beneath it,

still

a life there anymore. You belong here

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

have to,

raised my eyes to