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."

strange, thick silence. It wasn't just Maverick's question hanging between us-it was

a shiver down my spine. His warmth radiated, his scent, something deep and clean...enveloped me. His large hand

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

undeniably intense about the way we sat, bodies almost too close, every brush of skin amplifying the energy

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

rushed. My pulse raced. The world around

pulling me closer, our bodies melting together as the kiss

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

brow furrowed, his breathing

Concern flashing

eyes

tried to reach for

"What's wrong? Did

en

not that. It's just... we don't have

Dwayne asked, his brows

paused, averting my gaze

froze in mid-air before he slowly withdrew it, his expression tightening.

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

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

nodded, still avoiding

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

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

have

raised my eyes to meet his, now.