Mr Billionaire's Regret Chasing His Irresistible Wife (Jared and Arielle) novel Chapter 151

(ARIELLE’S POV)

I froze in place, hands instinctively flying to cover my mouth as if that would somehow undo what just happened. My eyes squeezed shut for a moment, though the damage was already done.

My mind went blank, like an error screen flashing in my head. My body froze, but my face? That betrayed me entirely, heating up faster than I could regain control.

Jared looked just as startled as I felt. His hands flew to cover himself, his face a mix of shock and frustration as he avoided meeting my gaze.

"I was just trying to ask... if you were going to use the hot tub first. If not, then I—" He stuttered, his words tripping over themselves like his brain couldn’t quite catch up. He blinked rapidly, flustered. "Why did you come in?"

My face burned with embarrassment, and my words refused to cooperate.

"I—uh—sorry! I didn’t know!" I stammered, spinning on my heels so fast I nearly tripped.

What was I supposed to say? That I’d been so distracted on a Facetime call with Dwayne—a friend who defied explanation—that I hadn’t paid attention to Jared’s question?

I ducked my head, fumbling for an escape.

"Uh... maybe we can postpone this conversation until you’re, um, done?" I managed, my voice pitched higher than normal. "I... uh... have something to take care of right now anyway."

Without waiting for a response, I turned and fled the room, my cheeks burning so hot I could practically feel the heat radiating off me.

As soon as I was out of earshot, I exhaled heavily, leaning against the wall. The memory of what I’d just witnessed replayed itself on a loop in my mind, vivid and entirely unhelpful.

Why the hell was I suddenly so bothered?

It wasn’t like I hadn’t seen him like that before. We used to share everything, even moments like this, back when things were good between us. But this? It felt... different. Like seeing him for the first time all over again.

I pressed my lips together, suppressing a nervous grin, and hurriedly grabbed my phone. Scrolling to Dwayne’s contact, I quickly typed out a message:

“Sorry for the sudden interruption! I’ll make it up to you later this evening. Promise.”

I hit send, my pulse still racing.

Barely a second later, my phone buzzed with his reply. I checked it, half-expecting a teasing quip, and smiled to myself. It was almost as if Dwayne had been waiting for my message.

Still, I set my phone aside and made my way to the living room. I needed to wait for Jared to finish up before I could even think about the hot tub—or anything else for that matter.

********

The sheets clung to me, damp and twisted, as I drifted into a strange, vivid dream. A man stood before me. His silhouette, sculpted and powerful, moved closer, directly sent a thrill straight to my core.

My breath hitched as his fingers brushed the belt of my robe, tugging it loose with agonizing care.

His touch followed. Warm, rough, and electrifying. His palm skimmed my collarbone, igniting a trail of fire down my skin. His breath was hot against my neck, and when he finally spoke, his deep voice sent shivers through me.

“You feel this, don’t you?” he murmured, his words more command than question.

I couldn’t respond. I didn’t even see his face, yet everything about him felt achingly familiar. My body answered for me, arching toward him, craving more.

His lips found the hollow of my throat, soft and firm, teasing and reverent all at once. I blushed as his gaze swept over me.

Instinctively, I moved to cover myself, but he gently caught my hands and pinned them away.

“Don’t hide from me,” he whispered. “You’re stunning.”