Act Like You Love Me (Jessica) novel Chapter 15

Chapter 15

Aaron’s POV

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I lifted the dumbbells in a steady rhythm, my muscles tensing a flexing with every rep, the burn a welcome distraction from the chaos in my head.

My eyes stayed glued to the massive glass wall of the gym, overlooking the rolling hills bathed in morning light. But even with that view, one image kept hijacking my thoughts: Jessica.

Those glossy green eyes that seemed to see right through every amn defense I had; her full lips, slightly parted in surprise.

And the electric memory of her body pressed against mine carlier… the way her cunt had accidentally ground against my cock when she’d straddled me–fuck, it felt like a jolt of pure uncut addiction.

That intense surge, immediately followed by the raw, vulnerable sound of her soft sobs last night… it all looped in my like a broken tape.

skull

“Fuck!” I mumbled, throwing the weight off with too much force. It landed with a deafening THUD on the carpeted floor; I was pretty sure I’d cracked the wood underneath.

I stalked over to the bench, grabbed my water bottle, and chugged it in one go, hoping the cold liquid would suppress the aggressive desire and banish her image. It didn’t do shit.

“Easy, Ron. At that rate, you’re going to chug the entire water cooler down.”

David’s annoying voice slithered through, cutting right across the loud music pulsing through my headphones. I ignored him, but of course, the guy lived to piss me off–he didn’t budge.

“Don’t you have some pounds to lose?” I snapped, not even glancing his way, but I could picture his cocky grin without looking.

“Still mad about last night, huh? Come on, bro. You’d really think I’d kiss your girl?”

That finally caught my attention. I snapped my head up, my gaze locking onto his annoying blue irises.

“David, you’d have fucked her right there if you were given half a chance,” I stated, my voice dangerously blank.

He clutched his chest like I’d shot him, feigning exaggerated hurt.

“Unfortunately, I don’t have Eric’s backstabbing blood in my veins. I respect you, man.”

He reached out to pat my shoulder, but I dodged it quick.

“Unfortunately?” I repeated, one brow arching slowly.

A lazy, challenging smirk spread across his face.

“You’ve got a sexy chic, Aaron. If I didn’t respect your sorry ass, I’d have…”

I didn’t let him finish. I grabbed him by the throat and slammed him against the glass wall, the pane vibrating from the impact.

“If you love the gift of sight, I’d advise you to keep your thirsty eyes off Jessica. Unlike Eric, I will rip you apart and make you choke on your own testicles.”

I meant every word. Of all my family members, David was the closest–my confidant, my greatest supporter. If he were to betray me, the sting would cut deeper than Eric’s ever did, pushing me past rage to my absolute, most dangerous worst.

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Chapter 15

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He shoved me off with all his strength, coughing and rubbing his throat, his eyes piercing daggers right back into my soul.

Dude, what the hell” he wheezed, dramatic as ever.

I just glared, unblinking.

Why are you acting all possessive, huh? We both know the game you’re playing. Why lead her on when your heart still calls For Fiona?”

David defended himself, his voice suddenly hard.

His truth–no, that wasn’t the truth, but his cruel assumption jabbed brutally at my chest.

Sure, I wanted Fiona jealous, wanted her to suffer the way she’d made me suffer, to twist in the pain she’d caused four years ago. That burning desire wasn’t affection; that was pure, cold vengeance.

My feelings for her were long gone,

“Come on, bro, don’t do that to Jessica. She doesn’t deserve-”

“Stay out of my business, Dave,” I cut him off. “You don’t know Jessica better than I do. And for the sake of our brotherhood, keep your mouth shut.” I warned him.

There was no point in denying his accusations. David knew me inside out, so it wasn’t shocking he’d sniffed out my plan. But hearing it out loud…. it grated.

“Well, I’ve known her long enough to see the hurt in her eyes,” he said, his tone shifting to something serious. “The way she looks at you, Ron. The way her body shudders when you glance at Fiona.”

He paused, locking eyes with me.

“I hope you don’t toy with her feelings for too long.” He gave a strained smile and walked out, leaving me stewing.

That bastard has a thing for Jessica. I could tell, and it was painfully obvious.

And honestly, who wouldn’t? The innocence in her eyes, the oblivious charm, and the subtle elegance in her actions would make any man fall for her.

But like an idiot, I’d been too blinded by my ego and my lingering infatuation with the idea of Fiona, that I’d failed to realize the gem I’d had right beside me for years.

“Good morning, sunshine.” David’s voice floated back in, paired with a familiar giggle that snapped my head toward the door.

There she was–Jessica, standing in the doorway in a pair of tight leggings and a sports bra that left nothing to the imagination.

Her stunning curves were on full display, her straight black hair tossed up in a messy bun that showed off her flawless face, a few strands escaping to frame her cheeks.

“Hello, David,” she greeted back softly.

As if sensing my predatory stare, David just nodded curtly at her and slipped out, leaving just the two of us.

Our eyes met across the room. I couldn’t hold her gaze for long: I was instantly, intensely tempted to stare at her heaving chest and those dramatically curvy hips. Damn it!

“Why are you here, Jess?” I asked, breaking the thick silence, trying to sound normal.

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Chapter 13

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She blinked at me like I’d grown a second head. “Uh, to bake a cake? Or… donuts? I don’t know, Aaron–take your pick.”

And there she was, the sassy queen who could get under my skin like no one else.

“Oh, hilarious,” I shot back, dripping with sarcasm. “Gym’s for working out, not stand–up comedy. You auditioning for a spot?”

She rolled her eyes, but a hint of a smile played on her lips. She walked closer to the treadmill section, and every step was a deliberate offense to my focus.

Her hips swayed in a slow, effortless rhythm that instantly mesmerized me; the way her tiny waist curved perfectly into those dramatic hips was art–hypnotic and flawless.

My eyes were completely locked on her body, and a single, stunning thought cut through my lust: She’s stunning.

Why did she always hide this beneath those baggy clothes?

The answer hit me like a vicious punch to the gut: me. The back–to–back bullying back in school, the cruel taunts about her body.

Guilt slammed into me, heavy and sour, instantly suffocating my lust. I’d been part of the reason she covered up, and now here I was, staring like a predatory hypocrite.

“Of course I’m here to work out,” she said with a frown, stopping a few feet away.

“I did some research online. I found out I need a coach, a tailored meal plan to lose some pounds. But I’ll stick to internet guides for now. No way I can drop a hundred bucks on a trainer with student loans breathing down my neck.”

She wasn’t ranting directly to me, more like articulating a struggle to herself, but loud enough for me to hear.

“I get needing exercise to stay healthy, Jess, and that’s fine. You don’t have to go overboard,” I said, stepping closer. “But weight loss? You’re fine just as you are.”

And I meant it. She wasn’t fat; her curves were perfectly placed, a gift from her mom’s Latina roots, I’d guess. Maybe a soft pouch at her belly, but it was barely there, nothing to fret over. It added to her, made her real.

“Your ex and the others who laughed at me clearly don’t think so she mumbled, looking down. “Even you.”

My heart squeezed painfully when she said that.

“Jess,” I started, but the distant chatter of voices made me freeze. Crap.

Not everyone bought our act yet; we needed more public displays, the kind that sold the story until even we started believing it.

“The treadmill, Jess,” I said quickly, guiding her over.

We hopped on, me right behind her, our sweaty bodies pressed way too close for comfort–or maybe not close enough.

I gripped her hips to steady her, and flipped it on low.

Just then, Fiona, Lena, and some other ladies–girlfriends and fuck–mates of my cousins–waltzed in, dressed for an easy

circuit.

From the wall–to–wall mirror, I caught Fiona’s furious glare, her eyes narrowing like daggers. Clearly, she wasn’t thrilled to see the intimate arrangement.

“Oh, the fat girl decided to shed some weight,” Lena remarked loudly, and it set me on fire.

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Chapter 1

Jessica hadn’t done a single thing to Lena, but all she had done since we arrived was insult her.

I was about to jump off and tear into her, but Jess’s hand gripped mine on the handlebar.

Our eyes met through the mirror’s reflection, and she subtly, firmly shook her head.

Her gaze spoke a silent, piercing command: ‘No. Don’t make a scene. Just let this go.

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It took every ounce of willpower not to ignore her, march over here, and flip Lena upside down, but I stayed put, forcing myself to obey that silent, pleading command.

I cranked the treadmill to a low incline and an easy speed–a necessary precaution for her first time, with me right there to catch her if she slipped. I didn’t want her getting hurt.

Gently, I grabbed her waist and pulled her back, snug against my body. Her body went instantly rigid, her breathing turning shallow and quick against the pressure.

I leaned into her neck, my lips brushing the sensitive skin, and inhaled that sweet vanilla scent. It hit me like a chemical high, instantly making my head spin and disrupting my focus.

“You are extremely beautiful, Jess,” I murmured, my voice a low, heavy rasp.

My lips deliberately brushed the sensitive skin of her neck, right where I knew it would send a shiver.

I wasn’t just telling her; I was making a statement for everyone–especially the venomous viper watching us in the mirror- to witness.