Act Like You Love Me (Jessica) novel Chapter 165

Chapter 165

Jessica’s POV

69%

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The kiss started slow, Aaron’s lips brushing mine with a tenderness that made my heart swell, his hands cupping my face as if I was something precious.

The garden around us the lotus ponds reflecting the lantern light, the soft rustle of bamboo leaves in the breeze faded into a distant haze as I melted into him.

His mouth moved with mine, gentle at first, then deepening, his tongue tracing my lower lip before slipping in to dance with mine.

I wrapped my arms around his neck, pulling him closer, the Ceylon sapphire on my finger catching the light like a promise sealed.

When we broke apart, breaths mingling, he rested his forehead against mine.

“I love you, Jess. Always have, always will”

“I love you too,” I whispered back, tears of joy slipping down my cheeks. “More than words can say.”

He smiled, that boyish grin that always melted me, and took my hand, leading me to the pavilion’s open space where the string music played softly.

“Dance with me?” he asked, pulling me into his arms.

We swayed together, my head on his chest, listening to his heartbeat. His hand on my lower back guided me, our steps. simple but in sync, the night air cool on my skin.

“You’ve been my everything for a long time, Jess,” he murmured into my hair. “Even when I was too stubborn to admit it. I love you, every part of you”

The confession brought fresh tears, but happy ones, as I looked up at him.

“I love you, Aaron. Through the hurts, the years apart-you’re my home now.”

We danced until the host discreetly cleared his throat, signaling the end of our private reservation. Aaron thanked him, tipping him generously, and we walked hand in hand to the car

As we reached the sleek vehicle, Aaron stopped. He reached up, shedding his suit jacket and tossing it through the open window onto the backseat.

Then, to my confusion, he started unbuttoning his shirt.

“Aaron-

“Here,” he interrupted, sliding the burgundy fabric off his shoulders and handing it to me.

“Change into this. It’ll be more comfortable than that dress for the drive.”

I looked at the long slits of my gown and the structured cups, realizing how restrictive it was for a long night.

I nodded, slipping into the backseat for a moment to peel off the blue silk.

I emerged wearing his burgundy button-down. The fabric was warm, smelling deeply of his cologne, and it hung loose on me, the hem reaching mid-thigh like a shirt-dress.

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12:19 Wed, Feb 25 MOB

Chapter 165

༥ ཏྲཱི 69%g

55 vouchers

Aaron was already leaning against the car, shirtless, his bare ches gleaming under the amber streetlights. His muscles were defined and hard from years of professional play.

He looked me up and down, a slow, appreciative grin spreading across his face.

“You wear it better than I do, Jess.”

I felt the heat rush to my cheeks, and I looked away, fiddling with the oversized sleeves.

The driver had already started the engine, but Aaron leaned toward the window, handing the man a stack of bills.

“Thanks for the ride here-take this and catch a cab back. I’m taking over.”

The driver accepted the cash with a polite nod and disappeared into the night. Aaron slid into the driver’s seat, the engine purring to life under his touch.

“Fancy a drive?” he asked, glancing at me as he hit a button to retract the roof window, letting the starlight in.

“Let’s go for it,” I said, sliding into the leather seat.

We circled Suzhou first. The engine was a steady presence beneath us as we navigated the empty streets, the moonlight reflecting off the ancient canals.

The wind played with my hair, cool and freeing, as we eventually left the bright lights behind for the quieter, tree-lined roads on the outskirts.

Aaron’s hand found mine over the console, his fingers interlacing with mine.

We drove for what felt like hours, talking about everything and nothing. We laughed over silly high school stories that didn’t. sting anymore and whispered about the future we wanted for ourselves.

The road stretched out before us, endless and dark, until the tension in the car was so thick I could practically taste it.

Every time he shifted gears, his knuckles brushed against my bare knee, sending jolts of heat straight to my core.

Eventually, the hunger became too much. We didn’t even make i into the hotel lobby at first.

Instead, he steered the car into a shadowed, secluded corner of the parking structure, far from the overhead lights.

The engine cut out, leaving us in a heavy, expectant silence broken only by the sound of our breathing.

His eyes met mine, dark with a familiar intent.

“Come here,” he murmured.

I didn’t need to be told twice. I scrambled over the console, my bare legs straddling his lap.

The oversized burgundy shirt bunched up around my waist as I settled onto his thighs.

Aaron reclined the seat with a heavy click, creating a pocket of private space in the cramped cabin.

Our lips met again, and the tenderness from the garden was gone, replaced by a desperate, raw need.

My hands tangled in his hair, pulling him closer, while his palms landed on my waist, squeezing.

I began to move against him, a slow grind that had him letting out a low, guttural sound against my mouth.

I could feel the hard, unforgiving line of him through his pants, and the friction was already sending sparks through my nervous system.

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