Act Like You Love Me (Jessica) novel Chapter 38

Chapter 38

Chapter 38

Jessica’s POV

As soon as we checked into our hotel suite and locked the heavy door behind us, Aaron didn’t hesitate. He dropped the keys on the glass table and dove dramatically onto the enormous mattress.

He heaved out a loud, exhausted

groan.

I stood rooted by the door, guilt pressing down on my chest. We’d flown all the way from Florida, first-class no less, into this dumpster fire of a family situation, only for it to blow up in his face.

And now, here we were in this swanky suite, all on his dime.

The room itself was plush: a king-sized bed with crisp white sheets, a balcony overlooking the twinkling city lights, and that faint, clean scent of luxury hotels that made me feel profoundly out of place.

“Aaron,” I called softly.

He hummed in response, his face still buried in the pillows.

“I’m sorry. For everything.”

The apology caught his attention. He tilted his neck, peering at me over his shoulder while still lying on his back.

“For what, Jess?”

I sighed and began walking toward the bed.

“For dragging you into this mess. For making you spend all this money. In less than 24 hours, you’ve dropped over a thousand dollars just because of my dysfunctional family. You don’t have to hide it or keep denying it. I know I’m a burden to you.”

He leaned up on his elbows, reaching out to grab my wrist mid-stride. The pull was gentle but firm, causing me to stumble forward and land half on the bed beside him.

“Jess, I never complained to you. Or did I really give you the impression you’re a burden?”

He raised a brow, his eyes serious, but I refused to look into them. I fixed my gaze on the patterned duvet instead.

He sighed and pulled me closer so I was lying closer to him.

“I don’t like when you say things like that,” he murmured, his breath warm against my hair.

“The next time you utter those words, I’d have to kiss you.”

My eyes widened, and I finally looked at him.

He had a subtle, arrogant smirk on his lips.

“I know you’d love that, Jess. Now don’t take it as an opportunity-I know you’d want to because you dream of these lips.”

I sat there frozen, torn between smacking him for his arrogance and blushing because, damn it, he wasn’t wrong. Those lips had starred in too many of my fantasies.

But no way was I admitting that. Instead, I went with the smack, a light swat to his chest.

“You’re insufferable, Tyrone.”

MAON

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13:13 Mon, Jan 12

Chapter 38

The insult didn’t faze him. His smirk widened as he leaned in, his gaze fixed on my lips.

“Good thing insufferable just happens to be my favorite flavor.”

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Before I could retort, he leaned in, and captured my mouth in a kiss that started playful but deepened into necessity.

His lips were soft, demanding, and tasted faintly of the mint gum he’d chewed on the plane.

I melted into the familiarity, and my hand slid up to his neck, my fingers got tangling in the dark silk of his hair.

The kiss was slow, unhurried, like we had all the time in the world, his free hand tracing lazy, intimate circles on my back.

When we finally pulled apart, our chests heaving softly, he brushed a thumb over my still-tingling cheek.

“Go get ready. We’re going out.”

I blinked, still dazed from the kiss. “Out? Where?”

He just shrugged with a mysterious smile.

“You’ll see. Trust me.”

I headed to the bathroom, and splashed water on my face to cool the flush, then changed into something simple: black leggings that hugged my legs comfortably and an oversized gray shirt that fell just right, loose but flattering.

I flung my hair into a messy bun, a few strands escaping to frame my face.

When I emerged, Aaron was waiting by the door in jeans and a hoodie, looking effortlessly handsome.

He took my hand without a word, our fingers interlocking as we stepped into the chilled night air.

We walked in companionable silence at first, the city alive around us-street lamps casting light pools on the sidewalks, distant laughter from bars spilling out.

After a few miles, my curiosity won out. “Why are we doing this? Just… walking?”

He didn’t answer right away, his eyes fixed on the scattering of stars visible above the tall buildings.

Then he shrugged.

“I felt like it, Figured it’d help clear your head after the moment at your parents’ house.”

I just stared at him, a genuine, soft smile spreading across my face.

He was right-it was already working, the rhythm of our steps easing the knots in my chest.

I didn’t say a word, letting his unspoken care warm me from the inside out.

The streets grew familiar, stirring memories like dust in an old attic. We passed the narrow alleys I’d duck into as a kid, shortcuts to avoid the bullies who’d taunt me on my way to school or back home.

Those paths saved me more times than I can count.

Then came our high school, looming large and silent like a ghost from the past.

The red bricks were faded, and the gates locked for the night.

Painful flashes hit me: the cold lockers where I’d hide from the daily taunts, the echoing cafeteria where I used to eat lunch alone.com

13:13 Mon, Jan 12

Chapter 38

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But woven into that pain was a deep, unexpected sense of nostalgia-the thrill of first seeing Aaron swaggering down the crowded halls, his cocky stride turning every head.

“This is where it all started,” I said softly, staring at the dimly lit front doors. “Fate threw us together, for better or worse.”

He squeezed my hand. “Mostly worse back then, we have to admit. But yeah… definitely unforgettable.”

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13:13 Mon, Jan 12