Act Like You Love Me (Jessica) novel Chapter 44

Chapter 44

Chapter 44

Jessica’s POV

Aaron’s eyes locked onto mine, a playful, challenging glint appearing in the dark depths.

He didn’t move an inch to let me pass.

“I don’t think so. I’ve been out in the night air. I’m the one who needs to wash off the day.”

I tried to shoulder past him, but it was like trying to move a mountain.

I put a hand on his forearm to nudge him aside-his skin was warm, his muscles taut, and for a second, I forgot why I was even pushing.

“Aaron, move. I’m exhausted.”

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“So am I,” he murmured, his voice dropping an octave as he leaned just a fraction closer, blocking the door entirely with his frame. “Which is why I’m taking the executive decision.”

I narrowed my eyes, trying to look unimpressed.

“There are no executives here, just a very tired student who deserves-” I shut my eyes and took a deep breath.

“Aaron, move.” I commanded, though it came out more like a breathless suggestion.

A slow, knowing smirk tugged at the corner of his mouth. He didn’t push back; he just leaned into my space, his sheer size making the room feel tiny.

“Make me.”

Before I could come up with a witty retort, he pivoted smoothly, catching the door handle and sliding inside before I could even blink.

The door clicked shut, the lock engaging with a definitive snap.

“Unbelievable,” I muttered, taking a step toward the wood. I didn’t yell; I just leaned my forehead against the cool surface.

“You’re a child, Aaron. A giant, selfish child.”

“I can hear the pouting through the door, Jess!” he called out over the sudden spray of the shower.

“Besides, take it as a payback for all the times you’ve spent forty minutes deep-conditioning your hair! Or, you know… you could always just join me. Save some water.”

I stood there for a second, my hand still tingling from where it had touched his chest.

I felt the heat climb from my chest to my hairline. I knew he was teasing-mostly-but the mental image was enough to maké my knees weak.

“In your dreams!” I shot back, but inside, butterflies erupted. He couldn’t see my blush, thank god.

Huffing dramatically, I plopped back onto my side of the bed, swinging my legs like a petulant child waiting for recess.

To drown out the sound of the water, I reached for my extra pillow, wanting something to cling to while I waited. But as I hauled it toward me, my heart performed a violent somersault.

There, peeking out from the crevice where the mattress met the headboard, was the unmistakable petal-pink edge of the

Chapter 14

rose toy

Mortification swept over me, a physical heat that made the pervous blush feel like a light breeze

I scrambled to shove the pillow back down bearying the device under layers of come as of I were boring crime. But the sight was burned into my retinas, and the damage was done

The memories hit me with a dizzying force. I remembered the exact afternoon I’d bought -Chose weeks when between Aaron and me had become a living, breathing thing in the apartment.

My dreams became vividly sensual, leaving me waking up in a cold sweat, my skin humming with a need 1 didn’

to navigate.

I’d been tempted, so damn tempted to just spill it all-to look him in the eye and admit I was drowning in the pull be had

on me.

But throwing myself at him felt like walking off a cliff without a net. It was too vulnerable, too much of a risk to take with man who had already occupied so much of my headspace.

So, in a fit of desperation. I’d gone the less scandalous route. I still remembered the sheer adrauline of the partuse-me in full incognito mode, wearing a mask and a dark hoodie, sneaking into the store like a spy in a bad movie

I didn’t want anyone knowing what I did behind closed doors. Hell the store owner probably forgot me five minutes later. but my overthinking brain screamed judgment from every corner.

What if someone recognized me? What if word got back? I just couldn’t take any risks.

I’d truly have been through it all for Aaron: from pining in silence to surviving his bullying. Now, this secret was the only way I could cope with the tension he created.

I shook my head, trying to banish the dirty thoughts, but the sound of the shower stopping made it impossible.

The door creaked open, and cloud of steam billowed out. It scented of sandalwood and expensive soap.

Aaron stepped out, and the air left my lungs.

He was wearing nothing but a white towel slung precariously low on his hips Beads of water trailed down the deep grooves of his abs, disappearing beneath the terrycloth.

His skin was flushed from the heat, his hair damp and messy.

I stared. I couldn’t help it. It was like looking at a masterpiece I wasn’t supposed to touch. He didn’t make it easy, either Instead of going for his clothes, he walked toward my bed.

He stopped directly in front of me. I was sitting, he was standing, and the height difference suddenly felt incredibly

intimate.

I could smell his fresh skin and that faded, signature cologne that seemed to be stitched into his DNA

I couldn’t speak. I was an intending journalist who specialized in words, and I had none.

Aaron reached down, his palm cool and damp as he caught my chin, tilting my face up. His thumb brushed along my jawline, a slow, agonizingly soft caress.

“Why didn’t you join me, Jess?’ he murmured, his voice dropping to that dangerous, velvet register.

His eyes dropped to my lips, then flicked back to mine, searching for a reaction. He leaned in closer, his chest inches from my nose. I could feel the literal heat coming off him.

13:14 Mon, Jan 12

Chapter 44

My heart was a druh inside my ribs, thudding a rhythm I was sure he could feel through his fingertips

“You seemed pretty eager at the door,” he whispered, his breath ghosting over my skin.

He lingered there, hovering in the space where a kiss should be, letting the silence roar between us. He was playing with me, pushing the boundary just to see if I’d break

I leaned in, just a fraction, my eyes fluttering shut-ready to take the leap.

And then, the pressure on my chin vanished.

I opened my eyes to see him stepping back, a devastatingly satisfied smirk playing on his lips.

He looked far too proud of himself for leaving me breathless and wanting.

“You can go take your bath now, Jess,” he said casually, turning toward his dresser as if he hadn’t just set my entire nervous system on fire. “Don’t take too long. Those lollipops won’t eat themselves.”

I sat there for a long moment, clutching the pillow over my secret toy, staring at his retreating back and wondering how one man could be so incredibly cruel and so incredibly necessary all at once,

Damn him and that satisfied smile.

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13:14 Mon, Jan 12 Je.