Ruined By My Brother's Best Friend (by Silverwriter) novel Chapter 65

ARABELLA’S POV

I couldn’t believe the words the moment they left my mouth. Though I’d intended to say them, they didn’t sound right out loud. They didn’t sound like me.

They sounded jealous.

Alvise crossed one ankle over the other, a muscle in his jaw twitching as he let the silence stretch between us. “And why is that?”

I shrugged. “I just don’t want to.”

He pushed away from the refrigerator and rounded the counter until he was standing right in front of me, invading my personal space.

Our gazes locked, my eyes tirelessly searching the depths of his for any clue to what he was thinking.

He leaned down until our faces were only a breath apart and my hands trembled in my lap, my stomach fluttering with fear excitement… or maybe both.

I couldn’t breathe. “W-what are you doing?” I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

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He didn’t answer. Instead, he lifted his hand and gently brushed a loose strand of hair behind my ear.

I watched him, a shiver coursing through me because I was physically incapable of pretending his touch didn’t affect me.

“My engagement plans?” he asked, his throat bobbing as he spoke.

My eyes drifted to the movement before I swallowed. “Yeah.”

He leaned even closer, making a deliberate effort not to touch me.

Our bodies weren’t touching. But he was close. So close that the warmth radiating from him wrapped itself around me.

Alvise lowered his lips to my ear. “I’m already engaged,” he whispered.

The fluttering in my stomach died instantly, replaced by a sharp surge of anxious anger.

My entire mood crashed. Disappointment hit so hard it was impossible to ignore, leaving nothing but irritation simmering beneath my skin.

Alvise leaned back, a flicker of amusement flashing through his eyes as he took in the expression on my face.

So… Was this funny to him?

Fine. If he wanted to play games, I could too.

He started to straighten, but I wrapped my hands around his neck and pulled him back until our faces were inches apart again. He tensed immediately, every muscle across his shoulders tightening.

Confusion flickered across his eyes before disappearing just as quickly, but nothing stopped me.

Not even the hard look settling over his features.

I brushed my thumb behind his ear and brought my lips close enough to hover just above his.

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