Chapter 46
Chapter 46
ARIA’S POV
I woke up with a start.
For a second, I didn’t even know where I was. My mind was still foggy, my body heavy from sleep, my thoughts tangled in fragments of last night, the rink, the cold air, Julian’s arms around me…
My eyes snapped open.
“Shit.”
I shot up from the bed so fast my head spun. Sunlight flooded the room, way too bright, way too high in the sky for it to be morning.
“No, no, no…” I scrambled off the bed, nearly tripping over my own feet as I rushed to get ready. My heart was racing, panic already setting in.
I didn’t even check the time.
I just moved.
Brushed my teeth in record time, pulled on the first decent outfit I could find, grabbed my bag, my mind running through everything I was going to miss.
Lectures. Notes. Time I couldn’t afford to lose.
By the time I rushed out into the living room, breathing slightly uneven, I froze.
Julian was sitting there.
Casual. Relaxed. Like he didn’t have a care in the world. One arm draped over the couch, his posture lazy, his expression… calm.
Too calm.
My brows furrowed. “Why didn’t you wake me up?” I demanded, already reaching for my shoes.
His eyes lifted to me slowly, like he had all the time in the world. “Because,” he said, voice even, “it’s past noon.”
I paused.
“…What?”
“Too late for school.”
My stomach dropped. I quickly pulled out my phone, my heart pounding as I checked the time.
11:44 Thu, May 14 d
Chapter 46
12:47 PM.
My breath hitched. “You’ve got to be kidding me.”
I looked back at him sharply. “Julian, why didn’t you wake me up?”
He didn’t even flinch. Didn’t look guilty. Didn’t look apologetic.
“I let you sleep in.”
That was it.
That was all he said.
And something in me snapped. “You let me…” I cut myself off, shaking my head in disbelief. “You knew I had classes. You knew I had things to do.”
“They weren’t important,” he replied simply.
That did it.
“Not important?” I echoed, my voice rising. “Julian, my exams are coming up. I can’t just miss classes because you decided I needed sleep!”
His expression didn’t change. Not even a little. “You needed it.”
“That’s not your decision to make!” I shot back immediately. “You don’t get to control my schedule like that!”
Silence.
Then, calmly, “Your schedule changed.”
I stared at him. “Excuse me?”
He stood up slowly, completely unbothered by my anger. “You’re coming with me.”
My brows pulled together. “No, I’m not.”
“Yes, you are.”
A short, incredulous laugh left me. “I don’t care where you’re going, Julian. I’m not missing school for it.”
“You are.”
“I said no.” My voice was firm now. Final. “I don’t care about whatever plan you have. My priority is my
exams.”
“I don’t care,” he said, just as easily.
That stunned me.
11:44 Thu, May 14 d
Chapter 46
“What?”
“I said I don’t care,” he repeated, stepping closer. “You’re coming with me.”
My chest tightened. “Why?”
He studied me for a second before answering. “My father is hosting a banquet tonight.”
I blinked. “…And?”
“And you’re coming as my plus one.”
For a second, I just stared at him. Then I laughed. “You’re joking.”
“I’m not.”
I shook my head immediately. “No. Absolutely not.”
His gaze sharpened slightly. “You don’t have a choice.”
“Oh, I do,” I shot back. “And I’m choosing not to go.”
Silence stretched between us. Tense. Thick. Then he moved. Before I could react, his hands were on me, lifting me clean off the ground.
“Julian…!” I yelped, my eyes widening as I struggled against him. “Put me down!”
“Stop fighting,” he said calmly, already heading for the door.
LL
“I’m serious! Put me down right now!” I hit his shoulder, trying to get free, but it was useless. He didn’t even slow down.
The next thing I knew, I was in the car. And I was furious.
“This is insane!” I snapped as he started the engine. “You can’t just kidnap me because you want a date to some stupid banquet!”
“It’s not kidnapping,” he said smoothly. “You’re coming willingly.”
“I am not…” My words were cut off when he suddenly leaned in and kissed me. I froze. Completely caught off guard.
It was quick. Firm. Enough to shut me up instantly.
When he pulled back, his expression was calm. “That’s one.”
My brows furrowed. “…What?”
“Every time you complain,” he said casually, pulling out onto the road, “I kiss you.”
I stared at him in disbelief. “You’re joking.”
11:44 Thu, May 14 d
Chapter 46
“Try me.”
I huffed, crossing my arms. “You’re unbelievable.”
He glanced at me briefly. “Two.”
77
155 vouchers
Before I could react, he leaned in again, capturing my lips mid-sentence. My eyes widened, my body stiffening for a second before he pulled back like nothing happened.
“Julian!” I snapped, pushing at his shoulder. “Focus on the road!”
“Then stop complaining.”
I grumbled under my breath, turning away from him. “This is so stupid…”
He reached over again.
“Don’t you dare…” Too late.
“Three.”
This time, I shoved him back harder, my heart racing. “Are you insane? We’re literally on the highway!”
A low chuckle left him, but he didn’t try again. “Then behave.”
I glared at him, breathing slightly uneven. But after that… I stayed quiet. Not because I wasn’t angry.
But because I didn’t trust him not to actually keep doing it.
The rest of the drive passed in tense silence.
By the time we pulled up in front of a boutique, I didn’t even wait for him to open the door. I stepped out immediately, still annoyed, still fuming.
“You’re impossible,” I muttered.
He only smirked, leaning casually against the car. “Go pick something.”
I rolled my eyes but walked in anyway.
The boutique was… beautiful. Dresses lined the walls, elegant, expensive, way out of my usual range.
For a moment, despite everything, I found myself drawn in. My fingers brushed lightly over the fabric of a dress that caught my eye.
Soft. Simple. Stunning. I lifted it slightly, studying it. “It would look nice on you,” a voice said from behind
I turned. And immediately wished I hadn’t. One of Serena’s girls.
She stood there with that same look, judgmental, smug, like she had already decided something about me
୦
11:45 Thu, May 14 d
Chapter 46
before I even spoke.
My grip on the dress tightened slightly. Of course.
Just when I thought this day couldn’t get any worse.
AD
Comment
Send gift
No Ads
3.77
11:45 Thu, May 14 d.
Cedella is a passionate storyteller known for her bold romantic and spicy novels that keep readers hooked from the very first chapter. With a flair for crafting emotionally intense plots and unforgettable characters, she blends love, desire, and drama into every story she writes. Cedella’s storytelling style is immersive and addictive—perfect for fans of heated romances and heart-pounding twists.

Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: The Hockey Roommate's Filthy Desire