Trouble in Paradise (Arianna and Nicholas) novel Chapter 545

"You were walking just fine earlier. But now, you're saying you can't move?" I muttered under my breath.

Nicholas glanced up at me. "What did you say?"

"Nothing," I sighed.

Since he'd already moved in, there was no way I could kick him out tonight.

Lowering my head, I picked up the bag from the floor and took a few steps toward the bed. Without caring whether the bag was clean or not, I tossed it onto the bed.

Nicholas' breath hitched, as if caught off guard by my actions. He stayed silent, saying nothing.

He shifted his leg slightly, trying to hook the bag with his foot. Every movement of his thigh set his muscles into motion, and the creases of his gray boxer brief deepened in shadow. All of a sudden, he turned back to his sexually attractive self.

After a few tries, he failed to pull the bag up. Instead, it fell apart, spilling clothes across the bed.

Nicholas' voice was filled with sadness as he said, "If you didn't want to bring it to me, you could've just said so. I wasn't forcing you. But throwing it onto the bed where I sleep? That's unnecessary."

Supporting his waist with one hand, he strained to grab a shirt. The effort made the scars on his forearm darken alongside the veins bulging on his skin.

"Just leave."

Nicholas didn't lift his head, his voice calm as he folded his clothes. Yet, it carried an undercurrent of endless sorrow.

He folded the shirt neatly before reaching for the tie. As he held it up to smooth it out, his arm revealed the tattoo of my face, staring back at me in perfect detail.

In that instant, all my muddled, fleeting thoughts vanished. I wanted to ask him something.

Nicholas' gaze deepened. In the reflection of his pupils, I saw myself awkwardly sprawled across the bed.

Apart from the light spilling in from the hallway, there was only the faint glow of a bedside lamp.

I wasn't sure whose breathing was more erratic—his or mine—but the temperature seemed to rise around us.

Though I was in loungewear, it didn't cover much more than regular clothes. My neckline was loose, and being in this position in front of him was utterly embarrassing.

"Nicholas!"

"Ariana."

Our names slipped out almost simultaneously. Mine was sharp with anger, but his was low and husky, carrying a dangerous allure.