Forbidden Attraction (Book 1)✔

♤Chapter 38♤

The night was slowly coming to an end. The day's been over for a while since it was almost 3 a.m. so obviously it wasn't my birthday anymore. These people like to go to extremes though, so here we are. The grown-ups had already left to go crash around 12:30, and some of our friends had already curled up in a corner as the rest of us tried to clean up some of the mess.

A couple minutes ago, I went to the bathroom, and on the way out, I happen to bump into Chris on my way out, and then I started talking.

"I don't think we should keep doing this," I told him. "My dad was suspicious and it's not really because of that, but when he brought it up, I felt so sick to my stomach. That's why I left the table this morning."

He nodded and stuffed his hands in his pockets. "The whole day, I had this guilt ripping at me every time I looked at my mom, or yours. That's why I was... a little harsher than usual. I could... control myself that way." He had a sheepish look on his face that made me smile. "But I didn't want to bring it up until tomorrow or something—after your birthday."

"It's been after my birthday for like three hours," I said, trying to lighten the mood. He cracked a small smile but kept his eyes lowered.

I reached out and took his hand gently, my fingers tickled his palm and his hand twitched.

"I just don't like hiding stuff like this from my parents, and I know my mom won't be very understanding about it, so I thought..."

He looked at me then and reached up to trail the side of my face gently with the tip of his index finger until he held my chin. "I know."

As I stared into his eyes, and his expression in the dimly lit hallway, there was a sinking feeling in my stomach. He didn't look hurt or heartbroken—he was actually fine. It's the tense bubble that we're smothered in that's making this harder than it needs to be.

"I'm sorry," I said softly. "I know I keep... doing this and-"

"Shhh." He shook his head and placed his hands on my hips. He pulled me closer before stepping back and moving his hands to hold my arms. His head dipped and he held my gaze and said, "Don't apologize. You don't need to because I was going to bring this up anyway."

I couldn't help that I was tearing up, and I don't know why. "This just- it isn't fair to-"

"Ari," he cut me off again. "Ba-" he paused, biting his lip.

My eyes went to his mouth and my memory started going AWOL with all the times I've kissed him. I fought everything in me not to pull him into the bathroom behind me.

"If I recall correctly, I'm always the one starting all our... sessions." His voice went deep on the last word and his eyes moved to my lips before he met my eyes again.

My body was hot, and I tried my hardest not to let that overwhelm me because I would not be accountable for my actions if anything drastic happens.

"Except the first one," I muttered, breaking eye contact. "Which started this whole thing."

He hummed and straightened himself. When I felt him straighten and move closer, I looked up at him. His arms went around my waist and my protest disintegrated as I stared at him with my mouth open and my mind focused on one thing.

"I'll never complain about that," he said lowly. One of his arms dropped from my waist and I felt him take my hand. Slowly, he lifted it to his lips and kissed the inside of my wrist. "It was the most exciting kiss I've had. Shame I won't be getting any more."