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    Chapter 0632novelbin


    Nichs'' abrupt change in demeanor startled me. His fierce, aggressive approach left me frozen.


    The moment his lips touched mine, a strange dizziness overtook me. My mind buzzed into a nk hum.


    He cupped my face in both hands, his forehead resting lightly against mine as he panted softly. "When will finally get you to open that mouth of yours?"


    Before I could respond, one of his hands slid down to my waist, caressing the soft curve. "Your whole body is soft, but this mouth of yours is hard as stone."


    I turned my face away, refusing to look at him. "That''s none of your business!


    "It is my business, Ariana. It''s my business for the rest of my life!"


    My mind buzzed inexplicably. The words ''for the rest of my life" were too heavy, too much.


    I stared straight at him. "I can take care of myself. I don''t need you. Take care of Tabitha instead."


    "Without you, what does she even mean to me?"


    His expression darkened in an instant. "There''s nothing great about having a child. Every time I think about how that little girl nearly cost you your life, I just...


    Before he could finish, I pointed at him and warned, "Don''t you dare say something like that. She''s your daughter!" Nichs grabbed my finger, bringing it to his lips for a gentle kiss. "Good thing she is. If she weren''t, and she hurt you like this, I''d...''


    I quickly covered his mouth with my hand, frowning. His words set off rm bells in my mind. If Nichs harbored such thoughts, would he neglect Tabitha''s treatment? What if he refused to shoulder his responsibilities as her father?


    I gazed at him, worry etched on my face.


    "Rx, I was just teasing you." A gentle kissnded on my furrowed brow. "As long as you''re here, even if it''s because of you, I''ll take care of Tabitha."


    "Nichs, if you can''t give Tabitha the love of a father, then you''re nothing to me." I wouldn''t hold back when it came to Tabitha. "Without her, there wouldn''t even be a shred of possibility between us."


    Nichs gripped my shoulders and gave me a firm shake. "Ariana, what do you mean by that?"


    His question caught me off guard. "I don''t get it."


    "You''re saying there''s still a chance for us?"


    My eyes widened in shock. How did he zero in on that? I shook my head quickly. "I didn''t say that!"


    I wasn''t ready. Giving up everything I had now to meld my heart with someone else''s uncertain sincerity was still too daunting. That step would be painful and difficult. For now, I just couldn''t.


    Before I could dwell on it further, my feet left the ground.


    Nichs lifted me high into the air and spun me around twice. His joy was barely contained, although his trembling breath gave him away when he set me down gently on the bed.


    "You don''t have to admit it. I heard you loud and clear, Ariana. You haven''t even realized it yourself, have you? You''re no longer resisting my touch."


    As he spoke, his lips brushed lightly against mine. "I''ll wait. However long it takes for you to say yes."


    I pressed my lips tightly together, afraid to utter another word that might betray me.


    Nichs chuckled softly. "You don''t need to say anything right now. Just don''t push me away. Leave the rest to me."


    As he leaned in for another kiss, I hastily ced a hand on his shoulder to stop him. My eyes trailed down his face andnded on his waistband.


    "Don''t you think you owe me an exnation first?"


    I had wanted to ask this earlier. How had this impably dressed man managed to create such indecent sounds when my back was turned?


    "Nichs Hawk, you tricked me again!"