Chapter 0150

ARIA

"Aria, please," he whispers, his eyes pleading. "Don't deny it. I know you feel it too. The connection between us is real."

I try to speak, but my voice is trapped in my throat. I'm trapped, literally and figuratively. His body is inches from mine, his face so close I can feel his warm breath on my skin. I'm trying to process everything, but my mind is a jumbled mess.

The bet, the money, the kiss, his confession...it's all too much. "Noah, please," I whisper back, trying to sound firm but my voice comes out shaky. "Step back. Give me space. I..I can't breathe."

He remains still, his eyes locked on mine, he places his hand on my chin and lifts my head so he can look me dead in the eyes, "That's exactly what you do to me Aria, the thought of being away from you, the thought of having someone else touching you or even looking at you the way I do."

I feel my heart pounding so loud that I can hear it in my ear, "Tell me you don't feel it and I will take you back right this minute,"