Ariana’s POV
When his lips touched mine, it didn’t feel like a movie moment or something dramatic. It just felt… right. Familiar in a way I wasn’t prepared for. I didn’t overthink it for once. I didn’t pull back or second-guess. I kissed him back because I wanted to. Because I’d been wanting to.
His hands were warm on my waist, and mine slid up his chest on instinct. No hesitation, no trying to figure out what it meant. Just us. Finally not pretending there wasn’t something there.
I pulled back just enough to look at him. His breathing was uneven, his eyes searching mine like he was waiting for me to change my mind.
“Today,” I said quietly. “I’m done running from this.”
He swallowed, voice low. “Are you sure?”
“Yes,” I said without even thinking. “I want you.”
That was all it took.
