THE DECISION
910 Words
CHAPTER 12: The DECISION
ARIA'S POV
“…What?”
“You heard me.”
I let out a short laugh. “You’re insane.”
"Well, lucky for you. I have two options for you. I'm being so f*****g generous." he replies.
“Option one,” he says, watching me closely. “You marry me.”
My breath catches.
“Option two…”
He steps closer.
Close enough that I have to tilt my head to look at him.
“You give me seventy days.”
I swallow hard, my heart pounding in my ears. "Seventy days of what?"
His gaze drops briefly to my lips, then back to my eyes.
“Of you,” he says.
Being generous, indeed.
“Yeah. Right. Option 3?”
Noah scoffs, turning toward the window indifferently. "Off you go, then. I am just feeling bad for your boy's life."
He knows he has me cornered.
"Fine." I grit out. "I'm listening."
He turns back around, a triumphant gleam in his eyes. Bastard.
He steps so close to me I can feel the heat off his chest.
"I want you available to me. Whenever and wherever," he says, his voice thick.
"In my bed, outside of it... you belong to me. For seventy days."
"Noah, are you out of your mind?!" I gasp, recoiling from him. "I am your best friend's ex!
"Don't ever call that fool my best friend," Noah snaps, his eyes filled with disgust.
“He is nothing but trash. Do you think I would've ever given him the time of day if I hadn't needed something from him?"
I stare at him. "So this is about some bad blood between you two? You want to use me to punish him?"
“Stop giving him so much credit." Noah dismisses, leaning down until his lips are a breath from my ears.
His voice had a low vibration against my skin. "I could destroy him in seconds if I wanted to. I've always—"
His gaze drops to my mouth. He tilts his head lower to mine.
I turn my face away, my heart thumping wildly.
"Whatever, I'm not interested," I say, pushing past him toward the door.
"Let me know when you change your mind," he calls, coolly, as my hand hits the doorknob.
I storm out, tears of frustration blurring my vision.
I stand in front of the door, glad that the space is isolated.
My hands tremble as I try to unlock my phone to order a ride.
Ring.
My phone lights up. It's Jeremiah's doctor.
"Aria." His voice is urgent. "How did the meeting go? We've just reviewed the latest results — the procedure needs to begin as soon as possible. We're running out of time."
I close my eyes feeling despair. “Yeah, yes. It is being sorted.”
"Good. Make arrangements with Mr. King for the necessary tests. I will talk to the hospital about that.”
“If everything moves quickly, I can arrive before the week ends."
"Of course, Doctor. Thank you so much. I'll update you."
We hung up. My mind is made up before I put the phone away.
My pride means nothing. My son needs to be fine.
I turn around and walk straight back into his office.
Noah is sitting behind his desk. A knowing smirk rests on his face.
I stand in front of him, my chin up faking composure. “You want to… do this with me,” I ask. “While… you’re seeing other women?”
“His lips curve slightly as he rises, his towering frame making the room small.
"You know I don't do relationships, princess."
"So I won't be doing anything with anyone else but you." His hands settle on my arms, tilting me gently toward him.
"When will you help with the surgery?" I demand wrenching myself from him. My skin burns where he held me.
He allows me to step back, his smirk widening as he watches my breathless state. "I can do it as soon as you agree. We can go to the hospital right now if you want."
"Fine."
"You are saying yes?" He asks, a dark, intensity flaring in his eyes.
“Your body,” He did a slow sweep. “your time will be mine. You will do everything I ask of you."
"I just said yes, didn't I?" I snap, my nerves taunt.
He steps closer again, trapping me against the desk. My heart hammers in my chest as I feel his chest pressing tightly against my back.
He leans down, his jaw brushing against my neck as his nose drifts just behind my ear, taking a slow, deep breath of the scent of my hair.
A shudder runs straight down my spine.
"Aria," he whispers, his deep baritone vibrating against my bare skin, sending a thrill through my entire body. "Just to be clear..."
"I will have you. Repeatedly. Hard, and whenever I want. You will be exactly where I want you."
I swallow the lump of fear and thrill in my throat.
Get a grip, Aria.
"Will I have time for my business? And... I want to be clear that I won't be doing what I don't like."
Noah lets out a dark chuckle. "You will love whatever I do to you, I can assure you of that."
He holds my arm lightly, guiding me toward the door.
"Now, princess. Let's go save your son."
- Writer
