ARIANA'S POV
The kiss wasn't as soft and tentative as the last time. Instead, it felt raw and desperate, as if he was trying to kiss away every ounce of guilt I was feeling, every tear I'd shed, and every cruel word that had been thrown at me.
I froze for a moment, stunned by the intensity of it. But then my eyes fluttered close as my body responded. My free hand reached up to grip his shirt, pulling him closer to me.
His lips moved against mine—slow and deliberate—and I parted my mouth for him to fully explore. It felt like he was pouring everything he couldn't say into that kiss and I savored every bit of it.
He tasted like whiskey, and it was evidence that he'd been drinking, probably because of everything that had been going on.
When he finally pulled back, his forehead rested aga
