MR BILLIONAIRE'S REGRET: CHASING HIS IRRESISTIBLE WIFE
Wet dream and nightmare.

(ARIELLE'S POV)

I froze in place, hands instinctively flying to cover my mouth as if that would somehow undo what just happened. My eyes squeezed shut for a moment, though the damage was already done.

My mind went blank, like an error screen flashing in my head. My body froze, but my face? That betrayed me entirely, heating up faster than I could regain control.

Jared looked just as startled as I felt. His hands flew to cover himself, his face a mix of shock and frustration as he avoided meeting my gaze.

"I was just trying to ask... if you were going to use the hot tub first. If not, then I-" He stuttered, his words tripping over themselves like his brain couldn't quite catch up. He blinked rapidly, flustered. "Why did you come in?" My face burned with embarrassment, and my words refused to cooperate.

"I-uh-sorry! I didn't know!" I stammered, spinning on my heels so fast I nearly tripped.

What was I supposed to say? That I'd been so distracted on a Facetime call with Dwayne-a friend who defied explanation-that I hadn't paid attention to Jared's question?

I ducked my head, fumbling for an escape.

"Uh... maybe we can postpone this conversation until you're, um, done?" I managed, my voice pitched higher than normal. "I... uh... have something to take care of right now anyway."

Without waiting for a response, I turned and fled the room, my cheeks burning so hot I could practically feel the heat radiating off me.

As soon as I was out of earshot, I exhaled heavily, leaning against the wall. The memory of what I'd just witnessed replayed itself on a loop in my mind, vivid and entirely unhelpful.

Why the hell was I suddenly so bothered?

It wasn't like I hadn't seen him like that before. We used to share everything, even moments like this, back when things were good between us. But this? It felt... different. Like seeing him for the first time all over again.

I pressed my lips together, suppressing a nervous grin, and hurriedly grabbed my phone. Scrolling to Dwayne's contact, I quickly typed out a message:

"Sorry for the sudden interruption! I'll make it up to you later this evening. Promise."

I hit send, my pulse still racing.

Barely a second later, my phone buzzed with his reply. I checked it, half-expecting a teasing quip, and smiled to myself. It was almost as if Dwayne had been waiting for my message.

Still, I set my phone aside and made my way to the living room. I needed to wait for Jared to finish up before I could even think about the hot tub-or anything else for that matter.

********

The sheets clung to me, damp and twisted, as I drifted into a strange, vivid dream. A man stood before me. His silhouette, sculpted and powerful, moved closer, directly sent a thrill straight to my core.

My breath hitched as his fingers brushed the belt of my robe, tugging it loose with agonizing care.

His touch followed. Warm, rough, and electrifying. His palm skimmed my collarbone, igniting a trail of fire down my skin. His breath was hot against my neck, and when he finally spoke, his deep voice sent shivers through me. "You feel this, don't you?" he murmured, his words more command than question.

I couldn't respond. I didn't even see his face, yet everything about him felt achingly familiar. My body answered for me, arching toward him, craving more.

His lips found the hollow of my throat, soft and firm, teasing and reverent all at once. I blushed as his gaze swept over me.

Instinctively, I moved to cover myself, but he gently caught my hands and pinned them away.

"Don't hide from me," he whispered. "You're stunning."

His hands traced the curve of my hips with a possessiveness that made my heart race. The world blurred around us until there was

nothing left but the press of his body

and the heat of his touch.

I reached for him, my hands replaceing the solid expanse of his shoulders, the ripple of muscle beneath my fingers.

He was a strength incarnate, yet he melted under my touch, responding to every gasp and sigh that escaped my lips. "Say my name," he whispered, the words searing into me.

But I couldn't. I opened my mouth, only to release a soft moan instead.

I tilted my head back, exposing my neck to him.

I wanted more.

He growled low in his throat, and then his lips were on mine, claiming, devouring.

His kiss was wild, untamed, and I drowned in it, lost in the way he made me feel like I was the only thing that mattered.

It was too much, and yet not enough. I clung to him, desperate to hold onto the moment, to savor the way he made me feel alive. "Why can't I see your face clearly?" I was about to ask.

But just then, he brushed his lips against my taut, cherry-red nipple, silencing my question with an unexpected action.

I moaned as a rush of incredible pleasure flooded my lower stomach.

"Ughnn..!" couldn't help but hissed

when his teeth caught my nipple He roughly squeezed my other breast with his large hand, pinching that nipple each time he dragged the one in his mouth with his teeth

His low groan after nibbling my nipples nibbled and then the way he sucked it like a baby. A gasp escaped me as heat flooded my core, sharp and overwhelming.

And just as everything reached a crescendo, the dream began to dissolve. His touch faded, his presence slipping away like mist in the morning sun.

I woke with a start, my heart pounding erratically. My skin burned, and the sheets tangled around me were damp with sweat.

"What the hell..." I whispered, pressing a hand to my flushed face.

My pulse raced as I tried to shake off the lingering sensations. Why on earth would I dream something like that? With a man I even couldn't see his face clearly?! Before I could dwell further, a soft knock sounded at the door, making me jump.

"Arielle?" Jared's voice carried through, low and groggy, as if he hadn't slept much either.

"Yes?" My voice came out cracked, and I quickly cleared my throat before trying again. "What's wrong?"

I opened the door to replace Jared standing there, his hair mussed, and Maverick clinging to his side.

"It's Maverick," Jared said, his tone softer now. "He had a bad dream. I thought he might sleep better with you tonight. Is that okay?"

I sobered instantly at the sight of Maverick's tearful face. The kidnap trauma must still be haunting him.

"Of course, come here, baby," I said gently, scooping him into my arms. I rubbed his back in soothing circles. "It's okay, sweetie. It's just a dream. You're safe now."

Jared sighed, his gaze lingering on me. "Are you okay, Arielle? Your face is... red. Are you running a fever?"

"What?" I blinked, heat rushing back to my cheeks as the memory of the dream blindsided me. "I'm fine!" I stammered, too quickly. "Just... tired. Go back to bed."

Without waiting for a reply, I shut the door, pressing my back against it as my heart hammered in my chest.