A Love Forgotten (Arianna and Elijah)

Chapter 89

Logan didn't say anything. He just kept pressing on my neck with those skilled hands. I had to admit that his massage was working. The tension in my neck began to ease with every careful press. "Um... you don't need to keep going. It's fine now," I whispered, barely audible.

However, he didn't hear me. Focused and determined, Logan continued his slow, deliberate motions. I found myself glancing at the shadows cast on the wall.

His profile was strikingly handsome. The sunlight fell on his face, casting a soft silhouette on the wall, sharp and clean, like a work of art. Even the stray strands of his hair fell in perfect arcs.

I lifted my head slightly, watching as the shadow of my own face nestled under his chin. The image before me felt peaceful, almost too perfect.

My heart warmed, a sweetness spreading inside me, as if I had gone back to being 18 again, carefree full of hope.

For a brief moment, I let myself imagine. What if the first man I'd been drawn to was Logan? A soft, kind man like him could never hurt me. I could love him without regret, without fear.

If he had been the one... maybe I wouldn't have suffered so much in love. Maybe I wouldn't have lost so many battles.

I was so lost in thought, watching our shadows, that I didn't realize his hand had stilled on my neck. Then, suddenly, his face was right in front of mine.

"Uh..." I stammered.

Logan's hand steadied me, his glasses reflecting the soft light as he gazed at me in silence. He held my breath, unable to tear my eyes away from his.

Dust motes swirled in the beams of light filtering through the window, drifting lazily around him. The sunlight illuminated his well-defined features, lingering on his lips that always seemed to carry a gentle smile, unlike Elijah's cold, tight-lipped expression. Logan's lips looked warm, like they held laughter just waiting to be shared. He stared at me for what felt like forever, then a slow smile tugged at the corners of his mouth.

"Wh- why are you smiling?" I asked, my eyes darting away nervously.

Logan brushed a stray lock of hair behind my ear, his voice soft as he said, "I'm not laughing at you. I just think you're adorable, Ari."

I blinked in disbelief. "Adorable? Me?"

He nodded. "Yes. You're very adorable."

always get into trou

1 ducked my head, embarrassed. "I'm not adorable. I'm stubborn. I always get into trouble."

"And you blush very easily," Logan teased, tilting my chin up to meet his gaze, his eyes glinting with

amusement

"I-I do not..." I mumbled, feeling the heat rise to my cheeks. But before I could say more, his lips were on

mine.

My mind went blank, a soft buzzing in my ears as my heart raced in my chest. Time seemed to stretch, and I was only aware of his warmth and presence. It wasn't until he slowly pulled away that I realized I'd been holding my breath. "Wait, no, th-that wasn't supposed to happen..." I stuttered, tripping over my words,

Logan's eyes danced with silent laughter, watching me flustered and confused. I shot to my feet, nearly knocking over my chair in my rush to leave.

"Lum, I need to go back to my room," I blurted out, backing away.

But before I could make it very far, Logan grabbed my wrist and gently pulled me back into his arms. I froze, my mind going blank again as I found myself pressed against his chest, his strong arms wrapped around me.

He leaned down, his breath warm against my skin. His eyes locked onto mine, the closeness making my pulse race.

"Why are you running away?" he whispered.

I didn't have an answer. All I could focus on was how close we were, how overwhelming it all felt. My heart pounded in my chest, and a strange, unfamiliar feeling flooded through me-something like the flutter of a first love, something I hadn't felt in a long time. Without thinking, I buried my face in his chest, hiding from the intensity of his gaze. I heard him chuckle softly, the sound vibrating through his chest.

We stood there in silence for a while, holding each other, until I finally stepped back, breaking the embrace.

Logan studied my face, flushed and red from the overwhelming emotions of the moment. His voice was gentle when he spoke.

"Don't worry. I won't touch you until you've figured things out for yourself."

I mumbled something under my breath, but the words were so quiet that Logan couldn't hear them.