CHAPTER 366
Logically, Arianna thought she should have been even thinner given everything she had been through.
What she didn't expect, however, was that her waist and stomach seemed to have grown slightly fuller.
Caught off guard by the discovery, she reached out and pinched her side, feeling the faint presence of soft flesh under her fingertips.
It left her puzzled.
Was this the result of Xander's grandmother's relentless mission to feed her well, or had she unknowingly put on weight because of how relaxed and content she felt around Xander?
While she mulled over it, Xander walked into the bedroom and immediately noticed her furrowed brows and contemplative expression. He crossed the room and gently brushed his fingertips across her forehead to smooth out the creases.
"What's on your mind?" he asked.
Arianna hesitated for a moment before sighing. "I think... I've gained some weight."
Like most women, Arianna was mindful of her figure, and the realization left her slightly unsettled.
"You've gained weight?" Xander's dark eyes flickered with curiosity as they instinctively dropped lower, settling on her chest. He smirked faintly.
"A little weight looks good on you."
Arianna blinked, momentarily dumbfounded, before rolling her eyes.
Typical.
Trying to discuss something serious about weight with a man was pointless!
They were never going to see eye to eye on this!
Arianna's cheeks flushed crimson as she crossed her arms over her chest, glaring at Xander.
"Stop staring there! I'm talking about my waist! My waist!"
Xander's lips curled into a devilish smirk, his dark eyes gleaming with mischief.
"Oy? Then let me see."
The words dripped with teasing intent, a clear indication that he was about to turn this into one of his playful, shameless games.
Knowing exactly where this was headed, Arianna tried to escape. She spun around to dart away, but Xander was faster. His strong arm looped around her waist, pulling her firmly back against his chest.
"Not so fast," he murmured, his deep, velvety voice sending shivers down her spine.
His lips brushed against her ear, his warm breath caressing her skin as his hand slid down to her waist. Slowly, teasingly, his fingers trailed over her sides, making her squirm and goosebumps erupt all over her body.
A soft chuckle rumbled in his chest as he whispered,
"You're right. There's a little more here."
Arianna's heart pounded as his touch grew bolder, his voice turning low and husky.
"But that just means we'll have to find a way to work it off together..."
Before she could even process his words, Xander scooped her up effortlessly into his arms. His dark eyes burned with unrestrained passion as he carried her toward the bed, his lips brushing against her temple.
"Starting now," he murmured, his tone laced with desire, as he laid her down on the soft sheets, caging her beneath him with a gaze that promised he wouldn't stop until they both lost track of time.
........
The next morning, Arianna woke up to the sound of a phone buzzing. She groggily reached for the device on the nightstand, her eyes still heavy.
As she looked at the screen, she realized this wasn't her phone; it belonged to Xander.
She almost set it back down without a thought, but then she noticed the name of the sender: Bunny-Harmony.
Her curiosity consumed her, bringing her to a halt. The message read:
Remember our special day! Looking forward to seeing you tonight.
She blinked a few times, wondering if her exhausted eyes were deceiving her. Perhaps the fog of sleep was messing with her perception.
Still, no matter how many times she looked at the message, the words didn’t change. Each one echoed in her thoughts, weighing down on her heart and making her feel uneasy.
Her earlier grogginess disappeared instantly, replaced by confusion and anxiety that kept her staring at the screen, her heart racing.
Special day?
What special day could it possibly be?
Arianna's mind raced as she tried to make sense of the message. Before she could dwell further, another notification popped up on the screen, breaking her thoughts.
This time, it wasn't a text but a scheduled reminder from Xander's calendar.
Her heart sank as her eyes fell on it.
If Xander had set a reminder, it had to be something important. Arianna's fingers tightened around the phone, her nails digging lightly into her palm.
After a brief moment of hesitation, she tapped on the notification to see more.
The calendar entry revealed nothing but a lone question mark in the remarks section.
Arianna frowned in frustration, her thoughts tangling together.
Xander had always claimed that his bond with Harmony was nothing more than a remnant of their childhood friendship a connection that had faded into casual acquaintance over the years.
Yet, the phrase "special day" felt far too suggestive, too personal to be insignificant.
The ambiguity gnawed at her, sending a flicker of doubt coursing through her.
Arianna knew Harmony well and understood how easily she could take her words at face value. Harmony had a talent for bending what she said, leading to all sorts of mix-ups, and it seemed like she thrived on the drama that followed. Given her track record of creating confusion and conflict, Arianna realized that she had to be cautious and think about anything Harmony claimed.
Arianna's ears perked up at the soft creak of the bedroom door as it opened, and she heard the sound of footsteps coming closer.
Out of the corner of her eye, she spotted Xander's tall, lean frame entering the room. Quickly, she placed his phone back where she found it and shifted, pretending she had only just woken up.
Xander walked over, his deep, dark eyes softening as they landed on her.
"Awake already? You could've slept a little longer," he said, his voice gentle but teasing.
Arianna stretched lazily, masking her tension with a light complaint.
"I've gotten used to waking up early," she murmured in a sleepy tone, adding with a playful pout,
"Besides, it's your fault I'm sore all over."
Her cheeks flushed as the memory of the previous night flashed in her mind. Xander smirked knowingly, his gaze darkening slightly.
"If that's the case, I'll take the blame," he replied, his voice low and rich with amusement.
Arianna groaned inwardly. The man's stamina truly knew no bounds.
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