Chapter 19. Almost

Watching Aries’s face inch closer to mine sparked a feeling I couldn’t even begin to describe. All the fear, doubt, and confusion I had been carrying melted away the moment he stepped into the room. Just a few words from him, and I believed—really believed—that everything would be okay. That he’d stand by me. So I didn’t move away. Instead, my grip on his arm tightened, bracing myself for what was about to happen.

Without realizing it, I closed my eyes, my heart racing in sync with his. As someone who had never kissed anyone before, I should have been nervous, but I wasn’t. I knew he’d guide me. I could already feel his breath mingling with mine. His heartbeat thundered, fast and intense.

Then, just when our lips were about to meet-bam! The door flew open.

We immediately jolted apart, each moving to our own side of the couch like guilty teenagers caught in the act.

“Rex!!!” came a voice I’d recognize even in my sleep. Julian.

I sighed and looked a