Dead at Heart (Ariel and Jayson) novel Chapter 739

Ariel was caught off guard as Jayson pulled her close.

Her body pressed against his chest. She could feel his searing heat and the gradually steadying beat of his heart.

"You were awake?" She tried to sit up, but Jayson wouldn't let go. When she spoke, his grip on her shoulder tightened even more.

Brushing his cheek against hers, he replied softly, "No, I only woke up when I felt your presence."

Upon hearing his hoarse voice, Ariel realized just how bad he must be feeling. His warmth alone was almost overwhelming.

"Georgia said you were in bad shape. Eat the oatmeal, take your medicine, and then go back to sleep."

Being held like this, Ariel couldn't move at all. Lying against him so closely stirred a strange mix of feelings in her.

Jayson remained silent, making no move to let her go.

"Jayson?" she called softly.

He still didn't respond.

Ariel pushed against his chest again, trying to free herself. "Jayson, don't play dead."

Finally, he nuzzled against her neck and replied, "I'm just pretending to sleep. We're still in love in my dream."

Ariel was rendered speechless. He was being unreasonable here.

"Come on, eat first," she said firmly. Even sick, he still had to eat.

Jayson reluctantly loosened his grip and sat up, glancing at the bowl of oatmeal. "Georgia still called you over."

Ariel tested the edge of the bowl for warmth before handing it to him. "Has the doctor come by?"

He didn't take it. "Yeah. It's nothing serious. As you can see, I haven't eaten since yesterday, so my hands feel weak."

"So?"

Leaning back on the pillow, he murmured, "Thank you in advance, Ms. Walker."

Ariel caught the meaning in his words. With a face so noble and refined, he was asking her to feed him.

Ariel just watched quietly as he acted stubborn. "I can see you're fine. Your body's weak, but your mind's still sharp."

After clearing his throat, Jayson leaned back against the pillow and looked at her. "Are you still mad at me? And what do you think of me? Before and now."

Ariel looked up. "In what way?"

"Every way. How you see me."

She answered honestly, "You're meticulous but cold, and your inconsistency always left me stuck in the middle."

"You mean the two years we drifted apart, or after Nancy came into the picture?"

Ariel frowned. "One's the silent treatment, the other's cheating. Which do you think is acceptable?"

Jayson placed the bowl on the bedside table. "The silent treatment was my fault. I thought you didn't love me, that your heart was set on Lucas, so I tried to make room for him."

"Did you ever ask me first?" she shot back.

He had no way of knowing her thoughts.

Jayson admitted that. "I was stubborn back then, clinging to my pride and refusing to bow my head, and it ended up making you suffer."