Page 57 of I Shouldn't Feel This Way

“Let’s just go, it’s not even worth it,” I reasoned.

That idiot had an entourage of morons sitting next to him. Noah would be unfairly outnumbered if a brawl broke out.

“Noah,” I said, refusing to leave. But he wouldn’t budge, despite my efforts to tug him back. It certainly didn’t help when those other guys kept antagonizing him.

“Why don’t you leave your lame boyfriend and chill with us? We’ll show you a good time, cutie. I’m big enough for it.” Mohawk man groped his crotch and winked at me.

“She’s my daughter, you fuckface!”

No, Noah, no! Just let it be,I groaned in my head.

“Oooooh, snaps … day-um!Maybe you should pimp her out, bro. I’d pay top dollar for that.”

I stepped in front of Noah and forced him back before he started throwing punches.

“Please don’t make a scene here,” I said, lowering my voice. “They could have guns and knives for all we know.”

“They deserve to be castrated,” he replied in a taciturn tone.

“Come on, let’s go.” I turned around and addressed the pervs. “It’s been fun, guys. Bye!” That was sarcasm, of course.

Miraculously, Noah finally followed me, walking away from a potentially dangerous situation. Those assholes kept cursing and sexually harassing me, while I prayed that Noah wouldn’t change his mind.

Relief rushed through my veins when we got far enough away from the gang of losers. This was the second time we’d been mistaken for a dating couple. It didn’t bother me, though. I felt a little flattered by it.

There was a long silence between us, which kind of worried me.

“Are you all right?” I asked.

“Just keep walking.” His warm tone had turned ice-cold and borderline scary.

Probably because he was trying his best not to lose his temper.

We eventually stopped by a guard rail, and I observed him as he looked out on the water.

“I’m sorry I get so temperamental.” He sighed.

“It’s okay,” I muttered, resting my elbows against the cold steel.

“I can’t stand the idea of anyone looking at you as if you’re a sex object.”

His confession made me blush, not because I didn’t know that I was a walking sex symbol, but becauseherecognized it.

“You can’t control the way people think,” I answered.

Noah gave me a peculiar look and then half smiled. “No, but I can control how you dress. Perhaps a more modest selection of casual wear next time?”

My jaw dropped. “You’re kidding me, right? Look around you. I’m not dressed in a skimpy bikini. A crop top and shorts is a reasonable choice when the temperature is this hot.” I folded my arms defensively.

His eyes cascaded down to my bare stomach.

“Maybe next time”—he stepped forward and pressed his palm against my tummy—“you should cover up this flawlessness.”

My breath caught, and my skin heated up. The way he said those words sounded incredibly hot. It was wrong of me to even think he was trying to sound sexy on purpose. A sweltering seduction was radiating from his eyes, consuming me. He moved his hand away from my stomach and pulled me into a hug.

“I love you, Aria.”

His voice was like music to my ears. He was always telling me that he loved me, yet I never had the courage to say it back.

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