CHAPTER 44

ZAYN CARTER

The next day

The knocking on the door was loud and aggressive, like the person on the other side was ready to break in. Jenni groaned from the couch, throwing her head back.

"I swear, if it's some annoying neighbor—" she muttered, stomping toward the door and yanking it open.

She barely had time to react before Ari stormed inside, barefoot, her oversized white T-shirt hanging loosely off one shoulder, exposing smooth skin. Her pink pajama shorts were barely visible under the fabric, and her hair was a complete mess, like she had just rolled out of bed.

She looked like chaos itself—sexy, sleepy chaos.

"You," she said, pointing at me like I committed a crime.

I barely had time to smirk before she stomped right up to me, her bare legs brushing against mine as I sat lazily on the couch.

"Morning to you too, sweetheart," I drawled.

"Where is it?"

I tilted my head, letting my eyes roam over her—messy hair, oversized shirt, pouty lips.

Damn. She was dangerously cute like this.

"Where's what?" I teased, knowing exactly what she was talking about.

She let out a frustrated groan and placed both hands on her hips. "The picture, Carter. You said you'd send it last night."

Lily, who was sitting cross-legged on the floor, giggled. "Ari, you look funny."

Ari briefly glanced at her before turning back to me, narrowing her eyes.

"You're lying," she accused.

I smirked. "Am I?"

Her patience snapped. Without warning, she lunged at me.

I barely dodged, pushing off the couch just as she made a grab for my phone. She chased me across the living room, her movements sharp and quick—damn, she really was a martial artist.

"Give it to me, Zayn!"

"Nope."

She was fast, but I had years of avoiding tackles from guys twice my size. I dodged left, she followed instantly. I jumped over the couch, she nearly grabbed my hoodie.

Lily clapped excitedly. "Get him, Ari!"

"Oh, you're enjoying this, aren't you?" I shot her a look before dodging another attack.

Ari's eyes gleamed with something wicked before she faked a step right and twisted mid-air, kicking off the couch. Her body moved like she was made for this—fast, controlled, dangerous.

She grabbed my wrist, yanked me forward, and suddenly I was falling.

I hit the floor with a grunt, but before I could react, Ari landed right on top of me, her thighs straddling my waist, her breath slightly uneven from the chase.

"Holy shit," Jenni muttered from the side. "Well, this escalated."

I barely heard her. My focus was on Ari, who was still pinning me down, her hands braced against my chest.

Her loose shirt had slid up slightly, revealing the soft skin of her thigh, and my hands instinctively found their way there, fingers grazing over her warm skin.

Ari stiffened slightly, her breath hitching, but she didn't move away. If anything, she only pressed down harder, using my chest to steady herself.

"You're sending me that picture. Now," she ordered.

I smirked, my thumb brushing over the curve of her waist. "And if I don't?"

Her eyes darkened slightly, and for a split second, the tension shifted. Her fingers pressed into my chest, nails lightly digging through the fabric of my shirt.

"I'll make your life a living hell," she said, voice lower.

I exhaled slowly, my grip on her tightening slightly.

"You already do, sweetheart," I murmured.

She must've realized how close we were because her lips parted slightly, her breathing uneven.

Lily's small voice broke the moment. "Ari, are you and Zayn playing wrestling?"

Ari's entire body went stiff.

I chuckled, slowly letting my hands fall away, even though I kind of wanted to keep them there. She scrambled off me, grabbing a pillow and chucking it at my face.

"Just send the damn picture," she muttered, crossing her arms.

Still grinning, I pulled out my phone and sent it, watching as her phone buzzed on the coffee table. She checked, nodded, and huffed.

"See? That wasn't so hard, was it?"

I stretched lazily, still smirking. "You know, Calloway, for someone who fights like a demon, you sure look cute in pajamas."

Her face went red before she grabbed another pillow and threw it even harder.