CHAPTER 54

ZAYN CARTER

Ari was freezing.

Her skin was ice cold against me, and I didn't like it. Her damp clothes weren't helping either. Every breath she took was soft, shallow, like she was barely awake, and her fingers were still curled into my hoodie, holding on.

I exhaled sharply. "Jen, turn the heater on."

Jenni glanced at me through the rearview mirror, brow raised. "Oh? You actually sound concerned."

I didn't have the patience for her sarcasm. "Now, Jenni."

She rolled her eyes but turned the heater up, and the warm air immediately filled the car. It wasn't enough, though.

Ari needed more.

Without thinking twice, I reached for the spare towel I had tossed in the car earlier—just in case. Guess my instincts were right. I unfolded it and draped it over both of us, making sure Ari was fully covered.

She let out a small sigh, shifting slightly.

Closer.

Her damp hair tickled my neck, and her body pressed against mine.

Fuck.

I swallowed, trying to ignore it. I wasn't about to think of that when she was barely conscious.

The car bumped over a small hump in the road—

And Ari nearly flew off my lap.

I reacted instantly, grabbing her waist and pulling her back against me.

And that's when I felt it.

The warmth of her thighs against mine.

The way her body settled against me, molding perfectly.

The softness of her skin beneath my fingers.

And—

Fuck.

No.

I clenched my jaw, forcing myself to not focus on the heat pooling in my stomach. This was not the time.

I was not going to let my body betray me right now.

But the problem was...

She was still on my lap.

Still curled up against me.

Still unintentionally pressing into places she shouldn't be.

I breathed in slowly. Out even slower.

"Don't fucking think about it, Zayn."

Easier said than done.

I kept my grip firm on her waist, steadying both of us until the car evened out again. Ari didn't react much—just made a small noise of discomfort before shifting again.

More heat.

More contact.

I nearly cursed out loud.

I needed to get home.

Now.

─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ───

By the time we reached the apartment complex, Jenni had barely put the car in park before I was already moving. Ari was still curled against me, her body limp, completely drained from exhaustion and the cold. I adjusted my hold on her, pushing the car door open and stepping into the lobby, where our parents were waiting.

Nicole's eyes widened the second she saw Ari in my arms. "What happened?" she demanded, her voice sharp with concern.

"She sprained her ankle," Jenni answered, shutting the car door behind her. "And she was caught in the rain. She was already exhausted, so—"

"She needs to rest," Nicole cut her off, her motherly instincts kicking in immediately. "Take her up. I'll get some warm clothes for her."

Michelle wasn't here. She was still away on her business trip. That much was clear from the way Nicole was already handling everything, like she had taken Ari under her care.

I didn't argue. I just stepped into the elevator with Ari still in my arms. The doors slid shut, and the hum of the elevator filled the silence.

Her head rested against my chest now, her damp hair brushing against my jaw. Her breathing was soft, steady, almost delicate. If I didn't know better, I'd think she was just sleeping peacefully. But I knew better. She was freezing. She was in pain. She was exhausted.

The elevator doors opened to my apartment floor, and I carried her inside. Nicole followed behind, already moving ahead to grab some clothes.

I brought Ari straight to my bed, carefully laying her down. She barely stirred, just a slight shift as I moved some wet strands of hair away from her face.

"She'll be okay," Nicole reassured me, setting some dry clothes beside her. "I'll take care of her. You should change too—you're soaked."

I didn't respond immediately. My eyes stayed locked on Ari.

She looked... small. Small and vulnerable in a way I wasn't used to seeing her. She was always full of life, full of attitude. But right now? She looked fragile. And I fucking hated that.

My fingers twitched at my side before I finally forced myself to turn away, exhaling sharply.

Yeah. I needed a fucking shower.