Aria's contagious laughter filled the air as Ryan gently dropped her onto the plush bed, her body sinking into the softness, her ponytail hair spreading across the pillow.
Ryan dropped down beside her, while Samuel was left in the living room, surrounded by silence.
Aria gently raised herself from the bed like a ballerina unfolding from a delicate pose, Ryan quickly supported her, their faces inches apart, the air thickened, vibrating with unspoken emotions.
They looked at each other and time seemed to slow down, the world around them melting away, leaving only the two of them, suspended in a bubble of intimacy.
The only sound was their breathing, Aria's gaze was mesmerized by Ryan's dark eyes.
Ryan's gaze burned with intensity, his eyes drinking in every detail of her face, every curve, every contour.
Aria's heart beat began to beat faster, her pulse racing and pounding inside her chest like a drum, echoing through her entire being, resonating deep within her soul.
Ryan's intense eyes dropped to her lips, his gaze burning with desire, his focus was solely on the delicate curve of her mouth and the soft pink lips was inviting him.
Aria's own eyes indirectly moved from Ryan's eyes to his lips, her gaze drawn magnetically to the strong, sensual lines of his mouth, the slight curve of his upper lip. Their eyes met again and the connection was electric.
Aria's breathing quickened, her chest rising and falling with each rapid breath, Ryan's chest rose and fell with each labored breath, his lungs burning with longing.
Ryan's fingers twitched with his hands aching to hold her, to feel her warmth. He slightly raised his hand, each second heightening his desire and he brought it slowly to Aria's cheek, his fingertips grazing her skin, sending shivers coursing through her veins.
Their eyes remained locked and they dare not break the eye contact, Aria's skin tingled, her nerves coming alive with the sensation while her heart was skipping beats.
Ryan's hand finally cradled her face, his thumb tracing gentle patterns, stroking her skin with tender care. Ryan's touch ignited sparks within her, melting her fears, soothing her soul, filling her with tranquility.
Aria's lips parted allowing her breath to escape, a soft sigh whispering through the air. Ryan's gaze dropped to her parted mouth again, his eyes burning with desire, hungering for those lips.
The tension between them was almost unbearable, a living force pulsing with desire. Their bodies leaned in, drawn together by an unseen force and the space between them disappeared.
Aria's eyes fluttered closed, her lashes grazing her cheeks as she surrendered to the moment. The world around them melted as if dissolving into nothingness.
Ryan leaned in with his lips inches from Aria's, his warm breath dancing across her skin.
Their breathes fanning eachothers faces, Aria body sways closer to Ryan when the bedroom door suddenly swung open, shattering the intimacy.
"Ohh" Samuel exclaimed from the door, his voice was laced with surprise. Ryan and Aria flinched at the sound, their bodies and face jerking apart.
Aria's eyes snapped open and moved onto Samuel's grinning face.
Samuel stood frozen at the door but his eyes were sparkling with mischief. "Damn" Samuel said, chuckling and Ryan's face darkened, this motherfucker just shattered my chance. Aria's cheeks flushed red with her skin burning.
"Sorry to interrupt," Samuel said with his grin widening, and with a shake of his head, he closed the door behind him. "I brought Aria's walking stick," Samuel announced, walking into the room, the wooden stick held casually in his hand.
Ryan's gaze shifted from Samuel's face to the walking stick and Aria's eyes followed, her cheeks still flushed from the interrupted moment.
Ryan's brow furrowed, his eyes narrowing. "Samuel, timing is everything," Ryan said lowly but disappointment could be heard from his voice.
Aria's cheeks that was still flushed, smiled weakly to Samuel, "Thanks, Samuel," she said soft with genuine appreciation even though she didn't need the stick now, she just had to appreciate the gesture.
Samuel's grin turned sheepish as he handed Aria the walking stick, his eyebrows was raised in apology. "Sorry guys," he said, holding out the stick like a peace offering with his hand extending in a gesture of truce. His fingers released the stick slowly, as if he was reluctant to let it go.
"Guess I ruined the mood," he added with his voice laced with a hint of embarrassment. His eyes darted between Ryan and Aria, gauging their reactions.
"I should leave you guys to it," he said with awkwardness and his gaze shifted between them again, unsure where to settle.
He turned to leave but Aria's voice stopped him, "Hey, there's no need," she said softly, her words easing the tension.
Samuel grinned again and his shoulders relaxed before turning to face them with a sheepish expression, He had been bored in the living room, searching for something to capture his attention. The silence had become oppressive.
So he had used the walking stick to bring himself into the room, seeking company but he hadn't expected to see them almost kissing.
With Ryan's lips inches from Aria's,their eyes locked in a passionate gaze and the air thick with tension, Samuel had to clear his throat quickly and that break the silence. "Sorry again," Samuel muttered, walking to the wall and leaning on it. He let out a deep breath.
They all looked at each other and the awkwardness was like a thick fog waiting to be lifted.
"Sooooo," Aria dragged the word out, "Let's find something to play," she suggested, but was also daring them to accept.
"Before boredom kills us," she added like a drama queen and Ryan chuckled, the sound rumbling deep within his chest. "Sounds like a plan," Ryan said while Samuel pushed off the wall, with his arms extending above his head, and his back arching, as he stretched like a cat.
"But what are we to play with?" Samuel asked, with a sweep of his hand. "There's nothing here."
Aria's eyes scanned the room and ten, they landed on the bottle that was peeking out from the trash can. "Let's play Truth or Dare,"
Ryan's eyebrows rose slightly.
"Really?" Samuel asked and his eyes lit up with excitement."Oh, this should be interesting," he said, rubbing his hands together like an excited kid, who had being gifted a candy.
†††
"Rules are simple," Aria explained as they all settled on the floor, surrounded by the familiar comforts of the room.
Aria carefully sat on a plush pillow, Ryan had kept down for her. Aria's injured leg stretched out before her as Ryan and Samuel sat opposite her with crossed legs.
"Truth, you answer honestly," Samuel elaborated, his voice taking the center stage"No sugarcoating, be completely and brutally honest," Samuel emphasized with his eyes sparkling.
"Share your innermost thoughts, desires, and fears," As he clarified, he was gesturing it with some emotions on his face to make it feel real.
"And dare, oh my sweet dare," Samuel continued, a sly smile spreading across his face. "You do what's asked with no exceptions and no excuses," he warned.
"You must complete the dare, no matter how crazy, uncomfortable, or wild, it may seem," Samuel stressed and Aria chuckled.
"Samuel, you're making it sound so ominous," she teased but Samuel just grinned mischievously and he placed the bottle in the center.
"Let's get this game started," Samuel said thrilling and the sound of his voice sent shivers down their spines at what Samuel had planned
Samuel spun the bottle, the bottle rolling and rolling before it started to slow down.
The bottle slowly came to a stop and then, it finally settled, the neck of the bottle was pointing forward when "OH HELL NO!" Samuel exclaimed with dismay, his face contorting in a dramatic pout.
His eyes were widened in horror and his eyebrows shooting upward. "No, no, no! Why me?" Samuel lamented, his hands clasped together in mock desperation.
The room erupted in laughter with Aria giggling and Ryan soft chuckles "Looks like the universe wants you to go first, Samuel," Aria teased, because with all those lesson Samuel gave them before they started, she knew this won't end well.
"Damn this!" Samuel muttered, "This is karma, right?" he asked, glancing around the room with a puppy eye. Aria and Ryan laughed again and Samuel shot them both a mock glare.
"Truth or Dare?" Aria asked after her laughter had subdued into a gentle chuckle. Samuel looked at Ryan and Aria, searching for a hint of mercy or a glimmer of sympathy, he knew if he chooses dare they would literally give him his death, but the game was no good if he said truth, truth was boring.
He sighed as resigned to his fate with his shoulders sagging in defeat. He truly didn't want to go first. The thought of revealing a secret or performing a dare made his stomach twist into knots, so he would choose the easy one - Dare, haha you thought he was going for truth, hell no , he won't back down.
"Dare" Samuel said finally and Aria's smile widened, "Interesting choice," she said while Ryan leaned forward putting his elbows on his knees.
"Bold move" he murmured. The room fell silent, as they all looked at each other, waiting for Aria to dare Samuel.