Chapter 118
Charlotte’s face turned bright red in an instant. She looked away, flustered, trying to deny it.
“What–what are you even talking about? I would never say that…”
Sean raised an eyebrow, a slow smirk forming at the corner of his mouth.
“No?”
“Of course not! I mean… why would I say something like that in front of so many people…” Her voice got quieter with every word.
Damn. Something was starting to come back to her. Last night was a blur, but had she really said that?
“I was talking nonsense!” she blurted out.
Soft morning light filtered through the window, casting a golden glow across her blushing face.
Charlotte bit her lip, utterly embarrassed.
“You know I was drunk. I didn’t mean any of it. You’re not seriously holding a drunk person accountable, are you?”
Even she didn’t sound fully convinced. She muttered under her breath, “Technically, under the law, people who are intoxicated have diminished capacity to be held responsible for their actions…”
Sean let out a low laugh, his shoulders shaking.
“Oh? Quoting the law at me now?”
Of course, that wasn’t true, and she knew it. She was just grasping at straws.
Charlotte huffed and tried to wiggle out of his arms but Sean’s arms stayed firmly around her waist.
“Trying to run?” he teased. “Already forgetting how you were all over me last night? You think you can just tease me and walk away?”
He smelled faintly of her body wash–the kind she always used.
Before she could say anything, Sean kissed her.
His fingers slid through her hair, and their kiss deepened fast–urgent and hungry. It was like a summer storm, sudden and wild, or like a winter wind that swept through everything in its path. It was fierce and unstoppable.
“Lottie…” His voice was hoarse, his breath brushing hot against her ear. “Is it okay if I go further?”
The soft light of morning spilled through the windows, painting everything in warmth. Even the air felt hot.
Charlotte trembled slightly. She knew exactly what was about to happen.
And she wanted it.
She loved him. She wanted to get closer. She wanted all of him.
Outside, birds chirped from the trees. Everything felt like the beginning of something beautiful.
It was the perfect moming.
Just as things reached their most intimate moment, a loud ringtone shattered the silence.
It rang out sharply in the quiet room.
Sean’s eyes darkened with frustration. He was ready to ignore it.
But Charlotte, flustered, quickly wriggled out of his arms and backed away, cheeks burning.
“U–um… your phone. It’s ringing.”
Sean’s voice was low and thick with desire. “Why are you running like I’m gonna eat you?”
“You should answer that…” she mumbled, avoiding his gaze.
Sean picked up the phone. The heat in his expression slowly faded, replaced by his usual calm, cool demeanor.
The caller ID read: Vivian Xander.
What was she doing calling this early?
He was already annoyed. The timing couldn’t have been worse. His voice was clipped when he answered.
“What is it?”
Vivian’s excited voice care through the line.
Chapter 118
+25 Bonus
“Sean! I just saw the forecast. There’s going to be a meteor shower tomorrow night! Want to go watch it together? The best view is from the summit of North Ridge. Let’s hike up there tomorrow!”
Sean held the phone to his ear, but his eyes had already drifted to Charlotte, who was standing quietly nearby. His gaze softened.
A meteor shower?
That sounded like something Charlotte would love. She had been working so hard lately, and tomorrow was the weekend. Maybe a little break would do her good.
His voice stayed calm.
“Sure.”
And just like that, the intimate moment from earlier vanished without a trace.
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