Sophia's heartbeat echoed loudly in the silence.
Thump.
Thump.
Pounding against her ribcage.
Ethan's gaze burned with intensity.
As if he wanted to devour her whole.
She wasn't immune to his allure.
But her past had left her heart in shattered pieces.
The day she married into the Winston family, she thought she'd found happiness.
Only to lose everything.
Ethan was different.
They had faced life and death together.
Tried to stay apart.
Yet fate kept pulling them back.
"Miss Sullivan, love is always a gamble."
Ethan knelt on one knee, devotion shining in his eyes.
"But I swear, you'll never lose with me."
From the moment they met, he had held nothing back.
The serpentine necklace.
The black gold card.
Even his life.
He would give it all to her.
Sophia gazed into his dark, fathomless eyes.
Moonlight spilled through the window, mingling with neon lights.
She leaned down, tilting his chin up with her fingertips.
"Okay."
Their lips met in a featherlight kiss.
Soft, but filled with promise.
Ethan's pupils dilated.
Joy surged through him.
He cupped the back of her head, deepening the kiss.
"I'll never let you go."
His voice was rough with possessiveness.
Their breaths tangled, the air between them growing hot.
Ethan's mouth trailed lower.
Brushing against the delicate column of her throat.
"You—"
Sophia shivered as his warm breath ghosted over her skin.
In the window's reflection, her cheeks flushed pink.
Marked by his touch.
"Don't regret this, Mr. Sullivan."
Her words came out breathless.
Fireworks exploded outside.
Their brilliant light illuminated the entwined couple.
Ethan kissed her with reverence.
Like a devoted worshiper.
Heartbeats synced.
Breaths merged.
He drank her in, greedy for more.
......
The Ferris wheel came to a gentle stop.
Ethan kept her hand firmly in his.
"What a perfect match!"
The attendant beamed at them.
"Come back anytime. This place is made for lovers."
Ethan gave a slight nod.
The corner of his mouth curled imperceptibly.
"Thank you. My girlfriend loved it."
Sophia shot him an exasperated look.
Since when had he become so childish?
They walked side by side along the lakeside path.
Moonlight danced on the water's surface.
Shadows of trees swayed gently.
Ethan's palm was warm and steady around hers.
An anchor in the storm.
"The moon is beautiful tonight," Sophia murmured.
Ethan stopped walking.
His eyes held only her reflection.
"Since we're together now, call me Ethan."
Sophia blinked, then smiled.
"Alright. Then you can call me Ning."
"Ning..."
His deep voice sent shivers down her spine.
The atmosphere thickened.
"But at the office, we keep things professional," she added.
Ethan inclined his head. "As you wish."
A cool breeze swept across the lake.
Ethan shrugged off his coat and draped it over her shoulders.
"Don't catch a cold."
"Thanks."
His lingering warmth enveloped her.
The crisp scent of cedarwood filled her senses.
"It's late. I'll take you home."
Ethan glanced at the darkening sky.
"Then I'll trouble my Ethan."
Sophia emphasized the possessive pronoun.
Ethan's expression remained neutral, but his eyes crinkled with amusement.
He was hers.
Soon, the car pulled up to her villa.
Sophia opened the door. "See you tomorrow."
"That's it?"
His tone was laden with meaning.
In the dim light, his gaze burned hotter.
Sophia arched a brow. "Does Mr. Sullivan want more?"
Their shadows merged.
She captured his lips in a searing kiss.
"Enough?"
"Not even close."
Ethan took control, kissing her with bruising intensity.
Cedar and heat.
Sophia nipped at his Adam's apple.
"Then you'd better... impress me tonight."
Ethan's throat moved with a swallow.
His breathing hitched.
Dark desire swirled in his eyes.