Chapter 3
940words
Luke followed behind me, his steps hesitant, as if walking on cotton.
He didn't dare look at the bed, just stiffly sat on the edge, hands tightly clenched on his knees.
He looked like a beast that had wandered into a hunter's carefully laid trap, utterly lost.
I walked up to him, my fingertips lightly brushing over the deepest scar on his shoulder.
He shuddered, muscles instantly tensing.
"I remember, you said you had no experience."
My voice was soft, almost whispered against his ear.
His entire body froze, Adam's apple bobbing, as if he had ten thousand explanations ready yet couldn't utter a single word.
"Don't worry."
I withdrew my hand, looking at his expression—like he was facing a formidable enemy—and suddenly smiled.
"Tonight we... won't do anything."
Luke suddenly looked up, face full of bewilderment, then that tension instantly deflated. He let out an empty "Oh."
I took his ice-cold hand, wrapping it in the warmth of my palm.
"I just want to be with you."
As he listened, his head hung lower, almost buried in his chest. After a long while, he squeezed two words through his teeth.
"I'm sorry..."
I leaned in with a smile and planted a gentle kiss on his lips.
His breath caught.
He was completely flustered.
He hadn't recovered from that kiss, his entire being in a state of confusion.
I pulled at his wrist with slight pressure, and he followed my lead, falling into a sitting position on the edge of the bed.
Before he could react, I turned around and sat directly in his lap.
My entire weight pressed down on him.
The firm muscles of his chest instantly tensed. Even through the thin fabric, I could feel heat that threatened to burn.
His breathing stopped.
His hands instinctively rose but remained suspended in mid-air, not knowing where to rest, fingertips trembling.
"Ella..."
His throat tightened as he squeezed out those words, his voice hoarse and deep.
"You... you're too close."
"I just wanted to hug you."
My voice was soft, carrying a hint of innocent tenderness.
My arms naturally encircled his neck, embracing him tighter, my cheek pressed against his burning neck.
I could clearly feel his pulse at his neck, beating frantically against my skin.
After a long moment of tension, his hands finally trembled and settled on my waist.
That touch was so hot it made my heart quiver.
He wanted to push me away.
The strength was soft and weak, more like a silent plea for mercy.
During the day, in Vince's office.
I rolled a coin between my fingertips, making it skillfully tumble and jump across my knuckles before landing steadily back in my palm.
Vince sat across from me, his brows furrowing almost imperceptibly.
I glanced at Vince's ice-cold face. "What's wrong with you? Weren't you quite happy last night?"
His fingers gripping the pen suddenly tightened, and that expensive pen made a groan of distress, slightly deforming in his palm.
"I'll be very busy lately," he threw the deformed pen onto the desk with a crisp clatter. "Tomorrow night, I probably won't have time to accompany you."
This was an attempt to cut off Luke's path to see me.
I pretended to be confused, tilting my head slightly with just the right amount of puzzlement at the corners of my lips.
"But didn't you promise to take me to that new race track in the suburbs tomorrow night?" I paused, recalling the scene Luke had described in my ear last night, repeating it word for word. "That route has pretty nice scenery, perfect for kissing."
Vince's gaze suddenly turned cold, like a blade of ice.
He interrupted me, lifting his head with a forced gentle smile. "Let's go tonight."
Evening.
Vince chose a sleek black sports car.
I sat in the passenger seat, watching the scenery blur past the window, a faint smile playing on my lips.
Vince didn't say a word the entire time, just floored the accelerator. The engine's roar tore through the evening tranquility, the car's speed a release for his misplaced anger.
We sped all the way until the salty moisture of sea breeze hit our faces.
The car stopped on the empty coastal road, but Vince didn't kill the engine.
He restlessly took out his phone, the screen's light making his face look increasingly gloomy.
His phone vibrated with a buzz, and he irritably unlocked it, thumb rapidly tapping the screen.
I turned my head sideways, admiring the kaleidoscope of expressions on his face. From ashen to furious, then to a barely perceptible fluster.
He was arguing with Luke.
Luke, that troublemaker, must be provoking him with the most cutting words.
On the phone screen, messages in the chat box refreshed rapidly.
Vince: [You are not allowed to see her tonight.]
Luke's avatar flashed, and a message full of mockery popped up.
Luke: [Oh, controlling much? Aren't you supposed to be with your Audrey? What's this, you're two-timing now?]
Vince's thumb pressed down hard on the screen, almost piercing through it.
Vince: [My business is none of your concern!]
Luke: [You promised Audrey, but then you took Ella to the beach for a stroll? Vince, have you lost your mind?]
Vince's breath suddenly hitched, his chest heaving violently.
Vince: [Shut up! I'll handle Ella's matter.]
The screen on the other end fell silent for a few seconds, then Luke delivered the most lethal blow.
Luke: [How will you handle it? Should I help you? After all... she can't tell us apart anyway.]
Vince darkened his face and put down his phone.
