CHAPTER 41: CHAPTER 41 ESCALATING INTIMACY

"You’re cheating! I wasn’t ready," she protested, her lips forming a playful pout.

"Alright, I’ll take it slow this time," I conceded.

The second round commenced, and before I could signal the start, she swiftly slurped the noodle. Her face drew closer to mine, and in the blink of an eye, our gazes locked.

I felt the warmth of her lips against mine, her tongue daringly exploring.

In that moment, my mind went blank.

My goodness, she was quite bold, wasn’t she?

The intoxicating scent of her youth filled my senses, setting my blood on fire.

I pulled her towards me from across the table, and she let out a soft hum as she settled onto my lap.

Her fair complexion was flushed with a rosy hue, her large eyes clouded with desire, her small mouth slightly ajar, exhaling a fragrant breath. Her arms looped around my neck, creating an irresistible allure.

"You’re too bold. Who gave you permission to kiss me?" I feigned sternness, but inwardly, I was reveling in the moment.

Especially with such a stunning girl like Mary, no man could resist.

"The last time I fainted in the water, you stole my first kiss. I wasn’t satisfied, so I wanted to try it out for myself!" she retorted.

She hummed, "Your hands were all over me, you think I didn’t notice?"

"That was to save you. You can’t hold that against me, can you?"

"Kiss me!" she demanded.

Challenged to this extent, I had to respond. If I didn’t take the initiative, would I still be a man?

I succumbed to the intoxicating sweetness of a young girl’s kiss.

She was quickly outmatched, her breath coming in ragged pants and soft moans.

Her legs were clenched tightly together, her brows furrowed in a mixture of pleasure and discomfort.

The most striking transformation was the blush that spread across her face, neck, and even the exposed skin of her arms. I was left dumbfounded.

What kind of reaction was this?

Her body was growing warmer. "I can’t take it anymore, let me catch my breath, William," she pleaded.

Her pleas did not deter me; instead, they spurred me on.

I kissed her with a reckless abandon, my hands beginning to wander.

However, I was careful, only caressing her as any other couple might.

"William, I..."

As she tensed up, I stopped, whispering in her ear, "Do you realize your mistake?"

She breathed softly, fearful that the people in the next booth might overhear. "It’s clearly you who bullied me, teased me; how did it become my fault?"

"You deserve a punishment!" I retorted.

I leaned in once more, and she pleaded, "Mmm, I’m wrong. I can hardly breathe!"

She took in deep gulps of fresh air, her chest rising and falling dramatically.

"I was just joking with you," I confessed.

She seemed slightly angry now, pointing to her lips. "My lips are numb, they must be swollen."

I laughed heartily. "Who made you start it!"

"Let me go," she demanded.

Her thin skin reddened further, embarrassed and annoyed by my teasing.

I held her tightly. "I told you, it’s not so easy to get away from me!"

Realizing she couldn’t struggle free, she muttered softly, "So domineering!"

She then rested her face against my chest, quietly listening to my heartbeat.

The scent of her hair filled my nostrils, a heat surged in my lower abdomen. If it weren’t for the crowd around us, I would surely have done something more.

After leaving the restaurant, we went to see a movie.

The theater was nearly empty for the weekday afternoon show.

I had initially wanted to go to a private cinema, but that would have been too obvious, and after the impulse, I still had some reservations.

We found a secluded corner in the back, almost devoid of people.

As for the movie, I had no idea what it was about.

Once Pandora’s box is opened, who can resist the temptation?

Just kissing her was enough to keep me enthralled. I remember when I had my first girlfriend in college; I didn’t have that patience. Kissing felt more like an obligation, perhaps because she wasn’t pretty enough.

We are all visual creatures; I can’t escape it either.

To our left, there was another couple, and they were even more outrageous. The woman was sitting on the man’s lap, her large skirt hiding everything.

Despite the loud sound in the auditorium, I could still hear them.

Good heavens!

That was too intense.

I had heard of people making love in movie theaters before, but I never expected to encounter it today.

And now, with a beauty in my arms, if I didn’t do something, it seemed I would be outdone by others.

"Why did you stop?" she asked softly.

I pursed my lips, then said, "Look what they are doing over there."

"What are they doing?" she asked.

She turned her head, removed her 3D glasses, and after a careful look, she gasped in surprise. "They... they are..."

I quickly covered her mouth and whispered, "You know now, don’t say it out loud."

Her head dipped in a sudden bout of shyness. I leaned in, whispering into her ear. She recoiled, shaking her head fervently, "No, don’t, I’m not ready."

Her vehement reaction was a clear indication; a kiss was the boundary we could not cross.

This was expected, considering it was our first date.

"I’m only teasing you," I assured her. "Even if you had agreed, I wouldn’t have crossed that line."

A chuckle escaped my lips as I gestured towards the ceiling. "There are cameras here. The folks in the control room have a clear view of everything. I don’t fancy a live broadcast."

"Ah, haven’t we already been seen by others?" Her voice wavered with a hint of panic.

I pulled her into my arms, gently running my fingers through her hair. "It’s alright, they don’t know us and we haven’t done anything inappropriate. If you feel uncomfortable, we can opt for a private cinema next time, okay?"

Her head bobbed in agreement before shaking in denial. "You’re such a tease. I won’t go to a private cinema with you."

"Alright, then I’ll invite someone else next time."

"Ah, you dare, watch out, I bite. And I bite hard."

"Don’t worry, I’ll only go with you."

After a playful banter, we decided to leave the cinema before the movie concluded.

Emerging into the late afternoon, I dialed Melody to clock out remotely, then steered the car back to Walker Company.

During the drive, I broached the subject of keeping our relationship under wraps for the time being.

Mary seemed puzzled, and I explained, "Consider this, if you tell your brother now that we’re dating, what would he think of me? Would he assume I have ulterior motives?"