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