Chapter <b>142 </b>
Sean was so close that his warm breath brushed against the curve of her neck<b>, </b>carrying a faint, crisp scent of woodsy cologne that seemed to wrap around Charlotte, filling her senses.
Her nerves tightened, her breathing quickened.
<b>Sean’s </b>gaze dropped to <b>her </b>lips, and without hesitation, he leaned in.
A soft, warm touch brushed against her lips–gentle, like the whisper of a feather.
“Sweet…” he murmured.
Charlotte’s heart pounded wildly in her chest, her breathsing faster, her entire body tensing beneath his touch. Shey perfectly still, tension radiating
through her.
Was this the “reward” Sean mentioned?
Her cheeks flushed at <b>the </b>thought. She had never experienced anything like this before, and the anticipation made her even more nervous.
It <b>felt </b>like her heart was about to leap out of her chest.
Sensing her tension, Sean pulled back slightly, his deep chuckle brushing against her skin.
“Rx, Lottie. I’m not going to eat you.”
But a momentter, his lips found hers again.
This time, his kiss was soft and teasing, a gentle brush that barely lingered. Charlotte’s nerves began to <b>ease</b>, and she wondered if she had been overthinking things.
But that thought vanished when the kiss deepened.
Sean’s mouth imed hers, warm and sweet with a faint taste <b>of </b>peach–the lingering vor of the candy he had given her. Her breathing grew faint, her mind swirling as warmth bloomed through her body.
Herfingers intertwined with his, and her entire body seemed to heat up<b>, </b>a slow, growing fire spreading through her veins.
Everything felt <b>so </b>natural, one step leading to the next.
And just as they were about to cross that final line, Sean paused, his voice <b>a </b>low, gentle whisper.
“Lottie… are you okay with this?”
<b>Her </b>cheeks burned <b>as </b>she nodded.
On the nightstand, there was a box <b>of </b>protection. Sean made sure everything was safe<b>. </b>Only then did he lean down<b>, </b>and they truly <b>became </b>one.
For Charlotte, it was an entirely new experience. She had thought about this beforeing here<b>, </b>knowing that it might be their first time together. <b>Given </b>that they had been together for several months, it didn’t feel too soon.
At first, Sean’s movements were slow and gentle, careful not to hurt her. But gradually<b>, </b>his intensity grew.
Charlotte found herself <b>swept </b>away in a tide of emotions and sensations, losing all sense of time and ce. She held onto him, feeling like she was drifting in a sea
<b>of </b>warmth and desire.
It wasn’t untilte into the night that they finally stopped, both of them breathless, and Charlotte slipped into a deep<b>, </b>peaceful sleep.
She didn’t wake <b>up </b><b>until </b>the next afternoon.
When Charlotte’s eyes fluttered open, the room was filled with soft daylight. It was already three in the afternoon.
The bed beside her was empty. Sean had already gotten up.
Outside the window, snow nketed the world, a pure white covering as <b>far </b>as the eye could see. The entire town looked like a dreamy winter wondend.
Beyond the ss<b>, </b>she could see touristsughing, building snowmen, and having snowball fights, their cheerful voices muffled but clear.
Watching them<b>, </b><b>a </b>sudden thought struckher. She wanted to go outside and build a snowman too.
<b>“</b>Awake? Hungry?<b>” </b>Sean’s voice came from behind her
Charlotte turned to see him holding a tray with a bowl of soup and some freshly made <b>pastries</b>.
*I <b>went </b>out <b>to </b><b>get </b>you your favorite soup<b>, </b>along with some local treats from Linton Springs. Want to <b>try </b>them?” Sean asked<b>, </b><b>cing </b>the tray on the sanall round table.
Charlotte nodded, siniling
+25 Bonus
“Sure, I’ll just wash up first<b>.</b>”
But as she swung her legs out of bed and stood, a sudden weakness washed over her. Her knees wobbled, and she nearly stumbled.
Quick as ever, Sean’s arms wrapped around her, pulling her securely into <b>his </b>embrace. His <b>voice </b>was teasing, his tone low and warm.
“Legs feeling <b>a </b>little <b>weak</b>?”
A deep blush spread across Charlotte’s cheeks. She hadn’t noticed while lying down<b>, </b><b>but </b>now her whole body felt sore, her legs trembling with a dull, lingering
ache.
It seemed like he might have been a bit too roughst night.
Seeing Charlotte’s flushed cheeks and her silence, Sean’s voice dropped <b>to </b><b>a </b><b>low</b><b>, </b>teasing tone.
“Sorry<b>, </b>sweetheart. Looks like I was a bit too enthusiasticst night. <b>Let </b>me carry <b>you </b>to the bathroom.<b>” </b>
Charlotte pouted, cheeks puffing slightly.
“But I wanted to go out and y in the snow. How am I supposed to do that now?”
<b>He </bughed, a soft, warm sound.
“It’s just temporary. Walk around a bit in here, and you’ll be fine soon enough.”
Sweeping her up effortlessly, Sean carried her to the bathroom and gently <b>set </b>her down in front of the sink.
But even standing there, Charlotte’s legs were still wobbly. A sharp<b>, </b>tearing sensation lingered in her thighs, and even her calves ached.