Chapter 99
99:
Dylan rushed forward and caught Christina just in time, steadying her as her high heel snagged on the step. One arm wrapped around her waist, their faces only inches apart.
Christina clung to Dylan, arms looped tightly around his neck, her body slightly tilted, balanced only by his hold.
Their eyes locked, and for a moment, it felt like their noses might brush. Warm breath passed between them, only occasionally broken by the whisper of a passing breeze.
A soft gust lifted a few loose strands of Christina’s hair, brushing them gently across her flushed cheeks.
The faint scent of wine lingered on her breath, mixing with her natural fragrance into something delicate, intoxicating.
Maybe it was the wine on her breath—or maybe something more—but Dylan felt lightheaded, his breathing unsteady. Her skin glowed under the light, and up close, every feature of her face seemed impossibly beautiful. He couldn’t tear his eyes off her.
Thump. Thump. Christina couldn’t tell whose heartbeat echoed louder—hers or his—but one thing was certain: Dylan looked devastatingly dashing up close.
“Has anyone ever told you how ridiculously handsome you are?” she asked with a playful smile, her voice low and unguarded.
Dylan didn’t answer right away. His expression remained stoic, lips pressed into a firm line as he gazed at her.
“Why the poker face all the time? Come on, smile a little,” she teased, lifting a hand and gently poking the corner of his mouth.
The edge of Dylan’s mouth lifted into a faint smile.
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“There it is. You look even better when you smile,” Christina beamed.
Maybe it was the alcohol talking, but something about him made her bolder, more curious. She leaned in a little closer, drawing in a breath.
“You smell amazing,” she murmured.
Dylan blinked. “What?”
“1 said, you smell amazing,” she repeated, laughing softly as she buried her face in the curve of his neck and breathed him in again.
His scent was warm and clean, addictive. It wrapped around her like a spell. Something stirred inside her, deep and sudden—like a restlessness she couldn’t quite suppress.
Her nose grazed his neck, cold against his skin, and the contrast made his body stiffen. A shiver ran through him, and his Adam’s apple bobbed as he swallowed hard.
The air between them thickened, heated by their closeness and quiet breaths.
Desire coiled inside Dylan, sharp and sudden, dangerously hard to ignore. He inhaled deeply, trying to steady himself. His voice was rough as he finally spoke. “You’ve had too much to drink.”
“I’m not drunk,” Christina whispered, her eyes gleaming with mischief.
“You—” Dylan started, but she cut him off with a soft press of her finger against his lips.
“Shh.” Her smile deepened. “I’m really not drunk.”
She wasn’t lying. Tipsy, yes. But not drunk. Just bold, curious, and fearlessly drawn to him.
Dylan stared at her, thrown off balance. A resigned smile touched his lips. A tipsy Christina was even more endearing than usual.
“Don’t believe me?” she asked, tilting her head, studying his face.
“I believe you,” Dylan said quietly.
“You don’t look like you believe me.” She scrunched her nose and leaned forward, pressing her forehead against his.
Dylan tensed again. His hand at her waist tightened as their closeness pushed him to the edge. Her touch… Her warmth… Her scent…
“I’ll show you I’m not drunk,” she said, pulling back just enough to meet his eyes.
“How?” he asked, voice husky, throat tightening, his Adam’s apple rising once more.
Christina’s lips curled into a slow, teasing smile as she leaned in, inch by inch, closing the space between them.
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