Sensing that Yasmin had stopped strugging, Caleb released his hand that was covering her month. His fingers trailed from her chin to her cheek in an intimate caress lover’s touch
“What are you doing Caleb?” she whispered angrily.
The moment she spoke, the stairwell’s motion–sensor lights flicked on. The sudden brightness made Yasmin squint.
Caleb was still in the same tailored suit he had worn at the auction. His face remained as striking as ever–handsome, retinet, impossible to ignore. He didn’t flush when he drank, and if not for the strong smell of alcohol clinging to him, one would never guess he had been drinking arall
His gaze was locked onto her, burning with the intensity of liquor–induced heat as if he wanted to scorch her with just his eyes.
“Minnie, you’re terrible at avoiding dangers.” All it took was a little trick, and she had walked tight out.
Caleb leaned in closer, pressing nearly half his body against Yasmin. The fabric of their clothes was too thin. She could feel his warmth seeping through, coming dangerously close.
Yasmin tried to push him away, but his grip was firm
You’re pressing on my wound!”
Caleb free and suddenly became slightly sober. His brows burrowed with concern. “Let me see.
With the alcohol loosening his restraint, his emotions were more visible than usual.
Yasmin instinctively tried to pull her hand away, but he was faster. He gently cupped her fingers, scrutinizing them as if he could see anything through the bandages.
Caleblowered his head and pressed a light loss to the gaze
Yasmin’s eves reddened as she turned away, unwilling to meet his gaze. “Apologies are useless. You know I hold grudges”
“Good. You should remember this for life, Galebred
Hedhis eyes in the warm glow of the stairwell light and showed a rare moment of vidnerability.
Yasmin stared at Caleb in shock. His words carried an unmistakable ambiguity, and for a fleeting moment, an absurd thought crossed her mind. However, she quickly suppressed it Before she could think further, Caleb kissed her fingers again.
Then, suddenly, he led his gaze. His eyes locked onto hers as he asked dangerously, “Who was r
Who?” Yasenin was caught off guard.
“Who gave it to you? Though Caleb’s words were disjointed, lacking a clear subject or object, Yasmin instantly understood. He was asking about the mysterious buyer who bid on Annie’s emerald bead necidace.
“I don’t know.” She pushed against him, but he didn’t budge.
“Yasmin, that person” Caleb’s thumb brushed against her lips. Even without makeup, they were stil soft and flushed, dangerously tempting. “Is he your new lover?
“Caleb, are you out of your mind? Yasmin’s eyes widened in fury. She didn’t even know who the buyer was. What the hell was he thinking!
He ignored her outburst. Instead, he kissed her lips briefly, and muttered, “What a pity.”
That person could only ever be a third party.
In the next instant, he grabbed her left hand. Before she could tract, he reached into his pocket and, with a swift motion, slipped something onto her wrist. A cool sensation spread across ber skin.
Under the warm glow of the lights, an exquisite emerald bracelet gleamed with a flawless, translucent
sheen. The bracelet rested just above the bandages on her wrist, perfectly avoiding her wound. It was the very same bracelet Caleb had won at the auction today.
“1 bought in for you,” he said simply. Then, he kissed her lips again and murmured, “There are more.”
He was referring to the other pieces of jewelry he had bid on that night.
Yasmin furiously tried to yank the bracelet off, but no matter how she struggled, it wouldn’t budge. Instead, the pressure only made her wrist ache.
Her defiance seemed to ignite something in Caleb. The patience and tenderness from earlier vanished in an instant without warning, he gripped her chin and crashed his lips anto hers
This kiss was nothing like before–no fleeting touch, no hesitation. It was fierce, possessive, and almost punishing as it he was venting his frustration.
The summer air was scorching. In the stairwell, the temperature climbed higher and higher.
Yasmin telt his burning touch against her skin, like a brand searing into her. His kisses trailed downward from her lips to her ear, then lower, tracing her collarbone “Gdrb!” Yasmin yelled.
Hestiled.
For a moment, it was as if he had sobered up. He pulled back slightly, his dark eyes locking onto hers.
Yasmin pointed at the security camera blinking above them.
“Here? Are you an animal?” she demanded
Caleb exhaled, then tightened his grip around her waist,
“Let’s go home,” he murmured, pulling her toward the exit.
“Caleb Grand!” Yasmin used every ounce of her strength and showed him hard when he was distracted
