apter 14
the rooms, Stella’s face was thushed. She kept her had buried in Rowan’s neck, mwwilling to lift it
wan’s fingers gently squeezed her earlobe, ribbing it softly as his voice dropped to a Iniske whisper, “Should we herp going?”
(la mumbled, “Vou can still kiss me even after others have seenus? I’m so enibanasseil.?!
watsonisked, “Aue you teally embarassed now!!!
flowered his head, his lips brushing herear, and be chuckled. “You weren’t shy
by when you kissed me instion of many people. Now, you’re probarrassed post- cause Joseph say tas?—
bet’s different.”
Ella’s voice came softly from where her head restest on his shoulder, barely rising above a wisqrt. “Tharar’s na tres to be combamissed alien lessing openly in
t now, with the two of them at hotne, in such an intimate einbrace and liss, bring canight by someone else unly made it terlounge shameful,
wan didn’t get her logle. He found it somewhat amwising. With his hand still other earlobe, he moved it tocher head, gbeling its protle, playdol milk
- how we’re not kissing openly? Are we sneaking around?–
ella bit her lip and finally lifted her head trom hisshoulder. Perhaps because of the kiss, her cheeks were thashed, and lier clear, watery eyes met lus, just one look umber made Rowan’s throat tighten
was about to leandown to kiss her again when Stella softly said, “think we really are speaking and to kiss, like it’s some seaky kiss or even an affair.
(wan was almost amised by her reasoning the clenched his teeth and sudil “So, Stella, do you just want to have an altair with me?‘
he spoke, the intensity in his eyes deepened. He realized she still didn’t like him. She was just playing litm
herwise, the thought of having an attair wouldn’t even cross her mind.
it Stellashook her head. “It’s not me. It’s you.
ter all, when she wanted to kiss his openly, he would always pretend to be reserved, pushing her away.
it when no one was looking, he was the one being so proactive.
at was exactly like he wanted to have an attair with her.
ella tilted bct head, looking at him with a slightly aggrieved expression. “If you didn’t want an attair, why didn’t you let me kiss you when we were outside? How My times today did you push me away when tried?”
mendidn’t expect her to flip things around like that.
she had started the day complaining and then suddenly town berselt at him, kissing him without any warning. He didn’t dare to kiss her bark
still hade ‘I figured out the reason for her sudden change, but he knew he had been using the claner to hold her in his arms. No matter the reason, she was the a who lud jumped into his atNU
er kiss him, claiming that he just wanted to iave an affair with her,
how, she was accusing tim of not letting herk
wan couldn’t help but laugh through his frustration. He gripped her slender waist (igladly milds arms.
, you mean, if I call everyone in here right now and give you a deep kiss in front of them, that’1⁄4prove I don’t want to have an atlair with you?”
thout waiting for Stratospod, Rowan nodded. “Alright.”
pinched her cheek gently and added, “Don’t be shy.“
bit stursued. She turned, and he had already walked into the living room.
yebrow, not believing he would kiss her in front of Joseph So, she didn’t stop him from opening the door.
to keep someone waiting outside for too long—it could be misinterpreted.
bed the full glass of water she had left. By the time she was done, Rowan hail opened the door.
and comer, who were outside, to say anything, be tumed and said, “Come hi
coonfused, still processing joseple’s cryptic “ral and dog fightTM comment..
und of dogs or cats fighting Curious, he glanced at Josephi, who had an odd expression.
siked Human, “Joseph said you had a cat and dog fighting there. When did you get them.
rot tarzan tardived Mella, still washing cups in the kichen
ishery for k, wat herds had me and I the whole cat and dog lighting mortaplat
spili, atġll standing snaked and tied has it before following them inside.
Joseph shot him a look. What did he know? After seeing Rowan so passionate with her, calling her Stella felt right. There was no need to be formal
Connor remained silent and then turned to Stella with a smile. “Hello, Stella
Stella stared blankly at them.
She had known Joseph since she was young. Although they weren’t close, she had seen him around with Rowan often
As for Connor, she had seen him recently at the hospital, where he diagnosed her with “love–struck syndrome“.
To be honest, hearing them call her “Stella” suddenly made her a little embarrassed.
