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Chapter 7 Let Me Kiss You

I noticed a small scar on his forehead. It looked pretty fresh. It was probably Aiden's handiwork.

So, maybe he didn't really regret it. Maybe Aiden knocked some sense into him.

Finding a fiancée as perfect as me in his circle? Good luck with that.

"Emily, can you trust me one last time? I'm here with sincerity this time." James pulled out a box, and when he opened it, the diamond ring inside practically blinded me.

That ring had to be at least three carats. James really went all out!

Then, he got down on one knee, holding out the ring, and promised, "Emily, nothing will delay us this time. Tomorrow, we'll register our marriage. You'll be the only woman in my life."

I admitted that I got swayed by the moment and other people's emotions. Looking into his serious eyes, I wavered again.

Ten years of loving him wasn't something I could just let go of. Maybe I should give him, and myself, one more chance. Just one last time.

"Emily, don't cry." James slid the ring onto my finger, stood up quickly, and wiped my tears away.

"You must be hungry. I'll get the food." He hurried over with an insulated container, setting it on the coffee table in the living room.

I sat on the carpet, eating the food Aiden made. It tasted just the same, and the James in front of me was still the one I admired.

James wrapped an arm around my waist, sniffing my hair, and as I was finishing up, his hands started to wander.

I pushed him away. "Wait, I just finished eating."

"It's okay, let me kiss you." James' breath tickled my neck.

The space between the coffee table and the sofa was too tight, so he pushed the table aside, pulled me onto his lap, and kissed me urgently.

My phone rang, but he didn't even glance at it, just tossed it aside, and my mind cleared a bit.

I pushed him away and said, "Let's save it for tomorrow night, after we register our marriage."

I gave us one last chance, but I couldn't fully trust him anymore.

A flicker of disappointment crossed James' eyes, but he nodded, silently pulling up my clothes that had slipped off my shoulders.

His touch still made me shiver. Only his touch could do that. Love didn't just disappear easily.

James got up to wash the insulated container, while I pulled out extra blankets and pillows, planning to let him sleep on the couch.

"Emily, I don't want to sleep on the couch." James looked hurt and asked, "Haven't you forgiven me yet?"

I was silent for a moment, then shook my head and moved the stuff to my bed.

"Emily, your body wash smells so good. So, this is your scent." I had showered first, and he sniffed, reluctantly heading into the bathroom.

James said, "I won't close the door, okay?"

I nodded, "Okay."

James didn't close the bathroom door, undressing at the doorway and placing his clothes on a stool. I knew it was for convenience, but it felt like he was deliberately teasing me.

He took off his clothes, his lean body fully visible, and the muscles on his abdomen caught my eye.

He chuckled softly, and I finally looked away.

He smiled, "It's okay, you can look as much as you want. I'll put another stool here, you can come and watch."

Even though we agreed to just sleep tonight, the sound of water from the bathroom still made my heart race.

I had often fantasized about James, imagining his body enveloping mine and taking me to incredible pleasure. And now, he was right there, just within my reach.

I sat on the bed, then simply lay down and covered my head with the blanket.

When his slightly warm body pressed against me through the blanket, I instinctively shivered.

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