I stared at the heavy rain outside, caught in a dilemma. Part of me wanted to take Jade home, but another part dreaded this being our last moment alone, and I felt a strange reluctance to let it end.
“Declan, what are you thinking about?”
“I was wondering if I should take you home.”
Her question startled me, pulling me out of my thoughts, and I awkwardly scratched my head at her laughter.
Jade walked towards me, a playful smile on her face. “Do you… like me?”
My guard immediately went up, and I looked at her with a startled, panicked gaze, like a cornered cat. “No! How could I? I’m married. And you’re Ryan’s sister, there’s no way I could like you.”
“Really? Because your behavior these past few days tells me you definitely do.”
“Don’t talk nonsense. You should just sleep here tonight. I’ll go home…”
My eyes widened as she suddenly kissed me. Her soft lips carried a faint strawberry scent. I tried to push her away, but she guided my hand to the soft curve between us.
Feeling the full softness of her against me, my reason suddenly snapped back into place.
“No, we can’t do this. I can’t betray Clara, and I can’t betray your brother.”
“No one is betraying anyone. I’ve seen how Clara treats you lately, how small she makes you feel. It breaks my heart.”
Tears streamed down Jade’s face. Seeing her cry because of me, my last vestiges of resolve crumbled in that moment. I reached out to wipe her tears away.
“Foolish girl, why are you crying?”
She threw herself into my arms, whispering how much she worried about me. Her words filled me with a warmth I hadn’t felt in ages.
Her tear-filled eyes, so clear and yet so passionate, drew me in. I couldn’t resist kissing her eyelids.
That one kiss was all it took. The spark between us ignited, spreading like a wildfire.
I picked her up and carried her upstairs. My breath grew heavy as I saw her bare shoulders. She tugged at my collar, leaning close to my ear, and gently licked it.
“I’m willing to fall with you.”
