Ch.7: Crossing the Line
681 Words
Finally
She said yes.
For a moment, Alex didn’t move.
As if he needed to make sure,
This wasn’t a dream.
Then, he pulled her into his arms.
Tightly.
Almost desperately.
Claire was slightly startled...
But she didn’t resist.
Her hands slowly moved, tracing up his arm,
Past the firmness of his chest,
Until they rested around his neck.
She could feel it.
The heat of his body.
The tension in his muscles.
And the way he held her...
Like he had been waiting for this moment for years.
“Claire…”
Her name sounded different now.
Closer.
More intimate.
Before she could respond, Alex lifted her slightly...
And gently placed her on the edge of the table.
Then, he leaned in.
Their lips met again.
This time....
Deeper.
Not hesitant anymore.
Claire’s breath trembled.
Her fingers tightened around his collar.
Everything felt overwhelming.
His warmth.
His closeness.
The way he held her.
It was nothing like before.
Nothing like what she had experienced in her past life.
Her thoughts blurred.
All she could feel—was him.
Alex paused for a brief moment.
His forehead resting lightly against hers.
“Claire…”
“I’m your boyfriend now… right?”
Her face flushed.
“…Yes.”
A faint smile appeared on his lips.
“Then…”
His voice lowered.
“You’re mine, right?”
Claire blinked...
Then lightly pushed his shoulder.
“You’re already acting like this—what kind of answer are you expecting?”
Alex chuckled softly.
Low.
Satisfied.
But before things could go further...
Claire quickly turned her face away.
“Wait… stop.”
Alex froze.
“…What?”
“I’m hungry.”
Silence.
Then—
He laughed.
A real laugh this time.
“You really know how to ruin the mood.”
Claire pouted slightly.
“I am hungry.”
Alex looked at her flushed face—
Then exhaled slowly.
“…Alright.”
He stepped back.
Giving her space.
Control.
“I’ll heat the food.”
A while later...
The room was filled with the warm aroma of dishes.
Claire sat at the table, completely focused on eating.
Her appetite had fully returned.
“This is so good…”
Alex watched her quietly.
A faint smile on his lips.
“I didn’t know you liked this place so much.”
Claire paused for a second.
“…I just do.”
She didn’t ask how he knew.
Right now—
Food mattered more.
After they finished eating,
Alex cleaned everything without being told.
Dishes.
Kitchen.
Table.
Claire sat on the couch—
Watching him.
Her gaze—
Unconsciously soft.
When he finished, he walked toward her.
“Stop looking at me like that.”
She blinked.
“Like what?”
“Like you’re trying to distract me.”
Claire raised a brow.
“When did I do that?”
Instead of answering—
Alex stepped closer.
Too close.
Claire slowly sat up.
Then—
Placed her hands lightly on his shoulders.
Their distance vanished.
She could hear his heartbeat.
Strong.
Steady.
She looked at him carefully.
This man,
In her past life...
Was just her brother’s friend.
But now, everything felt different.
His presence.
His gaze.
His feelings.
Everything...
Was directed at her.
Claire’s thoughts shifted.
Why had she never noticed him before?
Why had she been so focused on someone else, that she missed someone like him?
As her thoughts drifted,
Alex suddenly lifted her.
“—Ah!”
She instinctively held onto him.
Her heart jumped.
But he didn’t put her down immediately.
Instead...
He held her close.
Carefully.
As if she was something fragile.
Something precious.
For a moment....
Neither of them spoke.
Slowly,
He placed her on the sofa.
“…I should go.”
Claire blinked.
“What?”
“I’ll take a bath.”
He stood up—
Turning away slightly.
“…I need to calm down.”
Claire froze for a second...
Then she smiled faintly.
She understood.
And strangely—
That made her feel… reassured.
Alex paused at the door.
Then added quietly...
“I’ll come back later.”
And left.
- Writer
- chap_listContents
- likeADD