WILD ON THE INSIDE

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

for their evening dinner. Hardin pulled out a chair for her, the soft music of the restaurant playing in the background.

“I’m sorry for letting you down,” he said softly, his tone almost apologetic. “You must have expected something fancier than this.”

“Are you kidding me?” she said, her eyes wide with sincerity. “This is the best dinner ever. You know, I’ve not been out with any guy before. You’re the first one. All of this has been so sudden, and everything that happens takes me by surprise. I’m now someone’s girlfriend… but I still don’t know how I should behave. I don’t know how to act. I don’t know how to be romantic,” she confessed with a small, shy laugh. “I have to break my own rules sometimes because I promised myself I wouldn’t fall. But check—I’m already down for you. This time, I’m really stupid in love. You may choose to call it tom-foolery .”

Hardin gave her a small, genuine smile. “And being unromantic is not such a big problem, really. No—just kidding. It is a very big problem, but don’t worry. Somehow, we’re going to get there. Come on. I prepared a very good room upstairs. You want to take a look?”

Megan hesitated, but curiosity won over her caution. “Though I’m aware of the consequences, I’m really curious to face the situation,” she admitted.

They walked to the elevator, the tension between them palpable, a soft, nervous silence filling the air. When they reached the room, Megan’s eyes widened in wonder. “Wow… the room is so beautiful,” she said breathlessly.

Hardin closed the door behind them, his tone low and playful. “Now that we’re here,” he said softly, his voice almost a whisper, “there is no way you can escape me. Either you give in, or you give in.”

She laughed nervously, her big eyes opening wide in a mixture of amusement and shyness. “Trying to scare me? Don’t be such a tomfool. I’m not really scared, although it is my first time,” she admitted, her voice catching slightly.

“Really?” he said, his tone softening as he pulled her close. Her breath quickened as his hands rested on her waist, his fingers tracing light patterns. He unzipped her top slowly, his gaze fixed on her as he leaned in, kissing her softly. She looked down, a faint flush coloring her cheeks as she reached for his shirt. He held her tighter, unbuttoning his shirt to reveal a tattoo on his chest: “CH”—the same he had hinted at earlier.

“What does that CH tattoo mean?” she asked quietly, her voice small.

“It’s just… cool and handsome,” he said with a small smile.

She didn’t look convinced, her eyes narrowing slightly. “You know what? Let’s forget this ever happened,” he said suddenly, his voice firm. She pulled away and quickly got dressed. “Come on. I’ll take you home. I’m sorry, but I don’t feel comfortable anymore.” Hardin admitted, leaving Megan completely puzzled.

Megan looked at him for a moment, then gave a resigned sigh. “It’s okay,” she said softly, her tone calm. “This can always be done another time.”

He zipped up her shirt and she gave him a small, grateful smile. “Thank you,” she said gently, and with that, they left the room—leaving behind only the memory of what could have been.