THE VALENTINE PROPOSAL

Chapter 22 Dinner date 3

Liora

"It's the way you've been staring at me all night."

"How do you mean?" he asked almost innocently, like he wasn't aware of the things he was doing to me with his gaze.

I turned my face to the side without replying. A sudden cold breeze swept over the rooftop, causing me to shiver slightly as I rubbed my arms for warmth.

"We should go inside." I heard Everett, then his seat scraping against the ground as he stood up.

I tried standing up too, but the world suddenly spun around my eyes and I had to catch the table to stop myself from falling.

Everett rushed over to my side, concern etched on his face.

"Easy now," he said as he helped me sit back down.

He went on one knee, helping me take off my shoes. When his fingers brushed against my feet, I shivered, drawing his gaze up to me.

"I'm not letting you drink next time," he said almost playfully.

My face instantly heated up in embarrassment as he stood up, holding my shoes before hoisting me up into his arms in bridal style like I weighed nothing at all.

My arms clung securely around his neck as he carried me straight to the elevator. I was silent the entire time, even as he entered my room and gently lowered me onto my bed.

"Would you like me to get you something?" he asked, sitting down on my bed while he undid the first few buttons of his suit.

My eyes followed the slow movement of his fingers, completely ignoring what he had just asked.

He repeated the question again, and this time I simply shook my head, mouthing a no.

"I was going to ask if you enjoyed the night, but you've obviously had enough to drink and you need to rest," he said, pushing some strands of hair behind my ear gently.

I sucked in a sharp breath that sounded more like a moan as his fingers brushed my ear.

He froze for a moment, probably stunned by the sound that just came out of my lips, before slowly retracing his hand.

"Good night, Liora," he said, about to stand up, but I caught his wrist.

"Wait."

He looked back at me and then at my hand grasping his arm. There was a small crease between his brows, I wasn't quite sure if it was anger, irritation, or perhaps restraint, but thanks to the alcohol, I didn't care which one it was as I supported myself up and my lips came crashing down on his.

His eyes widened instantly, but he didn't try to stop me or push me away. After the initial shock, he reciprocated my kiss, his tongue quickly slipping into my mouth.

I tried straddling him, but he pressed me down against the bed, his lips still locked with mine.

The kiss was hungry, heated, like we'd both been restraining ourselves this whole time. His hand quickly made its way in-between my legs, brushing against my heated core.

I moaned into his mouth, and he responded with a satisfied groan, taking that as an invitation to touch me deeper. His fingers stroked me as my moans increased, giving him complete access to my mouth.

I felt myself getting closer to my peak, my body growing hotter by the second. He pulled away from my lips, staring down at me, watching until I reached my peak.

I didn't remember what happened next after that because I simply passed out right under him.

---

---

{THE NEXT MORNING}

I woke up with a raging headache the next morning, the sun already high in the sky. When I sat up, I froze, seeing that I was now wearing pajamas.

Memories from last night quickly flooded my mind.

"Oh God." I covered my face in embarrassment.

What did I do?

I quickly got out of bed and freshened up before stepping out of my room.

Everett was in the kitchen on a call with someone.

"What time?" I heard him ask the person on the other end.

I mouthed a good morning as I entered quietly.

He glanced my way after ending the call.

"Coffee?"

I nodded, and he poured me a cup. I took a sip and set the cup down, clearing my throat softly.

"About last—"

"Nothing happened last night after we came in," he cut me off.

I fell speechless. Was this how he was going to play it, act like nothing happened?

"Right. Nothing happened. Did you change my clothes?" I asked.

"No, one of the female servers from last night helped," he replied.

I wanted to say more but nodded instead.

Silence fell between us, but I could feel his gaze on me. Whenever I looked up, he would immediately look away, intentionally avoiding my gaze for some reason, and it was starting to piss me off.

"I have a meeting with someone this morning," he said, breaking the awkward silence between us. "I won't be gone long."

Again I nodded. He looked like he wanted to say something more but held himself back before leaving the kitchen. He returned a few minutes later, fully dressed formally.

"If you need anything, call me."

I didn't respond, and he just left like that.

How dare him simply brush off what happened last night like it meant absolutely nothing? It meant everything to me. My fingers tightened around the mug in my hand.

*****

EVERETT

My father called me that morning, asking that we meet. I wanted to decline the request at first, but after thinking it through, I agreed to it.

Now I was sitting in his study, waiting for the man.

I didn't mean to act cold and indifferent towards Liora that morning, but I also didn't know how to react when I saw her after what happened last night.

I would apologize to her when I got back and tell her what an ass I was.

I checked my wristwatch for the third time, tapping my shoe against the floor impatiently.

Another ten minutes went by, and I was done waiting. I stood up, about to leave, when the door opened and my father walked in.