Chapter 877 First Kiss

Chapter 877 First Kiss

Evan watched her slow movements with a smirk. "If a girl like you can live here, why can't I, a grown man?"

He thought he was being clever, but as soon as they got to the hotel, he regretted it.

Rita was making decent money now, but she still didn't like spending it. This wasn't a hotel; it was a cheap motel that cost only a few dozen bucks a night.

The place was a dump, and it didn't feel safe either.

Evan grabbed her suitcase and turned to leave. "Come on, we're outta here."

Rita protested, "It's past check-in time; we can't get a refund."

Evan shot back, "Are you nuts?"

Rita fell silent, thinking, 'I told you you wouldn't like a cheap place, but you insisted on coming. Now you won't even let me stay alone. You're so annoying.'

But since he had come all this way to help her, she decided not to argue.

Evan picked the best hotel in the area, the kind where a single room cost thousands of dollars a night.

Rita felt bad letting Evan, who had come to help, pay, so she insisted on covering the cost.

One room was already expensive; two rooms would be nearly ten grand.

Every penny was hard-earned, and Rita hated wasting money, so she only booked one room, planning to crash on the couch.

With the higher price, the room's amenities were top-notch. The air conditioning was already on, and the room was cozy.

Rita took off her coat as soon as she walked in.

Evan glanced at her with a playful grin and teased, "Can't wait to share a room with me?"

Rita shot back, "We've shared a room before. Stop acting all innocent."

Evan raised an eyebrow and asked, "What did you say?"

Rita replied, "I said it's not like we haven't shared a room before..."

Before she could finish, Evan suddenly moved closer.

Rita was so scared she kept backing up, "What are you doing?"

Evan kept closing in, quickly cornering her against the wall.

Rita had nowhere to go and exclaimed, "Evan, stop messing around!"

Evan said, "Who's messing around?"

Rita stammered, "You, I..."

Evan lowered his head and looked at her intently, "Rita."

His gaze was so intense that Rita couldn't meet his eyes. She turned her head away and asked, "What do you want?"

Evan raised his hand and gently caressed her face, saying, "If you have any problems, tell me. Don't face them alone. If something happens to you, people will blame me since I'm your fiancé."

So, this was what he wanted to say. His words were harsh, but he genuinely cared about her.

Rita's heart started pounding, and she wanted to say something, but her throat tightened, and she couldn't get a word out.

Evan lowered his head and gently touched his forehead to hers, "Rita, answer me."

His voice was deep and sexy, hitting Rita right in the heart. "I-I understand," she stammered.

Evan asked, "Do you really understand?"

Rita softly hummed.

Evan lowered his head and found her lips.

Rita's eyes widened as Evan's lips got closer, eventually blocking her view.

She felt something warm and soft pressing against her lips, first gently, then with more pressure.

Rita instinctively responded, but Evan suddenly pulled away.

He patted her head and said, "It's late. You should wash up."

Rita went silent as she thought, 'Are you pretending to be innocent with me?'

Evan teased, "Why are you staring at me? Want more?"

Rita snapped, "Shut up!"

She bolted into the bathroom, turned on the faucet, and splashed her face with cold water to calm down.

Even though they were engaged, they were still young, and the future was full of uncertainties.

Who knew if they'd actually get married?

Acting on impulse might bring a moment of happiness but could lead to regret later. She couldn't afford that.

Luckily, Evan didn't push it and gave her some space to chill out.

When Rita came out after freshening up, Evan was on the balcony, smoking.

She couldn't help but remind him, "I told you to cut back on smoking. Why can't you remember?"

This time, Evan actually listened and put out the cigarette. "Get some sleep. You need to be in top shape to meet the Grey family tomorrow."

Rita said, "I'll take the couch. You can have the bed."

Evan shrugged, "Suit yourself."

Maybe because she was exhausted, Rita quickly fell asleep on the couch.

She didn't know how long she'd been out when she felt herself being lifted. Half-asleep, she realized someone was putting her into a warm bed.

Rita opened her eyes and saw Evan tucking her in. "Evan, are you letting me have the bed again?"

Evan didn't explain but asked, "Did I wake you?"

Rita shook her head.

Evan lightly poked her, but it didn't hurt at all. "Go back to sleep," he said.

Still groggy, Rita closed her eyes and quickly drifted off again.

Evan sat by her bed, quietly watching her peaceful sleeping face.

She slept deeply and soundly, no nightmares disturbing her rest.

He still remembered when she first came to Girona, and they had to share a room.

She used to sleep so restlessly, waking up from nightmares several times a night.

Back then, it wasn't that he was particularly concerned about her. It was just that he was a light sleeper, and her nightmares kept waking him up.

He would watch coldly as she was repeatedly startled awake by her bad dreams.

Thankfully, after a few months, she found her footing, started earning her own living, and grew more confident.

More importantly, she was no longer with the Grey family and didn't have to face their constant oppression.

Away from that toxic environment, she naturally got better.

Now, she was much more confident and not as scared of others. She even dared to snap at him when he provoked her.

Unable to control his feelings, Evan reached out and gently poked Rita's cheek.

It seemed she had been eating well lately; her face was much rounder than when they first met.

Maybe feeling uncomfortable, Rita, in her sleep, suddenly tried to swat away the hand bothering her face.

Evan took the opportunity to hold her hand in his large palm, gripping it tightly. "I'll work hard to become strong so that no one dares to bully you again," he said.

He had to become strong. He wouldn't let anyone force him to do things he didn't want to do.

Rita slept deeply that night. When she woke up, it was already broad daylight.

The weather was great today, sunny and bright. Sunlight streamed through the white curtains, giving the room a golden glow.

Evan's pleasant voice suddenly sounded in her ear, "You finally awake."

Rita turned her head and saw him sitting by the bed, holding a laptop, probably working.

Evan closed the laptop and asked, "Had enough sleep?"