Chapter 24 The Kiss at St. Joan’s Church
After lunch, Eleanor suggested a few other fun spots and urged the two to head out.
The roads were wet, and Emma’s pristine snow boots picked up quite a bit of muddy water.
“Are you and my mom close?” she asked.
“I lived here for a few months three years ago.” His gaze darkened.
She recalled three years ago… During summer vacation, Lillian had brought someone to stay here. He was in a wheelchair and kept himself shut in his room all day.
Could it be him?
Emma glanced at his legs but saw nothing unusual.
She wanted to ask more questions, but suddenly, she felt her arm tighten. She collided with his solid chest.
He grabbed her arm.
“Careful.”
“I’m so sorry!”
They had narrowly avoided colliding with a cart of candied apples.
“Good thing I wasn’t wearing a shirt—otherwise, the buttons would’ve popped right off.” He chuckled.
Only then did Emma realize that her hands were clutching the front of his shirt.
“Sorry…” She quickly let go and carefully smoothed out the fabric’s creases.
Later, they explored many places and saw works rarely encountered elsewhere.
Just as they were about to leave, Liam suggested they visit a church.
Emma hesitated. She didn’t have much interest in it.
What does he want to pray for?
Finally, she nodded.
Upon arriving at St. Joan’s Church, Liam knelt before the well with his eyes closed in earnest prayer. His profile was bathed in sunlight and radiated a profound stillness, — exceptionally sincere.
It might be a hasty marriage, but not a bad one.
By the time Emma snapped back to reality, he was standing beside her.
Unexpectedly, her foot slipped, nearly sending her tumbling.
He reached out and pulled her into his arms.
She pushed him away frantically, but just then, a familiar laugh echoed from below. She grabbed his hand and hurriedly ducked behind a nearby stone pillar.
“Shh!”
“Emma, we’re married. This isn’t a secret rendezvous,” he murmured, amusement colouring his voice.
“Shut up!” She glared up at him.
His eyes brimmed with affection, and a smile played at the corners of his mouth.
“I heard Emma lived in S-Country for a while. We wanted to ask her to show us around, but she said she was busy.” Ethan chimed in.
“Emma never liked getting too close to people,” Anna added.
“This is her turf. She must have gone to see old friends,” Ryan chuckled.
“Such a beautiful and talented girl—does she have a boyfriend?” Ethan asked tentatively.
Anna and Ryan fell into silence.
“How about me?” Ethan added, turning to Ryan.
“I’m not into men,” Ryan replied.
“…”
“Hey! Look, doesn’t that guy look just like Mr. Hayes?” Ethan had sharp eyes.
⸻
Behind the stone pillar:
Hearing Ethan’s voice, Emma instinctively tightened her grip on Liam’s coat.
Liam wrapped his coat around her and gently cupped her face with one hand.
“Mmm…” Her eyes widened in surprise as his warm lips claimed hers.
Only the faint rustle of the wind and his heavy breathing reached her ears.
She pushed against him, but failed.
Her waist was clasped firmly against his solid abdomen; her feet barely touched the ground, only her toes scraping the floor.
His hand settled at the nape of her neck – a quiet command more than a force.
He deepened the kiss, stealing her balance with smooth, relentless intent.
She felt overwhelmed yet utterly intoxicated, unmoored and breathless.
…
“They are kissing here, Liam. How could Mr. Hayes possibly do that kind of thing in public? He’s not a teenager!” Ryan teased, yanking Ethan away while glancing casually toward the stone pillar.
God! This is crazy. That was so close.
“It really looks like it! Look at them…” Ethan kept babbling.
Ryan yanked him away forcefully.
“You really should find a girlfriend, Ethan.” Anna teased.
They gradually walked away.
Liam reluctantly pulled away from her lips.
She leaned weakly against his chest. Her face was flushed crimson, and her breath came in short gasps. His kissing skills were improving by the day. Whatever he did, he seemed to master with ease.
“Scoundrel…” Emma murmured.
Liam pinched her cheek and agreed, “That’s right.”
She took two steps back and pulled away from his embrace.
He smirked slightly and gently wiped her mouth with his thumb.
“I’ll do it myself.” She turned away.
“Hey, Mom… Yeah… Okay,” Liam answered the call from behind.
⸻
On the way back.
“Mom said we’re eating out tonight.” Liam wore a half-smile.
“Alright.” Emma nodded.
“I heard your besties are all coming.”
“Huh?” She was taken aback.
“Claire’s also coming.”
Claire…
Has he overheard everything we said on the balcony?
“Okay…” Her face flushed completely. She trailed behind him, too nervous to walk beside him.
He walked ahead with his hands in his pockets. A slight lift of his eyebrows suggested good spirits.
⸻
In a private room at an upscale restaurant in Country S.
Emma and the others arrived over ten minutes late.
“My apologies for keeping such lovely ladies waiting!” Eleanor entered the room first.
“Hi, Eleanor!” The three beauties already seated in the private room greeted her with laughter.
Emma and Liam followed her inside.
A stylish woman with long, curly red hair teased, “Our Emma’s back! And she brought a husband!”
“Hope you bring one soon!” Emma took Liam’s hand stiffly and guided him to a seat.
“No, thank you,” she retorted quickly.
“Sorry. My friends love to joke around.” Emma looked at him sheepishly.
“It’s fine. I don’t mind,” Liam said with a smile.
“That’s good.” She forced herself to calm down. “Let me introduce you.”
“Mia Davis. She’s in music.” Emma gestured to the stylish woman who’d spoken earlier as she waved at Liam.
Liam nodded in response.
“This is Kennedy Bailey, a model.”
Kennedy was strikingly beautiful and possessed a unique aura.
She was quiet, merely exchanging a nod with Liam.
“And this is–,” Emma took a deep breath, “Claire, a fashion designer.”
Upon hearing this, Liam first looked at Claire, then shifted his gaze to her.
She understood; given his way of thinking, he must have already guessed.
“Hello, Mr. Hayes,” Claire said, her expression complicated.
“Hello, Claire.” Liam returned the nod, paused briefly, then added, “Thank you.”
God only knew what that “thank you” was for.
Claire pressed her lips together and shifted her gaze from Liam to Emma.
Emma pressed her hand to her forehead, looking utterly helpless.