Chapter 159 028
THE car screeched to a loud halt at the parking lot of Amelia’s compound. The lights washed over the quiet space for a few seconds before the headlamps finally went off and the engine died down, leaving behind a thick, ringing silence.
“Finally,” Charles announced, stretching slightly in his seat.
Amelia laughed, loosening her seatbelt.
“Yes, we are home finally.”
He turned to her fully, his face lit with a smile that looked almost boyish in the dim glow from the dashboard.
“Was a good night out, right?”
She tilted her head away deliberately, pretending to think.
“Maybe.”
Charles chuckled.
“Oh come on, babes. Tell me, please,” he pleaded, drawing out the words dramatically.
She sighed, then gave in.
“Okay, yes. It was a good night out.”
His face lit up instantly.
“So… apology accepted?”
Amelia hesitated, her fingers tightening briefly around her purse. Then she nodded.
“Yes. Accepted.”
“Yuppie!” Charles shouted, clapping his hands together in triumph.
She burst out laughing.
“Come on, stop acting like a happy boy who just saw candy.”
“But that is just how you made me feel,” he said easily.
“Huh? What do you mean?” she asked, glancing at him.
Charles leaned closer, lowering his voice, letting it slide into that smooth, dangerous tone he knew worked too well on her.
“Every second spent with you counts. You always leave me happy… like a boy who has just seen candy.”
Her resolve softened instantly.
“Awwn.”
“My beautiful,” he murmured, “you brighten my day, Amelia—”
“Awwn,” she pouted, shaking her head slightly.
“Light up my world and stand as that light at the end of my tunnels, baby.”
“Awwn, babes,” she whispered, smiling despite herself.
He leaned in and kissed her slowly, gently, as though sealing every word he had just spoken. When he pulled back, his eyes searched hers.
“I’m being serious,” he continued softly. “This isn’t flattery. This is me stating facts. The obvious. The reality.”
Amelia smiled so widely her eyes squinted.
“I love you too, Charles.”
“I love you more than you ever know,” he replied, and they kissed again, longer this time, deeper, until the world outside the car seemed to fade away.
She finally pulled back with a small laugh.
“Okay. Time to go.” She reached for the car door handle.
Charles stopped her hand mid-motion.
“You can’t be doing that when I’m here, my lady.”
Before she could protest, he stepped out of the car, shut his door, and walked around to her side. He opened her door with a flourish and extended his hand.
She smiled so broadly that her cheeks hurt.
“So sweet of you. Thank you,” she said, picking up her purse and alighting carefully, her legs first. Her heels touched the ground with a soft click before she stepped out fully, straightening herself.
Charles closed the door behind her and slipped the keys into his pocket.
“Let me walk you to your door, my love.”
She laughed, the sound light and teasing.
“Aren’t you coming in?” she asked, glancing up at him from under her lashes.
“Ugh—” he started, clearly searching for the right words.
“The kids are not in,” she cut in sharply, then softened her tone. “They are with their father,” she finished.
He sighed deeply, a mix of relief and hesitation crossing his face. He didn’t say anything else. Instead, he reached for her left hand and laced his fingers through hers.
Amelia smiled at the gesture, warmth spreading through her chest. They walked the short distance to the house in silence, hands clasped, the night calm and almost unreal. For a moment, everything felt simple. She felt light, giddy, like a high school girl walking home with her first love, heart pounding for reasons she couldn’t quite explain.
When they reached the porch, they stopped and turned to face each other. The porch light cast a soft glow over their faces, catching in Charles’s eyes.
Before Amelia could say another word, he leaned in and kissed her.
It wasn’t rushed. It wasn’t hesitant either. His lips covered hers fully, confidently, and she responded without thinking, melting into the kiss. The world narrowed to the warmth between them, the faint scent of his cologne, the steady pressure of his hand still holding hers.
The kiss deepened, unhurried but consuming. Amelia’s fingers loosened around her purse, her body leaning into his without her even realizing it. Her heart raced, her thoughts blurring into feeling alone.
Charles’s other hand came around her waist, steadying her as she swayed slightly. She clutched the front of his jacket instead, grounding herself against him. The closeness made her breath hitch, made everything else fade into background noise.
Their tongues rolled against each other in ecstacy, both feeling the faint taste of wine on it, the tension building, the adrenaline rushing though them in a force.
Still kissing, he reached out for the door knob, turned it down, the door clicked open and he guided her in, trying to steady her from falling. They were still smooching, her pink lip gloss already smeared on his own lips. They got in, and he made sure he locked the door, making their way towards the hallway leading to the bedroom.
As they got into the livingroom, Amelia suddenly pulled away, breaking out of the kiss.