Tessa called gently, “Stephen.”

Stepen pressed his lips against her cheeks before answering her gently, “I’m here.”

“That incident with Jordan and the fight you had with Zachary a few days ago…”

Tessa hesitated momentarily before continuing, “If your family found out you lost control because of me and nearly beat someone to death, would they want to cancel our engagement?”

Stephen kissed her forehead. “I won’t let that happen. They won’t find out about it.”

Tessa lowered her gaze, her heart heavy with guilt. Her voice was faint and soft as she said, “You don’t have to go to such an extent for someone like me.”

“Tess,” Stephen murmured, lifting her chin with his warm hand, forcing her to meet his eyes. “You’re worth

it. You mean so much more to me than my own life.”

His deep, dark eyes were looking at her with an intense gaze.

Tessa froze as her eyes flickered with emotion. She could not find her voice for quite some time. She never thought she would be so important to Stephen.

Her eyes trembled as a strong sense of unease welled up inside her.

She was terrified. Terrified that she’d one day drag him down with her.

The thought of him nearly going to prison because of her made her chest tighten painfully.

“Tess, didn’t you say you would stop crying? Why are there tears again?”

His voice pulled her out of her thoughts, and she became aware of the tears streaking her face.

She pouted. “Then, wipe my tears for me.”

He gently brushed her tears away with the slightly rough pad of his thumb.

Suddenly, Tessa wrapped her arms around his waist, burying her face in his chest like a small kitten, nuzzling him for comfort.

His heart melted.

She inhaled softly, taking in his scent, and hummed contentedly. “Stephen, you smell so nice.”

Stephen chuckled. “You can smell it all you want since you like it.”

Tessa clung to him, her voice sounding flirty. “Stephen, kiss me.”

Stephen thought he had misheard her

His eyes widened as he pulled her away gently by her shoulders to look into her eyes. “What did you just say?”

Tessa blushed fiercely, the warmth spreading all the way to her ears She bit her bottom lip and whispered so softly it was almost inaudible, “I said to kiss me-”

The second she finished those words, Stephen immediately pressed his lips against hers.

His lips were extremely soft.

It was her first kiss, and she stood there frozen, completely unprepared.

Her lips were sealed tightly together, unsure of how to react, while her heart was racing wildly, pounding

so hard it felt like it might burst out of her chest.

Stephen kissed her gently, sucking on her lips.

After a moment, his breathing grew uneven.

Before he could lose control, he quickly pulled himself away.

Hearing his ragged breaths, she looked up to see his slightly flushed face and the dazed, fiery look in his eyes.

“Why did you stop?” she asked innocently, looking puzzled.

“Well, you should get some rest. I’ll

take my leave,” Stephen said, steadying his breaths as he forced himself to remain calm. “If we keep kissing, something else will end up happening.”

She immediately understood what he meant, and her face turned bright red. “Alright, then. Be careful on your way back.”

Stephen looked at her with a deep gaze and said three words, “You’re so sweet.”

“What?” Tessa cocked her head to the side, her bright eyes confused.

He raised a hand and pressed his index finger lightly against her soft, rosy lips. His gaze was unreadable as he said, “Your lips are so sweet.”

Tessa felt as if a current of

electricity had just run through her body, leaving her weak and tingling. She quickly turned and bolted into her bedroom, yelling, “Goodnight!”

IMS

Stephen watched her flee as an affectionate smile spread across his face.