CHAPTER 54: CHAPTER 54: HOLLY CROWE, MAY I KISS YOU?

Holly’s whole body stiffened, "No, nothing... just casually checking the news."

The familiar scent of jasmine body wash lingered at her nose, the same one she used.

Blake Sinclair shifted slightly, his elbow inadvertently brushed against her arm, sending a jolt through her body like an electric current.

Holly swallowed, not daring to move, holding her breath.

At this moment, Blake suddenly sat up straight and leaned slightly towards her.

"What are you doing?" Her heart almost jumped out of her throat.

Blake’s hand froze in mid-air. Looking at her nervous expression, a hint of amusement flashed in his eyes, "Straightening the blanket, it seemed uneven just now."

"Oh, I... I’ll help you."

Holly had just reached out halfway when he grasped her hand.

"Why did you take off the ring?" His gaze fell on her ring finger, a hint of disappointment in his words, "Don’t you like it?"

Holly looked at her empty left ring finger and quickly explained, "No, it’s just that the ring is too... too big. I’m afraid of losing it, and it’s inconvenient when I’m molding clay."

Blake hadn’t expected this reason, he simply replied, "Oh."

"I didn’t consider it thoroughly. I’ll pick a suitable one tomorrow and have Mrs. Sinclair wear it again." As he spoke, he leaned down slowly, gazing down at her with dark eyes.

Holly blinked at his amber eyes, "Okay."

Upon hearing the desired answer, Blake’s lips curled slightly.

His hands were now braced on either side of her shoulders, casting a shadow that completely enveloped her, alongside their mutual jasmine scent, creating a small, intimate space.

Holly instinctively shrank back, the ambient tenderness in the air gradually rising, neither of them spoke.

She wanted to break the atmosphere, but after holding it in for a long time, she said, "Blake, I don’t sleep well, I roll around. You... you won’t mind, right?"

"Will you roll into my arms?" he asked.

"I... I don’t know." Holly was taken aback, "If you mind, I can sleep in the study."

Blake chuckled softly and leaned closer, "I don’t mind. I’ll catch you, I promise you won’t fall off."

Holly turned her head, brushing her forehead against his nose, "Then, goodnight."

Just before she lay down, she felt a gentle pressure on her forehead.

"Goodnight." His voice echoed above her.

Holly froze entirely, looking up at him in surprise.

Blake had already straightened up, looking nonchalant, as if nothing had happened, making her seem a bit overly dramatic.

He looked at her, sincere and innocent, "What’s wrong? I heard couples should have a goodnight kiss before sleep."

"Huh?"

"Sorry, it’s my first time doing these things, I have no experience, is it... inappropriate?"

Looking at his ’I’m sorry, I have no experience, I’m too innocent, I don’t understand’ expression, Holly silently sighed.

Never mind, it’s his first time being in love.

"It’s okay."

As soon as she finished speaking, she saw Blake lean in again, much closer this time.

His voice was low, "Can you accept it?"

Holly stared up at him, watching her reflection in his eyes, pursing her lips, she whispered, "I can."

Blake’s eyes brightened a bit.

Holly added, "But... but next time, could you tell me beforehand so I... can be prepared."

Blake’s eyes narrowed slightly, a fleeting smile of triumph flashed across them, and he nodded lightly.

She just relaxed, thinking the night could pass just like this, but the next second his amused voice sounded beside her:

"Holly, can I kiss you now?"

Holly, having lived for twenty-seven years, had never encountered such a direct question.

Yet Blake looked at her with utmost seriousness.

He did exactly as she said just now, asking for her opinion.

But... that was only a symbolic response, meant to be a courtesy... oh forget it...

Holly was suddenly at a loss for words, not knowing what to say.

At some point, his hand had reached around her waist.

Holly’s spine trembled slightly, and she instinctively moved to the side, only to be pulled back tighter by him.

"May I, Mrs. Sinclair?"

His voice mixed with desire, the grip on her waist tightening, his breath brushing against her neck, carrying the familiar jasmine scent of the body wash.

Immersed in his warm breath, Holly gently nodded.

Blake chuckled softly, immediately tightening his arms to pull her into his embrace.

"Click."

The lights went out.

Blake’s presence descended upon her, gradually engulfing her breath, completely enveloping her.

His lips felt warm as he cautiously pecked at her, the kiss was awkward and he almost bumped into her teeth.

"Sorry." He apologized awkwardly, but his hands honestly slipped slowly beneath her garment, "Can I try again?"

Holly Crowe silently nodded.

Then his lips covered hers, soft and tender, this time he was so skilled it was as if he had become a different person. She slightly tilted her head back, and his kiss deepened suddenly.

Holly thought in a daze, was this really inexperienced...

His kisses gradually moved down to her neck, and Holly bit her lip, the tingling sensation spread from her spine to every corner of her body.

The last time, she had been controlled by medication, floating in a state of confusion, but this time, she was fully conscious, truly feeling his warmth and breath.

Holly’s breathing turned slightly erratic and gradually quickened, she felt she could hear the ’thump thump’ of her heart, as if it was about to leap out of her chest.

Desire spread, her eyelashes trembled lightly, and she closed her eyes.

But almost in the moment of sinking, Blake Sinclair suddenly stopped.

He maintained his previous posture without moving, remaining silent.

Holly was a little stunned, opened her eyes, not understanding his behavior at that moment.

The darkness in front of her eyes, Blake Sinclair suddenly turned over, his long arm slid under her neck, pulling her closer.

Her back pressed against his burning chest, Holly softly called his name.

"Blake Sinclair?"

He remained silent, his arms shifted, wrapping her entirely in his embrace.

Holly tried to turn around, but he held her tightly in his arms.

"Sleep."

Blake Sinclair rested his chin in the crook of her shoulder, burying his face deep into her hair, taking a deep breath, suppressing all his desire.

Holly could feel the heat coming from her back, also his restrained and suppressed breath and the tension in his tightly strung chest.

"Blake Sinclair, actually, it’s okay." She spoke softly.

He was silent for a moment, then sighed helplessly, his voice hoarse and filled with frustration and helplessness, "Sorry, I forgot to buy it."

Holly: "..."

She instantly realized, her face burning up immediately.

Blake Sinclair pressed against her from behind, wanting to retreat but reluctant to let go, so he could only turn his head to kiss her ear, lightly pecking kisses occasionally landing on her neck and ear.

Holly could feel him using this method to try and calm the heat, yet the firm outline behind her was undeniably real.

His breathing not only didn’t return to a rhythm, instead, it grew even heavier, his chest rose and fell more evidently.

"Sorry." Blake Sinclair whispered from deep in his throat.

He lifted the blanket, intending to get out of bed when he felt his hand being tugged.

Holly had turned around at some point, and in the dark, she slightly lifted her head, her fingers curling and releasing, hooking his finger once more.

Blake Sinclair’s breath caught in his throat.

He reversed his grip, grasping her hand firmly, and only relaxed when Holly made a sound of pain.

It is not allowed.

He exhaled heavily, restrained, and dropped a kiss on her forehead, "You sleep first, I’ll join you in a bit."

Holly’s eyes had fully adjusted to the dark.

She could see the endless dark currents surging in Blake Sinclair’s amber eyes.

"I can..." she whispered, climbing up his arm, "help you..."

Blake Sinclair completely lost control, grabbing her into his arms, the moans were utterly shattered in his clenched teeth.

The air gradually grew humid, the scent of cedar permeated and overwhelmed the jasmine fragrance.

In the back-and-forth, it wasn’t clear who led whom into diving deep.

It felt like even the breaths intertwined in the night.

When it all ended, Holly was too tired to open her eyes.

Blake Sinclair emerged from the bathroom trailing drops, seeing her lying on the pillow, eyes barely open, his heart filled with an indescribable mixture of sourness and sweetness.

He lifted the blanket and lay down, gently tucking Holly’s hair behind her ear.

Holly tried to open her eyes, but her eyelids were too heavy and in the end she gave up, "Blake Sinclair, I’m so tired, I... can’t help you anymore, you handle it.. yourself..."

The last few words were almost inaudible.

Blake Sinclair adjusted the blanket, took her reddened hand, and gave it a gentle peck, his eyes filled with contentment and gentleness.

He grabbed the nearby hand cream, squeezed some out and gently massaged it into her palm, intertwining their fingers, then pressed them against his own chest.

The night expanded indefinitely, yet his heart was filled with love.

Blake Sinclair draped her hand over his waist, "Goodnight, darling."

Holly murmured an "Mm" subconsciously snuggling closer to him.

Blake Sinclair chuckled lowly, pulling her tighter into his arms.

The night dragged on, yet his heart was filled to the brim.