Chapter 47: Yes or No
Naomi froze, caught completely off guard. She had never been this close to a man—not like this. The only person she had ever hugged, in fact, was Rose’s senior brother—the one who had always been her confidant, the person she could talk to and laugh with. But this? This was entirely different.
Zylan’s presence was overwhelming, suffocating in its intensity. Her chest tightened with uncertainty, her heart racing as she tried to process the closeness, the heat of his body against hers.
Zylan’s hand rested on her backside, his fingers firm yet maddeningly deliberate, tracing the soft curve of her flesh with a subtle teasing motion that sent ripples of heat through her. Naomi instinctively tensed, acutely aware of every inch of her body—her slim-thick frame, the curves she always tried to hide. Her backside, in particular, was the one part of her she wished she could shrink away. And yet, here he was, his touch intimate, invasive, the thin barrier of her underwear the only thing separating them.
She could feel his thumb caress the smooth skin beneath her underwear, the delicate stroke making her breath hitch. It was as though every nerve in her body had been awakened, and yet, she couldn’t pull herself away. Every instinct screamed at her to push him off, to stop this, but her body wouldn’t comply. Instead, her breath came faster, shallow, betraying the rapid flutter of her pulse.
"Stop... doing that," Naomi stammered, her voice shaky as she tried to muster some courage. Her heart pounded in her chest, the beating almost deafening in her ears. She could feel the heat rising in her cheeks, a flush of embarrassment coloring her face as she tried to maintain some semblance of control.
Zylan’s chuckle rumbled deep in his chest, a sound that made her stomach flutter nervously. "So big," he murmured, amusement and something darker lacing his tone. His words were not mocking, but laced with genuine curiosity and perhaps admiration. He seemed unfazed by her discomfort, almost fascinated by the way her body responded to his touch.
Naomi’s face turned crimson, her emotions a storm of embarrassment and confusion. Was that a compliment? Or was he mocking her? The thought twisted in her mind, and she bit her lip nervously, unable to make sense of her feelings. Before she could gather her thoughts, his hand moved further upward, trailing along her side.
"Ha... ahh..." The sound that escaped her lips was soft, breathy, and completely unrecognizable. Naomi’s eyes widened in horror, and her hands flew instinctively to cover her mouth, but it was too late. Her body had betrayed her, and her mortification deepened. She tried to turn away from him, but he was too close, his presence overwhelming, as though there was no escape. Her heart hammered in her chest, each beat a reminder of how out of control she felt.
Zylan’s fingers continued their slow, deliberate journey up her spine, sending a wave of shivers through her. Her body tensed with each touch, her breath coming in uneven gasps. Naomi’s eyes flickered with confusion, embarrassment, and something deeper she dared not acknowledge. Her body betrayed her with every movement, responding to his touch in ways that terrified and intrigued her all at once.