Chapter 236: You, Me, and the Tree
There was an inch of space between their lips, yet Emily could feel the faint vibrations on her own, her lips reacting to Raylen’s proximity. One of her hands had instinctively moved behind her, as if seeking support from the tree’s rough bark.
"A little too close, isn’t it?" Emily asked him, and she couldn’t help but notice his blue eyes darken in response.
"Some things require you to get close to them in order to do them right," Raylen responded to her, and every word that left his lips seemed to land directly on hers.
He couldn’t take his eyes away from her, fixating on her large and beautiful hazel brown eyes focused on him, waiting in anticipation. He then blew a gentle breath of air onto her lips, eliciting a gasp from her.
Emily felt a tickle in her stomach, her foot drawing backwards to rest against the tree as they continued to gaze at each other. As per Raylen’s word, he refrained from touching her the entire time, yet she was more than conscious right now, keenly sensing his brooding presence enveloping her.
Her clothing started to dry from the hem of her dress, progressing slowly upwards, and Raylen didn’t rush the process. He intentionally took his time to ensure she felt aware of his presence until she could neither see nor feel anyone else. He realised how much he wanted to possess her entirely, and he inched dangerously closer while still not touching her.
But Raylen knew that if he tried to openly monopolise the princess, it would only alarm her and send her sprinting in the opposite direction. Subtlety was the key, he thought.
As if unable to maintain eye contact with his intense gaze, her eyes dropped before glancing to the side. Her cheeks had turned even rosier due to the cold, and her lips resembled a ripened apple, enticingly ready to be bitten. How had he missed seeing this before? It was probably because he had been so focused on regaining his powers through Dante’s awakening.
When Emily felt her dress and hair had dried, she noticed that Raylen made no attempt to move from where he stood. She said,