The Unveiled Rose

Holding hands seemed intimate enough to me. "Probably?"

Instead of arguing, Zane mused, "Anna, lying comes with a price. He'll keep pursuing you"

Zane suddenly realized that Steven's presence was a great excuse to get closer to me.

I bit my lip. Honestly, I wanted nothing more to do with Steven, so I could only look up at Zane. "What would convince him for good?" Suddenly, he pulled me onto his lap. I tried to stand, but he held me firmly. Then, Zane whispered seductively, "Just demonstrating." "Okay, I get it..." I blushed, trying to rise.

But Zane wouldn't let go, "Why are you blushing so hard? Didn't Steven ever hold you like this?"

I nodded. "No. Since he didn't love me, we only held hands and hugged. Nothing more."

"Really?" As Zane questioned me, he could not help himself anymore. He cupped my face and pressed his warm lips to mine. The sudden kiss left my mind blank.

Instinctively, I tried to push him away. But Zane held my back and did not want to let go. Strangely, I did not mind his kiss at all.

Sensing my acceptance, he deepened the kiss. This was his first kiss ever, and he never knew kissing someone he loved could feel so great. Finally, he released me when I needed air. Staring at Zane, I asked in a daze, "Is this necessary for pretending?"

Zane answered firmly, "Of course. Lovers have passionate moments, and this makes it believable."

That made sense. I touched his face gently. While his cold eyes softened with laughter, it felt as if I was the only one he could see at that moment. He let me touch him all I wanted. Then, I gave him a quick kiss. Surprised by my initiative, he froze briefly.

But I pulled back almost immediately, so he chuckled in a loving tone. "You're learning."

"Of course." I leaned on his shoulder. "It's all for show. I really want Steven to give up."

As Zane studied my confident and charming profile, he lifted me up. I had to wrap my arms around his neck. He pressed me against the wall before kissing me fiercely. Catching a glimpse of Steven watching, I closed my eyes and pretended not to see him. As I clutched Zane's shirt tight, I had no choice but to let him kiss me.

Though things were progressing with Annalise, Zane wanted more of her. He wanted her heart, her body, and everything about her.

He wanted to date her properly, without using Steven as an excuse.novelbin

Concurrently, Steven watched from his car as they kissed passionately on the balcony. Annalise seemed to have melted from the kiss as she slid down weakly.