Right Person, Wrong Time

Every word of the man's solemn promise reverberated in Nicole's heart. She couldn't help but blush while muttering in a whisper, "Alright, stop it. I-I—"

Seeing her hem and haw in his arms, Colton pressed his tall frame against her petite one. He continued, "What's the matter, Nicole? You don't want to marry me?" His ink-black eyes were fixed on her pink and glossy lips, which were so tender as if water could be squeezed out of them. Involuntarily, his hand reached out to touch them, which were just as tender as he imagined. Seeing how shy Nicole looked, he let out a chuckle with a flicker of a smile in his clear eyes. As his tall frame kept closing in on her, he asked slowly, "If you don't agree to it, I'll kiss you until you do. How about that?"

This guy really has no sense of shame! thought Nicole. She promptly pushed his chest with her hands to keep him from getting closer to her.

As they were close together, they could smell each other. Nestling in the man's arms, Nicole could smell a faint whiff of tobacco. It wasn't unpleasant, though it felt different from the past. Trying to change the subject, she asked, "I've never seen you smoke before. So, you like to smoke?"

Colton knew she was trying to change the subject, but he obediently went along with it. He explained with a faint smile, "Not really. It's just that when I feel irritable, smelling cigarette smoke makes me feel better. If you don't like it, I'll stop it." He wasn't in the habit of smoking, but he did smoke. Back when he first went out into the world, drinking and smoking were inevitable in socializing between adults.

"No, you don't have to. I don't hate it," replied Nicole in a whisper.

Seeing the scarlet blush on her face, Colton picked up the topic just now, asking with a smile, "So, have you decided? Are you gonna marry me?"

Nicole couldn't help but feel rather shy at the question. After a while, she slowly nodded and replied in a soft whisper, "Once Wendy comes back safely, let's pick a good day to… get married." In the past, she would've felt distrustful of men, but it seemed that she had lost her heart to Colton after getting along with him for so long.

The smile on Colton's face grew wider when he saw that she had agreed. He put his arm around her waist to make her sit in his arms. Then, without closing his eyes, he lowered his head and kissed her gently, only for his embrace to tighten, which made the kiss much tenderer.

When they finally parted, Nicole was blushing, looking adorably shy with her hands clinging to his collar.

Glancing down at her, Colton remarked with a smile, "Your lips are so sweet, Mrs. Gardner."

Nicole shot a glare at him before pushing him away. She said, "Okay, stop getting lovey-dovey. You'd better think about what to do next."

Colton released his hold on her before his fingertip rested on the tip of her nose. He replied softly, "Don't worry. I've had everything thought out, so Wendy will surely come back safely. Otherwise, how could I have the leisure to flirt with you here?"