Ex Cried as I Wed a Tycoon

Chapter 263

Lyman glanced at Effie and reached out, taking her hand in his.

Effie gripped his hand tightly, and with his help, managed to climb up. But the movement was a bit too forceful-she lost her balance and nearly toppled backward.

Luckily, Lyman reacted swiftly, steadying her before she could fall.

Still pressed close against his chest, Effie felt her heart pounding from the scare.

Lyman's gentle, deep voice broke the silence. “Are you alright?"

Effie shook her head quickly. "I'm..... I'm fine.”

"Are you scared?"

Lyman shook his head, a small smile playing at his lips. "Not at all."

Just then, the hot air balloon began to rise, slowly lifting them higher. Effie and Lyman peered over the edge, watching as people and houses shrank beneath them until the balloon floated to its highest point and gently came to a stop. The wind up there was stronger, whipping Effie's hair into a wild mess.

She pulled the hair tie from her wrist, but before she could do anything, Lyman took it from her, carefully gathering her hair and tying it back at the nape of her neck.

He seemed worried about hurting her, though, so the knot was a bit loose.

Effie laughed and thanked him, then turned to look at him. "You could have tied it a little tighter..."

the way Lyman was looking at her-so intently,

Effie swallowed hard and blurted, "Look... look

reverent. "You're

froze, her breath catching, heart skipping a

pulling her closer until she was nestled against his

and instinctively wrapped her arms around his

cradled her head, his voice soothing. "Don't be scared. I'm

nodded, her voice

your eyes," Lyman

eyes fluttering shut. A moment later, she felt Lyman's

hers, tentative at first,

soon melted into his kiss, responding

kissing when the balloon finally

touched down, Effie could hardly catch her breath, her heart

Lyman scooped her up

clinging to him

above her head. "If you're scared, just say

quickly looked up at him.

soft and full of affection. "You don't have to

her

to her-someone who ended up hurting her