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..."

trailed off as she noticed the way Lyman was looking at her-so intently, as

Effie swallowed hard and blurted,

soft, almost reverent. "You're

breath catching, heart

a gentle tug, pulling her closer until she was nestled against his chest. The sudden movement made the

instinctively wrapped her arms around his waist, clinging to

soothing. "Don't

nodded, her voice

girl, close your eyes," Lyman

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

tentative at

soon melted into his kiss, responding to

were still kissing when the

catch her breath, her heart racing

Lyman scooped her

a startled yelp, clinging to him as he

above her head. "If you're scared, just say so. There's no shame in it,

in surprise, then quickly looked up

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

lowered her

to her-someone who ended up hurting her