"Absolutely, owning up is no big deal!" Marina continued to pour herself another glass of wine. "Oh, and about that kiss from the first round I lost, don't take it to heart." "I've said it before, if you ever need anything, I'm your guy," Carson replied with a smile, raising his glass to her.

But Marina suddenly frowned. "Why did you even open your mouth to kiss?"

Carson, caught off guard by her bluntness, nearly choked on his drink and coughed before replying, "You kissed me first. I just couldn't help myself. That's not on me!"

Marina eyed him skeptically. "You mean, that wasn't intentional?"

"Absolutely," Carson confessed. "My own fiancée comes at me with a kiss, and you expect me to play saint? No way!"

Marina looked at him, a mix of embarrassment and annoyance in her eyes.

Carson poured her another drink. "Come on, we're adults here. No need to be so uptight. Remember, I did you a favor. If I had pushed you away, playing Mr. Nice Guy, wouldn't you have lost face?" Thinking it over, Marina had to admit he had a point.

Especially in front of Susanna. If Carson had rejected her, Susanna would've been way too pleased with herself!

"Let's drop it," Marina said after taking a sip of her wine, suddenly adding, "I'm kinda hungry!"

"Didn't eat dinner?" Carson asked.

"Just got caught up talking and didn't feel it until now," Marina said, heading to the kitchen and opening the fridge, "Let's see what we've got." The fridge was bare except for some water and soda.

do you feel like eating? I'll call the kitchen staff," Carson offered, pulling out his phone to look up the number for

looked at her incredulously. "Where am I supposed to find BBQ at

"Just kidding. Anything's fine, as

a moment's thought, Carson made a call to the

hour

in the

had set up a grill

food

sat beside him, her face alight with joy. "Thank you, truly. This means a

her. "Feeling

he meant. Under the firelight, her face flushed a beautiful shade of red as she tried to play it cool. "Oh, please.

the night? That'd be a story for your

taken aback, her face turning even redder, as

back to brush some sauce on the squid, he couldn't help

lights always

and Carson, already a handsome man looked even more striking under the glow. Marina couldn't help but

*

from the bathroom by Jonathan and laid on the bed, where he hovered over

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