His Unveiled Passion

Tessa and Stephen kissed each other silly out in the prairie.

It had been a long time since they'd been able to indulge in their love for each

other. The fact of the matter was that they had been suppressing their feelings for

each other during their day-to-day interactions.

Their restraint had only allowed their desire and longing to grow. Now that the

dam was broken, they couldn't find it in themselves to stop.

When they finally pulled themselves apart, Tessa's lips were slightly swollen.

Still, they were both panting heavily after the kiss.

Tessa remained in a dazed state throughout the rest of the day, feeling as if she

were in a dream.

Frankly, she still felt out of sorts even after she returned to the hotel that night.

They didn't return to their rooms immediately. Instead, they had chosen to spend

their time at the hotel's garden, sitting side by side on a wooden bench.

Stephen gently wrapped his arms around Tessa and murmured, "Tess, let's get

back together, okay?"

The lingering summer's breath teased their hair, and the streetlights glowed dimly

in the night.

Stephen's dark eyes were deep and searching. His tone was careful, tinged with a

hint of nervousness and anticipation. He was even holding his breath, waiting.

Tessa leaned into his embrace, her reply as soft as a wind's caress. "Okay."

The guillotine blade hanging above his heart turned to dust right that instant.

Stephen's pounding heart finally began to slow, thumping at a steady beat.

A faint smile appeared on his lips as he opened his palm to reveal a piece of

wrapped candy.

on Stephen's shoulder and lowered her gaze to the

"Since when have you started carrying sweets in

there was an undeniable lilt

daughter gave it to me

I saved it just

candy up and inspected it. "Peach-flavored? It's my

popped it into her

coated her tongue.

other, enjoying the warm evening

seemed to settle in their bones as

seemed to slow

sweet?" Stephen asked out of the

Tessa's mouth had yet to fully melt. In fact,

replied around it, "Yes, it's

seemed to become even more

of the night. "Is that so? Is it

that she could only hear the sound of

past

thought to herself, "Perhaps it's the

so hot

the subject when Stephen spoke once

say to

this up now?"

"Well, I'm curious as to how sweet that candy

too good

help but feel

the temperature had

few degrees. She responded

we

today? It was a long one,

he replied earnestly. Then, he

to meet his

reflected in his dark eyes and hear him say, "Can

gave an almost inaudible hum of agreement. It was

sigh.

heard it loud

lips as he regarded her

close. He tilted his head

pressing his