Love Burned, She Rose Unscathed

He chuckled softly, disbelief painting his features. "I'm not mistaken."

Roseanne seemed lost, her eyes briefly clouded with confusion.

Then Corley spoke again, "I want to kiss you."

Roseanne was dumbfounded, speechless for a long moment. Her mind was a whirlwind of thoughts, and for a second, she couldn't tell if this scene unfolding before her was reality or a dream because it was absurd!

Corley's smile had a roguish charm, his handsome face carrying a hint of recklessness and indifference, mixed with the slight buzz from the alcohol on his breath, giving off a vibe of defiance. "Surprised, huh?" Surprised was an understatement. Roseanne felt her brain had short-circuited.

"You... you..." She tried to speak, but no coherent words came out.

"Yes, I have a thing for you."

"What are you talking about? How could anything happen between us?"

give it a try and

you and Murray..." Weren't the two of them

I like you, and

handsome and carried an air of gentle nobility If Murray was like the unpredictable weather, never knowing when it would rain or shine, Corley the wind slipping through your fingers, formless, seemingly within reach, yet

said, "I don't

was like

smiled as if he had expected

breathe a sigh of relief, he spoke again. "That's

what to say in

Some people don't recognize a good thing when they see it, but I do." Corley stepped closer, "I've seen your kindness,

"No matter what you say, I won't fall for you. This so-called pursuit is

had never

anything happening with anyone close

his