Love Burned, She Rose Unscathed

"Hey, you've got it all wrong. I can't speak for anyone else, but this lady right here-tough as nails."

York couldn't help it; he burst into laughter.

"Ugh, why are you always laughing?" Leda complained.

"What else am I supposed to do, cry?"

"Sure, I can hand you a tissue."

York pulled out his lighter.

Leda gestured for it.

He passed it over, thinking she'd had a change of heart and wanted to help him light his cigarette. But instead Snap!

Leda slapped his hand away. "I asked for a cigarette! What's this lighter for? You really don't get it, do you?" York was puzzled.

He lit one for himself first, then, without waiting for Leda to remind him, he leaned in and lit hers.

The flame lit up her face.

She tilted her head down to catch the fire, her teeth clamping onto the cigarette, her red lips tightly around it, leaving a clear mark of lipstick at the tip. York found himself feeling attracted.

"Hey, lights out."

"Ah? Oh!" He pocketed the lighter, slipping it back into his jeans.

They spent a couple of hours at the bar, finishing off a bottle of red wine, and by the time they left, it was already the early hours of the morning. Too tipsy to drive.

Leda tried to order a ride, but the app showed a queue of 36 people ahead.

She was at a loss.

at this hour, you won't get a ride

I'll just catch a cab. I'll come back for

But-

for taxis was

was dumbfounded, then had a lightbulb moment. "What's your plan for

shrugged. "I'm not going

"What do you mean?"

hotel

nodded. "I see

"It's mine."

"And?"

go home when I can stay at the hotel? That'd be silly,

"You've got it all figured out. Let's just crash

"Cough="

she mean by

York almost choked.

Leda wasn't

you waiting for?

breezed across the

long

her

the night wind,

effortlessly beautiful.

belongs to en.kikist

"Hey, slow

hotel reception, York said, "A room for her,

"Right away, sir."

"Aren't you

got a permanent

wanted, he could