Chapter 353
When people started chanting, "Kiss! Kiss! Kiss!" Alex felt his pulse quicken.
He stared into Sophia's beautiful eyes, captivated by the soft glow on her flawless face.
He loved this woman with every fiber of his being, deeper than he'd ever loved anyone before.
But tonight, she was drunk, vulnerable, and worse-she was supposed to marry someone else in a matter of days.
As much as his heart begged him to kiss her right there, Alex knew he had to do the right thing.
"No," Alex whispered gently, fighting against his own desire.
Instead, he swept Sophia into his arms, lifting her gracefully in a princess carry.
Her delicate frame rested comfortably against his chest, sending warmth through his body.
"I'm taking you back," he said firmly, trying to ignore how good it felt to hold her so close.
Sophia struggled slightly, beating softly against his chest.
"Let me down, Alex! If you don't love me, don't touch me!"
Alex tightened his hold, ignoring her protests.
"I'm not letting you go," he said, stepping toward the street to hail a taxi.
The disappointed crowd around them groaned loudly, their hopes dashed by his refusal.
But Alex wasn't here to please them. His only concern was Sophia.
The taxi pulled up swiftly, and Alex gently placed Sophia in the back seat, intending to let her go alone.
But then he looked at her-her face flushed, eyes half-lidded, lost in a haze of alcohol and emotion.
She was vulnerable.
Too vulnerable. There was no way he could leave her like this, not tonight.
"Where are you headed?" asked the driver.
"The best hotel in Paris!" Sophia shouted drunkenly, leaning heavily against Alex.
"Four Seasons?" the driver clarified.
"Exactly!" Sophia yelled with determination.
Alex raised an eyebrow. "You're staying there?"
Sophia nodded, eyelids fluttering closed as she clung tightly to Alex's arm, refusing to let go.
The ride to the hotel was brief, the city lights passing swiftly.
As they arrived, Sophia stirred slightly and murmured, "Penthouse," barely awake yet holding tightly to Alex's hand.
Alex swept her into his arms once more, holding her in a protective princess carry as he stepped into the opulent lobby of the Four Seasons, every eye turning toward them as if the moment itself belonged in a storybook.
asked the receptionist
"Penthouse," Alex replied evenly.
sir. It's rarely available, but someone canceled at the
down at Sophia, who was now fast asleep,
wondered bitterly if it was Gilbert who canceled, knowing Sophia had run
he said simply, handing it
bellhop escorted them swiftly to the
the silvery
her peaceful face causing a painful ache in
out and softly caressed her cheek, his fingers trembling with suppressed
desperately, but fate seemed determined to
was the tenderness of his unspoken affection. "Sleep well," he
away, Sophia reached out, gripping his arm
just a little longer," she
sat beside her,
warmth seeped into his skin, making
Sophia whispered softly, eyes still
today was our last day—if there was
outside the vast window, the moon casting gentle beams
of longing
his voice heavy with
me?" Sophia
sighed, brushing a strand of
it tore us apart." Sophia smiled softly,
But I don't remember us
Sophia," Alex chuckled gently, though
protested softly,
met... I remember everything. And if I can still remember that, then I'm not drunk now,
warmly, surrendering to the intimacy
maybe you're not drunk. Maybe I'm
around her,
moment,
right, as though the world had finally stopped fighting
two souls tangled in each
across Alex's chest, her voice barely above
who are
out into the darkness, feeling her warmth pressed against him, then slowly
"Me? I'm a king."
"You're drunk, Alex. Tell me, how
long time ago," he said, smiling faintly, "I fought and defeated the old king.
on his chest, eyes
enough. You're
suddenly, replaced by intense seriousness as she
from his, breath warm against
really a king,
I love you exactly as you are. Can you love
Sophia's shimmering eyes,
"What do you mean?"
shook slightly, heavy
love with you. Will you dare
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Fcf+pIKEEbz3jxOg//KHQBi/IATXQK7j6wGtQVqp51L7BzG7OURxBB0L7sSVuIsbem5NiQ==
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