Chapter 228

"It's not what you think." Emily Smith quickly interrupted Daniel Chen before he could finish his sentence, her fingers unconsciously twisting the hem of her shirt. "Daniel, we agreed—let's pretend that never happened."

"Are you sure?" His gaze burned into her.

"Yes." She nodded firmly.

"Emily..." Daniel reached out, his thumb gently stroking her cheek. "I swear I won't hurt you again."

Her lashes fluttered as she forced a smile. "I believe you."

His breath drew closer. Emily closed her eyes but tensed the moment their lips touched. Instinctively, she tried to push him away but stopped halfway, freezing like a girl experiencing her first kiss.

Daniel, however, was lost in the moment. He cradled the back of her head, his tongue parting her lips with relentless determination. Emily forced herself to respond, her mind flashing through every kindness he'd ever shown her.

As their breaths mingled, she suddenly found herself pressed into the couch. Daniel hovered above her, his eyes dark with desire. "Is this okay?"

His hand slid beneath her shirt. Emily shuddered violently, her palms pressing against his chest. "Daniel, I—"

When the kiss broke, Daniel went still. He buried his face in the crook of her neck, their ragged breaths loud in the silence.

Guilt prickled through Emily's fingertips. Why was she so comfortable with William Johnson, yet so hesitant with Daniel?

"It's fine." Daniel abruptly stood, turning his back to her. "I can wait."

The bathroom door clicked shut, and Emily exhaled in relief.

Late that night, she dreamed of a man with blurred features but sensations so vivid they terrified her. She woke to damp sheets.

Flustered, she changed the bedding and showered, but the tangled memories refused to wash away. Desperate, she grabbed the novel she'd carefully chosen—one with almost no intimate scenes.

At breakfast, Daniel acted as if nothing had happened. As he cleared the dishes, her phone rang from the bedroom.

Emily pushed open the ajar door but froze when she spotted the half-open drawer while reaching for her phone. A box of opened condoms lay inside.

Without thinking, she counted them.

Eight. All untouched.

"Emily?"

Daniel's voice startled her so badly she nearly jumped. When their eyes met, her cheeks burned. "I—I was just—"

"Just spares." He quickly took her hand. "In case."

Emily shoved the phone into his grasp and fled the room.