Chapter 85

William Johnson's Adam's apple bobbed as his breathing grew noticeably heavier. When Emily Smith playfully flicked her tongue against it like a mischievous kitten, his eyes flew open.

He gripped her chin, forcing her to look up. Dark currents swirled in his inky gaze as he rasped, "That trick's getting old. Got anything new?"

Emily curved her lips into a smile, tracing circles on his chest with her fingertip. "It works, doesn't it?"

William chuckled lowly, capturing her wandering hand. "Emily Smith, you're getting bolder."

She nuzzled closer, brushing her soft lips against the corner of his mouth. "Sorry I missed your messages. Don't be mad?"

William sucked in a sharp breath and yanked her against him by the waist. "Don't cry later." Before she could react, he flipped their positions, pinning her to the seat in a searing kiss.

......

Afterwards, Emily gazed up at him with damp, red-rimmed eyes. "Still angry?"

William narrowed his eyes. "That was all an act?"

She shook her head hastily. "You went too deep... It really hurt."

"Is that a compliment?" He arched a brow.

"Be gentler next time?" she mumbled, cheeks flushed. "Felt like you were trying to break me."

William laughed darkly, pinching her crimson cheek. "You started this, little minx."

As night fell, William took her to the rotating restaurant atop Jinzhou's tallest building. Over six hundred meters in the air, the city's glittering lights stretched beneath them.

Emily stood before the floor-to-ceiling windows, the dazzling skyline reflected in her pupils. She remembered that night at the hillside villa when she'd lied about wanting to see the view—and William had promised to show her something more spectacular.

Now all of Jinzhou shimmered at their feet.

Though the restaurant bustled with patrons, William didn't hesitate to lead her through the crowd, hand in hand. Under countless curious glances, he pulled out her chair with perfect decorum.

"William, what a coincidence."

A familiar voice rang out behind them.