At that moment, Hazel doesn't want to think of any excuses anymore or any potential issues that would hinder her from having a relationship with James.
So what if James was already flirting when she was just learning to walk? James surely had his first girlfriend when she was just in preschool. It was just in the past, and James was not dating anyone in the present.
Hazel threw her arms around James' slender waist and buried her face into his chest. It is what she wanted to do when she was upset and James didn't disappoint her; he wrapped his arms around her body.
She has been dreaming James will hold her like this until she cools down and feels better.
And after a long moment, that had passed. Hazel slowly releases herself from James. Suddenly, she felt shy about what she did. She was the one who threw herself into James' arms when there was no clarification between them yet if they were officially into a relationship.
Her doubts were answered when James spoke.
"Are you sure to have a relationship with me?"
Hazel nodded her head.
"Then… Can I kiss you now?"
Hazel's face turned beet red when James asked her that. Jake tried to kiss her in the past, but since Jake hadn't asked her to be his girlfriend or talk about having a relationship like James did, she didn't let Jake take advantage of her. She is the woman who likes to make sure everything is first.
'Pull yourself together, Hazel! Don't you swear to act mature from here on? So stop feeling like a child!'
After she scolded herself, Hazel nodded her head. She closed her eyes with anticipation for James to kiss her, but she instead felt his warm lips on her head.
Hazel opens her eyes. Disappointment is exhibited in them when James didn't kiss her on the lips. She pouted and glared at him.
James chuckled and nudged her forehead with his. "You were nervous. So I won't kiss you when you are not ready yet."
Hazel looked at James in amazement. She never imagined that James would really have patience with her. 'Did he learn, or he only guessed that I kissed no one yet?'
Anyway, one thing she is sure of at that moment. She had fallen in love with James.
"Are you sure you would not regret this?" One more time, James wanted to let Hazel be sure of her decision.
Regret? If there is one thing she regretted is when she wasted her entire childhood thinking about only one man. She has fantasies that one day, Jake would notice her. She even jumped and rolled all over her bed when she imagined Jake would become her boyfriend in the future.
But she was too wrong to have such expectations. Now her heart is full of disappointment. Jake is not the man in her dreams, but a pure mistake of puppy love.
After a moment to think over, Hazel nodded her head. She mused inwardly.
'I might only regret it if I don't try.'
"Alright." James combed her long hair. In the next minute, they just stayed snuggled together.
Hazel lifted her chin and looked at James. She nibbles her lower lip when a part of her debates about something. Voices are fighting inside her head; Hazel shut them off as it only distracts her happiness. She tiptoed and reached for James' lips.
'You are crazy, Hazel!'
She knew that. So why does she have to pretend?
And the moment Hazel brushes her lips on top of his, James responds to her with light kisses. He doesn't want her to be like a scaredy-cat, and so he kisses Hazel gently and works hard to control himself.
When Hazel pulled her head and ended the kiss. She looks at James with big eyes. She kisses James on her own accord!
"You are no longer nervous, huh?" asked James.
Hazel shook her head. "Not at all…"
"Alright. We should not stay up late. You have to make the desserts for Hailee's important guests."
"Are you making sushi and tempura? How about dumplings?" Hazel asked excitedly. James has great culinary skills, and she loves everything he prepares.
"Yup. The princess especially requested it."
"Can you teach me? I want to help!"
James glanced at Hazel's hand, tugging at his shirt's sleeve. He's glad that she was comfortable around him now. He could see that she was shy and seemed stiff every time they were alone, so he was silent and serious. But he really loved it when she looked at him with those big bright eyes of hers and a sweet smile on her lips.
"Sure. I would love it if you help me tomorrow." James agreed. That would be like a date at home.
"Okay! Let's go back inside!" Hazel grabbed James' hand, but she was pulled back.
What happened next is James claimed her lips and kissed her feverishly. Hazel lets herself melt into James' arms and forgets that the world is spinning in a circular motion.
Meanwhile, on the second level of the mansion. Two shadows lurking in the dark.
"You looked happy."
Hailee glanced over her shoulder and smiled at Vince, who joined her peeping at the two people talking intimately at the open pool area.
"I'm just excited about tomorrow."
"Then shall we sleep now?"
Hailee nodded and let Vince guide her toward the bed. When they've already tucked inside the covers, Hailee shared her thoughts.
"I'm actually happy for James and Hazel. So, I pray they will both work in their relationship."
"Hmm… Those two have a temperament that possibly their character would clash. But who knows? They might work on their issues," Vincent's peace of mind.
Hailee tightens her embrace at Vincent's arm. Since her baby bump is even bigger now, Vincent has to keep a little distance.
"If they are both willing to grow in their relationship. I'm sure everything will be alright."
Vincent concurred with Hailee's opinion. In a relationship, there is nothing impossible when both are working together and as time passes by, it will become fruitful, such as maturity.
"Hubby… I am so blessed that I found you."
"And I am blissful that I have you…"
Two hearts that beat one…?
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