A red mark had formed on her fingers. Yuri Sinclair took her small hand in his other one and frowned. "Does it hurt?"
"N-no... it doesn't." Ashley Bowen was both surprised and flattered by Yuri Sinclair's sudden concern and quickly shook her head. 'I'm not that delicate. I was just carrying something.'
She didn't look up, staring a bit dazed at Yuri Sinclair's large hand holding hers.
It was as if time had stood still, the only sound being their breathing.
Yuri Sinclair wiped away Ashley Bowen's tear tracks with his hand, his voice slightly hoarse. "Ashley Bowen, let's make this for real."
"Huh?" Ashley Bowen looked up, not understanding what Yuri Sinclair meant.
But before she could understand, Yuri Sinclair cupped her head with both hands, and his fiery lips descended on hers.
The dried fish fell to the ground—THUD.
Yuri Sinclair's icy eyes grew warmer. He held Ashley Bowen's head and pressed his body against hers.
