Martin pondered, with a hint of mischief in his eyes, "How about I surprise you with sothing like this next ti?"
Serena remained silent, feeling an undeniable chasm between him and the charm she found in Roo.
There was just no comparison!
She was settling, and she knew it.
Martin suggested a stroll through the sunflower fields, but her gaze kept drifting toward the hot air balloon tethered nearby. It wasn’t flying far, and she could clearly see a couple locked in an embrace, sharing a kiss that was all too glaring for her.
It was such an eyesore!
Noticing her discontent, Martin tried to cheer her up with a soft proposal, "Hey Serena, want to snap a pic of you with my phone? You could post it on Facebook."
"Forget it," Serena replied, uninterested. "Taking pictures on soone else’s turf feels like mooching off their mont. Don’t worry about . I just want so ti to myself."
Martin felt a pang of guilt, realizing he should have planned ahead to avoid disappointing her.
Up in the hot air balloon.
Roo’s lips lingered on the girl’s, his hand gently caressing her slender waist.
Rosemary responded to his fervent affection, and after a while, she felt his passionate kisses begin to wander downward.
"Roo."
Her soft call made him pause, his eyes still filled with lingering adoration.
"Hmm?"
"There are people watching below."
Rosemary looked down at the stunning vista—the sprawling lavender fields were a breathtaking masterpiece.
"I never realized how beautiful lavender could look from this angle."
"You’re even more beautiful." Roo embraced her from behind, sharing the view. "If you like it, we can co here more often."
Rosemary knew their ti was limited; they both had busy lives and rarely had monts to enjoy the scenery in quiet like they were now.
"So sights are worth seeing just once."
"No matter how many tis you want to see it, I’ll be there with you. If you get tired of it, we’ll find a new place.
If not, I’ll stay until you’ve had your fill."
Serena, watching the hot air balloon with its occupants still aloft, could only imagine the intimate whispers shared in that close embrace.
It was maddening.
Martin glanced at the couple in the sky and then at Serena beside him. He cautiously reached for her hand, hoping to ease her irritation.
Serena felt a surge of aversion but was also aware that she needed to give Martin so encouragent. He had to be firmly attached to her, willing to give his all.
Martin was surprised when Serena didn’t pull away. His smile grew sweet and content. He was careful not to hurt her, holding her hand with a tenderness that was almost fearful.
The couple in the balloon kissed again, with Roo leaning in, seemingly insatiable, driving Serena to the brink of envy.
If only Roo had been that assertive and gentle with her.
Why had he been so cold to her in the past, almost annoyed, yet so smitten with Rosemary?
Martin, sensing she was still upset, followed her gaze. In the warm sunlight, the couple in the balloon seed to lt into each other with their kiss.
Martin, too, longed to kiss her, to lt away her anger.
But as he leaned in, Serena turned away, her eyes flashing with irritation and reluctance.
Realizing he had crossed a line, Martin apologized, "Sorry, I got ahead of myself."
"Do you want or my heart?" Serena suddenly looked up, her voice tinged with anger.
"Of course I—" Martin was visibly nervous, his gaze locked into hers, yet he couldn’t bring himself to deceive her.
"I want it all."
He yearned for both.
The sincerity in his eyes appeared to Serena as nothing more than a wolf in sheep’s clothing.
"So, hanging out with , you’ve always had ulterior thoughts, right?"
Martin was puzzled. To him, these ’ulterior thoughts’ were simply an extension of his affection for her.
Seeing her upset, Martin didn’t dare to soothe her with his actions anymore. He could only try to explain verbally.
"I’ll admit, I’m drawn to you, because I like you. I want to kiss you, hold you, take your hand. I want you, all of you, for myself.
But more than that, I want your heart. I hope to have a place in there—even if it’s just a tiny corner—that would be enough for ."
Serena turned her face away, silent.
"I’m sorry, Serena. I’ll be more mindful from now on."
Martin gently tugged at her sleeve, not daring to take her hand.
"Please, don’t be mad, okay?"
Serena purposefully shrugged him off and marched ahead.
"Serena." Martin felt uneasy, fearing she might think of him as a creep and cut him off for good.
When Serena saw him anxiously catch up, the sense of control over him suddenly lifted her spirits.
"Are you smiling?"
Martin caught a fleeting smile on her lips, which eased his anxious heart, and a grin spread across his face.
"Does this an you’ve forgiven ?"
"From now on, you can’t touch without my permission!"
Martin found this a bit tough, but anxious not to upset her again, he simply nodded in agreent.
"Okay."
Serena glanced at his hand, and Martin quickly retracted it, not even daring to touch her sleeve again.
Her mood improved even further, reveling in the power she held over him.
"So, are you still mad?" Martin cautiously walked by her side, watching her every expression.
"Much better now."
"Then, can I hold your hand again?" Martin longed to reach out to her.
Unexpectedly, the next second, Serena extended her hand.
"Here."
Overwheld with excitent and joy, Martin quickly took her hand, afraid she might change her mind.
The hot air balloon gently descended.
Those above didn’t realize why there was such commotion below.
"So, you’re ticklish?" Rosemary chuckled, giving Roo’s waist another playful scratch.
Roo retaliated, laughing, "You’re even worse."
"Stop, please stop."
Rosemary couldn’t dodge in ti and found herself captured in his arms.
"Say you love ."
Rosemary remained silent.
Roo, both domineering and doting, kept tickling her.
"Say it, and I’ll let you go."
Trapped in his embrace and laughing uncontrollably, Rosemary pleaded, "Stop."
She had no strength left to resist.
It was the first ti Roo saw her laugh so radiantly, so beautifully.
He was utterly srized.
Rosemary seized the mont to tickle him back.
The usually aloof Roo revealed a childlike side in front of her, conceding with a laugh, "I surrender."
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