A kiss that changed everything

A Kiss That Changed Everything

Amelia's heart pounded so hard she thought it might burst from her chest. The air between her and Caesar was thick with tension, charged with something she couldn't quite name but could feel deep in her bones. Her body was frozen in place, caught between logic and impulse.

She shouldn't be this close to him.

She shouldn't be looking at him like this.

And yet, she couldn't move away.

Caesar stood in front of her, his gaze unwavering, his expression unreadable. His piercing golden eyes locked onto hers, drawing her in like a moth to a flame. Amelia felt her breath hitch, her fingers trembling slightly at her sides.

She didn't know what possessed her in that moment. Maybe it was the intensity of his gaze, or the way his presence made her feel like she was standing on the edge of something dangerous. Whatever it was, it pushed her over the line she had been tiptoeing around for so long.

Before she could stop herself, she reached out, grasping the collar of his shirt. Time seemed to slow as she pulled him down toward her, her heart hammering against her ribs.

Then, she kissed him.

The moment their lips met, a jolt of electricity coursed through her, igniting a fire in her veins. Caesar tensed for a brief second, clearly caught off guard, but he didn't pull away. Instead, his hands found their way to her waist, his grip firm as he drew her against him.

His lips moved against hers with a confidence that sent a shiver down her spine. It was intoxicating—overwhelming. He kissed her like he had been waiting for this, like he was claiming her.

Why is he so good at this?

The thought barely formed in her mind before she felt him press even closer, his fingers tightening around her waist. The warmth of his body seeped into hers, making her head spin. His scent—something deep and masculine, mixed with a faint trace of cedar—wrapped around her, making it impossible to think.

Then came the moment she truly lost herself.

Caesar's tongue brushed against her lips, testing, teasing. A soft, unbidden moan escaped her before she could stop it, and she felt the way he smirked against her mouth. The slight curve of his lips against hers sent a jolt straight to her core.

Her fingers tangled in his hair, pulling slightly, and she was rewarded with a low, rumbling sound from him. It was a sound that made heat pool in her stomach, made her knees go weak.

The kiss grew desperate—hungry.

Caesar's grip on her tightened, his hand slipping from her waist to the small of her back, pressing her firmly against him. It was as if he was trying to consume her, to devour her. And for once, Amelia didn't mind. She melted into his embrace, surrendering to the moment, to the overwhelming sensations coursing through her.

And then—

Bang!

A loud knock on the door shattered the moment like a mirror being smashed into a thousand pieces.

Caesar immediately pulled away, his breath ragged, his eyes dark and stormy. Amelia stumbled back, her chest rising and falling rapidly, her lips tingling from the intensity of the kiss.

For a long moment, neither of them spoke. The only sound in the room was their uneven breathing.

Caesar simply stared at her, his expression unreadable. His golden eyes, which had moments ago burned with an intensity that made her melt, were now guarded.

Amelia swallowed hard.

What the heck was that?

Her fingers trembled as she touched her swollen lips. Her skin still burned where he had touched her, her body still aching from his closeness. The way he had looked at her just now—like he wanted to claim her, to own her—made her stomach twist.

The way he looked at me just now… kinda hot.

She shook the thought away, forcing herself to breathe, to think.

Meanwhile, Caesar turned away from her and strode toward the door, his movements composed but tense. His fingers hesitated for a brief second on the handle before he finally swung it open.

As the door swung open, Eiden stepped inside. The moment his sharp gaze landed on Caesar, he took in every detail—the slightly disheveled collar, the flushed cheeks, the barely masked tension in his posture.

But then his eyes shifted.

His daughter.

Amelia stood near the wall, looking like she had just been caught committing a crime. Her face was flushed, her breath uneven, and her lips—

Eiden's gaze darkened.

He looked back at Caesar. His lips were also slightly swollen.

Realization struck like a lightning bolt.

"What are you doing here, Amelia?" Eiden's voice was calm, but there was an underlying weight to it that sent a chill down Amelia's spine.

Her entire body tensed.

She was so dead.

"I—I was just…" She hesitated, panic setting in. What was she supposed to say? That she had been making out with Caesar? That she had kissed him?

She blurted out the first excuse that popped into her head.

"I was bringing Caesar a glass of water!"

Silence.

Caesar lifted an eyebrow, clearly unimpressed.

Eiden's eyes narrowed, his suspicion growing.

"A glass of water?"

"Yes!" Amelia forced a nervous laugh. "He said he was thirsty, and there wasn't any water in his room, so…"

Eiden didn't move, his stare piercing. It was a look that had made grown men crumble before him, and right now, Amelia felt like she was standing at the edge of a cliff.

"Are you feeling okay?" Eiden finally asked, his tone softer, but still laced with distrust.

"Haha… yeah! I'm fine!" Amelia said a little too quickly. "I better get going then!"

Without waiting for a response, she spun around and practically ran from the room, her heart still hammering from the encounter.

As soon as Amelia was gone, the temperature in the room seemed to drop several degrees.

Eiden's sharp gaze flickered toward Caesar, and for the first time that night, Caesar felt something close to unease.

The silence stretched.

Then, Eiden's eyes flickered lower.

To Caesar's lips.

Then to the door where Amelia had just run out.

And in that moment, something inside him snapped.

This b*st*rd.

A dark aura surrounded Eiden as he clenched his fists. His jaw tightened, and his nostrils flared slightly.

He must have taken advantage of my innocent baby!

The tension was suffocating.

Caesar, ever composed, straightened his posture, but even he could feel the weight of Eiden's murderous intent pressing down on him like a physical force.

I'd rather die than let my child marry this fox.

Eiden's eyes locked onto Caesar's with pure, unfiltered rage.

Caesar blinked, completely baffled.

What did I do?

The room was silent, the atmosphere crackling with tension.

This was far from over.