Chapter 712

I was stunned, thinking, "How did I end up saying exactly what he was feeling again?"

I really did love this kind of weather—it felt like a reflection of my own world inside. But he actually liked it too.

"Edward, you should put on your life jacket too," the assistant reminded, sounding a bit anxious.

Edward finally put on his life jacket. Once the assistant left, he sat down beside me, keeping me company as we watched the rain pour down outside.

The assistant brought over a steaming cup of coffee. The temperature was dropping, and the warmth from the coffee was just what I needed.

The rain kept coming down all the way until we docked, only easing up into a fine, misty drizzle.

Edward opened a black umbrella and led me over to his car.

It was barely five-thirty, but the rain made it feel like night had already fallen. When Edward slid into the car, his short hair was still damp, droplets clinging to the strands. He ran a hand through it, brushing the water away, and somehow, it made him look even more untamed and young—like he’d just walked out of some wild adventure.

"Where to now?" Edward asked.

"I think I'll head back to the hotel and get some rest," I said.

Edward blinked in surprise. "You're going back already?"

I glanced out at the direction the car was heading, pretty sure his villa was somewhere nearby.

"Anything you want to do?" I asked him.

"Would you like to come over to my place?" Edward said in a low voice.

I didn't turn him down, so I followed him back to his villa. The moment we stepped inside, there was a bouquet of roses waiting on the table. Edward slipped off his shoes, picked up the flowers, and handed the bouquet to me. "These are for you."

I noticed a navy blue box tucked in the middle of the bouquet and glanced up at him.

Edward gave a soft laugh. "The flowers and the gift—they’re both something I wanted you to have."

I reached out and took the bouquet and the box, my heart racing, half afraid it was a diamond ring inside.

When I opened the box, sure enough, it was a diamond ring. I stared at Edward in shock and confusion.

"It's not for your ring finger, so relax," Edward said, then took the diamond ring and slipped it right onto my middle finger.

The size was just right—like it was made for me.

I lifted my left hand, staring at the big, glittering diamond ring now sitting on my middle finger. "What made you want to give me this?"

Edward looked a bit embarrassed, scratching his cheek as if searching for words. "Well, I heard that wearing a ring on your middle finger means you're already spoken for. Your hand looked a little empty, so I figured I’d fix that."

"Oh? But you don't seem to be wearing anything that says you're off the market either," I teased, picking up his left hand and inspecting it.

"You want to give me something?" Edward's eyes sparkled with delight, a look of eager anticipation on his face.

I laughed, "What I give you definitely won't be as expensive as yours."

Edward just grinned, "Doesn't matter, as long as it's from you." He checked the time and added, "Let's pick something out tomorrow—it’s a bit late now."

Thinking back to those moments in the rain, the spark between us felt way more intense than what I’m feeling now.

I decided I’d head back to the hotel tonight instead of crashing here.

Edward had brought me here, and I could guess what he really wanted…

With a little mischief in my heart, I tiptoed up and gave Edward a quick kiss by his ear. He froze for a moment, then his eyes flashed with sudden heat. "What's this about? It’s still early…"

"Not that early," I teased, rising up again to kiss his Adam’s apple.

Edward's breath caught, and with a helpless smile, he scooped me up, lifting me so I could reach him better.

Things were heating up between us. More and more, I was finding out what made Edward so irresistible. Unlike those reckless young guys, he knew how to take things slow and make it feel just right. He was definitely a top-notch lover.

Edward's breath grew even heavier as he pinned me to the wall, his lips trailing down to my neck…

After an hour lost in passion, I realized something—Edward never really let himself go, always putting my pleasure first. Only after I was completely satisfied would he finally ask for something a little more special.

Honestly? Not bad at all.

By nine-thirty, I insisted that Edward drive me back to the hotel. He wasn't too happy about it at first, but I wouldn't budge.

Once I put my foot down, he knew there was no winning, so he just gave in and drove me back.

When I was about to get out, Edward shot me a mock-resentful look. "Why do I feel like I've just been used and tossed aside?"

"You're being dramatic," I chuckled. "Go home and get some sleep. I've got an early meeting tomorrow."

He still looked a little put out, but in the end, he had no choice but to drive away.

My long hair was left loose, tumbling messily down my back. I was wearing an ice-blue dress Edward had picked out for me—sleeveless, light, and flowy, not cinched at the waist at all. Whenever the breeze swept by, the skirt fluttered and showed off my curves without a hint of restraint.

I hurried toward the elevator, and just as I reached the doors, I almost ran straight into someone.

The person was tall, wearing a mask, and carried themselves with a kind of noble grace.

Instinctively, I sidestepped to avoid them, but they didn't move on.

Instead, they turned around, lowering their gaze to meet mine.

I could feel the intensity of his gaze on me, and before I knew it, I looked up and met his eyes.

Those eyes—icy and aloof, with a hint of ruthlessness, yet deep inside, a fierce fire was burning.

His short hair was slicked back, giving him a composed, mature air, but I recognized him instantly—just from those eyes.

Ryans.