Chapter 220

Bowen moved closer, his breath reeking of alcohol, sending a sharp, stinging heat across her face. Aubree’s cheeks burned with such intensity that it felt as if the heat might radiate outward. There was a hazy, almost dazed expression in Bowen’s eyes – clearly, the alcohol was taking its toll.

“Bowen…” Aubree held her breath, afraid that the intoxicated Bowen might act unpredictably.

“Yeah,” Bowen murmured in a low voice. “Could you taste it for me first?” Bowen’s voice was deep and filled with an undeniable intensity that made Aubree’s heart race.

Aubree’s hand trembled slightly once more. “Don’t all hangover remedies taste the same?” she muttered, hoping he would drop the topic.

Bowen leaned in, a playful sparkle in his eyes. “How could you know if you haven’t tasted it?” He wore a determined expression, clearly intent on not letting her leave until she took a sip.

Don’t argue with a drunk, she thought. I’ll just gulp it down and bring him another one later. That should do the trick. With that in mind, Aubree steadied herself and finished the drink in one go.

A faint smirk danced in Bowen’s eyes as he watched Aubree sip the hangover remedy, intentionally closing the distance between them. He appeared determined to pin her against the window. Leaning closer, his breath warmed her ear. “How does that taste?” he asked.

It’s just hangover soup, Aubree thought as she swallowed the last mouthful. She was about to speak – hadn’t even formed the first syllable – when suddenly, Bowen’s hand pressed firmly down on her shoulder.

In an instant, Bowen suddenly lowered his head and captured her lips with a kiss. Aubree’s body went rigid, as if struck by a bolt of lightning – her vision faded to a blur. At that moment, it felt as if her mind had short-circuited.

Wait – Bowen is kissing me? Aubree thought, utterly stunned. His lips were elegantly thin yet surprisingly soft, and their intense warmth made her heart race.

A loud crash echoed; the empty cup in her hand had served its purpose. It fell to the floor and shattered into countless pieces.

Bowen remained unbothered. He enclosed Aubree completely, his lips pressed against hers – first exploring, then teasing, and gradually deepening the kiss, as if gauging just how much she could handle.

It was completely different from last time. Aubree was fully conscious, but her mind had gone blank. Her eyes glazed over – she couldn’t process what was happening. Her legs turned to jelly, and her whole body began to give way.

Bowen’s hand rested at Aubree’s waist. In one smooth motion, he lifted her, pressing her tightly against his chest, leaving no space between them.

He gently bit her lip – the sharp sting brought Aubree back to her senses. Aubree thought, We are kissing, for real?

Bowen leaned back slightly, their bodies still entwined. Their breaths mingled – hers quick and shallow, his warm and heavy. Bowen teased, “You’ve consumed it all… Now, there’s nothing left for me, is there?”

Aubree thought, So… He’s trying to taste the hangover remedy from my lips? Her mind was in complete turmoil – at that moment, it felt as if the air had frozen. Her lips were swollen from the kiss, and her eyes shimmered with unshed tears. She couldn’t find her voice at all.

Bowen grinned, his voice low and teasing. “Yes, I’ve tasted it… It’s sweet.”

Liar! It wasn’t sweet at all! Aubree fumed inwardly. She stood there in a daze, staring blankly at Bowen.

He leaned in once more, his lips brushing her ear as he murmured in a deep, husky voice, “I want to savor it again.”

Aubree snapped back to reality and exclaimed, “You’re drunk!” Then, she quickly pushed Bowen away and hurried out, saying over her shoulder, “I’ll have Ethan bring you some more!”

Aubree stumbled out of the room and leaned against the hallway wall, her chest rising and falling rapidly as she gasped for breath. Her face was flushed with embarrassment. Without thinking, her hand instinctively went to her lips – where he had nipped her, the skin was tender, and the contact sent a stinging sensation through her.

Everything that had just transpired replayed in her mind, uninvited. Horror flickered in Aubree’s eyes. “What am I doing? Am I enjoying this?” she thought in panic.

Without a moment’s hesitation, Aubree hurried into the bathroom, cupping water to her face in an attempt to steady herself. The mirror offered back a version of her that she barely recognized – color rising to her cheeks, eyes glinting with unspoken emotion, and lips tinged with an unfamiliar sheen. I must be crazy! she thought.

Aubree tossed and turned all night, unable to find even a moment of peace. Little did she know that her hurried exit was witnessed by everyone downstairs, nor did she realize that Bowen, still in the room, was sporting a devilish smirk.

As dawn finally broke at eight in the morning, a knock echoed at the door.