Chapter 424: Her First Kiss

The Lamborghini continued through familiar streets. Amelia recognized the route almost immediately.

Stan’s handsome face then surfaced in her mind, her gaze couldn’t help but move to him driving the Lamborghini so casually...

Admiring his handsome face, Amelia gradually relaxed into the seat. The silence between them did not feel empty. She felt no pressure to fill it with conversation. Simply sitting beside him was enough.

She liked this version of her life: quiet drives, private exchanges, his teasing, the unremarkable comfort of having someone next to her who already knew most of her sharp edges.

Stan’s voice broke the quiet again, playful once more.

"Ain’t you my love?"

Amelia froze for half a second. She knew exactly what he was doing. She lowered her gaze, cheeks warm, and answered meekly.

"Yes."

Stan’s smile was openly pleased. He let the moment linger before adding, "You go so quiet every time I say it."

"That’s because you do it on purpose," she muttered. "You know exactly what it does."

"I might."

"You’re impossible."

"And yet you’re still answering."

She shook her head, but the small smile remained.

The conversation drifted as the streets grew more familiar. Amelia asked whether he had stayed at the hotel before. Stan replied that he knew the place better than most of its staff. She asked, half-teasing, whether he owned part of the building.

He gave her a look that said she already knew the answer and was only pretending otherwise. She finally admitted she had been aware of his connection to Wanhai from the start.

When he pressed again about whether the hotel choice had been deliberate, she refused to answer directly until he teased her long enough that the truth slipped out: yes, she had wanted to support him. The admission was quiet. Stan’s response was quieter still.

"Small gestures from someone I love matter more than expensive gifts."

Amelia looked at him for a moment, the words settling deeper than she expected, then turned her attention back to the road.

Eventually he asked, "When are you traveling back?"

"Tomorrow evening. There are things I need to handle."

Stan nodded. "I’ll try to visit your room before you leave."

Amelia’s heart gave a sharp, private leap. She kept her expression carefully neutral, but inside the thought repeated itself with sudden clarity.

’He’s coming to see me before I leave.’

The remaining time together suddenly felt shorter and more precious. Her mind wandered despite her better judgment. What would they do? Talk? Would he hold her again the way he had outside the restaurant? Would they simply sit somewhere quiet?

A more intimate possibility brushed the edge of her thoughts...

’Will we... do that?’ Her innocent mind immediately went the sex angle, but she immediately scolded herself.

It was too soon, at least that’s what she thought... Though deep within her she knew she was anticipating that, she can’t wait for that moment when she does it with the man she loves Stan...

Still, She did not even know what he intended. Yet the anticipation refused to disappear completely. She hoped, privately and a little fiercely, that he really would come.

Stan noticed the change in her expression.

"Why are you suddenly so quiet?"

"Nothing."

He gave her a knowing glance. "You’re sure?"

"Yes."

"You’re blushing again."

"I’m not."

"You’re definitely blushing."

"Focus on the road."

Stan laughed under his breath. "Yes, ma’am."

The rest of the drive passed in easier conversation, light remarks about the hotel’s restaurants, a brief exchange about how long she planned to stay the next time she returned to the city, a few more gentle jabs that never quite crossed into discomfort.

The city lights continued their slow procession across the windshield. The streets grew quieter as they neared the hotel district. Amelia recognized the HYTV branding the moment it came into view, the familiar signage glowing against the darker buildings around it.

Stan turned smoothly into the hotel’s parking entrance and found a spot without hurry. The engine settled into silence. For a short moment neither of them reached for the door.

Stan’s hand lingered on the gearshift for a moment after the engine fell silent.

The parking garage around them was quiet, lit by the soft white glow of overhead lights that reflected faintly off the Lamborghini’s dark hood.

Outside the windshield the hotel entrance waited, glass doors and warm lobby light only a short walk away. Neither of them moved to open the doors right away.

He looked at her. "I’ll see you tomorrow."

Amelia met his eyes. The playful edge had faded from both of them. Her voice came out softer than she intended.

"I’ll be waiting."

She hoped he understood the quiet weight behind the words. From the way his expression eased, she thought he might.

She opened the door and was about to step out when Stan gently caught her wrist. His fingers were warm, the pressure light but unmistakable.

"You’re forgetting something, Amelia..."

She turned back, momentarily confused. "What’s that?"

Stan’s gaze dropped to her mouth for a fraction of a second before returning to her eyes. A small, almost private smile touched his lips.

"We’ve not kissed..."

Amelia blushed hard. Heat flooded her cheeks so quickly she felt it in her ears. "I–I’ve not kissed before..."

Stan’s smile softened further. He shifted in the seat, angling his body toward her without releasing her wrist. "Don’t worry. You’ll love it... I’ll take your first kiss."

He let go of her wrist only to lift his hand and brush his knuckles lightly along the line of her jaw. "Look at me," he murmured. "Just breathe. I’ve wanted to do this for a long time. Trust me."

Amelia’s pulse was already racing. She managed a tiny nod. Stan leaned in slowly, giving her every chance to pull away. She didn’t. His lips met hers in a careful, closed-mouth press, soft, warm, almost tentative on her part.

Amelia held still, eyes fluttering shut, the simple contact sending a surprising shiver down her spine.

Then Stan took control.