?<strong>Chapter 22:</strong>


    Elyse angrily grabbed Jayden’s cor, her teeth gritted as she enunciated each word, “I didn’t take advantage of you. It was an idental touch. I didn’t mean it.”


    “Then you should apologize to me,” Jayden insisted.


    “Why should I? I won’t do it!” Elyse retorted.


    Their argument resembled a squabble between two children. Suddenly, the car braked sharply, catching them off guard.


    “Ouch!” Elyse’s lips ached because of the collision. She opened her eyes, looking right into Jayden’s deep gaze. Their breath mingled, and their lips, barely apart, were pressed close in a soft grape-vored encounter.


    Jayden remembered seeing Elyse eat grape-vored fruit candy at the wedding. He wasn’t fond of candies; they were too sweet and made his teeth ache. Yet now, he found himself wanting to taste it from her lips.


    Realizing she was kissing Jayden, Elyse’s mind went nk. Frozen, she sat motionless, unsure of what to do next. When Jayden licked her lips, Elyse snapped back to reality and quickly pulled away, creating a distance between them. She covered her face with her hands, her cheeks burning with blush.


    Jayden touched his lips, the sweet grape scent lingering in his nostrils, the softness surprising him. “Had they just kissed?” he wondered.


    “It feels good to kiss,” he said earnestly.


    Hearing his words, Elyse felt a wave of embarrassment wash over her, wishing she could vanish on the spot.


    Jayden noticed her curling up in the chair, her face hidden behind her hands. “Was she feeling shy? Was that your first kiss?” he asked gently.


    “Of course not,” Elyse replied sulkily.


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