Chapter 176: Chapter 176: WHEN THE TIME COMES. (GIFTS)

In the shadows beyond the lively glow of the after-party, David found himself entangled in a moment he hadn't anticipated—a moment that felt worlds away from the grand halls and the echo of celebratory cheers that filled the night. By all accounts, he was supposed to be in there, basking in the praise and adoration that marked the end of his coming-of-age ceremony. But here he was, just outside, his arms wrapped around Ashley, surrendering to the inexplicable pull between them.

Ashley's lips were soft, hesitant, and unrefined, lacking the practiced grace of someone well-versed in seduction. Yet, there was a charm in her amateurish attempts—a kind of raw sincerity that spoke louder than any words.

It was as though she was pouring her heart into each uncertain kiss, and David, despite his better judgment, felt himself drawn into the innocent intensity of it. The steady thrum of his pulse quickened as he pulled her closer, his hands settling around her waist, feeling her warmth seep into him as she gasped softly, her body responding instinctively.

Ashley hadn't expected him to react like this. She hadn't expected the kiss at all. Yet here she was, her heart racing as David's arms tightened around her, pulling her in with an intensity that took her breath away. She'd never felt this vulnerable, this alive, and a flood of emotions she hadn't quite understood until now surged to the surface. The world outside, with its noise and festivities, faded into oblivion. All that remained was this shared space between them—a fragile, electrifying moment that neither wanted to break.

David's hand slid up her back, his fingers tracing a delicate line along her spine, and Ashley shivered under his touch, her eyes half-closing as she felt his fingers drift up, slow and deliberate, caressing the soft skin just beneath her collar. She let out a soft, involuntary moan, the sound escaping her lips before she could catch it, her mind slipping further into a haze of emotions she could no longer control.

She didn't know what had come over her. She'd merely considered David an acquaintance, an ally, perhaps even something more than that in quiet, unspoken moments. But this... this was beyond anything she had ever let herself imagine. Her feelings were tangled, confusing and exhilarating all at once, blurring the lines of simple friendship and something deeper. And in this space, there was only the warmth of his touch, his fingers skimming her skin with a gentleness that sent her heart racing.

David's hand moved to her cheek, his fingers tenderly brushing her skin, his gaze intense and filled with something she couldn't quite name. He leaned in closer, his forehead resting against hers, and she could feel his breath, warm and steady, grounding her even as her mind swirled. Her pulse was a wild drumbeat, echoing in her ears as his fingers traced gentle circles along her back, each touch sending sparks of warmth flooding through her. It felt like temptation incarnate, urging her to cross a line she hadn't known she'd drawn until now.

In that moment, Ashley's thoughts drifted, losing themselves to the soft pressure of his hands, the warmth of his embrace, the heady thrill of their closeness. Her mind was clouded, slipping into a place where the rules no longer seemed to matter.

And there it was—the moment that tipped them over the edge of mere curiosity, drawing them into a shared intimacy neither had quite planned nor prepared for. David guided Ashley gently, his hands steady but warm as he helped her shift, coaxing her to settle onto his lap. The night air was cool around them, but the space between them seemed to hum with an intensity that was almost tangible. He pulled her close, his arms wrapping around her as if to shield her from the world beyond, his embrace an anchor amidst the whirlwind of emotions that had swept them up.

Ashley's breathing grew rough, each shallow breath betraying the surge of feelings bubbling within her. She could feel the firmness of his hand pressing gently but possessively along her waist, fingers grazing the fabric of her elegant green dress, sending waves of sensation rippling across her skin. The thin barrier of fabric seemed almost insubstantial, and every touch from him felt electric, his hand sliding just enough to brush against the sensitive curve of her hip, drawing a soft gasp from her parted lips. Her heart raced, each beat echoing in her ears as she struggled to keep her composure.

A low, unbidden moan escaped her, and she felt her cheeks flush. Her thoughts became a jumbled mess of words she couldn't voice, of half-formed pleas that danced in the depths of her mind, begging for something more, something deeper. She ached for him in a way that she hadn't known was possible, her hands resting against his chest, feeling the steady rhythm of his heartbeat beneath her fingertips. It was a grounding pulse, a silent promise that he was there, with her, in this stolen moment beneath the stars. Explore stories on m,v l'-NovelFire.net

David leaned closer, his breath a warm whisper against the sensitive skin of her neck, sending a shiver down her spine. His voice was low, roughened with a hint of mischief and something far deeper. "Why should I be your lover, Ashley?" he murmured, his lips hovering mere inches from her skin, close enough that she could feel the vibration of his words.

The question lingered in the air, and her mind went blank, consumed by the weight of his words and the intensity of his gaze. She opened her mouth, but words failed her. Instead, all she managed was a soft, breathless whisper of his name, her voice heavy with the longing that she couldn't quite bring herself to admit. She bit her lip, her fingers tightening against his chest as she tried to gather her scattered thoughts.

David's hand slid upward, fingers tracing a delicate path along her spine, sending a rush of warmth through her. His touch was deliberate, slow, savoring each second, as though he were taking the time to memorize every curve, every reaction she gave him. She felt the world narrowing down to this one single moment, to the feel of his hand, the warmth of his breath, the weight of his question still lingering in the air.

Ashley swallowed, her pulse a wild beat beneath her skin as she searched for an answer—an answer that went beyond words, something that would make him understand the storm of emotions she felt. "David..." she began, her voice barely a whisper, her hands trembling as she placed them on either side of his face, her fingers brushing against his jawline. She gazed into his eyes, searching for the answer she couldn't quite find within herself.

But David only held her gaze, waiting, his expression unreadable yet softened by a depth that seemed endless.

Ashley took a deep breath, her gaze unwavering as she looked into David's eyes, a new vulnerability softening her normally resolute expression. "I don't know why," she began, her voice barely more than a whisper.

"But I want to find out." She paused, allowing the words to settle between them, choosing her next words carefully.

"In all my life, I've been surrounded by noblemen and courtiers, men who always follow a script. They've never left a mark on me, never stirred anything within me. But you, David… you're different. I've never met anyone like you."

Her words hung in the air, honest and unguarded, and David found himself admiring her courage, her willingness to bare her heart without pretense or games. She was a noble in every sense, yet here she was, expressing herself without the usual armor of polished words and practiced charm.

He took in her features—the determination in her gaze, the earnestness of her confession—and found himself respecting her forthrightness. But even so, he couldn't deny the truth: he had no reason, no foundation, to love her. Not yet.

Ashley seemed to sense his hesitation, her lips parting to speak, perhaps to reassure him or explain herself further. But before she could say anything, David gently placed a finger on her lips, silencing her with a soft yet firm touch. She looked up at him, startled, her breath caught in her throat, as his gaze softened with an intensity she hadn't seen before.

"There's something I need to do first," he murmured, his voice low but resolute. "I've set my sights on the School of the Eternal Flame."

Her eyes widened in surprise, her lips parting slightly as the weight of his words registered. The School of the Eternal Flame was a place of legend, a prestigious academy that only the most gifted mages were invited to attend. Its reputation was as formidable as it was awe-inspiring, and the thought of David pursuing it filled her with both admiration and unease.

"David, only select mages are invited there," she whispered, her voice tinged with both pride and worry. "Are you sure…?"

He nodded, a glint of determination in his eyes. "I am. There's something I need to be that" He lowered his finger, letting his hand brush gently against her cheek. "But when I'm done, I'll seek you out, Ashley. I'll court you, as you deserve. And you should be ready for that moment because I don't take lightly to matters of the heart." Sёarᴄh the ηovelFire.ηet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

A faint, teasing smile tugged at his lips as he leaned closer, his breath warm against her cheek. "I'm a possessive man, Ashley. If I decide to love someone, it's not something I'll let go of easily."

Ashley felt a shiver run down her spine, her heartbeat quickening at his words. She couldn't deny the thrill they stirred within her, the subtle promise laced within his tone. For a moment, she could hardly breathe, her mind racing with the thought of what he was saying. This was more than mere infatuation; this was a declaration, a warning, and an invitation all at once.

She met his gaze, a small, trembling smile forming on her lips as she took in the weight of his words. "Then I'll wait, David. I'll be ready when the time comes." Her voice was soft, filled with a quiet resolve that mirrored his own.

David smiled, a warmth flickering in his gaze as he held her close, savouring the quiet intimacy of the moment. The stars above seemed to shimmer a little brighter, as if blessing their unspoken promise, and for a few precious seconds, it was as though they were the only two people in the world.

Finally, he leaned back, his expression softening as he released her. "When that time comes, I hope you'll remember this moment, Ashley," he murmured, his voice laced with a gentle certainty.

****

A/N: I am quite shocked I wrote that. I am getting rusty, lol. Sorry, guys. In the meantime, as I stare at the wall thinking about my writing technique, please enjoy the gift below of free FPS.

redeem code: ABDHYUYFLELWCVLCB