NOVEL WEB Chapter 71: Chapter 69 : The Next Time
She swallowed hard, her back still pressed against the wall, as Alex's presence overwhelmed her senses. His grey eyes burned with an intensity that seemed to strip away her defenses, making her feel exposed despite the oversized hoodie that hung loosely on her frame.
His gaze dipped, lingering for a moment at the way his hoodie enveloped her, the sleeves too long, the hem brushing mid-thigh. The sight of her in his clothes carved a crooked smile on his lips, his expression both amused and predatory.
Alex leaned in closer, the faint scent of him—woodsy and sharp, with an edge of danger—enveloping her. His lips quirked into a slow, knowing smile as his eyes roved over her, taking in the oversized hoodie, her flushed face, and her wide, startled eyes.
"Well," he murmured, his voice low and velvety, "should we try The Next Time we discussed this morning... right now?"
The words hung between them, heavy with implication.
Luna blinked, staring at him in confusion for a moment before realization dawned. Her eyes widened, and her cheeks flamed as she understood exactly what he meant.
"Alex," she stammered, her voice barely above a whisper. "You—"
Her embarrassment only seemed to amuse him further. She tried to twist away, her hands pushing against his chest in an attempt to create distance, but he didn't budge. Instead, his grip on her waist tightened just enough to hold her firmly in place.
"Nice try," he said, his voice dropping even lower as he leaned in, his breath ghosting over her ear. "But I'm not letting you go even if someone enters from that door."
The space between them disappeared entirely, his chest brushing against hers with every breath. For a moment, neither of them spoke. The library was utterly silent except for the sound of their breathing.
Alex's grip tightened as he held Luna close, his body pressed against hers with an intimacy that sent a thrill racing through her. His hands, strong and deliberate, slid along the curve of her back, slipping beneath the oversized hoodie she wore. His fingers brushed her bare skin, the warmth of his touch making her shiver involuntarily.
He paused, his palm flattening against the smooth expanse of her back. A flicker of surprise crossed his face, quickly replaced by a slow, knowing smile. His thumb traced a lazy circle against her skin, his voice a low, teasing murmur. "Nothing underneath?" His eyes sparkled with mischief as he leaned closer, his breath fanning her cheek. "Were you planning to drive me insane, Luna?"
She swallowed hard, unable to form a response as his hands began their slow exploration. He moved with a deliberate purpose, his touch light but electrifying, trailing from her back to her side, his fingers skimming the edge of her waist. His smile widened, devilish now, as he let his hand hover near her hip. "Should I check if you're doing the same with my shorts?"
Her breath hitched as he began to lower his hand, the suggestion hanging in the charged air between them. But before he could go further, Luna's reflexes kicked in, and she grabbed his wrist, her grip firm yet trembling.
"Alex," she managed to whisper, her voice shaky but laced with warning.
He chuckled softly, his other hand sliding down to capture hers. His palm pressed against the back of her hand, effortlessly locking her fingers within his own. His thumb brushed hers in a way that felt both intimate and possessive. Then, slowly, deliberately, he guided her hand downward, his movements unyielding yet gentle, his gaze never leaving hers.
Her heart raced as his hand pressed hers against her thigh, then slid higher, inch by inch, until it hovered at the waistband of the shorts. She let out a soft gasp, her body betraying her even as she tried to maintain control. The sound brought a smirk to Alex's lips—a triumphant, almost predatory expression.
"You make the sweetest sounds," he murmured, his voice low and rough. His free hand resumed its path beneath the hoodie, fingertips grazing her ribcage, exploring the curve of her waist with maddening slowness. He looked at her, his lips brushing against her ear, not quite kissing, just close enough for her to feel the heat of him. "Tell me, Luna... do you want me to stop?"
Her lips parted, but no words came. Instead, a soft, involuntary sound escaped—a mix of a sigh and a moan that betrayed everything she tried to keep hidden. Alex's grin deepened, the heat in his gaze intensifying.
"I didn't think so," he whispered, his voice a silken promise as his hand lingered, teasingly close but not quite crossing the boundary.
Luna felt as if the ground beneath her had disappeared, her senses overwhelmed by the closeness, the intensity, the sheer presence of him. And yet, even as her pulse raced and her breath quickened, she found herself trapped in the storm of emotions he stirred within her—a combination of desire, frustration, and something deeper she couldn't yet name.
Alex's smirk lingered as his gaze flicked downward, tracing the path his hand had yet to travel. His touch remained light, just on the edge of what might cross a boundary, as if daring her to either push him away or pull him closer. The tension was palpable, his deliberate movements fanning the fire between them.
He tilted his head slightly, his lips brushing against her temple—not a kiss, just a whisper of contact. "You're trembling," he murmured, his voice a mixture of satisfaction and tenderness. His thumb slid just beneath the waistband of the shorts, skimming her skin as he leaned closer, his breath warm against her cheek. "Why don't you just say it, Luna? Whatever it is you're holding back..."
Luna's hands clenched into fists, caught between wanting to shove him away and giving in to the intoxicating closeness of him. Her breaths came in shallow, uneven waves, her cheeks flushed as she tried to form words, but her voice betrayed her.
"Alex..." she finally whispered, her tone both a plea and a warning.
He chuckled, a low, rich sound that seemed to echo through her. His free hand trailed upward beneath the hoodie, his fingertips brushing against her ribs with a touch that was both teasing and firm. "You keep saying my name," he murmured, his lips now hovering near her ear. "But you haven't told me to stop."
Luna's eyes met his, defiant even as her body betrayed her with the slightest arch toward his touch. His thumb dipped lower along her waistband, just enough to draw a sharp intake of breath from her lips. Alex's grin widened, his hand pausing deliberately.
"You're so stubborn," he said, shaking his head slightly, his tone almost fond. "You always think you have to fight me, don't you?"
She swallowed hard, the intensity of his gaze pinning her in place. But when he began to lean in further, as if to bridge the last sliver of space between them, Luna finally found her voice.
"Alex, stop." This time, her tone was firm, though her voice wavered at the edges.
To her surprise, he froze instantly, his hand halting where it rested against her hip. His expression softened—not disappointment, but something closer to understanding. Slowly, he straightened, his grip loosening until she could step back if she wanted to. But he didn't move far; his presence remained a warm, consuming force around her.
"Alright," he said, his voice low but genuine. He let his hand fall away from her waist, though his thumb lingered for just a moment longer than necessary, leaving a trail of heat in its wake. "But don't think for a second I'll forget this moment."
Luna blinked, her chest rising and falling as she tried to steady her breathing. Alex's teasing smirk returned, but there was something gentler in his eyes now, a flicker of restraint that hadn't been there before.
"How can you be all different man now ? Weren't you old school ? ," she muttered, her voice sharper than she intended, though the flush in her cheeks betrayed her embarrassment more than her annoyance.
"Because you're irresistible, I dont know how this guy from the past held himself back from pinning you down. " Alex shot back smoothly pointing at his own self , stepping back just enough to give her space but still close enough that his presence lingered. "But I'll behave... for now."
With that, he turned on his heel, his steps calm and measured as if the encounter hadn't just shaken both of them to their core. Luna watched him go, her heart still racing, the echoes of his touch and his words lingering long after he disappeared from sight.
Left alone in the library, she took a shaky breath, her hands trembling as she reached up to brush her hair from her face. Her emotions were a swirling storm—anger, desire, confusion—and she couldn't decide which one burned the brightest.
But one thing was clear: Alex wasn't just trying to break down her walls; he was shattering them piece by piece, and she wasn't sure how much longer she could hold them together.