Ethan’ reaction to Jessica’s words was instant and involuntary. He abruptly stood, tension rippling through his frame like an uncoiled spring.
A beat later, he composed himself, smoothing his features into his usual cool and detached demeanor. His sudden outburst gave way to a cutting smirk as his gaze flicked toward Jessica, sharp and derisive.
“Jealous?” he echoed, his voice tinged with mockery. “Maybe if it were Emily, that might be possible. But you…”
He let the sentence hang, his eyes sweeping over her dismissively.
“Why would I feel anything for someone who means so little to me?” he concluded, his words landing like cold steel.
Jessica held his gaze, refusing to flinch under the weight of his disdain.
Regret had already pierced through her the moment she’d posed the question. Deep down, she’d known the answer. Ethan would never get jealous because of her.
Still, the sting of his words tightened her chest, though she quickly masked her pain with a forced laugh.
Her steps deliberate, she closed the distance between them. Her voice dropped, low and steady, as she asked, “Really? Not even a little?”
Ethan stood his ground, his dark eyes unwavering as they met hers. For a fleeting second, the light caught the glint in her gaze, and something inside him faltered. His breath hitched, though he recovered quickly.
“Of course not,” he said, his tone icy.
A cold laugh escaped his lips. “I have no feelings for you. None whatsoever.”
Silence stretched between them, thick and charged, before Jessica suddenly acted. Rising onto her tiptoes, her arms snaked around Ethan’ neck, pulling him close. Before he could react, her lips met his in a bold, unexpected kiss.
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Ethan froze, his body rigid with shock. His eyes widened as the realization of what was happening hit him.
His first instinct was to pull away. His hands reached for her shoulders, attempting to gently push her back, but Jessica’s grip only tightened, refusing to let him create distance.
Her boldness startled even herself, but she didn’t stop.
For a moment, Ethan found himself caught. Jessica deepened the kiss, and something in her unrelenting intensity chipped away at his defenses.
A warmth began spreading through him, unfamiliar and disarming. His hands, which had been poised to push her away, hovered uncertainly before falling limply to his sides. His eyes fluttered shut, succumbing to the moment despite himself.
________________________________________
Abruptly, Jessica broke the kiss, stepping back and releasing him.
The sudden loss of contact left Ethan staggered, his balance faltering slightly as his eyes snapped open.
Reality crashed down on him like a wave. His expression twisted in confusion, anger, and a trace of something he couldn’t name.
“What do you think you’re doing?” he demanded, his voice sharp and brimming with indignation. “Who gave you the right to kiss me?”
Jessica, unfazed, stood with a smug smile playing on her lips. Her tone was light, almost teasing, yet it cut with precision.
“You claim to feel nothing for me,” she said, tilting her head slightly. “And yet, you closed your eyes just now. Isn’t that a sign that you enjoyed the kiss, Mr. Clark?”
Ethan’ face darkened, his brows knitting together as a storm of emotions flickered in his gaze—anger, confusion, and something dangerously close to vulnerability.
He opened his mouth to retort, but Jessica smoothly cut him off.
“Denying your feelings, Mr. Clark, isn’t a very good habit,” she said, her tone dripping with confidence.
Ethan could only stare at her, words failing him as the tension in the room coiled tighter.
Jessica’s lips curved into a knowing smirk. Without waiting for his reply, she turned and walked away, leaving Ethan standing in stunned silence, the ghost of her kiss lingering on his lips.