After a moment, Ember noticed that Dylan was wearing the brooch she had given him as a gift. A warm smile spread across her lips as she gently touched it with her fingertips.
"Do you like it?" she asked softly.
Dylan glanced down at her hand tracing the brooch and smiled. "Yeah! I love it," he murmured before pressing a tender kiss to her forehead. His eyes flickered with curiosity as he asked, "When did you buy it?"
Ember's eyes sparkled. "I got it when I went shopping with my mother," she explained.
Dylan's expression shifted into one of surprise, his mind racing. How had she brought it here?
Noticing his confusion, Ember chuckled and gently took his hand. "You know... I've discovered something interesting," she confessed. "When I hold something in my hand while sleeping in my bed, it comes with me here. That's how I brought it."
Dylan's brows lifted in fascination. "That's incredible," he said, his voice laced with wonder.
Dylan looked at Ember with a mysterious glint in his eyes and said softly, "I have something else for you."
Ember tilted her head, curious. "What is it?"
He smiled, his voice gentle yet teasing. "Did you forget something?"
His words caught Ember off guard. Her mind raced—Did I forget something? she wondered, her brows furrowing as she tried to recall. Before she could ask again, Dylan slipped his hand into his pocket and pulled out a small box.
Opening it slowly, he revealed a stunning men's band. "You forgot to make me yours," he repeated, his voice lower now, carrying a softness that melted her heart.
The band was breathtaking—sleek and elegant. A row of delicate diamonds shimmered along the top in a channel setting. The silver band was slightly thick with a polished finish, giving it a modern, luxurious charm.
Ember's eyes lit up. Her heart fluttered, her lips parting in a smile filled with awe and joy. "I'm so happy… that we both have something now. Something that connects us. Something that binds us," she whispered.
Her hands trembled slightly as she slid the ring onto Dylan's finger, sealing the quiet promise between them. When it rested perfectly in place, Ember looked up at him, her smile brighter than the stars that adorned the night sky. A glow surrounded her—not just from the lights above, but from the warmth she felt within.
Ember tilted her head back, gazing up at the sky. "Look, the moon is so beautiful tonight." Her voice was filled with awe as she took in the silvery glow illuminating the world around them.
Dylan tightened his embrace around her and whispered, "Not as beautiful as you."
Ember let out a soft laugh, shaking her head. "Stop teasing me," she murmured, but she remained nestled in his arms, savoring his warmth.
Her voice grew quieter, more vulnerable. "Dylan, thank you so much. I think this is the best day of my life. Every moment I spend with you, you make me feel so special. The thought of not seeing you again makes me so anxious... it's like being trapped somewhere without you."
Her fingers gripped his shirt as she took a shaky breath. "Adrien told me I only have a year or two by your side... but the days are slipping away so fast. I'm terrified. What if I fall asleep and can't find my way back to you? But no matter how hard I try, I can't control it..."
Her voice wavered, her fears spilling into the night air, raw and unguarded.
Dylan held her tighter, as if willing time to stop, as if his embrace alone could keep her with him forever.
Dylan cupped Ember's face gently, tilting it toward him. His heart clenched as he saw the tears welling in her eyes.
"You know... I feel the same way," he murmured, his voice laced with longing. "Every morning, when I go to your room, I stand outside the door, hesitating before opening it. I pray… I pray that you'll be there, waiting for me. So please… stay with me."
Ember searched for his eyes, but her vision was blurred by tears. She tried to wipe them away with her hand, but Dylan caught it, stopping her. Instead, he intertwined his fingers with hers, pinning her softly against him. Without a word, he leaned in and pressed tender kisses against her tear-streaked eyes, letting her tears roll down onto his lips.
"Your tears are too salty," he whispered.
A soft chuckle escaped Ember's lips. "You're really…" she started, but laughter overtook her words.
For a moment, they laughed together, the sorrow momentarily melting away. But as the laughter faded, their eyes met, and the air between them grew thick with longing. The spark between them lingered, unspoken yet undeniable.
This time, it was Ember who closed the distance. She pushed herself up slightly, her lips brushing against Dylan's in a series of delicate kisses. He froze beneath her touch, still unaccustomed to her sudden boldness. Every time she took the initiative, it caught him off guard, leaving him breathless.
"Dylan!" Ember whined when she struggled to reach his lips properly.
Hearing her frustrated voice snapped Dylan out of his daze.
"My neck hurts! Where are you spacing out? You're not even leaning in!" she pouted, rubbing the back of her neck.
Dylan blinked, realizing his mistake. "I'm sorry—so, so sorry," he said quickly, leaning toward her.
But Ember turned her face away, refusing to look at him.
"Ember… are you angry?" he asked hesitantly.
She crossed her arms. "Yes. I'm really angry. So, no kisses for the whole day."
Before he could react, she pushed him back onto the floor and sat up. Dylan immediately reached for her hand, holding it tightly.
"Are you really mad? You won't give me even a single kiss?" he asked, his voice soft, pleading.
"Yes," Ember huffed, but Dylan wasn't ready to give up. He looked at her with the most pitiful puppy eyes he could muster.
Ember let out a small scoff, shaking her head. "I am not going to fall for your puppy eyes. I'm staying mad at you."
And with that, she stood up, leaving Dylan staring after her, completely lovestruck.
"At least have dinner with me," Dylan pleaded, his voice soft yet hopeful.
Ember crossed her arms, pretending to think. Finally, she sighed. "Okay… I'll have dinner. I'm hungry, so I'll forgive you—at least until dinner. Okay?"
Dylan's lips curled into a relieved smile. "Okay." Without hesitation, he reached for her hand, intertwining their fingers as he led her to the upper deck of the yacht.
A breathtaking candlelit dinner awaited them—a table set under the stars, the soft glow of flickering lights dancing across the waves. The gentle night breeze carried the scent of the ocean, adding to the intimate atmosphere.
They sat together, enjoying the meal. Though Ember was still holding onto her irritation, she found herself forgetting it when Dylan reached over and fed her a bite with his hand. Her heart skipped a beat as she accepted it, savoring the taste—not just of the food, but of the tenderness in his gesture.
Her gaze lingered on Dylan as he ate, his strong hands moving gracefully, his sharp features illuminated by the golden candlelight. A thought slipped into her mind before she could stop it— I have such a handsome guy as a boyfriend…
Boyfriend.
The word echoed in her head, making her heart race. Her lips curved into a small, unconscious smile just as Dylan caught her staring. Their eyes met, and she panicked, quickly looking away. But in her haste, she accidentally choked on her food.
Dylan's eyes widened in alarm. "Ember!"
He rushed to help, quickly handing her a glass. She grabbed it, drinking everything in one go without a second thought. The burning sensation hit her throat instantly, making her cough again.
Dylan froze. His gaze flickered to the glass he had passed her in a hurry. His stomach dropped.
It wasn't water.
It was his red wine.
He turned back to Ember, watching in real-time as her face grew redder and redder by the second.
"Ember…" Dylan called out cautiously, but it was already too late.
Ember didn't say a word. Instead, she picked up a bite of food and held it out to Dylan.
"Have some," she said with a bright smile.
Dylan watched her carefully, instantly realizing—just one glass, and she was already drunk.
Still, she continued feeding him, one bite after another, until his plate was completely empty.
"I'm full," Dylan said, amused by how determined she was despite being tipsy.
Ember simply nodded. "Okay," she mumbled and pushed herself up from the table. The moment she stood, her legs wobbled beneath her.
"Oh! My God! Dylan, look! The floor is shaking!" she gasped, gripping the edge of the table for balance.
Dylan chuckled as he watched her sway.
"Come, Dylan! Hold my hand so you don't fall!" she declared, extending her hand to him.
Still smiling, Dylan took the hand she offered, letting her lead him across the deck.
She dragged him toward the jacuzzi area, her excitement shining through.
"Dylan, you know, I really want to soak my legs in the water. Come with me! Let's do it together!" she insisted, pulling him along without waiting for his response.
Dylan followed, intrigued. He had never seen this carefree side of Ember before—and he loved it.
As they reached the jacuzzi, Ember dipped her toe into the water to test the temperature.
"Ah! So cold!" she squealed, immediately rubbing her arms for warmth.
Dylan couldn't hold back his laughter. "You need to adjust the temperature first. That'll make the water warm."
Ember turned to him with narrowed eyes. "You knew that… then why didn't you turn it on?!"
She pointed an accusing finger at him, her expression serious. "Today, I am your master. So, you have to follow my orders! And my first order is—make the jacuzzi water warm!"
Dylan let out another laugh, shaking his head. "Alright, Master," he said with a smirk, adjusting the temperature settings.
Ember pouted. "You're laughing too much. That's not allowed. That's an order!"
Dylan stifled his laughter and nodded obediently.
As the water slowly warmed, he turned back to her. "Ember, now that the water is—"
She cut him off with a dramatic wave of her hand. "Nope! You can't call me Ember! I told you, I'm your master now. No using my name!"
Dylan bit his lip, barely suppressing another laugh.
"Okay, Master," he said, playing along.
And just like that, the night became even more interesting.
"Come, sit next to me," Ember said, settling on the edge of the jacuzzi, letting only her legs soak in the water.
For a few moments, silence stretched between them, the gentle ripples in the water filling the quiet night. Then, Ember leaned her head against Dylan's shoulder, her voice soft and filled with warmth.
"Hey, Dylan… you can laugh all you want. I won't stop you anymore. You look really charismatic when you smile… your whole face lights up," she murmured, tilting her head up to look at him.
Dylan turned to her, their faces mere inches apart. His eyes darkened with something unreadable as he whispered, "Okay, Master."
Before Ember could react, he leaned in, his lips hovering dangerously close to hers. But just as he was about to close the distance, she swiftly raised her hand, pressing it against his lips to stop him.
"Do you think I forgot?" she teased, a playful smirk tugging at her lips. "Your punishment is no kisses today. I don't forget anything."
Dylan let out a dramatic sigh. "Can't you forgive me?" he asked, his voice low and coaxing.
"Nope!" Ember declared, kicking her legs gently in the water.
For a moment, she glanced at Dylan, noticing the slight disappointment in his expression. A part of her thought he deserved it—but another part of her didn't like seeing that look on his face.
Suddenly, an idea sparked in her mind.
"Dylan," she called, her tone laced with mischief.
He looked at her, intrigued.
"I'll forgive you… but only if you do exactly as I say."
Dylan's eyes lit up with anticipation.
"Okay, I'll do whatever you say," he agreed without hesitation.
Ember grinned—this was going to be fun.
Ember pulled her legs out of the water and turned to Dylan, her eyes gleaming with excitement. She reached for his hand and tugged him along.
"Come with me," she said, leading him toward the bow of the yacht.
The cool night breeze caressed her skin as she stepped to the very edge, spreading her arms wide like wings.
Dylan stood behind her, watching with quiet admiration. She looked so free, so breathtaking under the moonlight.
Ember turned her head slightly, her voice filled with playful teasing. "You're really not romantic at all. Don't you recognize this scene?"
Dylan blinked before realization dawned on him.
"I know it," he admitted with a small smirk.
Her lips curled into a satisfied smile. "So you've seen it? That's perfect! Let's recreate it. I've always wanted to do this… with the person I love."
Dylan's heart pounded at her words. His smile widened as he stepped closer, wrapping his arms around her waist.
Ember turned back toward the sea, her arms outstretched, embracing the wind. Dylan pressed himself against her, his hands tightening around her waist as he gently took hold of her arms, just like in the movie.
As she turned slightly, their eyes met—her gaze hazy from the wine, her cheeks flushed with a rosy hue, her tousled hair blowing softly in the wind. Dylan's breath hitched.
She was mesmerizing.
His gaze flickered down to her lips—plump, inviting. He wanted her.
But he hesitated, stopping himself just inches away.
Before he could pull back, Ember took matters into her own hands.
With a bold move, she tugged Dylan closer, closing the distance between them as she captured his lips in a kiss.
Surprised yet electrified by her touch, Dylan responded instantly. Ember turned fully toward him, wrapping her arms around his shoulders. This time, Dylan didn't hold back. He pulled her flush against him, deepening the kiss, his hands roaming over her body as if memorizing every inch of her.
A shiver ran down Ember's spine as his cold fingers traced her flushed cheeks, but the heat between them was overpowering.
Dylan lifted her effortlessly, her legs instinctively wrapping around his waist. He trailed soft, lingering kisses down to her ear, his voice a low, husky whisper.
"Open up for me, Ember… let me in."
His tone sent shivers through her, a warmth pooling in her chest. She obeyed without hesitation, parting her lips slightly.
That was all the invitation he needed.
Dylan crashed his lips against hers again, deepening the kiss with a raw intensity that made her melt into him.
Feeling her tremble in his arms, he didn't stop. With one arm supporting her effortlessly, he carried her inside, never once breaking the kiss.
Reaching the bedroom, Dylan kicked the door shut behind them.
And the night was just beginning.
Dylan laid Ember gently on the bed, his lips never leaving hers, devouring her with a hunger he could no longer contain. But then, he paused, pulling back just enough to take her in.
Her chest rose and fell rapidly, her breath uneven. Her teary eyes glistened under the dim light, her cheeks flushed a deep red. Her hair was a beautiful mess—wild and tangled from his touch. And her lips… swollen, bare, her lipstick completely gone, stolen by his kisses.
She looked irresistible.
A deep groan rumbled in Dylan's chest. His self-control was slipping fast. Without wasting a second, he pulled off his shirt, tossing it aside. He figured that was enough time for Ember to catch her breath.
Then, he was on her again.
His lips found the delicate curve of her neck, tracing her skin with slow, lingering kisses. The thin chain of her necklace brushed against his lips, interrupting his path. With a gentle hand, he unclasped it and tossed it aside, his touch both tender and claiming. His kisses deepened turning possessive, leaving fresh marks on top of the ones already there from the morning. A smirk tugged at his lips as he admired his work. She was his. And now, there would be no doubt about it.
"Ahh…!" Ember moaned softly, her voice breaking as his touch sent shivers down her spine.
The sound made Dylan freeze. He lifted his head, his gaze locking onto her face.
Her eyes were shut tight, her lips slightly parted, lost in the sensation.
But that wouldn't do.
Leaning in, his lips brushed against her ear, his voice deep, commanding yet gentle.
"Open your eyes, Ember."
Ember slowly opened her eyes, her vision still hazy from the tears. She gazed at Dylan, her eyes shimmering with raw emotion.
Dylan leaned in, brushing a gentle kiss against her damp cheek before softly wiping away her tears.
"I love you," he whispered, his voice tender yet filled with longing.
A soft smile played on Ember's lips as she looked at him, her heart swelling with warmth.
"I love you too," she murmured.
The moment the words left her lips, Dylan couldn't hold back any longer. He captured her mouth in a deep, passionate kiss, pouring every ounce of his emotions into it.
Minutes later, they lay entangled in each other's arms, the warmth of their bodies merging as one. Ember, still a little drunk, blinked up at him with a mischievous glint in her eyes.
"I wanna do it too," she mumbled suddenly, her voice laced with playful determination.
Before Dylan could ask what she meant, she flipped their positions, pinning him beneath her as she straddled his waist.
Dylan arched a brow, smirking. "What do you want to do?" he asked, amusement dancing in his eyes.
Ember pouted, glancing at the reflection of herself in the mirror near the bed. "You left too many marks on me," she complained. "Now, I want to do it too."
Without waiting for his response, she leaned in, pressing a firm kiss against his neck, determined to leave a mark of her own. But when she pulled back, the mark was barely visible.
Frowning, she moved lower, pressing more kisses against his chest, but still, her marks were too faint.
"That tickles," Dylan chuckled, his body twitching slightly under her touch.
Ember huffed in frustration. "Why aren't my marks as visible as yours?!" she demanded, glaring at him as if it were somehow his fault.
Before Dylan could offer an explanation, Ember leaned in once more—this time, sinking her teeth into the sensitive skin of his neck.
"Ouch!" Dylan yelped, his eyes widening in surprise.
Ember pulled back, admiring her handiwork. A satisfied smile curled on her lips as she traced the now-prominent mark with her fingertips.
"There! I've marked you as mine now, my boyfriend Dylan," she declared proudly before wrapping her arms around him.
Dylan felt his entire face heat up, his ears turning crimson. He wanted to say something, but when he looked down, he realized Ember had already drifted off, curled up against his chest like she belonged there.
A soft chuckle escaped his lips.
Brushing a few strands of hair from her face, he pressed a loving kiss to her forehead.
"I'm really lucky to have you, my dear girlfriend," he murmured. "I love you."
Half-asleep, Ember mumbled something against his skin.
"I love you too…"
Dylan smiled, holding her closer as they both surrendered to sleep, wrapped in each other's warmth.