After what felt like an eternity, he moved closer, capturing her hands and lowering his head to engage in a deep, lingering kiss, a departure from their usual fleeting moments.
He kissed her with an intensity that defied restraint, exploring her with varying depths and angles.
The kiss surpassed any of their prior encounters in terms of passion and duration.
A resounding slap landed, striking his face.
“Is this enough? If it is, then go!”
However, Edwin enveloped her in his embrace, abstaining from another kiss, but clinging to her firmly.
Once more, he offered an apology.
It was not for toying with her emotions.
In truth, deep within, he acknowledged that genuine feelings had blossomed for her, that he had grown fond of her. However, as Laura astutely pointed out, their connection was doomed; he couldn’t promise her a future.
Aside from that lingering kiss, he possessed nothing else to offer.
With a heavy heart, Edwin departed.
Outside, thunder growled intermittently, akin to a beast grumbling in the darkness, and bolts of lightning pierced the night. Laura slowly sank to her knees, embracing herself tightly as her body involuntarily quivered.
Meanwhile, Edwin remained seated in his car downstairs.
The rain poured relentlessly, windshield wipers laboring tirelessly, his visage still obscured.
He sat in contemplative silence.
Angela’s Library
Inebriation prevented him from taking the wheel, yet he resisted any thought of assistance. He merely yearned to sit there, as close as possible to Laura.
Logic insisted that it shouldn’t persist.
Currently, only Dylan and Lina knew.
Yet, should he persist, more might uncover the truth, leading to an unmanageable situation. Moreover, by doing so, he risked hurting his mother’s feelings.
Just let it go. He thought to himself.
What value did love hold?
Everyone’s emotions mattered. Perhaps in six months, he’d despise himself for today’s vacillation.
This wasn’t his typical behavior.
Edwin reclined into the plush leather seat, his head making a soft thud against it…