?Chapter 720:


    When morning arrived, the relentless storm that had battered the town for hours finally eased.


    Sunbeams spilled gently through the ss, warming the corners of the room. Along the branches outside, beads of rainwater sparkled, dancing with every gentle movement of the wind.


    Maia did not rise at her usual time. Sleep held her until the clock struck nine.


    Confusion clouded her thoughts. Memories of that honest, lingering kiss from the previous night sent a rush of heat to her fingertips, and she could still feel Chris’ warmth lingering on her lips.


    The night before, she had acted on impulse, even tugging Chris onto the couch with her.


    Recalling those moments left her cheeks burning, as if she had set a ze within herself. “How could I let things go that far? Last night, I nearly…”


    Crossing boundaries with Chris had never seemed possible unless duty or circumstance demanded it. Yet none of that mattered in those moments. Raw feeling alone had driven her forward, and she could not resist.


    At the height ofst night’s tension, a tremendous crash of thunder jolted her senses and abruptly ended their embrace.


    After taking a moment to gather herself, Maia pushed off the sheets, pulled on fresh clothes, and nned to prepare something to eat.


    However, the instant she reached the hallway, the scent of something delicious drifted toward her, apanied by the familiar sound of food sizzling.


    There stood Chris by the stove, wearing an apron over a fitted gray tee. One hand adjusted the me while the other flipped bacon as if he had done it countless times before.


    Golden light poured in through the window, highlighting the edge of his jaw and the subtle lines of focus on his face. There was a natural confidence in him—quiet and appealing.


    Maia stopped in her tracks, captivated for a moment. The image before her could have been lifted straight from a scene in a show about married life, and the thought made her grin.


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    She stepped forward, intending to lend a hand.


    Without needing to look back, Chris caught the sound of her steps.


    “You’re up already? I thought you’d stay in bed a bit longer.”


    Instead of keeping her distance, Maia wandered over and joked, “I couldn’t resist. That smell dragged me out of bed.”


    Only then did Chris look back at her, amusement softening his features.


    “Give me a moment. Breakfast will be done soon.”


    Leaning in to catch a glimpse of what he was cooking, Maia felt her mouth water.


    “Want some help in there?”


    “I’ve got this. Why don’t you sit down and rx?”


    “Fine. I’ll just wait and see if your food lives up to the scent.” With that, Maia left him to his work.


    Settling at the table, she rested her chin in her palm and let her gaze linger on Chris as he moved around the kitchen.


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