<h4>Chapter 651: Taste Of Wine</h4>


    <strong>Oscar:</strong>


    I watched Eva as she let her head fall back against the edge of the pool, her damp silver hair clinging to her skin as her gaze drifted upward.


    Toward the ceiling.


    The in-built night sky stretched above us. It was deep, endless, and scattered with countless glowing stars. It looked so real that, for a moment, it felt like we weren’t indoors at all.


    Instead, like we were floating beneath the open sky.


    The reflection of those stars danced across the surface of the water, casting soft ripples of light over her face.


    And for the love of the moon...


    She looked breathtaking.


    I lifted my ss slowly, taking a sip of wine without ever taking my eyes off her. Because why would I? When she was right there. When she existed. When she looked like that.


    There wasn’t a single thing in this world more worth looking at than her.


    Not the stars.


    Not the sky.


    Not anything.


    Just her.


    My mate.


    My Evaline.


    I leaned slightly against the edge of the pool, letting the silence stretch between us. It feltfortable, warm, and... charged.


    She didn’t notice me watching her. Or maybe she did. Maybe she just chose to ignore it.


    Either way, I wasn’t stopping. Not when every second felt like I was falling for her all over again.


    I finished my ss slowly, and then reached for the bottle again. Secondster, the soft sound of liquid filling the ss broke the quiet.


    I didn’t hesitate. I tilted my head back and downed the entire thing in one go.


    That got her attention.


    She turned toward me immediately, her brows arching slightly.


    I could almost hear the silent really? in her expression.


    Good.


    I poured another ss, and she finally pushed herself off the wall and moved closer - slow, careful, curious - until she was standing right beside me in the water.


    She was close, but not touching... yet.


    "What are you doing?" she asked. Her voice was soft, but there was clear suspicion in it.


    I smiled. The kind of smile that usually made her nervous... in the good way. "What does it look like?" I asked.


    She nced at the ss in my hand, and then slowly muttered, "Drinking."


    "Correct."


    Her eyes narrowed slightly and she asked, "But why so much?"


    I took a slow sip this time, letting the taste linger. Then I leaned closer to her. Close enough to feel her warmth.


    "You should know," I murmured.


    Her breath hitched slightly as she asked, "Know what?"


    "The kind of effect you have on me."


    Her lips parted slightly. She seemed equally confused and curious. But I also noticed something else in those dazzling amber eyes... something warmer.


    "Because right now," I continued softly, "my throat feels very dry."


    She froze. Completely. And for a second, she didn’t know what to say.


    That only made my smile widen.


    Stars, I loved doing that to her.


    I set the ss aside on the edge. Then moved toward her, closing the distancepletely this time.


    My hands came up, resting against the pool wall on either side of her, caging her in again.


    Her back pressed lightly against the cool stone, and her warm breath brushed against my lips.


    "Do you want to taste it?" I asked.


    Her eyes widened slightly.


    "The wine?"


    I nodded and watched her blink in confusion before she spoke - "I... can’t drink."


    I chuckled softly. "I didn’t ask you to drink."


    That only confused her more. I could see it clearly in her eyes.


    Good.


    Let her think.


    Let her wonder.


    Let her feel that anticipation build.


    I reached over and picked up the ss again. Bringing it to my lips, I took a slow, deliberate sip while keeping my eyes locked with hers.


    Then I set the now almost empty ss aside carefully.


    My gaze never left hers. Not even for a second.


    I noticed her breathing had changed. It was shallower now. Slower. Waiting.


    I leaned in. Slow enough for her to realize what was happening, and close enough for her to feel it.


    And then...


    I kissed her.


    It was soft at first, just the brush of my lips against hers... like a warning, a promise.


    And her lips parted instinctively... which was all I needed.


    I deepened the kiss, tilting my head slightly as I pulled her closer. I slipped one of my hands around her waist and held her firmly in ce. The warmth of her body against mine sent a sharp pulse of heat through my chest.


    Then I let the wine slip between us.


    Slowly.


    Carefully.


    I let it pass from my mouth to hers.


    She gasped softly against my mouth as the unfamiliar taste made her hesitate for a fraction of a second... before she melted.


    Her fingers curled lightly against my arm as she responded, her lips moving with mine as the sweetness of the wine mixed with the warmth of the kiss.


    Stars.


    It was intoxicating. More than the wine. More than anything.


    Her.


    Just her.


    The way she tasted. The way she felt. The way she reacted to me like I was the only thing in her world at this moment.


    I deepened the kiss further, moving slower this time, savoring every second, every breath, every soft sound she made.


    By the time I finally pulled back, both of us were breathing heavier.


    Her lips were slightly parted, her eyes looked dazed, and for a moment... I just looked at her. Completely gone. Completely lost.


    Because I had fallen.


    So damn hard.


    And I didn’t even want to get up.


    I let my forehead fell against hers lightly. My hand slid up, brushing a damp strand of silver hair away from her face.


    "You are going to be the death of me," I murmured quietly.


    Then I leaned closer again, brushing my lips just below her ear.


    "I want to mark you."


    The words came out softer this time.


    But heavier.


    Real.


    My hand tightened slightly at her waist.


    "Can I?"