Forbidden Cravings
Chapter 141: Calming Down Aeri l

Chapter 141: Calming Down Aeri l

The grand hall buzzed with warmth and laughter, the golden glow of chandeliers casting a dreamy light over the crowd gathered for the wedding. Guests milled about, their wine glasses clinking softly as they chatted, their eyes fixed on the stage where Daniel, the groom, stood in his crisp black suit, a sheepish grin on his face. His friends, a lively bunch in tailored coats, surrounded him, tossing playful questions his way under the direction of the announcer, Mike, whose voice boomed through the microphone.

"So, Daniel," one friend said, leaning into the mic with a mischievous smirk, "remember that girl from college? The one you tried to impress with that awful poetry?" The crowd erupted in laughter, and Daniel coughed on his water glass, his face flushing as he waved a hand to quiet them.

"You guys are gonna get me killed," Daniel said, his voice half-choking, half-laughing as he set the glass down, shaking his head. "Sara’s gonna hear this and have my head."

"Yeah, that’s the plan," another friend shot back, winking at the crowd, which roared with amusement, the hall alive with the easy camaraderie of old stories and shared memories.

Aeri stood near the center of the crowd, her light blue dress catching the light as she held a glass of red wine, its deep hue swirling gently in her hand. A soft smile played on her lips as she watched the stage, the groom’s embarrassment tugging a quiet laugh from her. The music, a lively string quartet, wove through the chatter, and for a moment, she let herself sink into the festive mood, the tension from her earlier exchange with Sara easing slightly.

A sudden tap on her shoulder jolted her, followed by a familiar voice, low and casual.

"Yo."

Aeri’s smile faltered, her heart skipping as she turned, her dress swishing softly. There I was, standing behind her, hands in my pockets, my shirt and pants neatly pressed, a faint, almost sheepish grin on my face. My hair was slightly mussed, but I looked otherwise put-together, as if I’d just stepped out of a casual stroll rather than...thrusting my dick in someone.

"You..." Aeri said, her voice sharp as she jabbed a finger into my chest, her wine glass tilting slightly in her other hand. "Where were you, huh?" Her eyes narrowed, her nerves twitching with a mix of relief and anger as she stepped closer, her voice rising just enough to carry over the music.

Without waiting for an answer, she pushed me backward, her hand firm against my chest, steering me toward the wall at the edge of the hall.

"Aeri, I’m sorry..." I said, forcing a smile, my hands raised in a weak attempt to calm her. My voice was soft, but it only seemed to fuel her frustration.

"Sorry for what?" she snapped, shoving me against the wall with a soft thud. "I don’t need your sorries, Ezra. What I want is an explanation." Her face was flushed, her eyes blazing with a mix of worry and anger, and she leaned in, her voice dropping to a fierce whisper. "You disappear for ages, and I’m left wondering if you’re okay, if something’s wrong. So, where were you?"

The hall’s noise—laughter, music, the announcer’s voice—covered our corner, the crowd’s attention fixed on the stage where Daniel was now dodging another teasing question. No one noticed us, tucked against the wall. I glanced around, ensuring we were alone in this moment, and sighed, my shoulders slumping.

"Yes, yes, I’ll give you an explanation," I said, my voice low, urgent. "Just... calm down a little first, okay?" I reached out, my hands gently gripping her bare shoulders, her skin warm under my palms. "Please, Aeri."

She exhaled sharply, a long *sigh* that seemed to carry half her frustration with it, but her eyes stayed locked on mine, unyielding.

"Speak," she said, raising an eyebrow, her voice cold. "And don’t try to fool around, Ezra, or you’re not stepping foot in the house tonight."

"Ouch," I said, wincing, my hand rubbing the back of my neck as I sighed. "That’s cruel, Aeri."

"Say it now," she demanded, her tone leaving no room for argument.

As a waitress passed by with a tray of drinks, Aeri swiftly downed the last of her wine and set the empty glass on the tray, her movements sharp, her eyes never leaving mine. She crossed her arms again, waiting, her foot tapping softly against the marble floor.

I opened my mouth, searching for the right words, my mind racing to piece together a story that wouldn’t unravel everything.

My nerves frayed as I scrambled for an explanation for my absence and something Sara also said in the dressing room.

"Yeah, so I got a call from Jonathan and had to jump on a conference call with a client," I said, my voice steady but quick, my hands gesturing vaguely toward the exit. "I was outside where it’s quiet. You know how loud it is in here with all the music and people."

Aeri let out a long sigh, her shoulders relaxing as the tension in her face softened.

"I knew it," she said, exhaling sharply, her breath a mix of relief and exasperation. She shook her head, a small, knowing smile tugging at her lips. "Always work with you, Ezra. Even at a wedding."

I blinked, caught off guard by her quick acceptance, my brows lifting. "Oh, you knew it?" I asked, tilting my head. "What, you psychic now?"

She rolled her eyes, crossing her arms again, though her smile widened slightly. "Yeah, Sara told me," she said, her tone matter-of-fact. "She mentioned you got a call and had to step out."

I nodded, "Ahh, yeah, that’s when the call came," I said, my voice smooth. "Makes sense."

"You and your work," she muttered, shaking her head again. "You’re gonna burn out one of these days, you know that?"

I laughed softly, stepping closer, my hand reaching for her arm. "Anyways... come here." I tugged gently, pulling her away from the corner, guiding her toward a quieter place near a tall velvet curtain, away from the crowd’s eyes.

"Where are you taking me?" Aeri asked, her voice casual but laced with curiosity as she let me lead her, her heels clicking softly against the floor. Her arm was warm under my touch, and she glanced over her shoulder, ensuring no one was watching.

I didn’t answer, just flashed a quick grin as I steered her, the curtain shielding us from the hall’s bustle. Before she could say another word, I pressed her gently against the wall, my hands framing her waist, and leaned in, kissing her deeply.

Her lips were soft, tasting faintly of wine, and for a moment, she froze, her eyes widening in surprise.

"Ezra..." she mumbled against my mouth, her voice muffled, but then her eyes fluttered shut, her body giving in as she melted into the kiss.

Her hands slid up to my shoulders, gripping lightly, and she kissed me back, her breath warm and quickening.

The music from the hall swelled, a romantic melody that drowned out the world, leaving just us in this stolen moment, her body pressed close, the heat of her chasing away the guilt that lingered in my chest.

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