"Yes."
Dakota stretched, her voice unintentionally carrying a hint of coyness, "Work has been so exhausting lately, it'll be nice to relax in the hot springs."
Her voice was particularly close.
Though through the phone, it felt like a tender kiss to his ear, stirring a flutter in his heart, awakening his heartbeat along with his senses.
What Dakota didn't realize was that her flirty tone was absolutely irresistible to men.
Listening to her, Curtis felt a tightness in his throat.
He tossed the phone back onto the desk, quickly lighting the cigarette with the lighter, feeling the heat ease somewhat as the nicotine passed through his throat.
But Curtis lowered his head, closing his eyes.
The slight prominence of the bones at the back of his neck was incredibly sexy, even the smoke curling around his fingertips was filled with desire.
After a long pause, he gritted his teeth and let out a breath, "Damn."
Only then did he take a deep drag of the cigarette and lift his chin anew.
After calming himself as much as possible, he picked up his phone and sent her another message, "Shall I pick you up?"
This time, Dakota replied quickly.
First, she sent a photo of her new car key, followed by a lengthy and serious message.
【Dakota】: I just had someone refuel it, I'll drive home first, otherwise leaving it parked at the National Museum isn't convenient with all the weekend tourists.
In short, she didn't need a ride.
Curtis felt both itchy and choked, a feeling of being teased by Dakota.
He read the message several times, lowering his eyes.
Then he opened her profile, went into the settings page, and simply changed her nickname.
Tease.
Dakota also replied in the group chat that she was going.
Screaming chicken Noe was bouncing with excitement, immediately arranging more detailed plans, such as where and when to meet tonight, and how to converge at Whispering Pines Retreat .
Their homes were quite close to each other.
Jasiah offered to pick them up.
Noe asked in the group, "What about Curtis and Dakota? Are you two driving yourselves?"
The Whispering Pines Retreat was a top-tier private hot spring club located in the outskirts of the city, accessible only by self-driving.
【Dakota】: 1
【Dakota】:[Photos][Photos][Photos]
Photos of Little Pink were sent to the group, Noe immediately understood that the young lady had bought a new car, and driving to Whispering Pines Retreat was no big deal!
So everyone agreed to meet at eight o'clock.
Jasiah also reminded, "Don't forget to bring swimsuits! I'm strictly against naked swimming!"
【Noe】: Who the hell wants to swim naked.
【Lailah】: ? You guys, naked swimming isn't attractive at all, I just want to hug Dakota's big chest.
【Jasiah】: Separate pools! Separate pools for men and women! I'm afraid some drunk female hooligans will steal my underwear.
【Dakota】: ?
【Curtis】: ?
【Dakota】: ???
Dakota had just sat into the driver's seat and hadn't even stepped on the gas when she saw someone in the group chat implying something about her.
She responded with a question mark.
But she didn't expect Curtis to follow her with a question mark.
Dakota thought this dog was going to mock her for the underwear-stealing incident, so she clicked on his profile and sent him a private message, "Why did you send me a question mark?"
But Curtis didn't reply to Dakota's private message.
He stared at the group chat, noticing Lailah's mention of hugging chests and Jasiah's reference to stolen underwear.
Curtis scoffed, clearly displeased.
Then he lowered his eyelids arrogantly, tagging Jasiah on the screen, his tone in the voice message was defiant:
"Stop dreaming, Jasiah. Nobody cares about you. If she's going to steal, she'd only steal my underwear."
Everyone: ??????
No.
Are you proud that you've had your underwear stolen?
And what's with the eagerness to be stolen from again???
Noe and Jasiah were stunned by Curtis.
Dakota, in a mix of anger and embarrassment, tossed her phone aside, stepping on the gas pedal while muttering, "Self-obsessed ghost, who'd be interested in your underwear now that we're grown up!"
She unhappily ground her teeth.
Ignoring the chattering messages in the group, she drove toward Whispering Pines with a sullen heart.
Just then, Dakota had just parked Little Pink in the garage when she saw Curtis's flashy Bugatti Veyron pulling in.
She exclaimed her bad luck and pushed open the car door.
Curtis also casually adjusted his suit jacket, his shiny Oxford shoes stepping on the ground, exuding a rare air of aristocratic dignity before loosening his tie.
"Small world, Mrs. Pineda."
He greeted her with a nod, reaching to button his shirt, then pulling off the ascetic tie, reverting to his usual careless demeanor.
Dakota: "..."
She pushed open the door and just as her heel touched the ground, she spotted the neatly pressed hem of Curtis's suit pants and the polished oxford shoes approaching.
Dakota looked up at him, her expression filled with disdain.
She stepped out of the car, standing tall in her heels, her posture a silent challenge.
"Curtis."
"Yeah."
"Talk less when we're in the hot springs!"
"Oh, I'll try."
"And rest assured—"
Dakota suddenly tiptoed, lifting her face so close that their lips were almost touching!
But she just glared at him angrily, keeping her distance as her red lips parted, "I have no interest in your underwear!"
After saying that, Dakota lowered her heels.
She tossed her hair over her shoulder proudly and walked up the entrance steps of Whispering Pines in her heels.
Curtis stayed there.
He lifted his gaze slowly, feeling invaded by the subtle scent from her as she had come close just a moment ago.
In that single second, it felt like she had precisely hunted him.
How carefree and unrestrained he had been when greeting her, now his restless heart throbbed as she brought the scent near and then withdrew it.
"Tsk." Curtis sighed lightly.
He fumbled for the black enamelled cigar case in his pocket, his fingers tracing the plain gold edge.
He wanted to take out a cigar to calm his agitation, but remembered that Dakota didn't like smoking.
The smell would linger for a while,
and he reluctantly pulled his hand back, following Dakota into the foyer with his long strides.
Dakota had already changed into slippers and headed upstairs.
Tonight, they were staying at Whispering Pines Retreat , so she packed some toiletries, bathrobes, pajamas, and swimwear for the hot springs, then left ahead in her little pink car.
They started from the same place,
Yet this fake couple ended up taking two cars, pretending to be strangers heading to the hot springs separately.
