Dakota's heartbeat was like a drumming.
Even after Curtis put away the gift and straightened himself, she still hadn't recovered from the feeling of her heart racing.
This candlelit dinner was too intimate.
Leaving Dakota feeling dazed, unable to tell if she was sick or simply smitten.
But it could also be the slight buzz from the red wine.
In short, Dakota felt her heartstrings trembling, every time she looked at Curtis, she felt her heart leaping, to describe it more vividly—
It was like several pieces of undissolved popping candy placed on her heart.
However, Dakota wasn't drunk.
She had come to deeply realize her alcohol tolerance issues and was careful not to drink recklessly, especially in front of Curtis.
Afraid she might lose control and misbehave with him.
But the feeling of being slightly tipsy was more enchanting, Dakota's cheeks were flushed and warm, her heart rate quickened by the alcohol.
The final dessert was served.
Dakota didn't like sweets, so Curtis had chosen lemon. After the meal, he passed her a napkin, and their hands touched inadvertently once again.
Her heart skipped another beat.
Curtis looked down at her, "Are you tired?"
"Hmm?" Dakota shook her head, "Not yet."
"Shall we go see a movie?" This was a standard part of a couple's date.
Dakota nodded, agreeing to it. Suddenly, she felt those strategies she had read weren't really necessary. Everything would happen naturally as long as the right person and atmosphere were present.
The cinema was a regular cinema.
Although Curtis really wanted to spend time alone with Dakota, he thought that taking her to a private cinema on their first date would seem too forward, as if he had ulterior motives.
The film chosen was a romantic one.
This adventure and romance combined movie had received many positive reviews recently for its thrilling scenes and intense emotional moments.
Dakota and Curtis sat in the best viewing area.
Since Dakota didn't like sweets or cola, she only had a small box of fruit slices.
She nibbled on mangoes, fully focused on the thrilling scenes on screen, her emotions rising and falling with the protagonist's predicaments.
And now—
The camera suddenly zoomed in, capturing the heroine's flushed face and a few beads of sweat on her forehead.
The male lead's expression changed slightly.
He checked the heroine's temperature and quickly realized something amidst the danger.
Before this, they had been engaging in a flirtatious tug-of-war for a while, never fully crossing the line due to the dangers, but now the heroine was facing a love potion.
So he wrapped his arm around her waist, leaned down to rest his forehead against hers, and whispered, "Do you want me to help you?"
Hearing this line, Dakota felt a sense of foreboding. Normally, if she were watching this at home, she'd be thrilled!
But at that moment, Curtis was sitting right next to her!
For some reason, a sense of embarrassment arose within her.
According to the typical shooting style of romance films, this was the point where an intimate scene would occur.
Sure enough, the male lead, after receiving the heroine's consent, cupped the back of her head and leaned in for a kiss.
Dakota's face turned bright red!
The giant screen in the cinema seemed so close, the close-up shots making the intimate kissing scene appear almost real.
Dakota was so embarrassed that she curled her toes.
She had anticipated that romantic movies would include such scenes, but thought that since this was an adventure-themed film, it might not be too explicit. She hadn't expected...
This was even more daring than a typical romantic movie!!
The entangled tongues, the breathy sounds, the saliva mixing, and the rustling of clothes being removed.
Dakota nervously clutched the hem of her clothing.
She was about to turn her head to sneak a peek at Curtis when, out of the corner of her eye, she saw the couple next to them kissing in the dark!
The sounds from the movie drowned out the breaths and whispers of the couple next to them, but perhaps because they were so close, she occasionally heard their conversation.
"Babe, you smell so good."
"Mmm... there are still so many people in the cinema!"
Dakota's scalp tingled.
She wished she could find an excuse like needing to use the restroom to escape this situation.
Curtis wasn't faring much better.
He had specifically chosen a movie with less emphasis on romance, but hadn't expected it to include such scenes...
Curtis had never been in a relationship.
Nor had he experienced anything like this.
His only kiss had been initiated by Dakota while he was drunk.
Curtis's ears were warm and red.
He lifted his chin uncomfortably, the tightness in his jawline showing his unease.
But his sharp, defiant eyes and the way he sat like a 'suit thug' hid his innocence, making him look like a hawk in control.
His throat moved slightly, and his voice was a bit dry.
He reached for the drink beside the seat, accidentally touching something cool.
Dakota also wanted to grab her juice to distract herself.
She was too nervous, forgetting her juice was on the other side, and moved her hand almost in sync with Curtis.
Intending to relieve their awkwardness individually, they ended up having a brief physical contact at this ambiguous moment—
Dakota's hand moved slightly earlier than Curtis's.
Thus, when Curtis grabbed the juice, his palm ended up covering Dakota's hand.
In that instant, it felt like a prairie fire.
Feeling the heat, Dakota's heart skipped a beat, and she turned her gaze to the side.
Curtis also turned to look at her.
Hands overlapping, gazes met.
The giant screen still showed intimate scenes filled with primal desire, the breaths from the movie echoing in their ears.
Dakota felt her hand go limp.
She was nervous and at a loss, but her focus and heart seemed to fall completely into Curtis's deep gaze.
And Curtis looked at her plainly, his gaze devoid of any attempt to hide his desire, his deep pupils seeming to hold a whirlpool that wanted to engulf her.
She clearly saw his Adam's apple move.
No words were spoken, but he was slowly moving closer, closer...
"Kota," he finally whispered to her.
His voice was infinitely hoarse, sexy as if a hand was caressing her earlobe.
Dakota: "... Mm."
"I want to kiss you," Curtis's lips parted slightly, his breathing disordered, "Is it okay?"
Dakota's tense nerves finally snapped.
She couldn't recall what she was thinking, it was like a grand fireworks show or a blank slate, but she remembered responding to Curtis.
She said, "Mm."
Then his distinct knuckles suddenly clasped the back of her head, threading through her hair, and his thin, warm lips pressed against hers in a passionate kiss.
