Curtis's body stiffened momentarily.
But it was only for a brief moment before the sensation of her lips electrified his senses.
Dakota's kiss was inexperienced but more passionate than ever.
In the dim space under the coat, the surroundings blurred, and Dakota's hidden courage came out boldly.
It was as if the whole world had shrunk to just the two of them.
Dakota pecked at his lips haphazardly, her breath quickening and becoming erratic.
Curtis chuckled softly, pressing against her lips.
Then he placed his palm on her lower back, pulling her closer into his embrace, bending down to deepen the kiss.
For a moment, Dakota, who had been the aggressor, became passive.
She tilted her head back, her chin caught in his grip.
Curtis pressed her chin gently with his thumb, causing Dakota to part her lips, and the masculine scent and moist touch entwined with her tongue.
Dakota's body almost melted.
But this time, she didn't want to hide at all.
Even if Curtis's kisses were like a storm, Dakota felt it was nothing compared to the storm he had braved for her, and he was the light she should hold onto.
Dakota and Curtis kissed passionately under the coat for a long time.
This semi-enclosed space that isolated them from the world and the dim, intimate lighting heightened the sense of closeness.
Until Curtis slowly released Dakota, gently brushing her nose with his, "Another kiss?"
Dakota's ears were heating up slightly.
But she opened her eyes and looked at Curtis, "Yes."
So Curtis leaned down again, kissing her deeply, making the previous rain seem insignificant compared to their connection.
After their intimate session,
Dakota's lips were noticeably fuller.
She breathed heavily, resting in Curtis's arms, "What should we do? Noe probably saw us."
Curtis held her close, his chin resting on the top of her head, rubbing gently.
"Are you afraid?" he asked.
"No." Dakota shook her head.
Before, she didn't want Noe to know about her relationship with Curtis because she was unsatisfied with the marriage, finding it shameful to marry her rival.
But now, she was clear—she loved him.
"Mm." Curtis couldn't resist giving her a soft peck, "Then it's them who'll go crazy."
Dakota laughed at his antics.
She touched his soaking wet clothes, "Won't you catch a cold like this?"
"Don't worry." Curtis chuckled.
His lips brushed against her cheek, whispering huskily into her ear, "Mrs. Pineda, you'll find out later, your husband is very healthy."
Dakota's ears turned bright red instantly.
She instantly understood what Curtis meant, silently scolding him with words like "pervert" and "unserious" in her mind.
But Curtis was right.
Noe indeed went crazy.
He kept chatting in the group while descending the mountain, even renting a power bank to vent his frustration.
[Noe]: @Curtis @Curtis
[Noe]: I need an explanation.
[Noe]: I never thought you'd be the type to meddle in others' affairs.
[Noe]: What's going on between you and Dakota?!
[Lailah]: ??? What happened?
[Lailah]: But let me tell you, kissing a soldier is amazing! Ugh, too bad I started running out of breath halfway through, or I definitely would've taken it further!
[Noe]: ????
[Lailah]: By the way, what's up with Curtis and Dakota? Are they fighting again?
[Curtis]: Nothing.
After being bombarded with numerous messages from Noe, Curtis finally appeared in the group chat, having recharged his phone in the car.
Seeing those words, Noe felt a pang in his chest, ready to furiously type out his complaint.
But before he could send his message,
his phone vibrated three times with new messages in the group.
[Curtis]: Oh, forgot to notify everyone.
[Curtis]: Kota and I have already married. Please prepare some wedding gifts, and we'll send out invitations when we have the ceremony.
【Curtis】: Photo.jpg
The photo was undoubtedly of their marriage certificate, saved previously on his phone.
This time, even the usually calm Jasiah was stunned.
He was in shock for several seconds.
He repeatedly looked at the marriage certificate photo, then pressed the voice button to shout in the group—
"What the hell??? Curtis! What are you talking about???"
But Curtis didn't respond further.
He was right.
If Dakota didn't mind letting them in on the secret, then the ones losing their minds would definitely be them.
Noe still hadn't fully processed what was happening.
In the car, Noe grabbed Jasiah by the neck, shaking him wildly. "Did you know? Did you know?! You knew, didn't you? And you just sat there watching me make a fool of myself!"
"Damn it, Noe! Let go!"
Jasiah's neck was turning red from Noe's grip. "How the hell would I know?! Who in their right mind would've guessed this idiot already married her!"
He thought Curtis was still in the middle of chasing her.
From the way they'd been interacting lately, he figured Curtis was close to winning her over.
And now—
Married?!
What blew his mind was that the marriage certificate was dated months ago, right around the time Dakota had returned to the country. They'd even thrown her a welcome-home party back then!
What had they said at that party?
Dakota: "I'm straight, and I'm not marrying a jerk."
Curtis also swirled his wine glass coldly and nonchalantly, sneering, "Who in their right mind would think I'm interested in you?"
But in the end.
They'd sworn up and down, but behind everyone's backs, they'd already tied the knot?!
Jasiah was done.
He suddenly felt like the biggest fool in the room.
Meanwhile, Lailah, who'd missed all of this while taking a breather, saw the messages late. She immediately pinched her philtrum, feeling like she was about to pass out.
Forgetting all about her own romantic escapades, she grabbed her phone to text Dakota and get the truth.
[Lailah]: Wait. Curtis wasn't joking? You two are already married??
[Lailah]: That marriage certificate wasn't photoshopped, right? So when you asked me for advice a while back... it was because you and Curtis were about to…
[Lailah]: Dakota, don't tell me— you and Curtis have already, you know... done it??!!!
