[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":10},["ShallowReactive",2],{"viewer-data-260322F482CA-431":3},{"id":4,"number":5,"name":6,"content":7,"isLocked":8,"price":9,"hasRead":8},431,83,"Chapter 83: Pinned Against the Entrance","\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">After two hours had finally dragged by, Arianna tugged on Maxwell’s hand, pulling him toward the car. \"That’s it, let’s go home!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Maxwell still seemed reluctant to call it a night.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">For as long as they had been married, this was the first time they had actually walked hand-in-hand through the neighborhood. The night air hung heavy with a dry, summer heat, and the constant hum of cicadas filled the silence between them. The night market was teeming with people—a chaotic, electric atmosphere where the scent of barbecue skewers—charred meat coated in thick, glossy sauce, finished with a heavy dusting of chili and cumin—collided with the cool breeze of a summer evening.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Maxwell fastened his seatbelt, already mapping out their next outing. \"There’s a park over on the Westside. It’s much bigger than this one. Should we check it out next time?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Sure,\" she said.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">A momentary lapse in Arianna’s navigation led them into a congested stretch of road, pushing their arrival home thirty minutes past schedule. As they pulled up to their place, they bumped into the building's concierge service, who was just pulling up with a delivery.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Your order, Ms. Stone,\" the concierge said, putting his phone away with a smile. \"I was just about to call you.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Thank you, I appreciate it.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Not a problem at all.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Maxwell stood behind her, looking completely lost.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Once the concierge left, Arianna held the cake box out in front of him. \"What’s with that look?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">She tipped her head, a teasing glint in her eyes. \"Why do you look so dazed?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Maxwell stared at the cake in her hands for a long beat. \"You bought this for me?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Arianna beamed. \"I did.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">For a split second, Maxwell seemed to lose the ability to process anything. He said, almost mechanically, \"It’s not my birthday today.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">God, he was such a dork. A ridiculously lovable one.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Arianna’s eyes crinkled, her voice dropping to a soft, melodic lilt. \"I heard a quote once.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Yeah?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"You don't need a birthday to justify a cake. It doesn't have to have any grand meaning. Sometimes, it’s just because you want to see someone happy.\" She paused, her smile softening. \"But it does have another purpose today. I’m celebrating you closing that deal.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"I hope things just keep getting better for you.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Under the glow of the streetlamp, light danced in Maxwell’s eyes. He looked at her with a depth of emotion that felt like drowning. For a fleeting second, Arianna could have sworn she saw the shimmer of unshed tears in his gaze.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Without a word, he stepped forward, took the cake from her hands, and linked his fingers through hers. \"Let's go. We're home.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">He didn't show a flicker of excitement.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">As she entered the entry code, Arianna felt a pang of uncertainty. *Did he hate the cake? Was this not his favorite flavor? Did I somehow screw this up?*\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">She was so lost in her own head that she fumbled the code, typing it wrong twice.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">She stood there, embarrassed, preparing to try again, when Maxwell reached over, his hand brushing hers. He input the code with practiced, fluid grace and pushed the door open. He stepped inside first, and Arianna followed.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Maxwell set the cake on the foyer console table. Arianna was just about to ask if he wanted to eat it now or later, or if it should go in the fridge, when he pivoted.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">He didn't say a word. He simply closed the distance, caught her by the waist, and pressed her back against the door, leaning down to claim her lips.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Arianna’s breath hitched.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The kiss was sudden, absolute, and overwhelming. He was gentle yet insistent, tracing the line of her lips, moving with the elegant, predatory focus of a wolf closing in on its prey. Their breaths tangled, and he began to invade every inch of her space.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Arianna stood there, stunned, her eyes wide as she looked at him.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Maxwell sensed her hesitation. He pulled back just enough to let out a low, frustrated chuckle. He traced a thumb over her flushed, swollen lower lip, his voice dropping into a ragged, dark register. \"Arianna. Close your eyes.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Her cheeks burned, but she obeyed, closing her eyes tightly.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Pinned against the wood of the door, she felt his large palm slide firmly against the small of her back, while his other hand interlaced with her fingers, locking their hands together.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Maxwell lowered his head, his expression dark and unreadable.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">His kiss turned aggressive, hungry, as he plunged into her mouth, greedily drinking in the sweet air she gave him. Her lips began to tingle from the intensity of the friction. Arianna pushed at his chest, a soft, muffled sound escaping her.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Maxwell instantly softened. He traced the tip of his tongue against hers in a slow, soothing rhythm, his palm rubbing slow, grounding circles against her waist to calm her racing heart.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">When the long, heavy silence of the kiss finally broke, Arianna leaned her head against the door, desperate for a lungful of oxygen.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Maxwell pressed his forehead against hers, his finger pads gently wiping away the sheen of moisture from the corner of her mouth. His voice was a raw rasp. \"Arianna. Thank you.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"I really am happy today.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Are you?\" Her brain was still rebooting, and she let the words slip out before she could check them. \"Because out there... you didn't really look like it.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Arianna clamped her mouth shut instantly.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Looking back, she realized he hadn't been unhappy; he had been suppressing an entirely different kind of hunger. The kiss he’d just given her proved exactly what that was.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">She kept her mouth shut, trying to pivot to anything else.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Maxwell wouldn't let her off the hook. He raised an eyebrow, watching her with a look of predatory amusement. \"Did I not make it obvious enough for you?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"If the Mrs. doesn't believe me, I don't mind proving it a second time.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"No, no,\" Arianna surrendered, her face turning crimson. \"I get it. I’m a believer. I believe you one hundred percent.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Maxwell smirked. \"Words are cheap. Real proof requires action.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"No,\" Arianna raised her hands to cover her mouth, bracing herself. \"Really, no need to prove anything else...\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Maxwell laughed, pulling her into a tight, comforting embrace. \"I’m just messing with you, Arianna. Don’t take it so seriously.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Arianna wondered how much of that was actually a joke.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Under her skeptical gaze, Maxwell’s eyes flicked down to her lips once more. He hummed softly, \"Your lips are so red right now. We can save the rest for later.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Come on. Let’s go eat that cake.\"\u003C/p>",false,0,1774272908852]