[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":10},["ShallowReactive",2],{"viewer-data-260322F482CA-446":3},{"id":4,"number":5,"name":6,"content":7,"isLocked":8,"price":9,"hasRead":8},446,98,"Chapter 98: My Abs or His?","\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Maxwell King felt like he’d shot himself in the foot. If he’d known it would turn out like this, he never would have been so stubborn about his choices.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The home theater was impressive—a sprawling, custom-built space. The massive sofa took up the center of the room, facing a wall-to-ceiling screen. Hidden speakers tucked into every corner provided a 360-degree, immersive soundscape. Above, the ceiling was a masterclass in lighting design: a deep, midnight-blue expanse punctured by thousands of tiny fiber-optic LEDs, mimicking a vast, shimmering galaxy.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Arianna Stone was curled into the leather cushions, looking languid and content. The seat was reclined perfectly, a small side table holding an assortment of snacks, iced lattes, and two plates of fresh fruit that Maxwell had picked up earlier. Everything was perfect—except, perhaps, for the way their shoulders were pressed tightly against each other.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The sofa was clearly large enough, yet somehow, they had ended up crammed together. Every time she moved, their skin brushed—a friction that sent a jolt of heat through her, radiating from the contact point where his arm met hers.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The movie was an achingly pure romance. It followed a story of serendipitous encounters, butterflies, and the pain of missing a connection, only to reunite years later in a foreign city and build a life together with the blessing of their friends and family. As the credits rolled, Arianna sat frozen, lost in the narrative. She hadn't seen something so unpretentiously sweet in ages. No toxic drama, no manipulative rivals, no real-world baggage. Just two people falling in love like everyone else, treating their partner as the center of their universe.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">It was exactly as Miranda Green had said: \"That movie makes me feel like my partner is right here beside me, just around the corner.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">She had been so absorbed in the film that the snacks and fruit remained untouched. Coming back to reality, Arianna picked up a ripe, crimson strawberry and held it out toward Maxwell.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"You have the first one,\" Maxwell said.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The emphasis on \"first\" wasn't lost on her. Arianna popped the strawberry into her own mouth, then leaned over and held another one out to his lips, her expression playful. \"Say ah.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Maxwell watched her with a gentle, lingering gaze. He leaned in, taking the fruit from her fingers with his lips. His mouth brushed against her pale skin, a light, grazing contact that felt like a sudden electric current shooting straight to her heart.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The distance between them vanished.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Is it good?\" Arianna asked, her voice slightly breathless as she tried to bridge the awkward tension.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Maxwell didn't break eye contact. \"Good.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Is it sweet?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Sweet.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Oh. Do you want another—\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">He didn't give her the chance to finish. Maxwell leaned forward, catching her lips in a kiss. He was the same Maxwell she knew, yet his touch was different now—gentle as he parted her lips, his breath mingling with hers, possessive and unwilling to let her go. The sound of their rhythmic, heavy breathing filled the quiet, darkened theater, thickening the air with palpable tension.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The temperature in the room seemed to spike. Arianna surrendered to the kiss, her long lashes fluttering against her cheeks, until she heard him whisper against her lips, \"Arianna, your strawberry tastes sweeter than mine.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Her ears turned a deep, burning crimson. Before she could regain her composure, he tilted his head and kissed her again, deeper this time. Under the simulated starlight, Maxwell cradled her face with both hands, his focus entirely on her. She kept her eyes shut, lost in the heat of his touch, the lingering flavor of the fruit dissolving on their tongues as he claimed her completely.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">In her dazed state, she didn't realize when her hand had been guided to his waist. He pressed her palm firmly against his midsection, right over the firm, lean muscle of his abdomen.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Arianna jolted back, startled. Her eyes flew open, wide and glossy with surprise, her voice softening into a bewildered, delicate hum. \"What are you doing?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Maxwell didn't let her pull away, holding her hand firmly against him. \"Whose is better? Mine or the lead actor's?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Arianna blinked, her brain struggling to catch up. \"Who?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Julian,\" Maxwell rasped, his voice dark and tight. \"Do you think his abs are better than mine?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Arianna: \"...\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Julian was the lead in the movie they had just finished. What on earth did he have to do with this? A moment later, it clicked. She curled her eyes into crescents, looking up to catch his expression. \"Oh, so you aren't a fan of that actor, then?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Why would I be?\" Maxwell replied, his tone stiff and defensive.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Then why did you agree to watch this movie?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Maxwell stayed silent for a few seconds. Why? Because he’d been too proud to admit he was jealous. He leaned down, burying his face in the crook of her neck, his voice muffled and grumpy. \"I'm jealous. And I’m terrified that you’ll think I’m being petty.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Jealous?\" Arianna asked, stunned. \"Because of those photo stills online?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Yes.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"But I didn't even click on them! Those were just thumbnails!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Thumbnails count too.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Arianna stared at him, truly shocked. She couldn't believe a man could be jealous to this degree. But somehow, it was impossibly endearing. She couldn't help but tease him. \"I see hundreds of people every day when I go out. Should I be worried about you keeping me locked away in a gilded cage?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Can I?\" Maxwell asked, looking at her with complete, terrifying sincerity. \"I've actually thought about it, but I was afraid you wouldn't be on board.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The smile froze on Arianna’s face. She stammered, \"I—I definitely wouldn't be!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Then how about a larger villa? Or a private estate?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Arianna: \"...\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Seeing the genuine panic on her face as she looked like she was ready to make a run for it, Maxwell finally laughed, pulling her into his arms. \"You’re such a dork. I’m joking.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Really?\" Arianna asked, still half-suspicious.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"My wife is brilliant. The world deserves to see her.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">This time, Arianna was the one who initiated the kiss. Maxwell sat as still as a statue, his entire body rigid as she leaned in, her touch awkward and unpracticed as she licked his lower lip, then tentatively, carefully, explored further. Her heart felt as though it were being wrapped in something soft and heavy, pulling her deeper into him.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Her hand was still resting against his lean abdomen, and taking advantage of the moment, she gave it a bold, experimental squeeze.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Maxwell’s muscles instantly coiled beneath her palm, his gaze darkening to an intense, dangerous shade. Arianna didn't notice, too wrapped up in the intimacy of the moment. She climbed into his lap, winding her arms around his neck, and surrendered to the kiss.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Under the vast, artificial galaxy, the whispered promises between lovers melted into one long, soft, lingering kiss. In the midst of the hazy, romantic fog, Maxwell heard her whisper, \"I love you, Maxwell. I’ll only ever love you.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Maxwell pulled her closer, his response both a vow and a promise. \"I feel the same.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">—\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Since you don't like that movie,\" Arianna whispered, rubbing her cheek against his shoulder, \"should we pick something else?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">He curled his lip, his expression dangerous and pleased. \"Is my wife going to make it up to me?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Arianna nodded earnestly. \"Yes.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Maxwell leaned in, his nose brushing hers as he murmured something intimate and suggestive. \"Could you make it up to me in a different way?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Like what?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Maxwell didn't answer. A moment later, he asked again, his tone leaving absolutely no room for misinterpretation: \"Can I, my dear?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Arianna: \"............\"\u003C/p>",false,0,1774272909770]