She suddenly stuck out her tongue, giving her lips a quick lick, her gaze fixed on his as she asked, "Is kissing you as dull as watching paint dry?" She didn't see Phillip's throat bob with a swallow, only heard his voice, steady and calm as always, so she missed the seductive undertone in his reply. "Why don't you try it yourself?"
Tina didn't hesitate, tilting her face up towards his.
A faint scent of wine mingled with the soft press of her lips against his. Phillip sat still, his deep eyes watching her closed eyelids.
She kissed him hard and bold without a hint of fear. Her technique might've been a bit clumsy, and she mashed and nibbled more than anything without any real skill. Yet, she was daring, her tongue lightly tracing his lips, agile and delicate.
Eventually, Phillip lifted his hands, one cradling the back of her neck, gently parting his lips to take hers more assertively, turning a passive and awkward kiss into something more. His other hand rested lightly on her back, offering support.
The kiss seemed to last an eternity. When Tina was finally released, she was breathless, her eyes misty and dazed.
Phillip's voice was slightly hoarse as he asked, "Boring?"
Her oxygen-deprived brain took a moment to process the simple word.
"Not boring."
After her reply, she cupped his face and kissed him again without a second thought.
Both kisses had been initiated by her.
This made Tina unavoidably feel a bit awkward when she faced Phillip the next day, sober and clear-headed.
She had intended to grab some breakfast, but seeing Phillip by the coffee machine, her heart skipped a beat, and she stumbled into a chair.
Her toe almost broke before her pride did, hopping on the spot before meeting Phillip's gaze. She forced her leg down, trying to act cool.
Then she thought, what's there to be embarrassed about?
Leaning against the wall, she tried to emulate the confidence of someone more experienced in love affairs, "We're getting engaged, a kiss is nothing, right?"
Phillip took a sip of his water, his tone even, "Nothing at all."
Seeing his calm, unruffled demeanor, Tina felt her own emotions settle.
They were in an arranged
relationship; a kiss was just a kiss. In the grand scheme of things, it was minor, especially considering they were expected to marry and carry on the family line without any real emotion involved.
Realizing this, she felt no more embarrassment, walking over to Phillip, "Pour me a glass of water, will you?"
The more Tina got to know Phillip, the more comfortable she felt around him. He was a man of few words, but his presence offered a sense of security, as if there was nothing to worry about as long as he was there.
The more she understood him, the more she appreciated how different he was from Hamilton. Hamilton's macho vibe was a big no-no, but Phillip on the other hand was all about respecting her and everyone else, no matter who they were.
His gentlemanly behavior and manners were ingrained, not just superficial.
Her friends hadn't even met him yet, but their impression of him was increasingly positive, "Marry a man like that! Especially in an arranged marriage where it's all about business, not love. You need
vel.i
someone decent, who'll respect you even if he doesn't love your Not like your dad..."
She caught herself mid-sentence, but Tina wasn't offended. In fact, she agreed, "Phillip is the perfect partner for an arranged marriage."
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