Chapter 617

At that time, the younger and bolder Hannah had failed to process a single syllable of Vincent's voice. Every fragment of her attention had clung to him alone.

Never before had she seen a man's physique in such unguarded nearness; the sight had made her face blaze crimson, her pulse thundered as though a drumline echoed within her chest, and one reckless thought overtook her entire being-she had to win him. Letting a man like him slip by without a moment of fiery romance would leave her haunted by regret throughout her college life.

Vincent had observed Hannah, her unbroken stare fixed on him while his question went unanswered, and a deep crease appeared between his brows. Abandoning his inquiry, he reached forward, clasped her by the arm, and tugged her out of the locker. "You should leave."

The cool firmness of his palm against her heated skin had jolted her sharply back into awareness. Yet,instead of obeying, she caught his wrist, looked up at him with bright eyes, and asked, "Why have you been avoiding me lately? I've been searching everywhere for you in vain-l had no choice but to wait here.Vincent, how about a movie tonight? There's a new release, and|−11

"I'm busy," Vincent had cut her off, his tone clipped, trying to pull his hand away.

But Hannah had refused to let go. "It's only two hours! Just the film, I promise. Afterward, I'll go home quietly without bothering you."

Her wide eyes had glimmered with anticipation.

Vincent hadn't uttered a word, but the chill in his silence had been its own rejection.

Hannah, however, had been stubborn by nature. Drawing in a shaky breath, she straightened her shoulders with quiet defiance. "If you don't agree, I'll stay right here!"

Vincent's lips had curved faintly, a flicker of amusement mingling with his irritation as he lifted an eyebrow."So you plan to stay and watch me change?"

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A flush had tinted Hannah's face, but she didn't retreat. Instead, she glanced him over deliberately and murmured,"It's not as if I'd suffer any loss."

Patience had evaporated from Vincent's expression; he was just about to push her toward the door when sudden footsteps and hurried voices echoed beyond the changing room.

"Quickly, there's no one around-"

"Don't rush!"

Vincent had frozen. If Hannah stepped out now, she'd be bumping into those two outside. A girl emerging from the men's locker room would be enough to trigger scandalous rumors.

Vincent had frowned and then acted on instinct-he pulled Hannah back toward the lockers and shut them both inside.

The narrow compartment had forced their bodies close enough for her breath to brush his collarbone.

Hannah's heartbeat had stuttered. She knew Vincent hadn't done this because he had any interest in her,but because his nature recoiled from trouble. He simply wanted to steer clear of needless scandal, avoiding the slightest hint of gossip or misunderstanding. Hiding her was his way of avoiding a bigger mess. But to her,pressed so near the man she adored, every second felt like a dangerous dream.

Outside, the voices had grown clearer. They belonged unmistakably to Pete Freguson, the P.E. teacher, and Melody Harrison,the chemistry teacher.

"Relax, darling, it's been a while since class ended; there's absolutely no one here!" Peter's voice had drifted low and hurried.

Melody's reply had been softer, playful yet cautious. "Still, maybe we should look around first. What if someone's here?"

The word check had made Hannah's blood run cold. She instinctively clutched Vincent's arm tighter.If they opened the locker, she'd never live it down.

Peter had sounded impatient. "Why waste time checking? Why not check me instead? I've been dying to get

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Melody's laughter had rippled faintly, followed by the unmistakable wet sound of kissing.

Already an adult then, Hannah had known exactly what was happening outside. Her cheeks flamed; her spine went rigid; her gaze lifted instinctively to Vincent. His hair was still damp from the shower, a droplet sliding down his temple as his jaw tensed liké stone.

In the confined locker, their bodies had been inevitably pressed together. The thin fabric between them did little to mask the quickening rhythm of their breaths or the heat radiating through their skin.

Outside, the teachers' passion had grown louder, their voices dissolving into breathy moans that seeped through the locker door.

Hannah's throat had gone dry, her skin prickling with unbearable warmth.

The movements outside had grown increasingly fervent until a careless shift sent a jolt against the locker that concealed Vincent and Hannah, producing a muted thump that echoed through the narrow space.

The teachers had continued right there, pressed against the very door behind which Vincent and Hannah hid.

Every sound, every sigh, every motion beyond the barrier had struck Hannah like a pulse in her veins. The world narrowed to the hammering of her own heart and the sound of Vincent's restrained breathing.

Her mind had emptied, thought dissolved, leaving only the charged air between them. Her eyes shifted to Vincent's lips-unmoving, tense, too close-and before reason could stop her, she surged forward and kissed him.