Even in Darkness She Chose to Rise (Tatiana and Jasper) novel Chapter 498

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Chapter 498 A Heart Stopping Encounter

Her eyes widened, her lips parting in shock. She never expected Jasper to intercept her in such a suicidal manner.

Was he insane?

In the final split second, both slammed their brakes to the floor. The piercing scream of tires tore through the night, and the smell of burnt rubber filled the air as the cars skidded across the wet pavement. They came to a halt with less than ten centimeters separating their bumpers.

Tatiana’s heart hammered against her ribs–thump, thump, thump–drowning out every other sound. Cold sweat soaked the stray hairs at her temples.

Jasper climbed out of his car and strode toward her. He stood outside the driver’s side door, his gaze locked onto her with terrifying intensity. Tatiana exhaled a shaky breath and opened the door, but before she could step out, he forced his way inside.

Rainwater dripped from his hair, sliding down his tense jawline and falling onto Tatiana’s pale face. He braced one hand against the roof of the Maserati and the other against the headrest of the passenger seat, his large frame crowding into the small space and pinning Tatiana between the steering wheel and his chest.

“You-“Tatiana’s voice was cut off by the sudden proximity of his body.

With a sharp click, Jasper hit the seat adjustment button. The driver’s seat reclined abruptly, leaving Tatiana half–lying back.

“Don’t ever scare me like that again,” he said, leaning down. His knee pressed into the gap of the seat, caging her completely beneath him. “I will lose control.”

Tatiana was stunned into silence for a long moment. The tension in the air shifted, turning thick and heavy due to their extreme proximity. A drop of water from his hair slid down and landed on the corner of her lips, leaving a damp trail.

His gaze darkened. In the next instant, his self–proclaimed logic collapsed entirely. He leaned down and captured her lips in a kiss.

“Mmph!”

Her eyes went wide as she stared at the handsome face inches from her own. His kiss wasn’t gentle; it was a punishment—a response to the reckless stunt that had nearly cost him his sanity. Only this kiss could settle the fear in his heart.

His breath was cool but his touch was undeniable. His rain–soaked body drew the warmth from her skin, making her shiver slightly. That small movement brought back a sliver of his reason, and he finally pulled away with lingering reluctance.

The sound of their heavy breathing was the only thing audible in the confined space. Like a child who had just received a long–awaited reward, Jasper let out a pure, whispered laugh against her ear. “You didn’t push me away.”

He knew exactly what that meant. Joy exploded like fireworks in his chest, and his eyes grew softer than they had ever been. Tatiana felt as if she were drowning in that tenderness and awkwardly looked away.

“How long are you going to stay like this? Get up, you’re soaking wet.”

Jasper let out a low chuckle. Because they were so close, she could feel the vibration in his chest. The atmosphere grew even more intimate. She gritted her teeth and shoved him away with all her might.

He relented and sat up. Outside, the rain had stopped. The thick clouds were parting, allowing the silver moonlight to pour down. He stood by the car, raking his wet hair back to reveal his chiseled face, looking devastatingly handsome in the moonlight.

Tatiana looked away, her heart uncharacteristically fluttery. He didn’t notice, saying softly, “Tatiana, come out of the car.”