Find me in your labyrinth (Stella and Jonathan) novel Chapter 3302

Gonzalez met her gaze, his tone leveling out. "Let's talk about something serious."

"What serious thing?" Norah was still racking her brain for ways to protect him from Oliver, looking up in confusion.

Gonzalez’s dark eyes locked onto hers. "Friends or lovers. Have you made up your mind?"

Norah bit her lip, shooting him a glare. "That's your serious business?"

Gonzalez nodded. "To me, it's the most important thing."

A jolt of electricity zipped through her chest, vaporizing her anger. She dropped her gaze. "I don't know. I haven't decided."

They had crossed the line. They had kissed. How were they supposed to just be friends?

"If you can't decide, then I'll just keep pursuing you." His tone was brazen, filled with arrogant confidence. He leaned forward, bracing his hands on the back of the sofa, zeroing in on her lips.

Norah scrambled backward, pressing herself flat against the cushions. "Friends!" she blurted out.

His mouth stopped a hair's breadth from hers. Just an inch closer, and he would have captured her lips again.

His hot breath fanned across her face. Norah squeezed her eyes shut and held her breath, her hands pushing frantically against his broad shoulders.

Finally, Gonzalez pulled back. He knew better than to push her into a corner. He had gotten more than enough out of tonight.

Looking at her flushed, tense face, he offered a faint smile. "Friends it is. But we're doing this like before. No hiding from me."

Norah kept her eyes downcast and offered a small nod.

Gonzalez checked his watch. "Let's go home."

"I can't leave yet—" Norah started, but her phone cut her off. It was Adrian Chambers.

She swiped to answer. "Adrian!"

"Norah, where are you?" Adrian's voice was tight with worry. "I can't find you anywhere in the ballroom."

Norah darted a glance at Gonzalez, who was watching her like a hawk. "I... spilled something on my dress. I came upstairs to clean up."

Adrian breathed a sigh of relief. "I'll come find you."

Norah and Gonzalez's relationship had obviously moved far beyond friendly neighbors.

Was she lying to herself, or was he just lying to himself?

*

The driver navigated the city streets while Gonzalez and Norah sat in the back.

Hidden beneath the folds of her dress, Gonzalez's hand remained firmly wrapped around hers. Terrified the driver would notice, Norah didn't dare put up a fight. She just stared blankly out the window, pretending everything was perfectly normal.

When she finally glanced his way, she realized he had fallen asleep against the headrest.

As the neon city lights washed over his face, Norah noticed the dark circles beneath his eyes. He looked completely exhausted, like he hadn't slept in days.

A sudden wave of softness swelled in her chest.

Without opening his eyes, his thumb gently stroked her knuckles. His low voice broke the quiet of the car.