From Ashes of Scandal to His Embrace (Laurinda) novel Chapter 521

“Drunk?”

Laurinda was sprawled across Adolphus’s back, her brow wrinkling as she tried to figure out if she’d actually had too much to drink.

“I’m not drunk, Adolphus. Don’t you want to get married someday? Isn’t it normal for married people to do… all that stuff?”

Her hand sneaked along his collar, slipping under his shirt like she was on a mission.

Adolphus let out a long, helpless sigh at her boldness. There was no debating it now. Laurinda was definitely tipsy.

“I’m taking you home. The supermarkets are closed.”

“I don’t want to go home. If the supermarket’s closed, we can go to a convenience store instead. They’re open all night. They never close.”

Laurinda insisted, her voice full of certainty. She was sure she wasn’t drunk at all. There had always been that desire, the sneaky thoughts, but she’d never had the courage. Now she finally had the perfect excuse and she wasn’t about to waste it.

With that idea in her head, Laurinda wriggled until she managed to slide off Adolphus’s back.

Afraid she might fall, Adolphus crouched down and gently set her on the ground.

As soon as her feet hit the pavement, Laurinda straightened up and strode toward the convenience store like she owned the place.

Adolphus grabbed her hand to keep her from running off, watching her as she blinked those clear, mischievous eyes at him. She really was a handful.

He tugged her closer, wrapping her arms around his waist. He swallowed, the situation pulsing between them. “Are you really sure about this?”

Laurinda tipped her head back to look up at him, watching his Adam’s apple bob. She licked her lips, her voice just a secret between the two of them. “I’m nineteen. I know what I’m doing, and I can take care of myself.”

Adolphus nodded, a half-smile tugging at his lips. “Okay. If you’re sure, then let’s go to the convenience store.”

She let out a shaky breath, dropped his hand, and all but ran into the store.

Adolphus stood back for a second, watching her as she disappeared into the aisles. The whole idea of taking things slow suddenly felt very far away. He’d always wanted to bring Laurinda home, but he never imagined things would go this quickly.

Those memories of her flushed, shy face flickered through his mind, urging him forward. He walked briskly to the aisle with the family planning supplies. He grabbed a few boxes of protection—more than they’d probably need—then found Laurinda in the drinks aisle and quietly dropped them into her basket.

She heard the soft thud, peeked into the basket, and her heart skipped a beat, a mess of nerves and excitement.

To cover it up, she grabbed a few bottles of strawberry milk and handed him the basket. “Go ahead and pay for these.”

Her flustered, adorable look made Adolphus laugh. He slipped an arm around her waist, pulling her close.

“We’ll check out together.”